The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-07-19
Sanborn. Fla. July Is, 1920.


Pensacola, Florida:
In your issue Of July 10th, you
copied from the st. Andrews News
an item, Some Census Figures"
which shows a decrease of 10 per
cent Of white farmers and SO per cent
of colored farmers. However. It shows
large increases in valuation.
I was born and reared in Liberty
county on a farm 43 years ago, which
am now living on. There is 265
acres of open land, $50 acres in Gull
tivation this year. most by my
brother, who specializes in growing
corn and beans for feeding cattle.
He slaughters approximately 900
head each year for Carrabelle and
Apalachicola markets, hence needs to
keep them fat in winter. I grow
variety, some for market, mostly for
family and turpentine labor.
1 was a candidate in the recent
primary for state senator from Fifth
district, composed of Wakulla, Frank
lin and Liberty counties, hence went
mostly all over the three counties,
and found some very fine crops, corn
late on account of late spring, cold
weather and heavy rains The clay
lands Of Liberty county, near Bristol,
showed up best average corn crops
of any of the three counties. The
farmers are buying improved machin-
cry, using every labor-saving device
possible. Peanuts are extensively
planted for oil mills and to fatten
hogs, that are shipped to packing
houses by car loads; best grades of
cattle are being secured and an up
ward tendency in generals i feel
proud of Liberty and the progress
she is making. with hard road al
most complete to Telogia, makes it
only 55 minutes drive from county
seat to railroad. Trucks are hauling
telephone poles, lumber and many
other commodities that are shipped
by rail that brings quite a lot of
cash into the county.
Nick Thompson, in Franklin coun-
ty, has one acre of corn that is plant
ed on cow-pen land, pine land, too,
that l feel sure will produce rs
bushels of corn Some say it will make
100 bushels, but I feel safe in saying
it will run approximately rs bushels.
He planted April 10, 1920, and worked
it out three times, has it 1-2 rows
and 1-2 feet in drills. Quite a num-
Der of stalks has four ears and some
five ears over 10-inch average
Franklin county soil can not be ex-
celled by but few counties in pro-
ducing sugarcane and sweet potatoes
Mr.. Thompson was a soldier in the
recent war, got some government lit
erature and thought he would try his
hand, with wonderful success. He has
an ardary that L wing, and put in
q large potato croIS - peanuts to
fatten hogs. He is living with his
aged mother-just two of them. Mrs.
Thompson is 81 years old, has never
ridden on a train nor in an automobile
or on steamboat; rode five miles
on launch once. She is quite active
cultivates good garden. raises pigs
and chickens mostly. Has one pet
barrow seven years old that will
weigh 300 pounds dressed, but she
will not allow him to be killed, high
price of bacon Notwithstanding; how |
ever she has approximately so head |
of good bacon size.
Wakulla county is the banner |
cane county of the three. There will |
be many barrels of the sweet made |
there this year. We will give some |
figures later on on this important |
subject. 1t was indeed a pleasure to |
see and get acquainted with so many |
good citizens of the three counties |
and see their different modes and |
methods of making a living. They |
are certainly hospitable people.
Corn crops in this county are very |
good, but late. wet spring delaying
planting. Bee culture has attracted |
many, and large sums are made from |
this source; in fact, all three coun- |
ties derive large revenue from this |
industry. Foul brood seems to annoy |
quite a few and the next general as
sembly will be asked to appropriate
a large sum, or about $4,000, to try !
to stamp it out in this state, and il |
will be a great thing if the money can
be secured, as there is approximately,
from rough estimate made in my can
vass, more than $1,5o0,0o0 worth of |
honey and wax sold in the three |
counties. Apiarists own good homes,
and are heavy tax pay
ers and need protection. The citr;:s
canker got a large sunl-why not this
IRA SANDoRN.