Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-04-14
THROUGH FLORIDA.

week We will write about the wonder
tul POLK county section, referred 10 as
the backbone of Florida, as il contains
the highest elevations in the State an,
has ridges that are real hills. Ii, too
is county or lakes, and within its
borders are scores OF these Lowell,
bodies of crystal clear water fed from
underground springs and adding inn
meaSurably to the beauty of the
scenery. Ii is one Of the richest coun-
ties in the State-rich because OF lis
soil, SO admirably adapted TO the grow
ING OF citrus fruits. and rich for the
reason thousands of wealthy persons
from every section of our country have
located there because OF the beauty and
comfort and prosperity TO be found
and have made their permanent homes
IN this wonderful section.
Five years ago Polk county cour-
ageouSiy voted Sl.500,00O for goot
roads, and with this money she has
constructed 2l7 miles of the best type
OF sheet asphalt highways, supplement-
ed by several hundreds miles Of well
graded and firm roads made of sor
OF sandy CLAY that gives an excellent
surface. During the day we devoted
to Polk county we travelled l29 miles
over these splendid asphalt roads in
automobiles, and having thoroughly
enjoyed them and having seen the tire
mendouS influence they have had on
the welfare of the community and the
other improvements public and private
that have followed in their wake, "
are ready to declare that a wise invest
ment was made. If our Jefferson
county should make an investment
a million dollars in good roads we be.
| lleve that our people would feel as the
Polk county folks do after they have
seen the benefits that have followed
The good roads attract tourists, natural
ly, and having travelled through
that section and observed its beautic'
and noted the progressiveness of tho
! people. il is not long until the tourists.
or fair proportion of them, become
permanent residents.
Our first stop in the morning was at
Pearce, where the editors and their
friends got on Hat cars and were
taken to the mines and mills of IN,
American Agricultural Chemical Com.
pany. Here we saw the modern meth.
cd OF mining phosphate rock or shells
by hydraulic streams that undermine
the formation and disintegrate il SC
that IL can be pumped in'o the wash.
cries, where II Is thoroughly cleaned
dried and loaded on cars at a minimum.
OF labor. From Pearce we went ~
the pleasant town OF Mulberry. where
there Is important development Of its
products by the International Agri
cultural Corporation. We had an in.
teresting visit to Barlow. the county
seat OF Polk county. This Is busv
and thriving city, with broad streets
lined with shade trees. modern inn
provements. fine schools and many
very handsome residences. Here
were regaled with refreshments and
heartily welcomed. This Is a cab
bage-growing section. and great fields
OF cabbages extend in every direction
The growers have made themselves in.
dependent OF rain here by ercctinf
pipe lines through their fields at as
elevation OF from seven TO ten feet
When they want shower they sim.
ply turn valve, and from the per
forated pipes tiny streams dart out or
either side to meet the streams fror
the next row Of pipes-and there'c
your rain! Is IL any wonder that their
cabbage patches flourish? ?
From Barlow and its cabbages we
went 10 another extreme-the mag
nificent Highland Park, a biz Of Para
disc that has been made by rich me-
| from the north. A great tract Of
rolling land has been taken over and /,
being developed in orange and prape
fruit groves, while lovely park, with
golf courses and drives and evervthin,
to entertain and amuse, Including 3
splendid clubhouse, Is an ideal plac,
for those who have means and leisure
This spot is as fair as the garden OF
the Lord, for artistic skill and unIim-
tied money has added to the natural
beauty until there seems nothing lief
to be desired. The editors were en-.
tertained at delightful luncheon al
the club-houses, though il must br
mitted that some OF the ultra wealthy
guests looked upon the poor men.
pushers over elevated noses and from
under naughty eyebrows.
from Highland Park we drove
tnrougn one charming town after an
other-Frost Proof. where no chill
wino ever dares to blow its breath
haines City: Lake Alfred. quite up-to-
GATE and progressive; Florence Villa
ana winter Haven, beautiful as dream
towns and filled with most hospitabIe
folks OF culture and refinement who
showered every kindness and courtesy
upon the editorial party.
There are many thousands Of acres
OF bearing groves Of oranges, grape
fruit and taneerines in Polk county
enough apparently to supply the world
and vet on every hand more land Is be-
ing cleared and modest individual
growers or great holdings Of strong
companies continue to develop more
and more fruit. Good roads are bring
ing about this development and pres
enty every acre of land adjoining th.
will be cultivated, the present towns
will become larger and more attract
i've, new towns will spring up, and so
the growth and prosperity Of the coun.
try will be enlarged. The towns gre