The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-03-18
EDITORS COMPLETE
TOUR POLK COUNTY
Visitors Well Pleased
With Reception-They
Are Given a View of
the Phosphate Indus
try and S h o W n
Through P a c k i n g
Houses.

MEniDeTS OF InG NdIlDHdl EulJUTldl
Association making a tour of Florida
this week, have seen the heart OF the
citrus industry of the state. This was
made possible on Thursday when a
-notorcade almost two miles long, trav-
eled more than one hundred miles
across the country from southwest to
northeast. Automobiles were assem-
bied at Pierce on Thursday morning
from most of the important communi-
lies in Polk, so many in number that
the great barnyard of Highland Oaks
farm was crowded to capacity. The
special Pullman train bearing the edi-
tors came in from .Bradentown and
Manatee county very early in the
morning and the guests of the day
were not aroused until $50 o'clock
in time for breakfast served in the
new and large storehouse of the
Pierce Phosphate Company through
courtesy of Manager Burdette Loomis
and under direction OF w. H. War
burton Of The Oaks hotel at Barlow
Then the visitors We're placed aboard
train Of fiat cars used in the hauling
of phosphate rock and over-burden
hut ali spick and span and with i'm
proTised board seats so that all
might view the Pierce mine and the
processes used in mining pebble phos-
phate. 1t was all very interesting and
thoroughly enjoyed. The train was
then switched to Highland Oaks farm
to give opportunity for an inspection
of the thoroughbred Duroc hogs and
Ayreshire cattle for which this farm
is famous. Under the general direc-
tion of Earl L. Writ of Barlow as
grand marshal of the day, and with
the assistance of members of the
county executive committee and the
captains of the four divisions of the
motorcade, the guests were assigned
to the automobiles by pre-arranged
plan worked out by the committee
whereby each visitor had been preyi-
ously given an invitation or assign
ment card to a certain car in one of
the sections. the driver of that car
having also been furnished with his
number and place in line and the
names Of the people who were to be
with him on the trip. II all worked
out like clock-work and the start was
made on schedule: time.
Start from Mulberry
The route was by way of
Mulberry to Barlow, detour
being made to the cabbage fields
for and inspection of the truck
ing Industry. The kind-hearted la
dies of Barlow provided an abundance
of refreshing orange and grapefruit
liquid, the ladies In the party also
being presented with flowers. Fort
Meade was reached in due time and
here the children of the Fort Meade
school were drawn up in several lines
along the main street to sing songs Of
welcome. 1t was an effective and ap-
pealing courtesy duly appreciated,
The motorcade then settled down to
the fourteen-mile run to Frost Proof
across the fats. Climbing the famous
Ridge and entering the beautiful
Scenic Highlands of Florida, the Wis
itors were given such an unexpected
view of hills and lakes and groves
that they went into raptures over the
sight. And so it was all the remainder
OF the day, climax after climax and
with new visions and new surprises
every few minutes. The lunch hour
extended from. IL o'clock noon until
3 o'clock, the party being divided be-
tween four places--Hillcrest Lodge at
Crooked Lake, Highland Park, the
two largest hotels at Lake Wales and
Mountain Lake-at each of which
places sumptuous menus were served
in fine style amid most delightful sur
roundings. The tour was then ret
sumed on up. the Scenic Highlands
through Dundee and Lake Hamilton
to Haines City, Along the route pret-
ty girls threw flowers into the pass
ing automobiles and at Frostproof,
through the courtesy of F. II. Ohling-
| er, each car was furnished with bag
Of fine oranges. After leaving Haines
City the route followed was on down
through Lake Alfred where another
surprise was in store-a committee of
ladies and young girls serving re-
freshments of oranges, orangeade and
cake. .43
<, Lucerne Park
Beautiful Lucerne Park and VIM
ter Haven, representing the more
finished type OF grove country, elicit
ed expressions xof amazement and
pleasure. Through the courtesy of the
Florida Citrus Exchange, an inspec.
tion was made of the Winter Haven
packing plant. The permanency OF
the building and the vast scope of the
operation greatly impressed all who
had never before seen citrus pack
ing plant. Returning through Winter
Haven swheFe the people gave cordial
greetings from every doorstep there
was no difficulty in following the route
to Eueernes Park because boy scouts
weres on duty at every corner and
; turn where there might be- the ileasi
doubt as to whichsroad to take. his
was an exceptional and thought.