The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-02-10
MORE ABOUT FLORIDA

letter about Florida, written for us
by Ms. A. A. Williams, who, together
!. with her husband, is spending the
WINTER in that state. The letter deals
mainly with matter that is seldom
discussed, viz: the industrial and
commercial conditions in Florida, al
though there is much that is inter-
esting concerning the climate, etc.
We are sure our readersewill enjoy
the article very much and acknow-
ledge our obligation to Mrs. Williams
for sending it to US:
Sarasota, Fla,
February End 1921
The fish industry here is on large
scale (no pun). The manager of the
Dixon Company here says that his
firm shipped 100000 lbs. last year
and five other houses ran the total
to over 100000 lbs. Last night
they were shipping blue fish, Span
ish mackerel, trout and red snappers
to New York City. The pompano is
the king of them all. They are 40c
a lb. here, but the others, also king
fish are fine and command good pri-
ces. A man now living here, former
ly of Ohio, an expert fisherman,
caught ano sold $500 worth Of king
fish in the past month using hook
and line Ee has a fine boat. His
name is Maurice Bundy and he is a
director and heavy stockholder in the
First National Bank here. The banks
here are said to be solid institutions.
The Sarasota bank having surplus
in excess of their capital stock, book
values being $203 per share. The !
stock, what you can pick up, sells
for more than double its par value.
The deposits are nearly 100000,
pretty good for town of $500 in |
habitants. The managers of the |
fruit house here inform us that they |
ship annually about $50 cars of cit
rus fruit of value Of 100000. The |
Florida boxes of standard oranges |
are about one-fifth longer than the
California. The pay is &c for
oranges and SC for grape fruit for
packing; very low price.
The commissioners of Agriculture |
report sc, 6,5O0,000 acres of waste and |
untitled land and 100000 acres of
cultivated land in Florida. This land
properly cleared is the finest sugar
cane land in the world they say and
enough of it to supply the earth with
sugar.
The palmett palm has fibrous
roots that make very fine brushes,
and there is brush factory in Brad
entown, IL miles from here and
enough palms in sight to make brush
es for the universe for a thousand
years.
The Antinarelli Band (Italian),
that will play here for three weeks,
is certainly fine. A pretty ceremony
each evening; as the band assemblies
around the flag pole and retreat is
sounded. After which the flag is
lowered as the band plays ''The Star
Spangled Banner" Persons passing
stand at attention with heads un-
covered until the ceremony is COM
ing one. A large golf match comes
off here today, Alex Simpson, the
instructor at Sarasota will play Harry
Flora, the instructor at Bradentown.
No admission fee will be charged.
There are croquet grounds near the
dock for the public and many other
games at the pavilion on the. dock.
Thursday and tomorrow evening,
something doing: we go to see Ring
ling Bros home, by beat. Every
body wants to go, so have to get
our tickets day ahead to not get
left as they will take only so many
in the boat. Tomorrow evening
ball on the pavement, music
by the band. Saturday, Tourist Club
and Sunday is always occupied and
Monday the Woman's Club. Every
day, if l could only hold out, there
are places of interest to go. The
climate is almost perfection. The
lady just brought me bouquet of
plum blossoms, many things in the
yard are budded. Now we can get
strawberries at 55c; new potatoes,
beans, green peas, turnips, radishes,
Unions, lettuce, beets and all kinds Il
Of greens, but you never see par
ships.
We sit on our veranda and watch /
the sun sink to rest, apparently in the /
Gulf of Mexico; amidst riot of a |
thousand flashing tints and colors. |
and give thanks that we are permit
ted to view so much loveliness.
Hattie Williams.