The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-05-06

are familiar with the development of
the artificial stone industry? do not
refer to the old style, porous, hand
tamped cement blocks that were an
offense to the eve and of doubtful
strength. but rather to the blocks pro-
duced by the newly developed process
es-blocks structually sound and archi-
tectnally beautiful. Artificial stone is
being used largely in every line of
ARCHITECTURAL and landscape work and
has an assured position among modern
materials for buildings and artistic
Eomamentation
There is in Florida a vast field for
the development of this industry that
would create a new extensive market
for native materials
If one will visit and inspect the
work now going on at the Catholic
church on Ocklawaha avenue in thu,
city he will be charmed with the
sEapely blocks of polished stone with
which it is being constructed AMI 10
eonbt will be surprised to learn sii.at
they are made from Marion county
/ il he
Our lime deposits are enough to sup-
ply the demands of the United States
for any number of purposes for an in
definite period of time
In the same address Mr.. Martin call
led attention. to our extensive materials
for road building purposes which are
in quantities to gridiron the state with
/ these modern blessings for all time.
In closing his address Mr.. Martin
grew eloquent while making the same
prophecy that has been 50 often made
in these columns.
He said:
1T is my opinion that We are an.
preaching an epoch that will mark the
greatest development our State has
ever seen. One needs only to travel
thru our great commonwealth to real
ize that people are congregating here
/ from all points of the compass. that
they are bringing new ideas with them,
/ that they are creating new business.
and finding new uses for Florida pro
ducts.
Why did God give us these beautI-
4ful lakes ard rivers, these wonderful
springs and artesian wells, our great
diversity Of soils, these vast deposits
lof clay, stone, and minerals, our semi.
tropical vegetation, and favored eli.
mate? These people who have come. to
US have felt the spirit of the real Flor
ida and a-e answering the call to Gre
ate and 10 develop. and there is grad
uarlly being unfolded the true reason
why Florida is different from any 9th
er spot on the globe"
!, Marion county is rich in building ma
terials OF many useful kinds and is
rich in fertilizers and likewise pos
sesses an extremely fertile soil. and
If not heading the list. she early won
the distinction and is everywhere
recognized as being one OF the richest
agricultural counties in the state and
she can also be justly proud of her
scenic attractions and abundant natu-
raj resources.
The pioneers who settled in Marion
county as a rule were large planters:
they were acquainted with good soils
iand Msrion'a rich lands were the gov.
Ierning cause of their driving their
stakes here to use a pioneer expires.
sion
Their success in growing Sea Island
cotton, sugar cane aand kindred crops
bore unerring testimony to their good
judgment and those having eyes now
turned in the direction OF Florida will
4 do well to follow their example.
Marion has the largest stock farms,
the largest general farms. some of the
Largest tomato fields: it has been de-