The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-05-18
AS Others See II
SEE A NEW INDUSTRY
Nake Worth LeaderD

LAKE worm LeAd6r.)
significant note was seen in the recent meet
ing of the Florida State Horticultural society that
recently held its annual meeting at Lakeland
when members gave a much thought and dscuj-
sion to the growing of grapes as they did to the
growing of citrus fruits From this it appears
that a new industry is about to be launched in
Florida, the industry of grape culture
In its horticultural and agricultural develop
ments Florida is young. Young as it is in this
respect it is making many wonderful records in
growth and yield-but the Florida record as yet
has not been established. Ii will not be made for
years to come-but it will be made 1t now is in
the making, but it will not be completed until
owners of Floridas good acres begin taking adj
vantage Of opportunities on all sides, until they
begin 10 see the larger profits instead CT the
smaller
As staple crop the grape cannot be discount
ed. Americans have been too prone to look on
wheat and cotton as the only crops having
a real value in producing wealth CT country. Fail
ure of any OF those crops is looked on as a ma
tional calamity. But it is no national calamity
in Spain if its wheat fails. Nothing disastrous
follows failure of IN Italy or Greece OF
France. But it is national calamity in those
countries if the grape crop is failure.
Spain and Italy and Greece may grow grapes
proftably than many sections of the United
States but it is the opinion of experts, borne out
by young experiments that they cannot produce
grapes commercially any more proltabiy than
can be done in Florida From the showing so far
made, it is doubtful if they can produce them
as proftably. Growers Of grapes in these coun-
tries, it is true, rely much sale of their yields
for wine making purposes. They have been I'M
duly frightened by onslaughts Of prohibitonistG,
for the lowly grape has commanded much more
respectable price the world over since there has
been dry America. Every product of the grape
is commanding a high price and will continue to
bring such price. To their own betterment the
people Of America are eating more grapes, or
consuming more grape products now than ever
before Not long ago the grape meant wine
Now the grape means food, and it is as a food
that its value is highest. And that it is food
and good one, has been brought out by persist
ent advertising over few short campaigns in
the past several years.
Florida can grow grapes on almost each foot
of land within its boundaries 1t has been shown
that here they are of excellent quality bear pro-
liicay, and live perennally. There is no reason
why products of the vineyard may not become
as important in florida they are in California
in Spain or Greece, and it is a most hopeful
sign when the states best horticultural men give
the subject much prominence as they did at
their Lakeland meeting.
1t is the prediction of the Leader that Just as
the Florida soil and sunshine put more Juice
beneath the skin of the Florida orange SO will
they put more juice beneath the skins of Florida
grapes, and that it will not be long before the
statisticians will be referring to liking" grape.