Great Falls tribune., 1922-02-19
always been in every state after q
period of great prosperity. Central

always been in every state after a
period of great prosperity. Central
and southern Florida today, however,
is one of the most prosperous sections
Of the country. 1t is truly wonderful
state, with superb climate, very STRAIT
egic location, while its drained lands
are wonderfully fertile. Florida would
be the Empire State of the Union, cap
able Of feeding the entire country If its
soil were titled efficiently. Why its
people fail to craps their great oppor-
Miami some day will be a big city.
Tampa has great commercial possibil
tiles and some large places will also
develop in the center of the state.
The center of Florida, with its high
altitude, rolling country and vast guam
tity of lakes, lies almost unknown to
the average American.
Grows Like Weeds,
"When a statistician visits the south
he comes to the conclusion that cotton
is a weed and not a crop. Cotton grows
naturally and easily in the south, as
weed would grow in the north. II
the southern planter attended to his
work as does the northern farmer, the
south would be today the richest part
Of the country The boil weevil, which
is fast making the raising Of cotton
unprofitable, may turn out to be the
south's best friend by forcing the south
ern planter to break up the land into
small holdings and diversity the crop.
'The south has many advantages
over the central west. 1t possesses
great natural resources, such as coal
and iron, unlimited water power, and
splendid means Of communication. In
ho yrnIuafc will ha n 0raatar
demand as the country becomes more
prosperous. The per capita consump-
tion of wheat, the main product of the
northern agricultural states, does not
increase much as the people become
more prosperous. The demand for cot
ton, sugar, beef and legumes increase
very much with the prosperity of the
country. As the people become better
off they eat more vegetables and less
corn bread and bacon. Hence. the
great opportunity in the south lies in
diversified farming, breaking up the
large tracts into small farms, the in
PRODUCTION of good stock and the plant
ing Of more legumes- Statistics show
portunities in the country the south
that with the finest agricultural op-
today does not even feed itself.
Good Moral Foundation
81 am especially impressed with the
religious interest found in the south.
This shows that there is a good moral
foundation upon which to build.
"It is debatable as to whether at
present the negro is an asset or
liability. Some good European immi
grafton to teach him how to work eff
ciently and speed him up would help.
Besides stimulating the labor, the
soil must also be stimulated by the
much more liberal use of fertilizer.
Just now the fertilizer industry of the
south is very much depressed. Fer
tilizer manufacturers need not worry,
the fertilizer business will come back
in good shape.
IF space permitted ] should also
trade opportunities possessed by New
Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, Jackson
vile and other southern seaports.
Trade with Mexico and South America
is quiet now but some day this is to
revive At that time the south will
greatly benefit.
BuiIish on South
PERSONALLY / am distinctly bullish
North l should advise to go south
rather than west. Certainly our South
States offer agriculturally, in
dustrially and commercially better op-
portunities to the young man of today
than do South America and / know
South America.
'"The gradual steady rise in the stock
market is reflecting an improved NOR
ale in general business circles. The
index number of the Babson Compost
plot has risen points during the last
week and business now stands at is
per cent below normal Considering
the extent of the readjustment and the
being made, things are going
in a very orderly fashion"
(AII publication and radio rights
strictly reserved.) Next week Central
States.