The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1924-12-04
Lambertville, N. j.,
Nov. 30, 1924.
Mr.. Gordon Cooper,
Editor Lambertville Record.

Mr.. Gofdon cooper,
Editor Lambertville Record.
Dear Sir:
Having spent a few weeks in Flor
ida, | thought few paragraphs
on the conditions and opportunities
in that state might prove of in
terest to your readers.
| spent two weeks in Sehring,
Highlands County, located about the
center Of the state ON what is
known as the Ridge" or highland
of Florida. This ridge is about 80
miles in width and 80 to 100 miles
in length, and contains a large part
of the citrus groves of the state
Oranges, tangerines, and grape fruit
are the chief fruits grown. The
white sand which appears to the
northerner to be of little value
is very productive when properly
cared for and cultivated The groves
vary in size from five acres to one
hundred and sixty acres. A grove
of ten acres is sufficient for one
man to manage as it requires care
full attention and skill to produce the
best results. The trees begin bear
ing at three to four years, at five
years having about one box fruit
to the tree, at six years two boxes,
increasing to ten years to four to
six boxes. Under favorable condi-
tions the trees will produce until
at least fifty years.
The climate in this part of Flor
ida is ideal, The thermometer regis
tered between "a and 80 degrees
during the first three weeks of No
vember, The atmosphere was not
oppressive as the air was cool and
dry. At shutdown the change was
very noticeable.
One very noticeable fact about
the residents of Florida is the fact
that all are boosters. Every one
you meet has something favorable
to say about his country--its eli
mate, fertility, or business oppor-
tunities. As an instance of this, the
business men developing Hollywood
recently erected railroad station
at cost of 100000 and presented
it to the Florida East Coast Rail
road Company, the only stipulation
being that all trains stop there.
The muck" land when cleared of
trees and brush is especially fer
til r' tab'e for all kinds of vege-
tables, egg plants, and celery. As
high as four crops are raised in one
year, yielding as much as 100000
to 100000 per acre--a sum which
seems almost increditable to our
northern farmers.
Real estate transactions are car
ried on to a great extent-some
properties changing owners as often
as three or four times in one sea-
son.
State roads are being rapidly
completed from east to west and
north to south thus opening the
state to a greater development. The
Seaboard Air Line will soon com
plete railroad through the central
part Of the State, north and south.
This line will furnish rapid trans
portation from the large northern
cities to all points in the State
and will bring many new settlers to
further develop the country.
Also the new law recently enacted
whereby a residents estate is ex-
empt from inheritance tax, is ex-
pected to play vital part in bring
ing more capital into the state.
Many advantages are derived from
the mild climate, which solves the
fuel problem, enables the home
builder to erect comfortable dwell
ling at greatly reduced cost, and
adds much to the enjoyment to be
derived from out Of door life.
Joseph G.. Lear