of Rural Art and Taste, 



119 



our consuls we could obtain seed of superior 

 varieties from Cuba, South America, and the 

 East Indies, and produce at home what we 

 annually spend millions to purchase. 



Indigo. 



Under English rule, in the State, this was 

 a favorite, successful and profitable crop, and 

 we can see no reason why it should not again 

 be cultivated ; more especially as we imported 

 in the year 1872, 1,458,740 pounds, costing at 

 points of production $1,496,877. 



Cinchona Bark. 



The cultivation of this important medicinal 

 substance has interested the English govern- 

 ment ; and where tested, in some of her colo- 

 nies, it has proved a marked success. Under 

 cultivation, the bushes will supply a crop of 

 bark about the fourth year. Analyses have 

 established the fact that the cultivated bark 

 yields a much larger percentage of quinine 

 than the bark imported from Peru. The 

 plant is readily propagated by layers, or by 

 cuttings in bottom heat. It is a rapid grower 

 and requires no special culture except the 

 destruction of weeds. The demand for this 

 bark is annually increasing ; and, owing to 

 carelessness on the part of the Peruvians in 

 collecting the article, the supply will dimin- 

 ish. We believe its cultivation would prove 

 highly remunerative ; and this opinion is based 

 upon data published by the English govern- 

 ment, the increasing demand for the article, 

 and the fact that we imported, in 1872, 

 2,852,841 pounds, valued in Peru at $982,- 

 674. 



For years, immense quantities of water- 

 melons have been grown in Georgia and South 

 Carolina for northern markets, and their pro- 

 duction has proved very profitable. With 

 steam communication to Key West, from 

 thence to New York, combined with speedy 

 transit and low freights, the production of 

 Georgia and northern Florida could be antici- 

 pated by several weeks, and remunerative 

 prices obtained. Any person conversant with 

 the New York markets, need not be referred 

 to the fact that the island of Bermuda is 

 mainly supported by the tomatoes, onions and 



early potatoes shipped to New York. From 

 careful observations, made in both places, we 

 are satisfied that these vegetables can be 

 grown more successfully in Florida than in 

 Bermuda. Owing to the frequent rains and 

 low range of thermometer in Bermuda, the 

 early tomatoes are small and poorly colored, 

 and do not begin to color before the tenth of 

 January. 



The olive has been tested and found adap- 

 ted to the State ; and, although years would 

 be required for a pecuniary return from an 

 olive grove, it would prove a remunerative 

 crop when the trees attained a bearing age. 

 If a grove was planted, the ground could be 

 used for other crops until the trees came into 

 bearing. The amount of oil imported in 1870 

 was 283,327 1 gallons, valued at point of ship- 

 ment at $403,117. 



I We could refer to many things that could 

 be profitably grown, but shall merely name 



1 the rose, camellias, gardineas, rhododendrons, 

 gladioli, tuberoses, and liliums, for the north- 

 ern markets. With cheap lands, cheap labor, 

 a healthy climate, cheap meat, an abundance 

 of game, oysters and fish, a diversity of pro- 

 ductions, at all times commanding remunera- 

 tive prices, we see no reason why northern 

 Florida should not become the home of thou- 

 sands who toil for six months to provide 

 themselves with the means to eke out a mise- 

 rable existence during the other six. 



The figures quoted can be received as au- 

 thentic, for they have been obtained from the 

 statistical department of the government. 

 Although correct, they are calculated to mis- 

 lead the reader as regards American market 

 values, for they are based upon customs re- 

 turns, and simply give values at points of pro- 

 duction. To the prime cost must be added 

 commissions, freights, insurance, duties, prof- 

 its of importers, losses on perishable articles, 

 which materially increase values, and which 

 would add to the profitableness of home pro- 

 ducts. 



As but little is known of northern Florida, 

 we propose, in a future article, to briefly refer 

 to its climatology, health and natural produc- 

 tions. 



