FLORIDA 



2215 



FLORIDA 



tions it is mined in great quantities and ex- 

 ported for fertilizer. Florida ranks first in 

 quantity and value of this rock, with an an- 

 nual output of over $9,500,000, an average of 

 about $32,000 each working day. Fuller's earth 

 1 is an important product, Florida being the 

 first state in the Union in its production. Kao- 

 lin, lime and mineral waters are also of some 

 commercial importance. Mineral products of 

 the state were valued at over $10,508,000 in 

 1913; in 1914, $8,497,688. 



Fisheries. Florida has extensive fisheries 

 along its coast line, which are more important 

 than those of any other Gulf state, although 

 they are not fully developed. Shad, red snap- 

 pers, mullet and turtles are the chief fishery 

 products, and Florida has almost a monopoly 

 on the American production of sponges. Alli- 

 gators are also sought for their skins, and there 

 are several profitable "alligator farms." Pen- 

 sacola is said to be the most important fresh 

 fish market on the Gulf. Florida fisheries are 

 valued at almost $3,400,000 a year, on the 

 average, and nearly 6,000 fishermen are em- 

 ployed. 



Other Industries. Key West and Tampa 

 compete with Cuba in the making of cigars 

 and cigarettes, although most of the tobacco 

 leaf used is imported from Havana, Cuba. 

 The yearly tobacco output is estimated at 

 about $20,000,000. The importance of the 

 manufacture of tobacco products in Tampa 

 and Key West is described under those titles. 

 Next in importance are the manufactures of 

 lumber and forest products. The output of 

 lumber, timber, turpentine and rosin exceeds 

 $30,000,000 a year. The next industry in size, 

 the preparation of fertilizers, is much smaller. 

 Florida holds first place in the production of 

 turpentine, pitch and rosin. North Carolina, 

 which once held first place, has fallen to sixth. 



Convicts in prison camps in lumber regions 

 and near phosphate quarries do most of the 

 labor in those two industries, and are hired to 

 the highest bidder. There is no penitentiary 

 in the state, but there are two state prison 

 farms. 



Transportation and Commerce. Florida has 

 excellent facilities for transportation, both by 

 land and water, even though there are few 

 harbors of the first class. Intercourse between 

 all of the important cities of the state and 

 with the principal commercial centers of the 

 North is rapid and convenient. The distance 

 from New York to Jacksonville is little more 

 than from Chicago to New York, and from 



TROPICAL FRUIT 

 COMPARISONS 



Oranges 

 Florida &^ California 



Grape Fruit 

 Florida ^ California 



Pineapples 

 Florida Other States 



Tangerines 

 Florida <* California 



Lemons 

 Florida If jl California 



Limes 

 Florida California 



Avocado Pears 



Other States 

 Florida 



Guavas 



Florida & 



None 



California 



Other States 

 None 



Mangoes 

 Florida 



Bananas 



Florida. ' California 

 Kumquats 



Florida o Alabama 

 Persimmons 



Florida ^^ California 

 See Plate , Article California 



