AND AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES. 47 



who readily get more than these figures, but their cotton is exception- 

 ally fine. Short cotton is grown west of the Suwannee to the western 

 and northern boundaries of the State. It will average from 200 to 500 

 pounds to the acre. In grade, Florida cotton rates with the best. Cotton 

 raising, however, is subject to some risks ; cold, rain, drought, or cater- 

 pillar often sweeps localities. Generally speaking, it is a safer crop in 

 Florida than anywhere else. New methods of cultivation, improved seed, 

 remedy for the caterpillar, are adopted by the intelligent and prudent 

 planter, who is not subject to a loss which a careless, shiftless man may 

 have. The methods of cultivation are simple, the crop itself affording by 

 its seed the very best fertilizer. As the seed is fully 75 to 80 per cent, of 

 the cotton as picked, it is largely sold and exported, and its increasing 

 value for manufacture renders the cotton crop profitable, even at the 

 present low price of the staple. At the late cotton exposition in At- 

 lanta, Ga., a bale of long cotton from Florida was pronounced by the 

 foreman of the Willimantic Thread Factory as the best in the entire col- 

 lection for his purposes, taking the first premium. 



RICE. 



Rice, which constitutes the main food of the great majority of the 

 population of the world, is raised here mostly for domestic use. There 

 are thousands of acres in every section of the State peculiarly adapted 

 to its successful culture. Its cultivation is as simple as any cereal; 

 usually drilled and kept clear of weeds, 25 to 75 bushels of rough rice 

 is a fair crop, Recent introduction of improved rice machinery, adapted 

 for individual and neighborhood use, will stimulate increased produc- 

 tion. Limited by climate, rice will always prove a remunerative crop. 

 It is generally supposed that rice is only successfully grown on low lands 

 which adjoin tide-water, and can be overflowed at certain different 

 stages of growth. It is true that the great bulk of the crop is grown 

 in this way, but more recent experience has demonstrated that it can 

 be grown successfully upon dry laud, and upland rice is now becoming 

 one of the reliable and profitable field crops, more remunerative even 

 than wheat at the North. The upland rice from this State displayed 

 at Atlanta received the first premium. 



A low, moist soil has generally been planted ; overflowing is not 

 needed, but on any good land it is successfully cultivated. It has 

 needed only introduction of rice-cleaning machinery to make its cul- 

 tivation universal in Florida. Quite recently a company of practical 

 business men have been formed, who have put up extensive works, 

 which will be able to receive and prepare all that may be raised. It 

 may be relied upon as one of the permanent staple products of Florida, 

 which will add largely to the exports of the State and afford a sure and 

 profitable reliance for the farmer. 



