322 
March 11, 
Hope Farm Notes 
FLORIDA NOTES. No. 5. 
The soil on the ridge where our little 
town is located is very light. At first 
sight a stranger would call it pure sand. 
By kicking or digging into it he would 
lind a darker color with a fair supply of 
vegetable matter. Below is a peculiar sort 
of subsoil, quite hard and solid, and the 
soil is “spotted,” that is, not uniform. On 
one side of a fence you may find a strong 
soil which will produce good crops. On 
the' other side there will be a peculiar sort 
of sand absolutely worthless for farming. 
1 was, told of one case where land specu¬ 
lators sold a man such a soil on the prom¬ 
ise that it was “white muck - ’ equal in 
strength to the ordinary black muck at the 
North. All sorts of deviltry and wicked¬ 
ness have been known in Florida, but 
through it all there lias been nothing worse 
than the way some of these cursed land 
speculators operate. A man coming from 
the rich soil of some Northern valley might 
say that this poor sand cannot muster 
plant food enough to grow anything. Let 
him look at the new wood on peach or 
other trees and he will be astonished. 
When the hoy came here to start his gar¬ 
den ho found a mass of weeds six feet 
high. There is something about the better 
class of this light soil which responds like 
magic when water is put on it. That is 
what upsets the calculation of the average 
Northern man. It will take him several 
years to know how to handle this “sand.” 
At intervals all through this section will 
be found lakes or ponds. Most of them 
are little sink holes or depressions into 
which the drainage water collects. There 
are several large lakes, but on the ridge 
where we are most “farms” touch a small 
pond. 1 think these bodies of water are to 
be used later for irrigation. Away from 
the sandy ridge and sloping to the larger 
lake the soil becomes more swampy and 
damp. Along the lake shore are patches of 
naturally strong soil. I have a piece of 
land there which' we have abandoned. It 
is too far from “home,” too low to be 
healthy, and subject to overflow when the 
wind blows so as to back the water into it. 
With capital to drain and irrigate such 
soil could be used to grow onions or celery, 
but no one could live on it. Nearby are 
several abandoned houses where in former 
years Northern families located and planted 
oranges. Frost destroyed the groves and 
malaria in this low land destroyed or 
drove away the pcpple. I paid $200 for 30 
acres of this rich soil. Some day it may 
he useful for pecans, hut at present it 
lies idle like thousands of acres once sold 
at a high figure. There is still some gov¬ 
ernment land in this section, but it would 
he a tremendous job to clear it. Many 
former “farms” have gone back to the 
State or county through failure to pay 
taxes. Much of the land sold by “boom¬ 
ers” seems to be of this character. Some 
of the saddest tragedies ever enacted in 
this land are being worked out in the lives 
of poor victims who have bought "homes” 
in some of the Florida land companies. 
At the possible risk of doing some honest 
“companies” (if there be any) an injustice 
1 would advise our people to let this com¬ 
pany or stock land buying absolutely alone. 
Do not put up one dollar for any land 
without going yourself to look it over. (Jo, 
if possible, during the worst season—when 
it is raining hard. If there is a pond 
nearby and you have capital you can 
handle the dry time, but see what the 
rainy season does before you buy. I am 
tbld stories of insanity, death and loss of 
health by people who were located on 
lanu fit only for fish to occupy. They 
bought it at a dry time when it looked 
light, but later the lake and the river 
jumped out of their beds and washed away 
all hope. 
Now, in order to get close to the heart of 
things, I will print a letter just as it came 
from a woman in New Jersey. This is 
typical of one class of people who need 
Florida. I know that within 10 days 
after this is printed I shall have 50 letters 
from Florida people who want to sell land ! 
1 will tell them all to begin with, that the 
address will not be given. I have already 
been approached by four different com¬ 
panies who are trying to work off land, 
urging me to “work” the scheme for a 
share of the proceeds! 
Wanted, A Winter Home. 
Just now, having managed to live through 
another Northern Winter, we are wonder¬ 
ing whether one more will not write finis 
after both our names. Also we wonder if 
the few years we may live would not be 
less of a torment if we could spend them, 
or part of them, in the South. We could 
only afford to buy or rent a small cottage, 
near enough to some town so that supplies 
could be obtained there, but certain com¬ 
forts we must have in any case. The milk 
euestion would not be so serious a matter 
as that of obtaining ice and pure drinking 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
water and some fresh meat. I have no idea 
where yohr Southern place is located. Is 
it near some town where there are cottages 
to sell or rent? What could a small one 
be bought for that could be made comfort¬ 
able for two old folks and yet not entirely 
deplete their bank account? We should 
want very little land—perhaps enough for 
a small garden in which the “houseband" 
could amuse himself. Are any of the houses 
made with cellars down there? Some one 
has told me that cellars are unknown in 
the far South. Seems as if I could not 
keep house without one, but probably I 
could. M. b. B. 
I think there can bo no question that 
Winters in Florida would mean comfort and 
added years to such people. It would be an 
ideal way for elderly people to live—pro¬ 
vided. as I repeat over and over, they have 
the price. In such case 1 should want to 
live in the South from about November 15 
to April 15 or May 1. Now, let everyone 
understand that 1 am not trying in any 
way to advertise or “boom" one particular 
section. Our folks like the place, but I 
am told by people in other sections that 
they can offer far better opportunities. I 
refer to this small spot because I have 
been here and can speak without guessing 
at it. 
It would be comparatively easy to rent 
or buy a Winter cottage. Lumber is cheap 
and plain finishing is the rule. I should 
say that houses can be built here for 60 
per cent of the cost at the North. Prob¬ 
ably $1200 would put up such a cottage as 
these people would want. There is a good 
country store at our place where all ordi¬ 
nary supplies are on hand. Six to seven 
miles away are two towns where practically 
everything found in a large Northern town 
can be had. There are good doctors in 
these towns. We can reach them by going 
a mile to a tel<*phone. Ice can be obtained 
quite easily. Our folks send to Palatka 
for ice. It comes in 200-pound cakes, 
packed in sawdust and sacking, so that little 
is lost. Drinking water is obtained from 
wells, and on our sandy ridge the water 
is of good quality, though not cold like our 
Northern water. A butcher drives through 
the place twice a week. Ilis meats are not 
equal to the best dressed beef, but by 
thorough cooking they can be made ac¬ 
ceptable. The lakes are well stocked with 
fish, and the woods are full of quail, and 
both can be obtained*'at a low price. 
When it comes to a garden, the Northern 
immigrant fails to grasp the situation at 
first. Winter in Florida is the dry season. 
Our people have seen no rain of any con¬ 
sequence since December 1. In some cases 
gardens are made close to the lakes or 
ponds and carried along without irrigation. 
1 saw several such patches—far away from 
the house and located in a swamp. In 
most cases, however, in our locality, it 
would be folly to start a garden without 
some plan of supplying water. Uncle Ed. 
has a hot air pumping outfit which raises 
water from the lake into a tank, from 
which it runs to the house and is piped 
to the garden. Without this few, if any, 
vegetables would grow. I am speaking now 
of Winter or dry season gardening, which is 
what our friend has in mind. If she ex¬ 
pected to come here and operate a garden 
as they do through a New Jersey Summer 
there would be sure disappointment. With 
a water supply it is possible to have some 
green vegetables in a Florida garden every 
day in the year. Yet, since our folks have 
been there this Winter, potatoes have been 
killed to the ground twice. 
There are no cellars at all in this coun¬ 
try. No one thinks of digging one. The 
houses are raised from the ground on posts 
or concrete foundations and the air cir¬ 
culates under them. Out in the country, 
among the “crackers” or negroes, you will 
find this space fully occupied by dogs, 
chickens or hogs. There is no such usage 
in the little village where our folks live. 
The houses are all neat and clean, and 
every inhabitant will tell you that the town 
is “the prettiest place on the railroad!" 
Keeping house without a cellar in Florida 
would prove more natural than keeping 
house with one. You can travel from New 
York to our place on boat and car for less 
than $30, including meals. There will be no 
coal bill in Florida, and at present fuel 
costs simply the hauling. Only light, plain 
clothing will be needed. By keeping a 
small flock of hens through the Winter— 
eating them up at the close—and buying 
supplies to good advantage, such people as 
these from New Jersey could pass the Win¬ 
ter more economically than in their North¬ 
ern home. There can he no question or 
argument about their being far more com¬ 
fortable and happy here during the cold 
season. One week in the Florida air of Jan¬ 
uary would convince anyone of that. I 
think one great future for Florida lies 
in making Winter homes for just such 
people. ii. w. c. 
Killing Sumach. —I saw inquiry some 
time ago about killing sumach. If inquirer 
will peel the bushes wlitn the bark slips 
easily they will die root and branch. 
West Virginia.. . t: s. g. 
Rubber Boot Time 
is NOW! 
This is the time of year when outdoor work is im¬ 
possible without the proper foot protection. You get 
this protection in the famous “Ball-Band” ^ 
Rubber Boots. They defy the wet, slush or 
snow and keep your feet warm and your 
health good. 8,000,000 satisfied 
wearers testify to their superiority^^ 
over common rubber boots. A | 
* 
I X 
m 
Quality 
’alone has built 
r up all of this enor¬ 
mous business. We 
make but a small frac¬ 
tion of the profit that we 
might have if we skimped 
in materials and workmanship. 
For crude rubber is a very costly 
article, and many manufacturers can 
only maintain themselves by cheapening 
the materials. 
We prefer to take less profit and make permanent 
friends. That’s why this tremendous growing patronage, now 
Over 8,000,000, will have nothing but “Ball-Band” rubber footwear. 
And though we are as liberal as possible in the quality and work¬ 
manship of “Ball-Band” goods, using only the best materials and 
employing the most skilled labor, we cut expenses in other 
departments. Our magnificent selling organization and the fact 
that most good dealers are eager to handle our goods makes our 
selling expense only one-fifth that of some manufacturers. 
“Ball-Band” rubber boots are for sale by 45,000 first-class 
dealers. Some of these dealers also handle ordinary brands. 
So be sure that you seethe RED “Ball-Band” trade-mark. 
If your dealer can’t supply you, write us, mentioning alt 
Mishawaka Woolen 
Manufacturing Co. 
Mishawaka, Ind. 
'The Home That Pays Millions 
for Quality” (41) 
I I Be An Independent Buyer Spend One Cent P’oi* 
This Big FREE Book 
A Kal&nv&zss; 
Direct to You 
' TRADE MARK REGISTERED 
—“And Gas 
Stoves, Too” 
Ovon Thermom¬ 
eter Makes 
Baking Easy 
Our Big Free Stove and Range Book gives you our 
factory wholesale prices and explains all—saving you 
85 to S40 on any famous Kalamazoo stove or range, 
including gas stoves. Sold only direct to homes. 
Over 140,000 satisfied cus¬ 
tomers in 21,000 towns. Over 400 styles and sizes to select from. 
8100,000 bank bond guarantee. We prepay all freight and give you 
—30 Days’ Free Trial 
—360 Days’ Approval Test 
-CASH OR CREDIT 
Write a postal for our book today—any responsible person can ^ J_ 
have same credit as your home stores would give you—anti you save 
S5 to $40 cash. No better stoves or ranges than the Kalamazoo could 
be made— at any price I’rove it, before we keep your money, be 
an independent buyer Send name for Free Catalogue No. l id. 
Kalamazoo Stove Company, Mfrs., Kalamazoo, Michigan 
Pumps Air Through Clothes 
Syracuse “EASY** Washer uses 
vacuum principle and forces air 
and suds through the clothes. 
Cleans perfectly without pulling, 
hauling or tearing. Built to lasta 
lifetime. Write today for Free Laundry 
Recipes and 30-Day Free TrialOfler. 
BODGE&Zrihh, 224 1 Dillaye 
Building, Syracuse, N. Y., or Easy 
Washer Co.* Bruce and Dundas 
Streets, Toronto, Canada. 
ForBest EXTENSION LADDER 
at factory prices 
write to 
JOHN J. IMITTKIt.H Mill St., Binghamton, N. Y. 
Is its Capacity—Earning Power. 
SPENCER HAY PRESS Catalogues make groat 
and definite claims proven by the press in action 
or no sale. Nature of contract protects you. ( overs 
every claim by actual figures. More tons per hour 
guaranteed than by any other _ Write 
horse press, same size bale. Right 
Send for new Catalogue K . //HajEl*Si NOW 
J. A. SPENCER 
Dwight, Illinois 
Don’t Strain Your Back With Heavy Lifting! 
You can lift as much as three strong men with but little exertion if you use the 
Burr Automatic Safety Tackle Block 
You do not need the assistance of a hired man to change wagon boxes, stretch 
wire, move heavy stones, lift and move injured or dead animals, when you have 
a Burr Block. Just the thing for the garage for changing auto bodies and lifting 
the chassis for underneath work. 
Burr Automatic Safety 
Tackle Block 
n]] the work of a chain block in a much better way. It is the only rope block that com. 
pares with a chain block yet docs not gouge or chew the rope every time it is locked. 
The Burr Block is Easily Manipulated 
You can raise or lower the object nnv distance — the thickness of a sheet of paper if 
necessary—and know that it will not slip or give. Wet, greasy rope makes no difference 
with* the Burr Block. 
You can buy the smallest size Burr Block (600 pounds capacity) for 75 cents. The 
largest size (capacity 6.C00 pounds) costs but $4.46. There is no other apparatus tnai* 
you can buy for the farm that will give you such a big return on themoney invested# 
Think of the time and labor you can save with a Burr Block. Ask us to send you 
full information as to prices, sizes and capacity. Wo wi 11 bej» leased to tellI you wnero 
you can buy Burr Blocks. A postal wifi bring the information. Write today* 
BURR MFG. CO.. 136 Viaduct, CLEVELAND, OHIO 
