Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1896 — FLORIDA’S COCOANUT CROVES. [ARTICLE]

FLORIDA’S COCOANUT CROVES.

A New Industry Spreading in ths Land ot of Flowers. Residents on Biscayne Bay realize more fully every year the immense value of the cocoanut tree, not oulv as an ornament, but as being of practical value as well, consequently numbers of trees have been planted within the last year all along ibe bay front, from Lemon City to south of Cocoanut Grove, which place takes its name from the suggestive growth that beautifies its water front- The trees at Miami, along the river mouth and bay shore, are said to be the oldest in the State, ami are by far the handsomest, their slender, worn boles and leathery tops showing to advantage above and among smaller, less distinctive growth. On most of the new places along the shores these trees have been planted, and in a few years will greatly augment the beauty of this part of Florida. Hundreds of acres of land suitable sot cocoanut culture are to be found in South Dade County, contiguous to Biscayne, owned by the canal company, the railroad, the Boston Land Company, or by individuals. In addition to these is the great Perrine grant of 25,000 acres, now being taken up by squatters, who will soon have a chance to make homestead entry of their claims. Cocoanut plantations started now would within the next six years begin to pay handsomely, requiring less time than oranges, but little more than lemons, pineapples or bans#as. While they are growing and coming into bearing, tho owner can temporarily operate a small truck farm, or else conduct a business in town, or a fish plant at some convenient point, in the certainty that within a specified length of time he will have an ample income from his cocoauuts, which lie can either manufacture into oil on his own plant or else ship the nuts in hulk to the butter, oil, cream, candle or soap manufacturers. The industry is so far very small, but from laike Worth down the entire coast, including the keys, ample opportunity may be found for successful experiment. The age limit of a cocoanut has never been discovered. They have been known to hear for 200 years, lu this climate, where they have never been hurt by cold, where everything is conducive to growth and bearing and where choice lands are to he had at reasonable rates, the industry should thrive and pay. In addition to the citrus fruits, pineapples, guavas, truck and sponges, the Biscayne Bay region may yet become the great cocoanut-producing centre of the world, wresting from Ceylon its long-time championship. The cocoanut tree, witli its nuts, “cloth” fibre, leaves and vegetable oil, is claimed by many as the “most useful tree to man,” and an enumeration of its useful products almost substantiates the claim. The fibre is manufactured into malting, ropes or cloth, unit the hull of the nut is made into cellulose. A peculiar “doth,” or husk, grows around the trunk of the young tree, someWhut resembling burlaps, of which useful and ornamental articles are made—mats and fancy toilet and traveling articles, that are painted or combined witli ribbons, silks aud laces. Tito fresh nut is used in bread and cakes instead of lard and butter, the same quantity of grated nut being used as of these ingredients, and cocoanut butter ns an article of commerce is already well-known —used for the same purposes as glycerine. An edible of the same name is also prepared. A finer chicken food can hardly he found. The nuts, old or young, are cut open, and the chicks feed from them. The long leaves makegood fuel, and leave a valuable ash. The husks, or shells, make a hotter fire than oak or hickory, and the bud of the tree equals that of the cabbage palm, a good substitute for cabbage. The cloth is also used for mattresses.