AGRICULTURE. The equable subtropical cli mate of Florida determines the nature of its products. Since the end of the Civil War the area of farm land has constantly increased, amounting in 1900 to 12.6 per cent. of the land area of the State, or 4,363,800 acres, of which 34.6 per cent. are improved. During the same period there has been, as a consequence of the change in the industrial system, a remarkable decrease in the average size of farms, the aver age in 1900-106.9 acres—being less than one fourth that of 1860. There are twice as many farms operated by white as by colored farmers, and the average size tended by the latter is only 53 acres, as against 133.6 acres for those operated by white farmers. A style of contract is com mon among the negro farmers which makes classi fication of tenure difficult, hut the census of 1900 reported 40.6 per cent. of the total number of ne gro farmers as being renters according to the eash rent system, and 10.2 per mill. as following the share rent system, till' corresponding figures for White farmers being respectively 8.8 per cent. and 5.7 per cent. The negro fanners are centred largely in the cotton-growing counties, and the white landlord still in great part owns the farm implements and working animal-, used by the negro tenant ; but the status of the negro farmer, as indicated by census comparison,, has improved, particularly during the last decade of the cen tury.
only a small portion of southern Florida, in cluding the Everglades (q.v.) region, has as yet been brought Under eult ivation, but in the light of recent progress and investigation a •onsider able area is thought to he reclaimable. Along the east coast, in Ilrevard and Dade counties, over 81 per cent. of the pineapples of the State are grown, constituting a thriving industry. in which Florida enjoys a monopoly among the States. Hillsboro County and other west coast •oun ties to the southward arc becoming prominent in the production of oranges, containing in 1899 20.9 per cent. of all the orange-trees of the State, :is against only 6.3 per cent. in 1889, while the production in the latter year amounted to 89.8 per cent. of the total for the State. ()range cul ture became prominent some decades ago in the central section of the State. and previous to the cold wave of the winter of 1891-95, which, with the frosts of 1899, killed about three-quarters of the ora nge-t roes, the annual output approximated $5,000,000 in value. It was in fact the most valuable product of the State. Disastrous frosts are rare, however, and the orange-growing indus try is rapidly reviving, the total number of trees in 1900 being 2,552,542, almost as great as in 1890, and amounting to a little less than one-half the number of orange-trees in California. Cassava, egg-plant, and other subtropical plants flourish in the central section, and tomatoes and various gar den products are extensively grown for the early Northern markets. In the northern portion of
the State the products are similar to those of the other Gulf States. In amount of acreage corn is in excess of any other crop, but the yield per acre is low. The acreage increased over 50 per cent. in the last decade of the century. Other• cereals received but little attention, oats and rice being the only ones worthy of mention. From 1890 to 1900 the acreage of oats increased from 5410 to 31,467, and of rice from 1787 to 5410. Rivaling corn in value of product is cotton. over one-half of the acreage being, devoted to the sea island variety. the State ranking next to Georgia in the acreage devoted to this plant. The total production of cotton, however, is small compared with that of the other southern coast States, and there has been no tendency to increase for a num ber of years. Tobacco, beans, peas, and peanuts are extensively grown, the last being of greatest importance. The value of the peanut crop has ex ceeded $900.000 for a year; the area devoted to the nuts in 1899 was two and a half times that of 1889. The sweet-potato crop is of about equal value. Peaches. pears, and other fruits of the temperate zone are successfully raised. Hay and sugar-cane are produced in various parts of the State. Besides the Everglades. there is much un reclaimed swamp and pine land scattered over the State. especially in the region south of Alabama. Some irrigation is practiced in connection with garden farming. In 1898 the public lands of the State—exclusive of swamp lands granted to the State—amounted to 1,757,000 acres. The State contains much excellent pasture land, especially in the central portion. and rapidly increasing numbers of cattle ale raised. The decrease shown in the table in the number of dairy cows is only an apparent one. being due to a change in cen sus methods. Horses, swine. and sheep are raised in considerable numbers. The following tables show the relative importance of the principal crops and farm animals, and the changes which occurred in the last census decade: pct. The forests cover over two-thirds of the total land area, the long-leaved pine extending over about 6000 square miles. From the forests of pitch-pine, tar, turpentine, and rosin are produced, and these products have increased during the last decade from almost nothing to a large figure. (See Table.) From the live oak forests timber for ship-building is secured. As will be seen, the lumber and timber prod ucts have doubled in value during the last dec ade. The forest resources are found mainly in the northwest portion of the State, and timber worked in the Florida mills.