By Brenda Eubanks Burnette
University of Florida Professor P.H. Rolfs gave a speech during the 1935 Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) meeting about the “Founders and Foundations of Florida Agriculture.” (FSHS Proceedings, 1935). An interesting read, it touched on many of the major industry members of the time, but I truly loved the following excerpt I found under the heading “Who Made Florida Great?”
“I am not unmindful of the very important role played by the transportation interests in augmenting volume. I am not unmindful of the part played by the great fertilizer manufacturers in augmenting production. I am not unmindful of the splendid and untiring labors of civic organizations in securing the presence of winter visitors. I am not unmindful of the nurserymen who made it possible to plant extensive groves of the finest varieties. All of these could not have produced a Florida without the orange tree. The orange tree put steamers on the St. Johns River. It was the lodestone that drew travel to the Tampa Bay; to the Ponce de Leon; to the Royal Poinciana.
“The orange tree, always beautiful, always inspiring. The delicious perfume of the bloom. The delicate waxy petals are the ambition of the bride. The lush spring and summer growth fills the grower’s heart with contemplation. The balls of gold foretell the harvest. When the Lord created the orange tree, He called it a day. He has not attempted to improve on it.”
This sentiment was expressed in 1935, after the devasting freezes of 1893–94 had decimated Florida’s citrus industry. The industry fought back and survived. It survived and surpassed all expectations of the times, despite continuous struggles with pests, politics and nature — struggles we still endure today!
Therefore, as I look back through my own personal “Pieces of the Past,” I am in awe of the bounty given to me “when the Lord created the orange tree.”
Because of the orange tree, I was able to represent the Florida citrus industry around the world. Because of the orange tree, I have an industry that has inspired and shaped me. It’s an industry that has given me a livelihood filled with wonderful memories that I am fortunate to be able to pass on to others. And, because of the orange tree, I was able to create precious friendships over the years with so many people that I treasure dearly to this day.
Therefore, this Thanksgiving I give thanks that “When the Lord created the orange tree, He called it a day.”
Thank you all for your words of encouragement over the years. I hope that this Thanksgiving will be a day for you to remember and enjoy!
Brenda Eubanks Burnette is executive director of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Pieces of the Past is presented in partnership with Florida Southern College’s McKay Archives Center in Lakeland.
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