GRAND RAPIDS NEWS.
Grand Rapids, Mich.



 Grand Rapids, May 7th, 1912.



Mr. William L. Larkin,
 Chicago, Ill.
Dear Mr. Larkin:
 Four days' travel through the heart of the Everglades
convinced me of two things:
 The Everglades can be practically completely reclaimed
by the system of canals now under construction:
 The land is wonderfully productive.
 I have seen growing on a small experimental farm on the
south shore of Lake Okeechobee fifty varieties of fruits,
vegetables and grasses, the rate of growth being so rapid that
it is almost unbelievable. The water surrounding this land
has already been lowered one foot through a single canal.
When the other canals now under construction are completed the
water will be lowered fully five feet more and the danger of
flooding will be eliminated. So far as I can determine, the
only problem remaining to be solved is which cereal, vegetable
or fruit will yield the greatest returns. Everything
appears to grow riotously.
 My confidence in the Everglades is best illustrated by
 the fact that I have purchased 100 acres of Everglades land
 ten miles west of Fort Lauderdale.
 Sincerely yours,
 W. J. ETTEN,
 Managing Editor.