From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history.

ABSTRACT: Neither indigenous nor exclusive to Florida, the orange has nevertheless become an international symbol for the state. This connection between product and place appears in cultural materials regarding Florida. In fact and fiction the orange has operated as metaphor and synecdoche for an Edenic Florida. This thesis analyzes how the orange came to represent a "natural" Florida through the conflation of the commercial product with the state's history by way of political and marketing puffery. A litany of citrus advertisements, tourist ephemera, and historical associations regarding the state acknowledged and expanded the connections between the orange, improved health, and Florida. A critical thirty-year period between 1930 and 1960 solidified these connections through major shifts in the Florida citrus industry and American culture. These shifts caused the state history and the oranges' history to become irrevocably entwined.

A vibrant history of Florida’s horticultural heritage and the colorful personalities who made the state synonymous with citrus. In the 16th century, Ponce de León planted the first orange groves in St. Augustine, Florida. They were the precursor to what would become an integral part of Florida’s identity. Orange groves slowly spread across the state, inspiring agricultural innovations and manufacturing ingenuity. Now Florida food writer Erin Thursby reveals the surprisingly colorful history of Florida’s most famous crop. Discover the story behind Deland’s eccentric “citrus wizard” Lue Gim Gong; the rise and fall of smuggler Jesse Fish; and the silver-tongued politician William J. Howey, who made his fortune selling plots of groveland through the 1920s. Celebrate the heyday of orange tourism and the farmers who weathered freezes, floods and citrus greening. From the old roots of orange cultivation in Northeast Florida to the new center of oranges in the Southwest, Thursby offers a unique historical tour of the Sunshine State.

"An excellent book that is needed by all who are interested in growing citrus in Florida or elsewhere."--Florida Garden Guide "Filled with tips on growing Florida's claim to fame. . . . Can help anyone grow grapefruit, oranges, lemons, or limes."--Tampa Tribune Whether you're responsible for acres of orange, tangerine, or grapefruit trees, or just grow limes and lemons in your backyard, Citrus Growing in Florida has been an indispensable guide for nearly fifty years. Now available in a fifth edition, this concise, comprehensive book combines the practical day-to-day aspects of citrus growing with underlying horticultural principles in a clear, easy to read style. Authors Frederick Davies and Larry Jackson have a combined eighty years of experience with citrus culture and production, teaching, extension, and research. The revisions in this edition cover new regulations, new pests and diseases, and new issues in marketing and selling citrus. For commercial growers, the book discusses planting, production, grove management, fertilization, spraying, and harvesting. For homeowners, it provides practical advice on growing the tart, tangy, sweet, and juicy fruits that define the flavor of the Sunshine State. "A comprehensive guide and reference for both the large and small citrus grower throughout Florida and beyond. The publication provides up-to-date information on citrus varieties, nutrition, cultural/production practices, pests and historical information. . . .Will aid all producers in selecting production practices and understanding this major agricultural commodity in Florida."--Stephen H. Futch, University of Florida