Highlands county is one of the four new counties which were cut from DeSoto county in 1921.  It was formed from the northeastern portion of the old county and is directly south of Polk county, with Hardee, DeSoto, Glades and Okeechobee counties bordering it.  Its location in the highland section of Florida gives it many advantages for fruit and truck growing, for frost seldom damages crops in this locality.  The area of the county is 640,120 acres and it has 41,461 acres in farms and 16,680 acres in actual cultivation.  Practically all types of Florida soils are represented in Highlands county, and the southeastern corner of the county extends into the Everglades.
    The outstanding agricultural product of Highlands county is citrus fruit.  The largest shipments are those of grapefruit, with oranges a close second in volume of shipment.  Tangerines and other small citrus fruits are also grown.  Most of the groves in the county are young and a large increase in output of citrus fruit is expected within three to five years.
    The leading truck crops grown are tomatoes, watermelons, beans and cucumbers, and celery and eggplant are also being planted on a larger scale.  An excellent type of watermelon is produced, and pineapples of superior flavor are grown here.  Mangoes, avocados, Japanese persimmons, bananas, blackberries, strawberries, grapes and some lemons and limes are grown .
    Staple farm crops are corn, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, and forage crops, but the principal agricultural activity of the county is the growing of citrus fruit and vegetables for winter markets.  Many large orange and grapefruit groves are operated under joint ownership.
    There has been considerable increase in dairying and poultry raising since 1926, and conditions are very encouraging for the further development of these industries.  Hogs are raised to some extent and the beef cattle industry is one of the first importance in this section.
    A county agricultural agent is maintained for full-time work among the farmers of the county, and a home

demonstration agent does valuable work in the rural homes of this and another county.  They have been of much assistance to farmers and their families.
    Transportation and marketing conditions have been greatly improved in recent years, and paved highways and improved roads have been constructed to provide access to all parts of the county.  The Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Air Line railroads give good freight, express and passenger service, with over a hundred miles of trackage, and there is water transportation by way of small boats down one of the drainage canals into Lake Okeechobee and thence by canal to the Atlantic ocean .
    There are a number of large packing plants, also canneries for grapefruit, and marketing is well organized.
    Timber resources of the county are of local industrial importance and there are seven saw mills, four naval stores plants, five millworking plants, and three basket, crate and veneer manufacturers.  Brick, cement and concrete products, boats, knives, tents, awnings, sails, wearing apparel and peanut products are manufactured on a small scale.
    Good water is had at a depth of about 150 feet, and there is a deeper stratum at 1,000 feet.
    The population of the county is 9,188, and Sebring is the county seat.  It is located on Lake Jackson, a large and beautiful lake which is said to offer excellent fishing.  Lake Istokpoga and a number of smaller lakes and streams also have good fishing and hunting opportunities.  The county is located at the end of the Ridge section, and much of it is hilly.  Large number of tourists come annually to Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid and other points in the county, and good hotels and entertainment are available. Many of the lakes are encircled by paved driveways, and Sebring has a handsome municipal pier.  There are a number of golf courses.
    There are four incorporated towns in the county, and there is an excellent school system with public school property valued at over half a million dollars.
    The average rainfall at Avon Park is 51.92 inches.  Mineral resources of the county include sand and peat.
    There is much civic pride and community enterprise in the various towns and cities, and the erection of signs on the highways is controlled, thus affording an unobstructed view of the lake and hill scenery for which this section is well known.