Sugar Harvest

This is one of a
series of paintings
by Robert Butler
that depict
turn-of-the-century scenes from twelve
of Florida's major
agricultural industries.

Floridas modern-day sugar industry began in the early 1920s on the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. Sugar cane is now grown in Florida on more than 420,000 acres, primarily in Palm Beach, Hendry, Glades and Martin counties. The crop generated farm cash receipts of more than $470 million in 1998. Florida produces about 53 percent of the sugar cane grown in the United States.

All narratives accompanying the paintings were written by Robert Butler.
All rights reserved by the artist.

Cracker Cowman

Golden Grove

Equine Splendor

Farmers' Harvest

Fern Garden

Timber Shadows

Shipping Cotton

Ocean Farming

Strawberry Patch

Sugar Harvest

Tomato Garden

Beekeeping in the Pines

Sugar Harvest

The Florida Everglades has always captured the imagination of all who journey there.

Farmers were no exception. Because of its unique climate and soil composition, created by a millennia of floods, it naturally solicited the attention of the farmer.

Today, lush green rows of sweetness dominate the view for miles, and a considerable part of the worlds sugar production owes its origin to the Everglades sugar cane fields.

Also, in a world depleting its fossil fuel supplies, sugar cane has begun to represent new possibilities as an energy source.

Whether as an alternative fuel or as sweet creations for the palate, and possibly yet unknown uses, sugar canes future seems secure. This tall, sweet grass continues to flourish beneath blue skies. Like many of natures bounties, sugar cane promises unknown potential and flexibility.

Its only limit is the skill and imagination of man.