Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-27
HAWTHORN COTTAGE, }
Rorburv, aDriL II. 1888. {

kline, IN relation TO the culture of tropical
plants IN Florida, which you were 80 kind
as to send me. | have read it with the
deepest interest, instruction, and pleasure
and so favoraby do think of his honorable
and patriotic enterprise, that l most sin
cerely hope Congress will cheerfuly and
promptly grant bis request, and aid him in
the most liberal manner.
The introduction of single plant, or
seed, has, in all ages and nations, frequently
produced the most important and valuable
results. The mighty influence on the agri.
cultural industry and the general prosper
lty of empires which the naturalization and
culture of the cereal grains, the olive, vine,
white mulberry for the silkworm, the sugar
cane, coffee plant, cotton, patato, rice, and
tobacco, have produced is well known; and
have no doubt that several of the plants
which Dr. Perrine has now growing at Cape
Florida & Indian Key may speedily become
| staple articles Of cultivation in several Of
the southern States. Besides, | do not
think so meanly of the capabilities of the
soil of Florida as most people. we'll re.
member that Louisiana was called a mere
alligator swamp when first, so cheaply
acquired. The single fact that East Flori
da Is the only portion of the Union where
many OF the most precious tropical plants
can be acc!in.ated, will at no very distant
period, bring every acre of land into great
demand for tillage. 1t will be drained,
diked, embarked, and converted into va
rious kind of plantations.
What was Holland before its dikes and
canals were constructed. What has
made the cotton and sugar states of Lower
Louisiana so prolific, but the ieuees for re
tanning the overfowings of the Mississippi !?
What The rice fields of South Carolina
and Georgia? Human genius and indomi.
table industry. Where there is cheer.
ing prospect of reward. they will triumph
over all natural physical difficulties. We
know the knights Of Malta made fertile
gardens on the barren rocks of that island
so celebrated for their chivalric deeds, and
as the site of Paul's shipwreck, by pound
ing up the loose and scattered stones
which covered its bleak surface, and im-
porting soil from Sicily to mix with their
dust. The Mexicans had floating gardens
on the lake TeZcuco, where their capital
city was established. The Chinese have
long resorted to the same means of rearing
culinary and other plants, and not an inch
of soil, even though situated amidst the
preci pitous cliffs of the mountains, is until
ed, so great is the demand for vegetable
products by the thronged population of the
Celestial Empire. The lemon and orange
groves of Portugal and Sicily are establish
, ed and maintained by an expensive and la
borous system Of artificial fountains ant
, channels ofirrigation. With US land is 81
, abundant, in comparison with the popula
ton, that we have no just conception Of It,
, value, as estimated in those portions Of tn
globe where the inhabitants are so numer
{ Gus that few roods are considered an es
, tate so ample that the fortunate proprieto
: is accounr ed an independent man.
I But, even in the vast extent Of the U
States, with the millions of acres still in
state Of nature, how many thousands ar
e now cultivated which. few generation
g since, ay, in our day, were deemed worth
less /? In England, what extensive moras
5 ses have been reclaimed, and added to tn
0 domain Of agriculture. while the heat
. covered mount aims of Wales and Scollan
y are rapidly being planted with magnifcen
q forests, not for establishment merely, bu
b. as inexhaustible sources of wealth. Tb
old Duke Of Athol planted on his estates j
/. Perthshire 1888 acres, which contane
o 27,43l 600 young trees; and his successo
; set out $500 acres Of poor mountain groun
y solely with larches. The land was nc
S then worth over 90 cents rent per acre
y and now, with the timber on it, is value
y at 80 500 900 dollars. The citizens of thi
country have, here and there, selected tn
e most fertile and eligible locations, and ca
most Of the vast remainder Of the Ian
}, either refuse or worthless. Time, and tn
y increase of population, will show th1
n nearly the whole will become more valua
| BILE than even what is now deemed tn
n most choice. The entertainments in tn
g vicinity of New Orleans will be extende
g on each bank Of the Mississippi, from tn
g Gulf of Mexico to the Falls of ST. Anthem,
y If but one Of the most valuable of tn
two hundred plants introduced by Dr.. PEI
= rine can be successfully cultivated, a
Florida will be drained, and become luxl
g RANT fields and gardens, and embelishe
y by canals, rivers, bays, harbors. and beat
10 tiful lakes. 1t will be the Cuba Of ia
q nation.
| know your liberal disposition. an
enlightened and enlarged views in rela,io
to subjects connected with agriculture
! and all the great branches of nation'
D, industry, and am confident you will be dl:
!. posed to do what is expedent on this occa
i; SION
Dr. Perrine, like most men of scienc
and ardent patriotism, has devoted niue
D. time, and expended his resources, for
1t great purpose, sanguine in the benehclt
i results to the Republic, and the hope
future remuneration from his own practices
y oxertions and it is very desirable that h
y should not be left, as is too often the case
i. to lament his labors, and to find that Others
70 hereafter, reap the fruits of his meritoriou
- enterprise, without having endured any