Mobile register and journal., 1845-11-27
SOUTHERN FLORIDA.


 SOUTHERN FLORIDA
 ! This portion of the United States embracing the whole the Peninsula, and lying between 24t and SO' north Ltttude has not yet attracted that at tent'on which It's geographical position would seem 10 merit. Leaving out of question it's adaptation To the common agricultural products flhe Union three degrees at least well suited 10 the cultivation of tropical fruits and plants. Indeed, many of them are now found growing lnxurlanty in a wild state hnI whether originally diFused by the early Spanish settlers or indigenous 10 the country is not known. either case, however, the entire adaptation of the soil and climate to their growth is manifest Tine eastern side of Ihe Peninsula indented with suf- hcent ruinher of haibors, and IS enienl 10 the trade Of ihe Atlantic ports. The western side is per- haps sIl better supplied with ports, and possesses n superior position for the trade ofMobile and New Orleans. And in time. though il is known that il
 large portion of the land is unfit for taQe, an i'm. Portant trade will doubt less grow up in ruits sugar coffee tobacco, sea island cotton, the produce of the forests, sea, etc.
 fet, remaining so long in the orci le possession of the Seminole Indians, who mainta ned their pre- earious funi ins wiih much ienact,, and marked theIr rule by many auocious deeds oi balbarj,y, il is no wonder that this the most desirable portion oi lhe Stale, should hate continued up to within short period, even to the people of the bordering States a perfect terra incognta. On the western side, south Of Tampl Bay, little was known of the
 face of the country of the coast, nor of the nature of the soil and climate; and ndeed scarcely any thing of the suiiahla l. r,,. ,l, , Key West, where small essays had been made, all l the irui's peculiar 10 the tropics were found to thrive we'll So also at d few points north near the coast. IL IS not surprising then that southern Flo- rida has in a manner been overlooked and that the mass of emgrants have directed their eyes to Texas as the true El Dorado.
 Recently, solitary nd;vidua Is have now and then been led to make examnat ions of the coast between Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor, and many ol them were so well pleased with the appearance of the country that they al 'locaed' themselves.- Last winter we had several conversations with an intelligent gentleman who spent several weeks in exploring this section of Florida and subsequently removed there. He gave an interesting and capti- va,ins, and al the same time, we doubt not, cor. rect account of what he From Tampa Ba, (abou' 2S0) to the southern point, there is narrow belt of'hamnock land' lying parallel 10 the coast- in front sandy beach, and in rear the everglades, covered in the rainy season with water. In width, this belt varies from half to six miles, and has an elevation of some three four feet above the ever- glaies. In most places it is heavily timbered. Tine soil is rich, loose, black nould--is easily cuivat ed after being cleared, and is very productive From the nature of the soil and it's position it would doubess wiih Judcious culture, ever retain it's sur passing fertility. .-. s
 This gentle visited most of the settlers. The, al had made beginnings al culture. He saw several small fields Of very promising sugar cane and few of Cuba tobacco. The orange. banana. pine apple etc all of which find there rongenial soil and c- mate, he found had succeeded remarkably well. In deed, country is better suited for these, as well all the Iropi fruits, than lhls portion ofFo, ida The orange there produced fruit from the seed n three or four years, and at eight years of age would be source of great profit. IL was eslim aIed from the few experiments made, that ever, acre plan,ed in bananas will be good for 5000 per annum In addition 10 these bounties, which can be oduced an extent commons urale with the el-
  and slers in the GuIfthe former in grea, variety; and near fhe southern point indeed far north as Charlotte Harbor, the green turtle is found in great abundance and perfection. And then the woods ale stocked with deer and turkey, and the lakes. bayous and creeks with wild fowl and delicious fish Tocrown all, ihe climate delightful, the winter be- ing generally as mild our spring and the fiery heats of summer tempered bv the constant play of southern, southwestern and western breeEes. The location such as to insure health, and all n- formation goes show that few countries of inc same latitude more salubrous. I.a.
 The hammock land, which at present alone at tracts attention, is of small extent compared with the entire Peninsula. Those who have examined il are satisfied of its permanent fertility and of its adaptation 10 the articles of culture named abo,e and also, of it's comparative exemption from disease. Therefore, the lands of this description at the com ing safes will doubtless command high prices; and will whether in the hands of occupants or specula- tors, be held for the future in much estimation. In regard to the everglades, their is yet very e known of their nature. Their surface presents a dead level. broken only by lakes and streams.- Some persons have advanced the opinion, that upon the opening of obsructions in the streams emptying uto the lakes and dlching in favorable places, they may be thoroughly freed from the floods of the rainy season and become dry and productive A large por- tion, we inclined to think, may thus be reclaim ed. In that event, and if found be as fertile as the hammock lands. then many who have desire to become tropical planters will be able 10 procure | lands at reasonable prices. On tbe other hand, | shsah Ihs hsnEssk tst prcvs ,s hs the sny 4rabls