The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-05
Soush FLORIDA.
Correspondence ef the N. o. True Deits.l
TALLAHASSEE. Aug S. IS

TALLAHASSEE. Aug s, IS51
The great tropical territory known South Forida-a
region OF which the geography and peculiar local ea
lures are SO little known--demands from It's growing i'm.
portince. more than passing nohee;
The prospect of speedy removal OF the Seminoles
will remove the only obstacle TO settlement and emf
grafton and travel OF the country would probably
main almost unknown without some effort the part
OF the press to unve It's mysteries and report It's true
The climate of South Florida is without doubt the
most desirable winter climate in the Union. presenting
TO the invalid the delightful and beautiful retreat
to be imag med AS an instance OF the health OF the
climate a corps OF United States troops stationed
al Miami. on Key Beseayne. during The past eighteen
months and it matter oil surprise 10 the surgeon
that there was OF sickness among The soldiers
during that period.
Although the summers are warn, the cool easterly
winds prevail throughout The day during that PERIOD rem
derng comfortable Tor laboeis to pursue their yoca
tons al all times
Dade county stretching along the Atlantic seaboard
between 25 and % degrees possesses an excellent har
Dor for vessels ing nine feet OF water, with light
house its entrance making the channel into the bay
(Key Bescayne,) which extends thirty miles north and
south.
Numerous streams discharge into it from the Ever
gates, on all of which is water power controlled at little
expense with fall OF about five feet which may be
poyed Tor Lumber mills the necessary sup
plies for running either being found in abundance directly
on the banks OF the streams spontaneous growth OF
arrow root is here found, inviting The OF enterprise
TO avail himself Of the water power abundant, a
small steam engine or horse power, when he may with
little expense prepare arrow-root for market, which
would yield him 800 10 the
II any person should inquire why such valuable lands
should SO long remain unoccuped and unknown, the only
reply would be, the Semnoes, and that Dade county has
been the scene OF many bloody encounters and
cres The southern portion OF this county comprises ru.
keys which are owned and retained by the United
States government but, if open TO settlement, would
yield rich harvest to emgrans Wherever the original
growth is cleared away, the Bird Pepper spontane
ousy and in the greatest prouson On these keys alone
may be raised sufficient to supply our entire home market
for which large quantities are annually imported from
Africa and South America they bear the entire year. and
The Palma Chnsty, the plant from which the castor
oil is made, peculiarly adapted to this soil and climate
grows continuously about four years and becomes large
Tree in constant bearing pening is rich clusters OF beans
in such profusIon that from actual experiment hun
bred bushels may be produced 10 the annually and
/ their product of oil is two gallons 10 the bushel.
4 The Ssa hemp is growing throughout these countries
and is natural to the whole southern part OF the pennsu
la With the aid of laboI-sayng machinery. there is no
doubt II could be made profitable pursuit, in
petition with the native labor OF Mexico.
The Florida Keys furnish an immense field for the
manufacture of salt. which made on large scale
at Key West superior in quality to Turks Island. Many
OF the keys IN the vicinity furnish equal advantages to
the one referred to-
comprising area OF hundred and sixty miles long,
by sixty broad OF valuable tropical terloyare thought
TO be perfectly susceptible OF being rendered valuable til
liable land by the process Of draining, the overflow is
believed to be caused entirely by the rains and vast is
the surface, confined to almost dead level, that the nau
raj outlets insufficient 10 drain it OFT. ,.N#
4 Much valuable timber Tor SURROUNDING and cabinet
work is growing in South Floridasuch live oak. dog
wood, mangroye, lockwood, mastic satin wood, crab
wood, and gnumve,
+, Indigo of spontaneous growth is found throughout a
large portion of The State and manufactured and used
IN families; but effort has been made TO introduce
an article OF commerce.
The various troDical fruits are all adapted this por-
ton OF Florida, many of which be made profitable for
export such as the ne guava citron lemon and cocoa
nut.
The lime is now an abundant CROP and shipments have
been made which Eelled $40 Ter barrel.
The pine apple is successfully cultivated at Indian river
and other places; but, requiring peculiar sol II Is con-
fined TO certain localities Previous to the Indian war the
sweet orange was found in abundance IN many oil the
southern counties in vigorous growth and bearing boun
fully, but mostly destroyed during that period and
the great uncertainty TO the safety OF life property
has since prevented much attention TO that or any other
branch OF cultivation There now, however several
young and thrifty orange groves at Indian nyer, Tampa
Mouatu, and other places.
The banana and pianlan are being cultivated success
fully various points They have succeeded best, how
deep rich vegetable SOIL not too dry and IN all
such soils, any county south OF Is degrees, they will
undoubtedly become profitable article OF cultivation.
! Officers OF the army employed during the Indian
in the Everglades report having visited large island
known Sam Jones, on which large and beautiful
growth of banana and cocua-nuis, the correctness OF
whose statements there is room to doubt
Cocoa nuts found 10 flourish nearly every variety
OF the soil, and few years will make them an imporan,
source of The graceful appearance OF the beau
fn ianke leaves OF The tree adds much 10 the scenery
while with proper attention. they may prove an endless
source OF profit
1t is only necessary that citizens should enter land
clear H. and plant any variety Of the ru trees mention
ed. keeping them clear of all other growth for space
OF about Elk years. and they may then enjoy harvest
rich as California gold mine And in regard 10 living
through the six years without capital there not spot
IN these southern counties where the spontaneous pro-
ducts OF the soil and do afford very comfortable
livelihood without what may be called labor in obtain
| ing them.
In regard TO the culture of sugar in South Florida is
well known that the from four 20 six weeks
longer than in The best sugar lands of Louisiana and
Mississippi which had been considered the best IN the
Union but owing the liability OF frosts has been
conceded that they lose least crop out OF every
four: for in what they consider favorable season,
they compelled TO grinding their early
in October and before the natures In the counties
ing of the counties further SOUTH where the season
part OF November, and the last the planters
the Manee did not finish until the middle OF February.
giving them three months 10 gather their sugar crops in
planter the Mantee made last year 5000 pounds
OF sugar from l0A The natures and assels
there every season, which proof that other southern
State possesses the advantages for the cultivation
OF sugar II is computed that, in the counties OF Levy,
fernando, Orange, and Hlisboro, there ITO 900
Of the best sugar lands in the Union entirely uncul
tivated.
From observations made by Dr. Perrine at Indian Key,
during series OF years, in latitude IS degrees north.
the average range Of the thermometer found be
76 degrees, and descending freezing point and
the entire leglon embracing all south OF % degrees atl
tude, may be claimed as entirely exempt from frost.
| With such mildness OF climate such primitive and
varied SOIL covered with spontaneous growth OF pro.
ducts OF greater value than many that now being
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