The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-04

Much valuable timber fur ship building and
cabinet work is growing ia Souti. Florida, such
as live oak, dogwOod, mangrove, boxwood. mas
tic satin wood, crsbwood, aud Iignunlsi'1
/ Indigo Of spontaneous growth " found
throughout u large portion of the State and
is manufactured and used in families, but no ef.
| fort has been made to Introduce 1t as an article
of commerce.
| The various tropical fruits are all adapted 10
this portion Of Florida, many of which can be
made profitable for export, such as the lime,
guava, citron, lemon, and cocoauut
The lime is now All abundant crop, and ship
ments have been made, which Melted $40 per
barrel
The pine APP le is successfully cultivated at In
dia river and other places. but requiring pecu-
liar SOIL it is confined to certain localities Previ-
Gus to the Indian war. the sweet orange was
found in abundance in many of the southern
counties, in vigorous growth and bearing boun-
tifully, but were mostly destroyed during that
period. And the great uncertainty as to the
safety of life or property, has since prevented
much attention to that or any other branch OF
cultivation. There are now, however several
young and thrifty orange groves ut Indian river,
Tampa Mouatu, and other places
The banana and plantain are being cultivated
successfully Mt various points They have sue
ceedee best, however, in deep, rich, vegetable
SOIL not too dry, and in such soils in any county
south of % degrees, they will undoubtedly be-
come profitable article of cultivation.
Officers of the army employed during the In
dian war in the Everg AIDES, report having visited
large island known as Sam Jones, on which
was large and beautiful growth of banana
and cocoanuts, the correctness of whose state
ment there is no room for doubt
10 A<,, s,h rfxr
every variety of the soil, and few years will
make them nm important source Of revenue. The
graceful appearance of the beautiful fan-like
leaves Of the tree adds much to the scenery,
while with proper attention may prove an end
less source of profit
1t is only necessary that citizens should enter
and clear it, and plant any variety Of the fruit
trees mentioned, keeping them clear OF oil other
growth for space of about ak years and they
may then enjoy harvest as rich as California
gold NINE And in regard to living through the
six years without capital; there is not a spot
in these Southern counties, where the spontane-
GUS products of the soil and sea do not afford q
very comfortable livelihood without what may
be called labor in obtaining them.
In regard to the culture of sugar in South
Florida, it is we'll known that the seasons are
from A to 6 weeks longer than in the best sugar
lands of Louisiana and Mississippi, which had
been considered the best in the Union, but ow-
ing to the liabilities of frosts it has been con-
ceded that they lose at least one crop out Of eve-
ny four. For in what they consider a favorable
season; they are compelled to commence grind
ing their cane early in October and before the
cane natures. In the counties Of Levy, Her
nando, Orange and Hillsboro, to say nothing of
the counties further south where the season is
/ - L.
last part of November, and at the last season
the planters on the Manitee did not finish until
the middle of February, giving. them three
months to gather their sugar crops in.
planter on the Manitee made last year 3d.
900 pounds of sugar from l0s acres. The cane
natures and tassels there every season, which
ia proof that no other Southern State possesses
the same advantages for the cultivation of sugar.
1t ia computed that in the counties of Levy
fernando, Orange and Hillsboro, there are l70,-
900 acres of the best sugar lands in the Union
entirely uncutivated.
From observations made by DIR. Perrine, al
Indian Key, during series of years, in latitude
% degrees NORTH the average range of the
thermometer was found to be rs degrees, ant
never descending to freezing point; and tn,
] entire region embracing all south of % degrees
f latitude may be claimed entirely exemp
: from frost.
With such mildness of climate such print
tive and varied soil, covered with spontaneous
growth of products of greater value than many
that are now being cultivated in other States
With her streams and bays Astounding witt
every variety of fish and turtle her forest alive
with deer, turkey bear and all varieties of game
common to the South. With these and Others
advantages, what can prevent South Florida
from becoming perfect Eden for residence
, AID Goconda for wealth
For many of the statistical facts embodied il
this communication, am indebted to the very
able report made to the legislature at its las
t session, and for the perusal of which ] an
| under obligations TO the Hon. Chris. Downing
J Secretary of State. GROWIER