The southern press., 1851-10-04
From the ". O. True Delta.
Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Aug. 5.-The great tropical
territory known as South Florida, region OF
which the geography and peculiar local features
Importance a more than passing notice.
The prospect Of a speedy removal of the
Seminoles will remove tie only obstac lie to set
Element and emigration, and a region so little in
contact with the emigration and travel Of the
country, would probably remain almost unknown
without some. effort on the part Of the press, to
unveil its mysteries and report its true value.
The climate Of South Florida is without
doubt the most desirable winter climate in the
Union, presenting TO the invalid the most de-
lightful and heathful retreat to be imagined.
As an instance OF the heath Of the climate, n
corps Of the u s. troops were stationed at
Miami, on Key Bescayne, during the past
eighteen months, and il was a matter Of surprise
10 the surgeon, that there was no case Of sick.
ness among the soldiers during that period.
Although the summers are warm, the cool
easterly winds prevail throughout the day
during that period, rendering it comfortable for
lahorers TO pursue their vocations nj all times.
DAde county, stretching along the Atlantic
seaboard between IS and % degrees, possesses
an excellent harbor, for vessels drawing nine
feet Of water. with lighthouse at its entrance,
making the channel into the bay Key Bes-
cayne,) which extends thirty miles, North and
South.
Numer US streams discharge into il from the
Everglades, on all Of which its water power
controlled at little expenee, with fall Of about
FIVE feet, which may be employed for arrow-root
or lumber mills. the necessary supplies for run
ming either being found in abundance, directly
on the banks Of the streams. A spontaneous
growth Of arrow-root is here found, inviting the
man Of enterprise 10 avail himself Of the water
power so abundant, or a small steam engine
or horse power, when he may with little ex-
pense, prepare arrow-root for market, which
would yield him 500 10 the acre.
If any pers m should inquire why such valua-
bic lands should 30 long remain unoccupied and
unknown, the only reply would be, the Semi
noles; and that Dade county has been the scene
re many bloody encounters and massncres. The
Southern portion Of this county comprises nu-
merous keys, which are owned and retained by
the United States government but IL once open
10 settlement, would yield rich harvest TO emf
grants Wherever the original growth is cleared
away, the bird pepper grows spontaneously, and
in the greatest profu.ion. On these keys alone,
may be raised sufficient TO supply our entire
home market for which large quantities are an
nualIy imported from Africa and South America.
They bear the entire year, and yield peri etual
harvest.
The palma christy, the plant from which the
caster oil is made, is peculiarly adapted to this
soil and climate, grows continuously about four
years, and becomes a large tree in constant bear
ing, ripening its rich clusters Of beans in such
profusion, that from actual experiment one hun.
dred bushels may be produced to the acre annu.
ally, and their product Of oil two gallons to the
bushel.
The sisal hemp is growing throughout these
counties. and IL natural 10 the whole southern
part Of the peninsula. With the aid Of labor
saving machinery, there is no doubt il could be
msde profitable pursuit, even in competition
with the native labor Of Mexico.
The Florida Keys furnish an immense field
for the manufacture Of salt, which is now mad,
on large scale at Key West, superior in quality
to Turks Island. Many Of the keys in IN,
vicinity, furnish equal advantages TO the one re
ferred TO.
The Everglades, that extensive region o
swamp land, comprising an era OF one hundret
and sixty miles long by sixty broad, Of valuable
tropical territory, is thought TO be perfectly sus
ceptible Of being rendered valuable tillable land
by the process Of draining, as the overflow J.
believed 10 be caused entirely by the rains; and
so vast is the surface, confined to almost dead
level, that the natural optlets are insufficient TO
drain Il of.