The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-04-18

q somewhat Satisfactory IceeeL%.- -
piles of ruins, the extensive moats, the
deep bitches, the numerous roads, the
broad avenues, and the wide spreading
fields, that even now show signs of form
er cultivation.
The climate of Florida is diversified,
embracing six degrees of latitude and as
many of longitude. The mean tempera-
ture of st. Augustine in, latitude 80 deg.
north -is-aYout 6sla DEGREES Frost has
feA at sanxtaa,-.p. is#F Fsoush as:.3 deg.
moth latitude 1t is sho3 by the mete-
geological statistics published by Surgeon
General Lawson, United States Army, as
derived from the diaries kept at all the
military posts, to have more equable
temperature in summer and winter than
any other part of the United States The
mercury, as he states, rises higher in sum-
mer, and falls lower in winter, everywhere
else where observations were made, than
upon the coast of Florida, and in point OF
equableness it surpassed Italy or Egypt.
As regards healthfulness, the vital statis-
tics collected by the government with the
census in 1S50-60, show that the peninsu-
lar portion of Florida exceeds every other
part of the United States The superin-
tendent United States census, under date
July 16, 1856, writes: That in the coun-
ties of the peninsular, the number of
deaths returned by the marshals shows
ratio of 0.93 or less than one per cent OF
the population. Second, this rate of NOR
tality is less than in any of the states.
Third, in the counties of Nassau, Duval,
Columbia, Alachua and Levy, principal
cotton planting counties,) the ratio OF
deaths to population was 0.69 per cent;
that of the United States being 1.39, the
maximum in any other state being 2.3l,
and the minimum 0.95 per cent.
The soil of the peninsular is very pro-
ductive and yields all the richest staples.
1t produces the long staple or sea island
cotton of commerce over every part OF it
with productiveness surprising South
Carolina and Georgia, to which this staple
has been before limiteu; and can supply
any quaatity Of it to which the consump-
ton can ever reach. 1t produces sugar
with great advantage over Louisiana OF
Texas, having superior climate for the
cane; and has sugar lands enough to sup
ply large part of the United States. The
tobacco produced there, peculiar to its
soil and climate, commands in market
seventy-fve cents per pound. 1t has the
finest flavor when grown on old lands that
are well manured. The sandy soil near
the sea-coast, is well adopted for this pro-
duction; and usual season will produce
three good cuttings from the same stalks.
The seed should be sown in December, on
rich beds finely pulverized, and kept con-
stantly damp. From Februarysto March
the plants will be fit to transplant into the
field, which ought to be well ploughed and
manured. Rice is valuable crop, where
fresh water can be had to overflow the
ground during the dry season. Upland
rice, too, can be cultivated with profit.
The pine lands when trod by cattle, have
often produced sixty bushels of rough
rice to an acre. With one months labor
one hand with horse and plow, can raise
ten acres of rice, worth $3.50. Indigo was
the principal staple of the Florida plan
ters, while the British possessed the coun-
try. 1t brought the highest price of any
brought into the London market, with the