New-York tribune., 1868-04-29

MONTH or MARCH SPENT in THE OPEN AK
BOATING, CAMPING, HUNTING, FISHING,
AND LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS.
fiom Our Special Correspondent
JACKSONVILLE, Fla April !, 1868
Lest you or any of your readers should
wonder why have been silent all the past month, Will
inform them 1t has been full of stirring events that
had no time nor opportunity to put my observations Into
proper form for press have just returned from one
OF the most interesting journeys Of my life have ex
rored the st. Johns River and its lakes more than 2O
miles, examining the shores, creeks, springs lands '
ber SOIL and capacity and sultabeness to sustain popu
laton that may develop its riches and In due time In
tend to write out from the notes 1 have taken
such an account as will prove interesting to the
readers OF THE TRIBUNE. Can those OF them who
live in Maine Minnesota realize the TACT that
have lived outdoor all the month OF Marchi Eating,
Sitting sleeping in the open air. not under tent
Ny only shelter two rubber blankets ana these WeIo
ony once needed 10 shield from In all the time
we were In the woods only one shower fell that required
any protection and In oil the month the thermometer fell
but once and only for hour two below 4O so that
sleeping in the open air was not uncomfortable;
My regular way of lodging was In canvas 81 hammocK;
a little moss which is everywhere most abundant. ana
over this piece OF sacking and three blankets IL the
night was cold slept under all the blankets III warm
had one over under the one being necessary as
q protection from musketoes, which, In some OF our
those where man was discovered hanging tshingnet
over his bed. Upon being asked, What lori" rephed'
. But, do you expect to keep them off with thatl
Well, yes the old ones, that make the most dlsturD
ance. reckon fight all the little ones that can get
through that net"
under such proecon at few points where the rartS
were numerous, In some of our most swampy oea,
limit OF our trip southward On account OF these pests
we started two months too late U was also getuDR 100
warm for comfort In our Winter garments am,
II was our Intention when we planned the expedition,
20 60 over Indian River We were prevented dong 80
the water which being low and no rains falling becomes
salt in the lake above Lake HaIney Known as Sait M
Lake that II affects the water to make unpaataDe
and unhealthy for nearly one hundred miles 80 we gave
up that part of tho trip ana deyoted an our ue &c
Jessup Monroe Beresford Dexter and George ana thG
banks Of the ST. Johns, and adjacent country VI tns ~
shall be able to give such Information as VIII be useu 70
those who have bent their eyes toward this delicious c
matS n SdS1 SS ba nccey Of seeking such climate but
may for the great satisfaction 1t capable OF al
For the purpose OF making such information most inter
estng, must have more time than can now uevolo 10
nGurers of what do Tor them preparatory to
the next season OF immigration into Florida. A..
or the prospects OF the crops. may reinark that
farmers never had a favorable season for spring
work and they have generally ayaed themselves Of II
II e to So miles sonh has been worked the first time
Panterr however, complain Of the want OF rain very
little having fallen during the Winter Consequently the
ground is not in good condition TO bring forward spring
crops The stage OF water IN the upper 81 Johns ndl
Gates the extent OF the prevailing growth lti generay
five or six feet lower than II during the food OF last
summer To appreciate this fuy u must be D3Ine IN IN
mind that five foot rise in the 81 Johns Is equivalent 10
% feet In the Hudson, Connecticut or OHIO Here rise
Of 20 feet would submcrgc nearly all OF East F0rldh
Hut OF a these particulars, intend 10 wrto luly ny
audby III the present proves proptlOus great
many persons will be anxious for Information ABOUT
Florida land and It's adaptaby 70 settlement ana cul-
walton by Northern farncis II this season should prove
"a unfortunate 10 Northern pioneers rs inc as year
IN will be worse than wet blanket upon blaze 70
dotouen All desrc 10 obtain land for cultivation but "
will not stop tine army Of Winter visitors who VIII con
tuue 10 invade the State willie W climate continues snch
that party can camp ont through the winter, rs We
have done during March, with as much or greater com
fort than similar parties find in the woods OF Northern
New.York I'm Summer Aud the facilities of camping are
much here than there because all the Journey can
be made by water: aud everywhere along the banks OF
the ST. Johus aud the connecting lakes gne -
nbundant than other section so easily hpproacheu
as ths A party one week from NcwlOrk may he enjoy
inc camp lie on the 81 Johns where the deer VIII come
and gaze into their campfire and tho gobbe Of tho tur
KEYS wake him In the morning. and allow themselves
10 be shot within 40 rods OF where lie slept. oI
ducks curlew auails &C. and squirrels need only say,
their name legion Fish OF the best quality are had Tor
asking: aud bask the banks or swim near
your boat, apparently for the purpose OF tempting
death by an easy shot from your rifle The number that
saw ped up along the bank during this trip shall not
attempt enumeTate. For spOrtsmcn, Florida oneIs
great facilities and inducements 20 spend Winter In
camp as t is almost literally rainess season In Decen.
ber January and February II would be nearly free OF
musketOes From these protected myself pefIectY Oy
hood made OF netting upon steel springs so portable AS
TO be easily folded into Size for large basket.
Upon the whole the trip has been, beside s other ad
yaniages one OF pleasure aud health Some or our party
who were inyalds improved beyond all reasonable eN
pectation As for myself have not enjoyed month oil
such health in the last five years. commend similar
trips TO other inyalds B. H.