Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-11-11
Letter From Florida.
LAKE MAITLAND, Orange Co., Fla,
Oatoher 9th. 1873.

Editor Spectator:
In closing my last communi-
cation, asked time to more fully to become
acquainted with the soil and products. [ have
been daily testing the points, and am not no,c
willing to give this letter as an ultlmatum of
my experience, tho before entering upon this
particular subject, will give brief description
of this portion of the Peninsula of Florida,
and in doing so. it will be the sole object of the
writer to lay before these who are, and may
hereafter look towards this State as their future
homes, fair and uucolored statement of the
advantages and disadvantages of the country.
Much damage has been done this section by
the fatteriug descri ption of some writers. and
also by those who can ONLY see barren sands.
mosquitoes, swamps, &C., which are as equally
unjust. Like every new country, it has It's rough
and disagreeable features, AS we'll as its bright
side aud those who come expecting to make
homes among US, must come prepared to meet
and overcome many obstacles; else, they will
surely meet with bitta3 disappointment 10 COM
ing here The first great and important ques-
tion, is asked -''how is the health?" | can
only reply as regards myself, and the statistical
report of this country at this time, which is
hattering and there no reason whatever tor
complaint as regards the temperature or op-
pressive heat during the Summer season, the
cuunteracting causes being fully known will not
state them; bat am willing to answer from
my experience here during the last six months,
that there is no piac time can be more pleas
antly spent, as regards health and climate,
tho necessarily deprived of many comforts and
pleasures that may be realized with you, and
but for the unstable government, am confident
this country would have advanced far beyond
it's present condition. History shows that from
1916 up to 1858 the whole country was devas-
tated By the most bloody Indian wars, and then
from 1861 until 1865 engaged with the sister
States in bloody civil war, and since that
time Oh the platform Of reconstruction The
great wonder is that she mas succeeded half so
we'll, and notwithstanding all disadvantages,
in conjunction with the disturbed state OF po-
litical affairs. which follows as natural result
of war. the population Of Florida has increased
from 1867 with as rapid a ratio as that OF any
other State 10 the Union. However, l am
dwelling 100 long upon this portion of my let
ter, so must adhere more closely to our own Sec
ton, products, &c. As yet, | am thoroughly
satisfied with my observations from the indus
try of others, our lands yet being too new to
prove faithfully what can be done in this eli
| mate. / have planted several hundred ''orange
trees" both of the seedlings and the wild sour
stock, aud in one year from this time shall, If
nothing prevents, give you my choice between
them Many are in favor of the sweet
seedlings and others prefer the budded sour
stock. In near neighbor's grove, We have an
example Of the latter, having been budded
four years and are now bearing to the tree 800
oranges. This is probably as quick growth as
any in our neighborhood or in the county, yet
it shows that good crop may De obtained IN
! five years instead of ten, (but this cannot be
done without energy and good management
An old gentleman having been recently asked
his opinion as to the health generally, re-
marked: THAT he wasIaaNe father of le
living children-had been here for forty years,
| and that he considered period OF five years
| made no difference, as-he felt almost as young
and active as when he first moved to this sec
tion," only he could not see quite so well as he
would wish to do. 1t certainly may not be SC
| healthy as these remarks indicate, but have
never seen healthier people, exposed as they
| have been to all the kinds OF weather we have
had-men women aud children. many OF which
have been in the open woods for months: ex-
posed to the drenching rains and cold winds,
with no comforts, and yet seem happy, and
when considering all, feel.that l am fully pre-,
pared to state that no place is more healthy
| and no climate more pleasant. The water, as
general thing, from the wells, is cool and good
| from the Lakes it is pure and good, but mo-
cool. Sugar cane and tobacco, L think, will be
come the staple crops, while the orange is per-
fecting itself, (no place can surpass this In to-
bacco culture, though, judging from the pas
and present, when an orange grove gets In ful
bearing, the owner cares but little for attempt
ing the culture of any thing else. The vegeta
BILE and flower kingdom here, stands in III
majesty; every grass and weed seems to claim
a flower, and red clover it is said, is at home
though have seen but little of it myself. The
great difficulty in this, as in all fine countries
is, the cleaning and getting into cultivation th'
lands, which are now selling In good localities
at prices ranging from S. to $50 for unim
proved and from $25 to 800 and $3.50 for i'm
proved, owing to quality and state ofcultivation
This immediate portion of Orange county il
claiming especial attention at this time, and w
begin now, for a new country, to feel 'kinde
on the city folks order we have Post office
which is big thing, steam saw mill, SOM
forty families within two miles of the Office, ant
arrangements being made to put up a frst-clas
store for this country, when less than two year
ago, there was simply a Palmetto Shanty. AM
in addition, there are contracts being made ever
few days with new comers, most of them bein
from the best Mississippi families, and a ST.
hope of few from old Virginia We are be
ginning to feel quite at home as you discern
and feel confident, as We stated In our last tina
we have made no mistake, and will, we trust
in short period Of time, have many OF our oil