New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-08
FLORIDA IN MIDSUMMER.

COOL AND EQUABLE TEMPERATURE-HEALTH OF
JACKSONVILLE POLITICAL PROSPECTS MATE
RIAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE COUNTRY-DIRECr
TRADE WITH NETWORK.
[FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEI
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, July 31.-While the
over heated residents of New-York and Brooklyn are
supposed to be having personal realization of Dante's
ideal In erno" and fleeing from mseries at home TO
the hotel and boarding miseries OF seaside and
country, Floridians the banks OF our great
acustrine river st. Johns. enjoying days.
weeks, and months OF almost faultless weather
breezy, showery, delightful days, the mercury
seldom reaching 800 falling to 70o; evenings
charming beyond description, the air laden with per-
fume of night-bloOming flowers, and famed
by the sea breezes which constantly traverse
the Peninsula OF Florida; and nights uniformly
COOL woOing to drOwsy slumber." Paradoxical as it
may seem, the Northern and Middle States suffer far
greater only of cold in Winter but also Of
heat In the Summer than this southern extremity Of
the Union. The Florida Winter resembles very much
the od-time hacyOn Indian Summer OF the Middle
States except that here the sky is perfectly clear, and
the atmosphere drier and more elastic. Rain rarely
falls during the Winter months three four. and not
unfrequeny five weeks OF bright, clear, and almost
coudess days consecutively This mild, dry at
inosphere constitutes the special fascination OF the
Winter climate in Florida especially for invalids. And
it is marked with almost every other State
IN the Union, especially the Pacific coast, where the
rainy season prevails the time 1t is not wanted
and ceases during the long, hot Summers, when it
would prove so great "a blessing.
The Florida Summer (as distinguished from the In-
dian Summer continues mouths, or nearly twice
long in the Middle States but during the whole OF
these seven months very pleasant temperature pre-
walls The sky two-thrds OF the time, aud
the wonderful canopy Of clouds Kaleidoscope by
of the constant breezes affords grateful protection
ah1a lac cha
during the months of March, April May and June,
about the first OF July the regular daily showers begin
and continue until the middle OF September Although
occurring daily, these showers never last but few
hours-generaly commencing about o'clock p IN. and
beng entirely over by o'clock p. w.. leaving delight
fully pure atmosphere.
This section of Florida prominently healthy all the
year. and the yellow fever OF Southern cities
has for nearly 20 years given Jacksonville wide berth.
Since the guard OF Northern invalids disappeared
In May, physicians and druggists truly say
that their occupation is gone" Out of a popula-
ton of in Jacksonville average Of only about
five deaths reported monthly, principally colored
Politically, also, this State gives some evil
dence Of health and the rapidly increasing influx Of the
honest bone aud muscle OF the North will soon estab.
sh Florida as the Southern outpost Of political
and financial vigor Among the hopeful signs may be
noted the recent appointment of our feOwczen, Gen
r. b. Van Valkenbnrg, exUnited States Minister TO
Japan to the Supreme Court bench, and the efficient
manner in which the State Controller, the Hon. c. A..
Cowgirl is defending and sustaining the financial honor
OF the State A healthy public sentiment is growing
which Will soon drive official thieves from power and
replace them with capable and faithful of the
public In this good work recognize the strong arm
of THE TRIBUNE our natural ally.
Real estate in Jacksonville Is firmly held and com.
mands ready sale Notwithstanding the almost univer
lethargy in other parts of the South. The unrvaled
position OF the city for business commanding river
trade OF nearly miles and the outlet of the
lumber fruit and other products OF Predetermined
with the daily accession Of Northern and capital
give the place thrifty, metropolitan appearance New
brick blocks along Bays and handsome private resi-
dences in parts Of tho city going up rapidly
and last Winters tourists will be surprised at the great
Improvement when they return IN November. mag
pifcent shell road has been constructed TO Moncref
Spring four miles from the city which will be one OF the
great attractions of the coming Winter. This spring
hourly discharges hundreds OF gallons of soft chay
water of crystal purity aud lies embowered in one OF
tba romantic "hammocks" for which Florida is famous
Commodious and convenient bathne-houses are being
erected to he supplied from the spring. Ample state
Fai: grounds, with faultes " mile track" nave also
been laid out IN the immediate vicinity.
The crops in sections OF the State reported as be-
ing unusually full, with " dush times among the farn
ers. The orange groves are everywhere well lade1
and increased shipments OF the golden frut VIII be
ward next Winter The cultivation OF grapes
as a staple fruit crop has been begun recently IN
this vicinity and the results this year are aDuDdanty
enoOuraging-a varieties producing largely, and o SUI
perior quality When the direct steamship line from this
port 10 NewYork is established (and measures have
been taken 10 secure this greatly needed cOlHnuDca
tom, Florida fruit and vegetables will DO landed III
NewYcrK III the greatest profusop from January u
july and at prices that will drive hot house product
from your markets. Altogether bright future Is IL
store for this lovely land OF the orange ana the pine
the Italian peninsula OF America.