The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-22
Rambls in Florida.


| am sitting on the broad piazza Of the
Indian River Hotel good breeze is
blowing from the southwest, the oleanders
are heavy with flowers, the mocking-bird
fills the air with his song, and | am con-
tent. know not how high the thermom-
eter stands, but do know that the air is
soft and balmy, neither hot nor cold; indeed
just perfect Before coming here from
the lower ST. Johns We were told the
weather would be hot beyond endurance !;
but we fnd it much cooler and more agree
able than the valley Of the ST. Johns
River. Those of your readers who have
lived by the seaside or on Long Island
Sound in summer, can understand what
the climate is here in the winter and spring
This Sand Point has an exceptional loca-
ton. On bluff, with long reaches Of
water to the north and southeast, it pre-
sents charming views to the eye, and at
the same time is protected from harsh
winds, coming either from the north or
Atlantic Ocean. This Indian River is
more properly lagoon or inlet from the
sea. At the head Of the river, fourteen
miles above us, the water is quite fresh,
while at the foot, where it joins the sea BY
Jupiter Inlet, one hundred and fifty miles
away, it Is salter than the ocean. The
long reach below varies in width from half
a mile to mile; the upper portion resem-
bles in shape your own bay, divided into
the upper and lower, being in places seven
miles wide. From here to the ocean it is
fifteen miles in direct line crossing the
Indian River four miles, Merritts Island
seven miles, Banana River three miles,
and the ocean beach one mile. So you
see how tempered the ocean breezes must
be before reaching US, aud yet they con-
stantly blow the year round, changing
from one quarter to another. Across the
bay multitudes of wild duck have their
feeding grounds, and often they wander
along our shores. Fifty miles below, the
pelicans gather and have their home to the
number of hundreds Of thousands Fish
abound 10 great profusion. The mullct is
a sucker, and is caught only 10 the net
They have cast net here, and our
Jdetotum, Adolphus 0rangeblossom, called
Caesar for short, who is an expert fisher
man, spends half his time in wading along
the shallow waters and casting his net.
Yesterday afternoon he captured eighty
four large specimens of this delicious fish,
1t is one of the pleasures Of life to
break away from your ordinary bill of fare
and to come to place where there is some.
thing new in the way of food, or at least
of a superior quality. Here you will not
take beet nor mutton, for you cannot get
it; but if fond Of venison, you will find the
tenderest and fattest ever eaten; if Of
oysters, you will say none before ever
seemed so plump and luscious, for, with all
the qualities Of the best New York bays;
they are taken fresh out Of the water for
each meal, and have delicately salt
favor, that the northern oyster loses in
its transportation, even though it be bu,
for day.
Wild turkeys abound in this region, and
are served occasionally. Vegetables Of
every kind grow the year round Frost
seldom appears; this year there has been
none, and green peas, beans, tomatoes,
sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, and all the
greens pertaining to the salad family, are
served every day. The banana Aourishes
tolerably well; the pineapple also well,
when there is no frost; the very prince,
however of this region is the orange, un-
equalled for juciness and delicacy of flavor,
by any in the world. The Indian River
orange has now an established name and
rank in commerce, and this whole region
is destined before many years to be great
orange grove, sending out the golden fruit
by the hundred millions. write advised
ly and without reserve in regard to this
fruit, for have eaten the orange Of Sa-
vile, the finest specimens Of Sorrento,
plucked from the boughs, the pulpy but
slightly acid fruit of Joppa, the little oval
shaped blood orange Of Cairo, the Man
DARN in Egypt, and from Malta, to say
nothing of the commoncr varieties from
Cuba and Sicily. If any one would like a
rich and rare treat, let him go as we did to
the great grove of the late Captain Dum-
mitt, situated between the head Of Indian
River and Musquito Lagoon, on narrow
strip of land, and containing upward of
twenty-five hundred trees, in full bearing.
This grove has produced one million
oranges; but, seven years ago, the trees
were attacked by insects, from which they
are but just recovered. In the centre is a
thicket Of wild orange trees, from which,
looking either way, you sec the long lines
of trees in regular rows, and white with
blossoms, The air is overpowering with
the perfume, the odor reaching for mile
around. The only oranges left are few
scattered about on distant limbs or in the
centre, partly hid from sight, and difficult
to obtain on account of the thorns. Our
guide climbed the trees and threw them to
us as fast as we could cat, with few extra
samples to carry away. Many years ago,
Captain Dummitt was stationed with the
army 81. Augustine. | viii not tell you
the whole story of his life there; suffice il
to say that, worried and disgusted with
civilized life, he plunged into the wilds of
Florida, and settled at the head of Indian