The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-07-03

week. FOR considerable distance
the gradings are completed. The
sleepers were laid some years ago and
have, been once since, if not oftener,
renewed. Progress on one occasion
went so far as the laying of the rails,
but outside influences have always
hitherto defeated theproject-another
instances of the many whose private
interests are OF more importance than
the public good for this road, if COM
pleted to Tampa would open out a
fine section of country, and prove
much more advantageous to the State
than the canal or any other work of
the kind.
In my last letter / mentioned plan
to be carried out in the fall by gen
tleman in this county, for making
known to intending settlers from the
North the true state of affairs in Flor
ida, and SO counteracting some OF the
evils which have been inflicted upon
many people by the exaggerated and
often untrue representations put forth
by land agents and others to sell the
lands. have been making further
inquiry into this matter, and with a
result that was to me rather startling.
Efforts to settle the waste lands of
the county are to be commended only
SO far as they are consistent with
truth and realities. If made, as they
too often are, by unscrupulous
schemes, or by Men who have no
practical knowledge whatever of the
subject, they lead to the disappoint-
ment, sometimes the ruin, Of immi-
grants; and ultimately will bring the
State into disrepute. Now, it would
be easy to find MANY instances where
in order to sell the land warrants of
the Transit railroad, or to induce per-
sons to purchase the public lands, it
has been represented that the advan-
tages Of Florida are so great that
man may bring his family here with
out capital, asSNa only with land
''fioat, and that inNthe 6rst year he
will by little industry reap an ample
livelihood out Of the soil. My inquir-
les, suggested partly by the plan be-
fore mentioned and partly by an arti-
Gle from the Agric<lturist, to which
/ must refer again, were made to as
certain the experience of some recent
settlers in this county. I give you
very briefly few. No. came here
two years ago, has expended $4,000,
with at present no return. No. 2,
been here fifteen months,spent $4,000,
no prospect of any return. No. 8
came in December last, has spent
$500, no return. No. a came in Jan
uary, has spent $1,1OO; no return
No. 5, a working man, sank all he had,
namely $500, lived last summer on
credit, has since earned enough as a
laboer to maintain him, but has had
nothing from the land. He has been
here two years nearly. No. 6 came
in December, and after spending some
$500 or $500 left last month, finding
it hopeless to expect to obtain liv-
ing out of the land for long time
No. Z came also in December, has
spent $4,000; no return. No. s has
lost all he possessed, owns now 40
acres of land, sees no prospect of any
return, and for some time past has
had no other bed for himself and wife
IMAM heap OF straw In dilapidated
log hut No. 9 lost 500 theyfrst
year, himself and partner received
gross nearly $1,000 the second year.
This, the third year, they have thus
tar made nothing. No. 10, a working
man, who was induced to abandon
good situation in the North to come
to Florida, arrived in February. He
spent almost his last money in land
"noat, and has not been able to find
employment. With the help of
friends he has been saved from starva
Uion but his wife as aresult of disap-
m nw.A