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

one in Florida; and it is crop, for
some reason, sadly neglected by gar
deners and land owners. Not half
enough early fruit is raised to supply
the hotels at present, and we can see
no good reason why tens of thou
sands of quarts may not be sent to
market in February and March as
well as later in the season, when the
price is lower. Early potatoes al
ways sell well, and they are not per-
ishable and can be handled with IA
cility. The early Rose and early
Ohio will ripen on the st. Johns
river SO as to be ready in February
and March, and thousands of bushels
could be sold if they were in the
market. To obtain them earlier, it
will be necessary to go high up on
the river, or to Central Florida.
Now what is the encouragement
for northern farmers to go to Flori-
da, and what are the drawbacks p
Florida is an amphibious country;
a large portion is barely out of wa
ter, and swamps abound in every
direction. Still it is not in any severe
sense unhealthy in sum mer, and we
incline to believe the re presentation
of the people, that the summers are
not as hot and unbea rable as the
northern summers. The y are long er
and the hot weather is more persist
ent, but the nights are cooler. The
climate in winter is delightful and
summer or winter, we do not think
very grave objections exist against
the climate on the grounds of excess
i've temperature or unhealthfulness.
The soils composed largely of sand;
pure silica, with a small admixture
of humus. We were disappointed
in the appearance of the surface soil
in Florida. We supposed it was
bare sand, binding to the eyes, and
terrible for locomotion by pedestrians;
but such is not the case. There is a
green covering to the sand in most
r-1..-.-., syxzs
tent resembles our greenswafd -
None of our northern grasses will
grow in Florida There is, however
the Bermuda grass, which gives
nice lawn in winter, and will, it is
stated, bear up under the heats of
summer. Florida, however, sadly
needs good forage grass, and it may
be that some time one will be sup
piled.
The soil of this State is wonder
fully sustaining to vegetation, not
withstanding it is siliceous Peas,
beans, and potatoes spring up out of
nearly pure sand, and thrive wonder
fully A farmer will rarely find in
all Florida stone as large as a hick
ory nut, and if he wishes something
to strike his hoe against, to clean it,
he must hit stump or the heel Of
his boot.
A Northern man going to Florida
will escape cold and ice and long
winters, but he will not emerge into
paradise. Indeed we are certain
there is no such delectable climate
and perfect surroundings on earth as
many travellers dream of and wan
der far to find. There are many pri-
vations to be endured, and much
hard work to be done; there are but
few schools, poor roads, many in
sects, and sparse population outside
of the cities An enterprising, in
dustrious man can sustain himselfand
family anywhere, and therefore he
certainly can in Florida. 1t is a cap!
ital field for enterprise in fruit grow
ing and truck gardening, and practi-
cal experience and knowledge will
not fail of reward. 1t takes a
dozen years, at least, to grow an
orange orchard so as to reach full
and profitable bearing; when in
bearing, large orchard is, no doubt,
a mine of wealth to its owner. Land
is cheap; that is, rough land. Away
from the river, there are millions Of
acres owned by government, which
would not bring ten cents an acre,
and are not worth one cent. If
farmer decides to go to Florida, let
him take with him knowledge and
resolution, and also some ready cash.
Cashis now a scarce commodity there,
as well as here, and it will greatly
help in conquering success.-Jou1'oS
Of ChenaiStrg.: