St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-02-22
Florida and Fruitland Peninsula.
LAKE Como, Fla, Feb. 8, 1873.
q fhe E6itor of the GnLednninn

LAKE Como, Fla, Feb. 3, 1873.
10 the Editor Of the Caledoniam
He who comes to Florida either for
health or fruit culture, Tor both), will
on his arrival be met by magnificent of
fers and splendid Inducements in every
direction. Time and money spent in
Investigation usually develop the fact
that extraordinary promises frequently
cover small performances, and the in
tending settler, disappointed at the diff
ference between the SPECTATORS state
ment aud what he actually sees, is pre-
pared to doubt the actual basis of sue
cess, the existence of which a sufficient
experience has fully demonstrated.
Perhaps little sketch of the situation
of Fruitland Peninsula, its soil and
characteristics, and what actually has
been done there may be of interest.
AS you go up the st. Johns River
(sOuth) this peninsula is one hundred
miles (by the river) from Jacksonville,
and about fifteen miles south of Palat
ka; little south of the latitude of st.
Augustine. 1t lies twenty miles long
by from three to eight wide, be-
tween the river on the west and Dunn's
Lake on the east, the former one and
two miles wide, and expanding into
Lake George; the latter averaging four
to six miles wide, and tributary to the
st. Johns through the navigable and
beautiful Dunn's Greek (nOw sometimes
called Deep River). On the south side
rivers running into these larger bodies
nearly separate it from Volusia county.
Thus Fruitland Peninsula is almost
surrounded and singularly protected by
wide expanses of water right and left.
Away to the eastward of Dunn's Lake,
fifteen miles travel brings you to the
ocean beach.
In character of land this section is
perfect epitome of Florida, since in a
single hours travel you can see for
yourself specimen of each kind of
land and soil found in the state.
All around the peninsula is a strip of
hammock one-fOurth mile wide, more or
less, and covered with cypress, magno-
liza, bay, live and water oak, and other
kinds of hard woods, Soil very fertile
and productive. Through the belt you
reach the fiat moods and low pine coun-
try, averaging about One-half mile in
width pine growth but rather light,
and considerable sap palmetto-soil
holds moisture we'll (mOst too well till
drained and cleared of palmetto roots)
and is excellent, when well prepared,
for vegetables of every kind. Through
this you reach the highlands district
from lake or river transportation, one
mile or more-high and rolling, covered
with a heavy growth of fine yellow
pine, dotted with frequent blue, clear
water lakes, with grey sandy loan
soil, not especially fertile, unless en-
riched by ce,D-penning or after the
northern method, or with the muck
Astounding in all vicinities.
In regard to accessibility, any vesse
that can cross the st. Johns bar, cal
cast anchor on either side of the PENN,
sula. Large and handsome steamer
are now running regularly, with only
one change, (Fernandina) between We
laka and New York. Rates of freigh
are four dollars per ton-forty cent
per bbl.-and ten cents per cubic foo
for measurement goods, &c.
| In regard to health, there is a genera
Y rule applying to every southern state
/ and to every part of this state, tina
2 along the water-cOurses, or dark waite
e lakes, ION the hammock soil usually
d while perfectly healthy in the winter
e there is, except in old, long-settled lC
e calities, liability to fever and agu'
y and similar low fevers, during the sun
e mer season. These fevers are light an
Is easily controlled, so much SO, that
n physician is rarely called in. 1t is con
1t mon for residents ip such localities
retire during the summer season to ii