Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-07-10
Florida Letter.

SANFORD, ORANGE Co., FLA.,)
June 30, 1879.
EDS. HEKALD:
Four years have almost passed since we
left the Buckeye State for the land of fruits
and flowers, since which time we have
had numerous inquiries regarding the
home of our adoption.
We see by your paper that quite num-
ber of your citizens have lately sought
other fields for operation, and so many let
ters have come back from them, express
sing their satisfaction or regret, that 1,
too, must say something for Florida
Numbers of Ohio people have settled in
this county, and all seem to unite in a
preference for the South. The more Flor
ida becomes known, and as preconceived
ideas respecting her climate, health and
resources are changed, the greater seems
to be the desire for reliable information.
Florida, possessing greater diversity
of soil and climate, presents greater in
ducements to those who contemplate
change of residence than most any other
State. While you are shivering from cold,
and your soil bound in icy fetters, our
doors are open and the thermometer
at an average of 20 degrees, the warmth
tembered by pleasant breezes; and again,
in the heat of summer, your sultry days
and nights rendered almost unindurable
by intense heat, are made delightful by
gentle sea-breezes, giving us the finest
climate in the world. Many persons,
whose constitutions will not permit them
to endure the rigor of northern winters,
will find here a safe retreat. Many man
in Florida, now enjoying a fine state of
health, who, had he continued to reside
at the North would, in all probability,
have but slight hopes of life. No State of
| the Union can show as clear bill of
health as that established by Florida, and
in this connection it should be remem-
bered that very large proportion of our
population is made up of invalids from
other States, who came here as a last re-
sort, for health.
Astounding as Florida does in low, rich
lands, exposed to the beams of a semi
tropical sun, the wonder is-not that we
have few cases of malarial diseases, and
they generally confined to the neighbor-
hood of hammock lands and swamps-
but that they should be of such a mild
type, and so readily relieved by proper
treatment. The fact that our soil is of a
porous and absorbent character, the rain
seldom remaining long upon the surface,
the continuous number of sun-shiny
days, conjoined with the uniform preva-
lence of sea-breezes, keeping a constant
motion of the atmosphere, thereby atten-
uting any malarial poison that may be
generated, perniciOus diseases, and those
diseases peculiar to semi-tropical climates
are rare occurrences.
Persons coming here in October and
settling among the pine timber, away
from swamps, and large lakes, whose
waters are dark, may expect to remain
healthy. The choice of location will, to
a certain degree, depend upon the condi-
tion of the finances and the occupation.
Those coming for the purpose of farm
ing find it necessary to take the lower pine
lands or the hammock, and those desiring
to cultivate the orange and kindred fruits
selecting the higher pine lands.
Our crops of sugar cane, sea island cot
ton, tobacco and rice, as farm crops, pay
and vegetables of all kinds bring hand
! some returns. By May 1st we have Gu
cumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, and
the usual quota of vegetables brought tC
you from your own gardens three month,
later.
Our oranges, lemons, lines, bananas
pine apples, figs, grapes, etc., commant
good figures; and to enjoy them, yor
should have them fully ripe when gath
cred (which places Florida products above
J competition with foreign fruits. Orang,
culture is not the venture of 10 years ag'
but the established business of to-day, tn,
profits being far beyond that of any othe
= investment. The noted Speer grove, O
v our immediate vicinity, produces an av
q erage income of $4,000, and has reached
) $s'0OO from one crop; this, too, from
Il about hve acres in orange and lemon trees
; Such are the inducements offered to thos
, who come to our State, and it surely de
: mands the attention of all who wish I
i make change. No fear of grasshoppe
marches, terrible drouths, cyclones n
ku-klux-klans.
To one and all hearty welcome is ex
tended. A better class of society cannc
!. be found than can be enjoyed here. 1
n point of morality, it Is certainly very ez
+ emplary. To any desiring further infol
: nation, we will with pleasure give theI
= the benefit of our experience and obsel
Vation. Yours truly,
E. B. VANDEazA1.