The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-03-13

to Florida and, without working nall ol
his time, make good living. lam sat-
isfied that one can make a living here,
but l think Mr.. N. little enthusiastic.
fernando is one OF the best farming
counties in the State, and the Anutkillaga
Hammock, which is very near to Mr.. N,
and extends as far down as Brooksyille
and for many miles above, comprising
several thousand acres, contains as fine
land as ever saw, and, from its growth
and the appearance of the soil, capable
of producing anything and in abundance.
Some of this land still belongs to the
State. Some of it has been appropriated
for school purposes, and is known as
"school lands" and much of it has been
entered and taken up by private indi-
viduals.
En- passant mentioned that Mr.. New
lit was in The cedar swamp when l
reached his house. This has been, and
is still, Though cedar is getting scarce
now) a very profitable business in Flor
ida, it being worth from fifty to sixty-fve
cents per foot. Dir. N. tells me be had
cleared as high as eighteen hundred dol
lars in gold in three months, this over
and above proper deductions for hire,
board, &C., of his hands. Most of the
cedar lands, however, have been entered
by Northern cedar companies and pri-
vate individuals, who were fortunate
enough to come first and see wherein lay
the quickest source of profit.
Que Of the attractive features to us
about Mr.. Ms. place was the bearing
orange trees, OH some of which still hung
the beautiful golden fruit, basket full
of which being gathered were placed be-
fore us and heartily enjoyed. In addi-
ton to the twenty-five or thirty bearing
trees, he has a promising young grove
coming on; to us this was novel and
beautiful, but eclipsed by the grove OF
Mr.. Anderson Mays, who lives about one
mile from N. Mr.. Mays is also South
Carolipian, having removed to Florida
some twenty-five years ago. Having oc-
casion to visit his store for some articles
we were needing, and, learning we had
never seen bearing grove, he had us
conducted to his house for his son-in-law
to show US mis- grove. This consisted of
about one hundred and twenty-five bear
ing trees, and younger grove of six or
seven hundred. The bearing trees were
all in full bloom. Several grape fruit
trees were interspersed in the grove,
hanging with fine beautiful fruit, and
the whole air vas scented with delicious
perfume. No wonder the mocking bird.
the delightful warbler of the South, sings
with sweeter, clearer note in this his
favorite tree, when surrounded by so
much that is lovely and inspiring. Mr..
Mays sold last season one hundred thou
sand oranges from his trees at one cent
and quarter each, making net income
of twelve hundred and fifty dollars,
which amount will soon be quadrupled.
But there is 50 much to write Of here that
Il is impossible for me to take q note of
all.
Mr.. Nevitt has come in from the
swamps, and proposes to-day ride out
to "Spring Hill," the residence of Hon.
Howell Lykes, Senator from fernando
County. This is kinsman of our friend
Mr.. w. J. Ligon, of Anderson, who mem
toned him to me and asked me to inquire
for him, so have cofssented to go. We
fiud very pretty place, but no Mr..
Lykes, SIS he is away from home. So can
only say for information of our friend,
that he lives about eight miles from
Brooksville; was then Senator, and has
been reelected from Hernando. He
married Miss Mckay, of Tampa, and is
a man of some prominence in his County.
His father, Mr.. Fred. Lykes, is dead.
Monday morning, March 18th, we say
farewell to these kind friends in Her
nando, and move off in direction of
Tampa and our new home, which we
safely reach on the evening of the goth
of March, 1S7S-just five weeks from the
day ne left Anderson G. II.
In my next letter, Mr.. Editor, I will
endeavor to fulfill my promise made to
several of your readers, to give them some
description of this County and State,
having deferred it this long that 1 might
be enabled to do so fairly and impair
TALLY. G. H. S.