The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-07-16

parisons with other localities. Since
the first settlement of the country, it
has been regarded, and is to-day, by
both the new and old residents, as
comparatively an unexceptional
healthy locality. III fact, it is re.
gar ed by the old citizens who have
realized the benefits of few mouths
stay on its shores each summer, as the
sanitarium Of Florida.
CLIMATE.
shall now, in as few lines as pos
sible, say something Of its climate.
shall not say we never have frost, but
| will assert, that during the cold
winters Of 1S77-'79 there was no
place on the same line of latitude that
showed as high a thermometrical
range by several degrees, as Lake
Weir. Only fifteen miles north of
the lake the thermometer went ten
degrees lower than or the lake. Each
spring there are frequent frosts oc-
curing but few miles east, west
and north of the lake, while we es.
cape. Now. let all draw whatever
theories they wish. I have stated
facts Several winters ago, on a
Christmas day, seventy-fve miles
south of here, l saw ice as thick as
knife blade. l came immediately
from there to Lake Weir. On arriv
ing | saw vines in bloom, vegetation
in full vigor; there had not been the
slightest frost on the lake. Deep,
clear water lakes and good altitude
explain all
SOCIETY.
The society Of Lake Weir is very
good there is less of dissipation,
rowdyism or immortality, in proper
tion to population, than in any neigh
borhood | ever knew. Churches, stores,
schools and two post-oftices have been
established in the last year, to meet
the wants of the rapidly growing pop
ulation. The makeup OF the popula
tion is quite cosmopolitan in its char
,s2etnr l,lnst lavq,S. in .tha JT,,;an
RS rePreseLJeGs~ hlsTope mas also fepsss
resentatives OF several nationaIities-1
all bending their energies to reach
the goal of almost every mans ambi-
tion-an orange grove. Under this
head, to answer some possibly inquis-
tive gentlemen, l will state, that the
politics of the lake is, rather selfish
and local in its tendency the citizens
generally don't think much about
Congressional matters, the Presi.
dents veto, Jim Blaine's or any other
mans antics; the negro exodus,
either large or small: Nihilists OF
Russia, or any subject that does not
have direct bearing ON an orange
grove. In fact, the politics OF the
lake is almost narrowed down to, how
to get the groves into bearing the
soonest. | merely notice this sub
ject to save any one of an inqnisitive
turn of mind from writing me on the
subject. We don't believe that the
President and his cabinet, with both
houses Of Congress to aid him, know
half as much about how 10 make an
orange grove as we, who are engaged
in the business hence, they are not
in our line OF business, and we are
not in theirs.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
are at present confined to four boats
per week passing within four miles
of our lake, when, in a few years,
Lake Wier will be shipping oranges
and lemons by the million. The rail-
road running near the lake and con-
Meeting north with the great net
work Of roads, will, in addition to
larger number of boats, give all the
needed facilities for quick and rapid
transit.
Now, in conclusion, to sum up in
few lines the advantages as offered to
any one hunting home for the fu-
ture, ! will assert without hesitation,
that Lake Weir offers the following
advantages Beautiful situation for
residences and orange groves,
equable temperature, both during
summer and winter, unequaled in
any part of Florida, situated on the
same line of latitude; soil that is
high and dry, possessing the necessary
mechanical structure to ensure the
perfect success OF truit-growing lots
having lake front, having all the ad-
vantages and possessing all the pic
turesque beauty desired by any one.