The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-03-24
A Letter from Florida.

A Letter from Florida.
Letter from T. E. C. Brinly, in Louisville Ky. Ag-
riculturist.
I am here attending the Orange
County Far. | left DeLand yester-
day morning, coming to this place by
land, by the way of Orange City and
Enterprise. came this way that
might see the country from DeLand
to Orange City. The land is most
beautiful as far as Orange City, dis
persed with lakes, but after we leave
Orange city, say two miles, the coun-
try is very unsightly, it is swampy
and covered with scrubby black jacks,
just such land as no one would or
could live on. This grade of land
continues to Enterprise l did not
see a house worth living in on the
road, until we came to Lake Monroe,
about onesmile from Enterprise. 1t
is the place OF Mr.. DeBarry this is
one of the prettiest places l have seen
in Florida. This gentleman, under
stand is very wealthy, and is taking
great pride in beautifying his place.
He has very fine house, a great
deal of fine shrubbery, a greenhouse
for his flowers, wind. mill, elegant
barns and everything in apple-pie
order. He has over one hundred
acres in an orange grove; / under
stand he has sold $500 or $4,000
worth OF oranges this season. His
house has beautiful site, you Can
Sit on his porch and view Lake Mon.
roe tor miles. This lake is nine miles
long and five miles wide; in word
it is a lovely place, but what astonishes
me is that he has taken those scrub
and swamp lands and brought them
up to a paying point, and so beautiful.
One advantage he has had, that of
several muck ponds, one OF which he
has drained and applied the muck to
his lands, and made them rich; be
has accomplished wonders; it has
cost much money and time. 1 am
sorry did not have the pleasure of
meeting him; | had the pleasure OF
an introduction to Mr.. Watsons, his
agent, thorough business man.
Enterprise is a small town, the
county seat OF Volusia county. 1t
contains few stores, livery stable
and very fine hotel, it will compare
with any in the State OF Florida.
There is strong feeling in the county
to move thek county seat near the
middle OF the county. Spring Gar
den, DeLand and Orange City are
working hard as to which shall have
it; of course the writer would prefer
DeLand, as he has just invested near
that place. Well, we crossed lake
Monroe in sail boat. Major, l
thought l was pretty good game, but
this was one OF the times l felt it
give way. When we got out about
one mile from land storm came up,
it rained and the wind blew until
the waves nearl y passed over the
boat, began to get restless, our sail
or being good one, bid me be calm !;
he lowered his sails, took his oars in
hand and said. "We are all right,
know my boat" We were three
hours crossing the lake. l stopped
at the Sanford House; this hotel was
built at great expense by General
Sanford. 1t is very large hotel
and one OF the best kept in the South.
Here l found several Kentuckians,
some looking after health and some
after orange lands. Unexpectedly l
met my old friend, Mr.. r. Marks,
whom L had not seeA for many years !;
he recognized me and we had jolly
good shake. He is at this time one
of the largest land spectators in
Florida, whole-souled fellow,
thoroughly acquainted in every coun-
ty in the State; he has settled over
tour hundred families in Florida in
the last ten years. He has issued a
circular including a map of the COM
try, which contains great deal OF
information in regard to Florida,
which he will furnish to any who
desire it.
I had also the pleasure OF seeing
nv old and valued friend, Robert
w. Scott. His wife heard L was on
the fair ground; she hunted me up
, and insisted that should be seated
in her carriage, and go to their house
and take dinner and see Mr.. Scott
found the old gentleman very fee