The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-02-25

country on either hand. There is
now in process of construction a
railroad from Sanford 70 Orlando.
with the ultimate design OF its ex.
tension to the Calf coast. It will
open up one of the finest sections in
the State, and furnish transportation
for the products of the farmers and
orange growers. now isolated along
the route. s4,e
In thinking over the Progress Of
the past ten years I well remember
our arrival in the Land Of Flowers, a
dozen years ago, when the main street
of Jacksonville was built with one
story wooden buildings, and not a
vehicle of any kind could b be
procured, for love- or m1ney, to-
convey an invalid member Of the
family from the depot. AZ this time
the old Darlington and Hnttie made
each a weekly trip from Jacksonville
to Enterprise, carrying the United
States mail and transacting the little
business along the route. There
were but few post-offices on the up
per St. Johns at this time, very little
improvement along the banks and
scarcely any back trom-the river, save
here and there the log cabin OF the
squatter or immigrant iron Georgia.
The dense forests were nntroken, ex-
cept by an occasional landing at the
termination of country road, with
perhaps not a sign Of life in sight.
The wild fowl and alligators held un.
disputed possession, and the former
rose and screached in high dudgeon
when disturbed in their accustomed
haunts by the whistle OF the semi
weekly steamer.
What a change has come over the
aspect of the scene. Handsome res
licences, comfortable cottages sur
rounded by fiourishipg ned groves
lime IFS lakes and rivef. over rne
wharves at the many towns and VIII
lagos along the water, large quaint.
ties of fruit and vegetables are
shipped, showing that the improve.
meDt is not confined to the margin of
the river, but that the country for
miles back is filled with an industri.
Gus population. Fast steamboats,
carry the mail to the numerous post
offices twice daily. A half dozen
other steamers make ten round trips
weekly between Jacksonville and
Lake Monroe, and other boats are
being constructed for this line of
trade. These boats are laden with
freight, carrying down thousands of
boxes of oranges and other products,
returning with supplies, building ma
terial, agricultural implements, tertil-
izers, etc. Thousands of orange
trees are also going up and down the
river from the various groves and
nurseries to points where the pio-
neer Settler is clearing up land and
building up states" preparing to
make the "Wilderness blossom as the
roS, ,, Is isl4. asB All4 ,st 1881 1854. .
- Z az - iJAtsi1 t.s4 tol. s@ gos 8
/ The number OF oranges shipped
Ftrom, the upper ST. Johns river this
season is recorded by the tens Of
millions. The young groves coming
Oh and being planted must shortly
increase this to a vast amount, re.
curing a fleet OF vessels tos market
the crop, and making orange grow
ing the leading industry of the State.
The construction OF railways in the
country shows solid progress and
promises rapid Development in the
future. 4setnA .sri{ i,s.se,-,
Through. the courtesy. otiW. 4.
Dale, Esq, United States Mail Route
Agent ON the St. Johns fiver,I quote
the following :1oI ahl .a
SIN nothing, perhaps, can we Judge
more accurately of the growth and
Improvement Of a state than in, pos
tai matters. This, guage we deem an
infallible one, and speaks volumes in
| favor Of the worth and intelligence
OF the inhabitants of the valley Of
the st, Johns. When l came on the
route from Jacksonville to Enter.
prise, February 10th, 1875, there
were but thirty offices served there.
from nowhere are ninety-six
In the several counties bordering
on the St. Johns river there were
then, and are now, the following post.
Offices.