Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-12-20
C1TRA, MARION COUNTY, FLA.

lear spectator: 80 mncn mas been
written upon the subject Of Florida,
that it is difficult to say anything In re-.
gard to this country without repeating
what somebody has said before. find,
| by reference to the communications Of
visitors to this country. that the impress
sions made upon the minds of those
who come here, TO be quite varied.
Some who cOme here are quite enam-
ored with the beauties of the "Laud Of
Flowers." while others are perfectly
disgusted.
Now, should like, by way of variety,
| 70 give you sort of two. sided view OF
Florida, SO that your readers may form
| their own conclusions. To begin, then,
we have lovely crystal lakes and wretch.
ed bayous; roses and bed bugs; mock
ing-biris and mosquitoes sappadlllos
| aud sand flies; grapes and gnats;
lemons and LIZARDS; sugar apples and
snakes; pineapples and panthers; figs
as aud bsgs; grape fruit and galla-
nippers; oranges and alligators; cur
| Jews and cranes; magnollas and tad
poles; lines and ticks; palmettos and
wild cats. These abound. You will
thus see that while there are many
things to attract, there are many things
we'll calculated to dim the brightness Of
the picture.
or the climate of Florida. I can only
cay that it is perfectly delightful. Win
ter here is fac sinaile Of Indian Sum-
mer in Virginia, minus the smoke
which usually darkens the air at that
pleasant season.
The lands of Florida are almost uni
f0rmly sandy. In some sections the
clay lies near the surface. The hum.
mOcks, which generally surround the
lakes, are very rich, and are especially
adapted to the growth of oranges and
other tropical fruits. This is said to be
one of the finest fruit-growing portions
Of the State. The trees yield largely,
while the fruit is of very superior
flavor.
The largest orange grove In Florida,
| that of Mr.. James Harris, IL located on
Orange Lake, near where am writing.
In it there are perhaps hundred acres
of fruit bearing trees. This single grove
gives employment to large number Of
hands, who are busily engaged in gath
eriDg and boxing the fruit for shipment.
You may estimate the labor required,
probably ship 10000 boxes the present
season. These will yield probably $5O,-
00O. The grove or Messrs. Bishop,
Hoyt & Co., which adjoins that of Mr..
Harris, will YIELD presume, 5000
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