The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1881-09-12
Facts from Florida.

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| Facts from Florida.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, June 5.-BeiDq
detained here to-day, l avail myself OF
this opportunity of redeeming the pro.
mise l made on leaving Kansas City;this
do the more willingly asst has occurred
70 me that some Of my friends In the city
and vicinity may possibly be pleased to
near from me In reference to the attrac-
lions OF this State ami especially the
great fruit and vegetable interest that's
now elicltins so much attention.
THE CLIMATE.
conceive a great misapprehension
exists III the minds of most persons, es-
pecially In the north and west upon this
point, the average impression being that
during the summer the heat is very op-
presslve aud pr0stratIng. The truth Is,
United States and probably as good as
any In The world. From sun up to 8 a.
M, the heat is most sensibly felt; about
this time cool In MIGRATING breeze
commences from the Atlantic ocean on
the east and continues till night, when
the guilt wind from the southwest gently
and softly cools the atmosphere and fans
you to sweet repose, and you wake up
early in the morning much refreshed,
having had splendid nights sleep UNI
der one or two blankets. The average
temperature during the summer is rs; in
the winter 60, the latter being similar to
the month Of May with us, the most de-
lIchtful In the year. 1t is very obvious
that in a climate like this the require
ments in the way of fuel, clo.hing, houses,
and may add food too, are much less
than in country ice bound during the
winter; and the luxury of being able to
stir around comforta ly in the open air
goes far to compensate for the inconve-
Dience OF living in comparatively new
country.
HEALTH IN FLORIDA.
Much might be said truthfulIy in fav.
Of this Stale upon this subject, If space
permitted, but will only observe that
for pulmonary, bronchial, laryDgial,
catarrb, neuralgia affections, and many
other ills and aches incident to advanced
age and delicate constitutions, this mild,
soft climate cannot be otherwise than
salutary; and, believe, the last medical
convention OF this State claimed that
statistics proved ii to be the healthies
State in the union.
So far as l have been able to deter
mine, must say that do not think
that this State is we'll adapted to gen.
eral agriculture, owing to the fact that
the soil is generally thin, light and
sandy, and even when fertilized is
easily exhausted. Usually near the
river and lakes there is a grayish or
dark sandy loan underlaid with mari,
and grows these crops to which it is
suited with wonderful luxuriance, but
this hamock land, as it is called, is not
to be compared to our Missouri soil in
durability. 1t is well adapted to the
growth Of sugar cane, long staple cot
ton, corn, rice, potatoes, and especial
ly to the profitable raising of early
vegetables, while the undulating, white
sandy, piney-wooded uplands are said
ts be more desirable for oranges,
emons, guavas, Ags and other tropical
fruits. The soil evidently needs more
care and fertilizers than the rich allu-
vial lands of the northwest, but 1T is
claimed that it repays with ten
months growth more profitable re-
turns.
PLANTING EARLY VEGETABLES AND
FRUITS.
The business that is now engrossing
the attention of so many here, and bids
fair to eclipse and revolutionize the
other Industries is the planting and
cultivating of fruits and early vegeta-.
tables, and when we take into consid-
Grafton the profits accruing from these
pursuits the great interest manifested
need excite no surprise. Orange trees
are set out In rows usually from TWEEN
ty Eve to thirty feet apart each way,
and when budded commence bearing
in four years, seedlings in from seven
to ten years. They require light cul-
tivation two or three times year,
either with the hoe, harrow or small
turning pillow, drawn by one horse or
mule.
To fertilize It Is customary to raise
several crops OF corn and peas each year,
and pillow under the vines, which have
an influence similar to our clover. The
rich hammock lands need no iertilizlng
to grow the oranges or lemons, but many
persons raise vegetables between the
trees until they commence bearing, In
this case 1t becomes necessary TO use
commercial fertilizers. In this way by
close attention, intelligence and indus
try, which every business requires, there
may be realized from each acre in vege
tables from 500 to $500 per year. When
the orange tree is Of full bearing age
and well cared for each years crop is
worth about 81, 200 per acre, about equal
TO fifty acres of wheat. have heard of
some groves exceeding this for instance,
the Spurs grove near Lake Munroe, of
four and one half acres yielded few
years since, as am informed 81, 500,an
Col. Harris fine grove of about seven
acres, near Palatka, yields an annual in
come OF from ten to twelve Thousands
nice income. Uncleaned lands are
worth from 50 to $50 an acre, according
to quality and proximity TO towns and
transportation, and those that are desir-
able are being rapidly rapidly taken up,
as there Is an immense influx of popula
ton and capital, especially of our north
ern friends, who usually have the facul-
ty of "putting their money where it viii
do the most good" Budded trees cost
from S25 to 500 per 100. To clean the
grounds costs from $l0to 500 per acre;
and fencing from SIS to $40 per acre.
An orange grove of full bearing age,
and in fancy location, and having a
Un,.1 xyafar inn which Qpma