The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-06-15


some Importance, as the terminus of
the railroad. There were two or
three we'll stocked stores, and num-
Der of people were continually ar
irving and departing on business
affairs. Hundreds of boxes of veget-
ables were ready for shipment,
awaiting the train. This railroad is
doing much good in developing this
country and that lying on Lake
Eustis and Lake Harris. The little
steamer May Flower, under the
charge of our old friend Captain
Taylor, is continually plying to and
fro from Leesburg, touching at the
several settlements that line the
lakes, delivering the mails and taking
on board freight. We got on board
of her and proceeded on our way TO
Leesburg, where we arrived about
9P. NJ, and took our abode at Col.
Miller's hotel, where we were well
treated.
On the 4th, people began to crowd
into town from all directions, with
baskets well stored with all the good
things, and we then became aware
that a picnic vas about to begin.
Soon several hundred people had ar.
rived, and more would have come had
not a threat ening shower prevented
them. At the court house we found
fine display laid out of the products
OF the county. Mr.. ]. C. Lanier ex-
hibited Bermuda onions five inches
in diameter, from seed planted last
November, also beets, squash, cucum.
bers, okra, egg-plants, watermelons,
etc. Capt. O. p. Rocks had on ex
hibition a branch of a new kind of
guava he had grown from seed given
him. The tree was two years old |
and had on it 430 fruits. Miss Helen |
Warner had three varieties of ripe |
peaches tempting to behold, VIZ the
Honey peach, the tree of which was
set out early in January OF this year
and produced twenty perfect peaches;
the other was the .-Pie,ato peach from
buds two years old, and another was
the Early Louise, one year from bud.
Mrs. J. @. Lanier had some excellent
apple jelly, made from the dried APP
pies of the stores, and Mrs. T. G.
Lanier exhibited g6ava jelly OF her
own growth and manufacture. Miss
Helen Warner also had some fine
Golden Trophy tomatoes and bo-
quet OF flowers. Mrs. John Hern-
don had magnificent boquet on the
table. The whole exhibit, though
small and hastily got up, was most
creditable. The court house was
packed with people and the rain still
continuing, the County Agricultural
Association held their meeting and
proceeded to business, the president,
Col. T. G. Lanier in the chair. We
noted with a good deal OF attention
the business way in which matters
were conducted and the fine class of
people that composed the members.
The weather shortly after clearing, we
all adjourned to a grove of oaks near
the town, where the ladies' soon
covered the table with choice delic-
aces, to which all did ample justice.
After the inner man had been com.
forted, the meeting was called to
order ana speeches then began by
Capt. Cooper taking the stand as the
orator of the day. To his compile
ments we had to respond, but became
some what confused-and no wonder
when there were some 200 lovely
feminine eyes staring us in the face.
Col. Cleveland made a pretty little
speech that so tickled the ladies that
they sent up boquet to him. Col.
j. Il. Smith covered himself with
glory as the speaker; being Georgia
lawyer he was not easily abashed.
After some more business by the
local society, the meeting broke up.
In the evening we uisitod Ito