Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-08-27

age, while beautiful vistas continually
open out on the far reaching river.
With some reluctance we leave
these sylvan bowers-a suitable abode
for the Naiads, and pursue our course
up the vast st. Johns.
Orange groves present themselves
occasionally upon either side, but
much of the country is low and wet
and covered with medium sized tim
Der including the stately palmetto
sometimes with sheathed trunks, and
again smooth and handsome. Arriv-
ing at Pilatka we find a hourishing
little town, with several large hotels
At one of which we ate sumptuous
supper, but upon our application for
lodging were informed that they were
all full, but each had the kindness to
offer to "sleep US on the floor" but we
preferred to bunk on board an up
bound boat, which departed early the
following morning.
Onward from Pllatka we soon came
into a narrow, winding river, broad
ening at times into small lakes. bor-
dered with stagnant swamps, over
grown with interminable forests until
the ssmeness distressed the eye. Ap-
preaching Lake George, however, this
tedium ended and a gratifying sensa-
ton of relief was conveyed to the
mind, as 1 beheld immense waters
extending far away, glowing with the
golden rays Of the sun. This pleasant
expanse is twelve or fifteen miles in
length by ten in width, the shores OF
which possess the same general fea-
tues that characterize this river coun-
try. After much difficulty in passing
the bar, we quilted the lake only to
endure the monotonous aspect of the
palmettos and the submerged woods,
which occasioned a profound feeling
of melancholy.
Continuing to Sanford, we rarely
meet with dwellings and cultivated
grounds. Orange groves are to be
seen only great intervals, said to be
on uplands but in reality are but a
few feet above the river, while the
whole country intervening is one i'm
penetrative morass.
We look in vain for gigantic forests,
for immense palisades and arbors Of
creeping plants and parasitic vines
and trees on every hand choked by
their violent embraces, for the earth
loaded with vegetation, the atmos-
phere lreighted with rich perfumes,
the woods resoundiug with the voices
of beautiful birds and tramped by
the feet of ravenous animals.
This, however, is less astonishing
when we learn the true character Of
the soil. The truth is, the entire
State is great desert, and almost an
unbroken wilderness, sparsely timb-
cred. with slender pines, or dwarf
palmettos. The low lands are pestil-
entail swamps. Cattle are walking
skeletons. Horses that range out"
are more hideous than the Rosenante
of Don Quixote.
Had met with deer or any of the
devouring family of the forsst, l
would have been moved by compass
sion to exclaim, go unharmed thou
poor famished creatures, "thero is
room enough in this world for thee
and me-"
In travelling nearly one thousand
miles on the peninsula of Florida,
through the wilderness, frequently
great distances from habitation, not
wild animal did we see or veno
nous snake, and rarely a bird, ex-
cepting water fowl.
Through the middle portion of the
State, from north to south, is gentle
undulating country, diversified with
innumerable ponds and many charm
ing lakes. This includes the counties
of Sumpter and Orange, where we
found the orange and lemon in all
their richness still hanging upon the
trees, the foliage even not showing
the slightest touch Of frost, also the
pine apple, very tender plant, un.
der slight protection Of the palmetto
leaf, is unhurt; many were not COW
cred at all, AMI were not perceptibly
injured.
There are many young groves in
various parts of Orange county, and
few in heavy bearing. Notably
among the latter are the Bellaire
speer's, Hayden's and others, where