The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-02-16
&eo@o,
SE7
~ 918
Draining Lake OchechObee.
From the Union.

Lake Ochechobee and the pecuniarY
results that would accrue to those
who succeeded in accomplishing the
object. This lake is about forly.fve
miles in length and thirty-six in
breadth. 1t is situated in Southern
Florida, between $50 and 34t, and
27o and 12i, north latitude. Its
greatest depth is about fourteen feet,
with the exception of portion be-
tween Obser. alton Island and its
southwest shore. The drainage of
the central portion of the peninsula
flows into Ochechobee from a point
about $50 and 20t, Forth latitude.
Being DESTROYS of laying before our
readers some reliable data regarding
the productions of Southern Florida,
and the feasibility of draining Oche.
chobee, we interviewed Major Evans,
OF Fort Myers, who is on a visit to
this city. This gentleman settled at
Fort Myers on the Caloosahatchie
River in 1859 and remained until
1861, and returned in 1872, where he
has resided to the present time. We
instituted some inquiries and shall
give his replies:
What is the population of your
county outside OF Key West and the
principal business OF your residents?
The population OF our country,
exclusive of Key West, is about
1000. The majority of our residents
are engaged in cattle raising, the cul-
tuIe OF cane, tropical fruits and early
vegetables for Northern markets.
The soil and climate OF the Kissim-
NEE valley and Northern Florida is
eminently adapted to The culture Of
sugar cane. 1t rattoons and tassels,
which is the best evidence of the
capability of the climate for its pro-
duction. For its growth, it requires
long season; a dry spring, tropical
rains DUNG the summer months, and
a dry autumn, with nigh thermom-
etric mean during the growing sea-
son. In Louisiana the cane is liable
to be injured by early trosts, but
these do not occur in our section, and
the cane need not be cut before
January Owing TO the richness of
the soil, and the favorable climatic
conditions, sugar.cane can be grown
as successfully and proftably in
Florida as in Cuba
We inquired of Major Evans if he
had seen an editorial in the Phila-
delphia Times of January 29th to
the effect that "Florida offers no i'm
munity from frost" and he replied:
CAT Fort Myers the cocoanut has
been growing since 1859 uninjured by
frost. IN addition, we cultivate ALI
gator pears, bananas, plne-apples,
mangoes, mammie apples, sapodillas,
guavas, sugar apples, egg fruit, ia.
lnaica apples, tomatoes, etc. Or the
southern side OF the river frost is I'M
known. On the northern side an oc
casional white frost is seen, but it
does no injury TO vegetation. In
South Florida we can raise all the
productions Of tropical countries as
well as all the vegetables and the
crops OF the Northern and Western
States"
What is the character OF the soil
i'll the overfloWed lands OF the Kiss
imme valley and the marshes sur
rounding Lake Ochechobee
II he soil isa deep vegetable mould
and practically inexhaustlble AT
most points II is undertake by a marty
clay, containing large quantity Of
sea shells. III drained this land
would yield enormous crops OF sugar.
/ Ii Och, ChObee Was drained millions
OF aci eS OF Tie finest land in the
Unit, d States would be reclaimed,
aud " wOuld b, come independent of
! the West Indies tOr our sugar. Many
other staple crops could be profitably
cultivated, and on these lands the
orange, lemon and lime would find a
congenial home.
Can Ochechobee be drained ~
SOW ing to its elevation above the
Guit, there is no difficulty in lower
ing the lake say ten feet, which
would reclaim vast amount OF the
richest and most productive land in
t"c U,I, Il States"
lsl ac, -tai he leading citizens
of SOFA i oJi4o IL ended engaging
i'll me enterp'I-,
"Captan llynory, Mr.. Summerin
aud other wealthy gentlemen OF
South Florida, organized a company
for thai purpose, and was deputed
TO proceed to Tallahassee and enter
into a contract with the State author.
hies Tor the drainage of the lake, and
! consequent rec aination Of vast
araa Ot land in Snuth El,,ido IN