The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-02-16

that they represented parties who
were financially able to complete the
work, and withdrew my application,
reserving the right to those l repre-
sented, OF taking stock in the COM
pany."
Can you give me any information
Regarding the climate and health OF
South Florida.
. "About the only disease we have
in South Florida is fever and ague.
1t only occurs among those who
drink marsh water or water rendered
unhealthy by "rotten limestone"
When chills occur they are milder
than in the North and West, and
yield TO simple treatment. During
the summer months, we do not suffer
from hot weather as the thermometer
seldom rises above ninety degrees,
and the nights are always cool and
pleasant.
But if you wish definite informa-
ton regarding the climate and dis
eases of South Florida, you had bet
ter question DR.. Kenw orthy, of your
city, who will give you reliable and
definite information on these sub
jects."
How will settlers be received in
your section.
Nv e desire immigrants to develop
the numerous resources OF our Sec
tion, where crops are net injured by
cold waves, and where we have per-
petual spring. Law and order rules
in our portion of the State, and
kindness and the right hand OF fell
lowship will be extended to all. AT
present Fort Myers contains resi-
dent population OF 900. We have a
large church, a comfortable school
house and three large stores, where
goods can be purchased as cheap as
IN any portion of the State. a
steamer leaves Fort Myers twice
each week to connect with the steam
ers for Key West and Cedar Keys.
Acting upon the suggestion OF
Major Evans, we interviewed DR..
Kenworthy OF this city, with the fol-
lowing result:
"W hat do you know about south
florida and Lake Ochechobee?"
Several years since, in two boat
cruises, extended over a period of
ninety-tbree days, l examined the
southwest coast OF Florida, from
Cedar Keys to Key West assembled
the Caloosahatchie river and reached
Ochec hobee. Based upon the length
of the river, the rapidity Of the cur
rent, and some levels taken at the
tails OF the river at Fort Thompson, l
estimated the elevation of the lake
above the guilt at eighteen feet six
inches. Tie recent official survey OF
Colonel Meigs OF the Engineer Corps
OF the United States, makes the ele.
walton OF the lake above the river at
Fort Myers twenty-five feet six
inches. Estimating the tall from
Fort Myers to the Gulf at two feet
six inches the altitude OF Lake
Ochechobee above the ocean is about
twenty five feet. Owing TO the rapid
fall of the river at and near Fort
Thompson, there will be no difficulty
in low ering the lake from ten to thir
teen feet, and thereby draining the
overlooked lands OF South Florida.
The lake is a reservoir for the ram
fall OF the Kissimmee valley. 1t is
bounded on all sides by extensive
saw grass marshes, and the water
overhows the flats on its Southern
side, forming the Everglades and
Big Cypress. When storm pre-.
walls from the north OF Gol,neast
during the rainy season, the water is
driven TO the southerly side OF the
lake, aud the lands adjoining the Ca
lOosahatchie, nearly as low as Fort
Myers are overlooked. Ii the water
III the lake could be lowered ten
feet the kissimmee river bottoms
would be drained, and the Ever,
glades and Big Cypress would be
reclaimed and opened to settlement
and cultivation. The lands drained
would be almost inexhaustible, and
could be proiitably utilized tor cane
pineapple, orange, lemon, lime, high
land rice, indigo, jute, arrowroot,
cassava, banana and other cultures.
The poorer and more elevated lands
could be used Tor stock raising,
which has proved very profitable III
South Florida.
Can you furnish any reliable data
regarding the climate and health OF
the section referred to?
The best evidence of the absence
OF injurious irosts, is the fact, that
cocoanut trees have hourished at
Il NJ a