Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-03-09
Letter from Florida.

We take the liberty Of publishing the
following extracts from private letter
written by Mrs. Silas II. Coleman to a
member Of the TRANSCRIPT family:
DAYToNA, Florida, Feb 10, 1881.
Here we are, way down south, in what
is termed southern Florida. We arrived
here the day after last Thanksgiving. 1t
has been colder here this winter than
since 81 Haveshau two slight frosts,
and one hard, on the night of goth Dec.
that injured bananas, pawpaws, guavas,
pineapples, gerauiums, lilies and tender
plants and fruits generally. Oranges and
lemons were not injured il this locality.
In the more northern portions Of the state:
and as far up the ST. Johns river as Palat.
ka, those fruits were spoiled for N arket.
Daytona contains about 800 inhabitants,
IS pleasantly situated on the west side Of
the Halifax river, midway from its source
to its Quite: 10 the Atlantic. This is 2
beautiful sheet of water, three-eighths of a
mile wide, runnir g parallel with the coast
at distance Of three quarters Of mile
its entire length Of 25 miles. 1t is nav.
igable, and there are at present three sail
ing craft plying between points along the
river and Jacksonville. This place is so
miles south Of st. Augustine. We have
three mails weekly from the north News
from Minnesota and Wisconsin is usually
eight days on the way; going north, five
or six.
The country about here Is in a compar-
atlvely primitive state. There are unmis-
taxable evidences of former civilization.
Foundations Of buildings, old wells,
bitches, and even the sugar cane rows are
visible. Over all these heavy timber is
now growing.
Settlers have to undergo some priva-
tons. Roads are bad; small streams not
bridged-can drive through readily, as
there are no deep mud holes. The soil
and climate are particularly adapted to
raising sugar cane, oranges, and sweet pota-
toes, all OF far superior quality to any seen
at the north. Nothing worthy the name
| Of orange do We ever get there, nor sweet
potato that can be compared with the tu-
| Der here. A friend of ours raised one
weighing 16 lbs my husband weighed it..
Oranges often weigh pound or more.
There are as many varieties of the latter
| Of Of no fri
who raised the huge potato, raised also a
stalk of sugar cane, from which he press,
ed over seven pints Of juice. Labor and
capital expended in the right direction, is
remunerative as elsewhere. The soil on
upland is generally sandy. On lower or
fiat land it is rich and fertile AT present
there is good degree of interest manifest
ed in the orangc-culture. Groves are be-
ing started in every direction. Some four
years old are beginning to bear fruit.
THIS village has stores, saw mill,
large hotel with about 40 boarders from
the north. No bar-room or saloon. The
no.license system is in vogue here; and
as consequence, no drunken rows, gams
bling, or the like. Have two church Or
CARNATIONS, Congregational and Episco.
pal. We have young ladies' institute,
started last fall, which has met with a
good degree OF success. " s-- >
The climate here is truly all one can
desire. No time this winter have I need
ed more than a thin shawl on going out.
1t is so pleasant you know to don over
shoes, mlttens, and scarfs. -.