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

DeLand VOsa County, Florida, Wednesday, June 15 1881

Harris. THE said lake seems to be
on the backbone of the Peninsula,
the waters from the western end run
westward and empty into the Gulf OF
Mexico, through the Withlacoochee
river From the eastern end it flows
into the Atlantic, through the Ockla.
waha and St. Johns rivers.) This
section of our county when opened
up to transportation, will become one
vast winter garden TO raise vegeta>
bies for the more northern markets
OF the United States. 1t is also fine
grazing section and the cattle and
sheep seem TO be in clover all the
time.
The section Of country known as
| the southeastern portion OF Sumter,
lies between the PalatIakaha and the
great lake Apopka. 1t is rather
broken in appearance and unduIating,
and in some places almost mountain
Gus. AS you approach the lake,
travelling eastward, the land is very
spotted, i'll most places poor,
and some very poor, and in
others fertile. Land near the lake is
very fine and productive, and much
OF It's now being rapidly transformed
into orange groves, and vegetable
gardens, and whenever the shrill
whistle of the locomotive approach-
ing the lake aud the putting Of steam
in the lake can he heard, this will then
be famed section OF country of fruits
and vegetables
The portion of our county known
as the lake region has been so often
described, it is almost unnecessary for
me t>w say anything. | will state,
howeY s itthat any person desiring
early Nmpersble land could not do
better, sSetery anywhere in the
State, tha,, ,altho,he. south, southeast,
and east sldsw I Lake Astatula, or
Harris. Ihea:lasss,s is mlldlcaaaaa a..3he
| protecuun 1fCl TIC Fold blasts Of the
northwest and iGgfth is good, and it
is rarely the case that vegetation is
injured by cold in this section of our
county. The reasons tor this are OBJ
vious, the cold winds coming from
the northwest have first to pass over
the waters OF Lake Griffin and Asia
tula, or Harris. and by the time they
reach this section the sting is SO far
taken out OF them, that they seldom
do damage. l cannot. however. saw
much tor the general fertility of the
soil as IL is similar to most OF the pine
lands OF Orange and Sumter. Much
OF the land requires tertilizlng, and
irrigation would greatly benefit it in
"a dry time. Ii any one will fertilize
literally, l think this one OF the finest
locations in the State for raising
early vegetables, and the more tender
fruits, such as the guava, pineapple
and banana. The orange, lemon,
lime and all the citrus family do we'll
in most places, but would DO better
if the land was little richer,or made
SO byjudioious Iertilizing.
This section with its daily trans.
portatlon facilities should soon tie
very prosperous, aud contain happy
and contented population. Ii is but
sparsely populated and there
is plenty OF room for tnany others.
Land can be had on good terms. and
moderate prices. The lands south of
the lake are very broken aud hilly,
and much OF it good pine land, and
this continues for several miles south
of the lake.
REPORT OF NAT COLEMAN, ESQ.
The northeastern section of Sum.
county west of Lake Griffin is a high
rolling country. The southern por.
ton ON the borders of the lake is
free productive hammock in the
shape OF island peninsulas, and small!
capes, increasing with growing
wealth, tiourishing schools and
churches.
Lands are advancing in price very
rapidly, and some changing hands at
SlOO per acre. The northern nortion
is principally high, rolling pine lands
with small strips of hammock border.
ing the lake. Opposite the mouth OF
Lake Eustis, and two miles south
from where it flows from Lake Grit.
nm, is high, elevated ridge, being
about lOO feet above the level OF the
lake extending north and south, par.
allel with the lake, and ON the west,
1t is about one-half a mile from sum.