Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-08-01
Letter from Florida.
Correspondence Of the Spectator

Letter from Florida.
Correspondence Of the SPECTATOR
/ have spent three months in Florida,
of which I have heretofore written. At
this writing am pretty well prepared
to speak advisedly in regard to the
summer here. AS have stated before,
I endeavOr to speak in all candOr of
this country; and I should regret were
intentionally to mislead any one on
the subject.
What is called winter here (for it is
only SO in name) ends about the first Of
February. Planters plant theire corn
about the last of February. Winter, SO
called, sets in here about the first OF De-
cember. From this you will see that
the summer is protracted. You can
hardly realize that the summer here is
not any warmer than in the Valley Of
Virginia. The thermometer has not
yet reached 100 this summer, although
the present is said by old settlers to be
an unusually warm one. l can well
account for it. During a good portion
of the day and night, the peninsula is
swept by the sea breeze, which comes
either froDo the Atlantic on the east Or
the Gulf of Mexico on the west. I
have observed, however, that the breeze
more frequently comes from the west.
This wind is invariably cool and re-
freshing, both in summer and winter.
Thus you will see, that although the
sun may shine very warm, one has only
to seek shelter from its rays, and he
will find it comparatively pleasant.
The nights are almost invariably cool,
so that Jou can get a refreshing sleep
in midsummer.
From the time / reached this State,
last November, until June, there was
but little rain. During the latter month
the "rainy season" set in. So that now
we are in the midst of what is known
as the "rainy season." Almost every
day we have shower or two between
10 O'Clock A. M. and 2 2. NJ. aftel
which the sun comes out and the day
closes with a glorious bright sunset
The soil in large portion of the State
being sandy and porous. the earth soon
drinks up the rain, and twenty foul
hours is sufficient to obliterate all traces
of the rain.
Since my arrival here 1 have seen a
good deal of the country, and find thai
as great q variety of soil can be found
in Florida as in any other section OF
the United States. For instance, there
is the low hammock, which is exceed
ingly rich and fertile. the growth OF
timber on it being simply enormous
Then there is the high hammock, which
is very productive, though not SO rich
as the low hammock. Then there is
the mixed land, containing pine, hick-
DRY, oak, &c. This land is splendid for
corn, cotton, oats, rye, sugar, &c. Next
is the ''black jack" poorer grade OF
pine land. This, however, will produce
well if fertilized. Lastly, the gall
berry" land. Even this can be made
productive under proper care.
The healthiest locations are in the
high pine regions. Some people live in
the hammock; but they are subject to
chills and fever.
In regard to insects, let me say that
there are some localities in which the
gnats by day and the mosquitoes by
night are dreadful pests. There are
many sections where these insects are
rarely seen. This is a phenomenon !
am not prepared to explain.
Although l have travelled around a
good deal, have seen but few snakes
in fact, / have not seen single rattle
snake or moccasin, although there are q
good many of them here. Now and then
hear of some one having killed rat
tlesnake; and they are generally tre-
meEdously large, i. e., the snake or the
story, [ am not sure which. have
seen two alligatOrs; one was prisoner
in the hands of a gentleman, and the
other was lying dead in the road. They
were about or 4 feet long. You will
see, therefore, that parties coming here
expecting to see alligators lying around
loose, everywhere, will be very much
disappointed.
This country is filling up very rapidly
with people from all the Northern,
Western, and Southern States. People
who Genie here to farm will, 7 think,
be disappointed. Perhaps twenty BUSH
els OF corn can be raised on the best
pine land. The same land will produce
good crops of sea island or long cotton.
Not being familiar with the cotton
question, [ forbear to say anything.
NV impression is, however, that there
is very little profit in it where labor has
to be hired. You will remember that
good men get dollar day for working
in the Orange groves, and they will not
hoe cotton for less. -
One Of the most profitable industries
in this country is vegetable-growing.
A man with ten or twenty acres of good
LAID can make handsome income by
raising and shipping vegetables.
The fruits which can be. gown sue
cessfully and prcffttiaaJy i<h f5his part of
the State Cr4faarion and Alachua coun-
tIes) are the orange, lemon, grape fruit,
peach, and, fig. Apples will not do well.
It is said that some varieties of the pear
will do well; but I have not seen them.
OF vegetables, you can raise cabbage,
Irish and sweet potatoes, tomatoes,
pears, strawberries, cucumbers, water
melons. egg plant, beans, DC. Great
quantities of these are shipped North in
the early spring.
Money is abundant, and it is only
necessary for a man to exercise proper
industry and economy to live well.
Lands are not high-priced, except in
the orange belt. These are rated very
high. Hammock land on Orang@Lake
sells for $3.50 an acre. Good pine lands
can be had for $40 an acre, while high
hammock, three or four miles from the
railroad, sell for $25 an acre.
here. In the first place he needs but 40
acres of pine or high hammock. If he
hires the work done, the pine land will
cost him $40 an acre to clear. The
blowing and fencing will cost him S.
an acre. He is prepared now to raise
corn or vegetables.
In the meantime he can plant his Or
ange trees. The price of trees varies
according to age. Sweet seedlings,
two years old, will cost him him 25
cents each three years old, so cents;
four years old, 81. Budded trees, two
years old, are worth, $1.50; three to
four years old,$3 The latter will begin
to bear in two years. There ought to
be about go trees to the acre. In the
meantime, until the trees begin to bear,
the ground can be used in raising small
vegetables.
But fear my letter is too long al
ready so will close for the present.
III. r. WARTMAN.
The fight is now between MIR. Massey
and Mr.. Wise. Can any Democrat