Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-21
LETTER FROM FLORIDA.

MORE BUIGHT COL0RED PICTURES OF THE STU
ATIcn--ONLY ENERGY AND LITTLE MONEY
WANTED FOR SUCCESS TIIERE-TIIEY SOME
TINES HAVE COLD SNAP THERE THOUGH.
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR
EspERANcE, SUMTER COUNTY FLA.
January f, 1882.
Since my letter of December 25th have gone
over a large portion Of the southeast part of the
state, and thence down the st. Johns river as
far as Paatka, in Putnam county. While have
in my travels seen many large and handsome
groves. and much activity and life in the numer-
Gus villages. have about come to the conclu-
sion that this lake region is the garden spot of
the state Most of the land along the ST. John s
and large portion of the country below here is
flat pine land, and only adapted to orange and
banana culture. while this section is mostly high
rolling land, especially around the several lakes
and, though not eXcelled for orange and other
fruit culture, is well adapted. and cannot be ex-
celled for vegetable gardens, thus giving the
settler Il more varied crop and a surer income
for his labor, while it is less liable to frost than
land lying further south. but differently located
Last Saturday and Tuesday we had
QUITE COLD SNAP,
and the frost played havoc with most of the
bananas south and east of here but did little
or no damage on the lakes, even to the most
tender plants, such as beans and tomatoes. &c
Persons from the north must not expect to find
perpetual summer here as there are often coo |
spells and an occasional frost. Most of the time
since have been here the thermometer at or
about noon has ranged from Is deg to so dec. >.
but the nights are always cool, often getting as
low as 40 deg, as it did Saturday and Tuesday:
therefore, persons coming to Florida should
bring warm clothing to guard against such
Changes. ! spoke in my last Of want of trans
pOrtatiOn, &C.. This,
THE GREAT NEED OF THE STATE.
and some of the railroads, such as the Lake
Eusts and st. Johns railroad. running from st.
Johns river to Lake Eustis, and connecting, or
supposed to connect, with the steamers (if you
may give the little craft such names) of Lakes
Eustis and Harris. and the road from Sanford,
in Orange county, to Orlando, the county town,
While. If properly managed, would not only be
OF great value to the sections through which
they run aud pay handsome dividend to the
company, as at present managed really do the
county more harm than good, and il live men
would take hold OF them and get rid of the Rip
Van Wrinkles who NOW mismanag e them. it would
be aGOdsend to this section, and hundreds who
now settle on the fiat and poor lands accessible
by the st. Johns steamers would come up here
be charmed and remain.
THE REAL ESTATE Room,
which has been making glad the hearts Of land
o"hNiS otohs TIC CO0nttcS DOrGeffng the st.
Johns, IS turning this way, and some very flne
sales have been made within a short time and
many more will follow. Some Of the largest
orange groves-that is, the largest trees-are on
Lakes Harris and Griffin, and portions of MANY
OF them can be purchased at fair figures; and
while the prices may appear high in comparison
to aninproved land or young groves they are
really much cheaper to one having ready money,
as the income is y once and pays large inter
est on the investment, and the worry and treu-
bic OF planting &C., is all avoided. Sanford.
on the st. Johns, Is o growing town. built rip
by Gen. Sanford, Of New Jersey. It has fine
hotels. numerous stores, aud being on . fine
lake. with steamers to ana from Jacksonville.
every day, is pleasant place to spend q short
time In winter. Gen. SanfOrd's grove near the
town is one OF the largest in the state.
the county scat of Putnam county, is on the st.
Johns about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. and
is one Of the handsomest towns in the state.
The sidewalks are lined with large sour-orallge
trees, which not only furnish shade, but add to
the beauty of the town. It is at the head of
ocean navigation, and Is destined to be the
largest town in the state. It has several fine
hotels, and is a pleasant place to spend part of
the winter. Col. H. l.. Hart Ga brother of Mr..
Amos Hart, OF your city, Is the live man of the
place. He not only owns several steamers,