Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-11-24
1e,,cr from a E,orlas Farmer.

NASHUA, PUTNAM Co., Fla, Nov. 3.
EditOr Vermont Phanig: 1 think we are
in as healthy place as there is in the United
States, and have n climate that cannot be ex-
celled in the world. We are on high, rolling
ground among the pines about half mile
from the St. Johns river We have had
long-oontinued drouth, but the orange trees
look well. believe they will stand more hot
sun and dry weather than any other plant
ever knew. As to gallinippers, mosquitoes,
and the like, we have them in their season
provided we go where they are-that is, on
the low, flat land on the high land where we
are, after the land is cleared, we are not trou-
bled very much with them. Gallinippers
never come into the house, and mosquitoes
do not trouble us enough to make us shut our
doors or windows, and we always have lights
in the evening They have all disappeared
now, and we shall not see any more until next
May. friend of mine, who came from
Maine, says there are more mosquitoes on
one square acre in Maine than there are in
the whole state of Florida. Alligators we
have, but they are peaceable neighbors; they
always mind their own business, and never
come around to borrow tools, and bring them
back broken. They are good weather signals,
and nearly always tell US of an approaching
storm by believing. We have two back of
our house in pond about 40 rods distant
should judge they were about ten feet long,
but never had sufficient curiosity to get near
enough for an exact measurement. They are
useful in catching Florida hogs. There is
ftrita n NJ Govt bo1r bi1ae "a
the hides for tanning and the teeth for jewell
ry, the latter being pure ivory and worth So
per pound. The Florida hog is not a hog,
but 1 should think was about one half hog
and the other half alligator. They will out
run or jump deer, and fences are no protec-
ton against them. Their heads constitute
two-thirds of their bodies, and they will starve
if penned up. They arc what the Crackers
call stock, and are no more fit for food than
an alligator. The only time there is any flesh
on their bodies is when acorns are plenty or
they get into somebody's potato patch; and
the way people judge when they are fit to kill
is by catching them and holding them up by
the ears, and if the body overbalauces the
head they are considered fat and fit to kill !
We are now free from them, having about
five years ago formed a sort of vigilance com
mittee and gone hunting few days; since
which time we have not been troubled by their
| depredations If any make their appearance,
they are shot at sight.
Our politics is Republican, and in this sec
ton any one may express his opinions as free
ly as in Vermont This county goes Repub-
lican by quite large majority-and is not
counted out, either. The whole state would
go Republican by about 5000 majority if it
wasn't for the counties bordering on Georgia.
Both parties hold their political meetings at
Welaka and abuse each other worse than l
ever heard people at the North, but are friends
just the same. l have never seen or heard of
any political disturbance in this section of
the country since came here. One will see
as many Democrats as Republicans in Re
publican meeting, and oice rersa. As goD-
eral thing, there is good feeling among all
classes Our society here is all northern, and
about the same as you will find in Brattleboro
all Industrious Woodworking people, and en-
tirely temperate in their habits No liquor OF
any kind is sold within ~ miles of us, and We
mean to keep it out, too There is good
opening here for doctor, as we have none
so if you have a surplus, send one down.
For the benefit of any who may be anxious
to take up their residence in Florida and be-
come orange growers, l will give little est
mate of what it costs to raise an orange grove
The land will cost from $40 to $50 an acre
according to location fencing, clearing anG
blowing, $3.50; 700 orange trees, three-year
old stocks with one-year- old bud, and setting
5000; and for care the first two years, 81;
per acre each year. The next two years i
will cost about S3j per acre each year, in
Guiding fertilizers and mulching that is fol-
ten acres. At the end of ten years, when i
ought to begin to bear, it will have cost abou
$205O, and will be worth $1,000 an acre.
will then increase in value very fast, while a
the same time yielding yearly income to tn,
owner and in ten years, with good care, i
ought to yield an annual income of $3.50 t.
$1,000 an acre. the cost of caring for it bein(
only about $50 an acre per year. This esti
mate may be relied on. A widow lady living
near here has 10 orange trees from which
know she cleared $500 one year another
neighbor cleared nearly $liOO from IS trees
aud an old darkey living near US was offered
two years ago, for an orange tree without tn,
fruit on it, 500.
am now setting strawberry plants. Hav,
300 or 400 bushels of sweet potatoes, and plant
ed more last month. We can go and dig then
at almost any time during the year, if we keel
planting. d. d. NJ.