The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1882-12-20

capitalists have considerable interest,
but for want OF proper information
nothing definite can be stated in this
report. 1t is certain, however, that
both people and capital are flowing
into tie State, the yearly number of
new settlers averaging $4,000, New
towns with most comfortable hotels
are sprlnoing up in all directions,
and the cultivation of tropical fruits
is constantly on the increase. over
55.000,000 of oranges having been
boxed up during the late season and
transported to all parts Of the United
States. The fact of Florida being
peninsula, and of its having so many
accessible ports, both on the Allan
tic and gulf coasts, as soon as the
Central Florida railroad, and others
projected are finished, every part OF
the State will be open by rail or
steamer, and its wonderful resources
rapidly developed. For the invalid,
Florida will become in many res-
poets what Italy is to the rest of Eu.
rope. Its climate being particularly
suited to those afflicted with pulmo>
nary diseases, thousands resort there
every winter. The attractions In
Florida are abundant for every one,
young and old, well or infirm. There
is every inducement for sportsman,
as game and fish abound everywhere.
The agriculturists will find that they
can grow everything at all seasons
OF the year. The fruit growers are
making fortunes. On the lakes, riv-
ers, and i'll the forests the artist will
find the scenery unrivalled in any
part OF tue United Stales, and the
| class of people settling in the State
are the most desirable, the beggar
and tramp so tar being almost un>
known.
People can purchase land at any
price-trom $3.50 per acre and up>
wards. All depends whether it is
situated on lake, river or railroad,
| or whether the land is sandy or ham
mock. Then the State taxes are
small. the total debt of the State be-
ing only $1,315,987. Mechanics and
laborers can find plenty OF work.
The daily wages of the first is SIPS
to So, the second averages 81. The
large number OF orange groves that
are being prepared and cultivated,
the buildings for new settlers, the
raising of orange seedlings Tor the
groves, the clearing of large tracts OF
!and-fencing, setting out the trees,
planting gardens, building railroads.
mills, factories, school houses, church.
es, and making hundreds of thous-
ands OF boxes for transporting the
fruit during the winter months, and
the general prosperity give all dis,
posed plenty of work beyond doubt.
Volumes could be written confirm
inc what have said. The most dl,-
interested are charmed with Florida,
especially those who have neither
property or any intention OF living in
the State. The winter OF 1S80-81
gave ample proof of the localities
best suited to the cultivation OF the
orange. For forty eight years the
mercury had not marked such low
degree of temperature in the South
as it did in the winter mentioned,
and orange trees that were planted
one hundred years ago in Louisiana
were killed. In Florida the orange
trees were damaged from the bor-
der of Georgia in latitude 30 deg.
81 min. N. to latitude % deg. S., the
Fl ost being very little felt in Orange
county At this point and South are
situated at present the finest orange
groves in Florida, and if during such
an unprecedented cold winter the
trees were only slightly hurt, no tear
will exist for tteir damage hereafter.
North OF Orange county there is a
risk in planting tie orange, lemon,
lime, citron, guava, fig, or banana or
pineapple, for either pleasure or
profit, but not so in Orange county.
Strawberries and grapes also come
to perftction-the former ripening in
January and continuing ill May
The climate there Is all that could
! be desired. Malaria Is hardly known