The Florida agriculturist., 1883-04-18
DeLAND.
"In Center OF the orange BELT, ;,

"IM Center of the Orange BeIt,o
Tropical Paradise.
In writing this series of sketches
of growing Florida towns and cities,
we fully realize the fact that the SUBJ
ject is an old one, but the avidity
with which everything pertaining to
what promises at no distant day to
be one of the wealthiest and most
important States in the Union, is
abundant evidence that the result of
our researches will not be unappre-
ciated by the large number OF north
ern readers into whose hands this
paper will fall.
A great deal has been said about
this State that would have been bet>
ter lett unsaid, and In giving our
readers descriptions of the different
points throughout, we will endeavor
to present them an account upon
which they can rely.
ELAND
is situated in the central part of Vo-
lusia comfy, and is about five miles
from the st Johns river. The land
ing is one hundred and sixty-two
miles from Jacksonville, thirty>six
miles from Sandford, and thirtv,one
miles from Enterprise-anG, by road,
only about twelve miles-and line
OF hacks connect with the regular
boats. The steamers OF the DeBary
and Independent lines all stop at this
landing, and delightful drive of five
miles will bring you to your destina-
ton.
"Hyars yer bus, sirl" and juven-
lie African, with an aged horse at
tached to wagon, whose bed never
dreamed that springs had been in
vented, invited us TO ride over with
him. Luggage was piled into the
rear end, and in a few minutes we
had turned our backs upon the St.
u E'Be' ground gTauuRII yTises
as you get away from the river, and
further back is delightfully."- hilly and
rolling. The road winds in and out
among the pines aud grassy slopes,
whose carpets OF green are profnsely
dotted with wild flowers, and make
picture upon which the eye of the
tourist, Just escaped from the ice,
bound regions of the North, fingers
with admiration and pleasure. Even
the old horse seems to appreciate the
scene, and the perspiration runs down
the ebony cheeks OF the dusky driver,
as he endeavors TO persuade his re-
luctant quadruped to move on little
faster. The scene is one that fills
you with sense OF satisfaction, and
you find yourself wondering why you
have not made pilgrimage to this
land OF sunshine before.
You are now 10 what is known as
the "Orapge Belt" section of coun-
try that is and will continue to pros
duce some of the finest oranges ship.
ped into the northern markets. On
every hand are to be seen large,
handsome groves, whose dark green
foliage and scented blossoms brings
with them source Of erjoymant not
TO be found in any State where the
king of the North has boz nj every
thing lovely with his icy tetters. Z
Now we are upon the oat KRIS OF
DeLand, and in few mom. ns more
we are in the center OF tttle tow i,
whose growth has been more ike an
"Arabian Nights Dream" than aty
thing else.
il While you are wandering through
it's streets, admiring the different
buildings, and the musical clalter of
saws and hammers industriously at
work upon scores of new buildings,
remember that six years ago there
was nothing but forest here. The
winds whistled through the pines
and whispered their secrets without
danger Of being overheard. A few
adventurous settlers had invaded the
woods at different points in this VII
cinity, and were industriously at
work clearing a spot for the erection
OF a cabin, but where the town stands
there was nothing to indicate that in
the near future there would spring up
one of the most enterprIsing and
flour!shing towns in Southern Florida,
and that the quietude Of these pine
woods would be broken in upon, in,
vaded by the settler, and transformed
by the magic wand OF enterprise into