Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-04-26
AMONG THE FLOWERS.
Notes of Trip Made by Grant County Man to
the Sweet South. last.

/
tied with snow, to one robed in spring
green; from one where the scar leaves
culver in the northeast blast, To one
where zephry breezes breathe on
the opening foliage; from land
of unsurpassed fertility, where grain
and pork, badgers and gophers,
chineh bugs and grasshoppers abound,
to one of fiat woods, high
pine lands, low hammock and high ham
mock, land of everglades and lakes,
where oranges and lemons, bananas
and pineapples, strawberries and roses,
find a genial soil and happy home, and
in whose thick jungles the deer, the
bear and the panther find a hiding
place; and on the banks of whose rivers
the alligator laves in sunshine.
Well, on the 9th of February, we
started from home, under clear sky
and cold south wind, TO take the cars at
Fennimore; and at 9.15 we were on the
C. & n. r. X. The wind increased and
the snow drifted and when within a
mile of Dodgeville we found ourselves
stuck tight IN drift. and staid there
until night. Then we were hauled into
town, where we staid until regular time
of the train next day.
Feb. % We were in Chicago fifteen
| It, ior
until a. m.
Feb 80 Our route was via Kanka-
kee, indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville,
Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Atlanta,
Macon, Jesup, and Waycross to Jack
sonvile. We were advised that we
were coming too late; that we would
find the heat too oppressive and malari-
al diseases too prevalent for safety.
But | had been under vertical sun,
where the sun seemed north of me, but
never felt more fervent heat from it
than in Wisconsin. So we wore the
same amount of clothing we wore at
home, with the thermometer forty de-
grees below zero. and | don't know that
am intentionally warm.
We had intended to stop at Murfrees-
boro, and take look at the field where
the terrible battle of Stone River was
fought, and where Lieut.. Col. Mckee
met his fate; and at Chattanooga, and
Missionary Ridge, and see where Grants
army went up the steep ascent, in the
face of the fire of death, rained down
on them from Bragg's host above; and,
too, we were going to stop at Atlanta
and visit the spot where, | think, one of
the most accomplished soldiers of the
American army, Mcpherson, fell. But
when we were nearing Nashville, we
passed through soldiers cemetery,
which brought the realities of war so
wildly to mind that the desire to view
the fields of strife was considerably
abated. We passed the cemetery and
field of Stone River
March 4. At p. M, we started up
the St. Johns river for Palatka, IS miles
above Jacksonville 1t is thought that
this is the most go-ahead town in Flor
ida. More than 100000 have been
laid out in buildings within the past six
months. We attended the Presbyterian
church in the evening. It's very neat
building, without nasty black stoves or
any other heating apparatus. The
house was well filled; had good dis
course and very good congregational
singing.
March 5. At s a M, we started for
Volusia, 81 miles above Jacksonville.
We were there at | p. m, and went
back into the country five or six miles.
We passed through fat woods. THAT
is, land so low that the water stands
within two or three feet of the surface.
and is not fit for oranges. Orange trees
require dry land; if their roots penetrate
to the water, they will not do well.
High pine land, high hammock and low
hammock. We passed several orange
groves, on which many oranges. which
ripened last fall, were still hanging,
many others which have recently been
set, and many more which are now be-
ing set.
March 6. We travelled about The
country, and l6 miles from Volusia, we
came to strawberry patch of l !! acres.
The vines were set in August last The
latter part of January, they began to
pick berries. We met the man going
10 Nolusia, with 126 quarts which were
picked the day before. In all, they had
marketed 1926 quarts, and had sold
them for Sl.3S a quart, over the expense
of shipping and marketing, 81, s65. So.
This was done by his own family, be-
sides taking care of an orange grove of
five or six acres. And still there were
more berries on the vines than ever
SAW before, in all stages, from blossoms
10 ripe berries. They will bear until
into May, but he win not get so high a
price for them.
March z. We came around to Volu-
STA again. and on our way took in Lam
gren, three miles east from it. There
is a streak, one to three miles east from
the St. Johns river, and one 10 five
miles wide, and about one hundred
miles long, in Volusia county, which is
thought to be as good an orange coun-
try as there is in Florida. And fol
health, perhaps, is equal to any one in
any country. Came down to Palatka
in the evening.
March s. Came on the Florida
Southern R. K. fifteen miles west to
Meanwhile, place started since Deem