Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-05-08
often being found from FIVE to six fee,

ton, rice, sugar cane, potatoes (both
Irish and sweet), can be successfully
cultivated. Truck farming can be made
very profitable. 1t is said that we'll
managed truck farm of twenty acres
| will pay better than cotton farm of
ten times the size.
But probably the industry that will
prove of the most permanent advantage
when developed to this section of the
state is fruit-growing. A very great
variety can be produced here. Among
the most profitable to cultivate are the
fig and the pear. Although it is adj
mitted that the orange can not be sue
cessfully grown in West Florida, yet it
is claimed by its friends that the lie
Conte pear is an excellent substitute for
it, and one which is fully, if not more
profitable to raise, than the orange.
The merits claimed for it over the or
ange are, that it is exempt from para
site enemies, from which the latter,
both trees and fruit, often suffer, that it
is surer bearer, that it will endure
greater variations of temperature, and
that it will become productive in one
half of the time that the orange requires,
thus making quicker returns ON the in
vestments. AS bearer, it is hardly
ever known to fail, and it is very pro-
ductive, tree in this vicinity yielding
last year over 80 bushels. The average
for matured trees is from 10 to 90 BUSH
els. Figs are also very productive, and
can be made profitable.
As far as my experience goes, which
is limited, the climate is delightful and
fully equals, if not surpasses, all that is
claimed for it. In this very important
particular this part of West Florida is
unapproachable by any other part of the
state. While other localities may be as
healthy during certain seasons of the
year. yet for freedom from all epidemic
diseases this locality enjoys an immu-
nifty not found in any other portion of
the state, if indeed of the entire South.
This arises from the fact that it is the
most elevated point in the state, being
as l have before said about 280 feet
above the waters of the Gulf, and that
there are no marsh or swamp lands near
to breed malaria and disease. l have it
on the authority of physician at this
place, who has resided in the vicinity
for % years, that he has never known
case of chills and fever to originate on
this elevated track. Yellow fever, also,
is entirely unknown.
As rule, the days are bright and
pleasant, the nights cool. From 8 or 9
o'clock in the morning to or in the
afternoon, there is constant breeze
setting in from the Gulf, which tempers
the heat of the sun, and makes the
warmest weather of summer endurable,
and even delightful. The air passing
as it does, through the miles Of pine for
ests that intervene between this place
and the coast, is freed from all impur-
tiles of the low lands of the Gulf, and is
rendered pure and invigorating. The
saline properties of the sea air. COM
bined with the odors from the resinous
products of the pine woods, makes it
very beneficial to those afflicted by any
form of pulmonary disease. 1t is in fact
a medicated inhalant, prepared by ma
ture on grand scale, and one that will
probably, prove more beneficial to the
patient than those prepared and admin
istcred by the skill of the physician,
Pulmonary diseases of all kinds are
unknown, with the exception of those
which are brought here by persons so
afflicted And many of those who have
come here for relief. have either entire
ly recovered, or had life greatly pro-
longed. A man told me the other day,
that he would have been dead twenty
years ago, if he had not moved down to
this section of the country from Ala
bama. He was then far advanced in
consumption, and was expected to live
but a short time, Judging from his
appearance, and the amount of heavy
work he performs, he gives good prom
Use of having his life prolonged for many
years yet. Other cases might be named
did space permit.
am told that the thermometer rare
ly goes above 900 Fair, during the hot
test days of summer. As yet, no regu-
lar meteorological observations have
been instituted at this place. But
bles, compiled by w. A. Rawles of Tai
ahassee, showing the results of meteor
illogical observations made by him for
the years so and '83. The highest tenn
perature attained was 950, and the low
est $50 Fair.
Tallahassee is about 100 miles directly
east of Lake De Funiak, but owing to
the greater proximity of the latter to
the Gulf, the mean temperature is no
doubt considerably less. This is GER
tainly moderate temperature, for
place, that is within less than eight de-
grees of vertical sun at midsummer.
Lake De Funiak is already gaining an
envivoble reputation for the healthful-
ness of its location. 1t is certainly des-
tined to become one of the most popu-
lar resorts, both for health and pleasure
of any place in Florida. AS have said
before, no other portion of the state, if
indeed of the entire South, can vie with
it in that all important particular.
healthfulness of climate. The freedom
of the air from malarial poisons, the
resinous odors impaired to it by the
pine woods. the equable temperature,
and the unequalled purity of the water,
all combine to make it one of the most
desirable places that the South can offer.
Jay Gould, who has been in Florida
this winter, is reported to have said, that
Lake De Funiak will become the worlds
sanitarium for consumptives. A gen.
tleman living here at present. who re-
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