The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-10-01
: ms stBuRBs AND srRRot NDfxcs. !

IT'S SCBURBS AND SURROUNDINGS.
This semi-tropical city lis situated at
the western end of the peninsula formed
by the two beautiful lakes, Harris and
Griffin, and is so located located upon
the dividing ridge of the State that part
of the waters falling upon its streets
flows westward to the Gulf of Mexico,
while the other portion finds its way
eastward, and empties into the Atlantic
Ocean. Located as it is, at the head
waters of the great system of INLAND
lakes with it's three railway connections,
and surrounded by an immense belt of
very productive land, we venture the
opinion that Leesburg is destined to be-
come the inland city of the State. 1t is,
however, ourpresent purpose to describe
the groves and lands adjacent to this
beautiful young city beginning first with
the northwestern portion.
Having visited the orange groves. of
Louisiana, Cuba, c california, thcsIIawai
ian Islands, Australia, and Italy, we can
truly say, that this section of Florida is
emphatically the home ofSthe orange
and that for prolific bearing, luscious
fruit and pleasant flavor, our flowery
State excels them all. Our climate is
second to none save that of Honolulu,
and there the curse of leprosy is so re-
voting as to more than overbalance all
the beauties of that otherwise delightful
place.
There was time when the people of
Florida cut down and grubbed up the
orange trees for the purpose of raising
Old King Cotton; happily that day has
gone by, and the raising of oranges and
early vegetables for northern and west
ern markets have become the most inn
portant industries of the State. The
statistics of orange shipments for the
season of 1928, show an increase of
81 ,643 packages as compared with the
season of 1SSl-2; and the season of
1884 shows a still greater increae. While
a comparison of the vegetable statistics
shows an equally CRAFTY. improvement.
NAn = TUE sCBrRBs@ - = 49,
Immediately north Of, and adjoining
Leesburg, is the celebrated orange grove
of Mr.. L. b. Lee, for which hesrecently
refused an offer of fifty Thousand dollars,
and from So acres of which he last year
sold the oranges hanging on the trees for
$500. Going to the westward we find
the beautiful orange groves of Mr.. John
Love, Mr.. N. and A. Lee, all in. healthy
bearing condition, and producing for
their owners sufficient income to sup
port their families and leave hand
some margin Of net profits Which they.
are persi6tently investing in the pur-
chase and improvement of other groves
in this county.
THE WEST END.
Like nearly all cities in this country,
the elite are found in the western por-
ton of our city. Up yonder on Divini-
ty Hill, where our preachers have con-
gregated, is the home of Sumter county's
favorite, Col. Mabry, whom we, the peo-
pie, have predetermined shall be the
next 1t. Governor of our American TIA
ly. From Divinity Hill we overlook the
homes and groves of Hubbard, Sharard,
Hausbro, Fox, Judge Weaver and Mrs.
Hall, all which are on pine land, and are
living witnesses that pine land as well
as hammock, will produce the best of
orange groves when properly and care
fully cultivated. As further evidence of
this statement, we learn from Mrs. Hall
that last season she sold the oranges
from one and one half acres of her grove
hanging on the trees for the enormous
sum of 81 800.
MOUNT CLARE.
To the westward of the groves we
have mentioned, and about two miles
from Leesburg, is beautifully situated on
the Transit Railway, the, suburban vii
lage of Mount Clare Here we find an
immense store, well supplied with q
complete stock of merchandise owned
and controlled by the, enterprising firm
of Messrs. Cunning, Hollingshead &
Co., who, with their neighbors, are doing
everything in their power to build up
community OF reliable, educated, refined
citizens. The commodious church and
school accommodations, together with
the pleasant homes, productive groves
and lovely flower gardens of such per-
sons as Mrs. Commodore Downing, Mrs.
Corwin, and Messrs. Warning, Monroe,
Fussel, Bartlett and Warner, attest in a
most convincing manner, how we'll and
surely they are succeeding in their enter
prise.
FRUITLAND PARK.
On the Florida Southern Railway,
about four miles northwest of Leesburg,
we find the beginning of beautiful,
thriving, wide awake village, situated
nearly in the centre of tract of land
2la miles wide by three miles long,
known as Fruitland Park. This was
originated and laid out by our indefatga-
BILE, energetic friend, Major O. p. Rocks,
who, settling here five years ago with