Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-03
THE FROST LINE A MYTH.
FLORIDA'S POPULAR FAILACY
NIPPED IN THE BUD.
But Little Damage Done In the ReveIa-
tiOn-Last Year Profitable One in the
History of the State-Sugar Culture
Too Much Neglected.

1Oh-Aast ear Profitable One in the
History of the State-Sugar Culture
Too Much Neglected.
Correspondence Of the Morning Neaos.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Jan. 1.-The cold
wave that passed over this State on the
10th of last month has again revived the
inquiry: "Where is the-fr6st line located 80
That mythical institution has certainly
been skipping from pillar to post in a
very remarkable manner, and making
its unwelcome appearance at unexpected
| points. The polar wave of the 10th ult.
has, to certain extent, verified the opin-
ion held by many, that cold waves strike
this State after the fashion of cyclones,
destroying everything in their erratic
pathway, and leaving the country on
either side of their track uninjured. These
| chilly currents seem to travel in a COM
pressed form, and are detected by various
obstacles. Here in Jacksonville ice was
visible at 10 a. m, all tender exposed
| flowers and plants were blighted. and
many of the young shoots of the orange
badly singed. The older trees have sui
tered to some extent, losing many of their
leaves. On the east side of the river but
little injury was effected. The exemption
was due to the water protection. TOma-
toes, from the bud to the matured fruit.
can still be seen in localities in this
county, and bouquet of lemon blossoms
from grove opposite this city, was
| brought in last Thursday.
The Fernandina Mirror, very reliable
paper, announced that the thermometer
at Tampa on the 10th stood at 30e, at
Gainesville 30, at Waldo and Orange
Lake 2o0. A thoroughly correct gentle
man of this city assured me that he eX-
amined oranges in NOlusia on the 10Th
ult., and found them frozen. Although
such statements NAV be unpalatable to
the parties in those localities, can see no
good in Withholding them from publica-
ton. 1t is right and proper that the dark
side of the picture should be shown, and
that the truth should be admitted respect
ing such occurrences. The fact is that
the frost line" is an imaginary barrier,
erected by enthusiastic real estate agents
and gushing speculatorar and has no real
and actual existence. Facts go to show
that vegetation a hundred miles and up
wards south was injured more seriously
by the recent cold snap than that in Du-
val county. No serious bad effects have
been experienced anywhere, however. and
there has been given not the slightest
check to the orange fever.
NEW YEARS MORNING OPENED
with light showers and gloomy skies 1t
was sufficiently warm for summer cloth
ing. Friends exchanged salutations and
the compliments of the season. A few
houses were opened for New Years calls,
but this custom has not come into general
observance as yet in this community, nor
does it appear to grow into favor as
rapidly as the population increases. 1t
follows too rapidly upon the heels of
Christmas, and can never at the South
come into competition with that great
holiday.
The year just ended has been a prosper
Gus one for Florida. There has been a
marked and great increase in the material
wealth and growth of the State, and an ad-
ditiOnal impetus to all of it's important in
dustries. A large gain is announced in the
assessments of most of the counties, and
the taxable property has nearly doubled
within the past four years. The penetra-
tion OF railroads into portions heretofore
isolated, is very promptly followed by i'm
migrants and new settlements, and pro-
gress and push are visible everywhere.
Public lands, of desirable nature, both
State and national, are becoming scarcer
continually, and the supply of such will
soon be exhausted. Those held in private
hands are appreciating in value, and a
good inquiry exists. There is much fas-
cinatiOn in becoming the owner of an
orange grove, and instances are frequent
OF persons becoming tax payers who Wis
tied the State without the remOtest idea
or intention of purchasing. No State in
the Union has been more thoroughly and
successfully advertised than Florida and
at so little expense. The appropriations
for this purpose have amounted to a mere
| bagatelle. To the press of the State, to
private enterprise and to the army OF cor
respondents who annually visit us for
business or pleasure, is much of the boom
attributable. After all it must be admit
ted that her own great and diversified ad-
Yantages, now beginning to be generally
understood and appreciated, have at
tracted the favorable attention that Flori-
da is receiving. These are real and tangi-
! BILE, and her golden fruits are bringing in
handsome returns of golden dollars. Only
one Southern State, Texas, shows greater
and more rapid development than Flori-
da, and Texas, with her magnificent area
OF 25O,000 square miles. is an empire in
herself. | predict for this State IN 1890,
when the next census will be taken, a
population of 100000. 1t won't be long
before the Western and Middle portions
of the State begin to respond to the gem
eral impulse, and when this commences
the growth will be wonderful.
THE CULTIVATION OF SUGAR HERE
has not attracted the attention it de-
oClfESs 1HClC - 0O HuGSLIOll Illdb IL can
be more profitably raised here than in
Louisiana, and at less risk and expense.
The danger from early frosts is not as
great, and it does not require replanting
as frequently. 1 believe the time not to
be far distant when hundreds of thou
sands of dollars will be invested in this
business, and when the value of the crop
of sugar will be larger than that any other
product.
The city of Jacksonville has kept full
pace with the general progress. The past
year has been marked by the erection of
an unusual number of buildings in the
city and around the suburbs. Mr.. Webb,
who is now getting up new directory,
informs me that he will add at least %
per cent. more new names than were in
serted two years ago. Many of the build
ings constructed during the past year are
elegant and substantial edifices. Jack
sOnville is now the terminus Of five rail-
roads, to which another will be added
next summer.
THERE WERE ONE HUNDRED AND
NINETY-sEvEN DEATHS
in the city during the past year, 118 whites
anu 79 negroes, showing decrease of 80 as
compared with the previous year. This
includes large proportion of nOn-resi-
dents, who come here in the last stages
of disease, and survive only few weeks
or months.
There has been falling off in the ship
ment of lumber for the year, but this is
balanced by the increased local consump-
ton, which has been large.
Attorney General Brewster was taking
in the city this afternoon with the officers
OF the United states Court, While IN an
other carriage Postmaster Ledwith was
entertaining several officials connected
with his department.
There have been comparatively few ar
walls during the holidays. The rush will
commence about the 18th inst, when the
hotels will prepare to reap their harvest.
w. II. b.
The Gezierh Victory Confirmed.