The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-24

PiAC "OOuS VI orange county. Every
few miles we stopped at thriving towns,
and could see from the cars that great
improvements were going on. We LETT
the train at Altoona. to take look at
this thriving place. Although but three
years old, it is quite a large town, well
supplied with hotels, stores, school,
churches, etc. It was our good fortune
to be guest of the Altoona House, and
become. acquainted with the proprietor,
Mr.. J. A. Miller. He is good caterer,
and labors for the comfort of his guests.
giving entire satisfaction to those who
may come under his charge. After a
rest, we visited the home of Mr.. J. S.
Blackman,a gentleman from New York,
who, little over a year ago, made, this
place his home. His grove was looking
finely, and in his garden we noticed to-
matoes, cabbage, turnips, onions, etc.,
all doing well, and he will be able to
furnish quantity of each for his Christ
mas dinner. Men of this character
are an honor to any place. We
also visited the home of Frank J. Hin
son, one of the oldest settlers here. He
has good bearing grove, and abeautiful
place, having just built himself arfine
house. His place overlooks charming
lake. Parties desiring to locate in this
part of Orange county would do well to
call on him, as helcan give mach yalna-
BE information. Considerable il tlilding
is going on here. among which We no
ticed a large Baptist Church, nearly
completed. Mr.. James Jones has one of
the prettiest, and most, tastefnlly built
houses that we say on our trip. His
brother is making preparations to put up
one equally as good. We have this
much to say for Altoona: She certainly
has pretty location, good class of
citizens, and a bright prospect for the
future.
We secured team here, and pursued
our journey. We passed through Glen
dale and Umatilla, and here, too, every
thing had progressive air. For about
two hours we rode through some of the
most beautiful country in Florida. The
land was high and rolling, and inter-
spersed with innumerable lakes of all
sizes and shapes About ten miles from
Altoona we came to the thriving little
town of Higley, Of which fuller descrip-,
ton can be found on our first page.
Here we spent much time, and were well
pleased with the way this new town is
being built up. Through the kindness
OF Mr.. Webb we were treated to visit
to all the interesting points around there,
among which was a visit. to the famous
Esmaralda Island. This is not literally
an island but formerly was a dense ham
mock of wild ooranges which has been
partly cleared and the wild orange trees
budded with sweet fruit; tits Situated at
the head of Lake Griffin and surrounded
by vast prairies. As we rode through
the long avenues which divided the is
land, every one was enraptured with the
beauty Of the orange trees, which were
loaded with their golden fruit. As an
example of the value of an orange grove
in full bearing, we We're informed that
one gentleman owned an eighteen -aere
grove which Melted him 1900 last year.
AS we left the hammock and came out
on the prairie we startled a herd of deer
which were feeding, and at the sight of
us they went bounding away and were
soon out OF sight. FIVE only had pos
sessed gun and been good shot
We now turned our face lfomeward.
Our trip was most delightful one, and
we are indebted to the people of that
section for the. hospitable manner in
which they. received u.s.,