The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-06-04
Altoona Correspondence.
Editor Florida Agriculturist:

EultOr FLORIDA AgrlculturlSt:
The past season shows that emigration
| to Florida is on the increase; and al
! though the books at the hotels have not
registered an unusual large number, vet
the steamers on the rivers have better
showing than in any previous season,
and this is owing to the fact that more
| people are seeking permanent places,
and have struck out among the pines, in
search of pleasure, health, and "home,
sweet home" And this is one reason
why so many new places are started
and grow so rapidly. The progress we
are making on the st. Johns and Eustis
railroad would astonish even those who
''never had any faith in Florida Rip
Van Wrinkle would only have had to
sleep couple of years at best, to have
opened his eyes in wonder and astonish-
ment. Where the pines and oaks, the
palmettoes and tangled shrubs covered
the ground few weeks ago, the attrac
tive dwelling is now seen. The orange
tree puts on its foliage of living green.
leaves, and riistle in the wind. The for
est has become fruit orchard; and the
land that was lately worth a few dollars
is now worth as many hundred. The
faces that surround these dwellings are
come from the frozen North where the
SHOWS drift, and the billiards. howl.
What seek they here? Freedom from
the sting of the polar regions, from the
piercing blast, from the cold and the
sleet. A place to breathe the pure air
of heaven, to bask in the free sunshine,
and to enjoy nature in its perfected state.
All this we can offer them, and more.
| Florida is not left out in the cold, and
never can be; her sunshine never fails,
her waters never dry; the early and the
late rains are not withheld; her fruits
do always mature. Her climate is being
more and more appreciated, and offers a
haven of rest to the sufferers who seek
her wave-washed shores. Once they
looked to far. off Italy for climate suit
ed to the invalid; now Florida offers
superior one, without crossing the ocean,
without living under foreign govern
ment,-right in our midst, with room
enough for all, and land selling at $40,
$l5, 500, and upwards, according to To-
cation, worth $3.50 for climate alone. In
this section, which is about IS miles
west of the st. Johns river, there is no
particular season better than another for
coming to this part of our favored land.
We have all seasons for our own; and
although we are in land from which
sickness and death can never be exclud-
ed, yet all desire to make this term of
life as long as possible, and it is fact
beyond question that many have added
years to this existence by basking in our
warm sunshine. And still they continue
| to come, driven by the cold north wind,
to seek the land where "orange bios
SONS grow" Mr.. II. l. Trowel, of UNA
tilla, took us in to see his fourteen year
old grove, a short time ago. The ground
was carpeted with blossoms, and their
perfume filled the air. The place was
| delightful and seemed like fairy land
A few oranges were still on the trees,
and l should say that finer looking trees
or thriftier ones it would be hard to
! find. This grove is plainly seen from
the train, and is the admiration of all
beholders, especially when the grove is
loaded with its golden fruit, which are
| golden in more senses than one. Mr..
Trowel is very obliging gentleman, and
takes pleasure in showing his fine and
valuable grove. He also has some fine
sons and daughters, whose robust and
rosy looks speaks volumes for the health
OF Umatilla. The new town of Pittman
is growing fast, adding new house here
and there. The hotel is one that any
place might be proud of. Merz & Money
have just completed neat building
which they will use for their business.
The place has post Office granted them.
Many lots will be improved this fall.
This place is so near Ravenswood that
1t may properly be called break-off