The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-03-13

have reason to know; because hap
pened to be eating my noon lunch of
bread and butter at the Florida head
quarters one day and one Of the friends
there said, "Here, have a cup of hon.
ey made from our orange blossoms, !"
and gave me all wanted from bar
rel filled with extracted honey that
was half crystalized and as white as
the finest of sugar.
Last Thursday there occurred very
pleasant affair in the Main Hall. 1t
was Connecticut day and some of the
members of one of the Connecticut reg
iments returned to the former owners
a battle flag captured from Mississis-
sippi regiment during the war. 1t was
a scene truly grand and one which
brought tears to many eyes. Here,
before thousand Of spectators in this
southern city, after more than twenty
wears have passed, the same brave
men that met in mortal conflict on the
field of battle, met again. How great
indeed is the contrast. Instead of the
shrill blasts of the bugle and the rattle
of the drum sounding the charge, are
the joyful strains, "The Star Spangled
Banner" and "Dixie" played by the
best military band of our Mexican,
in sweet harmony and amid kindred
rejoicing by all, instead of bleod and
powder smoke and dead and dying
men; all is gayety and beauty. The
old enemies met upon platform of
peace erected on which to celebrate the
triumphs of the industries of our COM
mon country and with the magnanim-
ity that becomes true soldiers, the vic
tors present the conquered with the
flag once torn from their bleeding
hands. The same old remnant of a
flag is carefully fixed upon aground of
pure white silk-emblamatic of the
feeling that inspired its return; and
the same men stand face to face with
hearts of strife being healed, and who
can do other than rejoice?
Just now the Florida fruit show is at
its best. The orange and lemon grow
ers are out in full force and have ar
ranged upon the tables such show of
citrous fruits as was never before seen
in the worlds history. Besides the
competitive displays there is row of
tables devoted to ornamentation, which
has upon them thousands of plates of
fruit and pyramids built of oranges
and lemons and capped with pineap-
pies and bananas. To a northerner
this show is especially attractive. Be-
ing member of the examining and
awarding committee I have reason to
know somewhat of their "true inward
ness" as we'll as their external appear
ances. In the first place let me say
that the competitive display of citrous
fruits from foreign countries are not
here yet, SO 1 can not give the compar-
alive excelle ace of the Florida fruits,
but l believe it is generally conceded
that their oranges are among the most
delicate in color and texture of skin
and among the richest in flavor in all
the world. Although have before ex-
planned something about tropical fruits
it may not be amiss to say more after
further observation.
There are good many fruits that be-
long to the CITRUS family besides oran-
ges and lemons. About the largest is
the SbaddOck which is sometimes as large
a mans head, yellow in color, nearly
round, quite smooth and weighs ten OF
more pounds. 1t grows upon tree
about like the orange tree, and is used
for making marmalade and other pre-
serves. 1t is not edible in a raw state
as it is quite sour and acid. Another
similar fruit is called Grape Fruit and
takes its name l am told, from it's habit
of growing in clusters on the branches,
but in size the specimens will average
much larger than oranges. It,is light
yellow and is indeed close relation if
not a variety of the shaddock. Its uses
are quite similar to that fruit but l am
told that they will hang OH the trees very
late and become quite delicious after the
oranges are gone.
About the largest of these fruits is the
Citron from which is made the preserved
citron of commerce that is sold by the
pound for. use in making rich pastry. Its
exterior is rather rough or wrinkled, of |
IN orange color and OblOng in shape.
The interior is somewhat like that of
| muskmelOn, only the flesh of the rind
the only edible part), is quite firm and
ough like squash, but is sweet and
when preserved in sugar is extremely
ich and demands a high price. The
Lime is somewhat like the lemon, but is
considered more delicately favored and
makes better '.ade." Some of the varie-
les are nearly as large as the lemons sold
n northern markets. but the most are
much smaller and not so OblOng or point
d in shape and thinner skinned. Citric