The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1885-10-07

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Editor Heraid:
believe that there are many read
ers Of the HERALD Whose lives might
be prolonged many years, IL they were
to come to this sunny cline and es-
cape the vigor of northern winters.
Florida Il truly styled the sanitarium
of the United States, and the Italy of
America. Its climate is particularly
its own. The winter resembles the
Indian summer, minus the usual
smokiness Of that season. Snow IN
unknown here, though there Is usually
twoor three slight frosts every winter.
OF course, / refer to Polk county, and
not the whole State. The air 10 very
dry and there are but few damp, rainy
days during the winter. The climate
IL particularly beneficial to persons with
weak lungs, and throat and lung dis
eases are cured, or at least much re-
lieved, II the patient comes here in
time. The wilderness of the climate,
the dryness Of the atmosphere. laden
with that healing principle. ozone. 20
abundantly produced by the pine for
ests, the nature Of the soil, and the
ocean breeze, all conspire to make this
a most desirable place for those having
or tending toward pulmonary troubles.
The average temperature In winter 10
IS degrees, and in summer seldom Uses
above 92 degrees. Sunstrokes are un-
known. Although ii Is warm in the
sun in summer, 1t is always cool in the
shade and there is always good breeze.
The nights are never sultry, but 80 cool
that blankets are necessary and one can
get good refreshing sleep.
Florida Is no great farming country.
Her soil, except that Of the scattered
hammock, will not compare In fertility
with that of the West, but farm pro-
duets bring much better price. Trop-
ical and semi tropical fruit culture Is
the industry that is attracting most
attention. Prominent among these are
the orange, lemon and pineapple.
Perhaps no branch Of industry con-
Dected with the cultivation Of the soil
will return such a large profit for the
labor and money expended as orange
culture, especially where one Is looking
into future rather than present returns.
Eight hundred dollars is but a fair esti>
mate Of the value Of a erop of grove in
full bearing. A man having an orange
grove of ten acres in full bearing may
consider himself fixed" A grove
msy be brought into bearing In from
five to eight years, and il then worth
ten times what ii cot. Here, in South
Florida, the lemon does very well, and
its culture as well as that of its twin
sister, the lime, is assuming extensive
proportions. There is thought to be
little danger Of OVERRIDING the business,
as the section Of country suitable for
orange, lime and lemon culture in the
United States is very limited, and the
demand for them throughout this vast
republic is rapidly increasing.
The pineapple ranks next to the
citrus family in profitableness of culture.
The choicest varieties grow to perfee-
ton in South Florida The guava is q
favorite fruit here, taking the place of
the apple and peach. IL is in fruit
nearly the whole year, and is q very
prolific bearer. An excellent jelly and
marmalade is made from it. Among
the various other semhtropical fruits
that do well here and whose culture 10
believed to be profitable, may be men,
toned the Japan persimmon, Japan
plum, pomegranate fig, alligator pear,
lie Coute pear. olive. date, palm. ba-
mana, tea, coffee, etc. The growing of
cane and manufacture of Florida syrup
and sugar are being extensively en-
gagged in and are very remunerative; a
crop sometimes yielding 800 per acre.
Florida IL destined to be the sugar bowl
of the world at no distant day.
Cassava and arrowroot are very pro
ductive- starch plants, also rich In
glucose, and their culture Is attracting
the attention Of starch manufacturers
who propose establishing mills through
out the country. Ii Is believed that
these plants will form one Of the staple
products of this State. A most excel
lent kind of paper can be manufactured
from palmetto, of which the country
produces millions OF tons.
In perhaps no other State can one
live Sd cheaply rs ia Florida, when
once started Very little clothing is
necessary fuel is abundant the range
is good, and one may soon gather
around him cattle, sheep and hogs,
which will furnish him food and are
ready cash. while they enst him moth
ing for food the year round. Chickens
and bees do well. Game and fish may
be had for the taking. But what are
some of the disadvantages of Flor ia ?
Well, in life everywhere, we have the
bitter with the sweet, and life i'm Flor
ida has its advantages aud disadvantages,
but certainly as few of the latter as any
State in the Union. So far AS poisonous
reptiles and insects are concerned, We
have as yet seen none. There are few |
mus quiioes here, though they are very
troublesome at some places. In fact
there is les trouble and inconvenience |
from insects here than in many other
places in the United States.
There il yet good land here to be
bought cheap, but il any readers Of the
HERALD wish to invest they must do |
80 soon, as IL is selling rapidly.
Sept. %, 1885. l.. T. Il.
oh! Cast that SHADOW from thy