The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-10-24
Letter from Florida.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate
ORANGE LAKE, Oct. IA, 1885.

ORANGE LAKE, Oct. IA, 1885.
MEssRs. EDITORS Here we are enjoying
Florida sunshine, while / doubt not you are
having a snowstorm, but you know | have
great deal of love for Marylanders, and of
course would not wish them any such i'll fate,
for am certain that many have not hauled
up their winter supply of wood or laid in their
stock of coal. Well, just tell all my acquain-
tances that if they put off their wood hauling
they may expect to get cold wading through
the snow.
| did think l would write you little note
about the trip down, but you know travelling
notes consist mostly of figures, dates, &C.,
which are not of much interest to you; but l
will tell you this much-I saw it rain in
Georgia, with twenty miles of track washed
out ahead, but after about fifteen hours delay
the railroad company made up a train and
sent us all the way "around Robin Hoods
barn" to get to Jacksonville. We were de-
layed at Waycross, where there was hotel,
and of course enjoyed it, as the proprietor
expected all of us and had prepared accord
ingly.
Can't you charter a special train and load
it with camp meeting folks, and send them
down here to see a regular electric light col
ored camp meeting? Reserved seats for white
folks and no entrance fee; hat seldom passed
around; fine time, | guess. | know they
brought up a fine season for setting out straw
berry plants. Was there ever camp that
did not?
can't see much change about here since
left in July, excepting that the weeds have
grown amazingly
did say that l would never tell you any
more gourd stories, but saw one so high up
a live oak tree the other day that [ can't keep
it-must tell some one. Probably it was
some of the Jonah variety as to rapidity OF
growth. l have a persimmon now, OF the
Japanese variety, that is fully as large as my
fist-larger than the average sized apple.
They are of a rich golden color when ripe.
This variety is seedless. 1t is very snowy
fruit, and | do not see any reason to prevent
its being shipped.
Ny orange trees have put on quite hne
growth this summer, which leads me to be-
lieve that the cultivation does pay. This is
no lazy mans country, for you have to Guilt
vate everything you plant or you get no crop.
You can see evidence of it every day. One
man cultivates his grove. The trees are of a
rich green color, and put on big hearty
growth. Those that are not worked get
yellow, and if they do chance to grow, are
small and sickly looking. Pillow, and pillow
often, and you will get your money back with
at least ten per cent. interest.
We will have three houses built in our town
very soon, with lively prospect for more.
Don't send anyone here for SIS lots; they are
not here No humbug in this place. Good
lands, and no pine land flats either. Lots
and lands near by, and prices low. Railroad
running through here now-none OF your to-be
roads
wish you could be down here to eat some
birds with me. They are very fine. and some
times you can catch them by putting salt on
their tails. Oranges are beginning to ripen
also, and shipping will commence in few
weeks. GIsT