The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-05
A FINE COUNTRY.
A Favorable Report on The East Coast
Railroad Project.

o. B. Smith and DR. J. K. Rainey, who
were invited by the incorporators of the st.
Augustine and Halifax Railroad Company
to take trip over the proposed line be-
tween st. Augustine and New Smyrna, re-
turned home on Friday. The object of
these gentlemen in accepting the invitation,
was to gather information as to the proba-
bic cost of the enterprise, and to ascertain
what the sources of the country might be
through which the road would pass. Their
report is highly satisfactory on both these
points and is as follows:
As to the feasibility of building a railroad
we are convinced that the road can be con-
structed at a minimum price for such work.
Outside of a few bridges, which will require
no extraordinary outlay, the work is COM
paratively light. Much of the distance ties
might be laid without any grading, when
the dirt from the bitches would furnish an
ample supply for tamping. As to the re-
sources, the assertion that "the road will
pass through fine country" falls far short
of the truth in the matter. There is a sec
ton from one to three miles wide,
and from thirty to forty miles in
length along the seashore of just as
good hummock lands as can be found
in tho whole State, the total value of
which may be estimated from the state
ment that a single acre of this land has paid
interest on one thousand dollars. We spent
the night at the noted HARDWOOD Grove,
about fifty miles from st. Augustine, and on
the following morning, under the guidance of
the manager of the property, Mr.. w. w.
Walton, we Travelled through miles of or
ange groves which were truly a revelation
to us both We had seen many of the best
groves of the State and the famous groves
Ct California, but never before did the abun-
dance of fruit seem so overwhelming. Or
anges around, above, and on all sides of us,
bright and luscious, equaling, if not excell-
ing, the best ever produced in the Indian
river country.
A wild grove, consisting of many acres,
located in most wonderful forest of cab
bage palms, has been metamorphosed into a
tame grove from which many thousand
dollars worth of fruit will be gathered this
season. No pillow has ever disturbed the
virgin soil The underbrusE was simply cut
away, and the lovely palms left standing as
a protection to the orange trees, which were
budded and turned into a magnificent sweet
orange grove One small grove on this
place was shown, less than 20 months old,
and covered with fine fruit. Mr. Walton
said that he could show many groves like it
on the place.
The HARDWOOD property consists of about
$1,000 acres of rich land, all under fence.
Most of this is rich hummock land. Mr..
Walton stated that in few years there
would be miles and miles of the best groves
in the State all over his neighborhood. To
demonstrate the truth of his assertion, he
led The way through 10, 900 acres of immense
live oaks and cabbage palms, interspersed
with thousands of wild orange trees The
land is extremely fertile, and will, if
brought into the market, make the garden
spot of the world. Mr.. Walton made the
assertion that he could raise enough vege-
tables on the HARDWOOD place alone to fill a
loaded train daily for six months in the year.
We are firm believers in the practicable
ty of building this railroad, as it viii not
only open up rich and undeveloped coun-
try, but it would thus be made tribu tary TO
st. Augustine and serve to greatly increase
her already rapid growth. The citizens of
st. Augustine will be shortsighted ind eed
if they do not put the road through at once,
and thus secure the trade and commerce of
the whole east coast.