The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1891-05-08
THE INDIAN RlvER COUNTRY.
The Land of Pine Apples, Bananas.
and Oranges.
EDEN, FLORIDA, May LIST, 1891.

The Land OF Pine Apples, Bananas,
and Oranges.
EDEN, FLORIDA, May LIST, 1891.
To the Ed'tor Of The Banner:
AS the interest Of the inhabitants of
the Northern states seem to tend so
strongly to our sunny South" ard
knowing that your paper has large
circulation, I.cannot refrain from writlne
a few words in behalf of what is known
as the ''Ind'an river country" To
those who have never given thought
TO the geographical location Of this sec
ton, and the unouestionable advantages
which it affords from a standpoint of
healthfulness and remuneration for
money or labor invested, l will ask their
special attention.
The average man who desires to come
to Florida is often deferred from doing
SO because he does not know what he
eau do. Those who come here for
pleasure only, can do as they please, for
they are not dependent on the resources
of the country for their support. There
are many good citizens of the Northern
states with a limited amount of means
who would be only too glad to come
among US, if they felt assured that they
| could benefit their condition. 1t is fo,
| the benefit OF this c ass of people tia,
| pen these lines, but 10 one is excluded
from reading, or acting upon what /
write, for all are alike benefited, in a
| financial way, according to the amount
uf money or labor expended, for the
| oh ;ohn h.,, ~ h
| No man, no matter how poor he may be,
if he will only 60 to work in a judicious
| way, will surely succeed.
| AS an indicator or pointer of the ex-
emption from cold that this country af-
fords, l willsay, that the Southern half
| of Indian river is used almost exclus-
lively for the growing of pine apples,
| bananas, and all kinds of winter vege-
tables. This a very significant fact,
and one which is attracting more atten-
| ton every season.
This past winter has been a practical
test with me in raising winter vegetables,
and while there has been fearful dam
age done In other portions of the state,
did not have plant of any kind killed.
| From four to eight hundred dollars per
acre is what can be realized per acre.
Beans and Tomatoes are the principal
crops, but as soon as the business is
| fully understood, the crops will be di-
| yersifed, the cultivation more judicious,
and the remuneration greater. The
| vegetable growing is confined to strip
| of land lying between Indian river
and the ocean, which is mainly cabbage
| palmetto hammock and very rich. The
| elevation varies from one 10 eight feet
| above the river and retains moisture
well. i failure in crops ID as yet I'M
| known
The western shore of Indian river
is more elevated and-the Southern hall
is confined principally 10 growinz pine
apples, which is very lucrative busi-
ness, rs hey give large profit on the
money or labor expended. Bananas
grow well, but are not as extensively
raised as crop for commerce o. pine
apples and winter vegetables. Pine
apn3es have to be replluted about every
seven wears. Tue amount of land sus-
cep,ible of profitable cultivation in pine
apples aud winter vegetables is very
limited, being confined 10 narrow
strip on eaCh side of the river, the cest
strip being used for bananas and cocoa
nuts; the west for pine apples. guav8s
and other tropical fruits. The ,ivel
averages about two miles Ia width aud
ahounds in fish ard oysters.
For man with small capital, desiring
to make q start in Florida, this is un
questionably the place; for The mal o
large means, who wishes 10 escape The
terrors of winter in the north, he cal
combine both pleasure and profit By
coming here and enjoying the fine fish
sailing and Investing in either pine
apple or vegetable culture Either o
these industries has fascination a50nt
them that no one comes here without
being most favorahly impressed, and il
most instances, where their buslnesl
will admit of it, locating, if only for tn,
winter.
The sight of pine apple farm or 4
winter garden, in full vigor of growth
l.ss-sas-@.s
customed TO the thermometer at zero
that he is at once captlvated, and If h,
is in quest of a home, he needs nt
, further persuasion, but settles at ohce
If he is merely pleasure seeker, b'
needs no Invitation more than whs
: nature offers him to return the mex
winter.
Invalids suffering from asthma, con
sumption, any kind of lung trouble @
rheumatism, find this climate in ever,
way suitable to their condition aud i'm
provement.
/ feaf if | continue to set forth to-
many of the advantages OF this favore,
part of Florida, that my communication
will in some accidental manner, find it
way TO the waste basket, so | y i'll iesit
but if any one doubts but what this j
the garden spot of Florida, and vii
come down, and after looking tn
country over, say that what l hay
written is not true, | will load then
down with cocoanuts, bananas, pin,
apples and such variety of tropica
fruits "a they never saw and send then
back to their Northern home to ca
'Boston baked beans" aud mess beef,
while we enjoy the ocean breezes an(
indulge in the Injuries of home growl
banana and cocoanut pies, fresh pine
apples of our own planting, fresh fish o
our own catching and many other thing
that are too numerous TO mention.
Now, Dir Editor, if you are doubt
ing Thomas" just step this way, 70
''seeing is believing" and can certainl
show you even more than | hav
mentioned, but | believe l promised Il
stop, so "here goes"
Yours very truly,
w. r. EARDEE.