The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-01-18
Correspondence of THE RECORD
A WINTER IN THE SUNNY SOUTH.
LETTER No. 6.
GULF PARK, AReo P. o.,


we had not seen all of it as yet, so we
were told, and this made us begin to
dream of some enchanted spot that we
were yet to feast our eyes upon, and we
we're not disappointed, for not long after
on beautiful morning, we arose before
the sun, and after eating hasty breakfast
| We soon after embarked in the little pleas
ure skiff, and were soon lost TO view
among the tall marsh grasses, and in this
voyage we had plenty to interest and
amuse us. We were passing over deep
natural aquariums where myraids of the
| finny tribe could be seen darling hither
and thither. Beneath the waters numer-
Gus tufts Of long grass could be seen
washed stewards by the current, and next
we entered the western border of the park,
and raising our eyes reluctantly from the
water, we were amazed at the great sight
OF natural beauty before US. Here was
spread before our astonished eyes most
| gorgeous panorama of natures matchless
workmanship. Far as the eye could reach
the dew laden foliage of the forest spark
led in the morning sun, and the lovely
sun rejecting stream could be seen for a
distance of thirty or forty feet, when 1t
would be lost in the overhanging foliage.
We were now kept busy looking at the
giant cypress and the scarcely less tower
ing bay trees with their beautiful bright
red berries, while the queen of Florlda's
forests-the ever,graceful palmetto-held
very conspicuous place In our admira-
ton. Then our aching necks would bring
us down to the little grass islets and an
occasional winter flower, doing its part in
this beautiful bower of beauty. We next
see tall, well-shaped cedar growing over
the stream, and full of air plants and over
hanging beautiful gray moss, giving it the
appearance of Christmas tree. And now
for description of this moss.
Probably few persons who while travel
ing in Florida and the Gulf States, had
their attention attracted by the vast guam
titles of the beautiful gray moss hanging
upon the forest trees, have ever thought
that it was an important article of trade.
Yet am told that it is very extensively
used In stufilng mattresses and chairs, and
its use is increasing every year. The trade
in 1t began soon after the war closed, but,
like many other such enterprises, it was
of slow growth. The moss sent to market
was for some years mainly obtained In
Louisiana, but the trade gradually extend
ed to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and
Florida. The finest moss is said to be
that of Florida. The gray moss is abso-
lutely an air plant, taking root and per-
fecting its fiber and substance in the pure
atmosphere. There is no danger of the
supply being exhausted, for as fast as it is
removed 1t reproduces ITSELF Moss fac
tories are located in many parts. of the
South, to which the gatherers take it and
are paid an average of one cent pound.
The process of manufacture is to put 1t in
nm overlooked spot or thoroughly saturate
1t In water, and then pile it in heaps. 1t
is then left TO rot for from thirty days to
four months, when the cutiele comes off,
after which it is placed on frames to dry.
When dried it is twice run through a
picker TO separate the fibers from each
other; when ready for market the prepar-
ed moss is graded according to quality,
and sells at the factories at from three 10
ten cents a pound. The poorer grades
are used In the manufacture OF mattresses,
and the higher grades for stufling furni-
ture, carriage cushions, &c. The industry
is said to be very profitable and requires
but little capital, everything connected
With 1t being produced upon the ground
except small engine, picker and bale
press The demand for manufactured
moss is said to be greatly 10 excess of the
supply Persons whose health require a
residence 10 warmer climate, would do
well to think ever the proprciy of engag-
ing in this business
Now we come to another OF the deep
basins fairly alive with trout, sheepshead
and mullet. Imagine In times past the Indi-
an youths and maidens standing on this
bluff and hear their shouts OF delight echo
through the forest glades as they drew the
shining trout from the stream. We next
see the magnolia, which far exceeds Ia
beauty any Of the magnolias Of the North
ern States. And now we come to the
bridge, but how shall describe III 1t lis
a rustic one and a very romantic locking
one, too. Although it is not the bridge Of
matrimony, 1t might well be selected as
the bridge of proposition. But just here
let me say, that the mode Of proposing
down here differs very much from the
North. Let me give you little illustration,
just here, OF proposal that came under
our observation recently. A bashful young
man of b, who had for long time
been trying to get his courage up to ''pop
the question" to his lady-love, (who, by
the way, is Georgia cracker), had as yet
been unsuccessful, for whenever he would
think OF proposing 10 her his heart would
ego thumpin' and bnmpin' and a
jumpin'," so that he could not utter the
=. words to save his life. But one night
when attending an oyster supper with her,
he was given an unusually good oppor.
tunlty, which, Of course, he was by nc
means slow to improve upon. She, dur
ing the supper, very naturally and inno'
Gently, Of course passed him the plate Of
crackers, saying: "Wont you have a
crackeri" And he replied; why, yes,
III take a cracker; I'll take you" Jus
then we thought 1t about time to vacatc
the table for new corners. But the lady't
answer must have been iu the affirmative