Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1895-02-01
In FLORIDA.

BELLEVIEW, Fla, Jan. p, lS9j.
Editor Of tie Registers Since writing
you last we have enjoyed one continuous
round of perfect weather, the average
daily temperature being 20 degrees, fall
ng AT night to about 60. From Monday
to Thursday of last week we were royal
ly entertained by Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
ii. Fisher at South Lake Weir, the ideal
winter home of so many retired business
men OF the North. Mr.. Fisher has spared
neither pains nor money to make his build
ings and grove the very best and most
beautiful on the lake. Mrs. Fisher is also
an enthusiast on the growing of tropical
plants in Florida, as her well-kept flower
yard attests. While the late freeze did
very much damage to some of the more
tender growth, she is not discouraged, ,
but is already filling their places with
shrubs and vines of amore hardy variety.
The ground under their orange trees is
completely carpeted with the golden
fruit dropped by Jack Frost, only part
OF the crop having been picked and
shipped north. Their loss is about 600
boxes. We were shown over many other
groves where the frost had been equally
destructive. Much of the fruit which
was frozen solid and has since been eX-
posed to the hot sun for three weeks Is
sweeter ip taste and superior in quality
to very much of the early crop which we
usually get at the North. Here. fruit
which has been chilled is not considered
safe eating. An old colored sister kint.
ly offered US the following advice: "IIit
done duble you all up. Mister, WiV big
pain an you gon dead mighty quick; if
don't do dat. YOU all blow up wild big
libber: de mex summer you die shuah Wid
malaria fever" Much of the frosted fruit
has been sent to northern markets, how
ever. and if the old wOman's prOgnoStica-
tiOns are true physicians ought TO reap a
rich harvest in the near future. Person
ally | have given all fruit wide berth.
My travelling companion thought frost
rather improved the orange, making it
much sweeter, and was about to indulge
in IA good feed" when quietly informed
him of what the old dame had said. Not
being prepared for sudden calamities, he
was easily persuaded to desist from his
mad career.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fisher gave us their I'M
divided attention in showing us over the
beautiful groves and residences on the
lake front. Among the many attrac-
fractions at Lake Weir are fine sailing
and fishing. both of which are indulged
in by Mrs. Fisher with her friends, she
having the finest boat house and boat on
the lake. Miss Rebe Russell of our vii
/ lage, who is with her aunt (Mrs. Fisher)
for the winter, helps do the honors
very successfully, and is getting to be
an expert with the oars, as Mr.. Wright
can testify.
On the morning of the 18th we re-
/ turned to Belleview with the unanimous
decision that our entertainment at the
lake had not only given us great pleas.
ure, but that it would always be remem-
/ beTed as one of the most desirable places
/ in Florida. | was in hopes at this writ
/ ing to tell you something exciting i'm the
way of shooting bears, alligators and
other small game; but the truth is our
gunner is fast falling into the ways OF
/ the crackers, who prefer sitting around
while they swap talk with the "Yanks. s.
| We intend soon TO move farther on. to
/ the southwest coast, where, if the
weather is not too warm, we shall remain
few days and try the fishing, after
which we shall begin our return journey
to the North.
Yours truly,
NJ. ID. SMITH