The Florida agriculturist., 1907-07-10
Evolution of a Florida Home.

as follows:
1t must be taken for granted that
the scene is laid on Indian River
Twenty acres of land at $40 per acre
exhausted the available cash that coulc
be invested in that direction, but those
acres we're every one available, that
is, while the variety of soil is great
every foot of it was adapted to the
growth of some valuable or useful
Florida product.
The modest house was built in the
midst of a clump of fine shady oaks
and there was the home that must
be made attractive and cosy and be
the shelter for years to come.
1t was hard work to conquer that
strip of forest, and it was not done
in day or a year, but by dint Of con
centrated and continual efforts enough
of the soil was brought into cultiva.
ton to fire the heart with expectation
OF satisfactory harvest.
OF course, vegetables claimed first
care, because the food supply must be
provided for. Quick growing fruits
had also first attention, while oranges
and lemons, grapefruit and lines
peaches and pecans were left for later
consideration.
The quick growing crops, like BEANS
squashes, Irish potatoes, turnips, ETC.
were put right in the ground, just
any old way at first, to get started
and in sixty or eighty days there
were luscious new things to eat that
were Strengthening and satisfying, anc
what is more, in the greatest plenty
The poultry roamed the woods and
fresh cleaned ground, and eggs ir
abundance afforded the housewife ar
opportunity of cooking things just as
she did "at home"
What did they live on?
Why, a considerable quantity o
''store bought stuff was provided, sc
there was no dearth before the first
harvesting, but very little was used
Plenty of hooks and lines and a gooC
cast net property and judiciously op
Grated, gave all the fish, and fun too
that could be desired In their sea
son there we're some fine oysters, anC
an occasional trip to the ocean beach
gave turtle eggs and turtle steak.
The big cabbage palmettoes were
not all cut down at once, but the ham
mock was cleared gradually. Each
palmetto contained ''cabbage" heaC
that, when properly cooked, was su
perior to the finest caulihower, afford
ing supply of good cabbage for many
days.
Not many restaurant delicacies were
in the daily bill of fare, but a great
variety of fish, oysters, clans, turtle
egg Omelet and steak, squirrel anC
quail pillau, palmetto cabbage, cassava
and, after a while, everything in the
vegetable line, made the feed bill {
remarkably light one, financially, bu1
! affording most nutritious and healthy
food on which to do the necessary
| laboriOus work.
The kinds of bananas were planted
out along the margin of the saw grass
glade, and after the second year there
were great punches of most nutritious
fruit to eat and market
Hardly day, unless in midsummer
but that there was fresh grown fooc
Of some kind to eat and sell.
There was varying success, as ii
all pursuits; but as no get-rich- quicl
scheme was at the bottom of the settle
| ment, cOntented toll to make a hom,
and have competency brought exactly
| the success desired.
The little house among the oak:
has been replaced by a more roomy
and conveniently arranged m e
where the good wife and children liv.
IN peace and cOntentment, the horse
hltched to the double buggy affordine
pleasant drives along the new shell
road:
Yes; there is some money in The