The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-01-27
4 LETTER FROM BURBANK

The following letter was written by
a settler of the Burbank-Ocala colony
to friend in the north, and his en-
thusiasm is SO contagious, his reason
ing SO sensible, we have been given
permission to print it herewith.
Burbank, Fla. Jan. q, 1911.
Ny Dear Friend:
/ have thought Of you all oten this
winter, and especially when we read
of the SHOWS and storms in the north,
and really feel that you people do
not know what you are missing, or
you would pack bag and baggage at
once, and come to Florida to live.
have been here over year now, and
think | have been able to study con-
ditions at close range, which others
coming here for few weeks at a time
know nothing of.
AS you know, have not spent all of
my time in this locality. but have
travelled over different sections of this
glorious state. have studied the soil,
its fertility and possibilities; have
been delighted with climatic condi-
tions-in summer as well as winter,
and want to tell you that the pro-
gress which will be in evidence in this
old state, within the next five years,
is going to make the entire United
States "sit up and take notice.
The west is all right; it is magni-
ficent, but it requires mint of money
to go there and cooperate one of those
large ranches, or to develop the orch.
ard lands. Florida is primarily a
country for the poor man, for with a
lesser amount of money than in any
other state have ever known, he can
make a success. He can live here in
climate which does not try the souls
of men, and he can cultivate his land
and make it produce almost anything
he sets his heart upon; he can be a
ITluCO UPON LIS OWu A1lttC uOAudlh'
know this to be true, for I see it being
done every day.
In years past people have an err
roneous idea in the north of Florida's
climate. They believed it was fine in
winter, and a place for the rich man
to spend his money for few months
but they were sure it was terrible
place in summer; that the heat was
intense, and that everyone was bound
to have malaria who remained here.
shall not attempt to tell you any
thing in this letter which have not
seen or experienced myself, but have
spent one winter, another spring and
summer, and now the next fall and
part of the winter here, and l want to
say to you candidly that | never had
such good health in all my life before
All one needs to do is to take care OF
his health, the same as he should
do in the north, and my experience
and observation is that those who
have done so, have been immune from
sickness of any kind.
The hottest day of summer never
failed to have a breeze. One might
feel a little uncomfortable in the mid
die of the day under the suns rays
but if he would not seek shady
spot somewhere, at the side of the
house, or on the veranda. he would bt
sure to find cooling breeze. We are
here on what is called "the backbone
of Florida and at all times we have
either the breeze from the broaC
Atlantic or from the Gulf, to cool tn,
atmosphere, and then at night you cal
always sleep under some covering
for the summer nights are cool, ant
one awakens refreshed and feeling
entirely different than when he ha
tossed on his pillow during the no
summer night at home.
think it is unnecessary to speal
of the delights of winter in Florida
Really, if / tell you much more abou
it, you will grow envious of my priv
leges. The Sunday before Christina
an all days picnic was arranged b,
the New South Farm & Home Com
pany for the settlers around Bun
bank, and this picnic was given in al
orange grove just across the river
We carried our lunch baskets, and a
we sat on the grass and ate our din
ners, and walked through the grow
picking ripe. lucious oranges, grape
fruit, tangarines, kumquots at will,
seemed almost impossible to realiz
that it was really a winters day
Just one week before Christmas. Lat
er we all enjoyed a launch ride ON tn
river The ladies were in their whit
dresses and several of the boys too
their bathing suits along and had
delightful swim. Combined with this
we gathered the mistletoe and holly
with which to keep Christmas chez
emo weak Iafpr