The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-03-08
A LETTER FROM
BALMY FLORIDA
J. p. Conner Writes From Lakeland
the Home Of the Strawberry and
the Grape Fruit.
NORTHERN CAPITAL INVESTED
Cities Show Remarkable Growth
Lands Advancing in Price
Climate and Sunshine.


Climate and Sunshine.
Editor of Review have thought
that possibly what one observes in
travelling through the southern coun-
try might be of interest to the read
ers of the paper, and will mention
some of the things which have come
to my notice, and the impressions
made on my mind since coming to
Florida.
The first thing that impressed me
was the difference in the temperature
between Chicago and Jacksonville.
While few hours ride is all that is
required to make the trip, one notices
a vast difference in the weather con-
ditions. 1t is something unusual to
have frost in this country during
the winter months; they are less fire.
quent than blizzards are in Iowa.
The influence of the storm which
passed across Missouri and Illinois
recently was felt here to the extent
that great apprehension was expressed
for fear frost might kill the peach
blossoms and destroy the strawberry
crop, but happily the fears were not
realized. The weather here is gen.
orally as mild as May or June is in
Iowa. The forests appear as green
as they do in the north in July, al
though you frequently hear express
ions which indicate that nature is not
showing off at her best.
The orange proposition in northern
Florida is an uncertain one, on ac-
count of the danger of frosts that may
occur during the winter, but on going
farther south, in the neighbOrhood of
Tampa, there is not much fear ex-
pressed that the crop is in danger
of being killed with frosts. 1t is safe
to say that If person contemplates
locating in Florida with view of safe
ly engaging in the fruit business, that
southern Florida offers inducements
over that of the northern part of the
state.
am writing from the city of Lake
land, one of the most beautiful little
cities it has been my pleasure to visit
for long time; it is a place of about
5000 people, situated towards the west
coast of Florida about 80 miles from
the city of Tampa, which is on the
coast, and south and west of Lake
land. This beautiful little city is sur
rounded by number of small lakes,
embracing a few rods to a few miles
in circumference. They are generally
clear lakes with an abundant supply
of fish, and fishing furnishes pastime
and recreation for visitors from the
north. This little city is surrounded
with beautiful orange groves. some OF
which are in the city itself, and it is
a common thing to see trees at this
time loaded down with fine oranges.
The season for picking oranges is al
most over and the large shipments
have already gone forward.
It is strawberry season and straw
berries are now being delivered for
shipment to all parts of the country.
This is one of the important industries
il the locality of Lakeland, and farm
ers are streaming into town with wag-
ons filled with strawberries.
Another important industry here is
raising grapefruit, and many groves
are being developed because of the
profit that arises from the growing
Of grapefruit. Almost everywhere you
60 you can find groves with grape
fruit hanging on the trees, very much
like the orange groves. 1t is said that
Mrs. Potter Palmer, of Chicago, is es-
tablishing grapefruit farm south of
here little ways and that she intends
to engage in the business in an ey
tensive way.
A great deal of northern capital is
being Invested in orange and grape
fruit farms and it is quite common to
hear OF Iowa people who are making
such investments.
The celery industry is another i'm
portant business. and this is especial
Iy true as to the town OF Sanford, a
few stations on the railroad north OF
here. A very large amount of celery
is produced in that locality and ship
ned to the various parts of the coun-
try; it can be raised profitably in the
vicinity of Lakeland, but the industry
has not received the attention that 1t
has q little farther north of here.
Continuation naUe