The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-03-06
Ozona, Florida.

A few words about Ozons and its envi-
ronments, thought, might interest your
readers. Having spent four weeks at st.
Petersburg, we are now passing the rest
Of our stay In Florida at Ozona, and we
have not regretted the change. 1t Is a
small place but beautifully located So
near the Gulf of Mexico that we get the
benefit of the salty air, while the beach
runs out quite distance at low tide, but
at high tide fish, which are mostly "mul-
let's" are seen around the dock. Red
fish, trout and sheepheads are caught in
seines by the fishermen for the market,
but can he taken with hook and line, ex-
cepting the mullet. Oysters live all along
the beach and can be had for the gather
ing OF them. Speckled perch and black
bass can be caught in Lake Butler, which
is four miles from here, and is also the
home of Zone Eyed Riley" ian old ALI.
gator.)
This is a great bathing place for people
who are not accustomed to deep water. The
beach goes out so gradually to deep wat
or, making It fine wsdipg for the more
timid. Hog and Shell Islands are few
miles away and protect us from big
storms from the west. Smelling parties
very often go over in motor and sail boats
and spend the day "shelling." There are
quite few places of interest about ozona
and Sutherland college. A short walk
brings you to Walla Springs, which has
been made into splendid bathing place.
The spring water is warm, as all springs
are in Florida, and the big boiling spring
at Sea Side is new resort just started by
Mr.. Dcutt of Tionesta. This spring boils
up out of the ocean half mile from shore
at the rate of thousands OF barrels per
minute, and is supposed to be an under
ground river. The Blue Lick Spring is
also beautiful place The water Is blue
and the white sand gives it striking ef-
feet A jug was lowered in this spring
100 feet and found no bottom. The aerial
moss banging from the oaks gives the
scenery a wierd look as It swings to and
iro in the wind, and the palmetto, cab
bsge palms and pine trees give the Blue
Lick Springs a most picturesque appear
auce. The palmetto is being gradually
dug out and the orange tree is taking its
place.
Grape fruit is coming TO the front very
fast as an article of profit to the grower Of
citrus fruits. 0zons has more fertile
soil than most parts of Florida. Garden
truck can be cultivated to good advsnt-
age with less fertlizing than In most
places. Most of the growers make money
out of their groves, There have been
shipped from this vicinity l30, 900 boxes of
ranges and grape fruit this season.
think alfalfa would do we'll here. Eggs
are good price and so are chickens,
which are selling, live weight, at 20 cents
the pound. The razor backed hog is
commercial commodity, and his bosom
companion, the flea, will give you all the
"pointers" you want.
The flowers and shrubbery are surely
something fine. The roses and poin-
settss are beautiful. while the oleander
trees. l6 feet high, the Australian silk
oak, the chickerberry and amphor trees.
magnolia, all towering trees. are most
luxurisnt. The red bird and the mock
ing bird are singing sweetly, while peli
cans. cranes and curle ws are busy CATCH
ing their morning meal of fish.
J. d. w. RECK.
Ozons, Florida, March l, 1912.