The Palatka news and advertiser., 1916-03-31
AN APPRECIATION OF
|NTERLACHEN. FLA.
Pretty City in Putnam Coun-
ty and it's Attractions.

| has Travelled extensively IN Europe
| and is more familiar with the Inter
laken of Switzerland, than with the
| little town of the same name in
| Florida, read the following interest
ing appreciation of the Florida town
at the recent meeting of the Inter-
lachen Sunshine Society:
At the foot of the most glorious
P, mountain in Switzerland, between two
charming lakes, and in a valley dott-
ed with brown chalets, lies dream
city," called Interlaken.
Not large, bustling city, but
quiet, peaceful little village, with the
Incompatible snow-crowned Jungfrau
towering in the background. No one
who has once seen it can ever forget
the gorgeous sight Of the Alpine glow
on this Queen Of the Swiss Al ps. The
pure white of her snow mantle grad
ually changing to amber, then to a
faint pink, and finally deepening in
color until the magnificent, shell-like
mountain lies bathed in an indescrib-
ably beautiful rose pink. Thousands
of tourists visit Interlaken each year
to witness this spectacle. And on
the Hoeheweg, the principal street of
the city, all nationalities are repre-
sented, all languages spoken, all CO.'S
tunes seen.
But tonight it is not of this far
away 1nterlachen we want to hear.
In our own peaceful country there is
another Interlachen which just now
is more vitality interesting to us.
Here, we are not under the shadow
of towering mountains; neither do we
have to contend with the long, cold
winters with their accompaniment OF
snow and ice. But, like the older and
more famous city across the sea, our
Interlachen also lies between the
lakes, and our pretty little city is
visited by many tourists who enjoy
the mild and delightful climate, the
sweet bird orchestra, the fruit and
the flowers. Many other people would
be glad to visit us, did they know OF
the natural beauties of the place, and
the cordial, whole hearted welcome
! awaiting them. A few external i'm
provements would do wonders in at
! tracing visitors to our fair little city.
, What an appeal few street lights
would make to the northerner who
| comes to us straight from his brill
, iantly lighted home city! Already
there are many Beauty Spots" in In
terlachen, of which we may we'll be
proud One in particular | would
! like to mention, although it seems al
most presumptious for such recent
conner to try to tell you who have
lived here for so much longer pc
ricd, anything you do not already
7 know concerning your city. Through
l the kindness of it's owner and creator,
am able to give you some STATISTICS
: concerning Villa Francis, the wonder
!, fully attractive and beautiful estate
; Of YOUR townsman, Mr.. Charles Fran
5 els.
, Thirty years ago Mr.. Francis came
here, and by persistant and untlrihS
}, toll, long hours of thoughtful plan
5 ming, and with love and desire for
:. the picturesque and beautiful, as well
2 as for the useful and necessary, ne
t has created most delightful Wills
d which is not only a great pleasure to
e visit, but an education, as well.
+ can only sketch briefly a few OF the
: MANY attractions at Villa Francs
S emitting q detailed description OF thf
bio house with its wide, flower-deck-
I ed verandas, the almost tropical lux
uriance of the surrounding flowers
e and shrubbery, and the loVely y vie"
II Of the lake which controntS ohS
: through the trees.
In this estate there are 200 acres
! 90 of which are devoted to farming
', and fruit groves. There are trees o.
it oranges. grapefruit, tangerines an'
le Satsuma oranges, peaches, figs an'
P nIums. There are 100 head OF hog
and 50 Young hogs fed in small field
: of corn, oats, rye, cowpeas, begga
'e weed. cassava, chufus, goobers, pea
u nuts and velvet beans. A dozen o
n more men are given employment IL
L the care of this estate with It's al
le versified interests. busy place
the packing house when the lusciou
he oranges and grapefruit are benz
a. gathered. packed and shipped. Fac
senarate division of the work on tn
he place requires close, personal atten
lg tion and careful management. lax
for instance, the Poultry department,
In houses and enclosures exactly SUIT
ed to the occupants are rare and Valu
able specimen of ducks, geese, pheas
an ants, etc. There are barred Plymout
n Rocks: white Leghorns; pet games
tie bantams; black breasted red game
he Golden duckwing game; silver duct
wing game; red pile game; black tai
as ed Japanese; white, black and bui
*. Cochens: Silkies; Toulouse geese
50 white Chinese geese; wood-duct
white crested ducks; green wing tea
in Formosian teal; ruddy sheldrakeS
peafowl; golden pheasants; silve
ng Mongolian and Lady Amherst phea:'
he ants; pouter pigeons; homer magpl
e. owl and taritail pigeons. One nee
r. not expend time, strength and none
visiting Fairs and Poultry shows
see the choicest and best in endleS
" variety, for they are all within fe
ce moments walk. Silver cups, shield
[c- and medals, gold fobs, diplomas an
ribbons. in great numbers have bee
awarded Mr.. Francis, and attest tt
n superiority of his pets. Three Flor
4 da shows have been visited this yea
y at which were awarded 80 first prize
n second. s third, l fourth and
fifth nriZe