The mirror., 1919-12-04

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whole section is q trackless wilder
ness that is neither land nor water,
but q mixture of both-a vast mea-
dow dotted with hammocks of
tropical growth. The foundation
is rock which sounds hollow when
struck, and which is covered with
thick layers of mud and from one
to six feet of water-half hidden
by tall saw-grass. 1t is the most
desolate region imaginable and its
Islands are uncounted and un-
damed. Some are very small.
others include hundreds of acres
and are very fertile. Vines grow
to enormous size and there are
many ferns with fronds 10 feet in
length. Arrow-root is seen where
ever the land is dry enough. The
Seminoles. who are practically the
only inhabitants make -four and
starch from this root-it is there
staff of life, and their principal oc-
cupation seems to be padding
from island to island in dug-out
| canoes in search of this root.
Ever since the United States pur
chased Florida in 1921, projects for
draining the Everglades have been
considered at regular intervals.
The first contract for draining was
signed in 1881; but after few
years of experimenting the work
ceased. In 1905 another company
made an attempt to conquer the
territory. At the present time a
number of drainage canals are in
evidence and tourists now sail
from West Palm Beach to the
shallow Lake Okeechobee and on
to Fort Myers. If the Everglades
can be drained. it will mean ], 1000,
600 acres more for agriculture
for the mud at the bottom is un-
doubtedly fertile and adapted to
the growth of oranges, sugar cane,
etc.-but it will be many years be-
fore the immense project can be
completed.
The railroad from Miami to Key
West is a sea-going affair $50
miles long. which cost 500, 1000 a
mile. 1t leaves the coast % miles
below Miami and Is miles of the
distance is over water-30 islands
being used for stepping stones.
Rock abutments and concrete via
ducts connect these islands. and
ever since 1912 trains have been
running to Key West, where a
huge ferry conveys engine, cars
and passengers to Havana, 80
miles away.
Key West is an island called by
the Spaniards Cayo Hueso (Bone
Island). Its area is 1000 acres
and it is four and one-half miles
long and one mile wide. 1t CON-
mands the entrance to the Gulf OF
Mexico and is therefore known as
Americas Gibralter. The inhabi-
tants are mostly Cubans and
negroes, the Spanish is the univer-
sal language. Hotel notices, time
tables, ETC., are printed in both
Spanish and English. Cigar MAX
ing has been the important indus
try since 1881 most of the tobacco
being imported from Cuba. The
island has no water fit to drink. 1t
is brought by rail from the main
land in huge tanks. Those who
cannot afford this luxury drink
rain water.
The climate of Key West is al
most tropical, with the vegetation
the same. Brilliant tropical fish
are easily seen in the clear shallow
water surrounding the island, and
besides a fish dock where fish are
kept alive in tanks and scooped
out when sold there is a turtle
dock. Sea turtles weighing 200 to
800 pounds are constantly being
brought in. and some tip the
scales at 1000. They are turned
on their backs, their fappers tied
together, and then shipped alive to
epicures in the north. 1t is not a
pleasant thing to see or think
about. If / ever saw dumb de-