Ctass . Book. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT U. *'-l''^>=' "lA. -'X"'^i=> t^'^'.t :'■>=* ^'.J' y-* -• ■ ; " . - ■ [■ '- - - 'V(j^> "^ "^v" 'V' '^y' ^ O;^ ^ ^J I L LS BO ROU GH _ COU NTY£^ '^'•^^ WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS AND MAPS, ^i^fe"^-^ PUBLISHED BY THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENCY, I^AIVLHA, KLA. -^.Jx^Jx^J^^k^^h^^^_J^_^JL-^^A,A-.A^^^^^ THE SOUTH PUBLISHING COMPANY, PRINTERS, 85 WARREN ST., NEW YORK. ^^SCl^lP-nVE PAMPHLET op HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITH NUMEROUS MAPS, ENGRAVINGS, ETC. 1885. ■■•"'•""'' ^'"-' v. ■n 1/ ^.? PUBLISHED BY THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENCY, II TAVIPA, FLORIDA. \- fLLUSTRATED AND PRINTED FOR THE -Jl^HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY-^)^- BY THE ^^ SOUTH ^^ PUBLISHING * COMPANY. NO. 85 WARREN STREET, NEW YORK. CoPYKiGHT, 1885, By The hillsborocgh County Real Estate agexcy. HUUU f ORGANIZATION. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: HON. JOHN T. LESLEY, WM. B. HENDERSON, S. A. JONES. OFFICERS: JOHN T. LESLEY, Piesideiit. LAWSON CHASE, Secretary. S. A. JONES, General Miina-er. G. T. CHAMBERLAIN. Treasurer. MEMBERS: Stephen AI. Sparkiuau, Esii., Phil. H. Collins, Wm. B. Henderson, T. C. Taliaferro, Bank o£ Tampa; Geo. B. Sparkman, Esq., John T. Lesley, S. A. Jones, A. J. Knight, Ci. T. Cham- berlain, Lawsou Chase, W. A. Givens and T. K. Spencer, of Tampa, Fla. : P. E. Warburton, of Aclon, Fla. ; C. L. Mitchell, Commissioner of Lauds, Tallahassoe, Fla. : Samuel N. Honaker, of Abingdon, Va. REFERENCES : Joseph F. Norris, Charleston, S. C: Hon. S. F. Fleharty, Antelopeville, Neb.: Hon. S. J. A. Frazier, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Hon. Francte Colton, Galesburg, 111.; Rev. Chaa. Foster Garralt, Little Few Grange, Extono, O.von., England: O. H. Piatt, Esq., Hyde Park, Chicago, 111.: E.\-Gov- ernor Albinus Nance, Osceola, Neb. ; Hon. E. H. MarvUl, Stromburg, Neb. : Dr. Sol. Smith, Den- ver City, Col. ; Jas. L. Gilbert, Sulphur Springs, Texas: John A. Middleton, President Trader's Bank, Shelbyville, Ky. : John C. Williams, Detroit. Mich. : Hon. Jerome P. Chase, Florence, S. C. : S. Johnson, Newton, 111. ADDRESS ALL COMMINICATIONS TO THE -K HILLSBOROUGH <> COUNTY 9 REAL » ESTATE o AGENCY,! Bo.x 104, TAMRA. FLORIDA. A. S. LENFESTEY, FURNITURE DEALER ^ : : : ■ ,^^ . ;;^:::::::r7^ AND UNDBRTAKBR. I cau guarantee prices on all grades of furniture as low (if not lower) freiglits considered, as in any market in the United States. Stock comprises eveiy thing that can be called for in the furniture line. Parties intending to settle will save money by selling their old furniture, thereby saving expense of packing, freights, and risk of breakage while in transit. We are prepared to attend to the last honors that friends can wish for departed ones ; but as no one comes to Florida to die, we wish to mei'ely announce the fact that this is part of our business. TAMPA, FLORIDA. INDEX OF CONTENTS. PAGE. Iiitrodiictioii, 7 General Description of County, 11 Genercal Description of Tampa, 23 General Description of Plant Cit}% 33 General Description of otlier Places and Post OIHces in County, ... 33 Soil, 3.5 Fruit Growing, 37 Eailroads, 41 Fisli, 43 Timber, 4r> Cattle Raising, . 49 Tampa Bay, 53 Early Vegetables, 57 Bcliool Sy.stem, 5!t Sponge Trade, . . <>1 Climate and Health, 63 Conclusion, . 0.~» Appendix, 07 JOHN JACKSON, DEALER IN ^GENERAL MERCHANDISE.t>^ ;»:;.ijSSjpS^.;-::SV One of the oldest and most reliable houses in Tampa. Carries a heavy line of ^GROCERIKS,^ Dry Goods & General Fnrmsliing Goods. AGENT FOR HOME MEAL FERTILIZER. lEONARDI'S OINTMENT. The curative properties of this Ointment are truly wonderful, astounding not only the patient and friends, but also the intelligent physician, by its almost miraculous cures of some of the most obstinate cases of Tetter, Ringworm and Itching Piles, on record. Below we give some extracts from testimonials : I Vas cured of Tetter of nineteen years' standing, by three applications of Leonardi's Oint- ment—Thomas P. Kennedy, Tampa, Fla. Less than one box of Leonardi's Ointment cured me of Tetter, of seventeen years' standing— Jno. L. Taylor, .Jr., Member of Florida Legi.slature from Hillsborough county. One box of Leonardi's Ointment cured me of an aggravated case of Tetter of twenty-seven years— Lew E. Sparkman, Sparkman, Fla. I had Tetter for three years and was cured with Leonardi's Ointment— G. B. Sparkman, Ex-Mayor, Tampa, Fla. We are now putting up two sizes — 50 cents and 75 cents. Agencies: S. R. Van Duzer, 35 Barclay St., New York; G. R. Finlay & Co., and J. L. Lyons & Co., New Orleans. PREPARED ONLY BY S. B. LEONARDI & CO., DRUGGISTS, TAMPA, FLORIDA. INTRODUCTION. The changes which Time, with his majestic and enchanting wand, has wrought, can be no more fully realized and understood than when we contemplate i vifH, that section of country whose venlure and beauty in landscape jind water scenery called forth the admira- tion and rejoicings of Hernando DeSoto, as he, with his followers, sailed up the waters of Tampa Bay in the budding spring time of 15(19. "With good reason did he gaze in Vjewildered astonishment and wonder at the fi-eshness and vigor of its vegetation and the bloom and blossom of its flowers. It was with a just and not a mistaken pride that he meditated upon the glory and renown which would flow to his beloved King and Queen, as the possessors of such a land, when he stopped upon the siuuly shores and planted, for the first time, deep in the fertile soil, the staff which spread to the genial breezes of the sunny clime the silken folds of the flag of Spain. Who can even faintly imagine the sensations and sentiments which would swell the l)reast anii fill the soul of that ancient explorer if, through Divine power, the breath of life should be once more breathed into the mouldering renuiins, and in life and flesli he should visit again this same beautiful section in its present state of devel- opment, and view from the highest attainable piimacle the wonderful impressions and changes which Time, aided by the progressive spirit of the Americans of to-day, has stamped upon its eveiy feature ! Great indeed have been the changes ! He would find that the Ked man, with his wigwams, his bows and arrows, his war-whoops and paints, has betaken himself to other paits and other climes. He would see that instead of the rude huts of these aborigines, scatteretl here and there, comfortabl<» houses and elegant mansions, embellished with all the architectural skill, and fitted with all the comfoits and conveniences of the modern day, have been erected in the shady groves, the thriving villages and the flourishing towns of this prosperous country. He would note that where once, only the light, shadowy canoe could be seen skimming along the surface of the blue watei-s, now, hundreds of sail-boats and many larg<» and elegant steamers, laden with the rich products of the soil, and freighted with hunuin lives, plow these waters daily and hourly. He would see, instejid of the indistinct trail over which the stealthy hunter lightly threaded his way through the great forest, whose silence was broken only by an occasional war-whcwp or the hoot of MORRISON & PACKWOOD JOBBERS AND RETAILERS OF STOVES ;„D Olliver Chilled Plow. Kalamazoo Cultivator. S. L. ALLEN PLANET, JR., TOOLS. CROCKERY AND LAMPS, WOOD, WILLOW AND BLASS WARE. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. ,i^ig TAMPA »^4\ ^M,^^.^ FLA, %^^?'^a' Co^ -^ OPERA HOUSE If you want a home in Florida apply to this Agencj'. Facilities unsurpassed by any in the State. Money Loaners or Borrowers. - Sellers or Buyers Avill find it to their interest to read what is said on page 70 by the HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENCY. D. S. Macfarlane. H. E. CleaveijAND. <1MACFARLANE S CLEAVELAND,I> Wholesale & Retail dealers in BOOTS, SHOBS AND SLIPPKRS, » Franklin Street, opposite Court House. Tampa, Fla. 10 the owl, the iron track, over which the daily train, bearing the commerce of the worlil and the tourist of the colder climes, comes bounding, waking the echoes of the most distant regions, as it safely speeds on to their destination the hundreds who have availed themselves of its accommodation. In all around he would see and acknowledge that an enlightened civilization, with all of its natural outgrowths and a Divine Christianity, with all its benign influences, had played well their parts. And as he contemplated all these changes, instinctively and irresistibly would he contrast the present condition and occupation of the white man with that of the first one who visited these shores, and whom he fomid a prisoner of the Indians upon his arrival here. Though somewhat shrouded in mysteiy, yet it is a fact that Hernando DeSoto was not the first white man to land in Florida. "A youth to fortune and to fame unknown," filled with the spirit of adventure and discovery which characterized that era of the world's history, sailed up the beautiful waters of Tampa Bay, and, like many others since then, even down to the present day, was so enraptured with the salubrity of the climate, the fertility of the soil and the prospect of an orange grove that he declined to Journey further with his companions and allowed them to set sail without him. His life was one grand holiday, and all with him and the Indians was as "salubrious" as the climate, until it was discovered that he was wooing the daughter of the chief of the tribe. He was then made prisoner, and after trial condemned to guard and keep watch in the future over the graves of those who had gone on to enjoy the chase on the happy hunting grounds in the Beyond, and so DeSoto found him. Here we must drop our Spanish discoverer, for 'twould tire the X'eader for us to follow him through all his amazements and peculiar experiences, his final settlement and abode in this prosperous country, his second death and burial, for the country is our subject and he is only an incident. - -"^ — ^ ^^ ^^fmi^ ^i^. '-v ' - — £^~ xj i^""iZjiy^Tr*F^- IffiS^iiSi^jg^^j ^:^i GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COUNTY. The section of which wc speak you have no doubt already recognized ; at anj- rate, it is now known as Hillsborougli county, and we invite and oarnestlj- soUcit your attention while we set forth its claims to the world, in frankness and in truth. Having its boundaries defined on the west by the briny watei-s of the Gulf of Mexico, it extends from 27 deg. 20 min. to 28 deg. 50 min. north latitude, and from H2 deg. to 82 deg. 50 min. west longitude from Greenwich. Its sister counties ai'e Hernando, Polk and Manatee; Ht^mando bounding it on the north, Polk on the east and Manatee on the south. Its boundary lines meet each other at right angles, and its shape woidd lie that of a rectangle wore it not for the coast line, which is very im^gular and whi(;h is indented from north to south with many small estuaries and liayous. It is situated on the western coast of the Florida peninsula, as you know, and contains within its limits 852,480 acres, taking into count both its land and water surface. It is divided into forty-eight townships, each presumed to be six miles scpiare, at which calculation the county would be thirty-six miles in length and forty-eight miles in width. Nature, in her freaks of generosity and numificence. could certainly have bestowed but little more upon this section for the happiness and enjoyment of its inhabitants. Slie has given it a Bay which extends inland to such a distance that it becomes almost land-locked, thus furnishing one of the most inviting harbors, accessible to the thousand vessels engaged in the Gulf trade, and which come laden with the rich merchandise of the world. And it takes no wizard or prophet to clearly perceive that Tampa Bay, by virtue of its geographical position and natural advan- tages, is soon to become the connecting link between the freighted cars of the rail- roads of the North and the palatial vessels of the outer deep, which will carry on the fast growing commerce with the nationalities of Central and South America and the islanils of the sea. But for the presi^nt we have premised sufliciently concerning this nuignilicent Bay, which adds so materially to Florida's facilities for comnnmicating with the remainder of the world, and which, with a reasonable appropriation by Con- gress, can and will be made the best and most desirable haven for the many ships which now [iroudly plow the waters of the Gulf. Then, too, she hjis given us a climate of which we could not complain if we would. Far enough South to be free from tho snow and ice and chilling blast of the North, and fanned by the gentle zephyrs and Australian breezes which come wafted from the cooling waters of the Bay and Gulf, we are in the continual enjoyment of the most salubrious and equable climate. And in this connection we may, with propriety and fitness, quote from the " Statistical 12 Keport on the mortality in tlie armj-, compiled from tlie records of the Surgeon General's Office : CLIMATE. "The climate of Florida is remarkably equable and proverbially agreeable, being subject to fewer atmospheric variations, and in its thermometric ranges much less than anj- other part of the United States, except a portion of the coast of California." And again, in a few passages further down, we find : " The mean annual temperature of Augusta, Ga., is nearly eight degrees, and of Fort Gibson, Ark., upwards of ten degrees lower than at Tampa, yet in both these places the mean summer temperature is higher than at Fort Brooke " (Tampa) ; and it further states that such facts are positively shown by meteorological statistics on file in that bureau. We can state, unqualifiedly and with truthfulness, that in the summer months we suffer much less from the heat than those who dwell in the more northerly climes, which fact can be readily seen and appreciated by a comparison of the number of sunstrokes which dailj' occur in the Northern cities and the rare, rare ones in our section. In fact, so delightful and fascinating is our climate to our Northern friends that some of them have, notwithstanding the real fertility of our soil and the black rankness of our vegetation, remarked that we sell the climate and throw in the land. Such remarks are intended as no depreciation of our soil, but only as a very emphatic manner of expressing their honest appreciation of our balmy air and sunny clime. They spring from the same source as did the opening sentence of Florida's favorite Governor, when, on " Florida Day," at the Louisville Exposition, several years ago, as he stood up before the eager, anxious thousands who had gathered round him, even amid the fog, clouds, damp and cold of that dreary November day, to hear something of the " Land of Flowers," he wished " for forty acres of Florida climate to spread over the Exposition grounds. PKODUCTS. As to our soil, we would have no other if we could ; for its many productions, in fruits and vegetables, conclusively prove that our temperatures and upper stratum of earth are in harmonj' and accord with each other. Frequently, parties from further North, when down here, enjoying our genial climate, are struck with what they term "our poor sand," and frequently remark, " Oh, if you just could have our soil down here in this climate, what a country you would have." They lose sight of the fact that the arrangement was made by a Divine hand, and with the same propriety could change the sentence a little, and say, " Oh, if we just had your climate up there, what a country we would have." And so man proposes, but God has disposed of this subject long ago, and we are satisfied. For there is something peculiar in the composition of even " our poor sand." From observation and experience we know that vegetables, of almost any and every variety, can be cultivated and grown to perfection ; while oranges, lemons, limes, shaddock, grape fruit and other species of the citrus family, together with guavas, mangoes, pomegranates, bananas, pineapples, alligator pears, sugar apples and many other tropical fruits are in their native element and clime, and produce prolifically. The arrowroot, too, grows in abundance, and if the inhabitants would only turn their attention to its culture, soon its convei'sion into flour and starch would, beyond all doubt, yield the operators an annual income of several hundreds of thousands of dollars. And then, again, we should desei-ve reproach were we to omit to say that hemp grows well with us, and its cultivation could be made profitable. Now these statements, the truth of which can be easily ascertained by a visit to these parts, are introduced somewhat in the nature of proof as to the fertility of Hillsborough county sand. 13 ^^N. DIXON,-?^ >^-- TAMPA, FLORIDA. MANUFACTURER OF vow ^ r^^^^ AND ^f^z> cWressTumber FLOORING, DROP SIDING AND CEILING, Turned and Scroll Work ; Pine and Cypress Mouldings ; Latli and Shingles. ORANGE AND VEGETABLE CRATES. Fancy Pickets a Specialty. AN AVENIE IN AN 01lAN(iE GKOVE. ffi 3]an4:n\i o:^/} nifi^ 15 WATEES. The principal bodies of water may be suiniiied up in Tampa Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Baj' and Hillsboi'ough river. The industries are as diversified as the character of its iiduibitants is varied. FISH AND OYSTERS. The waters which we mentioned above and the many Ijeautiful lakes which are dotted all over its surface afford admiralde fishing grounds, where the amateur can find sport with his rod, and the regular flsiierman tish for the market, and wages for his labor, while in the bays oj'sters and clams are found in plentj' and abundance. FRUIT. The fruit grower has no occasion to lament over the profits which he reaps from his groves of oranges and other fruitage, even under the present greedy grab system of the niiddle-men. CROPS. The farmer finds a remunerative emploj-ment in tilling a soil which readily l)rings good crops of sea island cotton, tol)acco, sugar cane, rice, potatoes and all truck stuff and which alwaj'S finds a ready market. PASTURAGE FOR CATTLE. Il is hardly necessary to say that some portions of our land furnish e.Kcellenl natural pasturage for cattle, and that so profitable has it proved that there ai-e many in this county who.se wealth, ac([uired solely by raising and shipping cattle, is astonishing. TURPENTINE. The "Queen of the Forest," as some one has called our large, tall pine tree, invites the attention of the turpentine farmer, and opens to the saw-mill men emploj-- ment in which there has already been found, by some in our nudst, independence and wealth. TRUCK GARDENING. Truck gardening is also extensively engaged in, and during the entire year vegetables of various descriptions and variety constitute in part wholesome food for the tables ; and in the early spring time fine large strawberries, whose luscious appear- ance would bring water to the mouth of the most fastidious epicure, are served at home as ambrosial delicacies, while in large (luantities the juicy berries are shipped to the frozen homes of our Northern friends. PURSUITS. Of course, as a matter of natural and necessary ("onsequence, we have among us those wiio follow the ordinary pursuits of life, and do mercantile and other business; some being engaged in the retail, others in the wholesale trade, while frequently the two are combined. But the further consideration of the many and various ways (for only a few have been mentioned, and those in only a cursory manner) in which a livelihood and, quite often, independence can be attained, we must defer for the present, trusting that the patient reader will follow us on to that part of this pamphlet which will treat more in detail the different pui-suits and avocations of the inhabitants. 1(3 POPULATION. The population of the county has increased within tlie last few years in an enor- mous ratio, the census of 1880 giving us only 5,814 inhabitants, while present calcula- tions give us upwards of 8,721. And as long as the present tide of immigration contin- ues to inundate our every section with respectable and desirable citizens we need have no fears that our fertile and productive soil will remain untilled ; that our fish will by their continued reproduction block our streams in their course ; that our oyster-bars and clam-beds will remain unnoticed and untouched ; that our swamp and overflowed lands will not be drained and converted into rice and sugar plantations ; tiiat our pine forests will continue in their primeval wealth and grandeur ; that our natural pastures will not be utilized, or that any of the other many natural endowments and facilities will not meet with the high development of which they are susceptible and for which an all-wise Creator designed them. Already many sail and steam vessels, burdened with rich and valuable merchandise, many times more valuable than the fabled "golden fleece,' continually glide into our harbors and proudly ride the rolling waves of our lovely waters. Even now, the iron steed, manacled by man to the narrow track leading from the North, comes whistling through our choicest sections, bringing in his train of cars the rich products of the North and West, and many settlers from every portion of the globe, making us cosmopolitan in our citizenship. Owing to a shortness of time, as well as some unfavorable circumstances, we have been imable to ascertain with correctness and exactness the value of the vessels and cargoes which yearly deposit their freights at Tampa and other points along our coast. Yet this much we have observed, that notwithstanding the completion of a railroad to this point, the freights arriving by water have not diminished one iota, but on the contrary have materially increased, as is evidenced by the fact that only a few weeks since the Tampa Steamship Company were necessitated to make additions to their already spacious warehouses. We have also further observed that it was necessax-y several months ago for the South Florida Railroad Company to increase their freight depot to just double its original capacity. Such facts as these, the reader will confess, evince pi'ogress, enterprise and a glorious future. We must confess that the old fogyism, which has to a great extent existed to the detriment of progress and push in other sections of our State, did for a long time retard the growth of Hillsborough county ; bvit, owing to the overrulings of a Divine Providence, or to the skill of our efficient and far-seeing physicians who prac- tice the ..Esculapian art among us, those who were imbued with no ideas of advance- ment or progress ai-e now enjoying, we hope, sweet rest upon the plains of Elysium, and if not, then Pluto is the one whom we are to commiserate in his continual conten- tions with their stand-still spirits and Micawber-like enthusiasm. In closing these weneral remarks, we do not hesitate to say that the mortality of this county will bear us out in stating that almost total freedom from sickness and diseases can and may be enjoyed among us ; however, we anticipate, as we design devoting an article to the healthfulness and immunity from diseases in this county. POST OFFICES IN THE COUNTY. Alafia. Diston. M.4^ngo. Anona. Dunedin. Peru. Bay View. John's Pass. Pinellas. Bloomingdale. Key Stone Pakk. Plant City. Clear Water Harbor. Keysville. Tampa. (j^jjK. LiMONA. Tarpon Springs. Yellow Blitff. 17 a H. B. PLflNT." THE LEADING HOTEL OK TAMPA Near (U»i>ot and steamboat wharves and overlookiiiK the lilver au'l Bay. Fii>it-class in every respect, anil ample aecomniDdatloa for 150 puosts. 8i>ecial atteiilloii slveii to <-ulinary dei>art- meiit. After a flcnirisUuiK .season of only four nu^ntlis last winter, 2,067 were entertained, and the house is now closed tor extensive repairs. Opens 1st of Ociotjer: terms $:i a day and upwards, according; to location of room. The following notice of the house is from the Tiihann. The H. B. Pl.\xt.— The above-named hotel was openeil to the public December 12th, and has instantly established itself as a tlrst-class hostelry in all respects. It is located on the river front. 100 feet tro/n the main depot of the South Florida Hailroad. fifty yards from the steamboat land- ing and one square from the office of the Southern Esiiress Comjiany. The buililing is a hand- some two-story tranie, containing forty rooms and covering an area of 8,100 squjirc feet. A striking feature of this hotel Is its sujierior arrangements. The halls and stairw;iys are broad, and so constructed as to give the most e.xcellent ventilation. The rooms are all " front " or "outside" ai)artmeuts. each with two i)late-glass windows, large, fitted with marble-toi) furniture and the best beds that can lie procured. The rotims on the ground floor are all furnished with black walnut. The parlor, office and reading rooms are all specially flue and conveniently arranged. The dining room seats 100 people. The kitchen is a model of perfection, while the ice-house and store-room Is all that could be desired. Surrounding the house Is 6.o0(i square feet of piazza. Mr. Anderson will shortly have an artesian well on the grounds, and will spare neither pains nor money to make the H. B. Plant above <-ompari3on In Southern Florida. He has been in the hotel business for many years, and Is thoroughly versed In efficiently managing a house of this superior character. 18 SPENCER HENDERSON X CO., WHOLESALE DEALEKS IN BUGGIES, s WAGONS, TAMPA, FLORIDA. HORSES AND MULES Bought and sold, and for hire. < HAY AND GRAIN FOR SALE> ^TEAIVIS AT ANY AND ALL HOURS. TERMS EASY. 19 S. P. Hinckley. H. W. Fuller. HINCKLEY & FULLER, ORANGE BUYERS AND PACKERS, AND V/HOLESALE DEALERS IN -^^aRAIN, HAY, KLOUR, ETC.^ TAMPA, FLOEIDA. FLORIDA ORANGES SS)^'* o Vy I v< o Oranges selected, packed and shipped to order in any amount. "We make a specialty of this business and pack nothing but clioiee fruit. Fruit guaranteed to bo perfectly sound and in good keeping condition WHEN SHIPPED. Terms Cash in advance. Bank of Tampa, or any of the Reliable Merchants or Citizens of Tampa. Prices qiioted and special reference given when reciuired. Orders respectfully solicited. Hinckley & Fuller, Tampa, Fla. N. B.— The Orange Season is from Nov. 1st to May 15th. 21 ^_JI\^AES Ho 7>/ FRANKLIN ^ STREET,^ TAMPA, FLORIDA. H KJ — \ H FIRST CLASS IN ALL ITS APPOINTMENTS. Has Four Hniulred and Fifty Feet of Covered Veranda, with all the comforts of a family home. Captain Thomas White, late proprietor of the Magnolia Honse, Darien, Ga., will be pleased to entertain his friends and the traveling public when they visit Tampa. THOMAS WHITE, MANAGER. 22 TAKE THK^ KKY ^ LINK (Florida Railway and Navigation Co. to all Points North or West. LOW RATES. THROUGH CARS. QUICK TIME. THE * QUICK -=i^ THROUGH * ROUTE * FROM SOUTH FLORIDA POINTS, IS NOW VIA Orlando, the Tavares, Orlando and Atlantic Railway and the Key Line. THROUGH SLEEPING CARS ORLANDO TO MONTGOMERY, ALA. The finest and most economical Summer Resort, AMELIA BEACH, Fernandina, Fla., is reached only via this line. SEND TO ADDRESSES BELOW FOR FULL INFORMATION. D. E. MAXWELL, A. O. MacDONELL, General Superintendent. Gen. Pass, and Ticket Agt. FERNANDINA, KLORIDA. W. G-. COLEMAN, G-en. Trav. Agt., Jacksonville, Fla. TAMPA. situated upon the right hank of the Hillsborough river, from which the county takes its name, and at a distance of several hundred yards from its mouth, which opens into Hillsborough Bay, Tampa is, geographically, the most interesting and pleasing ftjature of the whole county, and, by virtue of its position, is destined within the near future to rival the present metropolis of the State in every respect and par- ticular. Up to within a very recent period, Tampa, as has been said with truth of all sec- tions of Middle and South Florida, was comparatively little known, on account of her very limited communication with the outside world, notwithstanding the fact that her history dates back to tlie year 1824:, at which time Captain Brooke established a military post for five miles on and around the row existing Federal reservation, known as Fort Brooke, and which, during the old Indian troubles in tliis State, constituted the prin- cipal general hospital for the army. But most of the buildings which then stood upon the reservation have been destroyed either by time or the hand of man, there remain- ing only two, which serve as monumental memorials to the by-gone days. And with your permission, kind reader, we will here digress somewhat from Tampa proper, and cursorily glanc«> at this lovely spot, which lies adjacent to, and of a right should, and in all prol)ability will be a part of Tampa, for no act of Congress would raise to a greater degree the high appreciation and hearty endorsement of any session tlian that one which would donate Fort Brooke to Tamjia, to be used for a park and other public purposes. We hesitate not to say that in pi)int of pictures" [ueness and beauty it has not a rival spot even in the poets' loved Italia. In the center, and in fact surrounding and all over this lovely creation of Nature's, there are clumps ami clusters of large, grand old live oaks, which are adorned and bedecked by Nature with the festoons of beautiful mosses which hang touching the grassy ground beneath the swinging l.toughs of the spreading trees. These gray-green living monuments of ages past sen-e not only as beautiful and natural ornaments to the place, but at the same time afiford a cool and refreshing shade to the invalid and tourist, whose ejaculations of surprise, admiration and pleasure evince his gratitude to that star which directed him to these parts and to such a spot. In the spring time ami summer months the festive picnicker may be found on almost .3verv' day under the shady branches of the beautiful grove, PALMETTO HOTEL, TAMPA. 25 Tampa, Florida. Just built and newly furnished, is one of the largest, handsomest and most com- modious Hotels in South Florida. Three stories high, with a five story observatory. Wide halls and spacious verandas — affording ample promenade space on two sides. One hundred rooms, large and airy, and finished in elegant papers. Furniture and fixt- ures complete. Bath-rooms and laundry-rooms, etc., attached. The South Florida Kailroad has a special platform in front of the Hotel for the accommodation of its guests. One acre in the hotel grounds. Observatory affords a splendid view of the Bay and surrounding country, and opportunity to drink in the sea breeze. This Hotel can be leased by application to the Hillsborough County Real Estate Agency, TAIMPA, KLA, 2G drinking in aad enjoying to the full the soft Gulf breezes which come stealing to him through the mossy branches of many a tree. At present the normal beauty of the place is somewhat marred by the fences which have been erected around and through it by private citizens, one person having attempted to homestead it, and six others having pre-empted it. No satisfactory end can be seen to the contentions of these private parties, and it is the opinion of many of the people that no one individual will get possession of Tampa's natural park, their prayer being a petition to Congress to bestow it where it properlj- belongs — to the city, pro bono publico. But to return to Tampa, from which we did not intend to stray so long ; however. Fort Brooke is naturally a part of Tampa, and is so closely allied and so situated that we may as well consider it technically as a part of Tampa, and so dispose of it now. As we premised above, the military reservation extended in its original for five miles around ; but in 1847 Congress donated 160 acres of it to the county as a site for the town, the situation of which 160 acres we have given in our description of the location of Tampa, and from time to time the limits of the original reservation have been narrowed down by placing portions of it on the market until it has reached its present size of 148 acres and over which the fight between several parties is now going on. Without the least fear that the truthfulness of our statement will be called into question, we assert that there is no other citj- or town in South Florida, aj-e, or in all Florida, which offers to the tourist and invalid as many and as varied natural attrac- tions and advantages as Tampa, the Queen of the Bays. Here, those who come from the chilling blasts and freezing weather of their Northern homes to find in mid-winter a moderate and bracing atmosphere and a salubrious climate, have not only a charm- ing and desirable resort with the qualities they seek, but also free from fogs and rainy days. CYCLONES. Another striking and favorable peculiarity of our section is that it is situated in that belt which exempts it from the disastrous cyclones and tornadoes which so often visit other sections both north and south of us. It would be gross injustice to our section, and an unpardonable fault of ours, were we to omit to say that instead of fogs, and damp and chill and rain in winter, our skies are usually bright and clear and blue, and our atmosphere free from over-moisture, w^hile here, as in all South Florida proper, the " rainy season " genei'ally commences along towards the latter part of June or first July, and extends to the middle of August or first September. During this " rainy season," which is not a continual deluge of rain, but more like April weather, giving us an abundance of " sunshine and showers," most of the orange groves are planted, though some practical growers prefer to plant in mid- winter, while the sap is down. But while Tampa holds out such advantages and inducements to the tourist and invalid, it offers equally favorable oppoi'tunities to all practical business men and workers who desire a home in this favored spot of the American Italy ; for even now, Avith not a thickly populated tract of country extending all around it for miles, the fall of hammers, the humming of saws, the blasts of whistles, and the hurrj- and vim of its busy, active citizens, tell plainly of present progress and a fixed determination not to fall short of the greatness which is continually- predicted for the place by the thousands who now annually seek its balmy air and genial climate for health or pleasure. It is the county site of the county, and although its incorporation only includes the original grant of 160 acres with a population of from 1,200 to 1,500, yet, within a radius of a mile, the suburbs, all of which are laid off consistent with the streets of the city proper, are so well settled up as to swell the number of inhabitants 27 to 2,500 ; and at the next municipal election it is proposal to extend the limits of the incorporation so as to include all the subur)>an portions to which we referred just above. NATIONALITIES. It is true of Tampa, as of the count}-, that the society here is extremely cosmo- politan in its character, almost every State in the Union, and nearly every civilized nation of the world, being fairly represented among us ; which fact, we take it, offers special inducements to any who desire to become permanent settlers among us. Here the German can find Germans, the Frenchman French, the Swede those of his native tongue, while the English and Scotch are as numerous as our citizens from our own Northern States. RELIGIONS OR CHURCHES. The religious facilities, too, of the place iiave also peculiar attractions for the stranger, there being a pastor in charge of an organized church of nearly every denomination, and on the Sabbath morn the chimes of many church bells, riu'dn"' •out from all parts of the city, invite the devout to participate in the services of the day. SCHOOLS. In point of schools we have kept pace with the times, there being now one well •organized public school and several fine private ones, some of which prepare pupils for the freshman and sophomore classes in our colleges. TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH. Within the past 5'ear the Bell Telephone Company has stretched its wires throughout our streets, and these, with the lines of two telegraph companies, act as obstacles to the flight of the average small boy's kite. HOTELS. As to accommodations in hotels and boary the name of West Tampa, and to establish convenient communication between this suburb and the city proper a ferryboat is run back and forth continually during the day ; l)ut we have good reasons for belie\ing that soon this will be done away with, and that in less than a year's time a bi'idge will span the river, connecting more closely the two places. Leading out from the northern part of the city are three avenues about a quarter of a mile apart and running parallel with each other for more than five miles, and from the limits of the city to their ends are scattered all along these avenues flourishing orange groves, generally of live or ten acres in size, and upon which nice cosy-looking cottages have l)een erected by their respective owners. There are also several smaller and less imi)ortant avenues leading out from the eastern side, and all of these, both great and siuall, have been called after some Northern or Western State. Tampa's prospective railroad connections are more than ordinarily good, there being a number of railroads now building which by their char- ters are compelled to come to Tampa, and if only one-half of the prospective roads ever reach us th(>re will lie no place in all Florida, or perhaps in the South, which will be so favored with railroad facilities. From its geographical position and water communication, Tampa must and will be the distributing point for the traile from the North and Northwest for South Florida, and the key to the commerce of the West Indies and Central and South America, Already we have one railroad — the South Florida — completed and nicely equipped, and which runs daily trains from this point to Sanford on the St. Johns river, giving a pleasant ride of five hours and a half 32 from the grand old river to the glorious old Bay, so that passengers leaving Jackson- ville on the mail boat at 2 :30 P. M. one day arrive in Tampa at 2 :30 the next day ; fare, $11.75. As yet her population has not warranted gas works, but the town is well lighted with street lamps, which give the place quite a citified air at night. The Masons have a lodge building, in the hall of which they and the Odd Fellows hold regular meetings, while other societies formed for culture and sociability hold forth in other quarters of the city. Her Base Ball Club continues to retain the belt over all other clubs of South Florida, while the Tampa Guards enable her to boast of the average militia organization. And now, in concluding this imperfect sketch of the county site and its attractions, we can conceive of nothing more appropriate than to say " the half has never been told." After all we have said as to her many attrac- tions and her desirableness as a place of resort or permanent settlement, we promise, in all the sinceritj" of our hearts, that you will never regret it if you come among us, either as a visitor or a settler. Some one said of Italy's famous city, " See Venice and die." We say, " See Tampa and live." KESIDKNCE AND ORANGE GROVE. OTHER PLACES. While the many other attractive and desirable towns which adorn this county with their enterprise and facilities, and beautify it with their architectural edifices and buildings, are by far inferior to Tampa in point of size and population, yet none will admit of any superiority in prosperity and glorious prospects for the future; for tins whole county is enjoying a "boom," which will not suffer one section to remain far in the rear of the others, and it is a boom, too, wliich will continue as long as the sweet winding waters of the Hillsborough wend their way to the ocean stream, sing- ing merrily of the balmy air and the sunny skies which reflect the brilliant rays of a semi-tropical sun upon their dancing waves. Among the most important of these is PLANT CITY, named in honor of H. B. Plant, the principal factor in the Plant Investment Com- pany, which controls such an ovenvhelming interest in the railroads of Florida. It is situated twenty-three miles east of Tampa on the South Florida Railroad, and within a little over a year's time has increased in population from several scattered families to fifteen hundred bona fide inhabitants. Such an enormous and nuraculous increase is due to the scope of country surrounding it, and also to the push and energy of those who had invested in lands at and around that point previous to the completion of the road. For its age, we cavil not to say that it is the largest and most thriving little city in the South. It has recently been incorporated, and its orderly yet busy and active citizens declai'e that its present prosperity shall ever continue, and that its rapid growth is not of the mushroom character. Its accommodations in hotels and boarding houses are pronounced good by all those who have visited it, either in search of a home or in the pursuit of health or pleasure. There are, as any one would naturally suppose, a number of stores, doing all the different branches and twigs of merchandise, and all the other many avocations of life have their quota of representatives. PINELLAS we will next consider, which, on account of its other many natural facilities besides its accessibility to the health-restoring breezes of the Bay and Gulf, is the proposed site of a sanitary city to be constructed after the suggestion of Dr. Richardson, of London, a movement which is attracting the attention of the whole world, and one in which all the civilized nations of the world are expected to enter. The fact that 34 Drs. Toner, of Washington, Chadwick, of Boston, Wilson, of Pliiladelpliia, lieaded by Van Bibber, of Baltimore, all eminent physicians, visited this section for purposes of investigation, and the still further fact that their reports were most complimentary and flattering, is sufficient evidence that this design, which has already enlisted the sympathies and well wishes of every thinking man, will be crowned with success. Aught else that we could say of Pinellas would sound of mockery, so we will now view DUNEDIN, as she is situated upon the coast of the Gulf. The settlements in and around this place are quite numerous, there being, too, some of the finest orange groves in the State all through that region. The character of the land is tlie first-rate pine which we describe in our article on the soil, and several saw-mills have been erected to utilize the magnificent timber to be found on all such. ALAFIA is situated on the river which bears the same name, and that section of country em- braces Peru and many other small towns. The indispensable pursuits of life are of course prosecuted there ; but that feature which attracts more attention than all others is its abundance of hammock and swamp lands, upon which are cultivated the vegetables of every variety. Though at the present time it is lacking in railroad facilities, the river affords a fair transportation, which has for many years been taken advantage of. We might, were we not tenacious of time, go on to enumerate and partly describe the many advantages and oppoilunities of Anona, Bay View, BiiOOMiNUDALE, Mango, Keysville, and so on ; but we will draw these sectional remarks to a close by noticing in an extremely cursory manner, THOKOTOSASSA LAKE, which for beauty and grandeur has not a rival sheet of water this side of Niagara Falls. At the time of writing it is at its lowest, but now measures two miles in length and one in width. Upon the beach of this small inland sea are situated beautiful cottages, encircled with the native oak and the evergreen orange. It teems with the most delicious quality of trout and other fish, and it is quite notorious that this lake affords one of the best fresh-water fisheries in South Florida. " It is the pride of the citizens of the community, .... who feast upon the beauty of its waves and breathe the puiity and vigor of its breezes." THE SOIL. If one should travel through this county at a reasonable rate, notioinj; oabiially its white- sandy appearance, and having his eyes blind to its varied vegetation, no conclusion would be more plausible and probable to him than that one which would declare the productive lands to be of a very small per cent. Its exceeding diversity and varied character might in all probability escape his observation, and con- sequently the fact that it is susceptible of the cultivation of crops not only not grown in the states generally, but also of those things which characterize tlie tropical climes. If one would avoid a mistake as to the character of the soil, its white-sandy appearance must not in any instance be taken as evidence against it, for there is certainly, as we have said before, something peculiar in the composition of this sand which peculiarly adapts it to the growth of the fruits and plants of this climate, and frequently a more close and thorough examination will bring to light the fact that a goodly per cent, of it is composeoration. Oi^ango cidture will of course be the principal object of this chap- ter, if we may call it such, while the other fruits will be considered in a cursory manner. In taking up eneh genus of fruit, we do so as they come to our minds, and without any reference either to their natural or logical order. The PiNKAPPLE, which is to a great extent an air plant, is very profitably and eairily grown in every section of the comity, the climate being very suitable for its production, and the plant depending very little upon the nutrition of the soil. In many of the yaixis of the private residences in Tampa these plants can be seen in numerous small patches in every stage, from the time of suckering to full bearing. We do not hesitate to say that as soon as we have more thorough and speedy means- of transportation for the delicate fruits, this one, which is so juicy and delicious, will be quite an item in the lists of shipments to the Northern markets. The Gt'AVA, a tree which is so numerous and so prodigal in its growth and bear- ing that it almost impresses upon the mind the belief in spontaneous generation, gives us an abundance of its elegant fruit. While its shape and manner of growth resem- bles the poach more tha7i an^-thing else with which pei'haps the reader is familiar, its fruit, in size and general appearance, is more similar to the pear. As yet experiment has devised no other way of utilizing the guava than converting it into jelly and mar- malade and preserves ; and so superb are the three considered, by even the finest epicures, that if carried on to any considerable extent it would prove one of the best paying industries of Florida. Of course it is understood that the guava is considered one of the most desirable and palatable Iruits we have when fresh from the tree. The Mango is simply superb ; nothing can excel it, and but few fruits can com- pare with its deliciousness. So far but little attention has been given to its culture, as its fruit is too dehcate to bear shipment by the slow transportation we have had, and it was considered too great a delicacy for those who had to look close after those things necessary to secui'e "meat and bread." There is only one objection to the mango, if objection it be, and that is it is one of those things wiiich 3"ou cannot eat gracefully. It has a skin like the apph', and. is about the color inside and out of a well-ripened banana, with a seed like an almond, except a1)out four times as large, 38 and is shaped like — a mango. One gentleman living near Tampa planted two mango switclies in his yard about eight years ago. Now thej- are luxuriant trees of about foilj' feet in height, and he says the crop from one of them this year will bring here, in Tampa, $2i0. The Sugar Apple, which is a shrub in growth, thrives well as far north as Tampa, and is especially peculiar, as its name indicates, from its extreme sweetness, which renders a taste for it, as well as for many other of the tropical fruits, more or less acquired. The Fig is readily grown from cuttings, and so vigorous and rapid is its growth that it frequently comes into bearing in two years from planting. The fruit, as all know, is so palatable and healthy, and the cultivation of it so easy, and its prepara- tion for market so simple and inexpensive, that no doubt it will soon command special attention. The Bais ANA is one of the most popular and prosperous fruits grown in our sec- tion, and is propagated from suckers planted in rich, moist soil. There are quite a number of diii'erent varieties, which vary in size as well as in flavor, and all will agree with us in saying that few fruits equal a well-ripened banana in delicacy and flavor. PiiTJMS of nearly every description are found growing wild in every section of the county, and from these are made some of the finest and most marketable jellies. In a few of the yards in Tampa the Coffee Plant is successfully grown, and its easy cultivation will warrant its becoming, in time, one of the leading industries of this and other Southern counties. In the sister county below, the first pound of coffee produced in the State was gro\vn last year, and the fact of the grower receiving a premium from the Agricultural Department is evidence of its excellent quality. Luxuriant Geape arbors, giving fruit of endless varieties, flourish throughout the county, and in point of fact they grow wild in tlie hammock and swamp lands, fre- <|uently beautifully and gracefully festooning the trees with their climbing vines. The Scuppernong is the general favorite with us, and is a success beyond all doubt. The Alltgatoe Peae tree (from whence or why it gets its name no one can telli is a beautiful ornamental shade and fruit tree, much taller than the orange, but of less denseness, both in the branches and foliage, resembling in its growth and appear- ance the magnolia. The fruit when matured is not very unlike the pear in color and shape, while its size is perhaps two or three times that of an ordinary-sized pear. It has a flavor which is peculiarly its own, and cannot be likened to anything we have ever tasted, and as a relish it is much liked by almost every one who tries it. This fruit suffers no more from transportation than the orange, and as soon as it receives the deserved attention its cultivation will be increased and the Northern markets supplied. The Peach, which is grown more or less in all the Southern States, but which is not indigenous to this State, does well with us, in a measui-e. That is to say, the great difticulty Avhieh seems attached to its cultivation with us is our mild winters, which cause irregularity in its fruiting, frequently blooming so early and so often as to cause the tree to drop every bloom for two or three consecutive years. But the most prominent, important and widely cultivated of all the fruits that are properly and easilj- produced in this county, as well as in the State, is the Oeange, with its sister fruits of the citrus family. And under the citrus genus is compassed all the varieties of the orange, lemon, limes, citron, shaddock and grape fruit, num- bering in all more than one hundred species. In respect to the cultivation of the orange, Florida, on account of her peculiarities of climate, soil and season, stands superior to all other sections of the globe and will ever maintain her present superiority. But it is only within the last few years that orange growing has assumed the proportions of an industry, although it is more than probable that the Spaniards 39 upon their first settlement of St. Augustine planted and successfully cultivated this now popular fruit. True, that in ante-bellum days, many Floridians planted groves near St. Augustine and along the St. Johns and Indian rivers, and even some on Tampa Bay ; but those were more in the nature of ornaments and embellishments of the houses of the independent and rich. Go back twenty years, and you will find that the large proportion of people in South and Middle Florida were too poor to give anj- attention to orange culture. The struggle was a daily and continuous one for the necessaries of life and no time was left for anything else, and then, too, there were no means of transportation ; so that really it was not until after the late war was ONer, and our State became renowned for its salubrious climate and was flooded with our Northern friends in pursuit of health and pleasure, that the delicious delicacy of the " rich golden fruit, ' hanging amid the dark green foliage of its mother tree, attracted the eye and awakened a craving for it, which soon increased the demand and tliereby .started what has since been appropriately termed the " orange fever." And since then down to the present time thousands upon thousands of tourists, in- valids and speculators, drawn thither by the reports of the happier forerunners, have continued to come, and hundreds of them, enticed by the promising profitable invest- ment, have purchased lands and planted groves, until now the State is dotted from Jiieksonville to Punta Rassa and from the Atlantic to the Gulf with orange groves of every age and size, from the seedlings fresh from the nursery to the full-bearing trees. On account of the immense number engaged in this industry, it is son)etimes asked bj' unthinking men if the market will not be over-stocked when all these groves come into bearing, and as a necessary sequence the profits become a "minus fiuantitj-." The question on its face is absurd, and is almost as foolish as that one which queries, "Will not the boom fall out of South Florida after a while?" To the first question, as to the market becoming over-stocked, a thinking mind will reason, the demand creates a market, the supply controls the price. Where the supply is small the price is high and the demand is limited. Where the supply is great the price becomes low and the demand more general. To bring all the groves in Florida now into bearing simply means to open a larger market for oranges, and to place within the reach of those too poor to buy now this delicious fruit of the South. The prices of oranges may go down, and of a right ought to when the crop is increased, but if a man can get a cent apiece for his crop he can coin money out of a five-acre bearing grove. Moreover, further than this practical way of looking at this question, it is estimated that of the consumption of oranges in the United States only one- twelfth is furnished by Florida, the remainiiiir eleven-t\velfths being received from aliroad. And right on the face of this it is admitted by all fair judges that of all the oranges in the markets the Florida orange is by far the most supeiior, which fact is illustrated practically by the ever-recurring fraud of palming dfT foreign oranges as the fruit from Florida. As to the second idle ([uestion, " Won't the boom fall ovit of South Florida?" Yes, we answer, that is, when they will have no cold, ice and snow in the North, when "angel health sits ever on their breezes," and they have no pidmonary diseases ; when Tampa Bay freezes over, and the orange trees of South Florida are laden with icicles and snow-fiakt'S ; when you bankrupt the North, and destroy the balmy air and genial climate of South Florida — then, and not till then, will the boom fall out. But to return to the orange culture. We might here in thi.s connection enter into an analysis of the climatic influences and the soil to show why the orange is more successfully grown here than in other counties : but when a fact has been generally admitted, we consider that time would be wasted in advancing other proofs. Already 40 at the very lowest calculation there is now invested in orange groves throughout the State more than $10,000,000, with a large and inviting field for much lai'ger invest- ments. This, as well as other Southern counties, did not at first take the " fever" and give much attention to the culture of the orange, owing to the very poor and im- perfect modes of transportation for the fruit to market. But now that we are at the terminal point of many railroads projected, and one already completed, this county will not long remain second to any in the State. The soil in nearly eveiy section of the county is adapted to the successful cultivation of the citrus fruits ; and where the lands are classed poor, nature has provided an abundance of good and cheap fertilizer which can be readily and cheaply applied in such a manner as to render them very productive. The soil, as has been already remarked, is peculiarly fitted for the appli- cation of such fertilizers, and some of our finest groves are on our poorest pine lands. In this connection we quote from Capt. K. W. Shupeldt's (U. S. Navy) Report of Exploration and Surveys : " The soil in which these fine Chimalapa oranges grow is peculiar, being a very clean white sand, . . . and it is on account of this peculiarity of the soil, no doubt, that the fruit is so unusually fine." As to the profits which have been received from such investments, we can only say that time and again a thousand dollars have been cleared from a single acre, and there is one tree twenty- three miles east of Tampa which in 1880 yielded a few over 10,000 oranges. Yet with this, as with all other businesses, thei'e are some few obstacles in the way of certain success. Being a very recent business pursuit, much has yet to be learned by exper- ience and experiments, so that many of the theories in regard to the best modes of cultivation are somewhat conflicting. In 1880 the number of bearing orange trees in this county was estimated at 18,683, and their yield at 4,409,150, and their value at $45,410.2.5. Of course with the four years' "boom " the number has enormously increased, and their yield and value correspondingly. We do not think we would be far from right if we were to say that the number, etc., is now double what it was in 1880. The other members of the citrus family, with their numerous diiferent varieties, are also extensively and successfully cultivated throughout the county, although our space forbids an extended notice of them. Below we give an approximate estimate of the cost to bring a piece of wild land into a bearing grove. The price of the land avUI vary according to location, char- acter, etc. Our calculation is based on a ten-acre tract : 10 acres, say at $1.25, Government price 112 -50 (Private lands run all the way from this to $100 per acre.) Clearing and fencinia; with rails, at $20 per acre 200 00 (This of course depends lai'gely upon the character and location of the land, as well as the accessibility of rail-timber.) Dwelling and houses (the dwelling, a cottage of i rocjms, and plain, rough outhouses) 250 00 1,000 one-year-old trees 75 00 Labor setting out trees 10 00 Expense of cultivating and fertilizing same for eight years, at $75 per year 600 00 $1,147 .50 This is on the assumption that the proprietor does no labor himself and buys his fertilizers. Many ten-acre groves in this county now worth many thousands of dollars were made with far less expense than what this estimate shows. We have in our mind's eye one grove in this county that cannot be bought for $20,000 to-day, that really cost the owner nothing except the original price of the land and his own labor. And now, in conclusion, we say for further information concerning orange culture we cordially invite you to come to our county and be an eye witness to the means and processes used in it, as the limits of this publication forbid greater elaboration. ,,^v »«n^a». RAILROADS. The railroad facilities of this section are as yet comparatively little developed, there now being but one road which traverses this county, and which has its ter- minus at Tampa. This road furnishes gooil transportation and accommodations, and the many passengers who continually fill its coaches attest its convenience. It is known as the South Florida Kailroad, and connects the St. Johns river on the cast with Tampa bay on the west, making the distance of 115 miles in five and a half hours, including stops at the many thriving little villages and towns which have sprung up all along its line. Besides this road eight others have been chartered, and most of which number propose to have their terminus at the head of Tampa Bay, with branches running to various points in the lower counties. Prominent among these proposed roads is the International Railroad and Steamship Line, and very recently Gen. John B. Gordon, its renowned President, remarked while stopping at the H. B. Plant Hotel that in less time than a year he woidd retiu-n to this place on througli cars from the North. The Yulee, system, or what is now known as the Florida Railway and Navigation Company, already has trains running to within forty miles of our county line, and is making rapid strides towards Tampa, while the Florida Southern and the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West have a large number of hands grading their road-beds to our desirable city. Gf course we do not pretend to say that out of the eight proposed roads none will fall through, although we have no right to question either the good faith or ability of any of them, and we do believe in the sincerity of our hearts, and not without good show of reason, that the larger per cent, will be constructed, not including the International and Yulee systems, which are certain and fixed. The day is not far distant in the dim future when Tampa, as (juite a railroad ter- mini and center, as well as the entry port for the many large vessels sailing between this and the countries of Central and South .Vmerica, will have assumed the propor- tions of a city which will surpass anything in the State of Florida, and will place her in the rank to which her position as the Queen of the Bays so justly entitles her. 42 APPLY TO THIS AGENCY FOR ANYTHING REFERRING TO LAND OR INVESTMENTS. OFtE^^ID The Advertisement of the ^HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY^ REAL-E8TflTE*AGENGY ON F»AQK TO. ■' CITY*HOTEL, ^ TAMPA, FLA. J, FORQUER & SON, PROPRIETORS, The City Hotel is situated near tlae South Florida Railroad depot and convenient to the differ- ent wharves. It is entirely new and equipped second to none in Tampa; has forty well-ventilated rooms, each room having an outside window, and rooms of all sizes, single, double and for fam- ilies. Three stories with halls each way ; also open and closed piazzas; and will be ready to open October 1st, with all the modern improvements, with two dining rooms on the European Plan. TERM8-$2 PER DAY; $10 PER WEEK: $35 PER MONTH. e BAGGAGE o HANDLED « FREE * TO » AND » FROM a HOTEL* Write to this Agency for information on the best and cheapest route to this part of Florida. You can save nionev ))V it. FISH, The artificial propaj, mullet, and a long list of what are called " pan fish." As an economical and delicious article of food, fish is appreciated and used throughout the length and breadth of the universe, so it is no surprising fact that catching and selling them constitutes an industry fi-om which no inconsider- able revenue is derived. Along the coast of HilLsborough and at many points in the bays fishing is engaged in very extensively, and besides the immense quantities which are consumed at home, numbers are packed in ice and shipped fresh to other states, while large quantities are cleaned, salted, dried and sent to the interior, where the lisli are not so abundant. The fishing as a business is done chiefly with seines and nets, and the " strikes," as they call the catch, are frequently astounding to an inland stranger, often running up to hundreds of barrels. Fre(iuent pleasure or sporting excursions are made down the Bay to the principal fisheries, and sometimes parties with their families spend several weeks in the enjoyment of this nomadic life and fascinating sport. The "run" of the nsh, as the season for fisliing is called, begins about the first of October and lasts until sometime late in the spring, during which time many small boats containing parties of two or three can be seen anchored all along the bay and river. Under this head we may also mention the gieen turtle, which is a staple commodity of these waters. They sell readily here in our markets, and large numbers of them are shipped North alive, where the fastidious taste of epicures makes the demand great and the remuneration for catching and handling considerable. Oysters and clams are to be found in great abundance all along the coast and at many places in the bays, and are very large and fine indeed. These are only to be found in salt waters, and are taken by means of iron tongs fastened to long Vooden 44 liandles, and on short notice the oystermen furnish them, to places in the interior, fresh from the beds. In this county all kind of fishing is yet in its infancy, but no doubt as the county becomes more thickly populated, a business of great importance and magnitude will spring out of the fishing interest. In this connection we may throw in a few words in reference to the shell mqunds of the State, the largest of which is perhaps found on the old military reservation of Fort Brooke, adjoining Tampa, and which, on account of its size, speaks eloijuently of the palatableness of the shell fish as food for the Indians. The archaeologists have examined these mounds with much care and interest, and the theory generally arrived at is that once every year or season the Indians, either as a tribe or family, came down to some convenient point on the coast to have a picnic on shell fish, and coming frequently to the same place, and dropping the sliells where the fish were eaten, unconsciously and without design on their part these mounds grew to the proportions we now find. Perhaps this is the most rational, common-sense view of accounting for the shell mounds which everywhere bedot the coast of Florida. A FLORIDA LAKE. TIMBER INTERESTS. Strange, indeed, would it be did not this county, whose fine timber, both of pine and cypress is so plentiful and abundant, engage to a considerable extent in the lum- ber ti-ade, in which, as we have before remariced, there has been found independence and wealth. With a land surface of about 542,928 acres (rough estimate), which is continually being cleared of its timber for purposes of agriculture and improvements in many other ways, our saw-nulls are constantly supplied with the most desirable material, the sale of which, after it has undergone the process of sawing and general dressing, is accomplished without any effort whatever on the part of the seller. I'ntil recently, on account of our linuted and poor communication with the outside world, the immigration to this section was not nearly so great nor were improvements so general, and as a consequence no small per cent, of the timber which was cut by tlie natives ui the clearing of land for agricultural and horticultural purposes was not utilized, but was on the contrary suffered to remain in heaps of logs, which of course would in a reasonable time decay. Oidy tliat portion of it was used which the then limited home cousumi)tion demanded ; and now, when our facilities for transportation are improving and broadening both in respect to quantity and time, our people would indeed be dead to the times and their interest did they not follow the example of Pen- sacola and other ports along the Florida coast and establish lumber j-ards for the ship- ment of lumber to all parts of our great country. But the excuse which they now liave for not so doing, and it is a most legitimate one, is that this section, on account of tiie immense number of buildings which have been, are being and will be erected, demands more than can be supplied. We clearly see, however, tliat not far in the future a foreign lumber yard will be established in this county, which, on account of its advantages in the way of water communication, will be one of the best patronized of any in the State, there l)eing but two harbors on the Florida coast which carry on any extensive trade in this line of commerce, and over either of which Tampa Bay can boast — over one because of its not so convenient accessibility to timber, and over the other because of its greater distance by several hundred miles from those pouits on the Atlantic coast where are found the great lumber markets of the North and East. As we have already endeavored to impress on you, Tampa is quite a commercial center, around which in the radius of many miles there is an extensive scope of countrj- depending upon her for supplies ; and since it has been found, by those who have 46 experinieuted sufficiently to judge, that goods of an imperishable nature can be brouglit to this point by water with less cost than by rail, we can see no good reason why a foreign lumber yard cannot be established, and instead of allowing the vessels which bring such goods here to return to the Northern ports empty, fill their holds with our sawed yellow pine, which, on account of its quality, and also the spai-seness of good building material in other regions, will always enjoy a ready and (luick sale in the Noi'thern ports. Both Mexico and Central America depend upon Florida for the cross- ties to be used on their railroads, and points on Tampa Bay are ceilainly as convenient for their shipment, and in some respects more so, than any of the other harbors ; so notwithstantling the insufficient appropriations of Congress up to date, we predict that Tampa within a comparatively short space of time will be the center of a veiy consid- erable lumber trade with foreign places, and by foreign we mean such as are not within the limits of the State of Florida, for already from some stations on the South Florida Kailroad, and points on the Bay and Manatee river, orders are continually received for fine building material from the mills in this vicinity. As to the quality of Florida timber in general, we can do no better than to make use of a quotation from the New York Mercantile Journal, which is also to be found in ex-Commissioner Adams' pamphlet of 1873 : ' ' Yellow pine flooring and step planks from Florida are in fair demand at $30 per thousand feet, while inferior lumber made in North and South Carolina moves slowly at from $23 to $25 per thousand. The yellow pine, so-called, growing in the Carolinas, is objectionable for many reasons. In the first place, the tree is of a different and less enduring species, and has a greater proportion of sap wood and black knots ; and in the second place, it is from those trees from which the manufacturers of turpentine and pitch get their material, thus depriving them of the ingredient upon which the durability and pecuUar excellence of this kind of wood depends. Owners should always require in their specifications that the yellow pine to be used in first-class buildings should be of the growth of Florida." So we can clearly perceive that which explicates the peculiar and constant demand for the Florida pine is its excellent quality. As to the extent and vastness of the growth of the pine in this and otlier sections of the State, some idea may be gathered from General Andrew Jackson's celebrated observation, "that the forests were so overgrown with trees of large spreading branches, it was with difficulty that a man even on foot was able to travel through them." Estimating that on a general average each acre of land now contains -5,000 feet of timber, which, however, is an exceedingly low calculation, this coimty would have in its limits •426,204,000 feet of available lumber, and as the pine is ordinarily generative, the sup- ply of timber in this comity, according to the rate of its present consumption, is, we may say, almost inexhaustible, especially as it is positively asserted by parties com- petent to judge that in the country adjoining Pensacola, notwithstanding her immense mill capacity, the timber grows faster than it can be cut down. The Bay, the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers, as well as the many smaller streams, aft'ord ample water for the drifting of tlie many rafts of logs which are con- tinually floated to the mills. The trees having been cut down and cut into convenient lengths, are hauled by the large log-carts to the nearest stream and there connected together into a raft, which, as soon as the tides are favorable, is allowed to drift to the mill, where long ago they have been bargained for. But the pine, we wish you to understand, is not the only ti'ee used in our lumber-making and lumber commerce. Our swamps contain large bodies of the finest cypress, from which can be sawed the most desirable shingles ; it is also well adapted to nearly all the pui-poses for which pine is used, besides it is considerably used in boat and ship-building, and the trans- poi-tation and sale of this wood to the North and East will in the course of time foi'm no insignificant branch of business. A FLORIDA UIVEK AND HAMMOCK SCENE. 48 Cedar is also found in large quantities in our swamps and low hammock lands, and it is principally from the Florida mills that all the Northern factories are supplied with their wood material for making pencils and various other articles, and notable among these are Faber's and Dixon's factories. Upon our high hammock lands the live oak, so durable and lasting, is also of very considerable growth, and it is from this tree, which is frequently enormous in size, that most of the ship knees are made, it being the most suitable wood for this and other purposes in ship-building. There are now in this county, by actual count, over thirty mills, some of them not only doing the usual common mill work, but in addition to sawing and general dressing of lum- ber, some convert it into doors, sashes, blinds and window-sills of various kinds and designs. Black walnut is also grown in this section, though to a limited extent, but since the cheapness and fertility of the lands will admit of it, and as it is a most vigorous grower, it is proposed to plant a forest of this timber, and fi-om the experimental tests already made nothing shox-t of success is predicted and expected. All along the banks of the streams both large and small, and along the coast, the large and elegant mag- nolia, with its beautiful and fragrant flowers, is found in its native soil, and also in many places the red bay, which, however, is only a different species of the same family. From these trees is obtained a most desirable wood for cabinet work, on account of its dark color and beautiful veins. It is commonly known as the " Florida mahogany," and as it is of considerable worth and grown without any culture what- ever, it will command careful attention and consideration. "We are not disposed to praise the Florida pine and other timbers beyond their true worth and just merit, yet we would impress upon those who have been so patient as to read the simply stated and unvarnished facts, not to let Florida be undervalued and misunderstood in this respect, since timber constitutes one of the important industries of the world. And since in our county grow well nearly all the various kinds of woods — woods from which we can make houses, ships, furniture, barrel-staves and hoops, in fact, articles of nearly- any and every description — we would indeed be blind to our own interests, as we remarked in the beginning, did we not vigorously grasp the many natural advan- tages and not allow them to pass untouched and unnoticed. "x: CATTLE INTEREST. No other industry in South Florida up to within a few years past was engaged in near so extensiveh' or by any means embraced so much capital as that which is commonly known as stock-growing, the principal and chief branch of which pursued in this county being the raising of cattle of the more important stamp. Until quite recently moi'e wealth and riches have accrued to the dealer through this investment than any other, a fact which conspicuously explains the number of shrewd men con- nected with it. Even the tillage of the soil was a secondary- mattei-. And at present, as in the past, in all parts of the countj- are to be found numerous herds of larger or smaller cattle. They are permitted by their owners to run at -large through the woods, and they thrive and prosper in a manner remarkably well and entirely satis- factory to the parties interested. Mr. F. A. Hendry, a large cattle owner, in an article published in the Semi- Tropical Journal, says : "Hillsborough is a beautiful county, and regarded as very pleasant and healthy, and formerly a large stock-raising district, but as the country beco^ies settled, farming and fruit-growing have to a considerable extent taken the place of cattle- raising, though the county is still sparsely settled and feeds about 50,000 head of cattle, and is regarded as a fair <'attle range." Tlie I'xpenses involved in raising cattle are extremely small, there being none whatever rounected with the pasturage, and it is only twice during the whole year that they •■ round up," mark and bi'and the new calves, giving little or no other attention other tlian this. In fact, so little expense attends tliis investment that the hide and tallow of a four-year-old steer will return a surprising profit upon the cost of his keep. The character of the cattle raised in this county is very different from the Texas cattle ; ours presents a sm.all appearance, with thick, heav>' necks and fore parts, while the loins are contracted, and at the age of three years will generally clear 300 or -iOO pounds. The beef is sold readily at from six to ten cents per pound, the price varying aceoiding to the selection of parts. It has been stated by some supposed to know, tliat on account of the comparative lack of nutrition in the Florida grasses, tlie breed would not admit of improvement; but from our own knowledge, and from information given us by those who have given it a fair test, we are satisfied that thoroughbreds of the Durham, Devon, Jei-sey, Ayrshire, Hereford and Alderney breeds can be introduced and crossed with the natiye stock to their marked improve- ment. Stock-farming of all descriptions is being generally fostered by planters as a 50 remunerative addition to their farm interests, not only because it furnislies tliem with a fine quantity and (quality of manure, but also because the benefits of the daii-y are quite profitable in this county. We have in our mind several farms of this character, which daily supply our numerous hotels and boarding houses with milk and cream of the richest flavor. The butter also made from this milk is simply excellent, and it now bids fair to take a place among the rapidly growing industries of the many local- ities in this county. But to return to the cattle industry in its largest phase. To one wholly unac- quainted with this subject, or one only partially so, the manner of management and rearing would possess a peculiar interest, and as we could not in the least wise describe it more perfectlj^ and concisely, we quote the following from the same article of Mr. Hendry's, to which we referred above : " First, the cattle ownei's are numerous and work in harmony for the common good, as the success of each depends upon the faith- ful co-operation of all. Cattle pens are erected at convenient points for gathering m the stock, always selecting localities where there is plenty of water, shade and good grazing. Our pens are built of pine logs generally, but sometimes of palmetto and cypress, and are so arranged as to have partitions for parceling into small lots or divisions. These pens are located generally from ten to fifteen miles apart, so that the herdsmen can pen their stock conveniently in whatever direction it may be found. The hunting parties generally consist of ii-om six to ten active young men, well mounted on tough, hardy and fleet ponies. Each party has a wagon and team to transport the camp equipage and supplies, and each cow boy is prepared with a good cow whip, tin cup, wallet and saddle-bags. The teamster acts in the double capacity of teamster and cook. The party generally separates from the team but one day, coming together at night. Thus equipi3ed, the hmiters start out early in the morning, the leader laying out the day's hunt, the party generally dividing into two or three sections. The leader is generally a man thoroughly conversant with the range, the marks and brands of each owner, and has the general supervision of the hunt, keeping a strict account of the supplies, the cost of the same, and also the counting and num- bering the calves marked, and the beeves gathered and sold of each owner. The meji are all in the saddle by sunrise in the morning, ready and anxious for their labors. The cattle are heard in the distance — the calves bleating, the cows lowing and bellow- ing in every direction. Orders are given to drive everythhig, great or small, and to ■pen or bring together at night all cattle found in a certain scope. The cattle are gen- erally collected on burns, where there is plenty of green wii-e'grass, and are in small lots of from three to fifty head, where they are found and collected in one large drove, the gathering continued until the heat of the day, when the droves are conducted to some kno\vn spot of shade, water, etc., the cattle ready to stand quiet, and the order given to rest for two or three hours, the hunters dismoimt and strip their tired horses, and man and beast find refreshment. By this time a large drove of from five hmidred to one thousand are collected, consisting of calves from one to two days old to the largest bulls and steers that roam the forest. When refreshed, all hands mount their hoi'ses and start the drove in the direction of the ranch or pens, moving at the rate of about one mile per hour. The herd is driven into the pens, the bars or gates are secured, and all hands, wearied, dusty, himgry and thirsty, repair to the camp . . . and after supper the horses are rubbed down, watered and fed, and turned loose on the luxuriant grass which abounds in almost every loccility. . . . The marking and branding is the most laborious labor of any connected with the whole business, and it usually takes a whole day to mark, brand and regulate one of these herds. After the beef cattle are selected and separated, the calves are all marked and the hei'd are all turned oack upon the range whence they came, and the party proceeds to repeat the same labor in other directions." 52 The above account, which is true as well as miaute, will enable you by your own calculations to arrive at the small cost of this line of business, and as the cattle trade has proven profitable in the past, so in the future will it rank high among our indus- tries, until all the available lands in this and the other counties shall be subjected to the purposes of agriculture. Tlie cattle men, however, are generally speaking the shrewdest men in the county, and certainly deserve encomiums for the manner in which they have trained themselves to forestall future events, and when their own interests and the good of the country require it, which, however, is yet in the future, they can and will turn their talents and attention to something else. Apart from home consumption. Key West and Cuba are our most important markets. The trade with those points was first established by Capt. James McKay, Sr., whose memory, though he has long since departed from the sorrows and trials of this life, will ever remain dear to a grateful people. "We may safely say that on an average there are annuallj- shipped to Key West and Cuba about 18,000 head of beef cattle from the five counties of Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Monroe and Brevard. It may seem strange, but neverthe- less it is a fact admitted, that the Florida beef finds readier sale with the Cubans than heavy Texas beef ; and the reason given by the Cubans is that the meat is so much more agreeable to the taste. The trade with these markets continues for about four months, commencing about the last of May and terminating some time in September or October. In reference to the gathering and herding of cattle, it strikes us that few pictures can be more pleasing and beautiful than an immense prairie covered with a fresh coat of green grass as far as the sight can reach, whose surface is dotteil all over with the scattered herds like the cattle upon a thousand hills. As to that branch of stock-raising which has sheep for its object, the very least we can say is that wherever a fair trial has been granted it, profitable results have always been experienced. We are free to admit that in those portions of the county where vegetation is comparatively sparse and coarse, while sheep will prosper on it at a fair rate, they produce an inferior quality of both wool and mutton ; yet by their continued presence and under their gx-azing, the pine lands become enriched, and it is found that sheep and new characters of vegetation prove of mutual benefit to each other. Of course the better class of lands furnish pasturage, upon which the flocks flourish more than ordinarily well from the beginning, and the profits received from their wool and mutton give a large per cent, upon the capital invested. In compailson, we may say that notwithstanding the fact that cattle-raising has ever been a paying industry, it is thought by many that sheep will prove somewhat more profitable. TAMPA BAY. Seiisations of utter inability, begetting the most disturbing apprehensions, fret the bi'ain, as we propose to dwell for a few moments upon a subject which has inspired the romantic writers to their greatest and most glorious effoils. What child in all America has not had his little breast to heave with emotions of excitement and fei-vent gratitude, as he devoured with eagerness page alter page of that pleasing little volume entitled "The Young Marooners." And it was in Tampa Bay that this family met with all their wonderful experiences and mysterious mishaps. This beautiful and niagniticent expanse of water, which has often been pronounced by U. S. Coast Sur- veying parties to be the best harbor south of Pensacola, is wholly situated in Hills- liorough county, and extends from the Gulf on the southwest for more than forty miles in a northeasterly direction, having an average width of twelve or fifteen miles. At its northern extremity a projection of land divides it into two large anus, which are commonly known as Old Tampa and Hillsborough Bays, and at the head of the latter is the present site of Tampa, which city we have already spoken of. Emptying into it from all directions are numerous interesting and highly picturesque streams, some of them taking their source from far inland, among the most important of which are the Hillsborough, Alalia and Little Manatee rivers, whose waters are Uiavigable for small boats for many miles. A person standing upon the deck of one of the elegant steamers plowing this grand body of water at the rate of twelve^ or lilteen knots an hour, will be charmed and enriianted with the tropical and semi-tropical scenery which meets the gaze on every side, and many are the ejaculations of admiration and astonishment. "The forests of cabbage i)alm<.>tto nodding their evergreen plumes in the nioniing sun, the statelj' date palms and olive trees on Snead's Island, on tlu^ north side of the Bay, and the pretty villas surrounded by the young orange and banana groves on the south side, form a landscape of rare tropical beauty, unexcelled in the Land of Flowers and unrivaled by the fairest scenes in Italia's famed land." The Tampa Trihtine of recent date contains an article on Tampa Bay by Mr. S. A. Jones, which for its clear presentation of truths and a straightfonvaixl statement of facts cannot be excelled. From it we extmct the following : "Stranger, have you ever thought of a lake forty miles long and over one huiulrel)age or potatoes, and such calculations are made from a few experimental shipments which were made during the past season. The profits which have accrued to the truckman from cucumbers alone are really surpris- ing. The great difficulty which has attended this brancli of Hillsborough's industries was her lack of quick and reliable transportation ; but at present her facilities may bo ^-aid to be fair, and the good promise of their nudtiplication and enlargement predicts an era in vegetabkvgrowing in this county hitherto unknown in these Southern States. The sweet potato is the most universal, or more nearly so tiian any of the other vegetables, tiie cause, perhaps, lieing its ea.sj- propagation from the roots, sprouts or \ines. It may be planted any season of the year, and need not be taken from the ground until required for use, except in mid-winttu'. The Irish potato, or white potato, is not indigenous to these parts, but, it is said, was introcluced into America by the Spaniards, from whence it was earricnl to England by Sir Walter Raleigh. It is more than probable that it got the name of Irish from the excellent quality of them produced in the soil of Ireland. This tuber has within late yejxrs attracted special attention, and is one of the most profitable of the early monts in some particvdars, certainly evinces a marked determination on the {)art of the people to meet so popular a demand. The system of Public Instruction is overlooked by a State Superintendent, assisted by a State Board of Public Instruction, a County Board of Public Instruction and County Superintendent of Education for each county; together with local trustees of each school. The numerous public schools in each county are supported by the interest of the Public School Fund, a State tax of one mill on the dollar, coupled with a county tax of not less than two and a half and not more than four mills on the dollar. The interest from the Fund and the receipts from the one-mill tax are distributed among the respective counties in J proportion to the number of children ranging from four to twentj'-one years of age, liut tliey are apportioned to the schools according to the average attendance of scholars between the ages of six and twenty-one years. A teacher, in order to obtain one of tiieso schools, must be in possession of a certificate of qualification granted by the county school 1)oard or the State Superintendent after a due examination, and tliese certificates are retiuired to be renewed every year. As to the quality of schools in this county, we do not doubt but that Hillsborough can boast, since our teachers are generally paid salaries which do not, as in many of the other counties, depend entirely upon the public monej- which is given according to the average attendance, but are helped by private contribution or tuition, and this fact draws to us from other counties and other states a host of well-educated and well-trained teachers in search of schools, and from these we have our pick. There are now in this county sixty -seven well-established schools, whicli luive terms of five months every year. Besides these there are many private schools, taught by graduates of some of our best-known colleges, and in tliese, as well as in our public schools, the pupils are fitted for at least the ordinary pursuits of life, while in a few of a higher character sufficient education is bestowed for purposes of business and profession. The scliools are all well attended, and since the teachers are not only required to stand the regular examination to show up tlieir educational qualifications, but also to give the most satisfactory proof of their moral character, the educational advantages of this county are good and will compare very favorably with nurnj- older and more thickly settled sections of the country at large. SPONGE INTEREST. There was a time within tlie niemoiy of the present generation when all the .si)onges used in the United States were fumisheil by ships from the Mediterranean ; Vint about the yfiar 1852 the western coast of Florida began to attract minute and wide- spread attention on account of the immense numbers found in the waters along this coast, and since then sponge-ttshing has been carried on all along the western coast of Florida. The fisheries are chiefly confined to the southwestern pait of the coast, extending all along the shoals and reefs from St. Marks to a point oft" the coast of Hillsborough county, a distance of several hundred miles. At fii-st these sponges were easily obtained from the fisherman at ten cents per pound, but as soon as it was asceilained that their (juality compared favorably with those obtained from the Mediterranean, merchants began to engage in the business actively and extensively, ami as those gathered in the Mediterranean began to grow scarce, their demand and value increased correspondingly. At one time the first known fisheries on the coast of the kind under discussion began to fail, and it was tlien that an area of much more expanse was discov- ered, and which contained the most excellent quality of sponge. This discovery seemed to endow the enterprise with a new impetus, and in that and succeeding years many places along the coast fitted out vessels for the special purpose of engaging in that basiness. Tiie effects of the weather upon the residts of the fishing are of no small conseq\ience, real rough weather rendering it entirely impracticable. A com- plete failure has been experienced in some years, but such is a veiy rare occurrence, and those years may be numbered upon the exceptions. As the price of any article fluctuates according to the supply, it nuitters not materiallj- whether large or small quantities are caught, the profits remaining gener- ally about the same. The method pursued by the spongers on the Floriila coast jiresents a striking t'ontrast to that used in the waters of the Mediterranean. There the sponges are obtained l>y the fisliermen diving for them. Here, small vessels con- taining crews of twelve or fifteen men are sent out to cruise on the sponging grounds, and on arriving upon them they divide into paii"s, lietaking themselves to small skiffs. One of the pair manages the skiff or "dingy," as the small boat is called, while the other leans as far over the side as possible, scanning as closely as possilile the ground over which there generally is not a great many feet of water, and wiiich is usually t'lear as crystal, ami this is done with tlie aid of a common wooden bucket witii a 62- magnifying-glass bottom, which is put over the water and the face thrust as far into it as convenient. As soon as a sponge is spied the boat is brought to an immediate stand-still as near as possible by a dextrous use of the oars, and the sponge then secured by means of a two-pronged iron hook fastened to the end of a long pole. No small amount of skill and care is required of both of the men in the boat. The pre- • paration of the sponge for market is also an interesting feature. They are placed along the deck of the vessel in an upright position, in order that they may defunct in a natural position, and while decomposition is transpiring allow the gelatinous matter to escape freely. They are then thrown into pens of water built along the shore, where the remaining matter is soaked and pressed out. From May until August is considered the principal season for these cruises, but even in the winter months it has been carried on with surprising success. We would not even unwittingly praise any enterprise beyond its just deserts ; neither would we do so for selfish reasons ; but we verily believe there is a remimerative field open to a live man in the sponge fishing, and with Tampa as convenient headquarters, many vessels might be profitably engaged m that trade off the west coast of this county. STEEET SCENE IN A SOUTH FLORIDA TOWN. CLIMATE AND HEALTH OF HILLSBOROUGH. The clLaiatc of Florida is so generally understood throughout every section of the civilized world that the reader would indeed have just cause to complain of our taxing his patience did we propose to be very prodigal in our observations upon it ; and to bo frank upon this subject, we would remain silent, were it not so closely connected with the health. It is not a hot climate in summer, Ijut on the contraiy is mild and subject to very few atmospheric changes. The winters are neither cold nor freezing, but uniformly cool and bracing, and during the whole year the cloudy and disagreeable daj'S may be regarded as the excep- tions, fair, bright and sunny days being the general rule. We recognize that the sum- mer is longer, but the heat is less oppressive than mid-summer at the Noi*th, which fact you can gather from the following meteorology, which we extract from a pamphlet published by Dr. Wall : "Tampa, being nearly centrally situated on the Gulf coast, and some thirty miles interiorly from the Gulf at the head of Hillsborough Bay, is selected as a fair medium locality for the following meteorological observations. These are taken from the sta- tistical report of the Surgeon General's Office, published in 1856 : The mean temperature for the seasons and for the whole year for twenty-five years is, spring, 72 deg. 08 miii. ; summer, 80 deg. 20 min. ; autumn, 71 deg. Oi min. ; winter, (J2 deg. 35 rain. ; whole year, 72 deg. iS min. Tlie mean rainfall for the seasons and for tiio whole year for sixteen years is, spring, 8.51! inches ; summer, 28.21 mches ; autumn, 10. ('>3 inches ; winter, 8.01 inches ; whole year, 55.17 inches. The following summary of the weather is the mean for nine years. (The capitals indicate the direction of the wind, and the figures the numbers of days from that direction.) N., 27; N.E., 73; E.,f)0; S.E., 14; S., 10; S.W.,13; W., 13; N.W.,29; fair, 215 ; cloudy, 143 ; rainy, 98." For days together New York, Boston and other Northern places show in summer teniperature as high as 100 degrees ; it is very seldom that it ever reaches that degree in Florida for a single day, generally ranging below 90 degrees. The atmosphere is not oppressive, sultiy, close or humid, but the mornings and evenings are alwaj's cool and refreshing. As to the diseases, we quote from Dr. Wall again in his same publica- tion. He says that the endemic diseases only comprise those of malarial origin, such as intermittent and remittent fever, and of those the types are mild, tlie pernicious and malignant cases being the exceptions. Of the continued fevers, such as typhoid and typho-malarial, not a case lias 64 occurred within an experience of fifteen years. Tliis will be a fact of important significance to tliose wiio recall the scourging devastation of typhoid fever at the North and "West. In a residence of seventeen years in Tampa, yellow fever made its appear- ance once, which was in 1871 ; since that time Tampa has been entirely free from its visitation, while Jacksonville, Femandina and Pensacola have not, a fact which goes to prove that the people of this section are alive to the needs of good quarantine regu- lations and also to a good internal sanitaiy condition. The dengue makes occasional visits to this section, and while it is very painful, mortality is a very seldom conse- quence. This disease first made its appearance in Philadelphia, having been imported from the West Indies. Both the j'ellow fever and the dengue can be as easily stamped out in the Southern as in the Northern cities, since it is not endemic but an exotic. The yellow fever has existed as an epidemic as high north as Portland, Maine. Idiopathic diseases of the liver, with the exception of an occasional case of jaun- dice, are unknown to Dr. "Wall, and are very imcommon. " Acute inflammatory affec- tions of the respiratory organs — except an occasional catarrh, with some bronchitis — are extremely infrequent as a rule, though here, as elsewhere, an epidemic influenza sometimes pi-evails, during which serious pulmonary complications in some cases are de^'eloped, taking their departure apparently from the epidemic disease. But idiopathic pneumonia and pleurisy occur very rarely, and are never so common as to be considered as even approximating an endemic or an epidemic character. Diarrhoea and dysentery only occur as sporadic diseases, and never in an epidemic or malignant form. These diseases are generally mild, and readily yield to ti'eatment. No case of acute rheum- atism has ever come mider my observation, except when the patient was also suffering with a gonorrhoeal discharge more or less acute." Cerebro-spinal meningitis, whether as sporadic or epidemic, is unknown in the State south of Ocala, where it is said to have prevailed in the winter of 1863-4. Traumatic tetanus occurs but very infrequently after womids or injuries, and the Doctor further declares that this section has escaped diphtheria, though there are not wanting physi- cians here, as everywhere, who, either from ignorance or an unprofessional anxiety for reputation, call almost every affection of the throat diphtheria. Insolation or sunstroke never occurs in either town or country. No instance of hydrophobia, in either animal or human, within the State has come within our knowledge. The mor- tality of this section is extremely low, and that from malarial fevers for the last few years has been nil, and so far as statistics can be made available they show a less per- centage of mortality than any other State in the Union. The entire absence of many diseases moi'e or less fatal in their character, and the greater mildness of those of malarial origin, cannot fail to demonstrate the natural salubrity of the climate. Much of this exemption from the graver forms of disease depends doubtless upon its great- er freedom from the extremes of temperature. "We have thus quoted rather fully from this valuable pamphlet, not only because of our appreciation of its intrinsic value, but also because of our own Inability to treat so difficult a subject in the scientific manner it properly merits. Out of justice to Dr. "Wall, we think it highly proper for us to state the year of its publication, which was some time in 1874. CONCLUSION, In concluding these pages upon a section of countrj' which is favoreri witli all the natural advantages and facilities for so many of the callings of life, we wish it to be remembered that we have endeavored to steer clear of all exaggerations, and we have endeavored to set forth nothing except sucn facts and opinions as arc justified by experience, observation and study. We are frank in our confessions that tliese pages are intended to attract people to our midst wlio will help to swell our population and tiike advantage of our many unbounded resources; but, nevertheless, we have confined oui-selves to the path of truth and honesty, which fact will manifest itself to you upon your arrival among us, for you will then see that there are many attractions which we lia\t^ not even mentioned, and that those of which we have taken notice are not painted as vividly and glowingly as a just and fair estimate warrants. By a careful penisal you have no doubt observed that we have tenaciously clung to our purpose not to plact^ intfutionally any other section of our beloved State in an unfavorable light, nor have we in the least intended t() disparage any of our sister counties l)y clo.se comparisons with our present subject, for it ha„s not been our object, nor will it ever be, to praise our own section to the detriment ami danmg*^ of another. Come among us, and by our congeniality and hospitality we will try to cause you to think of us as friends and old acquaintances ; few of us are " natives to the manner born," for we are either immi- grants ourselves or the offspring of immigrants. We do not invite any to come into our midst who have the mistaken idea deep down in the recesses of tlieir hearts that here people are exempt from that inexoi'ablo rule, "in the sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat bread," and that money grows on trees, or that full-bearing orange groves, and fruit farms spring into existence simply because one will settle in Florida ; on the contrary', instead of advising such to come, we advise them to stay away, for we want no such fools. Florida is good and great enough in all her advantsiges, and God Almighty has in a wonderful way lilessed Hillsborough county, but if you allow imag- ination to run away with you and to paint in glowing colors wondrous things to V)e accc^mplished in this sunny clime of ours outside of the pale of connnon human effort, you will be greatly disappointed when you come. So we sa,>', liyto be practical in your ideas, and keep youi-solf on a plane of human life and earthly coimtries. We desire all who will do this to come and live among us, foi- here you can be healthy, l>rosperous and happy. We not only wish the rich anfi imlcpcndcul with thtur capital to come, but also 66 those of the humbler walks of life, for Hillsborough county needs one as much as the other, and offers to the poor and rich alike opportunities of the rarest kind. We wish you to fill no subordinate places, except from choice, for if you are scarce in pocket, the cheapness of our many vacant lands and the easy terms upon which they can be pur- chased will admit of your becoming proprietors in fee simple. And especially- do we want those of an agricultural and horticultural turn of mind, so that the cultivation of our earlj^ vegetaVjles may receive the attention and development they deserve. Mechanics and skilled artisans we wish also, for there is no vocation among us which does not admit of greater attention and development. Most earnestly do we insist upon those coming who have capital for investment, for we wish to see all our resources put upon the footing which their merit and greatness commands. In fact, there are none but the lethargic and inert whom we do not want to come and identify themselves with us. We are satisfied that you understand our invitation well enough now for us to draw these imperfect pages to a close sayiby ng that if you come into our midst, the full right hand of every citizen in Hillsboroign county will be extended to you in hon- est and sincere friendship, so we say in farewell. Come one, come all, and see what the Lord hath done for us. AVENXE BOKDEltlNG ORANGE OEOVE. APPENDIX. Since tho foregoing was written and arranged, se\eral matters of no small impor- tance have attracted our attention, and out of common justice to tliem it is necessary tiiat they be at least mentioned and briefly noticed. At this juncture, also, we would l)eg the indulgence of the patient reader while we express our deep regrets that slioit- ness of time and unfavorable circumstances have prevented the insertion of statistics in any of the branches of business, both mercantile and otherwise. However, by a careful perusal, you have acquired sufficient infornuition to permit of your arriving at an approximate estimate of these and other things of peculiar moment. By our seeming negligence, one of the most praiseworthy features of Tampa was on the verge of being omitted, for very recently a Board of Tiade was organized, and its actions already convince the veriest pessimist that by organizations of that char- acter much more can be accomplished than by the non-co-operative efforts of individ- uals with their petitions and prayers. We have examined the constitution and by-laws of this association, and as one of its many objects is to foster, encoui-age and develop ttie mercantile, manufacturing and other interests of Tampa and its suburbs, it has and will retain the sympathies and assistance of every class of the citizens. Already it has put on foot a movement which in all probability will give us within a reasonalde length of time street-cars thi'ough all the principal thoroughfares out into convenient parts of the vicinity; but its many determinate purposes we find ourselves unable to consider. Another item of .significance is in reference to a Journal which will be published l>v tlie Hillsborough County Real Estate Agency, and beyond even the shadow of a doubt its proposed system of advertisement and general management is simply- unique. This Journal will be called the Tampa Courier, and in tli«^ sincere and honest opinion of the writer (apart from all other considerations), its advertising advantages are of such a nature that it will afford opportunities whicli have never before been in the reach of any section of Florida. The writer speaks not without sufiicient knowledge. The following letter was received a few days previous to the present writing, and a.s it speaks for itself, we simply apj)end without any comments : To Dear Sir : Mr. S. A. Jones informs me that in the descriptive article you are writing for the Hillsborough County Eeal Es-tate Agency you will want to men- «8 tion the various branches of business, insurance with the others ; and to enable you to say what you desire on this subject, I submit the following data : The following fire insurance companies are represented hi Tampa and Hillsborough county by Thos. A. Carruth, agent : Home, of New York ; Continental, of New York ; New York Underwriters' Agency : Hartford Fire, of Hartford, Conn. ; Liverpool and London and Globe; Springfield Fire and Marine, of Springfield, Mass. ; Providence Washington, of Providence, E.. I., and New Orleans Insurance Association, of New Orleans, La. Also the Travelers' Life and Accident, of Hartford, Conn., and the Equitable Life Insurance Association, of New York. Thos. A. Carruth, agent, and Dr. John P. Wall, medical examiner. Respectfully, Thos. A. Carruth. ALACHUA SINK, FLORIDA. MK. \V:M. a. .M<)|!I!1S(IS S VII.IA M I \MIV. 71 JNO. T. LESLEY, S.A.JONES, LAWSON CHASE, GEO. T. CHAMBERLAIN, President. Gen'l. Manager. Secretary. Treasurer. ^^^^SBOROUGH C0U,ry ^^r REAL ^ ESTATE ^ AGENCY TAN^IPA, FLORIDA. This Agency offers the best and most complete facilities to huyei's or settlers, of any Agency in South Florida. We ai-e prepared to give you the cheapest and most de- siral lie routes to come to Florida, and special facilities for locating here. We have lands and property of every tlescription to suit the wants of all classes. Wild land for colonies, improved lauds, houses, groves, plantations, truck-farms, etc., on creeks, rivers, lakes and baj'S for private parties. Town lots and town houses in all the towns in tliis county. Valuable lands, groves, farms, etc., in all of the adjoining counties. We locate lands, look after homesteads, contract for and superintend improve- ments, i)ay taxes, perfect titles, secure abstracts, procure deeds and look after and attend to any and all kinds of business in our line, entrusted to us. Furnish any in- formation relatmg to this pax't of Florida to any and all seeking homes to settle on, or for investment among us. This agency will make loans for parties desiring to place money in Florida ; obtain paying rate of interest and guarantee ample and safe securities. We are a chartered company, and besides being responsible, arc amenable to the laws of the Stati; that granted us our charter. So all who contract with us or entrust tljeir funds to its can feel safe and sure of fair dealing and protection in their trusts, and not being speculated on. We do not speculate; but buy and sell, strictly, on commission. We take property at a price. We sell at that price. All of our tran- sactions are regularly recorded, and our books are our and your protection and proof. This is our home. It is the most desirable part of Florida. We want it known. We want to build it up and are working to that end. We publish to this end and with this aim one of the largest papers in South Florida. Send us your address. Come and see us and we promise you " the best the market affords." 72 Wm. B. Bakek, Pres. Kobt. A. Hintze, Treas. Eobt. B. Farson, Secy. HINTZE & BAKER COHPANY.^* c5^' ^Ss^^iS^?if^5K??^iSf3""^^ ^s'^ JIANUFACTUr.EKS OF SASH, DOORS, BLINDS, MOULDINGS, STAIR WORK, Etc. LUMBER ST., COR. TW'E^^XY SECOND, CHICAGO, ILL. RAILROAD $ LANDS. In Putnam, Marion, Alachua, Hernando, Polk, and Hillsborougli Counties. LANDS OF ALL CLASSES AND GRADES, ON RIVERS AND RAILROADS, AT PRICES RANGING FROM $2.50 TO $10 PER ACRE. ADDRESS S. I. WAILES, Land Commissioner, FLORIDA RAILWAY AND NAVIGATION COMPANY, 108 West Bay Street, Jacksonville, Fla. P. O. BOX 723. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN FLORIDA? S UBSCRIB E' SOUTH FLORIDA COURIER, PUBLISHK1> AT- PLANT CITY. FLORIDA. The Courier i^ an eiglit-columii, rimr-pagc wi'ekly iii'\v.s|)ap<'r, dcvotod to tlio interests of Florida in general and Hillsborongli county ami Planl City in particular. Terms: $2.00 per Year; Six Months. $1.00. Democratic in politics — but polities are secondary to our aims and |iurpo.ses of building up and developing this favored section of the world. SAMPLE COPIES SENT ON APPLICATION. F. W. MERRIN & SONS. PROPRIETORS. 74 J, D. CLARKE & CO., DEALERS IN DRY ^ GOODS BOOTS, SHOES IHD HATS IND GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS. Also Light Groceries. Shoes a Specialty, TAMPA, FLORIDA. JOHN F. BROWNING, — AGENT DOMESTIC AND WHITE SEWING MACHINES, TAMPA, FLORIDA. FOURTEEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE. After a close application to business for a number of years, in machines, I can safely say tliat I am now offering to the public superior machines and on better terms than they have ever had before. The Domestic and White, two of the best machines now in use, both with new and elegant wood-work, new steel sets of attachments and attached to the machines without the use of screw or screw driver, and so simple and practical that a child ten years old can tuck, fell, cord, bind, puff, plate, shirr and gather with perfect ease. If you have an old machine, exchange it for a Domestic or White. Call and see or write for circulars. All kinds of machine needles, oils and attachments genei-ally. Washington Street, next door to E. A. Clarke & Co., Tampa, Fla. AGENT. 75 THE TAMPA TRIBUNE, TAMPA, FLA. Terms of Subscription, $2.00 Per Annum. The Tribune is regarded by all as one of the most reliable papers in the State, and is tlevoted to the encouragement of immigration and the development of the vast resources of the Peninsular portion of Florida, consisting of the Counties of Hills- liorougli, Hernando, Polk, Manatee, and the Caloosahatchie region of Monroe. It has a lai'gt; and increasing circulation in all the Counties bordering on the Gulf, and is therefore the *BEST * ADVERTISING * MEDIUM * IN «- SOUTH * FLORIDA.* TAMPA is the largest town on the mainland in Soutli Florida, and located at tlie head of Hillsliorougli Bay, a subdivision of Tampa Bay, wliicli is the largest bay and best liaibor on thi' Gulf Coast of the Peninsula. Tampa is the terminus of the South Floritla Railroad and also of several projected railways whose construction will be consumnuited at no distant flay. Steamers ply regularly between Tampa and Key West, Havana, New Orleans, Cedar Key and all i)()int.s on Tampa Bay and the Manatee Kiver. The hotels are large and commodious; the markets are supplied with the lifst lisli, oysters and other salt water delicacies, and in less than twelve months the t(»wii will Vie protected against fire by tlie Holly .system of water works. A most distant points in perfect condition. THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY REAL ESTATE AGENCY ARE MY AUTHORIZED AGENTS. Prices cheerfulh" furnished. c. L. iVLlTCHBLL, FORT MEADE, FLA. 78 L. S. Dawes, Dillmgham & Co. TAMPA IRON FOUNDRY SOMETHING NEW. The only Iron Foundry South of Jacksonville. All kinds of Work in our line promptly attended to. Patronage Solicited. C. W. ANDREWS, . ?f NOTARY PUBLIC STATE AT LARGE, f. -«■• A N D .-g^ DEALER IN REAL ESTATE, PLANT CITY. HILLSBOROUGH CO.. FLA. I offer the lands of the Florida Land and Mortgage Company, and the Florida Land and Improvement Company, at graded prices, on time and for cash. I have the finest farming land.'* near Plant City, to be found in Florida at low prices; orange groves, improved i)laces, resideni-e lots of 5 and 10 acres etc., and offer a large list to select from. Lands bouglit for non-residents, taxes paid, groves kept up and improvements made and titles examined. Correspondence solicited. Strangers are invited to call at my office, where they will be courteously received. WILLIAM M. BIRD & CO., 201 East Bay Street, Charleston, S. C. DEALEKS IX PAINTS AN D_2AiNTER_S;_ MATERIAL of all Descriptions. RAILROAD, STEAMBOAT AND MILL SUPPLIES, -SsSHIF" CHANDLERY, ETC.i«- AGENTS FOK MARVIN'S SAFES AND HOWE'S SCALES. Price Lists &c Sample Cards Furnished on Application. DOORS, SASH, BLINDS und Builders' Hardware, Wholesale and Retail. GEO. F. DREW & CO., Jacksonville. Fla. * MECHANICS' TOOLS JND FARMING IMPLEMENTS. * SOLE AGENTS FOK THE STATE OF Bucktliorii Barb Wire, Herring's Safes, Buiialo Scales, Longman S: Martinez Prepared Paints. STEAMBOAT & MILL SUPPL1B.S A SPECIALTY. We carry on an extensive Plumbing. G-as and Steam Fitting and Tin Shop. 80 THOMAS A. CARRUTIi, INSURANCE AGENT,^^TAMPA, FLORIDA. KEPRESENTING Home Insurance Co. (Fire), ot New York Assets, $7,395,090 55 Continental Insurance Co. (Fire), of New York " 4,938,501 92 Now York Underwriters' Agency, N. Y " 3,637,180 48 Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co " 5,771,959 71 Hartford Fire Insurance Co., Hartford, Conn " 4,491,830 01 Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Co., Springfield Mass " 2,562,510 29 Providence Washington Insurance Co., Providence, B. I " 879,970 82 New Orleans Insurance Association, New Orleans, La " 530,371 56 Tlie Traveler's Life and Accident, Hartford, Conn " 7,826,456 83 E(iuitable Life Insurance Association, New Yoi-k " 58,161,925 54 Aggregate of assets $96,195,797 71 All classes of insurable property or lives in any portion ot Hillsborough county placed at standard rates. J. * T. * BOYETT, • REAL* ESTATE* AGENT AND NOTARY PUBLIC STATE AT LARGE, Has in his hands for sale, $175,000 worth ot improved real estate, consisting of Orange Groves ot all ages and sizes : also unim]>roved land of any amount. Prices from ^1.25 to $150 per acre. Will locate Homesteads and improve gnnes for non-residents. For further information, address me at PEEU, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA. GEO. B. WEEDON, M. D. F. GHIRA. WEEDON & GHIRA, -DEALEK-i TN" DRUGS AND MEDICINES, PAINTS, OILS AND TOILET ARTICLES. ■ TAMPA, FLORIDA.- PEOPLE'S JEWELRY STORE, CORNER FRANKLIN- AND JACKSON STREETS, TAMPA, FLORIDA. A fine stock of Watches, Clocks, Jewelry and Optical Goods constantly on hand. Rare Florida Birds, Sea Shells, Sea Beans, coral, etc. The finestcoUeclionof Florida Souvenli-s to be seen in the State. Orders by mall or otherwise promptly filled. Fine watch-work, and the fitting of the eyes a specialty. Satisfaction guaranteed. Eyes tested without charge. C. L. AYRES. PROPRIETOR. 81 CRA FT HO USE. Quiet Locality. Large, Airy Eooms. First-class Private Boarding House. Terms, $"2 per clay Apply to MRS. HIVIIVIA M. CRAKT, TAMPA, FLORIDA. generaOusiness agency OF ^W. N. CONOLLY,>^ TAMPA, FLORIDA. Any and all business attended to promptly. Collections made ; Deeds, Mortgages and Contracts dra\\Ti at short notice. Special attention given to land matters of all liinds. Correspondence solicited, GREAVES & BURTON, MANGO, FLORIDA. ^J. O. BURTON,^ ^PHYSICIAN AND DRUGGIST,t>o Deals in evcrythlug usually kept iu a ,^KIRSX-CLASS DRUQ STORE. 4€- Wm. B. Lyxch. N. p. BrsHOFF. SAN ANTONIO, HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA, ^THE ^ AN/LERICAN ^ ITAT.V!^ Fine Lands ! Pure Water ! Health Unexcelled ! Many acres of beauHful land (Improved runl unlinprciveU) in tliis charming soctlun ef the Land of Flowers, are now oITori'd tor sale, l)y us. For all Information In regard to the same, address LYXeH & BlSHOl-F. RliAL ESTATl- AGEXTS. SAN ANTONIO, FLORIDA. 82 APPLY TO THIS AGENCY FOR ANYTHING REFERRING TO LAND OR INVESTMENTS. It' you want a home in Florida apply to this Agency. Facilities unsurpassed by any in the State. THE TAMPA GUARDIAN, TAMPA, FLA. " Neutral in Mhmg ; Independent in Everything." TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. The Guakdian is in its 11th volume. It gives newsier, fresher, more and bettei reading matter than any paper in this section. -mm. ^ J. ^f- COOPBR,^ EDITOR AND MANAGER. BRANCH'S * OPERA * HOUSE. The largest and finest Public Hall in South Florida. SEATING CAPACITY OF AUDITORIUM AND GALLERY, 800.^ — ADDRESS — H. * L. ^ BRANCH,^ TAMPA, FLOKIDA. S. p. HAYDEN, LIVERY, SALE AND FEED ^STABLE.* Teams at any and all times. Stables at the Also Dealer in General Merchandise. TAMPA, FLA. Write to this Agency for information on the best and cheapest route to this part of Florida. You can save money by it. 83 FLORIDA FERTILIZING COMPANY. ^"FLORIDA ORANGE FOOD."^ This Company h.as been organized by orange growers of Florida, for the purpose of proeuring a reliable Fertilizer at a reasonable price, and one especially adapted to orange trees and suitable to our sandy soils. It has been tested in Florida for the past Ave years, and will prevent the scale insect, and has been tested alongside of the high-priced fertilizers, and has been found superior to any, as its lasting effects have been shown for two years. It is purely mineral, and contains no ammouia. It has a very largo (luantity of potash and phosphoric acid, the ingredi- ents most required by the orange tree. ANALYSIS. Bone phosphate of lime, 30 per cent. ; phosphoric acid. 14 percent.; sulphate potash, 12 per cent. : magnesia, t'l pei' cent. ; sulphur. 5 per cent. Price, $23 per ton. " Florida Vegetable Food " containing :t per cent, of ammonia, $28 per ton. For circulars with full description send to -^ E. > T. -> PAINE, ^. PRESIOEN'i ,^ JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. BUY YOUR TICKFFS IN JACKSONVILLE, Via East Tennessee, Vii-ginia, Georgia Railroad, North and South, from the courteous and popular agent, B. H. I-iOPK INS. You will find iiiiii equal to all emergencies, and ready to assist all who travel by the popular route he represents. OFFICE, CORNER HOGAN AND BAY STREETS, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. ^ HEADQUARTERS FOR FLORIDA FRUIT IN CHARLESTON, S. C. C. BART & CO., i:\rroRTF.us of AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS, -^ i^iS, <: ~7;ivK'r :•> STREET,^ CHAR^I-iESTON, S. O., Uespecttully ijflfer their services to the growers of Florida, f MRS. F. C. BINKLEY, * uMs^FiSlNG JOODS,* -^NEXT TO OPERA HOUSE,^ TAMPA, FLORIDA. HERMAN GLOWGOSKI, -DEALER IN- CLOTHING AND GENTS' FURNISHING GOODS. BOOTS AND SHOES, HATS AND CAPS, TAMPA, FLOKIDA.— Write to this Agency for information on the best and cheapest route to this part of Florida. You can save money. 85 If you want a home in Florida apply to tliis Agency. Facilities unsurpassed by any in the State. Apply to this Agency for anything referring to land or investments. W. K. WINGATE, Miller & Henderson Block, Tampa, Fla. GENERAL MERCHANDISE^ -AND ^IFANCY GROCERY STORE. DEALEE IN VEGETABLES AND COUNTRY PEODUCE. -^W. G. FERRIS,^ DEALEK IN I GENERAL MERCHANDISE,! WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, CORNER OF WASHINGTON AND MONROE STREETS, TAMPA, FLORIDA. JOHN "r. LESLKV & CO., TAMPA. FLORIDA. ^DRUGGISTS, * PHARMACISTS AND DE.VLEKS IN DRUGS. MEDICINES AND CHEMICALS, Fancy and Toilet Articles, Sponges, Brushes, Perfumery and Cigars, Physicians' Prescriptions Accurately Compounded. Pliysiclans and country dcnliT.s will find our .stock complete and prices as low as any in the State. All orders :vlll receive careful an RESTAURA NT AND BOARDING. NICE AIRY ROOMS. NEXT TO THE OPERA HOUSE, TAMPA, FLORIDA. TIVOLA SALOON, Sample Room and Billiard Parlor, Jackson Street, one door west of Franklin, TAMPA, FLORIDA.- ^WA/[. H. WKBB, PROPRIKTOR.^ Always on haud, the Quest brands of Brandies, Whiskies, Gins, Wines, Beer and Cigars. Fancy Drlnlcs, compounded by an ext)erienced compounder of drinks and beverages, a specialty. Give him a call. J. P. ANDREW, WHOIiEIiALE DEALElt IN FINE LIQUORS, WINES, CIGARS. FANCY BAR AND BILLIARD HALL. -^AN ORDKRLV HOUSE KERT.^C- TAMPA, FLORIDA. Write to this Agency lor information on the best and cheapest route to this part of Florida. Y'oii can save monev ])v it. 87 ARPtvY TO THIS AOEKCY KOK ^^.NVTHING REKERRINO TO IvATMlD OR IXVESTMliNTS. If you want a home in Florida apj^ly to this Agency. Facilities unsurpassed by any in the State. A. PREVATT & CO.. Deah'r-( in all kinds < FISH, ^ OYSTERS, ^^ FRUIT, ^ VEGETABLES ^ AND * POULTRY,^ TAMPA, FLOKIDA.-^ ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. '^STEWART" JACKSON, wild has liad tliirty years' experience as " Steamboat Cook," keeps a first-class ^RKSTAUl^ANT^ MEALS AT ALL HOURS. - CAN/[RBELL BLOCK, -- TAMPA, FLORIDA. RESTAURANT AND ICE CREAM PARLOR, LAFAYETTE ST., NEAR TAMPA ST. FIRST-CLASS IN ALL APPOINTMENTS. The undersigned have opened the above place, which will be kept in first-class style In every respect, and open the year round. Special attention will be given to the table, which will be supplied with the best the market affords, and meals served at all hours. Ice Cream, Ice(J Tea. Milk, Cool Drinks and Confectioneries always on hand, and families or parties supplied on short -^J. M. EDDINS & TINDOLPH, PROPRIETORS,^ TAMPA, FLOEIDA. Write to this Agency for information on tlie best and clieapest route to this part of Florida. You can save nionev. 88 APPLY TO THIS AGENCY FOR ANYTHING REFERRING TO LAND OR INVESTMENTS. If you want a home in Florida apply to this agency. Facilities unsui-passed by any in the State. W. F. BURTS & CO., Wholesale ami Retail Dealer In GROCERIES, HARDWARE,^ GRAIN, HAY AND PRODUCE. Produce taken in exchange for goods. Give us a call. -m PLANT :^ CITY, :: FLORIDA.^ PEMBERTON & ROBERTS, DEALERS IN DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, FURNITURE AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE, ^ PLANT CITY, FLORIDA.^C- We carry a full and heavy stock, and sell at the lowest cash prices. Buy from us and COLLINS & FRANKLIN, -THE OLD liELIABLE- Dry* Goods ^ and ^ Grocery* House, Keep constantly a full supply of • OBNERAL MKRCHANDISE. The first established house in PLANT CITY, KLORIDA. Write to this Agency for information on the best and cheapest route to this part of Florida. You can save money by it. 89 R. B. McLENDON. W. H. YOUNG. McLendon & Young, REAL* ESTATE >:> AGENTS 0^5^ c5?^g>-o PLANT CITY, FLORIDA. If you want a bearing orange grove or a nice young grove, unimproved farming or gardening lands in the vicinity of tliis young and rapidly growing town, which is situated in Hillsborough — the best county in the State for growing all tropical and semi- tropical fruits, vegetables, sugar cane, corn, oats, rye, peas, potatoes, (Irish and sweet,) and other things too numerous to mention, now is the time to buy. We have several nice residences, also business and residence lots in town which we are offer- ing low, for cash, if sold soon. We have good vehicles and will take pleasure in showing you our country, free of charge. Correspondence solicited. See article on Plant City. 90 Apply to this Agency for anything referring to land or investments. nUGUST PETERvSON, Sign and Ornamental D M. WELLS, M. D., PAINTER AND GRAINER. y„„ ^,. gypg^Of^^ Paper Hanger and House Fitter Satisfaction Guaranteed TAMPA. FLORIDA. PL.\NT CITY, FLORIDA. F. P. SECLOR. R. B. McLENDON, DRUGGIST & PHARMACIST, Proprietor, Dealer in Drugs, Chemicals, Fancy and Toilet Articles, etc. TAMPA, FLORIDA. PLANT CITY HOTEL. Accommodations good, and board at reasonable rates. PLAXT CITY, FLORIDA. ^^ E. HAYNSWORTH, J B. ROBINSON, TINNER AND JOBBER GENERALLY, """"■• Keeps constantly on hand Cooking and Warm- ing Stoves, Roof-flanges of different pitch for side or comb of roof, and Stove-piping of all sizes and kinds. House Furnishing Tins, such as Valleys and Flashings: also Shingle Tins. Roofing and Guttering a Specialty. T.\MPA, FLORIDA. ROBINSON HOUSE. Board by the day or week at reasonable rates .. accommodations good. Give us a trial. PLANT CITY, FLORIDA. Write to tlii.>> Agency for information ou the best and eheape.'-t route Li this part of Florida. You can save nionev by it. 91 Apply to this Agency for anything referring to land or investments. W. J. MORSE, L EO. TAUFKIKCH, ARCHITECT AND BUILDER, BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, TAMPA. FLORIDA. TA5IPA. FLORIDA. HK. J. A. GIDDENS, D R. DUFF POST, * DENTIST.* * DENTIST.* GraiUiate of Peuusylvaula College, Philacleli)lHa. Gas administered. Offii-e over Mactarlaue & Cleaveland's Shoe SU>re, TAMPA, FLORIDA. Office Hours : '.I A. M. to 12 M., and 2 to r. p. U. Office over Leonardl Jt Co.'s Drug Store TAMPA. FLORIDA. D it. M. M. HILL, H AMPTON & JONES, PHYSICIAN P.^" SURGEON, REAL ESTATE AGENTS. Office over Leonardi's Drug Store. TAMPA, FLORIDA. TAMPA, FLORIDA. Write to this Agency for information on the best and cheapest route to tliis part of Florida. You can save monev bv it. 92 Apply to this Agency for anything referring to land or investments. pETTINGILL & CO., J H. WELLS, STATIONERY, MACHINE SHOP. School and Blank Books, Wall Paper, Pictures All kinds of Mill Supplies furnished and all and Frames. Stationers' Specialties of all sorts kinds of repairing In iron and steel done on at wholesale and retail. Circulating Library. short notice. Franklin Street, TAMPA, FLORIDA. TAMPA, FLORIDA. J T. GUNN & CO., lUES. S. D. VAUGHAN, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Ladies' Hats, Hosiery, Shoes, etc. Dresses made Staple and Fancy to order. r^T^ or^i^T^ T T^^ A/TTT T TTvTT^T^^^ Flour, Grits, Meal and Bacon, etc. TAMPA, FLORIDA. H EEMANN & WEISSBEOD, Manufacturers of Fancy and Dress Goods. TAMPA, FLORIDA. C. L. FEIEBELE, Old Reliable SADDLES AND HARNESS. GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Repairing nicely and cheaply done. Buggies nicely re-covered. T.\MPA, FLORIDA. House established in 18.58. TAMPA, FLORIDA. Write to this Agency for information on the best and cheapest I'oute to this part of Florida. You can save money by it. 93 PROKESSIONAIv PAOE. U AMMOND ct JOHNSON, U/ALL & TUBMAN, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, i ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Office opposite Campbell Block, TAMPA, FLORIDA. Office 111 the Opera House, TAMPA, FLORIDA. S. M. Si'ARKMAN, state's Attorney, G. B. SPARKMAN, LUCItTS FINLEY. Notary Public BARRON Phillips. S. M. A- G. B. SPAKKMAN, ATTORNEYS .IT LAW And Solicitors in Chauoery, Will practice in all the State Courts of South Florida and the United States Circuit and Dis- trict lor the Southern District of Florida. FINLEY & PHILLIPS. ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Office In Henderson's Building, TAMPA, FLORIDA. LjUGH C. MACFAKLANE, W M. J. BERRY, ATTORNl^Y AT LAW, FIRST-CLASS TINNER. Office over Macfarlaue i: Cleavelaud's Shoe Store, TAMPA, FLORIDA. Guttering and Roofing done in best style. Ghira Building, TAMPA, FLORIDA. Write to this Agency for information on ttie best antl cheapest route to this p;irt of Florida. Y'ou can save money by it. 94 APPLY TO THIS AGENCY FOR ANYTHING REFERRING TO LAND OR INVESTMENTS. If you* want a home in Florida apply to this Agency. Facilities unsurpassed 1iy any in the State. Jas. H. Bkown. J- Geddie Fkaser. BROWN & ERASER, -^ PLASTERBRS,^ TAMPA, FLORIDA. Brick Work, Cementing and Kalsomining. CORNICING -:;:- AND * ORNAMENTING -:> A -:;:- SPECIALTY. Work done in any part of the State. All work guaranteed. TAMPA LUMBER COMPANY, Manufacturers of all kinds ot Fine * Lumber * Brackets * and * Mouldings. ALL KINDS OF FANCY WORK DONE. KOREION AND HONdE ORDKRS SOLICITED. NEW PAINT HOUSE, J.VCKSON STREET, TAMPA, FLA. A. B. MCKKNZIK, PROPRIKTTOR, Has just reooived and will keep constantly on hand a full supply of paints, oils, glass, putty, varnishes and all painters' and glaziers' supplies. Orders for work in any kind of painting, var- nishing, glazing and kalsomining will receive prompt attention. Estimates of any work fur- nished. Give us a call and work, and satisfaction guaranteed. Write to tliis Agency for information on the best and cheapest route to lliis part of Florida. Yo\i can save money hy it. 95 THE SOUTH FLORIDA RfllLROflD This popular tourist route and imporliiiu freight Hue eoiuiecis Tainiia with .lacksouviUc ami the eastern coast of Florida, via the St. Johns river. Upon the southern shore of I.ake Monroe, ii i)ortion of the St. Johns, Is Santord, the eastern terminus of the road in Orange county. From Sanford the road runs in a southwesterly course to Tampa, 115 miles, passing through the most beautiful and i>roductive section of Soutli Florida. From the car window the tourist sees constant changes of landscape and new scenes of beauty, as he is whirled around and among the sparkling fresli water lakes that dot the entire surface of the cfiuntry in Orange, Polk and Hillsborough counties. In Orange county are seen thriving orange groves and evidences of pros- perity and thrift not equaled in any other place in the South. Orange county is referred to as especially prosperous and thrifty, not because it is an older settled county, but because it has had for a longer time better transpoi-tation facilities tlian those enjoyed by the counties of Polk and Hillsborough further to the west; but the amazing strides that these two counties have made during the past year, since the South Florida Railroad has been opened to the Gulf of Mexico, give promise that at no distant future they will not only eiiual but outstrip their more advanced neiglibor. Orange county, in the race for wealth. The Soil along the line of the road is sandy, but capable of an extraordinary j)roduction and is wonderfully responsive to cultivation and care. In the hammocks a deep and fertile soil is found, and there can be grown, without the aid of fertilizer, all the products that man can de- sire. While the line of the South Florida Railroad passes through this delightful scenery and these rich lands It is important, not alone for its local business and to those who dwell along the line, but it connects South Florida with the North and West by lines of steamers and rail, giv- ing rapid and safe transportation to those who travel either tor T)usine9s or pleastire, and to the tender fruits and vegetables which are, by it, pushed forward, without delay, to the Northei-n anil Western markets. Kt Sanfonl a line of fast mail steamers connects with the fast mail trains of the South Flori- da Railroad, and makes the run in one night from Sanford to Jacksonville, there connecting with the fast mall trains of the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway, over the .\tlantic Coast line lor New York. Within a few weeks an all rail outlet from Hillsborough county, Tampa and points on the line of the South Florida Railroad, will be opened via Lakeland, Gainesville and Savannah, re- ducing the time from Tampa to Savannah more than eight hours and taking the productions of the west coast of Florida, without reloading or change of cars, direct from Tampa to tlie ship's side at Savannah; or, if rail transportation be preferred, to Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and Boston. I( a Western market is desired the same jjroduce can be carried there without change, without delay — thus Insuring to producers on the west coast the surest and (piickest transportation known in the South. .\11 property along the line is rapidly increasing in value and the new towns and villages con- stantly springing up, give evidence that th<)9e who have settled in Florida have come to stay and make the State their future and permanant home. It is the policy of the South Florida Railroad to encourage immigration and settlement on the land near its line and to offer to those who come to build up the country all the inducements consistent with strict business principles. The I'oad is first class In every respect, steel rails, a smooth road bed. first class (■(juipment, air brakes. Jauney couplers and platforms, heavy and powerful locomotives and a large corps of men on freight trains insures a rapid handling of freight, while careful management and strict orders and regulations guarantee that property shall be properly cared for and safely delivered at des- tination or to connecting lines. Passenger trains will compare favorably with those on tlio largest Northern roads and parlor cars give comfort and elegance to those desiring the luxury. at a lower )>rico than is generally charged for similar service elsewliere. 96 The principal towns along the line of the South Florida Railroad are Sanford, Longwood, Or- lando, Kissimmee, Auburndale, Bartow, Lakeland, Plant City and Tampa. At Lakeland a branch of the South Florida Ballroad extends north to Pemberton Ferry, there connecting with the Florida Southern Railroad which extends to CTainosvllle, at which point it connects with the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway, giving quick transportation ti^ all points in the North, East, South and West. Telegraph ofQces are at all these stations named and visitors will find good hotels and ample accommodations at all seasons of the year. At Tampa, the western ter- minus of the road, connection is made with steamers (during the season) for Havana, Key West, New Orleans, Cedar Key and all points on the west coast. This Is a favorite passenger line to Havana, as by taking It passengers avoid the long and tedious voyage from New York and save the miseries of sea sickness, making shorter time to Havana than by any other line. As an in- stance of the time to Havana, New York papers of Wednesday are delivered by this route, in Havana, on Sunday morning. At Tampa, connecting daily with the trains from Sanford, the fast and elegant steamer " Margaret " of the people's line (the same line that operates the fast mail service on the St. Johns river) makes dally trips to all points on Manatee river, that is : Palma Sola, Braidentown, Palmetto, Manatee and Ellenton, the great vegetable producing section of Florida, and she also stops at that Gem of the Gulf, Egmont Key. The sail down the Bay from Tampa to Manatee river is one that no traveler should miss ; for the beauties of this trip are un- excelled in the United States, and the bay is said to equal in beauty the far-famed Bay of Naples. Twice each week mail steamers leave Tampa for Key West, making the run to that noted city and returning the following day; thus bringing to Tampa from Key West and Havana the varied products of those tropical regions. The health of the country through which the road passes, will not only compare favorably with other sections of the South, but the health statistics of the Ifnited States show that the per- centage of deaths from sickness is smaller in Florida than in any other State in the Union. All the more violent forms of sickness known In the North, such as diphtheria, pneumonia, scarlet fever, etc.. etc., are here unknown, and, by ordinary prudence, even the slightest case of chills and fever can be avoided. For full particulars and information apply to, KREDERICK H. RAND, General Freight and Passenger Agent, S. F. R. R., SANFORD, FLORIDA. / r^ "^ -Hf^ "^r* '^V" '^" "SP J i 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 11 U I LLl € f) V. ( f» ^^ ^ ^^ ^^ ft C €. K o* y o f ^ ft t^ o $ o o ^^ ^^^r.^' 525a5H5E5a5H5H5ZHa5E5HSE5H5HSHEH5H5E5H5H5H5H5E5H5HSfH5a5H5H5H C3>1 -« T7t >-; -«Q3>s ■<^D>$5<^B>'. "^''^"tiri'^