J 
 
 Qass ESU 
 
 Book tvC?3 
 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRI CULTURE^ 
 
 FLORIDA. ^^ 
 
 A fPAMPHLET DESCRIPTIVE 
 
 OF ITS 
 
 History, Topography, Climate, Soil, 
 
 RESOURCES AND NATURAL ADVANTAGES, 
 IN GENERAL AND BY COUNTIES. 
 
 Prepared in the Interest of Immigration 
 
 BY THE 
 
 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
 B. E. McLiN, Commissioner. 
 
 I. K. Hilson. State Printer, 
 iailahassee, FI«. 
 
 1904. 
 
15 NOV 1905 
 D.otO, 
 

 sS 
 Q 
 
 X 
 
 -^ 
 72 
 
 JO 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Under a provision of the constitution of 1885, ■estab- 
 lishing a Department of Agriculture of the State of Flor- 
 ida, the Legislature of 1889 passed an act setting in mo- 
 tion the work of the Department, and authorizing the 
 Commissioner of Agriculture to publish a Hand Book of 
 the State, setting forth her resources and advantages as a 
 home for those, who for divers reasons either wish to, 
 or must have a change in habitation, business pursuits, 
 or who come onh- on pleasure bent. 
 
 The Commissioner of Agriculture was unable earlier to 
 complay with this requirement for the lack of sufficient 
 funds, till the Legislature of 1901, passed an act appro- 
 priating money for the purpose. 
 
 In providing material for this work, the llepartment 
 consulted the Boards of County Commissioners of each 
 county, as also many of the best informed persons in the 
 several counties." To the requests for information de- 
 S'criptive of the various resources of each county, twenty- 
 seven counties responded either directly oi' through a 
 recognized representative; the work on the remaining 
 eighteen counties from data in this office, and the ex- 
 perience and knowledge of the writer concerning them. 
 
 While much the greater part of the material used in 
 this work is entirely new, we are frank to say that we 
 have used with a free hand, the ideas of our predecessors, 
 and other publications, ])ertinent to the subjv'^cts dis- 
 cussed, and specially with reference to the brief histori- 
 cal sketch with which the work opens. 
 
 It was deemed important in the scoj)e and preparation 
 of this Hand Book to give, with considerable detail, the 
 
principal events of history, as well as a description of 
 the population, including some of its numerous charac- 
 teristics, an account of the public institution, State gov- 
 ernment, its educational establishment, and others. 
 
 A general account is also given of the Agricultural, 
 Horticultural, Pomological, and stock raising possibili- 
 ties of our State, and a complete census of all products 
 for 1J>02, and the census of population of 1900. We do 
 not think *we are assuming too much when we claim for 
 our State a position second to no other in the Union, 
 along the lines indicated. 
 
 In variety and salubrity of climate, in general pro- 
 ductiveness of her soils, in the inestimable blessing of a 
 healthful and never failing water supply, in both rail 
 and water facilities of transportation, in educational ad- 
 vantages, in the moral tone of her people, and the almost 
 unbroken good order of society, no State of our day and 
 generation can more justly claim a happier condition or 
 a higher civilization. 
 
 We tender our special thanks to all those who have so 
 ably assisted us in furnishing material for this work, 
 and we send forth this Hand Book with the hope that it 
 will be the means of bringing benefit to the State, and 
 receive the' approval of those most interested — the peo- 
 ple of Florida. 
 
PART I. 
 
 Historical. 
 
 Ou March 2", 1512, Florida was discovered by Juan 
 Ponce De Leon, a Spanisli soldier and adventurer, who 
 having heard fabulous stories of a new land of gold, de- 
 termined to find and appro])riate it; he landed near where 
 St. Augustine now stands; the day being Easter Sun- 
 day (the Pascua Florida or feast of Flowers of the 
 Eoman Catholic Church), the name Florida was given to 
 the country by its discoverer, and the name was after- 
 ward bestoweu upon a region indefinite in extent, covering 
 a much larger territory than the present State includes. 
 Marvelous tales of gold to be obtaiiK^d, were told him, 
 and also of the existence of a spviiiu, whose magic waters 
 would bestow upon all mankind, elernal youth; in quest 
 of the latter even more than gold, lie S])ent a long and 
 weary p'eriod in fruitless search, wliich he at last aban- 
 doned and sailed for home: Four years later bound upon 
 the same errand, he again set sail for Florida in search of 
 gold and the fabled fountain, but lliis time lie met with 
 powerful resistance from the natives, and after being 
 dangerously wounded by an arrow lie took his departure, 
 after havin-.? taken possession of the country in the name 
 of the king of Spain. 
 
 In the mean time Diego de Mirullo had also discovered 
 the country, and sailing along the coast traded with the 
 natives obtaining in return for his Avares a small amount 
 of gold. 
 
 In 1.517, the peninsula of Florida was again visited by 
 civilized man, this time by Fernandez de Cordova, who 
 landed on the east coast; his expedition amounted to 
 nothing and he was driven off by the inhabitants. 
 
 Six years later on the ITIh of June. 1.527, the first at- 
 tempt at concfuest was made by Pamphilo de Narvaez. 
 who came direct from Si>aiii. and aiu-hored in what 's 
 known as Clear Water Harbor April 1-tth, 1.52S. and 
 
lauded Ui) lucu and 80 lioi-.scs. He obtained from Charles 
 Y. wlio tbeu ruled over Spaiu a jirant of all the lands 
 from Cape Florida to the river Teuiico. He attempted a 
 march iiortluvard, but was forced to fight his way un- 
 ceasingly, and after untold hardships, finally reached the 
 coaist again near the present St. ^Marks ; he constructed u 
 few boats aud rafts, having slaughtered his horses, and 
 put to sea, where he with most of his troops perished by 
 shipwreck near the Penuco river. 
 
 In 1531), Fernando de Soto, landed at the present site 
 of Tampa on Tampa Bay, with about 1,000 men and 350 
 horses, and one cannon ; he marched over much of the 
 interior of Florida and finally spent the winter near Tal- 
 lahassee on what is known as Fort San Louis hill; he 
 met with greater success than any of his predecessors, 
 and in the spring of 1540. went northward out of Flor- 
 ida, and thence west to the Mississippi river where he 
 died in 1542; his army then going to pieces a small rem- 
 nant succeeded in reaching ^Mexico, the rest perished; his 
 vessels had however discovered Pensacola Harbor, and 
 the re]>ort of its great value and beauty, led Don Tristan 
 de Luna to form a settlement there on August J I, 1550. 
 Although his army nund)ered some 1500 men the natives 
 fought him so \igorously and determinedly that he 
 abandoned the settlement ; after this, division of opinion 
 and factioiusi confiicts so moved the Spanish island 
 colonies that they let Florida alone till 1502. 
 
 In 1502. a French expedition under Captain Jean 
 Ribault, discovered the St. Johns River, and built a fort 
 on a bluff near the nmuth. As soon as he left the colo- 
 nists, however, they began to rob the natives, and they 
 were soon on the ])oint of starvation — planting no oorn 
 themselves and the Indians refusing to feed them. An 
 English fleet of four vessels. und(»r Cajitaiu John Haw- 
 kins, su])])licd them with ])rovisions. and so the St. Johns 
 became known throughout Europe. 
 
 In the same year 1562, Admiral de Coligny, a French- 
 man, desiring to rescue his Huguenot followers from the 
 cruel persecutions to which they were subjected in 
 France, made preparations to send them to Anu^rica, and 
 in the winter of 1503-04, a company of them under Laud- 
 onniere was landed on the coast below what is now St. 
 Augustine. Heiv they established themselves on their 
 
new territory. A\heii, early in 1565, the Spanish Don 
 Pedro Meueudez pounced upon them, killed nearly the 
 whole of them, and hanged them on the trees in th-a vicin- 
 ity, with an inscription over their heads, that they wore 
 killed ''not as Frenchmen, but as heretics and enemies of 
 God." Leaving a garrison there, Mendeuez prooe^^ded lo 
 what is now the site of St. Augustine, and there started 
 the first permanent settlement of the peninsula. 
 
 In 1580, it was captured by Sir Francis Drake, but was 
 afterwards restored to the Spaniards. In 1600, Pensacola 
 was settled by Spaniards. In 1763 Florida was ceded by 
 Spain to Great Britain in exchange for the Qaeeai of the 
 Antilles.-' 
 
 The Spanish King claimed all Florida, and bitterly 
 complained to the French and English courts of the in- 
 trusion of their subjects. But for a long time the Span- 
 iards were compelled to fight the Indians as well as resist 
 attacks from the colonists in Carolina and Georgia, so 
 that they fortified St. Augustine by building the strong 
 fort of San Marco. The French also captured Pensacola 
 in 1719, but it was almost immediately retaken by Gov- 
 ernor Mtetamoras, and was again taken by the French. 
 When peace was made, in 1722, the city was restored to 
 the Spaniards, who now rebuilt it on Santa Rosa Island, 
 near the spot where Fort Pickens now stands. 
 
 But the English continued their desultory war on the^ 
 Spaniards In Florida. In 1710 General Ogletlvorpe of 
 Georgia, reinforced by a Carolina regiment, beseiged St. 
 Augustine, but failed to take it. and in 1712 a Spanish 
 fleet of thirty-six sail, under Governor Monteano. entered 
 the harbor of St. Simons, in Georgia, and drove Governor 
 Oglethorpe from his temporary works. Governor Mon- 
 teano followed and attacked him at Frederica, but was 
 scared away by a decoy letter and the sudden ai)i)earance 
 of three vessels off the coast, hoing; led to believe that 
 they were the advance guard of an English fleet, he 
 hurried back to St. Augustine. And in 174.'> Oglethorpe 
 made a sudden descent upon St. Augustine. caj)tured a 
 few Spaniards, and sailed away in his turn. These at- 
 tacks, however, produced no lasting effects, and many 
 of less note are entirely disregarded. 
 
 But in 1750 di.s.sentions arose in the Creek Confederacy, 
 which then occupied those portions of Alabama and Geor- 
 
8 
 
 gia immediateh- north of the present boundary of Flor- 
 ida. In consequence of these the Chief Secoffee separated 
 from the parent tribe and settled in what is now Alachua 
 County. Through these the Florida Indians became en- 
 gaged in hostilities with the Creeks, and the results were 
 important when the Seminole war broke out. For 
 Secoffee's followers were called Seminoles, or refugees, 
 and gradually the name was extended to all the Indians 
 of Florida because they made common cause with their 
 guests, although these were intruders forced upon the 
 weakened remnant left after a century of war with their 
 European invaders. 
 
 In 1763 by treaty Spain ceded to Great Britain East 
 and West Florida in exchange for Havana and the west 
 part of Cuba, then held by the English. By proclamation 
 the King of Great Britain divided Florida into East 
 Florida, extending to the Apalachicola River, and West 
 Florida to the Mississippi River and north to latitude 31 
 degrees. General James Grant was the first English 
 Governor of East Florida. In tlie same year Pensacoki 
 was first laid out as a city, with streets at right angles, 
 making the squares 400x200 feet. 
 
 In I'Ji'u: Dennis Rolle obtained a grant of 40.000 acres 
 on the east side of the St. Johns, just south of the present 
 site o'J l*a]atka. and founded Rollestown by bringing Eng- 
 lish colonists. The same year the English built the 
 King's Road from Fort Barrington to St. Angustine— 
 the post being subscribed bv the ])ublic-iS^irited men in 
 Florida. 
 
 In 1707 some ],.jOO Greeks, Italians, and Minorcans in- 
 dentured t(» work for a company organized in London, 
 were brought to New Smyrna, on the east coast, by Sir 
 William Duncan and Dr. Andrew Turnbull. They were 
 treated harshly and suffered many hardships, liually 
 breaking tlieir indentures and removing to St. Augustine 
 in 177'). And in the same year the Governor of East 
 Florida i-ailed out his militia to join the royal troo])s in 
 resisting ''the ]"!erfidious insinuations" of the neighboring 
 colonies. 
 
 In 1778. i]io British General Prevost marched from 
 Florida upoi Savannah and other towns of Georgia, and 
 captured them. The citizens of the Southern States were 
 
li 
 
 greatly annoved by frequent incursions and raids from 
 Florida. 
 
 In 1781 Colonel Patrick Tonyn, (lovernor of East Flor- 
 ida, called a General Assembly, which met at St. Augus- 
 tine, March 17, but was in no way memorable. While it 
 was in session, Don Bernardo Galvez, with a naval force 
 under Admiral Solana, sailed from Havana and invested 
 Pensacola, then garrisoned by 1,000 English under Gen- 
 eral Campbell, blew up Fort Barrancas and restored that 
 city to the Spanish flag. 
 
 The country west of Pensacola was then ceded back to 
 Spain by Great Britain. During all these changes it is 
 interesting to notice how the neighboring islands narrow- 
 ly escaped the final fate of the mainland. For besides 
 the close connection generally maintained between Flor- 
 ida and the Spanish islands, it was in 1783 that Colonel 
 Devereux sailed from St. Augustine, and, with only fifty 
 men, captured the Bahamas and annexed them to the 
 British crown, although in the same year England ceded 
 East and West Florida again to Spain, agreeing to 
 evacHiate the country in three months. In the following 
 year (1781) Governor Zespedez took possession of all 
 Florida in the name of the King of Spain, He built a 
 fort at Jacksonville to guard the ferry on the Kings Koad, 
 as well as to open the line of communication between St. 
 Augustine and Pensacola. 
 
 The building of this fort gave considerable importance 
 to Jacksonville as a principal outpost, and owing to that 
 fact it was selected as the main point of attack by General 
 Mcintosh, who, marching down from Georgia, captured 
 the fort built by (Jovernor Zespedez, destroyed it, and also 
 burned a number of Spanish galleys which were anchored 
 in the river; this was in 1794. 
 
 But now the ])owerful tribe of Creek Indians under 
 their chief, Alexander McGillivray, became a factor in 
 the history of Florida, formed an alliance, offensive and 
 defensive with Spain, and checked the tide of immigra- 
 tion that had begun to push into Southern Georgia and 
 Florida. He prepared the Creeks and Florida Indians 
 to act together and laid the foundation for Ihat co-oi)fra- 
 tion which bore such fruits under Osceola. 
 
 But now again a part of Florida changed flags, for in 
 1795 Spain re-ceded to Frame all the counti-y claimed 
 
10 
 
 by her west of the Perdido River, which thei-eafter be- 
 oaiiie the boimdary of Florida. Spaiu made no attempt 
 to settle her portion, but granted monopolies to various 
 merchants in Pensacola, who traded with the Indians 
 for peltries and preserved a good understanding through 
 the influence of the Creek chiefs. In 1808 a band of 
 Creeks settled in Leon County, and their principal town 
 was near the old i^apital of Anhayea. where De Soto spent 
 the winter of 15ol)-40, and their chief, Nehamathla, gave 
 the name of Tallahassee to the capital of the State. So 
 that practically our capital city has been the site of two 
 ancient towns. 
 
 When Louisiana was ceded to the United States in 
 1803. the terms of the treaty gave our government a claim 
 to the lands lying west of the Perdido River, then known 
 as* a part of West Florida. 
 
 January 15, 1811. Congress authorized the President to 
 seize West Florida if any foi'eign jx^wer attempted to oc- 
 cu]>v it. so that tlie spirit of the Monroe doctrine was 
 already abroad in the land. But the Georgians were only 
 too anxious to cross the border, aud in 1812 a number of 
 settlers along the northern boundary organized a Provis- 
 ional Government, elected John H. Mcintosh Governor^ 
 and Colonel Ashley general, and avowed their determina- 
 tion to hold out against all comers. Fernandina was at 
 this time a neutral town, where all the elements met to 
 trade, but the Spaniards grew uneasy and garrisoned it, 
 ]>lacing Don Jose Lopez in command. This was too much 
 for "Governor" Mcintosh, who immediately beseiged aud 
 took it, March 12, 1812. 
 
 In the same year the monun)ent in the plaza at St. Au- 
 gustine was erected by order of the Spanish Cortes, to 
 commemorate the liberal constitution which gave some- 
 thing like ''autonomy" to the colonies. The Governor 
 also sent from St. Augustine a company of negroes who 
 attacked a number of invalided men of the United States 
 Army and killed their commander. Lieutenant Williams. 
 Thus the irritation between the Americans and Spaniards 
 grew daily more bitter, and the end was at hand. Runa- 
 way negroes from Georgia were continually escaping 
 aoTvvcg, the Florida liiie. and the Spaniards i-efused to give 
 them up when required to do so. They settled along the 
 Apalachicola River, where Governor Nichols had built a 
 
11 
 
 fort and a iiarrison under Colonel Blount on the bhilT 
 wlc'ic IJlountstov.n now stands. 
 
 In Aujj^ist. 1814. a British fleet entered Pensarola bay 
 and garrisouefJ the forts by reqnt^st of rh? S{»ani>h Gov 
 ernoi. This «yme within the letter uf the law .liitlioriz- 
 ing th«' I'resjdtnt to seize West Florida if a foreign j»o\\er 
 attempted to « ccupy it. General Andrew Jackson, with 
 5,0<'(> Tennessee volunteers, captured IVnsaco!:!. and 1'ort 
 J.arraiK ;is vv;is blown up by ihe British. Nor did Jack- 
 sou stoiJ here — under his orders Colonel I>n»ic.iu 1... Clinch 
 laarched again>t the negro settlement on the A[>ala< hicola 
 Ui\er. with a irody of Creek Indians as anxiliaries. and 
 two schooners mailed up from the Gulf to co operate. 
 Clinch s-urrouuded the fort, but would not attack, where- 
 upon the i.w€ beats gjtened fire. A hot shot from the boat 
 known as '•I'yi.'" penetrated to the jiowder^ maga;'/ine left 
 by the I'.iilish. and the fort blew uj) — out of ftna persons 
 within the •Mrlbwork only fifty men werr* te[)orreii saved. 
 
 General Jackson, with the Creeks, mad*' an inrcid into 
 Florida in "ISIS. took the Miccosukee and Fowl tcwns. 
 and on his return captured a Sjiauish fort at St. Marks 
 Bay. He then accused the Spanish (iovoruor of Fensa- 
 cola of obstru*ting the passage of his supplies on the Es- 
 cambia Kiver. marched back and took the city, and held 
 it for the FuitPd States. S])ain now despairoti of holdiLg 
 the country, and sold both East and West Florida to the 
 United Stni^s for $.5.0(10.000. stipulating that all her 
 grants must be respected. The <"hange of tlags was 
 effected at St. J>ugustiue. July 10. 1S21, .'uid -it IVn.^acola, 
 July 21. General Jackson was then appointed irovernor. 
 
 On 1 )cccii5b':'r 20 of the same year, Jaan. P. Sjilas. who 
 held under a Spanish grant, flated 1."^!'.. sold his title to 
 the Island of Key West to .John W. Simonton. 
 
 On yUicli :'.o, 1S22. Congress declared Florida a Terri- 
 tory of the Cnited States, and William P. Duval was ap- 
 pointed (?o\ernor. The first legislative council met at 
 Pensacol:. in June, 1822. but Congress dec!ai*e«l the two 
 provinces tinited into one. and the next council met at 
 St. Augustine March nO. 1823. 
 
 In September. 1823. a treaty was made with Ihe Semi- 
 nole Irdians at Moultrie, near St.* Augustine, by which 
 they agreed ro send some of their chiefs to the west to 
 report on iJic country, with a view to removing. 
 
12 
 
 In I8'2i T)r. William H. Simmons and John L. Wil- 
 liams, r'o)iniiissioners for the Legislative Council, selected 
 Tallahassee for the seat of government, and the first 
 honse in the i\ow capital was erected that winter. 
 
 The chiefs who had been sent to the w^est were induced 
 to sign a treaty agreeing to emigrate without reporting 
 back to their people, and the attempt to inforce this 
 agreement brought on the Seminole war. In 1831 the of- 
 ficer ill roimiiand at Fort King, near Ocala, notified the 
 Indian agent that the chiefs i*e fused to emigrate. 
 
 The Seminole war may be said to have begun in 1835 
 with the murder of General Thompson at Fort King, near 
 Ocala, and the massacre of Major Dade's command near 
 the pres< nt line of the Florida Central & Peninsular Kail- 
 road. Hut of the many skirmishes and battles which 
 took ;)jace. .'aere is neither space nor need to tell--all 
 the In.ilians except a remnant had been removed to t)ie 
 West in 18:^'.>, but these carried on a desultory war till 
 1842. 
 
 Durin-: this war was fouight the battle of Alachua Sa- 
 vanna. !>ecembpr 10, 18r?5; the battle of Micanopy, De- 
 cember 2(f, 1835; the massacre of General Thompson's 
 party by ()sce_ola. December 28, 1835; the massacre of 
 Major Dad's command. December 28, 1835 ; the battle of 
 Withlacoochee, December 31, 1835; the second battle of 
 Micanopy, .January 9, 183G; the battle of Wetumka, the 
 same <lay; tlie battle of Dunlawton, January S, 183G; 
 second baitle of Withlacoochee. February 29, 183G; third 
 battle of ]Mi*-anopy. Jnne 9, 1830; battle of Wahoo 
 Swamps, November 17, 18 and 21, 1836; battle of Harchee- 
 lustee, Janaury 17, 1837. and the battle of Lak^: Monroe, 
 February 8. 1837. 
 
 A treaty with the Seminoles was concluded at Camp 
 Dade, Mi'.rch 0. 1837. Osceola and seventy-on-3 prisoners 
 were cajttiircd by General Jessup. in October, 1837. The 
 feattle of Okeechobee was fought December 25. 1837; that 
 of the Wa«assassa river the next day ; the one at Jupiter 
 Creek. Jann.uy 15. 1838. and that of Jupiter Inlet, ..Jan- 
 uary 21, 183N. Osceola- s death occurred at Fort Moul- 
 trie, January 30. 1838. The battle of Chackachatta took 
 place dune 2. 1840. and that of Wakahoota, Septeniber 0. 
 1840. In n<'cember, 1840, General Harney's expedition 
 to the Kvcrglades occurred. The last battle of the war — 
 
13 
 
 that of Pilaklikaha— was fought April 19, 1842, and the 
 war declared ended on the 14th of August following. 
 
 In 1842 the capitol building in Tallahassee was com- 
 pleted, having been begun in 1826. 
 
 In February, 1835, the severest cold ever known in 
 Florida occurred — the St. Johns was frozen several rods 
 from the shore, and the thermometer marked 7 degrees 
 above zero, a northwest wind blowing for three days. 
 
 The first railroad, from St. Joseph to Bayou Columbus, 
 was opened in 1836. 
 
 On the 30th of January, 1838, the territorial legisla- 
 ture passed an act, which was approved by Governor 
 Call February 2, 1838, for calling a convention to prepare 
 a state constitution. This convention met at St. Joseph, 
 December 3, 1838. and on the 11th of January, 1839, 
 agreed upon a constitution and a memorial to Congress 
 asking for admission into the Union as a State. This 
 measure was, however, delayed several years, and, in the 
 meantime, projects for the formation of two territories 
 were entertained, and bills for this purpose were intro- 
 duced in Congress, hut not passed. An act for the admis- 
 sion of Florida (including Iowa also) was at length 
 passed, March 3, 1845. Durifig this year William D. 
 Mosely became the first 'Governoi* of the new State. 
 
 In 1857 two State seminaries of learning were organ- 
 ized — one at Palatka and one at Tallahassee. The next 
 year nearly all the S^minoles and Miccosukees emigrated 
 to the West. 
 
 On January 3rd, 1861, in pursuance of an act of the 
 General Assembly, a convention assembled in Tallahas- 
 see, and on January 10th adopted the ordinance of seces- 
 sion, thus severing political relation with the Union. The 
 vote on the passage of the ordinance was 62 to 7, the res- 
 olution simply amending the constitution by inserting 
 the words ^'Confederate States" wherever the words 
 "United States" appeared in that document. The civil 
 war followed with all of its dire consequences, which we 
 will not attempt to deal with in this work. 
 
 In 1865 President Johnson by proclamation appointed 
 William Marvin Provisional Governor, and delegates 
 were elected to a State Convention at Tallahassee, which 
 adopted a new constitution without submission to the 
 people, and repealed the ordinance of secession. In 1866 
 
14 
 
 President Johnson declared "the insurrection which 
 heretofore existed in the State of Florida at an end." . 
 
 On January 20, 1868, the Constitutional Convention 
 assembled at Tallahassee and organized with forty-one 
 out of forty-six members, but immediately disagreed as 
 to the eligibility of four members. Thereupon, fifteen 
 niembcMS withdrew and decided not to atteul the meet- 
 ings. On February 6,,D. Richards, president of the con- 
 vention, announced the adoption of the new constitution. 
 With the period that followed we cannot deal in a space 
 so narrow, nor with the disputes that followed the count- 
 ing of the Presidential vote in 1876. But with the elec- 
 tion of Governor Drew, in that year, the development of 
 Florida as it now exists began. 
 
 In November, 1880, William D. Bloxham was elected 
 Governor, and soon after sold to Hamilton Disston and a 
 syndicate of Philadelphia capitalists, 4,000,000 acres of 
 land for |1,000.000. This sum rehabilitated the credit of 
 the State, which since then has been kept at the high- 
 water mark, and Florida entered upon an era of internal 
 devp]o])irent which has made he? one of the most prosper- 
 ous in the South, and must soon make of her one of the 
 richest. 
 
 In 1S85 a new Constitutional Convention met at Talla- 
 hassee and adopted a new 'constitution, which was sub- 
 mitted to the people for ratification in 1886, and went 
 into effect in 1887, by the proclamation of Governor 
 Perry. 
 
 In 1889. phosi)hate rock was discovered in Marion 
 County, at Dunnellou, and shortly following in many 
 other portions of the State. The effect was to give great 
 ]>r!iininpn(e to the possible mineral resources of the 
 State, and the investment of large amounts of foreign 
 capital. Continued development has proven the deposit 
 to be the largest and most important in the 'vorld. 
 
 On February 7th, 1895, a very severe cold wave passed 
 over the State, which, with the exception of one or two 
 protected localities in the far southern portion, destroyed 
 a)l tb' citi'us fruit gvov?s in the State. The trees were 
 full of sap following a term of very warm weather and a 
 temperature ranging about 10 to 12 degrees through the 
 fruit sections was more than the tree could stand. The 
 following is the record taken from the I'^^nited States 
 Weather Bureau reports : 
 
15 
 
 ( (MJ) WAVES AND FKOSTH OF 18!)r,. 
 
 The scvoie-st lolU wavo, more properly blizzard, envel- 
 oped Florida on February 7tli, Stli, 0th and LOth, beiii}; 
 severest on 81 h and Oth. This is the coldest weather of 
 which there :s any official record, or other information 
 reasonably leliable. The lowest temperature re[)orted. 
 as stated rtboAc. was 11 dejirees at Pensacola and Talla- 
 hassee on ih(> 8th. This cold wave was almost coexten- 
 sive with I he State, the only section escapinj^ beinp; the 
 extreme .southern part of the peninsular. It is conserv- 
 ativelv esiimated that it damaged the State to the extent 
 of .f.~)0.0(Mi.OO(). for the p-eater portion of the fruit inter- 
 ests wei-e killed: not only fruit l)einj; frozen, but trees 
 were killed io the ground. Last killinj; frost of sprinsr 
 occur led on March 4th at Lake City. Orange Park avtd 
 Tarpon Sjuinas. The first killing frost of autunui was 
 at Lake CiTv j-nd ^lilton on November 21st, an interval 
 of -262 da vs. 
 
 TRKCIPITATIOX. 
 
 Tlie niejiii an'-^ual ]»reci](itation for the Stat" was 45. .^0 
 inches, A\hicli is seven inches less than the amouuni of 
 1894, and more than eight (8) inches below the normal. 
 The greatest monthly amount was 21.08 inches at Jupiter 
 in October, and the least monthly amount 0.24 inches at 
 Key "West in Z>rovember. The igreatest annual an^^nnt, 
 72.47 inclies. at Jupiter; the least annual amount, 20.19 
 inches, at Kev West; the greatest amount in any 24 hours. 
 5.07 inches, at Plant City, July 11th and 12th.' 
 
 As usual, the stations*near the coast report the great- 
 est amount of precipitation, which is usually made ex- 
 cessive by the approach or passage of tro])ital hurri- 
 canes. 
 
 sxow. 
 
 More snow f'-ll during February than at any time sinic 
 the niele(nologioal service has been established in this 
 State. Traces of snow fell at Eustis on the 11th and 
 Ifith ; at Ja:ksonville. sleet and snow on the lltli contin- 
 uing for five (i)) minutes; at Lake City an inch of snow 
 on loth; there were drifts two to three inches vleep. It 
 was (he lirsr sriow since 1851-52. At Manatee, snow on 
 
16 
 
 Sth; ^loseley Hall, 14tb, said to have been the first in 
 fortj-thcefi jears; Mullet Key on 9th, melting soon as it 
 fell; Tallaliassfe, two (2) inches fell on the 14th and re- 
 mained on the grond till the lith; Tampa, on the Sth; at 
 Peasacola the snow was sufficient to permit of sleighing. 
 
 SLEET. 
 
 Archer, on l-lth; Jacksonville, 14th; Lake City, 15th; 
 Moseley Hnll, 14th, and Tallahassee, 15th. 
 
 As i hough the elements of nature still maintained an 
 unsatisfied grudge against the State, not content with 
 the desfruction wrought in 1895, she overwhelmed our 
 I)eopIe with a second demonstration of her ability to 
 wield fhe sceptor of her icy power and wrap the hopeful 
 prospects of a golden future in shrouds of the great 
 ''While Death," for on February 13th, 1899, another dis- 
 astrous cold wave fell ujx)n us with all its fury. Fol- 
 lowiUs? is tKe record : 
 
 A MEMORABLE FEBRUARY. 
 
 The montli gave radical departures from normal condi- 
 tions, and is unique wherein it recorded the coldest 
 weatlier obfaiaable from authoritative sources. The first 
 decade gave the lowest pressure and the second decade 
 the lowest temperature. Temperatures were abnormally 
 low ovr a large portion of the State on the Sth and 9th, 
 rising slowly thereafter until the 11th. The morning uf 
 the 13th was noted for temperatures ranging from 2 de- 
 grees below to 10 degrees above zero over extreme north- 
 ern and western counties. On the 13th and 14th freez- 
 ing conditions obtained over the entire State, on the last 
 named date becoming severe as far south as Dade county. 
 Temperatures continued low over the northern and cen- 
 tral section., until the 16th, when warmer weather set in. 
 On the night of the 12th and during the greater portion 
 of the a. m. of the 13th light snow fell over nortliern and 
 central sections. It extended as far south as DeSoto 
 county. Orange groves sufl'ered severely, the greater 
 numbeL' through central counties being killed to the 
 ground. 
 
 The mean monthly temperature was 4 degrees? below 
 the normal. The highest mean monthly temperature, 
 
17 
 
 70.2 (lo:^i('i^y. occurred at Kev West; the lowest mean 
 montiiiy, 4.'J.0 degrees, was recorded at Peusacoia. The 
 highest teniporature recorded during the month, S7 de- 
 grees, Ava.s> reported from Fort Meade; the lowest, -2 de- 
 grees, occcurred at Tallahassee on the 13th; absolute 
 range for the State during the month was 89 degrees. 
 Precipitation averaged 5.69 inches, which was quite 3 
 inches a))ove the normal. The greatest monthly total 
 was 11. -JO inches, at Kissimmee; the least, 2.77 inches at 
 Lemon City. The greatest amount for any twonty-four 
 consGcutivG hours was 6.05 inches at Myers. Ice formed 
 over every section of the State on the lith excepting Key 
 West. The j)revailing winds during the month were from 
 the southwest. 
 
 On May 3rd. 1901, the city of Jacksonville was swept 
 by one of the most disastrous conflagrations in modern 
 times; over 2,600 buildings in the principal business and 
 residence portions of the city were destroyed in a few 
 hours, involving a loss of about fifteen million of dollars; 
 at this time, a little over two years since the fire, a larger 
 number of new and finer buildings have been erected in 
 place of the old; the cit}' is practically rebuilt, hand- 
 somer and more prosperous than before. 
 
 Following is a list of the Territorial and State Execu- 
 tives, and United States Senators, and th^r terms of of- 
 fice, to the present date: 
 
 TERRITORIAL GOVERNORS. 
 
 Andrew Jackson 1821-1822 
 
 William P. Duval ', 1822-1834 
 
 John H. Eaton 1834-1836 
 
 Richard K. Call 1836-1839 
 
 Robert R. Reid 1839-1841 
 
 Richard K. Call 1841-1844 
 
 John Branch 1844-1845 
 
 STATE GOVERNORS. 
 
 William D. Moseley 1845-1849 
 
 Thomas Brown 1849-1853 
 
 James E. Broome 1853-1857 
 
 Madison S. Perry 1857-1861 
 
 2 H. F. 
 
18 
 
 John Milton 18G1-1865 
 
 William Marvin (Provisional) 1865-1866 
 
 David S. Walker 1866-1868 
 
 Harrison Reid 1868-1872 
 
 Ossian B. Hart (died) 1872-1874 
 
 Marcel) US L. Stearns 1874-1877 
 
 George F. Drew 1877-1881 
 
 William D. Bloxham 1881-1883 
 
 Edward A. Perrv 1885-1889 
 
 Francis P. Fleniing 1889-1893 
 
 Henrv L. Mitchell 1893-1897 
 
 William D. Bloxham 1897-1901 
 
 W. S. Jennings 1001-1905 
 
 UNITED STATES SENATORS FOR FLORIDA. 
 
 '' James D. Westcott. Jr 1845-1849 
 
 -? David L. Yulee 1845-1851 
 
 Jackson Morton 1849-1855 
 
 ^ Stephen R. Mallorv 1851-1861 
 
 5 David L. Yulee . .' 1855-1861 
 
 Seats vacant in Thirty-seventh, Thirty-eighth, and 
 ■> Thirty-ninth Congress. 
 
 ' Thom'as W. Osborn 1868-1873 
 
 V Adoni jah H. Welch . ^ 1868 
 
 £? Abijah Gilbert 1869-1875 
 
 , 7 Simon B. Conover 1873-1879 
 
 ^ ,, Charles W. Jones 1875-1887 
 
 ^iVilkinson Call .1879-1897 
 
 /■ Samuel Pasco 1887-1899 
 
 /'Stephen R. Mallorv 1897-1903 
 
 J. P. Taliaferro . .' 1899 
 
 iStephen R. Mallorv 1903 ■ 
 
CONHTITUTIOrS^ 
 
 # 
 
 OF THE 
 
 STATE OF FLORIDA, 
 
 ADOPTED BY THE 
 
 CONVENTION OF 1885. 
 
 [As Amended.] 
 
 PREAMBLE. 
 
 We, the people of tlie State of Florida grateful to Al- 
 mighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to 
 secure its blessings and to forui a more prefect govern- 
 ment. insviiJDg domestic tranquility, maintaining pub- 
 lic order, and guaranteeing equal civil and political 
 ri^ts to all. do ordain and establish this Constitution. 
 
 BECLAEATION OF RIGHTS. 
 
 Section 1. All men are equal before the law. and have 
 certain inalienable rights, among which are those of en- 
 joying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possess- 
 ing and protecting property, and pui'siuing happiness and 
 obtaining safety. 
 
 Sec. 2. All political power is inherent in the people. 
 Government is instituted for the protection, security and 
 benefit of the citizens and they have the right io alter 
 or amend the same whenever the jniblic good may re- 
 quire it; but the paramount allegiance of everv citizen 
 
20 
 
 is due to the Federal Goverumeut, and the people of this 
 State have no power to dissolve its connection therewith. 
 
 Sec. 3. The right of trial by jury shall be secured to all, 
 and remain inviolate forever. 
 
 Sec. 4. All courts in this State shall be open, so that 
 ■every person for any injury done him in his lands, goods 
 person or reputation shall have remedy, by due course of 
 law, and right and justice shall be administered without 
 sale, denial or delay. 
 
 Sec. 5. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious 
 profession and worship shall forever be allowed in this 
 State, and no porsbu shall be rendered incompetent as a 
 witness on account of his religious opinions; but the lib- 
 erty of cons< iv'nce hereby secured shall not be so con- 
 strued as to Justify licentiousness or practices subvei'sive 
 of, or inconsistent with, the peace or moral safety of the 
 State or society. 
 
 Sec. 6. No preference shall be given by law to any 
 church, sect or mode of worship and no money shall ever 
 be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly 
 in aid of any church, sect or religious denomination, or 
 in aid of any sectarian institution. 
 
 Spc. 7. The writ of Jmbeas corpus* shall be grantable 
 speedily and of right, freely and without cost, and shall 
 never be suspended unless, in case of rebellion or inva- 
 sion, the public safety may require its suspension. 
 
 iSec. 8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor exces- 
 sive fines be imposed, nor cruel or unusi^al punishment or 
 indefinite imprisonment be allowed, nor shall witnesses 
 be unreasonably detained. 
 
 Sec. 9. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sure- 
 ties, except for capital offences, where the proof is evidenf 
 or the presumption great. 
 
 Sec. 10. No person shall be tried for a capital crime or 
 other felony, unless on presentment or indictment by a 
 grand jury, except as is otherwise provided in this Con- 
 stitution, and except in case of impeachment, and la 
 cases in the militia when in active service in time of war, 
 or which the State, with the consent of Congress, may 
 keep, in time of peace. 
 
 Sec. 11. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall 
 have the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impar- 
 tial jury, in the county where the crime was committed. 
 
21 
 
 and shall be heard by himself, or counsel, or both, to de- 
 mand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, 
 to meet the witnesses against him face to face, and have 
 compulsory process for the attendance of witnesses in 
 his favor, and shall be furnished with a copy of the in- 
 dictment against him. 
 
 Sec. 12. No person shall be subject to be twice put in 
 jeopardy for the same offence, nor compelled in any crim- 
 inal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived 
 of life, liberty or property without due process of law; 
 nor shall private property be taken without just compen- 
 sation. 
 
 Sec. 13. Every person may fully speak and write his 
 sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the 
 abuse of that right, and no laws shall be passe.l to re- 
 strain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In 
 all criminal prosecutions and civil actions for libel the 
 truth may be given in evidence to the jury, and if it skall 
 appear that the matter charged as libellous is trtie, and 
 was published for good motives, the party shall be ac- 
 quitted or exonerated. 
 
 Sec. 14. No person shall be comiH'lled to pay costs ex- 
 cept after conviction, on a final trial. 
 
 Sec. 15. The ]»eop1e shall have the right to assemble to- 
 gether to consult for the common good, to instruct their 
 representatives, and to |>etition the Legislature for re- 
 dress of grievances. 
 
 Sec. 10. No person shall be imprisoned for debt ex- 
 cept in case of fraud. 
 
 Sec. 17. Xo. bill of attninder, cr post facto law, nor any 
 law impairing the obligation of conti-ncts. shall cv^m* !>e 
 passed. 
 
 Sec. IS. Foreigners shall have the same rights as to the 
 ownershij). inheritance and disposition of property in 
 this State as citizens of the State. 
 
 Sec. 19. Xeither slavery nor involuntary servitude, ex- 
 cept as a punishment for crime, whereof the party has 
 been duly convicted shall ever be allowed in tkis State. 
 
 Sec. 20. Tlie right of the peo]»le to he;\v arms in defence 
 of themselves and the lawful authority of the State, shall 
 not be infringed. Init the Legislature may prescribe the 
 manner in which they may be borne. 
 
Sec. 21. The military shall in all cases and at all timea 
 be in strict subordination to the civil power. 
 
 Sec. 22. The right of the people to be secure in their 
 persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable 
 seizures and searches, shall not be violated, and no war- 
 rants issiied but upon probable cause, supported by oath 
 or affirmation, particularly describing the place or places 
 to be searched, and the person or persons, and thing or 
 things to be seized. 
 
 Sec. 23. Treason against the State shall consist only in 
 levying war against it, adhering to its enemies, or giving 
 them aid and comfort; and no person shall be convicted 
 of treason excepjt on the testimony of two witnesses to 
 the same overt act, or confession in open court, and no 
 conviction for treason shall work corruption of blood or 
 forfeiture of estate. 
 
 Sec. 24. This enunciation of rights shall not be con- 
 strued to impair or deny others retained by the people. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 BOrXDAUTFS. 
 
 The bouM(l;iries of the State of Florida shall be as fol- 
 lows: roiniiicncing at the mouth of the river I'efdido; 
 from them t' ud tlic middle of said river to where it in- 
 tersects the south boundary line of the State of Alabama, 
 and the diivty-first degree of north latitude; thence due 
 east to the Chattahoochee river; thence down the middle 
 of said river to its confluence with the Flint river; thence 
 istraight to the head of the St. ^larys river; thence down 
 the middle of said river to the Atlantic ocean; thence 
 southeastw.'t'dly along the coast to the edge of the Gulf 
 Stream; thence southwestwardly along tlie edge of the 
 Gulf <treaiii and Florida Reefs to and including the Tor- 
 tugas '^lands; thence northeastwardly to a point three 
 league> fi-om ihe mainland; thence northwestwardly 
 three lea.i-ues fi-oni the land, to a point west of the mouth, 
 of the Perdido river; thence to the {dace of beginning. 
 
23 ) 
 
 ARTICLE ir. 
 
 DISTRIF.UTTOX OF POWERS. 
 
 The powers of the ooveninient of tlie State of Florida 
 shall be divided into three departments— Legislative, Ex- 
 ecutive and Judicial; and no person properly belonging 
 to one of the departments shall exercise any powers ap- 
 pertaining to either of the others, except in cases ex- 
 pressly provided for by this Constitution. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Section 1. The Legislative authority of this State shall 
 1)^ vested in a Senate and a House of Representatives, 
 which shall be designated, "The Legislature of the State 
 of Florida," and the sessions thereof shall be held at the 
 seat of government of the State. 
 
 See. 2. The regnlar sessions of the Legislj^ture shall be 
 held biennially, commencing on the tirst Tuesday after 
 the first Monday in April, A. D. 1887, and on the corre- 
 sponding day of every second year thereafter, but the 
 Governor may convene the same in extra session by his 
 proclamation. Regular sessions of the Legislature may 
 extend to sixty days, but no special session convened by 
 the Governor shall exceed twenty days. 
 
 * Sec. 3. The members of the House of Representatives 
 of the State of Florida shall be chosen biennially begin- 
 ning with the general election on the first Tuesday after 
 the first jlonday in November. 1808, and thorealtcv on 
 the cori*esponding day of every second year. 
 
 Sec. 4. Senators and members of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives shall be duly qualified electors in the respec- 
 tive counties and districts for which they were chosen. 
 The pay of members of the Senate and House of Repre- 
 sentatives shall not exceed six dollars a day for each day 
 of session, and mileage to and from their homes to the 
 
 • Amended in 1896. 
 
f .24 
 
 «eat of government, not to exceed ten cents a mile each/ 
 way, by the nearest and most practicable route. 
 
 Sec. 5. No Senator or member of the House of Kepveseu- 
 tatives shall, during the time for which he was elected, 
 be appointed or elected to any civil office under the Con- 
 stitution of this State, that has been created, or the 
 emoluments whereof shall have been increased during 
 such time. 
 
 Sec. 6. Each House ^hall judge of the qualifications, 
 elections and returns of its own members, choose its own 
 officers, and determine the rules of its proceedings. The' 
 Senate shall, at the convening of each regular session 
 thereof, choose from among its own members a perma- 
 nent President of the Senate, who shall be its presiding 
 officer. The House of Representatives shall, at the con- 
 vening of each regular session thereof, choose from among 
 its own members a permanent Speaker of the House of 
 Representatives, who shall be its presiding officer. Each 
 House may punish its own members for disorderly con- 
 duct : and each House, with the concurrence of two-thirds 
 of all of its members present, may expel a member. 
 
 Sec. 7. No person holding a lucrative office or appoint- 
 ment under the United States or this State, shall be eli- 
 gible to a seat in the Legislature of this State. 
 
 Sec. 8. The seat of a member of either House shall be va- 
 cated on his permanent change of residence from the dis- 
 trict or county from which he was elected. 
 
 Sec. 0. Either House during the session may punish by 
 fine or imprisonment any person not a member who shall 
 have been guilty of disoi^derly or contemptuous conduct 
 in its presence, or of a refusal to obey its lawful sum- 
 mons, but such imprisonment shall not extend beyond 
 the final adjournment of the session. 
 
 Sec. 10. Either House shall have power to compel the 
 attendance of witnesses upon any investigations held by 
 itself, or by any of its committees; the. manner of the 
 exercise of such power shall be provided by law. 
 
 Sec. 11. A majority of each House shall, constitute a 
 .quorum to do business, but a smaller number may ad- 
 journ from day to day. and compel the presence of absent 
 members in snob manner and under such penalties as It 
 may prescribe. 
 
Sec. 12. Each House shall keep a Journal of its own 
 proceedings, which shall be published, and the veas and 
 nays of the members of either Hou^e on any question 
 shall, at the desire of any five members present, be en- 
 tered on the Journal. 
 
 Sec. lo. The doors of each House s.hr.11 be ke])t open 
 durin^:^ i'lS session, except the Senate wliile sitting in 
 Executive session; and neither shall, without the lousent 
 of thvi other, adjourn for more than three days, or ro any 
 other town than that in which they may be holding their 
 session. 
 
 Sec. 14. Apv bill may originate in either House of ihe 
 Le(gislatur(\ ii\u\ after being passed in one House may be 
 amended in the other. 
 
 Sec. 15. The enacting clause of every law .>hall be as 
 follows: ''He it enacted by the Legislature of the State 
 of Florila." 
 
 Sc^. lo. Each law enacted in the T>egislature shall em- 
 brace but (me subject and matter projierly cninieerf^d 
 therewith, wliich subject shall be briefly expressed in the 
 title; and no law shall be amended or revised by Tefcr'Mi<e 
 to its title only, but in such case the act. as revised, or 
 section, as amended, shall be re-enacted and published at 
 length. 
 
 * Sec. 17. ]>.-ery bill shall be read by its tiile. on its 
 first reading, in either house, unless oue-tlnvil of ilip 
 member.- present desire it read by sections. Every bill 
 shall be read on three several days unless two thirds nf 
 the members ])resent when such bill may be pending shall 
 deem it expedient to dispense with this rule, livery bill 
 shall be read by its sections on its second rending and 
 on its riual passage, unless on its secoiid reading two- 
 thirds f»f the members present in the House whej'c such 
 bill may be sending, shall deem it exjiedient to dispense 
 with this rule. The vote on the final passage of every bill 
 or join: resolution shall be taken by yeas and nays to be 
 entered on the J(uirnal of each house; Provided, That any 
 general revision of the entire laws embodied in anv bill 
 shall not be reouirsMl to be read l)y sections upon its 
 final passage. f>nd its reading may be wholly di'^>ensed 
 W'ith by a two-third vote. A maiority of th'^ mendiers 
 present iu each hoii^se shall be necessary to jtass every bill 
 
 Amended in 1896. 
 
2G 
 
 or joint rofiolntion. all bills or joint resolntions so passed 
 shall be sioiiod by the presiding- officer of the respective 
 Houses and by the Secretary of the Senate ami the Clerk 
 of the Honse of Representatives. 
 
 Sec. IS. Xo law shall take effect nntil sixty days from 
 the final adjonrnment of the session of the Legislature 
 at wh'- h it may have been enacted, unless, otherwise 
 specially provided in such law. 
 
 See. iO. Accurate statements of the receiptv«« ind expen- 
 ditures of i]w public money shall be attached to i^nd pub- 
 lished wilh the laws passed at every regular session of 
 the Legislature. 
 
 Sec. 20. The Legislature shall not pass special or local 
 laws i^^i any (^f Ihe followinjg- enumerated cases: that is to 
 say, regulating the jurisdiction and duties of any class 
 of officers, except municipal officers, or for the punish- 
 ment of crimc^ or misdemeanor; regulating the practice of 
 courts of justice, except municipal courts; provi<ling for 
 changing venne of civil and criminal cases; granting ('i- 
 vorces; changing the names of persons; vacating roads; 
 summoning; and empaneling grand and petit juries, and 
 providin.'- for their compensation; for assessment and 
 collection of taxes for State and county purposes ; for 
 openin^^X «'J»d conducting elections for State atid <-ouuty 
 officers, and for designating the places of voting; for the 
 sale of real testate belonging to minors, estates of dece- 
 dents, and of persons laboring under legal disabilities; 
 regulating tjie fees of officers of the State and county; 
 giving efl'ect 1o informal or invalid deeds or wil's; legiti- 
 mizing (hildren ; provid'ng for the adoution of children ; 
 relieving minors from legal disabilities; and for the es- 
 tablishment of ferries. 
 
 Se^. 2\. In all cases enumerated in the preceding sec- 
 tion, all lasvs shall be general and of uniform op<'ration 
 throughout the State, but in all cases not enumerated or 
 excepted in {hut section the Legislature may pasfa special 
 or local laws; Prnridrd. That no local or special bill 
 shall be passed, unless notice of the intention to apply 
 therefor shall have been published in the locality Avhere 
 the matter or thing to be affected may be situated, which 
 notice shall state the substance of the contemplated law, 
 and shall be jmblished at least sixty days prior to the in- 
 troduction into the Lcigislature of su(*li bill, and in the 
 Tiianuer lo be provided by law. The evidence that such 
 
27 
 
 notice lias been published shall be extablisheil in the f.eg- 
 islatui'O before such bill shall be passed. 
 
 Sec. 22. I*rovision maj be made by general law for 
 bringing suit against the State as to all liabilities now 
 existin.:; or hereafter originating. 
 
 Sec. 23, Lotteries are hereby- prohibited in this State. 
 
 See. 2J. The Legislature shall establish a uniform sys- 
 tem of county and municipal government, which shall be 
 applicabi'^, ex'.ej>t in cases where ]o<al or special laws 
 are ynovided by the Legislature that may be inconsistent 
 therewith. 
 
 * Sec. 2r«. The Legislature Siiall provide by general law 
 for incorporating such educational, agriculturMi. niechan 
 ical, mining, transportation, mercantile and other use- 
 ful companies or associations as may be deemed neces- 
 sary; but it shall not pass any s[)ecial law on anv such 
 subject:, and any such special law shall be ot no eife<-t; 
 Provide<l, Jiowever. That nothing ]r«tM'cin shall preclude 
 special legislation as to a university or the ]»ul)lii- >cliools, 
 or as to a ship canal across the State. 
 
 Se-^. 20. ]>asvs shall be passed rogulating eVctions, and 
 prohiliiring, ',ii(ler adequate penalties, all undue intlueace 
 thereo7i from power, bribery, tumult or other improper 
 practice. 
 
 Sec. 27. The Legislature shall provide for the election 
 by [ho |ieo])le or ap])ointment by the Governo;* of alt 
 State and County otiicers not otherwise provided for by 
 this Constilntion. and fix by law their duties and compen- 
 sation. 
 
 Sec. 28. Kvery bill that may have ])assed the Legisla- 
 ture shall, before becoming a law, be j)resented to the 
 Governor; if he approves it he shall sign it, but if not he 
 shall return it with his objections to the House in which 
 it originated, which House shall cause such objections 
 to be eu-Lcred upon its Journal, and proceed to leconsider 
 it; if, after such reconsiderajion, it shall ]>ass both 
 Houses by a Iwo-thirds vote of members present, which 
 vote shai; he entered on the Journal of each House, it 
 shall become a law. If any bill shall not l-.e returned 
 within fi\e days after it shall have been ]»resen.ted to the 
 Govern»)r (Sunday exce[)ted) the same shall be a law, in 
 
 * Amended in 1897. 
 
28 
 
 like manner as if he had signed it. If ihe Legislature, by 
 its final adjonrnment prevent such action, such bill shall 
 be a law, unless the Governor, within ten days after lhe 
 adjournment, shall file such bill, with his objections 
 thereto, in the office of the Secretary of State, who sliall 
 lay the same before the Legislature at its next session, 
 and if the same shall receive two-thirds of the votes pres- 
 ent, it shall become a law. 
 
 Sec. -0. The House of Representatives shall have the 
 sole power of impeachment; but a vote of two-thirds of all 
 members present §hall be required to impeach any officer ; 
 and all imTtrmcUments shall be tried by the Senate. 
 When sitting for that purpose the Senators shall be 
 upon oath or affirmation, and no person shall be con- 
 victed W)thn\it the concurrence of two-thirds of the Sena- 
 tors presciit. The v^enate may adjourn to a fixed day 
 for the irial of any impeachment, and may 'it for the 
 purpose of such trial whether the House of Representa- 
 tives be in session or not, but the time fixed for such 
 trial shall not be more than six months from the time 
 articles of "mpeachment shail be preferred by the House 
 of Representatives. The Chief Justice shall pi'esid;; at all 
 trials by impeachment except in the trial of the Chief 
 Justice, when the Governor shall preside. The Gover- 
 nor. Administrative officers of the Executive Depart- 
 ment. Justices of the Supreme Court, and Judges of the 
 Circuit Court shall be liable to impeachment for any mis- 
 demeanor in office, but judgment in such cases shall ex- 
 tend only to removal from office and disqualification to 
 hold any oP'icp of honor, trust or profit under the State; 
 but The ])aTlT convicted or acquitted shall nevertheli^ss 
 be liable to indictment, trial and punishment according 
 to law. 
 
 Sec. .'^O. T;aws making appropriations for the «5alari'^s «>f 
 public olT'i!-f>rs and other ctirrent expenses of the Stale 
 shall i^mta''; i>rovisions on no other subject. 
 
 Se.". ni. Tho Legislature shall elect United States Sen- 
 ators in ihe manner prescrilbed by the Congress cf the 
 United Stales and by this Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 'V2. The repeal or amendment of any Criminal 
 Statute shall not affect the prosecution or punishment 
 of any crime committed before such repeal or amend- 
 ment. 
 
at 
 
 Spr'. .^o. No sfatnto shall be passed lessoni;!^':; ^.lie time 
 within >vhi<li n civil ax'tion n>ay be commenfed on any 
 cause of action existinj; at the time of its passntje. 
 
 * See. ^i. immediately upon the impeachment of any 
 officer by the House of Representatives, he shall he dis- 
 qualified from performing any of the duties of his olTice 
 until acquitted by the Senate, and the Governo? in such 
 case t-hall at once appoint an incumbent to fill such of- 
 fice pendinfj the imj^eachment proceedings. Ir. case of 
 the impeachment of the Governor the Presid«nii'". of the 
 Senat<^. or. in case of the death, resignation or inability of 
 the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 
 Representatives, shall act as Governor pending the im- 
 peachmeni procedings against the Governor. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 Section 1. The Supreme Executive power of the State 
 shall l>e vesfed in a Chief Magistrate, who shall be styled 
 the Governor of Florida. 
 
 Sec. 2. 'JVie Governor shall be elected by the qualified 
 electors of t'le State at the time and places of voting for 
 members of the Legislature, and shall hold his olfice for 
 four years from the time of his installation, but shall not 
 be eligible for re-election to said office for four years 
 from, The time of his installation, but shall not be eligible 
 for re-election to said office the next succeeding term; 
 Provided. That the first election for Governor under this 
 Constitution shall beJiad at the time and plaoea of voting 
 for members ^,i the Legislature and State officers, A. T). 
 1888, «:nd the term of office of the Governor then elected 
 shall begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday In 
 January after his election. 
 
 Sec. 3. No person shall be eligible to the office of Gover- 
 nor who io not a qualified elector, and who has not been 
 ten years a citizen of the United States, and five years a 
 citizen and resident of the State of Florida, next preced,- 
 ing the time of his election; Provided, That these limita- 
 tions of time shall not apply to the President of the Sen- 
 
 Amended in ISO?). 
 
30 
 
 ate or Speak#^r of the HoBse of Representanve;^ wheu. 
 nndir This < OiiPtirnTion. the powers and duties of 'jover- 
 nor shijll tleviilve upon them. 
 
 Sec. 4. The Governor shall be Commander-in-Chief of 
 
 the TTtillrnry f,»rfes of the ^^tate. exr-ept when they shall 
 be eall<ri iuxf the servit-e of the United States. 
 
 Se^. .". The Governor shall transact all Exeentive busi- 
 ness with the officers of the Government, civil and mili- 
 tary, and way reqnire information in writing fr«^m the 
 admini>Traiive officers of the Executive Department np«^Ti 
 any «Tibje<-t relating to the duties of their respective 
 offices. 
 
 Se •- fi. The Governor shall take care that the laws be 
 faithicliT ex?cnted. 
 
 Se.-. 7. Wiien any ofRce. from any canse. shall T>e«:-omc 
 vac-aDT. and n."* mode is provided by this Constitution or 
 by the l.iws of the iJ^tate for fillinor such vacancr. the Gov- 
 ernor sh;ill liare the power to fill such vacancy by grant- 
 ing a cominissKai for the unex[>ired term. 
 
 Se.-. S. The Governor may. on extraordinary .Kcasions. 
 convAK** th** Le-islatnre by pro4lamation. and .>hall in his 
 proclamat'or state the purpose for which it is 1o l)e f-on- 
 vened. :ind the Legislature when or;:anized shall transact 
 no legislative business other than that for w^ich it ia 
 especially r onvened. or such other legislative basiness as» 
 the Govem'^r may call to its attention while Ja s«^sjon, 
 except by a two-thirds vote of each House. 
 
 Sec. f». The Governor shall commifnicate by inessage to 
 the Tj^^islatore at each resrular session information con- 
 cerning the condition of the State, and recommend STit-h 
 measnres as be may deem expedient. 
 
 Se?*. 10 Tn case of a disagreement betwefn the two 
 Houses with respect to the time of adjonmment. th? Gov- 
 ''rnor shall have power to adjourn th^ Legislar.ire to snch 
 time ns he ina^ Think proper, provided it be not Ijoyond 
 the t;jni- fsTPd for the meetins of the next Legi^Iatrire. 
 
 Se»». 1!. Th«» Governor shall have power to snspend ^he 
 colW-tTO»» of fin*^ and forfeitures, and grant reprieve 
 for a T>eri<'«l not exceeding sixty days, for all offenr*»s. ex- 
 eept i?: «'«<< s t.f impeachment. In cases of conviction for 
 treason he shil\^ have power to suspen*! the execution of 
 senten«-e vM't] the rase .shall be reported to the Legisla- 
 ture at its Dext session, when the Legislature shall either 
 
partlon. dirfri the exociilion of tlie sentPiice, or jxrniir a 
 furthor n-jiripve; and if the Lepishinire shall fail or re- 
 fuse To make disposition of such rase, the senteT:ce shaM 
 he enforced at snoh time and place as the Governor may 
 direi't. Ht shall coninmnicate to the T.e<;islature. at the 
 hejiinniiii: of every session, every case of fine or foifeitnre 
 remitted, (u* reprieve, pardon or commutation jjrrnnled. 
 statin jf the name of the convict, the crime 'or which he 
 was i-oiixicted. the spntence. its date, and the dale of its 
 remission, connnntation. ]>ardon or reprieve. 
 
 * Sec. 1 2. The Governor. Secretary of State. rom]>trol- 
 ler. Attorney-(Teneral and Commissioner of Ajii'icuHui*e 
 or a mr.joi 'p.irt of them, of whom the Governor- shall l)e 
 one. may u])on such conditions and with such limirations 
 and i-esiriclions as they may deem jiroper. remit fines 
 and forfeitures, commute punishment and svant pardon 
 after conviction, in all ca^^s exr?pt treason and impeach- 
 ment, subiect to such regulations as may be prescribed In- 
 law relative to the manner of applying f<^r pardons. 
 
 Sev\ \?>. The Governor may. at any time, require the 
 opinion of the Justices of the Supreme Court as to the iu- 
 terprotation of any portion of this Constitutii)n uT)on any 
 ouestion alTectinjr his Executive poM'ers and duties, and 
 the .Tusn'ces shall render such oju'nion in writing. 
 
 Se^. 14. .Ml grants and commissions shall be in the 
 name and under the authority of the State of Florida. 
 i?eal*^d with the great seal of the State, signed by the Gov- 
 ernor, .ind countersigned by the Secretary of State. 
 
 Sec. I'j. All officers that shal' have been ap])()iuted or 
 elected, and that are not liable to impeachment. m;iy be 
 suspended from office by the Governor for malfeasance, 
 or misfeasance, or neglect of duty in office, for tiie com- 
 missioi of .my felony or for drunkenness* or incom]>e- 
 tency. and the cause of suspension shnll be connnunirated 
 to tin* oiTirer suspended and to the Senate at its next 
 session. And the Governor, by and with the consent of 
 the Senate, may remove any oft'icer. not liable to im- 
 ]>ea:'hment, for any cause above named. Evei'v suspen- 
 sion sliall continue until the adjournment of the next ses- 
 sion of the Senate, unless the officer suspended &>hall. 
 upon ihe rC'-ommendation of tlie Governor. Ix? r.MUoved ; 
 
 * Amended i« ISOG. 
 
32 
 
 bnt tbe Governor mny reinstate the officer so snsi»f-nfl^«l 
 npon SiiTisfae?ory evii3en«?e that the charge or 'rharge* 
 againsT hiui are untrue. If the Seuate shall refuse to re- 
 mote, t'T iyAl to take aeitoa before its adjonrnraert. the 
 officer suspended shall resume the duties of the offi« e. 
 The C«»veriior shall have power to fill by appolniRiour auy 
 office, the imumbent of which has been suspended. Xo 
 officer susT»^nded who shall under this section resume the 
 duties of his office, shall suffer any loss of salar>- or other 
 .HOP in conse<|uence of sut-h suspension. The 
 - ii or i^moval herein authorized shall pot reiirve 
 
 the oiiieer from indictment for any misdemeant»r in f»ffic-e. 
 Sec. jii. The Governor shall appoint all commissioned 
 officers of the f*tate Militia, including an Adiutant-Gen- 
 eral foi- the State. The Adjutant-General shall be the 
 chief offif-cr of the Governor's staff, with the rank of 
 Major-Genera I. His duties and compensation shall be 
 prescril»ed by law: Provided. That this Constitutfon sliall 
 work no vacancy in the offic-e of Adjutant-General, aa 
 now constirated. until the expiration of the present term. 
 Se<-. 17. Th<» Governor and the administrative offi<-ers 
 of the Executive r>epartment shall constitute a JJoard of 
 Connu ism! oners of State Institutions, which Board shall 
 have supervision of all matters connected with such insti- 
 tntions in Kuch manner as shall be prescribed by law, 
 
 See. IS. The Governor shall have power to disa^^prove 
 of any item or items of any bills making appropriations 
 of money ♦'inbracin? distinct items, and the part or i)art8 
 of the bill r shall be the law. and the item or 
 
 items of r-pi n disapproved shall be void, unless 
 
 repa«se4 accordicig to the rules and limitations prescribed 
 for the uasfiage of other bills over the Executive veto. 
 
 Set-- II). In case of the impeachment of the Governor, 
 his removal from office, death, resignation <tT 'liability to 
 discharge h's («#icial duties, th& powers and daties of 
 Governor shall devolve upon the President of th*? Senate 
 for the r-sidne of the term, or until the disability shall 
 cca*?: and ir rase of the impeachment, removal from of- 
 fice. -death, resignation or inability of th* President of the 
 Senate, the {>owers and duties of the office shall devolve 
 upon the Siieaker of the House of Representatives. Rut 
 should there be a general election for members of the Leg- 
 islature during' such vacancy, an election for Governor to 
 fill the same s^hall be had at the same time. 
 
S3 
 
 Sec. 20. The Governor shall be assisted by administra 
 tive (>llKorf> as follows: A Secretary of State, Attorney- 
 General, CcmptroUer. Treasurer. Superintendeni of Public 
 Instruction, and Commissioner of Agriculture, who shall 
 be eleite.l at the same time as the Governor, and shall 
 hold their cffices for the same term; Provider, That the 
 first e!p< tirn of such officers shall be had at the time of 
 votin:? for ^4overnor A. D. ISSS. 
 
 Sec. 21. The Secretary of State shall keep the records 
 of ofticiai ;icis of the Legislative and Executive Depart- 
 ments of the GovernmeuT. and shall, when required, lay 
 the game, and all matters relative thereto, before either 
 branch of the Legislature; and shall be the custodian (.f 
 the Great Seal of the State. He shall also liave charge 
 of the Capitol buildings and grounds, and perform such 
 other duties ns shall be prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 22. The Attorney-General shall be the legar advisor 
 of thv? Governor, and of each of the ofticers of the Execu 
 tive Department, and shall perform such other legal du- 
 ties as mnv be prescribed by law. He shall be Kejx)rter 
 for the Sujjreme Court. 
 
 Sec. 23. The Comptroller shall examine, audit, adjust 
 and settle the accounts of all officers of the State and jter- 
 forra such other duties as may be prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 24. The Treasurer shall receive and keep all 
 funds, bonds, and other securities, in such manner as 
 may be ])rescribed by law, and shall disburse no funds, 
 nor issue bonds, or other securities, except upon the or- 
 der of the Comptroller, countersigned by the Governor, 
 in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. 
 
 Se2. 2r». The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall 
 have supervision of all matters pertaining to public in- 
 struction ; the supervision of State buildings devoted to 
 educational purposes, and perform such other duties as 
 the Legislature may provide by law. 
 
 Sec. 20. The Commissioner of Aigriculture shall perform 
 such duties in relation to agriculture as may be pre- 
 scribed by law; shall have supervision of all matters per- 
 taining to the public lands under regulations prescribed 
 by law, and shall keep the Bureau of Immigration. He 
 shall also have supervision of the State Prison, and shall 
 perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law. 
 
 3 H. F. 
 
34 
 
 See. 27. I-^.k-Ii offirer of this DepaitnuMit sliall tiuike a 
 full roporl of bis oflPicial nets, of the receipts and exjjeii- 
 ditnrt:.-? of Ins office, and the reqiiiveiuents of Iho same. 
 to the (Governor at the beginning of each regular session 
 of the LegisIaTiire. or whenever the Governor shall re- 
 quire it. Such reports shall be laid before the Legisla- 
 ture br The>(70vernor at the beginning of each regular ses- 
 sion tliereof. Either House of the Legislature may ;it 
 any time ca'l r.pon any officer of this department lor in- 
 formation T'^(ju:red by it. 
 
 Sec. 28. Tl'e administrative officers of the Executive De- 
 partment shall be installed on the same day as the Gov- 
 ernor. 
 
 Sec. 2i!. 'Die salary of the Governor of the State «hall 
 be thirtv-five hundred dollars a year, of the Comptroller 
 two ihousand dollars, of the State Treasurer two ihous- 
 and dollars, of the Secretary of State fifteen hundred dol- 
 lars,' oi the Attorney-General fifteen hundred dollars, of 
 the Gonimissiouer of Agriculture, fifteen hundred dollars, 
 of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, fifteen hun- 
 dred doliais. a year; l^rovided. That no administrative 
 officer of the Executive ^^epartment shall receive auv ad- 
 ditional eompensation beyond his salary for any service 
 or se-vices rendered the State in connection with the In- 
 ternal Improvement Fu:id or other interests belonging to 
 the State of Florida; Trovided. further, That the Legisla- 
 ture may after eight years from the adoption of this Gou- 
 stitution increjise or decrease any or all of said salaries. 
 
 ARTICLE Y. 
 
 .TrnTOTAnV nEPART^fEXT. 
 
 Sec lion 1. Tlie judicial power of the Sta'e shall be 
 vested in a Supreme Court. Circuit Courts, (^riminal 
 Courts, County Courts, County Judges and Justices of 
 tlfe Peace. 
 
 * Sec. 2. The Supreme Court shall consist of three Jus- 
 tices, except :is hereinafter provided, who shall be elected 
 by the qualified electoi-s of the State at the time and 
 
 * Amended in 1901. 
 
35 
 
 places (*f vntir.jx for iiioi\ibers of the [.(Viislatiuo. and sliail 
 hold t!i!Mr oili<e for the term of six years, except those 
 first elecled, one of whom, to he desijiuated ]\y lor in such 
 maiinor as lliey may determine, shall hold liis olfiep for 
 two years; anolher. to be desiiLinated in likv^ manner, for 
 four years, and tlie third for six years, so that one ^hall 
 bo elected every two years after the first election. The 
 Chief rhisiirc shall be desiijnated by lot by stid Justices, 
 and sin, II be sik h dnrinj; his term of office. The first 
 election for said Justices shall take jthice at the first elec- 
 tion foi* n-embers of the Lep:islatnre after the ratificatioTi 
 of this (^onslitntiou, and their term of office shall begin 
 on the nr«r Tuesday after the first ]Monday in January 
 after their election. T'pon ratification of this aisH-ndment 
 to th-" ( institution, the Governor, by and vrdi ihe con- 
 sent of the Senate, shall ap]>oint three more .Jnstices of 
 the ^^upremr Court, each of whom shall hav;^ Ihe same 
 powers and rhall receive the same compensation as each 
 of the other Justices of the Supreme Court, and each of 
 the Jus'.K es s«- appointed shall hold off'ice until the lirst 
 Tuesday after the fiist ^fonday of Jun.e in the year 1005. 
 and may further hold office until his successor shall be 
 elected and qualified, if it shall be so ]>rovide'i by law. 
 For the yaw 1005 and for the subsequent years the Legis- 
 lature may provide by law for the election of such num- 
 ber oi' Justi<es of the Supr''me Court as it may determine. 
 and prescribe their terms of office, not to exceed six 
 years ;.I*rovided. That the number of Justices of the Su- 
 preme Court holding office at the same time shall not be 
 less th.iu three, and shall not be greater than six. and \}V0- 
 vided that no Justice of the Supreme Court ''•an by such 
 an act of the J.egislature be deprived of his office during 
 the term for which he was elected. 
 
 Sec. 3. No ]»erson shall ever be appointed or elected as 
 a Justic.^ oF the Supreme Court, or Judge of a Circuit 
 Court, or Criminal Couii:. that is not twenty-five years of 
 age and an attorney at law. 
 
 * Sec. 4. The majority of the Justices of ihe Supreme 
 Court shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all 
 business. Hut when there shall be six Justices of the 
 Supreme Court, the Court may hear and deterniine cases 
 and exercise any of its powers when sitting eilher in a 
 
 Ajnended in 1901. 
 
36 
 
 body or in two divisions, under such regulations as may 
 be presoribc'd by law or by the rules of said couil not in- 
 consisrent therewith. The concurr-^nce of a majority of 
 the uieinlx-'is of the Court sitting in any cause wherein 
 the Courl slmll sit as one body shall be necessarv to a 
 dcci.^ion ; and when any member of a division of the 
 Court shall dissent from the majority of such division oii 
 any question, f.uch question shall be submitted to the 
 Court sitting Jn a body. The number of terms of the 
 Supreme Court and the time of holding the same shall be 
 reiguhited by laAv. All terms shall be held at the Capital 
 of the Stote. 
 
 Sec. 5, The Supreme Court shall have appellate juris- 
 diction in all cases at law and in equity originating in 
 Circuit Courts, and of appeals front the Circuit Courts in 
 cases arising before Judges of the County Courts in mat- 
 ters pertaining to their probate jurisdiction and in the 
 management of the estates of infants, and in cases of con- 
 viction of felony in the crimin"! courts, an<l in ail crimi- 
 nal cases originating in the Circuit Courts. The Court 
 shall have llie powder to issue writs of mandamus, certio- 
 rari, [)rohibition, quo warranto, habeas corpus and also 
 all writs necessary or proper to the complete exercise of 
 its jurisdicticn. Each of the Justices shall liave power to 
 issue writs of habeas corpus to any part of the folate 
 upon petitjon by or on behalf of any person held in 
 actual custody, and may make such writs returnable be- 
 fore himself or the Supreme Court, or any Justice thereof, 
 or before •niA Circuit Jitdge. 
 
 Sec. (5. The Legislature shall have power to presci-ibe 
 regulations f-.T calling into the Supreme Couj-t a Judge 
 of the Circuit Court, to hear and detd^mine any matters 
 pending before the Court in the place of any Justice 
 thereof that thall be disqualified or disabled in such case 
 from interest or other cause. 
 
 Sec. 7. The Supreme Court shall appoint a Clerk who 
 shall have his office at the Capital and shall be Librarian 
 of the Supreme Court Library. 
 
 * Sec. 8. There shall be eight Circuit Judges who slinll 
 be appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Sen- 
 ate, and who shall hold their office for six years. The 
 State shall be divided by the Legislature at its lirst regu- 
 
 * Amended in 1901. 
 
37 
 
 lar session after the ailoption of this section, into eii>ht 
 Judicial Ciirnits. and one .Ind^e shall he assigned to each 
 Circuit. Siuh Jiidoe shall hold at least two terms of his 
 Coui't in eacli county within his Circuit every year, and 
 at sudi times and places as sliall be prescribed l>y law, 
 and may hold special terms. The Governor may. in his 
 discretiop, order a temporaiT exchange of Circuits by the 
 respecti\'e Judges or order any Judge to hold one or 
 more termr or part or parts of any term in any other Cir- 
 cuit than ihat to which he is assigned. The Judge shall 
 reside in the Circuit of which he is Judge. This section 
 shall not bn operative until the Legislature shall have di- 
 vided this State into Eight Circuits, as hereinbefore pro- 
 vided for; and the seven Circuit Judges holding olfice at 
 the time of such division shall continue to exercise juris- 
 diction ovei their several existing Circuits as constituted. 
 at 'he time of such division, until the Judge of Jie addi- 
 tional Circui: shall have qualified. The Circuit Judges 
 holding office at the time of such division shall severally 
 continue in ofi'ice until the expiration of their then exist- 
 ing term of office as Judge of the Circuits respectively in 
 which, under such division, the county of his residence 
 may be included; and a Judge for the additional Circuit 
 shall be appointed for a term equal to the unexpired term 
 of the other Circuit Judges upon such division being made. 
 The salary of each Circuit Jndge shall lie two thousand 
 seven hundred and fifty dollars. 
 
 See. 9. The salary of the Justices of the Supremo Court 
 shall he thre" thousand dollars a yeai'. The salaiy of 
 each Circuit Judge shall be two thousand five hundred 
 dollars a yeai. 
 
 Se-". 10. T^'ntil otherwise defined by the Legislature the 
 several Jud'cial Circuits of the State shall be as follows: 
 
 The First Judicial Circuit shall be comimsed of the 
 counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Holmes, 
 Washington and Jackson. 
 
 The Second Judicial Circuit shall be compos;ed c.f tho 
 counties of Cadsden, Liberty, Calhoun, Franklin, Leon. 
 Wakulla and Jetferson. 
 
 The Third Judicial T'ircuit shall be composed of the 
 counties of Madison, Taylor, Lafayette, Hamilton, Su- 
 wannee and Columbia. 
 
 The Fourth Judicial Circuit shall be composed of ll*e 
 
38 
 
 counties of Xassan, Dnval, Baker, Bradford. Clay aiul St. 
 Johns. 
 
 The Fiftli Jndicial (Mrciiit shall be composed of tlie 
 counties of rutnani. Alachua. Levy, ^Marion and Sumter. 
 
 The Sixth Judicial (Mrcuit shall be coni])()sed of the 
 counties of Hernando. Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk and 
 Monroe. 
 
 The Seventh Judicial Circuit shall be comi)Osed of the 
 counties of Volusia, Brevard, Orange and Dade. 
 
 Sec. 11. The Circuit Courts shall have exclusive original 
 jurisdiction in all cases in equity, also in all cases at law, 
 not cognizable by inferior courts, and in all eases involv- 
 ing the legility of any tax, assessment, or toll ; of the ac- 
 tion of e.iectn)ent and of all actions involving the litles or 
 boundaries of real estate, and of all criminal cases not 
 cognizable by inferior courts; and original jniisdirtion of 
 actions of forcible entry and unlawful detainer, and of 
 such other nu5 Iters as the Legislature may provide. They 
 ^all have- final appellate jurisdiction in all civil and 
 criminal cases arising in the County Court, oi- befoi-e the 
 County Judge of all misdemeanors tried in Criminal 
 Courts, of judgments or sentences of any ^layor's Court, 
 ?|nd of all cases arisini-^ before Justices of the Peace -n 
 counties in which there is no County Court ; a>ui supervis- 
 ion and appellate jurisdiction of mattei's arising before 
 County Judges pertaining to their probate jurisdiction, 
 or to the estates rind interests of minors, and of such 
 other matters as the TiCgislature may provide. The Cir- 
 cuit Courts and Judges shall have power to issue writs 
 of mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, prohi- 
 bition, habeas corpus and nil writs ]>roper and necessary 
 to the compfete exercise of their jurisdiction. 
 
 Sec. 12. The Circuit Courts and Circuit -Tudges may 
 have such extra territorial jurisdiction in chancery cases 
 as may be prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 13. It sliall be the duty of the .Judges of the Circuit 
 Courts to repr.i't to the Attoniey Oeneral at least thirty 
 days before eju-h session of the Legislature such defects in 
 the laws as may have been brought to their attentioti, and 
 to suggest suci; amendments or additional legislation as 
 may be deemed necessary. The Attorney-rieneral sl.all 
 report to the Legislature at each session such legislation 
 as he mav deem advisable. 
 
39 
 
 Sec. 14. A (''n-nit Judue in;rv apjjoint in oacli county 
 in his Circuit one or more attorneys at hwv. to be Court 
 (^'ouiniissioners. wlio sliall have power in the absence from 
 the county of the Circuit -Tudoe. to allow writ.s of iMJunc- 
 tion and to issue writs of habeas coi^ius. returnable be- 
 fore himself or the Circdlt Jujljie. Their orders in such, 
 nmtters may b'^ reviewed by the Circuit Judjic and con- 
 firmed, qualifed or vacated. They may be removed by 
 the Circuit Judjie. The Legislature may confer upon 
 them further j)Owers. not judicial, and shall fix their com- 
 pensation. 
 
 Sec. 15. The Governor, by and with the consent of the 
 Senate, shall appoint a State Attorney in each Judicial 
 Circuit, whos« duties shall be prescribed by law, and who 
 shall hold office for four years. There shall be elected in 
 each County a Sheriff, and a Clerk of the Circuit Court, 
 who shall als/) be Clerk of the County Court, except in 
 counties where there are Criminal Ce^|rts, and of the 
 Board of CouDty Commissioners, and Eecorder and ex- 
 officio Auditor of the County, each of whom shall hold 
 office for four years. Their duties shall be pi*escribed by 
 law. 
 
 Sec. 10. Thei-e xball be in each county a County Judge, 
 who shall be elected by the qualified electors of said 
 county at the time and places of votinp: for other i-ounty 
 officers and shall hold his office for four years. His com- 
 pensation shall be provided foj* bv law. 
 
 Sec. 17. The County Judge shall have origina' jurisdic- 
 tion in all ca«es at law in which the demand or value of 
 property involved shall not exceed one hundred dollars; 
 of proceedin[<;s relating to the forcible entry c'v unlawful 
 detention of lands and tenements; and of such criminal 
 tention of lands and tenements; and of such <-iiminal 
 cases as the Legislature may prescribe. The County 
 Judge shall have jurisdicion of the settlement of the es- 
 estate of decedents and minors, to take probate (if wills, 
 to grant letters testamentary and of administration and 
 guardianship, and to discharge the duties usuallv per- 
 taining to court* of probate. ITe shall have the power of 
 a committing inasfistrate and shall issiie all lic<-nses re- 
 quired bv law to be issued in the county. 
 
 Sec. 18. The Legislature may oruanize in such counties, 
 ns it may think proper. County Courts which shall have 
 jurisdiction of all cases at law in which the demand or 
 
40 
 
 value of the j loperty involved shall not exceed live liiiu- 
 dred dollars; of proceedings relating to the foicible en- 
 try or unlawful detention of lands and tenements, and of 
 misdemeanors, and final appellate jurisdiction in civil 
 cases arisino- in the Courts of Justices of the J'eace. The 
 trial of such appeals may be dc novo at the option of ap- 
 pellant. The County Judge shall be the Judge of said 
 Court. There shall be elected by the qualified electors of 
 (said county at the time when said Judge is elected a 
 Prosecuting Attorney for said county, who shall hold of- 
 fice for four years. His duties and compensation shall 
 be prescribed by law. Such Courts may be abolished at 
 the pleasure of the Legislature. 
 
 Sec. 19. When any civil case at law in which the Judge 
 is disqualified shall be called for trial in a Circuit or 
 County Court, the parties may agree upon an attorney 
 at law, who shall be Judge ad litem, and shall preside 
 over the trial of and make orders in said cause as if he 
 were Judge of the Court. The parties may, however 
 transfer the cause to another Circuit Court or County 
 Court, as the case may be, or nuiy have the case submitted 
 to a referee. 
 
 Sec. 20. Any civil cause may be tried before a practic- 
 ing attorney as referee upon the application of the par- 
 ties and an order from the court in whose jurisdiction 
 the case may be. authorizing such trial and appointing 
 such referee. The referee shall keep a complete record of 
 the case, including the evidence taken, and such record 
 shall be filed Avith the papers in the case in the office of 
 the Clerk; and the cause shall be subject to an appeal in 
 the manner prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 21. The County Commissioners of each county 
 shall divide it into as many Justice Districts, not less 
 than two, as they may deem necessary. There shall be 
 elected one Justice of the Peace for each of the said dis- 
 tricts. He shall hold his office for four years. 
 
 * Sec. 22. The Justices of the Peace shall have jurisdic- 
 tion in cases at law in which the demand or value of the 
 property involved does not exceed flOO.OO and in which 
 the cause of action accrued or the defendant resides in 
 his district; and in such criminal cases, except felonies. 
 
 'Amended in 1869. 
 
41 
 
 as may be piesciibed hy law, and he shall have power tO' 
 issue process for the arrest of all persons charged with 
 felonies and misdemeanors not within his jurisdiction 
 to try, and make the same returnable before hin]self or 
 the County Judge for examination, discharge, 'Commit- 
 ment or bail of the accused. Justices of the Peace shall 
 have power to hold inquests of the dead. Appeal from 
 Justices of the Peace Courts in criminal cases may be 
 tried de novo under such regulations as the Legislature 
 may prescribe. 
 
 Sec. 23. A Constable shall be elected by the registered 
 voters in each Justice's district, who shall perform such 
 duties, and under such regulations as may be prescribed 
 by law. 
 
 Sec. 24. There shall be established in the County of 
 Escambia, and upon application of a majority of the 
 registered voters in such other counties as the Legislature 
 may deem exjiedient, a Criminal Court of Record, and 
 there shall be one Judge for each of the said courts, who 
 shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the 
 Senate, who shall hold his office for four years, and whose 
 salary shall be one thousand dollars a year, the counties 
 paying the salaries. 
 
 iSec. 25. The said courts shall have jurisdiction of all 
 criminal cases not capital which shall arise in said coun- 
 ties respectively. 
 
 Sec. 2G. There shall be six terms of said courts in each 
 year. 
 
 Sec. 27. There shall be for each of said courts a Prose- 
 cuting Attorney, who shall be appointed by the Governor 
 and confirmed by the Senate, and who shall hold his of- 
 fice for four years. His com]iensatiou sluili 1h^ fixed ii.' 
 law. 
 
 Sec. 28. All offences triable in said Court shall be 
 presecuted upon information under oath, to be filed by 
 the Prosecuting Attorney, but the grand jury of the Cir- 
 cuit Court for the county in which said Criminal Court 
 is held may indict for offences triable in the Criminal 
 Court. Upon the finding of such indictment the Circuit 
 Judge shall commit or bail the accused for trial in the 
 Criminal Court, which trial shall l>e upon information. 
 
 Sec. 29. The Countv Courts in counties where such 
 
42 
 
 r.rimina] Courts are establif^lied sliall have no criminal 
 jurisdiction and no Prosecuting Attorney. 
 
 Sec. 30. The Clerk of said Court shall be elected by the 
 electors of the county in which the Court is held and 
 shall hold office for four years, and his compensation 
 shall be fixed by law. He shall also be Clerk of the 
 County Court. The Sheritt' of the County shall be the 
 executive officer of said Court, and his duties and fees 
 shall be fixed by law. 
 
 Sec. 31. The State Attorney residing in the county 
 where isuch Court is held shall be eligible for appoint- 
 ment as County Solicitor for said county. 
 
 Sec. o2. Such courts may be abolished by the Legisla- 
 ture, 
 
 Sec. 33. When the office of any Judge shall become va- 
 cant from any cause, the successor to fill such vacancy 
 shall be appointed or elected only for the unexpired term 
 of the Judge whose death, resignation, retirement, or 
 other cause created such vacancy. 
 
 Sec. 34. The Legislature may establish in iucorporated 
 towns -and cities, courts for the punishment of offences 
 against municipal ordinances. 
 
 * Sec. 35. No courts other than htrein spiecified shall be 
 established in this State, except that the I^egislature may 
 clothe any railroad commission with judicial powers in 
 all matters connected with the functions of their office. 
 
 Sec. 36. All judicial officers in this St{#? shall be con- 
 servators of the peace. 
 
 Sec. 37. The style of all process shall be ''The State of 
 Florida," and all prosecutions shall be conducted in the 
 name and by the authority of the State. 
 
 Sec. 38. The number of jurors for the trial of causes in 
 any court may be fixed by law but shall not be less than 
 six in anv case. 
 
 Amended in 1894. 
 
43 
 AKTICLE YI. 
 
 SUFrUAGK AXI) EI-IGIBILITY. 
 
 * Section 1. Every male i»ei>i()u of the afie of tweiity- 
 oue years and upwards, that shall, at the tiuie of regis- 
 tration, be a citizen of the United States, and thaf shall 
 have resided and had his habitation, domicile, home and 
 place of permanent abode in Florida for one year and in 
 the county for six months, shall in such county be deemed 
 a qualified elector at all elections under this (jonstitu- 
 tion. ^Naturalized citizens of the T'nited States at -h*^ 
 time of and before registration shall produce to the reg- 
 istration officer his certificate of naturalization or a duly 
 certified copy thereof. 
 
 Sec. 2. The Legislature, at its first session after the 
 ratification of this Constitution, shall provide by law for 
 the registration of all the legally qualified voters in each 
 county, and for the returns of elections; and shall also 
 provide that after the completion, from time to time, of 
 such registration, no person not duly registered accord- 
 ing to law shall be allowed to vote. 
 
 iSec. 3. Every elector shall at the time of his re{;';i&tra- 
 tion take and subscribe to the following oath: "[ do 
 solemnly swear or affirm that I will protect and defend 
 the Constitution of the United States and of the State of 
 Florida, that I am twenty-one years of age, and have been 
 a resident of the- State of Florida for twelve mouths and 
 of this county for six months, and I am qualified to vote 
 under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida." 
 
 Sec. 4. No person under guardianship, nori compos men- 
 tis or insane shall be qualified to vote at any election, 
 nor shall any person convicted of felony by a court of 
 record be qualified to vote at any election unless restored 
 to civil rights. 
 
 Sec. 5. The Legislature shall have power to, and shall, 
 enact the necessary laws to exclude from every office of 
 honor, power, trust or profit, civil or inilitary, within 
 the State, and from the right of suffrage, all persons 
 convicted of bribery, j»erjury, larceny, or of infamous 
 crime, or who shall make, or become directly or indirectly 
 
 * Amended in 1899. 
 
44 
 
 interef^ted in. any bet or wager, the result of wliich shall 
 depend upon any election; or that shall hereafter fight a 
 duel or send or accept a challenge to fight, or that shall 
 be a second to either party, or that shall be the bearer of 
 such challenge or acceptance; but the legal disability 
 shall not accrue until after trial and conviction by due 
 form of law. 
 
 Sec. 6. In all elections by the Legislature the vote shall 
 be vii:u voce and in all elections by the people the vote 
 shall be by ballot. 
 
 *Sec. 7.— 
 
 Sec. 8. The Legislature shall have power to make the 
 payment of the capitation tax a prerequisite for voting, 
 and all such taxes received shall go into the school fund. 
 
 Sec. 9. The Legislature shall enact such lawis as will 
 preserve the purity of the ballot given under this Consti- 
 tution. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 
 CENSUS AND APPORTIONMENT. 
 
 Section 1. The Senators representing the odd numbered 
 districts, as said districts are now designated, whose 
 terms have not expired, and those Senators representing 
 even numbered districts, to be elected A. D. 1886, under 
 the Constitution of 18G8. shall be the first Senate under 
 this Constitution ; and the members of the Assembly to 
 be elected A. D. 1880 shall be the first House of Represen- 
 tatives under this Constitution, and the Senate and 
 House of Representatives thus constituted shall be the 
 first I^egislature under this Constitution, and the terms 
 of office of each of the said Senators and members of the 
 House of Representatives shall expire at the election for 
 Senators and members of the House of Representatives 
 A. D. 1888, and in that year a new Senate and House of 
 Representatives shall be elected. 
 
 * Repealed in 1894. 
 
* Sec. 2. The Lejiislature shall consist of not more than 
 thirty-two members of the Senate, and of not more than 
 sixt^'-eight members of the House of Representatives. 
 The members of the House of Representatives shall be 
 elected for terms of two year#, and the members of the 
 Senate shall be elected for terms of four years, except as 
 hereinafter provided. The elections for members of the 
 House of Representatives and Senate shall be at the same 
 time and places. The terms of office of the Senators 
 elected in October A. D. 189G, shall expire on the first 
 Tuesday after the first Monday in November A. D. 1900, 
 and the terms of those elected in November A. D. 189b, 
 shall expire on the first Tuesday after the first Monday 
 in November A. D. 1902. and thereafter all Senators shall 
 be elected for four years. 
 
 Sec. 3. The legislature that shall meet A. D. 1887, and 
 those that shall meet every ten years thereafter, shall ap- 
 portion the representation in the Senate, the whole num- 
 ber of Senators not to exceed thirty-two members ; and 
 at the same time shall also apportion the representation 
 in the House of Representatives, the whole number of 
 Representatives not to exceed sixty eight members. The 
 representation in the House of Representatives shall be 
 apportioned among the several counties as nearly as 
 possible according to population; Provided, Each county 
 shall have one representative at large in the House of 
 Representatives, and no county shall have more than 
 three Representatives. 
 
 fSec. 4-. Where any Senatorial District is composed of 
 two or more counties, the counties of which such district 
 consists, shall not be entirely separated by any county, 
 belonging to another district. Any new county that may 
 be created, shall be entitled to one member in the House 
 of Representatives, in excess of the limit prescribed in 
 Sec. 2 of this Article until the apportionment following 
 next thereafter, and shall be assigned when created to 
 one of the adjoining Senatorial Districts as shall be de- 
 termined by the Legislature. 
 
 * Amended in 1896. 
 /Amended in 1897. 
 
46 
 
 Sec. 5. The Legislature shall provide for an enumera- 
 tion of all the inhabitants of the State by counties for 
 the year 1895, and every ten years thereafter. 
 
 AETICLE VIII. 
 
 COUNTIES AND CITIES. 
 
 Section 1. The State shall be divided into political di- 
 visions to be called counties. 
 
 Sec; 2. The several counties as they nov^- exist are here- 
 by recognized as the legal political divisions of the State. 
 
 Sec. 3. The Legislature shall have power to establish 
 new counties, and to change county lines. Every ne^\{ly 
 established county shall be held liable for its proportion 
 of the then existing liabilities of the county or counties 
 from which it shall be formed, rated upon the basis of the 
 assessed value of the property, both real and personal, 
 subject to taxation within the territory taken from any 
 county or counties; and every county acquiring addi- 
 tional territory from another county shall be held liable 
 for its j)roportion of the liabilities of such other county 
 existing ni the time of such acquisition, to b;' v;il(vl u])on 
 the basis of the assessed value of all property subject to 
 taxation within such acquired territory. 
 
 Sec. 4. The Legislature shall have no power to remove 
 the County Seat of any county, but shall provide by gen- 
 eral law for such removal ; Pr-ovided, That in the forma- 
 tion of new counties the County iSeat may be temporarity 
 established by law. 
 
 * Ser. 5. Immediately upon the ratitication of this 
 amendment the County Commissioners of the several 
 counties of this State shall divide their respective coun- 
 ties into five Commissioners' districts, to be numbered 
 lespectively from one to five inclusive, and each district 
 shall be. as nearly as possible, equal in proportion to pop- 
 ulation, and tliereafter there shall be in each of such dis- 
 tricts a County Commissioner, who shall be elected by 
 the qualified electors of said county, at tl>;^ lime and 
 
 * Amended in 1897 
 
47 
 
 place of votiug for other county officers, and shall hold 
 his office for two years. The powers, duties "and compen- 
 sation of such County ('o.nnnissionfrs shall be prescribed 
 by law; Provided, That nothing herein shall effect the 
 terms of Commissioners holding office at the time of such 
 division ; Provided, further, That all vacancies occurring 
 by limitations of terms, or from death, resignation or 
 otherwise, before the election of irM)2 shall be filled by 
 apj)ointment by the Governor as now provided b} iaw. 
 
 Sec. (). The Legislature shall provide for the election 
 by the qualified electors in each county of the following 
 county officers : A Clerk of the Circuit Court, a Sheriff. 
 Constable, a County Assessor of Taxes, a Tax Collector, 
 a County Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
 tion, and a County Surveyor. The term of office of all 
 county officers mentioned in this section shall be four 
 years, except that of County Assessor of Taxes, County 
 Tax Collector and County Treasurer, who shall be elected' 
 for two years. Their powers, duties and compensation 
 shall be ])rescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 7. The Legislature shall by law authorize the Coun- 
 ty Commissioners of the several counties, where it is 
 deemed necessary for assessment purjioi-es, to <livide theif 
 respective counties ink) taxation districts, and to appoint 
 in and for each district an Assistant Assessor of Taxes. 
 whose powers, duties and compensation shall be pre- 
 scribed by law. All county officers, except Assistant As- 
 sessors of Taxes, shall, before entering upon the duties 
 of theii- respective offices, be cojnmissioned by the Glov- 
 ernor; but no such coiumisision sliall issue to any such 
 officer until he shall have filed Avith the Secretary of 
 State a good and sufficient bond in such sum and upon 
 such conditions as the Legislature shall by law prescribe, 
 aj)i>roved by the County CoTiimissioners of the county in 
 which such officer resides, and by the Comptroller. No 
 county officer shall become security upon the official 
 bond of any other county officer. If any person elected 
 or appointed to any county office shall fail to j;ive bond 
 and qualify within sixty days after his election, the said 
 office shall become vacant. 
 
 Fee. 8. The Legislature shall have power to establish 
 and to abolish municipalities, to provide for their gov- 
 ernment, 1() ])rfscri1)o their jurisdiction and powers, and 
 
48 
 
 to alter or amend the same at any time. When any mu- 
 nicipalitj' ishall be abolished, provision shall be made for 
 the protection of its creditors. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 TAXATION AND FINANCE. 
 
 Section 1. The Legislature shall provide for a uniform 
 and equal rate of taxation, and shall prescribe such regu- 
 lations as shall secure a just valuation of all property 
 both real and personal, excepting such property as may 
 be exempted by law for municipal, educational, literary^ 
 scientific, religious or charitable purposes. 
 
 Sec. 2. The Legislature ishall provide for raising reve- 
 nue sufficient to defray the expenses of the State for each 
 fiscal year, and albo a sufficient sum to pay the principal 
 and interest of the existing indebtedness of the State. 
 
 Sec. 3. No tax shall be levied except in pursuance of 
 law. 
 
 Sec, 4. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury ex- 
 cept in pursuance of appropriation^ made by law. 
 
 Sec. 5. The Legislature shall authorize the several 
 counties and incorporated cities or towns in the State to 
 assess and impose taxes for county and municipal pur- 
 poses, and for no other purposes, and all property shall 
 be taxed upon the principles established for State taxa- 
 tion. But the cities and incorporated towns shall make 
 their own assessments for municipal purposes upon the 
 property within their limits. The Legislature may also 
 provide for levying a special capitation tax, and a tax 
 on licenses. But the cqipitation tax shall not exceed one 
 dollar a year and shall be applied exclusively to common 
 school purposes. 
 
 Sec. 6. The Legislature shall have power to provide for 
 issuing State bonds only for the purpose of repelling in- 
 vasion or suppressing insurrection, or for the purpose of 
 redeeming or refunding bonds already issued, at a lower 
 rate of Interest. 
 
40 
 
 Sec. 7. No tax shall be levied for the benefit of any 
 chartered company of the State, nor for paying interest 
 on any bonds issued by such chartered companies, or by 
 counties, or by corporations, for the above-mentioned 
 purpose. 
 
 Sec. 8. No person or corporation shall be relieved by 
 any court from the payment of any tax that may be ille- 
 gal, or illegally or irregularly assessed, until he or it 
 shall have paid such portion of his or its taxes as may be 
 legal, and legally and regularly assessed. 
 
 Sec. 0. There shall t>e exempt from taxation property 
 to the value of two hundred dollars to every widow that 
 has a family dependeijt on her for support and to every 
 person that has lost a limb or been disabled in war or by 
 misfortune. 
 
 Sec. 10. The credit of the State shall not be pledged or 
 loaned to aay individual, company, corporation or asso- 
 ciation; nor shall the State become a joint owner or 
 stockholder in any company, association or corporation. 
 The Legislature shall not authorize any county, city, 
 borough, township or incorporated district to become a 
 stockholder in any company, association or corporation, 
 or to obtain or appropriate money for, or to loan its 
 credit to any corporation, association, institution or in- 
 dividual. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 
 * HOMESTEAD AND EXEMPTIONS. 
 
 Section 1. A homestead to the extent of one hundred 
 and sixty acres of land, or the half of one acre within the 
 limits of any incorporated city or town, owned by the 
 head of a family residing in this State, together with 
 one thousand dollars worth of personal property, and the 
 improvements on the real estate, shall be exempt from 
 forced sale under process of any court, and the real estate 
 shall not be alienable without the joint consent of hus- 
 band and wife, when that relation exists. But no prop- 
 erty shall be exempt from sale for taxes or assessments, 
 
 4H. F. 
 
50 
 
 or for the paj'ment of obligations contracted for the pur- 
 chase of said property, or for the erection or repair of 
 improvements on the real estate exempted, or for house^ 
 field or other labor performed on the same. The exemp- 
 tion herein provided for in a city or town shall not ex- 
 tend to more imjirovements or buildings than the resi- 
 dence and business house of the owner; and no judgment 
 or decree or execution shall be a lien upon exempted 
 property except as provided in this Article. 
 
 Sec. 2. The exemptions i>rovided for in section one shall 
 inure to the widyw and heirs of the party entitled to such 
 €icemption, and shall apply to all 'debts, except a8 epeci- 
 fied in said section. 
 
 ^ec. 3. The exemptions jaovided for in the ("onstitution 
 of this State adopted in iSV,^ shall apply as to all debts 
 oontracted and judgnients rendered since the adoption 
 thereof and prior to the ado]>tion of this Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 4. Nothing in this Article shall be construed to 
 pi'erent the holder of a homestead from alienating his or 
 her homestead so exempted by desed or mortgage dulj 
 efeecmted by himsi^lf or herself, and by husband and wife, 
 if such relation exists; nor if the holder be without chil- 
 •dren to prevent him or her from disposing of his or her 
 homestead by Avill in a manner prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 5. No homestead provided for in section one shall 
 be reduced in area on account of its being subsequently 
 included within the limits of an incorporated city or 
 town, without the consent of the owner. 
 
 Sec. 6. The Legisla»-fure shall enact such laws as may be 
 necessary to enforce the provisions of this Article. 
 
 ARTICLE XI. 
 
 MARRIED WOMEN^S PROPERTY. 
 
 Section 1. All property, real and personal, of a wife 
 owned by lier before mai'riage, or lawfully acquired after- 
 ward by gift, devise, bequest, descent, or purchase, shall 
 be her separate property, and the same shall not be liable 
 for the debts of her husband without her consent given 
 by some instrument in writing executed according to the 
 law respecting conveyances by married women. 
 
r.i 
 
 Sec. '2. A inaiiied Avonian's separate real or personal 
 property may be charged in equity and sold, or the uses, 
 rents and profits thereof se(]uestrated for the purchase 
 money thereof; or for money or thinj^due upon any agree- 
 ment made by her in writing for the b.nietit of her sepa- 
 rate projterty ; or for the i>rice of any }»roperty j)urchased 
 by her, or for labor and material used with her knawl- 
 edge or assent in the cffnstruction of buildings, or repairs, 
 or improvements u]»on her property, or for agricultural 
 or other labor bestowed thereon, with her knowledge and 
 consent. 
 
 Sec. 3. The Legislature shall enact such laws as shall 
 be necessary to carr^- into effect this Article. 
 
 ARTICLE XIL 
 
 EDl'CATIOX. 
 
 Section 1. The Legislature shall ]»rovide for a uniform 
 system of public free schools, and shall provid' for ^he 
 libei'Jil maintenance of the same. 
 
 Sec. 2. There shall be a Superintendent of Public In- 
 struction, whose duties shall be prescribed by law. and 
 whose term of office shall be four years and until the 
 election and qualification of his successor. 
 
 Sec. 3. The Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney- 
 General, State Treasurer and State Superintendent of 
 Public Instruction shall constitute a body corporate, to 
 iie known as the State Board of Education of Florida, 
 of which the Governor shall be President, and the Super- 
 intendent of Public Instructi(m Secretary. This Board 
 shall have power to remove any subordinate school officer 
 for cause, upon notice to the incumbent; and shall have 
 the management and investment of all State School 
 Funds under such regulations as may be prescribed by 
 law, and such supervision of schools of higher grades as 
 the law shall provide. 
 
 Sec. 4. The State School Fund, the interest of which 
 shall be exclusively applied to the support and mainten- 
 ance of public free schools, shall be derived from the fol- 
 lowing sources : 
 
52 
 
 The proceeds of all hinds that have been or may here- 
 after be granted to the ;8tate by the United States foi: 
 public school purposevS. 
 
 Donations to the State when the purpose is not spec- 
 ified. 
 
 Appropriations by the State. 
 
 The proceeds of escheated property or forfeitures. 
 • Twenty-five per cent, of the sales of public lands which 
 are now or may hereafter be owned by the State. 
 
 Sec. .5. The principal of th^ State School Fund shall 
 remain sacred and inviolate. 
 
 Sec. 6. A special tax of one mill on the dollar of all 
 taxable property in the State, in addition to the other 
 means provided, shall be levied and apportioned annually 
 for the support and maintenance of public free schools. 
 
 * Sec. 7. Provision shall be made by law for the appor- 
 tionment and distribtttion of the interest on the State 
 School Fund and all other means provided, including the 
 special tax. for the support and maintenance of public 
 free schools, among the several counties of the State in 
 proportion to the average attendance upon schools in the 
 .said counties I'espectively. 
 
 Sec. 8. Each county shall be required to assess and 'ol- 
 lect annually for the support of public fi-ee schools 
 therein, a tax of not less than three mills nor more than 
 five mills on the dollar of all taxable property in the 
 same. 
 
 Sec. 9. The County School Fund shall consist, in ad- 
 dition to the tax provided for in section eight of this Ar- 
 ticle, of the proportion of the interest of the State School 
 Fund and of the one mill State tax apportioned to the 
 Ciounty; the net proceeds of all fines collected under the 
 I)enal laws of the State within the county; all capitation 
 taxes collected within the county ; and shall be disbursed 
 by the County Board of Public Instruction solely for the 
 maintenance and support of public free schools. 
 
 Sec. 10. The Legislature may provide for the division 
 of any county or counties into convenient school dis- 
 tricts; and for the election biennially of three school 
 trustees, who shall hold their office for two years, and 
 who shall have the supervision of all the schools within 
 
 * Amended in 1894. 
 
53 
 
 the district: (tnd for the levying .and collection of fi dis- 
 trict school tax, for the exclusive use of luiblic free schools 
 within the district, whenever a majority of the qualified 
 electors thei^eof that pay a tax on i-eal, or personal prop- 
 erty shall vote in favor of such levy; Provided^ That anly 
 tax authorized by this section shall not exceed three 
 mills on the dollar in any one year on the taxable prop- 
 erty of the district. 
 
 Sec. 11. Any incorporated town or v>ity may constitute 
 a School District. The Fund raised by section ten may 
 be expended in the district where levied for building or 
 repairing school houses, for the purchase of school libra- 
 ries and text-books, for salaries of teachers, or for other 
 educational jiurposes, so that the distribution among all 
 the schools of the district be equitable. 
 
 Sec. 12. White and colored children shall not be taught 
 in the same school, but imjtartial provision shall be made 
 for both. 
 
 Sec. 13. No law shall be enacted authorizing the diver- 
 sion or the lending of any County or District School 
 Funds, or the appropriation of any part of the perma- 
 nent or available school fund to any other than school 
 purposes; nor shall the same, or any part thereof, be 
 appropriated to or used for the support of any sectarian 
 5chool. 
 
 Sec. 14. The Legislature at its first session shall pro- 
 vide for the establishment, maintenance and management 
 of such Normal iSchool, not to ex<*ieed two, as the interests 
 of public education may demasd. 
 
 Sec. 15. The compensation of all county school officers 
 shall be paid from the school fund of their respective 
 counties, and all other county officers receiving stated 
 salaries shall l)e paid from the general funds of their re- 
 spective counties. 
 
 ARTICLE XI I L 
 
 PUBLIC INSTrrUTIOXS. 
 
 Section 1. Institutions for the benefit of the insane, 
 blind and deaf, and such other benevolent institutions as 
 the public good may require, shall be fostered and sup- 
 
54 
 
 ported h\ the State, subject to such regulations as may 
 be prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec, 2. A State Prison shall be established and main- 
 tained in such manner as may be prescribed by law. Prj- 
 vision may be made by law for the establishment and 
 maintenance of a house of refuge for juvenile offenders; 
 and the Legislature shall have power to establish a home 
 and work-house for common vagrants. 
 
 Sec. 3. The respective counties of the State shall pro- 
 vide in the manner prescribed by law for those of the in- 
 habitants that, by reason of age. infirmity or misfortune, 
 may have claims upon the aid and syrapathy of society. 
 
 Sec. 4. The first Legislature that convenes after the 
 adoption of this Constitution shall enact the necessary 
 laws to carry into effect the provisions of this Article. 
 
 ARTICLE XIV. 
 
 MILITIA. 
 
 Section 1. All able-bodied male inhabitants of the State, 
 between the ages of eighteen and forty -five years, that are 
 citizens of the T'nited States, or have declared their in- 
 tention to become citizens thereof, shall constitute the 
 militia of the State; but no male citizen of whatever re- 
 ligious creed or opinion shall be exempt from military 
 duty except upoti such conditions as may be jjrescribed 
 by law. 
 
 Sec. 2. The Legislature may provide by law for organiz- 
 ing and disciplining the Militia of the State, for the en- 
 couragement of volunteer corps, the safe keeping of the 
 public arms, and for a guard for the State Prison. 
 
 Sec. '?,. The dovernor. by and with the consent of the 
 Senate, shall o])point two . ^lajor-Generals and four 
 Brigadier-Generals of Militia. They shall take rank ac- 
 cording to the dates of their commissions. The officers 
 and soldiers of the State ^Militia, when uniformed, sbnll 
 wear the uniform prescribed for the llnifed States Army; 
 Provlfled. That volunteer companies may select their own 
 xiniforms. 
 
Sec. 4. The Grovernor shall have power to call out the 
 Militia to preserve the public peace, to execute the laws 
 of the State, to suppress insuri-ectiou, or to repel inva- 
 sion. 
 
 ARTICLE XV. 
 
 PUBLIC HEALTH. 
 
 Section 1. The Legislature shall establish a State 
 Board of Health and also County Boards of Health ia 
 all counties where it may be necessary. 
 
 Sec. 2. The State Board of Health shall have supervis- 
 ion of all matters relating to public iiealth, with such 
 duties, powers and responsibilities as may be prescribed 
 by law. 
 
 Sec. 3. The County Boards of Health shall have suck 
 powers and be under the supervision of the State Board 
 to such extent as the Legislature may prescribe. 
 
 ARTICLE XVI. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. 
 
 Section 1. The Seat of Government shall be at the City 
 of Tallahassee, in the County of Leon. 
 
 Sec. 2. Each and every officer of this State, including 
 the members of the Legislature, shall before entering 
 upon the discharge of his official duties take the follow- 
 ing oath of office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that 
 I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and 
 G*overninent of the United States and of the State of 
 Florida ; that I am duly qualified to hold office under the 
 Constitution of the State, and that I will well and faith- 
 fully perform the duties of on which I am now 
 
 about to enter. So help me God. 
 
 Sec' o. The salary of each officer shall Ije payable quar- 
 terly uiK)n his own i-equisition. 
 
 Sec. 4. All county officers shall hold their respective 
 offices, and keep their official books and records, at the 
 county seats of their counties; and the Clerk and Sheriff 
 shall either reside or have a sworn deputy within two 
 miles of the countv seat. 
 
Sec. 5. The Legislature may provide for tlie donation 
 of the public lands to actual settlers, but such donation 
 shall not exceed eighty acres to any one person. 
 
 *Sec. 6. The Legislature shall provide for the speedy 
 publication and distribution of all laws it may enact. 
 Decisions of the Supreme Court and all laws and judicial 
 decisions shall be free for publicaiion by any person. But 
 no judgment of the Supreme Court shall take effect until 
 the decision of the court in such ease shall be filed with 
 the clerk of said court. 
 
 ;Sec. 7. The Legislature shall not create any office, the 
 term of which shqll h% longer than four years. 
 
 Sec. S. A plurality of votes given at an election of of- 
 ficers shall constitute a choice when not otherwise pro- 
 vided by this Constitution. 
 
 **Sec. 9. In all criminal cases prosecuted in the name 
 of the State when the defendant is insolvent or dis- 
 charged, The legal costs and expenses, including the fees 
 •of officers, shall be paid by the counties where the crime 
 is committed under such regulations as shall be pre- 
 scribed by law; and all fines and forfeitures collected 
 under the penal laws of the State shall be paid into the 
 county treasuries of the respective counties as a general 
 county fund to be applied to such legjll costs and ex- 
 penses. 
 
 Sec. 10. The Governor, Supreme Court and all the ad- 
 ministrative officers of the Executive Department shall 
 keep their offices at the Seat of Government. But in 
 <'iase &f invasion or violent epidemics the Governor may 
 direct that the offices of the Govtn'jiineut be reiii(>v»*d umii- 
 porarily to some other place. The sessions of the Legis- 
 lature may be adjourned for the same cause to some other 
 place, but in case of such removal all the Departments 
 of the Government shall be i^eiiioved to one place. But 
 such removal shall not continue longer than the necessity 
 for the same shall continue. 
 
 Sec. 11. Xo extra compensation shall be made to any 
 officer, agent, employe, or contractor after the service 
 shall have been rendered, or the contract made; nor shall 
 any money be appropriated or paid on any claim, the anb- 
 
 ♦Amended in 1896. 
 **Amen^ed in 1894. 
 
ject matter or which shall not have been jnovided for by 
 pre-existing laws, unless such compensation or claim be 
 allowed by bill passed by two-thirds of the members 
 elected to each house of the Legislature. 
 
 ' ^Sec. 12. The present seal of the State shall remain the 
 seal of the State of Florida. The State flag shall be of 
 the following proportions and description : Depth to be 
 three-fourths length of fly. The seal of the State, of di- 
 ameter one-third the fly, in the center of a white ground. 
 Red bars, in width ony-eighth the length of fly extending 
 from each corner toward the center, to the outer rim of 
 the seal. 
 
 **Section 13. The sureties upon the official bonds of 
 all State, county and municipal officers shall be residents 
 of, and have sufficient visible property unencumbered 
 within the State, not exempt from sale under legal pro- 
 cess, to make good their bonds ; and the sureties upon the 
 official' bonds of all county and municipal officers shall 
 reside within the county where their principals upon such 
 bonds reside, and shall have sufficient visible and unen- 
 cumbered property in such county, that is \v)i cxeTupt 
 from sale under legal process to make good their liability 
 on such bonds ; Provided. "That any duly organized and 
 responsible guarantee or siirety company, either foreign 
 or domestic, lawfully doing business in this State, may 
 l»ecome and be accepted as surety on all such official 
 • bonds." 
 
 Sec. 14. All State, County and Municipal officers sihall 
 continue in office after the expiration of their official 
 terms until their successors are duly qualified. 
 
 *The joint resolution approved August 6, 1S68 (Laws, p. 183), re- 
 p^ved: "Tliat a seal of the size of the American silver dollar, hav- 
 ing in the centre thereof a view of the sun's rays over a highland in 
 the distance, a cocoa tree, a steamboat on water, and an Indian fe- 
 male scattering flowers in the foregroUnd, encircled by the words 
 'Great Seal of the State of Florida; in God We Trust,' be and the 
 same is hereby adopted as the great seal of the State of Florida, 
 and immedi-ately after such sea> shall be prepared for use, the Gov- 
 ernor shall issue hi§ proclamation announcing that the same has be- 
 come the great seai of the State." 
 
 The Constitution of 1868, Article XVI, section 31, directed as fol- 
 lows: "The Legislature shall, as soon as convenient, adopt a State 
 emblem having the design of the great seal of the State impressed 
 upon a .white ground of six feet six inches fly and six feet deep." 
 
 ••AmenOed in lRfl9. 
 •Amended in 1897. 
 
Sec. 15. No person holding or exercising the functions 
 of any office under any foreign Government, under the 
 Government of the United States, or under an> other 
 State, shall hold any office of honor or profit under the 
 government of this State; and no person shall hold, or 
 perform the functions of, more than one office under the 
 government of this 'State at the same time; Provided, 
 Notaries Public, militia officers, county school officers 
 and Commissioners of Deeds may be elected or appointed 
 to fill any legislative, executive or judicial office. 
 
 Sec. 16. The property of all corporations, except the 
 property of a corporation which shall construct a ship 
 or barge canal across the peninsula of Florida, if the Leg- 
 islature should so enact, whether heretofore or hereafter 
 incorporated, shall be subject to taxation unless such, 
 property be held and used exclusively for religious, 
 scientific, municipal, educational, literaiy or fh'aritable 
 pur-poses. 
 
 Sec. 17. No person shall hold any office of trust op 
 profit under the laws of this State without devoting his 
 personal attention to the duties of the same. 
 
 Sec. 18. The Ijegislature shall provide for deductioma 
 from the salaries of public ofi'icers who neglect the per- 
 formance of any duty assigned them by law. 
 
 Sec. 19. No Convention nor Legislature of this Stat© 
 shall act upon any amendment of the Constitution of the 
 United States proposed by Congress to the several States 
 unless such Convention or Legislature shall have been 
 elected after such amendment is submitted. 
 
 Sec. 20. The Governor and every State officer are here- 
 by prohibited from giving certificates of election or other 
 credentials to any person as having been elected to the 
 House of Representatives of the United States Congress, 
 or the United States Senate, who has not been five years 
 a citizen of the State and ten years a citizen of the T'nited 
 States, and a qualified voter. 
 
 Sec. 21. Deeds and mortgages which have been proved 
 for record and recorded according to law, shall be taken 
 as prima fac/^* evidence in the courts of this State without 
 requiring proof of the execution. A certified copy of the 
 record of any deed or mortgage that has been or shall be 
 Jtlulv recorded according to law shall be admitted as 
 
5d 
 
 priuM facie evidence thereof, and of its due execution 
 with like effect as the original duly proved ; Provided, It 
 be made to appear that the original is not within the cus- 
 tody or control of the party offering such copy, 
 
 Sec. 22. The Legislature shall provide for giving to me- 
 chanics and laborers an adequate lien on the subject mat- 
 ter of their labor. 
 
 Sec. 23. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered 
 in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in 
 time of war except in the manner prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 24. All marriages between a white person and a 
 negro, or between a white person and a person of negro 
 descent to the fourth generation, inclusive, are hereby 
 forever prohibited. 
 
 Sec. 25. The term felony, whenever it may occur in this 
 Constitution or in the laws of the State, shall be con- 
 strued to mean any criminal offence i>unishable with 
 death or imprisonment in the State Penitentiary. 
 
 Sec. 2G. The Legislature may make provision for the 
 proper adjustment and settlement of the claim of the cit- 
 izens of Ocala againstt he State for certain aid given by 
 the town of Ocala for the establishment of the East 
 Florida Seminary in 1852, and conditional upon its loca- 
 tion at the said town. 
 
 Sec. 27. The Legislature shall appropriate at least five 
 hundred dollars each year for the purchase of such books 
 for the Supreme Court Library as the Court may direct. 
 
 iSec. 28. The Legislature ^nay provide for the drainage 
 of the land of one person over or through that of another, 
 upon just compensation therefor to the owner of the land 
 over which such drainage is had. 
 
 Sec, 29. Xo private property nor right of way shall be 
 appropriated to the use of any corporation or individual 
 until full compensation therefor shall be first made to 
 the owner, or first secured to him by deposit of mone|f; 
 which compensation, irrespective of any benefit from any 
 improvement proposed by such corporation or individual, 
 shall be ascertained by a jury of tweh-e men in a court of 
 competent jurisdiction, as shall be prescribed by law. 
 
 Sec. 30. The Legislature is invested with full power to 
 pass laws for the correction of abuses and to prevent nn- 
 just discrimination and excessive charges by persons and 
 
* 60 
 
 corporations engaged as common carriers in transporting 
 persons and proi>erty. or performing other services of a 
 public nature; and shall provide for enforcing such laws 
 by adequate penalties or forfeitures. 
 
 Sec. 31. No railroad or other transportation company 
 or common carrier in this State shall grant a free pass, 
 or discount the fare paid by the public generally, to any 
 member of the Legislature, or to any salaried officer of 
 this State, and the Legislature shall prohibit the granting 
 or receiving such free pass, or fare at a discount, by suit- 
 able penalties. 
 
 ARTICLE XVII. 
 
 AMENDMENTS. 
 
 Section 1. Either branch of the I^-egislature, at a regu- 
 lar session thereof, may propose amendments to this (Con- 
 stitution ; and if the same be agreed to by three fifths of 
 all the members elected to each House, such proposed 
 amendments shall be entered upon their i^espective Journ- 
 als with the }(Mi» and nays, an^ published in one newspa- 
 per in each county where a newspaper is published, for 
 three months intniediately x>receding the next general elec- 
 tion of Representatives, at which election the saine shall 
 be submitted (o the electors of the State, for approval or 
 rejection. If a majority of the electors votinsj upon ihe 
 amendments ai such election «hall adopt the amendments, 
 the same shall become a part of the Tonstitution. The 
 proposed amendments shall be so submitted as 1o enable 
 the electors to vote on each amendment separately. 
 
 Sec. 2. If a1 any time the Legislature, by a vote of two- 
 thirds of all the members of both Houses, shall "^^efermine 
 that a revision of this Constitution is necessary, such de- 
 termination Siiall be entered upon their respectiv:* Journ- 
 als, with the ,^<'as and nays thereon. Notice of said ac- 
 tion shall be ]'Ublished weekly in one newspajx^r in every 
 county in which a newspaper is published, for three 
 months precovling the next general election of Representa- 
 tives and in tliose counties where no newspa]>er is pub- 
 lished, notice shall be given by posting at the several poll- 
 
81 ^ 
 
 ing p^e(•inct^J i;i such ronnties for six woeks ufxt preoecling 
 «aid election. The electors at sai«l election may vote for 
 or ajjainst tbe revision in question. If a majority of the 
 elertors so v)(?i>a- ]»o in favor of I'cvision, the Lej>islature 
 chosen at ^urh election shall provide by law for a Con- 
 Tention to reiise the roustitution. said Convention to be 
 held within s>k months after the passage of stich law. 
 The Conventioi; shall consist of a number equrl to the 
 membership of the House of Representatives, and shall be 
 apportioned jimon.o the several counties in the same man- 
 ner as members of said House. 
 
 ARTICLE XVIII. 
 
 SCHEDULE. 
 
 Sectioi 1. The Constitution adopted A. D. 18*>i^, with 
 amendments thereto, is declared to be superceded by this 
 Constitution : Rut all rights, actions, claims and con- 
 tracts, both as re«{)ects individuals and bodies corporate, 
 shall continue to be as valid as if thij^ Constitution had 
 not been adopred. And all fines, taxes, penalties and for- 
 feitures due and owing to the State of Florida under the 
 Constitution of ISGS, shall inure to the use of the State 
 under this C ons-titution. 
 
 Sec. 2. All laws now in force not inconsistent with this 
 Constitution shall continue in force until they shall ex- 
 pire by thfir own limitation, or be repealed by the Legis- 
 lature. 
 
 Sec. o. All persons holding any office or appointment at 
 the ratification cf this Constitution shall continue in Ihe 
 exercise of the duties thereof, according to their respec- 
 tive commissions or appointments, and until their succes- 
 sors are duly qualified, unless by this Constitution other- 
 wise provided. 
 
 Sec. 4. Nothing contained in this Constitution shall 
 operate to vacate the oifice of Lieutenant-Governor until 
 the expiration of his present term. 
 
62 
 
 Sec. 5. All vacancies occurring- bv limitation of u'viiis 
 before tlie seiicral election in 18S8 shall be fil!«Hl as j)ro- 
 vided for by law nnder the Constitution of ISOS. 
 
 Sec. G. The term of office for all a]»pointees to fill vacan- 
 cies in any of ihe elective offices under this Constitution, 
 shall extend on\y to the election and qualiflcalion of a 
 successor at the ensuinjj; i^jeneral election. • 
 
 Sec. 7. In ail cases of elections to fill vacancies in office 
 such election Fhall be for the unexpired term. 
 
 Sec. S. T',t(!n The ratification of this Constitution the 
 Commissioner of Lands and Immigi-ation shall assume 
 the office of Commissioner of Agricultud'e, and his duties 
 as such shall be presctibed by the first Legislature assem- 
 bled undei* +his Constitution. 
 
 * Sec. 9. A jreneral electiom shall be held in each county 
 in this State on- the first Tuesday after the first I^Ioiwlav 
 in Novemlter. A. D. 1808. and every two years thereafter, 
 for all ele<-tive State and County officers. whos<^ lernis of 
 office are abort to expire, or for any elective off'i<ie that 
 shall have bf'come vacant. 
 
 Sec. 10. The first election for County Judge. Clfrk of 
 the Circuit Coprt, Sheriff, Tax Assessor. Tax Colle<'tor, 
 County Ti'ensurer. County Superintendent of Public In- 
 struct*f>n. T'oiiiity Surveyor, Justices of the Pence. Consta- 
 bles and all other elective County Officers shell be at the 
 general electirni in 1888. 
 
 Sec. 11. Tt :^ha]l be the duty of the President of this 
 Convention iiiunediately on its adjonrnment +o certify ia 
 the Covernor a copy of this Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 12. T'pon receipt of such certified copy the Cover- 
 nar shall forthwith announce the fact by proclamation, to 
 be published in such newspapers in this State as Jiiay be 
 deemed requisite for general information, and five printed 
 copies of such Constitution shall be transmitted by the 
 Secretary of State to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and 
 five to the ('onnty -Tudge of each county. whi( h shall be 
 kept on file ii; their resy)ertive offices for exaiainat'on by 
 any person desiring the same. 
 
 Anieiidct] in I8f"!f,. 
 
Sec. I'ii. A;l Courts as now ov};;uii7,e«l and conslifutcd 
 shall continne with their jurisdiction until the T>e<iislar.ure 
 shall confonii to the recjuirenients of this ^'oustitution 
 the jnrisdiition of such Courts as, under this Constitu- 
 tion, are to exercise in whole or in part the jurisdiction of 
 Courts now orjianizfd. 
 
 Sec. 14. The terms of office of all County officers, un- 
 less otherwise j»)0\ided, shall coninience on the firs; Tues- 
 day after the fji-st Monday in January next after Iheir 
 election. 
 
 ARTICLE XIX. 
 
 LOCAL orriox. 
 
 Section 1. The K<)ard of Cv»wntv Conimission'^r;"! of ea-h 
 county in tl^* State, not oftenep than once in every two 
 years, upon The appiij(--ation of one-foarth of the-re^'istered 
 voters of any county, shall r«ll and ]»rovide for a» elec- 
 tion in tlM' county in which application is made, to decide 
 Avhether the s.^le of intoxicatin.£r liquors, wines or heer 
 shall be prol-ibited therein, the question to be determined 
 by a maioritv vote of those votinjj at the election called 
 under this section, which election shall be condurtcd in 
 the manner prescribed by law for holding- general elec- 
 tions; Provided, That intoxicatino- liquors, either spiritu- 
 ous. Ainons, or malt, shall not be sold in any election dis- 
 trict in which a majority vote was cast against the same 
 at the said election. Elections under this section shall be 
 held within sixty days from the time of presontiU'O- said 
 ai>plication. but if any such election should th'M^'^bv take 
 place within sixty days of any State or National election, 
 it shall be held within sixty days after any such State or 
 National election. 
 
 Sec. 2. The Legislature shall provide necessai-v l.iws to 
 carry out and enforce the provisions of section ano of this 
 Article. 
 
State Political Organization* 
 
 The State of Florida, in the executive depai'tmeut has 
 the following- officers, who constitute the cabinet: 
 
 Governor, present incumbent, W. S. Jennings. 
 
 Secretary of State, present incumbent, H. Clay Craw- 
 ford. 
 
 Comptroller, present incumbent, A. C. Croom. 
 
 Treasurer, present incumbent, W. Y. Knott. 
 
 Attorney General, present incumbent, W. H. Ellis. 
 
 Superintendent Public Instruction, present incum-ben't, 
 W. N. Sheats. 
 
 Commissioner of Agriculture, presnt incumbent, B. E. 
 McLin. 
 
 Out of tWse executive and administrative officers, there 
 have been created by the Constitution of the State and by 
 law from time to tim©, the different boards that have 
 charge and control of all public institutions, such aa 
 State Asylum and State prisons, public lands, common 
 schools, normal schools, Institute for Deaf. Dumb and 
 Blind, State Reformatory, Board of Pardons, Board of 
 Pensions, Appraisers of railroad property, etc. 
 
 The Board of Commissioners of State Institutions con- 
 sist of the Crovernor and the six administrative officers. 
 This board has the control and supervision of the State 
 Asylum and State Prison. As at present constituted the 
 members of the Board are : 
 
 W. S. Jennings, Governor. 
 
 H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State. 
 
 A. C. Croom, Comptroller. 
 W. V. Knott, Treasurer 
 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney General 
 
 B. K. McLin, Commissioner of Agriculture. 
 
 W. N. Sheats, Superintendent Public Instruction. 
 
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. 
 
 The State Board of Education consists of the Governor, 
 Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney-General and 
 State Superintendent of Public Instruction. This board 
 has control and supervision of the vi^hite and colored 
 Normal schools, the Institute for Deaf, Dumb and Blind, 
 all high schools and common schools, and of all school 
 and eeminary lands, and execute all deeds to school and 
 seminary land. As at present constituted the members 
 of the Board are : 
 
 W. S. Jennings, Governor. 
 
 H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State. 
 
 W. H .Ellis, Attorney General . 
 
 W. V. Nnott, Treasurer. 
 
 W. N. Sheats, Superintendent Public Instruction 
 
 BOARD OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUND. 
 
 The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement 
 Fund consists of the Governor, Comptroller, Treasurer, 
 Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture. It 
 has control, sale and disposition of all lands granted to 
 the State of Florida by act of Congress of September 4, 
 1841, known as the "Internal Improvement Act," which 
 granted to each State and Territory 500,000 acres of land 
 for internal improvements, and ail lands granted the 
 State by the act of Congress of September 28, 1850, known 
 as the "Swamp Land Act." This board executes all 
 deeds and contracts relating to the lands above mention- 
 ed. As at present constituted the members of the Board 
 are: 
 
 W. S. Jennings, Governor. 
 
 A. C. Croom, Comptroller. 
 W. V. Knott, Treasurer. 
 
 B. E. McLin, Commissioner of Agriculture. 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney General. 
 
 PARDONING BOARD. 
 
 The Board of Pardons consists of the Governor, Secre- 
 tary of State, Comptroller, Attorney General and Com- 
 5H. F. 
 
66 
 
 missioner of Agriculture. The duty of this board is to 
 grant pardons and commutation of sentence to all per- 
 sons convicted of any offense against the laws of the 
 State. In any case coming l)efore this board^ no pardon 
 or commutation of sentence can be granted unless three of 
 of the board are favorable to it, and in every case the 
 Governor must be one of the three in favor of the pardon 
 or commutation. As at present constituted the membei's 
 of the Board are : 
 
 W. S. Jennings, Governor. 
 
 H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State. 
 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney General. 
 
 A. O. Croom, Comptroller. 
 
 B. E. McLin, Commissioner of Agricultur-e . 
 
 BOARD OF FINANCE. 
 
 This Board sonsists of the Governor, Comptroller and 
 Treasurer, and is authorized to deposit the State's monies 
 subject to call in such banks in the State as will offer the 
 best inducements as to interest and security. The meth- 
 od of making such deposits is jnescribed by law. As at 
 present constituted the members of the Board are: 
 
 W. S. Jennings. Governor. 
 
 A. C. Croom, Comptroller. 
 
 W. V. Knott, Treasurer, 
 
 STATE CANVASSING BOARD. 
 
 This Boaid consists of the Secretary of State, Comp- 
 troller and Attorney General. The duty of this Board 
 is to meet and canvass the returns of all general and spec- 
 ial State elections and declare the result. The method of 
 procedure is prescribed by law. As at present constituted 
 the members of the Board are : 
 
 H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State. 
 
 A. C. Croom, Comptroller. 
 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney General. 
 
 BOARD OF PENSIONS. 
 
 The Board of Pensions consists of the Governor. Comp- 
 ti'oller and Attorney General. The duty of this Board is 
 to examine into the claims of all disabled Confederate 
 
f7 
 
 Boldiers uud sailorn, an dof widows of deceasod Confed- 
 erate soldiers and sailors, and if found entitled to the 
 pension to award what shall be paid to each pensioner 
 per annum. As at present constituted the members of 
 the Board are: 
 
 W. S. Jennings, Governor. 
 
 A. C Croom, Comptroller. 
 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney General . 
 
 BOARD FOK t^rECIAL ASSESSMENT PURPOSES. 
 
 The duty of this Board is to approve or assess railroads 
 and railroad property. Jn case the railroad authoritiea 
 in this State fail to make returas of their property for 
 taxation, the Comptroler, Ti-easurer and Attorney Gen- 
 eral have power to assess the same. As at present consti- 
 tuted the mendjers of this Hoard are: 
 
 A. C. Croom, Comptroller. 
 W. V. Knott, Treasurer. 
 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney (ieneral. 
 
 STATE REFORM SCHOOL BOARD. 
 
 This Board consists of the Governor, Attorney Gen- 
 eral and Commissioner of Agriculture. The duty of this 
 Board is advisory, and audits the accounts of the Com- 
 missioners of State Reform School. As at present consti- 
 tuted the members of this Board are : 
 
 W. S. Jennings, Governor. 
 
 W. H. Ellis, Attorney General. 
 
 B. E. McLin, Commissioner of Agriculture. 
 
 COMMISSIONER OF STATE REFORM SCHOOL. 
 
 This Commission is closely allied to the State Reform 
 School Board. Its duty is to superintend and manage 
 the reformatory school, to appoint a superintendent, and 
 minor officials of the school, and to report to the Legisla- 
 ture biennially, and to the Governor when the Legislature 
 is not in session. Other duties are also prescribed by 
 law. As at present constituted the mend)ers of this Com- 
 mission are: 
 
68 
 
 J. C. L'Engle, JackiSOiiviHe. 
 
 W. H. Miitou, Mariaiina. 
 
 M. L. Dekle, MariaDua. 
 
 L. J. Reeves^ DeFuniak Springs. 
 
 W. L. Palmer, Orlando. 
 
 STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER. 
 
 The State Treasurer is Insurance Commissioner of the 
 State. His duties as such are prescribed by law. 
 
 DUTIES OF COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 
 
 The Commissioner of Agriculture is salesman of all State 
 and school lands, and has the control of all maps, patents, 
 and i-ecords of deeds, and ail books relative to land 
 entries of every kind. He also has immediate supervision 
 of the State convicts under the direction of the Board of 
 State Institutions. He has the direction of all matters 
 coming before the department on subjects relating to 
 agriculture, and is required to keep the Bureau of Immi- 
 gration, exercise general supervision of the State Chemi- 
 cal Laboratory, and control the sale of commercial ferti- 
 lizers, either manufactured in or imported into the State; 
 the immediate operations of the State Laboratory are con- 
 ducted by a State Chemist, who is appointed by the Gov- 
 ernor for a term of four years. The present State Chem- 
 ist Capt. R. E. Rose, of Kissimmee. Other duties of the 
 Commissioner of Agriculture are prescribed by law. 
 
 All of the foregoing boards have a secretary. The 
 present secretary of the Board of State Instituons, Board 
 of Pensions, and Board of Pardons is Mr. C. H. Dicken- 
 son, who is also Private Secretary to the Governor. 
 
 The Secretary of the State Board of Education is the 
 State Superintendent of Public Instruction, he is the 
 secretary ex-officio by virtue of his office. 
 
 The Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Internal 
 Improvement Fund is W. M. Mcintosh, Jr., who is also 
 Treasurer of the Board. 
 
 THE STATE MILITIA. 
 
 The Governor is Commander-in-Chief of the militia, ex- 
 ceut when it is in the actual service of the United States. 
 The Adjutant General is appointed by the Governor, and 
 
69 
 
 is his chief of staff. His duties are to direct and control 
 the military affairs and- organization of the Btate. His 
 rank is that of a Major General. There is also a Quarter- 
 master General, a Commissary General, a Judge Advocate 
 General, a Chief of Ordinance, a Surgeon General, an 
 Inspector of Small Arms Practice, and Assistant Adju- 
 tant G<?neral, each with the rank of Colonel, and a Kaval 
 Secretary with the naval rank of Captain. This Board 
 is designated by law as the General Staff. The i)resent 
 Adjutant General is J. Clifford R. Foster. His duties :ire 
 further prescribed by law. 
 
 OTHER BOARDS. 
 
 Besides the boards onsisting of the executive and ad- 
 ministrative officers, there are various other State boards 
 and commissions which have important duties to perform, 
 as follows: 
 
 STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. 
 
 The duty of this Board is to look after public health, 
 establish and abolish quarantine, and do all things possi- 
 ble to prevent the spread, if in the State, of all contagious 
 or infectious diseases. The present Board consists of the 
 following: 
 
 E. M. Hendry, Tampa. 
 
 N. B. Broward, Jacksonville. 
 
 Horace L. Simpson, Pensacola. 
 
 State Health Officer, Dr. J. Y. Porter of Jacksonville. 
 He is the Secretary exofficio of the State Board, and iB 
 its executive officer. 
 
 RAILROAD COMMISSION. 
 
 The duties of this Board are similar to the duties of the 
 Railroad Commission of other States. At present the 
 Commission consists of: 
 
 Jefferson B. Browne, Key West. 
 
 R. Hudson Burr, Miami. 
 
 John L. Morgan, Jasper. 
 
 The Secretary of this Board is Royal C. Dunn, Madi- 
 son. 
 
COMMI^TON UNIFORMITY OF LEGISLATION. 
 
 The duty of this Board is tlie .same as that of similar 
 boards in other States for like purpose. The members pf 
 the present Board are: 
 
 B. W. Williams, TalUihassee. 
 John 0. Avery, Pensacola. 
 Louis C. Massey, Orlando. 
 
 FISH COMMISSION. 
 
 The duty of this Board is to look after the fish and 
 oyster interests of the State, see that the laws controlling 
 'the catching of fish and oysters are complied with, and 
 such other duties as are prescribed by law. As at preir 
 ent constituted, the members of the Board are: 
 
 John Y. Detwiler, President, New Smyrna. 
 
 John G . Kugc. Apalachicola. 
 
 C. R. Walker, Sanford. 
 
 ■— =i ,■* 
 
 STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY. 
 
 The duties of this Board is to examine certain persona 
 desiring to conduct the business of selling at retail, com- 
 pounding and dispensiDiSf medicine, or compounding or 
 dispensing chemicals for medical purposes or for com- 
 pounding or dispensing physicians prescriptions, and if 
 such persons are found competent and duly qualified to 
 conduct such business, to issue certificates to that effect. 
 As at present constituted the members of the Board are : 
 
 E. Berger, Tampa. 
 
 H. C. Brown, Ocala. 
 
 J. D. Palmer, Monticello- 
 
 Leon Hale, Tampa. 
 
 H. A. D'Alemberte, Pensacola. 
 
 BOARDS OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS. 
 
 In each judicial circuit in this State the Governor ap- 
 points a Board of Medical Examiners, consisting of three 
 practicing physicians of known ability, who shall be 
 graduates of a medical college recognized by the Ameri- 
 can Medical Association, and they must also be in good 
 
71 
 
 standing of such medical college, and each must also be 
 a resident of the judicial district for which appointed. 
 Their duties are prescribed by law. The following are 
 the members of the several boards, by judicial districtji: 
 
 FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICI. 
 
 D. W. McMillan, Pensacola. 
 Lonis DeM. Blocker, Pensacola. 
 Ed. F. Bruce, Pensacola. 
 
 SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 
 
 George H. Gwynn, Tallahassee. 
 
 {Vacant.) 
 
 O. W. Lamar, Quincy . 
 
 THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 
 
 J. A. Townsend, Lake City. 
 T. S. Anderson, Live Oak. 
 A. L. Blalock, Madison. 
 
 FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 
 
 Neal Mitchell, Jacksonville. 
 J. H. Durkee, Jacksonville. 
 Vacant.) 
 
 FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 
 
 Owing to change in district boundaries, this Board W3» 
 thrown otit, and have not at thia writing been reappointed. 
 
 SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, 
 
 liOuis A. Rize, Tampa. 
 C. Sweeting, Key West. 
 F. M. Wilson, Bartow. 
 
: 72 
 
 SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 
 
 N. DeV, Howard, Sanford . 
 H. K. DuBois^ Port Orange. 
 R. L. Harris, Orlando. 
 
 EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 
 
 John C. Wills, Starke. 
 
 Geo. E. Wekh, Palatka. 
 
 J. F. McKinsti'y, GainesvilKe. 
 
 HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS. 
 
 This is a Board for the State at large and consists of 
 three homeopathic physicians of known ability, and grad- 
 uates in good standing from some medical college recog- 
 nized by the American Institute of Homeopathy. The 
 membei's of the present Board are: 
 
 Henry R. Stout, Jacksonville. 
 
 C. W. Johnson, Jacksonville. 
 H. M. Bruce, Tampa. 
 
 ECLECTIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS. 
 
 This Board also consists of three members who must 
 come up to the same stand of requirements as the pre- 
 ceeding Board. At pr-esent the Board consists of: 
 
 G. P. Morris, DeFuniak Springs. 
 
 D. E. Saxon, Tampa. 
 
 Hiram Hampton, Jr. , , 
 
 STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS. 
 
 It is the duty of this Board to examine into the qualifi- 
 cations of all persons who desire to practice dentistry in 
 this State, and to issue certificates to those who are found 
 competent to practice dentistry. The present Koard con- 
 gists of five members, as follows : 
 
 R. A. Shine, Tallahassee. 
 
 W. G. Mason. Tampa. 
 
 Sanford W. Allen, Tampa. 
 
 F. B. Hannah, Sr., Umatilla. 
 
 E. M. Sanderson, Jacksonville. ! 
 
FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
 Dr. V. H. Gwinn, Superintendent, Chattahoochee. 
 BLIND, DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE. 
 
 W. B. Hare, Superintendent, St. Augustine. 
 
 Trustees — J. W. Estes, St. Augustine; J. M. N. Pea- 
 cock, Pine Mount; H. J. Drane, Lakeland; W. A. Wil- 
 liams, St. Augustine; J. M. Reaves, Gainesville. 
 
 SOUTH FLORIDA MILITARY COLLEGE. 
 
 E. M. Law, Superintendent, Bartow. 
 
 Trustees— r. O. Knight, Tampa; R. O. Cresap, Lake- 
 land; A. W. Gilchrist, Punta (lorda; E. W. Codington, 
 Bartow; W. W. Flournoy, DeFuniak Springs. 
 
 FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE. 
 
 A. A. Murphi^eo, President, Tallahassee. 
 
 Trustees — J. W. Malone. Quincy ; John L. Neeley, Tal- 
 lahassee; W. A. Rawls, Tallahassee; Jno. A. Henderson, 
 Tallahassee; T. L. Clark. Monticello; John Neil, West- 
 Yille; William Miller, Point Washington. 
 
 EAST FLORIDA SEMINARY. 
 
 G. M. Guillianis, tSuperintendent, Gainesville. 
 
 Trustees— D. H. Baker, Oralige Home J J. D. Wat- 
 )iin8, Micanopy; G. W. Hyde, Gainesville; T. V. Porter, 
 Gainesville; C. P. Lovell. Jacksonville; J. W. Watson, 
 Kissimmee, C. M. Brown, Ocala. 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. 
 
 T. F. Taliaferro, PresideTit, Lake City. 
 
 C. A. Finley, Siecretary, Lake City. 
 
 Trustees — E. D, Beggs. Pen.sacola ; G. W. Wilson, 
 Jacksonville; F, E. Harris, Ocala; C. A. Carson, Kig- 
 Bimmee; F. M. Simonton, Tampa; Fred S. Stringer, Ar- 
 cadia; J. R. Parrot, Jacksonville. 
 
.74 ..^,.^.^...1 
 
 8TATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 
 H. E. Bennett, President. DeFuniak Springs. 
 
 STATE NORMAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL. 
 
 Colored. 
 
 N. B. Young, President, Tallahassee. 
 
 THE JUDICIARY. 
 
 Organization of the Courts. 
 
 The judicial power of the State of Florida is vested in a 
 Supreme Court, eight Circuit Courts, County Criminal 
 Courts, County Judges, and Justices of the Peace. The 
 Supreme Court consists of six justices, elected by the 
 qualified electors of the State. This court formerly con- 
 sieted of three justices, but an amendment to the Constitu- 
 tion adopted at the election in 1902 increased the number 
 to six justices. The full term of a justice is six years, so 
 that now two justices are elected every two years; the 
 term of each l>egins on the first Tuesday after the first 
 Monday in January after their election. The Chief Justice 
 is designated by lot by the Justices composing the Court, 
 and he shall be such during his term of office. In cases 
 ol vacancy by death, resignation or otherwise, the Gover- 
 nor fills the vacancy by appointmeut until the next gen- 
 eral election, when such vacancy is filled by election. 
 The Justice elected at such election only holds to the ex- 
 piration of the same term *^ the Justice whose place he 
 succeeds to. The powers of the Supreme Court of this 
 State are in general ih<» sameas those of the high^ 
 appellate court in any State in the Union. As at present 
 constituted, the members of the Court are: 
 
 B, Fenwipk Taylor. Chief Jostice. 
 W. A. Hocker Associate Justice. 
 Francis B. Carter, Associate Justice. 
 Thos. M. Shackleford, Associate Justice. 
 Bobt. S. Cockrell, Associate Justice. 
 James B. Whitfield. Associate Juatice. 
 
75 :vi 
 
 CIRCUIT COURTS. 
 
 The Circuit Court Judges are appointed by the Gover- 
 Bor and confirmed by the Senate for a term of six years. 
 All vacancies, from whatever cause, are filled by appoint- 
 ment by the Governor for the unexpired terra. Each ju- 
 dicial circuit has a State Attorney, who represents the 
 State in all civil and criminal cases. This officer corre- 
 sponds to that of Solicitor or Prosecuting Attorney ia 
 other states. The term of office is four years. The ap- 
 pointment of State Attorney is made by the Governor and 
 confirmed by the Senate. The present Circuit Judges 
 and States Attorneys by districts are as follows : 
 
 FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 C. B. Parkhill, Pensacola. 
 
 J. Waltei* Kehoe, State Attorney, Marianna. 
 
 8EC0ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 John W. Malone, Quincy. - 
 
 George W. Walker, State Attorney, Tallahasaee. 
 
 THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 B. H. Palmer, Lake City. 
 
 L. E. Roberson, State Attorney, Lake City. 
 
 FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 R. M. Call, Jacksonville. 
 
 A. G. Hartrid(ge, State Attorney, Jacksonville. 
 
 FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 W. 8. Bullock, Ocala. 
 
 Neil L. Allred, State Attorney, Gainesville. 
 
 SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 Joseph B. Wall, Tampa. 
 
 H. 8. Phillii)8, State Attorney, Tampa. 
 
'<'6 ] 
 
 BEVEJsTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 Minor R. Jones. Titusville. 
 
 James D. Beggs, State Attorney, Orlando. 
 
 EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT. 
 
 J. T. Wills, Starke. 
 
 B. P. Calhoun, State Attorney, Palatka. 
 
 COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS. 
 
 The Constitution of the State permits the Legislature^ 
 when a majority of the registered voters of a county ap- 
 jjly for such court, to establish county criminal courts of 
 record. The judge of this court is appointed by the Gov- 
 ernor, and confirmed by the Senate. The terra of office is 
 four years. Each County Criminal Court has a prosecut- 
 ing attorney, appointed by the Governor and confirmed 
 by the Senate, for four years. 
 
 The Legislature of ^Florida has power to organize in 
 any county it may think proper, county courts which 
 shall have jurisdiction in cases at law where the amount 
 is five hundred dollars, of foricble entry and unlawful de- 
 tainer of lands or tenements, and criminal jurisdiction as 
 to misdemeanors, and final appellate jurisdiction in civil 
 cases arising in the courts of justices of the peace. The 
 county judge is the judge of this court. This court has a 
 prosecuting attorney. Both judge and attorney are 
 elected by the people and hold their term for four years. 
 
 Each county in this State has a county judge e^lected by 
 the people for a term of four years. He has full probate 
 jurisdiction, has original jurisdiction in cases at law to 
 the amount of one hundred dollars, of proceedings relat- 
 ing to forcible entry and unlawful detainer of lands and 
 tenements and such criminal jurisdiction as the Leg'sla- 
 ture may prescribe. He has the power of a committing 
 magistrate and issues all licenses required by law. 
 
 Each county in this State is divided into justice dis- 
 tricts. No county has less than two such districts. The 
 ^unty Commissioners have power to create or divide off 
 the justice districts. Justices of the Peace are elected by 
 the people of their respective districts and hold their of- 
 
77 
 
 fice for four years. The executive officer of a court of a 
 Justice of the Peace is a constable, who is elected by the 
 voters of the district in which he lives. He holds his of- 
 fice for four years. Vacancies in the offices of County 
 Judge, Justice of the Peace or Constable are filled by ap- 
 pointment by the Governor, ^uch appointees hold until 
 the next general election. 
 
 COUNTY OFFICERvS, OTHER THAN JUDICIAL. 
 
 Each county has a Sheriff, a board of five County Com- 
 missioner's, Tax Collector, Tax Assessor, Treasurer, Coun- 
 ty Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a County 
 School Board, and a Supervisor of Registration. 
 
 Each Board of County Commissioners has an Auditor, 
 who is also clerk of the Circuit Court in each county. 
 The County Superintendent of Public Instruction is also 
 secretary of the County School Board. The duty of each 
 of the above officials and boards are prescribed by law. 
 
 LEGISLATIVE. 
 
 The Legislature of the State of Florida consists of a 
 Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate has 
 thirty-two members, one-half of which are elected every 
 two years. They are elected by districts for the term of 
 four years. The House consists of sixty-eight members, 
 who are elected from counties of which they are qualified 
 voters. Representatives hoi dtheir office for two years. 
 
 The Legislature ia the law making power, and has about 
 the same powers, duties and prerogatives as the Legisla- 
 ture of other States in the Union. No act becomes opera- 
 tive until sixty days after its approval by the Governor, 
 unless it is so expressed in the act. 
 
 If the Legislature is in session, the Governor must 
 either sign or veto any bill passed by both houses and 
 properly enrolled and delivered to him within five days af- 
 ter its final passage, or it becomes a law without his signa- 
 ture. If the Legislature has adjournerl, the Governor has 
 ten days in which to sign or veto a bill before it becomes 
 a law. In case the Governor vetoes a bill, he returns it 
 to the House in which it originated with his reasons for 
 
not signing it. If two-thirds of each house vote that the 
 bill pass, the Governor's veto to the contrary notwith- 
 standing, the bill becomes a law. 
 
 The House of Representatives has sole power of im- 
 peachment, but it requires i\ two-thirds vote of all mem- 
 bers present to impeach any officer. The State Senate 
 Bits as a court of imi>eachment, and the Chief Justice i)re- 
 fiides. In case he is impeached the Governor presides. 
 
 State Finances. 
 
 No State in the Union has a better financial standing 
 than Florida. The bonded debt of the State, amounting 
 in the aggregate to $G01,5G7, is controlled by the State 
 in its educational funds. There is no floating debt. The 
 warrants issued by the Comptroller for the current ex- 
 penses of the State are accepted at par everywhere, and 
 they are promptly paid by the Treasurer upon presenta- 
 tion. All of the State funds have sufficient money to 
 meet all proper demands upon them. The general rev- 
 enue fund, from which all appropriations are paid, had 
 to its credit on January 1, 1904, $209,068.58. The State 
 tax levy for general revenue purposes is one and one half 
 mills. 
 
 The entire bonded debt of Florida consists of $267,700 
 of three per cent, refunding bonds, issued in 1901, in ex- 
 change for an equal amount of matured seven i)er cent 
 bonds of 1871, and |333,867. of three per cent, refunding 
 bonds issued in 1903 in exchange for an equal amount of 
 matured one per cent, bonds of 1873, making the total 
 bonded debt of the State |601,567, or not over one dol- 
 lar per capita. 
 
 INTEREST ON STATE DEBT PAID IN 1903. 
 
 Paid Interest to State School Fund |25,6i2 50 
 
 Paid Interest to Agricultural College Fund. . 6,052 50 
 
 Paid Interest to Seminary Fund 4,122 00 
 
 Paid Interest to Individuals 4.920 00 
 
 Total Interest on State Debt Paid in 1903. .f 40,707 00 
 
79 
 
 The i-efuudiug of the 7 per cent, bonds of 1871 and the 
 6 per cent, bonds of 187;:i in '4 per cent, bonds, in accord- 
 ance with the provisions of Chapter 41)47, Acts of 1901, 
 has materially reduced the annual payments of interest. 
 Prior to January 1, 1901, the annual interest on the 
 bonded debt of Florida was $G4,G27.(i(), while in 1904 and 
 subsequent 3-ears it will amount to but |18,047.01. This 
 will be a saving to the taxpayers of Florida of $46,579.99 
 per annum, owing to the payment and cancellation of a 
 portion of the bonds issued under the Act of February 21, 
 1873, Chapter 1937, and the refunding of the remainder of 
 the bonds comprising said issue, and the refunding of all 
 of the bonds issued under Chapter 1833, Acts of 1871. 
 All of said refunding bonds bear a lower rate of interest 
 than did the bonds for which they were exchanged. 
 
 The University of Florida (formerly the Agricultural 
 College) has a permanent investment of $153,800.00 of 
 which $135,800.00 are in Florida 3 per cent, refunding 
 bonds and $18,000.00 in North Carolina 4 and G per cent, 
 bonds. 
 
 The common school fund of Florida has as invest- 
 ments in bonds $242,800.00 of Florida 3 per cent, refund- 
 ing bonds of 1901, $125,30/. 00 of Florida 3 per cent, re- 
 funding bonds of 1903 and $599,000.00 of the bonds of 
 other States, making a total investment in bonds of 
 $907,107.00. 
 
 The East and West Florida Seminaries (the latter 
 now known as the Florida State College) have a perma- 
 nent investment of $121,500.00, of which $97,000.00 is in 
 Florida 3 per cent, refunding bonds and the remainder 
 in bonds of other States. 
 
 STATE SCHOOL FUND INVESTMENTS. 
 
 r • 
 
 L 
 
 The laws of Florida limit the State Board of Educa- 
 tion in investing moneys belonging to the Principal of 
 the State School Fnnd to the purchase of United States 
 or State bonds, all of which are high-priced and contin- 
 ually fluctuating in value. In order, therefore, to protect 
 the fund, it is necessary to employ the utmost caution 
 and business prudence in making these investments. 
 
 The additions to the Principal of the State School 
 Fund during the vear have been from the sale of school 
 
80 
 
 Jands, from the receipt of |88,3G2.11. under Chapter 5117. 
 Acts of 1903, from the Indian War Claims Fund, the sama 
 being the amount due the State of Florida for five per 
 cent, of land sales in the State under an Act of Congress 
 approved March 3, 1845, but withheld from the State 
 until the settlement was effected of the mutual claims 
 between the United States and the State of Florida under 
 -an Act of Congress approved May 27, 1902, and from the 
 redemption of Florida six per cent, bonds of the issue of 
 1873 held by this fund, in pursuance of Chapter 5118, 
 Acts of 1903, the bonds so paid and redeemed aggregat- 
 ing $281,933.00, all of which matured January 1, 1903. 
 The receipts of the principal in the State School Fund 
 appear in tabular form below, from which it will be seen 
 that the balance on hand January 1st, 1903, aggregated 
 the sum of $•401,572.21. 
 
 PRINCIPAL OF STATE SCHOOL FUND. 
 
 Receipts in 1903. 
 
 1903. 
 
 Jan. 1 — Balance as per Report $ 2,000 62 
 
 Mar. 7 — Received from the United States 
 Govt. 5 per cent, on Land Sales for 
 the year ending June 30, 1902 154 73 
 
 June 27— Comptroller's Warrant No. 1264 
 transferring amount due this Fund 
 from Indian War Claims Fund, 
 (Chap. 5117, Acts of 1903) 88,362 11 
 
 July 17— Comptroller's Warrant Nq. 1622 
 from Indian War Claims Funds to 
 redeem and cancel Florida 6 per 
 cent, bonds held by this Fund, 
 (Chap. 5118, Acts of 1903) 118,700 00 
 
 Aug. 5 — Refunded on account of overdraft 
 
 on purchase of bonds 1 18 
 
 Sept. 30— Comptroller's Warrant No. 2187, 
 from Indian War Claim Fund for 
 payment on Cons. Fla. bond No. 
 3 ($288,600) held by this Fund 
 (Chap. 5118, Acts of 1903) 163,233 00 
 
 Dec. 31— Land Sales During the Year 89,123 57 
 
 $461,575 21 
 
gl 
 INSURANCE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 The State received during the year 1903, through 
 licenses and commissions on premiums collected in the 
 Treasurer's office, from insurance and surety companies 
 doing business in the State the following sums: 
 
 For Company Licenses $18,050 00 
 
 For Agent's Licenses 11,167 50 
 
 For Commissions on Premiums 37,006 96 
 
 Making a total of $66,224 46 
 
 This is an increase of |8,678.35 over the collections in 
 1902 
 
 6 H. F. j 
 
The State*s Resources, Wealth, Debt 
 and Taxation, 
 
 The following compilation of facts from the books of 
 the Comptroller's Department will give a clear and con- 
 vincing idea of the material and financial condition of 
 the State, its desirability as a location for remunerative 
 investments, and for homes for every individual of en- 
 ergy and thrift. 
 
 The rate of taxation levied in the year A. D. 1902 for 
 general revenue to pay the appropriations for the cur- 
 rent expenses of the State and for interest on the bonded 
 debt was two and one-half (2|) mills, and the tax rate 
 levied for the same purpose for the year A. D, 1903, was 
 one and one-half (ij) mills, a reduction of one mill. 
 
 The State tax rate for all purposes as authorized bj 
 the legislature is six and one-half (6^) mills, as followe: 
 General revenue to pay the appropriations for 
 the current expenses of the State and for inter- 
 est on the bonded debt 3 millB 
 
 State School Tax 1 mill 
 
 Pension Tax 2 mills 
 
 Board of Health Tax i mill 
 
 Total 6^ mills 
 
 The tax rate levied for each of the different State pur- 
 poses for the years A. D. 1902 and A. D. 1903, was as 
 follows : 
 
 1902 1903 
 
 General revenue to pay the appropria- 
 tions for current expenses and in- 
 terest on bonded debt, as reduced hy 
 
 Governor 2| mills 1\ mills 
 
 State School Tax. fixed by Constitu- 
 tion 1 mill 1 mill 
 
 Pension Tax. increased in 1903 hy Leg- 
 islature 1 mill 2 mills 
 
83 
 
 Board of Health Tax, fixed bv Statute. 
 
 no authority to reduce ^ mill h mill 
 
 Total r> mills 5 uiills 
 
 It will he seen from the above that the (Jeneral Reve- 
 nue Tax, in connection with which the Covernor was 
 vested with discretion, was reduced in A. I). UWA, one 
 mill below the rate to which it was reduced by him for 
 A. D. 1002. thus reducing,' to that extent the amount to 
 be collected from the tax payers to meet the current ex- 
 penses of the State and pay the interest on the bonded 
 debt. The fact that the total tax rate for A. D. 190:? is 
 the same as that levied for A, D. 1902, is due to an in- 
 crease by the Lejjislature of one mill on account of the 
 Pension Tax. which was ren<iered necessary by the ad- 
 ditions to the roll of pensioners. While the Goveiuor 
 was vested by the Lejjislature with power to reduce the 
 pension tax, it would have caused great hardship for 
 44 him to have done so. Such a reduction would have necessi- 
 tated a pro rata reduction of the amount fixed by law to 
 be paid to pensioners and thereby defeated the purpose 
 of the Legislature that the stipulated amount should be 
 paid to each pensioner as the law directs. 
 
 The State School Tax is fixed by the Constitution and 
 is not subject to change by legislative or executive ac- 
 tion. The tax rate for the State Board of Health is 
 greater than necessary under the existing conditions, but 
 it is fixed by law and no discretion is given the Governor 
 in reference thereto. 
 
 It was possible to reduce the tax rate for General Rev- 
 enue puiqioses in spite of the fact that the Legislature of 
 A. D. 1901. appropriated about |328,000.00 for extraor- 
 dinary purposes. (Enlarging Capitol, Educational Insti- 
 tutions, etc.) and the I>egislature of A. D. 1903. appro- 
 priated for like extraordinary purposes about |444,000.00 
 (Educational Institutions, Uniform System of County 
 High Schools, etc.,) payable from the money derived 
 from taxation for the General Revenue Fund, from 
 which the regular current expenses and interest on the 
 State debt are paid. 
 
84 
 
 FINANCIAL CONDITION. 
 
 There is every reason for our citizens to be gratified 
 with the present financial condition of the State. The 
 bonded debt has been reduced until the indebtedness only 
 amounts to |601,5(>7.00 in three per cent, bonds issued 
 under the Act of 1901, and they are alll held by the Edu- 
 cational Funds of the State as follows: 
 
 State School Fund : 
 
 Bond of 1901 $242,800 00 
 
 Bond of 1903 125,367 00— $368,167 00 
 
 State Seminary Fund : 
 
 Bond of 1901 $ 21,000 00 
 
 Bond of 1903 76,600 00—$ 97,600 00 
 
 Agricultural College Fund: 
 
 Bond of 1901 $ 3,900 00 
 
 Bond of 1903 131,900 00— $135,800 00 
 
 $601,567 00 
 No other indebtedness of any kind exists and all legal 
 claims are promtly paid upon presentation. There is an 
 aggregate balance of $507,661.40 in the State Treasury, 
 of which $269,068.58 is to the credit of General Revenue 
 Fiind to meet current expenses. The tax rate for this 
 purpose is the lowest, with perhaps one or two exceptions, 
 of any of the States in the Union. 
 
 The only true basis of a sound financial condition is 
 that the income must exceed the expenditures and) the 
 figures show that this has been accomplished. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that this satisfactory condi- 
 tion has not been brought about at the sacrifice of any 
 material interest of the State, but on the contrary, lib- 
 eral provisions has been made for each branch of the 
 government, educational institutions have been fostered 
 and unfortunates cared for in the most substantial man- 
 ner- consistent with a due regard for the welfare of the 
 whole people. 
 
 PENSIONS. 
 
 The Legislature of A. D. 1903 made liberal provision 
 for the payment of pensions and remedied serious defects* 
 that existed prior to that time in the law relative to pen- 
 
8r. 
 
 sions to widows. This will insure the prompt payment 
 of pensions allowed nnder the law and admits many most 
 deserving widows to the pension roll who have heretofore 
 been denied this right, for the reason thatt he law did not 
 provide therefor. 
 
 The number of pensioners has increased from 1,675 in 
 1902 to 2,700 in 1903. A large number of these are wid- 
 ows who were admitted under the Act of 1903. 
 
 Warrants in payment of pensions are issued quarterly 
 and the present number of pensioners will require over 
 ten thousand warrants to be issued each jear for this 
 purpose alone. 
 
 INCREASE IN VALUATION. 
 
 In A. D. 1898 the assessed valuation of all taxable prop- 
 erty was 193,900,823.75 and in A. D. 1900 the valuation 
 had increased to |96,686,954.00, a gain of $2,786,130.25, 
 or nearly three million dollars. 
 
 During the same period of time from A. D. 1901 to A. 
 D. 1903, the assessed valuation of the taxable property 
 increased from $97,551,192.00 to $111,333,735.00, an in- 
 crease of $13,782,543.00, or nearly fourteen million dol- 
 lars. This shows very satisfactory progress, particularly 
 in the latter period, which is beneficial to the tax payer 
 as the tax rate is based on the valuation of the property. 
 A higher valuation means a reduced tax rate andi less 
 taxes to be collected upon each dollar of the assessed 
 value of property. 
 
 STATE BANKS. 
 
 During the past year four new banks were authorized 
 to commence business and four more filed applications 
 for charters that will doubtless be granted within the 
 next thirty days. This will be a gain of eight banks within 
 a short period of time. One bank (Leesburg and County 
 State Bank at Leesburg) is in voluntary liquidation. 
 There has been no failure during the past year. The 
 State banks generally are in fine condition and deserve the 
 confidence they have inspired. 
 
8rt 
 
 HIRE OF STATE CONVICTS. 
 
 The amount distributed to the several counties 
 from the proceeds of the hire of State con- 
 victs for nine months of the year A. D. 
 
 1903, was $120,571 85 
 
 The amount apportioned for distribution to 
 the several counties for the last quarter of 
 
 the year A. D. 1903, is 40,000 0« 
 
 Making the total for year A. D. 1«03 $160,571 85 
 
 This is an income to the counties that is not derived 
 from taxation and in many instances is more than suffi- 
 cient to pay all the costs of criminal prosecution charg- 
 able against the counties, thus avoiding the levy of any 
 taxes for that purpose. 
 
 recp:ipts and disbursements. 
 
 At the state Treasury for the Year Ending December 
 3l8t, 1903. 
 
 RECEIPTS. 
 
 Aggregate balance in the State 
 
 Treasurv January l«t, 1903 $1,092,458 26 
 
 Oeneral Revenue Fund 740,721 20 
 
 State School 1 Mill Tax f\ind 103,995 43 
 
 Pension Tax Fund 122,901 56 
 
 State Board of Health Fund. 50,492 44 
 State School Fund, Principal 450,574 59 
 State School Fund, Interest. 130,134 94 
 
 Seminary Fund, Interest 4,122 00 
 
 Seminarv Fund, Principal... 22,757 33 
 Hire of 'state Convict Fund. 156,687 78 
 Slate Property Fund 12,450 00—^1,803,837 27 
 
 $2,896,295 53 
 
 DISBURSEMENTS. 
 
 General Revenue Fund $699,694 88 
 
 State School 1 Mill Tax Fund 99,785 50 
 
 Pension Tax Fund 178,620 42 
 
 State Board of Health p\ind. 28,365 55 
 
87 . .:! 
 
 state School Fund, Principal 403,079 28 
 
 State School Fund, Interest. 132,669 32 
 
 Seminary Fund, Interest 4,122 00 
 
 Seminary Fund, Trincipal . . . 23,615 25 
 
 Hire of State Convict Fund.. 129,073 64 
 
 Indian War Claim Fund 658,093 29 
 
 State Property Fund 31,515 00—12,388,634 IS 
 
 $ 507,661 40 
 
 Distributed among the different funds as follows: 
 
 General Revenue Fund $269,068 58 
 
 State School 1 Mill Tax Fund 12,661 72 
 
 Pension Tax P^ind 7,895 06 
 
 State Board of Health Fund. 43,655 49 
 
 State School Fund, Principal 58,495 93 
 
 Seminary Fund, Principal ... 54 84 
 
 State School Fund, Interest. . 15,360 10 
 
 Indian War Claim Fund 34,852 71 
 
 Hire of State Convict Fund . . 65,616 97 
 
 f 507,661 4« 
 TAXABLE VALUATIONS COMPARED. 
 
 The following table is specially worthy of note as it 
 shows the verj' gratifying increase in valueations of 
 property of nearly $14,000,000 in two years; it also dis- 
 closes the fact that of the increase above stated, over 
 18,000,000 of it or about 69 per cent was in improved 
 values of real property, and all this at a reduced tax 
 rate. 
 
 The valuation of all property subject to taxation at 
 assessed for each of the past three vearg is as follows: 
 
 1901 1 97,551,192 00 
 
 1902 103,047,937 00 ' 
 
 1903 111,333,735 00 
 
 Divided among the different classes of property as fol* 
 lows : 
 
! 88 
 
 ASSESSED VALUATION OP REAL ESTATE. 
 
 1901 1 60,060,758 00 
 
 1902 63,615,667 00 
 
 1903 68,247,312 00 . 
 
 ASSESSED VALUATION OF PERSONAL PEOPEETT. 
 
 1901 $ 17,844,822 00 
 
 1902 19,116,406 00 
 
 1903 20,936,608 00 
 
 ASSESSED VALUATION OF RAILEOADS. 
 
 1901 f 19,383,482 00 
 
 1902 20,045,795 00 
 
 1903 21,861,860 00 
 
 ASSESSED VALUATION OF TELEGRAPH LINES. 
 
 1901 1262,130 00 
 
 1902 270,069 00 
 
 1903 287,955 00 
 
 The increase in the assessment of 1903, as compared 
 ■with the assessment for 1901 is distributed among the 
 different classes of property ae follows: 
 
 Real Estate .f 8,186,554 00 
 
 Personal Property 3,091,786 00 
 
 Bailroads 2,478,378 00 
 
 Telegraph IJnes 25,825 00 
 
 113,782,543 00 
 
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Public Land System of the State. 
 
 How Acquired, Character, Terms of Purchase, 
 and Methods of Disposing of Them* 
 
 All public lands of the State of Florida were derived 
 from tlie General Government by Acts of Congress at va- 
 rious times for certain purposes. When Florida was ad- 
 mitted into the Union as a State by Act of March 3rd, 
 1845, the system of survey adopted was that of township 
 and range, every township being sub-divided into 36 
 sections, numbered consecutively from one to 3G, each sec- 
 tion one mile square, and containing as near as possible 
 640 acres. This act provided that the sixteenth section 
 in each township should be given to the State for the 
 purpose of ( reatirg a fund for the establishment and sup- 
 port of a system of common schools. When for any rea- 
 son there was no 16th section available in a township, as 
 for instance where such section had been previously dis- 
 posed of by the government, or where the said section was 
 covered by a former grant or gift from some former for- 
 eign power prior to the acquisition of the State by the 
 United States, an equal amount of land is given either in 
 the same or somr other township, in place of the six- 
 teenth section previously disposed of. These are known 
 as school indemnity lands. It is estimated that the total 
 amount of lands granted to Florida by the Act of Con- 
 gress of 1845, for this purpose amounts at the present 
 time to about 1,000,000 acres. There yet remains about 
 one hundred townships tliat have never been surveyed, so 
 that the real landed area of the State is not definitely 
 known. 
 
 SEMINARY LANDS. 
 
 There was also granted to the State by the Art of March 
 3rd, 1845, the sum of 92,160 acres of land for the special 
 
101 
 
 piu-pose of Gstabli shins two seniiuaiies of Ipdrniug in the 
 State, one to be located east and one west of the Suwan- 
 nee river. By an Act of the Legislature approved Jan- 
 uary 24th, 1851, both of the above seminaries were estab- 
 lished, the one east of the Suwannee river was located it 
 Gainesville and is known as the East Florida Seminary, ; 
 and the one west of the same river ^yas located at Talhy 
 luihs-^e, and called the West Floridii, Seminary. In 1902 
 the name of the latter was changed, and is now the Flor- 
 ida State College. Both of these institutions have for 
 many years been the most important seats of learning in 
 the State, and both are at present in a highly flourishing 
 condition, with a splendid future before them. Of this 
 grant of 92,100 acres, ther? iPiur.iiuMl mi^old o:i .T:nur.u-y 
 Ist, 1904, 27,081.50 acres. 
 
 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT LANDS. 
 On September 4th, 1841, Congress passed an Act grant- 
 ing to each State in tlie Union 500,000 acres of land for 
 the purpose of internal improvements • the lauds to be lo- 
 cated within their own limits, and to be selected in such 
 manner as their Legislature may direct. To the 1st 'of 
 Januarv. 1903, Florida had dispocad of 4G8,0G1.81 acres 
 of these lands, leaving a balance on hand at the above 
 date of 31,938.19 acres. By an Act of the Legislature, ap- 
 proved Februarv IGth, 1883, the proceeds a,rising from tha" 
 sales (;f these lands were set apart for the relief of certain 
 counties in tli? State, to assist tbeni in paying oft' a heavy 
 bonded indebtedness, which they had assumed for t\\e 
 purpose of aiding in the construction of certain railroads 
 through their territory. 
 
 On ^.'eptember 28th, 1850, Congress passed the Act gen- 
 erallv known and designated as the Swamp Land Act. It 
 vras by far the largest and most important grant made to 
 the State by the (icneral Government, and through it, 
 Florida, as well as a nund>er of other States, were entitled 
 to receive all lands coming within certain restrictions, 
 viz: All legal subdivisions. '-The greater part of which is 
 wet and unfit for cultivation ;" therefore, it has been con- 
 strued, that i\\] lands where over half of the legal sub-divis- 
 ion v,-as subject to overflow, or could not be cultivated un- 
 less first drained by artificial mean^, bdouged to the 
 J..'!.,;,, qMjj^ \,.f ^noic cff'M-1 at (MKe inxiii its :H)i)r()val by 
 
102 
 
 the President, m that without regard to the character of 
 the land, if it were subject to overflow, or over half of a 
 legal sub-division was covered with water, at the time of 
 the approval of the Act by the President, on September 
 28th, 1850, the title then vested in the State, the patent 
 in reality being only the evideince of the conveyance, and 
 the exact location and minor description of the land. 
 
 In 1855 it appears that in some of the States lands had 
 been selected that did not come strictly within the term 
 of the Act of September 28tb, 1850, in fact they selected 
 lands that contained mere than one-half of a legal sub-di- 
 vision of cultivable land instead of less ; but as the govern- 
 ment was liberal, and really desired to extend all possible 
 aid that it could to the several States, the trespass was 
 passed over, and the selection of swamp lands as made 
 were confirmed to the several States by Acts of Congress 
 in March, 1855, and again in March, 1857, regardless of 
 whether th© land that had been selected was swamp and 
 overflowed lands or not. 
 
 The first and principal object of this grant .was for the 
 puri^ose of draining and reclaiming th'e vast areas of 
 siwamp and overflowed lands and fit them for agricultural 
 purposes, but the Supreme Court of the State rendered a 
 decision in which it was held that the construction of 
 railroads was sufficiently in the nature of drainage and 
 i-eclamation to justify the use of thesci lands in aid of the 
 building of railroads throughout the State. Vast areas 
 of iand have been granted by the several Legislatures, 
 and conveyed by thei Trustees of the Internal Improve- 
 ment Fund to railroad companies to' assist them in build- 
 ing the lines of road that now traverse every section of 
 the State. When the enormous debt against the Internal 
 Tmpi'ovenient Fund was settled with the proceeds of the 
 DiKStcn sale of 4,000,000 acres, and the legislatures were 
 free to grant lands in aid of railway construction, then 
 began the wonderful transformation which was to turn a 
 magnificent wilderness into a land of hope, progress and 
 l)rosperity, with a future v.iicse greatness grows with 
 every jjassing sun, and peopled with a civilization whose 
 lofty aim aijd purpose is the attainment of all that is 
 highest and noblest in mankind. 
 
 In 1880, there were scarcely GOO miles of completed 
 railway, including sidings, in the entire State; today 
 there are more than 3,257 miles of main track, and over 
 
103 
 
 400 miles of side tracks, or a total average increase of 
 over 600 per cent, in twenty-three .years. But the build- 
 ing of railroads is not the only benefits derived from 
 these land grants; reclamation of thousands of acres of 
 hitherto worthless lauds by the Disston and other canal 
 and drainage companies has converted trackless wastes 
 into splendid farming and grazing lands, making taxable 
 property of them. 
 
 The total amount of swamp and overflowed land pat- 
 ented to the State by the United States up to January 
 1st, 1903, was 17,124,430 acres; of this sum, the total dis- 
 posed of up to January, 1903, was 16,822,011 acres, leav- 
 ing a balance on hand January 1st, 1903, of 391,362 
 acres. 
 
 TRICES OF LANDS. 
 
 The sale and disposal of all school and seminary lands 
 is vested in the State Board of Education. The sale and 
 disposition of all internal improvement and swamp and 
 overflowed lands is vested in the Board of Trustees of the 
 Internal Improvement Fund. The Commissioner of Agri- 
 culture is the salesman of all school, seminary, internal 
 im])rovement, swamp and overfloAved lands. 
 
 The price of the school, seminary and internal improve- 
 ment lands ranges from $1.25 to |7.00 pei- acre; these 
 lands can be sold for cash or on the installment plan, 
 which latter plan, however, is to actual settlers only. 
 I'ayments on installment purchases are made as follows: 
 One third cash at time of purchase, one third at the end 
 of two vears from date of purchase, and the third and last 
 payment at the end of the third year. All parties making 
 application to purchase on the installment i)lan are re- 
 quired to make affidavit that they have improvements on 
 the land applied for, and must state the kind and charac- 
 ter of such improvements. He must also make affidavit 
 that no other person has any improvements of any sort or 
 kind on the lands wanted; these facts must also be at- 
 tested to by two sworn witnesses. When the above men- 
 tioned affidavits, ]>roperly executed, with the full amount 
 of the first payment, which is one-third of the purchase 
 price, is delivered to the salesman of the land, a certifi- 
 cate of entry is given the purchaser and he holds it until 
 
104 
 
 the second aiid third paymeuts are made; then the certiti- 
 cate of entry is surrendered to the salesman and a deed is 
 isisued to the purchaser. These installment certificates are 
 assignable, and the assignee succeeds to all the rights and 
 liabilities of the original purchaser. The purchaser is 
 required to pay taxes on all lands entered on the install- 
 ment plan from the date of the original entry. 
 
 Tiie swamp and overflowed land can generally be ptir- 
 cliased, but the price is determined by the character and 
 locality of the land; it can also be purchased on the in- 
 stallment plan as above described. The actual settler can 
 buy as much as eighty ficres of this swamp land at 
 twenty-five cents per acre if lie or she will make affidavit 
 tliat he or slie is twenty-one years of age, or the head of a 
 family, and that the entry is made for the purpose of ac- 
 quiring a home and that the application for said lands 
 does not cover the improvements of any other person. No 
 one cf.n make two entries at twenty-five cents an acre. 
 This Inw was intended to< induce settlers to acquire a 
 lii^iuxi at the lowest possible price. 
 
 In addition to aiding in the construction of railroads 
 and canals, the proceeds of the sales of these swamp lands 
 have paid all the expenses of the internal improvement 
 fund, necessary to the proper care and ma'nagement of 
 this large land grant; it has paid the expenses of all liti- 
 gation, previously alluded to and since that time, such 
 lav/yers fees, court fees, and clerical services, etc. 
 
 The following table shows total sales of land for year 
 1901 and 1902, and is an excellent exam])le of one source 
 of the State's income, and the source fiom which the com- 
 mon and higher schools derive their su]>])07t. 
 
105 
 
 
 
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106 
 
 ABOUT HOMESTEAD LANDS. 
 
 The State has no land of any kind whatever for home- 
 Hteadi pnrposos ; the nearest approach to homestead lands 
 are those sold on the installment plan, previously referred 
 to. Parties desiring to locate homestead land, must not ap- 
 ply to the State, but to the Register of the U. S. Land 
 Office at Gainesville, Fla. The State's lands are entirely 
 separate and distinct from the U. S. lands, and the State 
 has absolutely no connection with or control over U. S. 
 lands. 
 
 LAND GRANTS. 
 
 Following are statements of lands granted by the 
 several Legislatures, the amounts conveyed by the Tnia- 
 tees of the Internal Improvement Fund, and balance 
 claimed as due by the companies, also lands approved 
 by the United States to aid in the construction of rail- 
 roads in Florida. 
 
107 
 
 
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 Total 
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 • c-' 
 
 
 
Statement of Swamp and Overflowed lands granted the 
 State of Florida by the United States of America, under 
 Act of Congress of September 28, 1850; and conveyed by 
 the State of Florida to the several railroads, or on their 
 account or order, lying within six and twenty miles of 
 their respective routes; amounting to 1,977,093.71 acres 
 as follows: 
 
 Name of Railroad Company receiving lands, 
 or on whose account lands were conveyed 
 and charged. Acres. 
 
 Alabama & Florida (from Pensacola to Ga. 
 
 Line) 27,613.3* 
 
 Blue Springs, Orange City & Atlantic 67,608.25 
 
 East Florida Railway Co 15,731 . 29 
 
 Fernaudiua k Jacksonville Ry. Co 23,649.98 
 
 Fla. .\tlantic & Gulf Central (Jacksonville 
 
 to Lake City) • 164,568.21 
 
 Flu. R. R. (from Fernandina to Cedar Key 
 
 and from Waldo to Tampa) 505,144 . 14 
 
 Florida Midland Railway Co 12,856.79 
 
 Florida Southern Ry. Co 173,863 . 91 
 
 Green Cove Springs & Melrose R. R. Co 7,781.48 
 
 Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Halifax River 
 
 Railroad Company 56,782.15 
 
 Jacksonville & Atlantic 21,501 . 62 
 
 Jacksonville, Mayport, Pablo Railway & Nav- 
 igation Company 10,837.78 
 
 Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West Ry. Co., 
 (fr-im flacksonville to Palatka, and also on 
 road built by Plant Investment Co., from 
 Xissimmee to Tampa as part of South 
 
 Florida Railroad) 262,547.37 
 
 Live Oak & Rowlands Blufif 3,253 . 21 
 
 Orange Belt Ry. Co 88,687.02 
 
 Palatka & Indian River Ry. Co 127,094.39 
 
 Pensarola & Atlantic R. R. Co 56,267.30 
 
 Pensacola & Georgia R. R. (from Lake City 
 
 to River Junction) 65,561.77 
 
 St. Johns c^c Lake Eustis R. R ] 4,725 . 90 
 
 South Florida Railroad Co 65,192.07 
 
 Sanlord & Indian River R. R. Co 6,192 . 88 
 
 St. Johns & Halifax River R. R. Co.. 110.398.58 
 
 St. Augustine & Palatka Ry. Co 41,510.29 
 
 St. Johns Railway Co. 42,315.16 
 
no 
 
 Silver Springs, Ocala & Gulf R. R. Co 1,405.51 
 
 Taviires. Orlando & Atlantic R. R. Co 4,002.44 
 
 Total acres conveyed 1,977,093.71 
 
 Number of aci-es approved by United States to rail- 
 roads in Florida under Act of Congress May 17. 1850: 
 
 Name of Railroad. Acres. 
 
 Alabama dc Florida (from I'ensacola to Ala- 
 
 banm Line) 106,691.08 
 
 Pensacola k Georgia ( from Lake Citv to Pen- 
 
 sacola) \ 1,273.105.37 
 
 Florida, Atlantic & Gulf Centr aUfrom Jack- 
 sonville to Lake City.i 29,103.74 
 
 Florida Railroad (from Fernandina to Cedar 
 
 Key t > 290.183.28 
 
 Fla. Cen. & Peninsular (from Waldo to 
 
 Tampa) 436,073.48 
 
 Total a(-res conveyed 2.195,156.95 
 
 There were conveyed to Edward N. Dick- 
 inson for coupons of the bonds of the 
 Florida Railroad Company whi(;h fell 
 due prior to November, 1866, and for 
 jiayment of which the Tiustees of the 
 Internal Improvement Fund were 
 liable 244,563.43 Acres 
 
 There were conveyed to William E. Jack- 
 son for coupons of the bonds of the 
 Florida Atlantic and Gulf Central 
 Railroad Company, which were then 
 due 113,064.80 Acres 
 
 Tota! 357,628.23 Acres 
 
 The sale to Hamilton Disston in 1881, (known as Diss- 
 ton I'urchase) of 4,000,000.00 acres of land, (swamp and 
 overflowed) for .f 1.000,000.00, the proceeds of which were 
 used to i)ay coupons, and interest thereon from bonds of 
 the freveral railroads, the interest on which was guaran- 
 teed by the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund 
 tinder the Act of 1855, and in the payment of other in- 
 debtedness of the Fund. 
 
Jll 
 
 There ^\ere also other cash sales of swamp and over- 
 floAved hiDds, a considerable amount of the money from 
 which was applied to the payment of the indebtedness of 
 the Fund. 
 
 VACANT UNITED STATES LAND IN 
 FLORIDA. 
 
 List Showing Number of Acres in Each County Open to 
 Homestead Entry at U. S. Land Office, Gainesville, 
 Fla., as Shown by Report of the Commissioner of the 
 General Land Office at Washington. D, C, on Julv 1st, 
 1902: 
 Counties. Area in 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Alachua 16,540 
 
 Baker VMY^ 
 
 Bradford 1,605 
 
 Brevard 81,621 
 
 Calhoun 63,074 
 
 Citrus 27,350 
 
 Clav 31,523 
 
 Columbia 2,862 
 
 Dade 128,550 
 
 DeSoto 78,158 
 
 Duval 3,416 
 
 Escambia 4,235 
 
 Franklin 
 
 Gadsden 3,472 
 
 Hamilton 3,532 
 
 Hernando 7,483 
 
 Hillsborough 2,058 
 
 Holmes 1,813 
 
 Jackson 13,608 
 
 Jefferson ^8»? 
 
 Lafayette 39,006 
 
 Lake. 45.243 
 
 Lee 42,829 
 
 Leon 1,160 
 
112 
 
 Levy 35,682 
 
 Liberty 
 
 Madison 3,081 
 
 Mana (ce 14,111 
 
 Marion 143,817 
 
 Monroe 6,35(» 
 
 Kassan 6,190 
 
 Orange 33,395 
 
 Osceola 12,638 
 
 Tasco 3,793 
 
 Polk 21,500 
 
 Putnam 15,701 
 
 St. Johns 14,650 
 
 Santa Rosa 115,166 
 
 Sumter 1,440 
 
 Suwannee 2,458 
 
 Taylor 63,683 
 
 A'^olusia 31,380 
 
 M'akulla 600 
 
 AValton 165,134 
 
 WasLington 141,697 
 
 Tolal 1,435,314 
 
 CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT. 
 
 STATE LABORATORY. 
 
 The Slate has a well equipped chemical laboratory pro- 
 vided wilh modern apparatus for fertilizer, soil, and wa- 
 ter analysis. Also with apparatus for sugar, starch and 
 other (lelerminations of foods, and similar substances. 
 
 This laboratory has been recently very much improved 
 and its capacity largely increased to meet the demand for 
 strictly {'gricultural work. The principal duty of the 
 Sfate Chemist and his assistant, is the inspection and 
 analysis of commercial fertilizers, of which the Stale uses 
 about 100,000 tons annuilly, an increase of more than 
 50 per cent, during the past three years. ^ 
 
The v^lue cf this division of the Agricultural Dei)art- 
 nient is best evidenced by the increased grade of commer- 
 cial fertilizers now sold in the State, the grade of commer- 
 cial fertilizers sold in Florida being probably higher than 
 in any other State in the Union. 
 
 This condition naturally follows in a State largely de- 
 voted to early truck growing and fruit growing, where 
 comparatively small areas are devoted to intensive cul- 
 ture. 
 
 The demand of the fruit grower and trucker for high 
 grade, well balanced fertilizers, properly adapted to the 
 great variety of crops produced, has led to the establish- 
 ment of numerous fertilizer inanufacturies in the larger 
 cities, the class of fertilizers produced being peculiarly 
 adapted to the soil, cilmate and crops of the State, and of 
 unusually high grade. 
 
 No fees or charges are made for work done by the State 
 Laboratory. Purchasers of fertilizer may submit samples 
 for analysis, and comparison with manufacturers guaran- 
 tee at any time; the analysis is made free of cost. 
 
 This system has proved satisfactory to both the legiti- 
 mate manufacturers and the consumer, it has eliminated 
 the delicient and fraudulent fertilizer, checked unfair com- 
 petition and provided the State with a grade of fertilizers 
 euperioi to that generally offered, 
 
 A small inspection fee is collected from the manufactur- 
 ers of commercial fertilizers, which covers the cost of the 
 chemical division. 
 
 In addition to the fertilizer inspection and analysis by 
 the State Chemist, analysis of soils, waters and minerals 
 found in the State are also made, for citizens, and report- 
 ed in the annual reports of the division.^ 
 
 The chemical division is an adjunct to the Agricultural 
 r)ei)artment. Its work is solely along agricultural lines. 
 
 All agricultural problems — soils, water, feed — or ferti- 
 lizer ; insecticides or fungicide, submitted for chemical de- 
 terminations are considered and reported upon. 
 
 8H. F. 
 
nf 
 The Schools of Florida. 
 
 Florida lia« 161,428 childieu of school age Uistribulei 
 over 50,000 square miles of liaWtable territory. Although 
 this condition of less tliau three to the square mile pre- 
 sents serioiis obstacles 1o a thorough system of public ed- 
 ucation, the problem has been solved more isatisfactorily 
 than in any other Southern State. Every child of school 
 age has an avera^ of 04 days schooling per year. The 
 usual school term in the towns ranges from 120 to 180 
 days. 
 
 There are 1818 white schools conducted by 2,402 
 teachers for the instruction of the y3,or)l white children, 
 of whom 60,541 or 74 per ceni of tbe whole number, ai'e 
 enrolled in the school.*? an>d l'<i.28o, or 64 per cent of the 
 number enrolled, are in attendance every day. For these 
 white schools there was ])aivl during the school year 1001- 
 ^2, I628J60.26, an avenige of |6.74 for every white child 
 of school age, or |0.04 for each one enrolled. 
 
 For the instruction of the 68,077 negro children of 
 school age, 854 negro teachers were employed in 652 
 schools, continuing an average of 85 days each for the 
 year 1001-02. Forty-two thousand eight hundred forty- 
 three, or 63 per cent of the whole numl>er of negro chil- 
 dren, were enrolled, and an average of 29,881,, or 70 per 
 cent, of the number enrolled were in daily attendance. 
 These negro schools cost |164,149.51, or an average of 
 $2.41 for every negro child, or $3.83 for each one enrolled. 
 
 The average monthly salary paid to white male teach- 
 ers is: 144.60 to white female teachers $35.50. To negro 
 male tteachers $30, to negro females $26.75. 
 
 The buildings constructed and used solely for the 
 white schools are valued at $650,000, those for negroes 
 $113,000. Other school property including an average of 
 15 patent desks and as many square yards of good black 
 board to even' school, brings the total valuation of pub- 
 lic school property to about $1,100,000. On a total as- 
 sessed valuation of $97,551,102 of taxable property there 
 
115 
 
 was paid in IDOl, |G46,013.2(), nn aniount approximating 
 66 per <ent on each |100. 
 
 This school tax was derived from llie followinjj; sources: 
 
 (a) A levy of one mill made by the State upon all taxT 
 able property, netting about .f<)2,()()n which is reappor- 
 tioned am(in<i- the counties in jirojxirtion to the average 
 attendance of i»upils in the public schools. This tax is 
 intended to relieve the burden of those counties having 
 mral })Opulation and very little corporate j)r<)perty to 
 assess and those having a large negro population paying 
 little, if any, tax. The amount returned to the counly 
 for each dollar paid by it of this tax. ranges from 31 
 cents r(^tumed to Dadf <ounty to |o.ll returned to Gads- 
 den county foi- every dollar j)aid. 
 
 (b) I446.79S.74 was puid on county school levies. The 
 constitution i)rovides That such levy shall be made in 
 every county and must not exctH^d five mills nor be less 
 than three mills on all Tsixable proj)erty. Last year forty 
 of the forty -live counties levied the total millage per- 
 Biitted by tl:e constitution. <>f the renuiining live, three 
 levied four and one-half mills, one four and one one- 
 quarter mills, and one four mills. 
 
 (c) 168,776.01 was collected from lo<-aI taxes in 226 
 «I>ecial tax districts in thirty counties. Several of these 
 counties have the whole territory included in these 
 special districts paying voluntary local tax. This tax is 
 limited to three mills, most districts collect the full limit. 
 
 (d) A poll tax of $1 is made a prerequisite to voting. 
 Only 138,733 was collected from this source. Collections 
 of back taxes and other sources of income brought the 
 total receipts of money for the public schools of Florida 
 for the past year to $903,942.80. 
 
 The average amount paid, per capita of total popula- 
 tion, for the support of public schools, is $1.50 as against 
 $1.47 for the preceding year and as against $1.21 for the 
 entire Southern States. ' 
 
 The general condition of school affairs is good and 
 most encouraging because of the ra})id improvement tak- 
 ing place in every part of the State. The general char- 
 acter of school buildings is very much better than here- 
 tofore. The older buildings are giving place to new 
 structures many of which will compare favorably with 
 
110 
 
 those of towns of the same size in any section of the 
 eountry. Among the best of the recent buildings are 
 those at Gainesville (^L'5,000). Lakeland (|20,()00), Bar- 
 tow, (additiounl ])uilding ($15,000), Sanford (|12,000), 
 Jacksonville. (.f40,00((), and others. All of these are 
 brick structures, thoroughly modern and well furnished. 
 A number of other buildings have been recently erected, 
 or are now in course of consti*uction costing from 
 f 2,000 to 16,000 each. 
 
 The financial condition of the counties lias improved 
 in practically all cases except where indebtedness has 
 bt^en incurred for new buildings, etc. School warrants 
 are always cashed promptly and without discount ex- 
 cept in two or three counties. 
 
 For secondary education, the State maintains a well 
 e(iuipi>ed State Normal School at DeFuuiak Springs, a 
 Normal and Industrial School at St. Petersburg, thor- 
 oughly equipped for instruction in manual training, do- 
 mestic science, etc. A high grade State College, at Tal- 
 lahassee, a military institute at Bartow, the East Flor- 
 ida S<'minary at Gainesville, and with the assistance of 
 the appropriations from the Morrill Fund, it maintains 
 the Florida Agricultural CoHege and Experimental Sta- 
 tion at Lake City, and the Normal and Industrial School 
 for Colored Students at Tallahassee. Several counties 
 maintains High Schools and more or less instruction of 
 high school grade is given in nearly every county. In 
 addition to these public institutions, Stetson University, 
 at DeLand, Rollins College, at Winter Park, The Florida 
 Seminary of the M. E. Conference at Sutherland, a 
 Catholic Military School at St. Leo, and a number of 
 Catholic Convents in various parts of the State, offer 
 collegiate instruction to the youth of Florida. For those 
 desiring training in special lines there are a number of 
 private institutions, among which the chief are: The 
 Jasper Normal Institute, Jasper; Massey's Business Col- 
 lege, Jacksonville; Meux's Business College, Pensacola. 
 In the several State Institutions named there are en- 
 rolled about 900 students. 
 
 The teachers of Florida, especially those in the rural 
 schools will compare very favorably with those of like 
 grade in any State in the Union. The examination laws 
 are rigid and, in most cases, are rigidly enforced. Aside 
 
117 
 
 from the permanent Normal Schools most of the Colleges 
 maintain Normal Departments or Spring Normal 
 Courses. Several Summer Normal Training School® are 
 conducted each year under the auspices of the State De- 
 partment and supported by Legislative appropriatiion 
 and donations from the Peabody Fund. 
 
 The control of the educational system of the State is 
 vested in a State Board of Education and a State Su- 
 perintendent, and that of each county in a County Super- 
 intendent and Board of Public Instruction. All of these 
 officials are elected by popular vote. The State Board 
 consists of the (Governor, and four members of his cabi- 
 net, one of whom is the Superintendent of Public In- 
 struction and Secretary of the Board. 
 
 The last Legislature appropriated nearly |2(K),O0O to 
 the State Institutions for higher education, which comes 
 entirely from State tax without disturbing one dollar 
 raised by taxation for the summer schools. 
 
 There is maintained at St. Augustine a school for the 
 Deaf and Blind children of school age, and a reform 
 echiool at Marianna. 
 
 Population of Florida, 
 
 The population of the State in 1900 was 528,542 as 
 compared with a population of 391,422 in 1890. This 
 shows an increase during the ten years of 137,120, or 
 35.0 per cent, as against an increase of 45.2 per cent, 
 from 1880 to 1890 and of 43.5 per cent, from 1870 to 
 1880. Florida haid a jK)pulation in 1830 of 34,730 and each 
 succeeding census to 1800 showed an increase of more 
 than 50 per ^-ent., the tolnl ])opulation of the State in 
 1860 being 140,424. Fronwl800 to 1870 the population 
 increased only 33.7 per cenr., this being the smallest rate 
 of increase shown for any decade. 
 
 The population of Florida in 1900 was more than fif- 
 teen times as large as the population given for 1830, the 
 first census taken after its organization as a territory 
 in 1822. 
 
lis 
 
 The total land surface of Florida is, approximately, 
 54,240 square uiiles, the average number of persons to the 
 square mile at the censuses «/ 1890 and 1900 being as fol- 
 lows : 1890. 7.2; 1900, 9.7. 
 
 The only territorial changes which have been made in 
 the counties of Florida since 1890 is that part of Pasco 
 has been annexed to Polk and 4 sections have been taken 
 from Lake county and ennexed to Polk. 
 
 Of the 45 counties in the State, all but 3 show IncreaseB 
 in population since 1890, and 6 counties show over 100 
 per cent, of increase, namely Dade, 475.4 per cent.; Cal- 
 h)oun, 205.2 per cent. ; Hillsboro, 141.0 per cent. ; Citrus, 
 125.1 per cent.; Lee, 117.1 per cent., and Liberty, 103.5 
 per cent. 
 
 The three counties showing a decrease in population 
 are Lake, INIkjuroe and Orange, which was caused by the 
 breaking up of many people by the great freeze in 1895 
 and 1899. which destroyed the orange groves. Since the 
 I'ejuvenation of the groves, many have returned to their 
 old residence, and these counties will show an increase 
 in the next census. 
 
 POPULATION OF FI^RIDA— 1830 TO 1900. 
 
 Census Years j Population j 
 
 1900 
 1890 
 1880 
 1870 
 1860 
 1850 
 1840 
 1830 
 
 528,542 
 
 391,422 
 
 269,493 
 
 181,748' 
 
 14Tf,424 
 
 87,445' 
 
 54.477 
 
 34.730 
 
 Increase 
 
im 
 
 POPULATION OF FLORIDA BY COUNTIES 1830 TO 1900. 
 
 Counties 
 
 The State 
 Alachua . . 
 Baker 1 . . . 
 Bradford 1 . , 
 Brevard 2 . . 
 Calhoun . . . . 
 
 Citrus 3 
 
 Clay 
 
 Columbia . . 
 Dade 4 . . . . 
 DeSoto 5 , . . 
 
 Dnval 
 
 Escambia. . . 
 
 Franklin 
 
 Gadsden . . . . 
 Hamilton . . . 
 Hernando 6 . 
 Hillsborough 
 Holmes. . . » . 
 Jackson .... 
 Jefferson . . . . 
 Lafayette . . . 
 
 Lake 8 
 
 Lee 9 
 
 Leon 
 
 Levy 
 
 Liberty 
 
 Madison 
 
 Manatee 5 . . 
 Marlon .... 
 Monroe 9 . . . 
 
 Nassau 
 
 New River 1 
 Orange 10 . . , 
 Osceola 11 . . 
 
 Pasco 12 
 
 Polk 13 .... 
 
 Putnam 
 
 St. Johns. . . 
 Bt Lucie 14. 
 Santa Rosa 
 Sumter 15 . . 
 Suwannee . . 
 
 Taylor 
 
 Volusia 4 . . , 
 Wakulla. . . . 
 
 Walton 
 
 Washington. 
 
 1900 I 189 I 18^0_ I 1870 | 1860 | 1850 
 
 528.542|391.422I 269.4 931187.748|140.424| 87.445 
 
 r'2;524 
 
 32,245 
 4.516 
 
 10,295 
 5,158 
 5,132 
 5.391 
 5,635 
 
 17,094 
 '4.955 
 8,047 
 
 39.733 
 
 28.313 
 4,890 
 
 15,294 
 
 11,881 
 3.638 
 
 36.013 
 7,762 
 
 23,377 
 
 16,19? 
 4,987 
 7,467 
 3.071 
 
 22,934 
 3.333 
 7,516 
 3,401 
 1,681 
 2,394 
 5,154 
 
 12,877 
 
 861 
 
 4.944 
 
 26,800 
 
 20,188 
 3,308 
 
 11.894 
 8.507 
 2,476 
 
 14.941 
 4.336 
 
 17,544 
 
 15,757 
 3,686 
 8,034 
 1,414 
 
 19,8871 17,752 
 
 8.603 
 
 2,956 
 15,4461 
 
 4.6631 
 24,403 
 18,0061 
 
 9,6341 
 
 6,586 
 
 1,452 
 14,316 
 
 2,895 
 20,796 
 18.786 
 
 8,294 
 
 16,4621 17.328 
 2,303] 
 6,112 
 
 1.47S| 
 1.580 
 
 1,325 
 
 3,671 
 
 1.216 
 
 998 
 
 2,838 
 
 9,589 
 
 257 
 
 2,098 
 
 7.335 
 
 85 
 
 19,431 
 
 12,156 
 
 1,791 
 
 12,169 
 
 6,790 
 
 4,248 
 
 5,814 
 
 2,170 
 
 14,372 
 
 16,065 
 
 2,441 
 
 11,921 
 7,817 
 1,256 
 9,802 
 5,749 
 2,938' 
 3,216 
 1,572 
 9,528 
 
 13,398 
 1,783 
 
 19,662 
 5,767 
 1,362 
 
 14,798 
 3,544 
 
 13,046 
 
 10.940 
 6,635 
 
 11,374| 
 
 3.4441 
 
 6,0541 
 
 12,472 
 
 11,641 
 
 9,165| 
 
 12,5841 
 3,1331. 
 4.2491, 
 7,9051 
 
 11.1861 
 8.7121 
 
 6,618 
 
 3,181 
 6,261 
 4,535 
 
 10,293 
 6,1871 
 
 14,5541 
 3,9991 
 
 10.003 
 5,149 
 9.346! 
 
 10,154] 
 
 7.9611 
 5,363! 
 10,5241 
 2,122 
 8,4671 
 3,117 
 4,8161 
 6,4261 
 
 15,236 
 2,018 
 1,050 
 
 11,121 
 1,931 
 
 10,804 
 5,657 
 4,247 
 
 2.195 
 
 8,2321 
 
 246 
 1.446 
 
 1.377 
 
 1.914 
 4,6461 
 
 831 
 
 4.808 
 159 
 
 5.074 
 5.768 
 1,901 
 9.396 
 4,154 
 
 71,200 
 2,981 
 1,386 
 
 10,209 
 9,876 
 2,068 
 
 1,781 
 1,457 
 7,779 
 
 854 
 8,609 
 2,913 
 3,644 
 3,820! 
 
 987 
 
 4,539 
 4,351 
 1,561 
 8,784 
 2.511 
 926 
 2,377 
 1,205 
 6,639 
 7,718 
 
 12,343 11,442 
 
 465 
 
 5,490 
 
 3,338 
 2,645 
 2.164 
 
 466 
 
 3,169 
 
 3,821 
 2.618 
 
 2,712 
 3.038 
 
 6.645 
 4,686] 
 7,161 
 2,279 
 3,294 
 2,723 
 4.201 
 4,089 
 
 3.312 
 .•>.f^52l 
 3,556 
 1,453 
 1723 
 2.506 
 3 041 
 2,302 
 
 5.480 
 1,549 
 2.303 
 1.384 
 1,158 
 2,839 
 3.037 
 2,154 
 
 1840 
 
 54, 477] 34.73 
 ~2,2821 2,205 
 
 1,142 
 
 2,102 
 446 
 
 4,156 
 3.993 
 1,030 
 5,992 
 1,464 
 
 452 
 
 4,681 
 5,713 
 
 10.7131 
 
 2,644 
 
 688 
 2.892 
 
 73 
 
 687 
 2.525 
 
 139 
 2,883 
 
 
 2.694 2,539 
 1 
 
 86* 
 
 
 
 :.L....;i;..:... 
 
 
 
 
 
 1.955 
 
 
 1.817 
 1,950 
 
 1.461 1,207 
 859 978 
 
 1 New River taken to form Baker and Bradford prior to 1870. 
 
 2 Organized from part of St. Lucie prior to 1860; part taken to form part oC 
 Osceola in 1887. 
 
120 
 
 3 Organized from part of Hernando in 1887. 
 
 4 Part of St. Lucie annexed prior to 1860. 
 
 5 DeSoto organized from part of Manatee in 1887. 
 
 6 Name changed from Benton prior to 1860; parts taken to form Citrus and 
 Pasco in 1887. 
 
 7 Estimated. 
 
 8 Organized from parts of Orange and Sumter in 1887. 
 fl Lee organized from part of Monroe in 1887. 
 
 10 Name changed from Mosquito prior to 1850; parts taken to form parts of 
 Lake and Osceola in 1887. 
 
 11 Organized from parts of Brevard and Orange in 1887. 
 
 12 Organized from part of Hernando in 1887; part annexed to Polk since 
 1890. 
 
 13 Part of St. Lucie annexed prior to 1860; part of Pasco anenxed <!inpp 1890. 
 
 14 Part taken to form Brevard, and parts annexed to Dade, Polk and Volu- 
 sia prior to 1860. 
 
 15 Part taken to form part of Lake in 1887. 
 
121 
 
 Population of the Incorporated Cities, Towns and Villages of 
 Florida — 1890 and 1900. 
 
 Cities, Towns and Villages. 
 
 Population 
 
 19001 1890 
 
 Anthony, town 198 
 
 Apalachicola, city 3,077 
 
 Apopka, town 218 
 
 Arcadia, town 799 
 
 Aucilla, village 173 
 
 Bartow, town 1,983 
 
 Bellair, town 113 
 
 Belleview, town 137 
 
 Brooksville, town I 641 
 
 Carrabelle, town 923 
 
 Cedar Keys, town 739 
 
 Chipley, town 652 
 
 Citra, town 322 
 
 Clear Water Harbor, town 343 
 
 Cocoa, town 382 
 
 Crescent City 352 
 
 Dade City 509 
 
 Daytona, town 1,690 
 
 DeLand, town 1,449 
 
 DeLeon Springs, town 182 
 
 Dunedin, town 113 
 
 Dunnellon, town 700 
 
 Etonville, town 125 
 
 Eau Gallie, town 172 
 
 Eustis, town 411 
 
 Federal Point, city 172 
 
 Fernandina, city 3,245 
 
 Fort Brook ,town 1,135 
 
 Fort Meade, town 261 
 
 Fort White, town 600 
 
 Gainesville, city 3,633 
 
 Goldsboro, town 71 
 
 Green Cove Springs, town 929 
 
 Hampton, town 929 
 
 Hawthorn, town 296| 
 
 High Springs, town i 1,562 
 
 Interlachen, city 147 
 
 Jacksonville, city |28,429 
 
 Jasper, town I 993 
 
 Key West, city 117,114 
 
 Kissimmee, city j 1,132 
 
 Lake Butler, town | 431| 
 
 Lake City, town 4,013 
 
 Lake Helen, village 203 
 
 Lakeland, town 1,180 
 
 Lake Maitland ,town 136 
 
 Leesburg. town 765 
 
 231 
 
 ,727 
 490 
 
 216 
 ,386 
 
 130 
 512 
 482 
 
 534 
 387 
 
 Z12 
 554 
 321 
 771 
 .113 
 235 
 
 532 
 
 .803 
 448 
 367 
 37(> 
 ,709 
 
 ,106 
 ,106: 
 
 20T 
 
 ,201 
 
 ,080 
 ,08? 
 
 ,020 
 552 
 722 
 
122 
 
 Cities, Towns and Villages. — Continued. 
 
 Population 
 1900 1890 
 
 Live Oak, town ^ 
 
 Macclenny, town 
 
 Madison, town 
 
 Manatee, town 
 
 Marianua, town 
 
 Melbourne, town 
 
 Miami, city 
 
 Micanopy, tdwn. 
 
 Milton, town 
 
 Monticello, town 
 
 Myers, town 
 
 New Augustine, city 
 
 New Smyrna, town 
 
 Ocala, city 
 
 Orange City, town 
 
 Orange Park, town 
 
 Orlando, city 
 
 Ormond, village 
 
 Palatka, city 
 
 Palatka Heights, city 
 
 Palmetto, town 
 
 Pensacola, city 
 
 Plant ity, town 
 
 Port Tampa City, town 
 
 Punta Gorda, town 
 
 Quincy, town 
 
 St. Augustine, city ; 
 
 St. Petersburg, town 
 
 Sanford, city 
 
 San Mateo, town 
 
 Sneads, town ) 
 
 Starke, town 
 
 Tallahassee, city j 2 
 
 Tampa, city 15 
 
 Tarpon Springs, town | 
 
 Tavares, town 
 
 Titusville, town j 
 
 Vernon, town 
 
 Welaka, city '. 
 
 West Palm Beach, city 
 
 "West Tampa, city I 2 
 
 White Springs, town 
 
 Wildwood, town ! 
 
 Williston, town j 
 
 Winter Park, town. I 
 
 17 
 
 ,659 
 350 
 849 
 254 
 900 
 131 
 ,681 
 645 
 ,204 
 ,076 
 943 
 693 
 543 
 ,385 
 365 
 245 
 ,481 
 595 
 ,301 
 354 
 569 
 ,747 
 720 
 ,366 
 860 
 847 
 ,272 
 ,575 
 ,450 
 2671 
 368 
 972 
 ,981 
 .839 
 541 
 113 
 756 
 141 
 215 
 564 
 355 
 690 
 244 
 184 
 366 
 
 687 
 334 
 781 
 289 
 926 
 99 
 
 494 
 ,455 
 ,218 
 575 
 558 
 287 
 ,904 
 
 11 
 
 228 
 ,856 
 239 
 ,039 
 454 
 224 
 ,750 
 349 
 
 262 
 681 
 ,742 
 274 
 ,016 
 
 669 
 ,934 
 ,532 
 327 
 
 746 
 
 543 
 419 
 
 270 
 
 Of the above named 92 incorporated places there are only 14 
 that have a popnlatloni n 1900 of more than 2,000, and of these 
 only 4 have a population in excess of 5,000, namelv, Jacksonville, 
 •with 28,429: Pensacola, with 17,747; Key West, with 17,114, and 
 Tampa, with 15,839 inhabitants. 
 
123 
 
 Jacksouville is the only cit^' in Florida that had a pop- 
 ulation in 1900 of more than 25,000, and for this city a 
 summarj is presented below showing its population from 
 1850, the first year in which it is separately stated in 
 the census report, to 1900, inclusive, together with the 
 increase by number and per cent, during each of the ton- 
 year periods. 
 
 POPULATION OF JACKSONVILLE— 1850 TO 190O. 
 
 Census Years 
 
 Population 
 
 Increase 
 
 Number 
 
 Per cent 
 
 1900 
 
 1890 
 
 1880 
 
 1870 
 
 1860 
 
 1850 
 
 28,429 
 17,201 
 8.650 
 6,912 
 2,118 
 1,046 
 
 11,228 
 
 9,551 
 
 738 
 
 4,794 
 
 1,073 
 
 65.2 
 124.8 
 
 10 JS 
 226.3 
 102.6 
 
 This summary shows that the population of Jackson- 
 ville, starting with 1,045 in 1850, increased to 6,912 in 
 1870. to 17,201 in 1890, and to 28,429 in 1900. There has 
 l)een an increase since 1890 of 11,228, or 65.2 per cent., aa 
 compared with an increase from 1880 to 1890 of 9,551, or 
 124.8 per cent. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 As the best evidence of the progress of any one or more 
 industries is that shown by comparison with former 
 periods, so that in discussing the subject of manufactures 
 we will compare the two census years of 1890, and 1900. 
 
121 
 
 In 181)0, the whole number of manufacturing establish- 
 ments in Florida, was 805, as against 205G similar estab- 
 lishments in 1900, showing the remarkable increase over 
 the previous decade of over 250 per cent. 
 
 In 1890, the capital involved in these enterprises was 
 $11,110,304, as compared with the sum of $33,107,477, in 
 1900 an increase of almost 290 per cent. 
 
 The cost of the materials used or worked up in these 
 industries was in 1890, |8,021,854, while in 1900, the cost 
 of the materials used in these same industries, amounted 
 to 115,637,520, showing an increase of 195 per cent., and 
 also showing that the consumption of manufactured ma- 
 terial was even correspondingly greater, as it will be re- 
 membered that during eight years out of the ten prices 
 of both the raw and manufactured material were at the 
 lowest known in the history of the country. 
 
 The value of the products just referred to, prove the 
 former statement, as to the quantity manufactured and 
 the demand, for in 1890, the value of the manufactured 
 products of these establishments was |18,222,890, while 
 in 1900 it amounted to |36,810,243, or the very remarka- 
 ble increase of 220 per cent. 
 
 The labor that performs the work of operating these 
 industries is as follows : 
 
 The whole number of wage earners in 1890 was 13,119, 
 as against 34,230. in 1900; of the total number of opera- 
 tors in 1890, 11,539 were men IG years of age and over, 
 and of the total number of operators in 1900, 32,188 were 
 men lf> years of age and upward; of the total number of 
 wage earners 1890, 1,312 were women 15 years of age 
 amdi over and 268 were children under the latter age. 
 Of the total number of wage earners in 1900, 1,668 were 
 women of sixteen years of age and over, and 374 were 
 children under the latter age. 
 
 It will thus be seen, that the number of Avomen and 
 children employed in factories have decreased while the 
 men have correspondingly increased; the percentage 
 of men over 16 years of age employed in 1890, was 88 
 per cent., while in 1900 it was 94 per cent.; the percent- 
 age of women employed in 1890, over 15 years of age was 
 10 per cent., while in 1900 it dropped to 4.9 per cient. ; 
 and the percentage of children employed in these indue- 
 
• 
 
 tries in 1890 was only 2 per oent.. still it dropped to l.l 
 per cent, in 1900; so that practically it may he said, there 
 is no such thing- as child labor in Florida. Of the indus- 
 tries above noted, the following are located in the cities 
 mentioned lielow: Jacksoncille contains 195 establish- 
 ments, with a capital invested of |2,0«)8,()Gy, operated by 
 1,602 wage earners who receive for tlieir labor the sum of 
 f 045.921, per annum. 
 
 Key West has 92 establishments, with a capital of 
 $1,83*9,194, distributing |;i,164,835 between 19G9 wage 
 earners. 
 
 Tampa contains 129 establishments, with a capital of 
 ?3,935,647, and distributes |2,009.077, among 4,109 em- 
 ployees. 
 
 The above represents only 20 per cent, of the industries 
 reported in the census year, leaving the remaining 1,600 
 establishments scattered throughout the smaller towns 
 and villages of the State. It is how^ever quite within the 
 bounds of reason to say that in the past three and a half 
 years, the number of industrial establishments has in- 
 creased 50 per cent, with a much larger ratio of capital 
 employed, an incr-eased rate of wages paid, a demand for 
 manufactured products that far overreaches the supply, 
 and increased values that average more than 100 per 
 cent. 
 
 COMMERCE. 
 
 The commerce of Florida, through her ports for 1903, 
 has far surpassed anything in the State's history. Follow- 
 ing is a condensed statement of each ports business, giv- 
 ing only principle articles of exports, and aggreorj^te im.- 
 ports : 
 

 JACKSONVILLE. 
 
 • 
 
 Exports. 
 
 
 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 Quantities 
 
 Value 
 
 Lumber 
 
 Spts. Turpentine 
 Resin & other N. 
 All other exports 
 
 Stores 
 
 Feet 
 
 Gallons 
 
 Pkgs. 
 
 224,541,668 
 
 9,400,000 
 
 585,000 
 
 $ 2,768,y9(! 
 4,700,000 
 1,755,000 
 3.500,000 
 
 
 
 
 Total ex{>orts . 
 Imports, aggregai 
 
 112,723,990 
 
 
 
 
 
 te .... 
 
 
 
 9,139,185 
 
 Total oomnieiK't 
 
 
 121,863,175 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thi>i does not include the business that goes out of or 
 into Jack,s^onvillf' by rail, it is only ocean traffic. C^ould 
 the burliness by rail be added, it would iucreasa the above 
 figures over 25 per cent; aside from this the increase in 
 the business of the port for 1908, is practically 50 per 
 cent. 
 
 PENSACOLA. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 
 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 1 
 
 Quantities 
 
 Value 
 
 Lumber 
 
 Feet 
 
 Feet 
 
 Gallons 
 
 Tons 
 
 148,140,000 
 
 194,038,947 
 
 1,153,110 
 
 113,953 
 
 1 2,272,279 
 
 4,816,032 
 
 585,252 
 
 631,053 
 
 7,510,357 
 
 Timber, all kinds ...... 
 
 Spts. Tur[>entine 
 
 Phosphate rock 
 
 All other exports 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tolal exports 
 
 $15,814,974 
 .578.301 
 
 Aggregate imports 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total commerce 
 
 $16,393,275 
 
 
 
 
127 
 
 ~S() overland busines.«s is included in 1he«e figures, if it 
 were, tlie total sum would be iuewastHl 33 j)er wnt. ; as it 
 is the increase of business for 1903 ie 33 per cent, greater 
 than that of 1902. 
 
 CARKABKlvLK. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 
 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 Quantities 
 
 Value 
 
 Lumber 
 
 Timber 
 
 Naval Stores 
 
 Feet 
 Feet 
 Pkgs. 
 Pkgs. 
 
 12.545,000 
 
 5,715,000 
 
 39,967 
 
 39,967 
 
 300,340 
 70,083 
 
 82,288 
 82,288 
 
 Naval Stores 
 
 
 
 
 1 399,27« 
 
 This i>ort has lost nearly 25 per cent, of expoi-t business 
 of 1902. on account of closing down of naval stores opera- 
 tions and removal of most of the business of that indu«- 
 ti*y to other points. It is a port with good water and 
 harbor facilities, and a good point for milling business. 
 
 FERN.\NDINA. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 
 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 * 
 
 Quantities 
 
 156.825,893 
 
 1,327,000 
 
 104,545 
 
 1,537,052 
 
 Value 
 
 Lumber 
 
 Timl)er 
 
 Phosphate 
 
 Feet 
 
 Feet 
 
 Tons 
 
 Pkgs. 
 
 Pkgs. 
 
 $ 2,:?52,38S 
 
 132,700 
 
 1 045.450 
 
 Naval Stores 
 
 Ag. of all other exi>orts. 
 
 3,634,811 
 89.263 
 
 
 
 
 Total exjjorts 
 
 $ 7,2.54,612 
 1 6,836 
 
 Aggregate imports 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total commerce 
 
 $7,261,448 
 
 
 
 
128 
 
 No overland exports or imports are included in these 
 figures; the volume of exports shows an increase in the 
 business of 1903, over that of 1902, of 22 per cent. If the 
 business by rail was included the total would reach almost 
 100 per cent, more than above given. 
 
 TAMPA. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 Quantities I Value 
 
 Lumber, all kinds . Feet 
 
 Naval Stores j Barrels 
 
 Phosphate | Tons 
 
 Cigars I Number 
 
 Ag. of fish and oysters . I Barrels 
 Ag. of all other exports 
 
 Total exports . . . 
 Aggregate imports. 
 
 Total commerce . 
 
 314,442 
 
 20,927 
 
 370,794 
 
 167,630,000 
 
 38,540 
 
 } 125,678 
 
 44,112 
 
 2,410,101 
 
 11,734,100 
 
 115.720 
 
 115,974 
 
 $14,545,685 
 2,243,891 
 
 $16,789,576 
 
 Some exports by rail of manufactured tobacco and fish 
 and oysters are included in the above figures. The in- 
 crease of the commercial business of this port is $3,609,- 
 068 over that of 1902, or practically 20 per cent. 
 
129 
 APALACHICOLA. 
 
 The exj)oits from this port are all by oceau except the 
 fish and oysters, whieu are transpoited by river steaniers 
 to interior niaj'kets. This increase of the export business 
 for ]i)03 was over |2()(),()(m, or about X) per c-ent. 
 
 PORT INCILIS. 
 
 9 H. F. 
 
130 
 
 This is a new port and its business is confined almost 
 exclusively to the exportation of phosphate rock; the 
 above figures include all business from September 25th, 
 1902 to December 31st, 1903. 
 
 rUNTA GOUDA. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 
 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 Quantities 
 
 Value 
 
 Phosphate 
 
 Cattle 
 
 Tons 
 
 Number 
 
 66,055 
 9,669 
 
 1 
 
 330,275 
 
 116,028 
 
 Total exports . . 
 
 1 
 
 446,303 
 15,000 
 
 Imports 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total cominer('e .... 
 
 1 
 
 461,303 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The above figures are only for ocean going exports; 
 were the overland exports included tlie volume of busi- 
 ness would show double. The increase of the export bus- 
 iness for 1903, is $354,720 increase of that of 1902, wn- 
 eiderably over 400 per cent. 
 
 KEY WEST. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 
 
 
 Articles 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 Quantities 
 
 Value 
 
 Sponges 
 
 Phosphate 
 
 Cigars coastwise 
 
 Fish, all kinds 
 
 Other exports 
 
 1 Pounds 
 
 Tons 
 
 Number 
 
 1 Pounds 
 
 300,000 
 
 30,000 
 
 30,000,000 
 
 250,000 
 
 1 365,000 
 
 210,000 
 
 2,100,000 
 
 12,000 
 
 50,000 
 
 
 
 
 Total exports 
 
 $ 2,737,000 
 301,000 
 
 Imports 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total Commerce .... 
 
 $ 2,997/iOO 
 
131 
 
 As our correspondent at Key West failed to .'urnish 
 us with the information asked for, we have estimated the 
 above based on former reports for several years; it will 
 be found very nearly correct. 
 
 Consolidated' Table of Exports Showing Classification of 
 Preceeding Tables. 
 
 'Expo its. 
 
 Articles 
 
 Lumber, all kinds. . . 
 
 Timber, all kinds. ... 
 
 Spts. Turpentine 
 
 Naval Stores | 
 
 Phosphate 
 
 Cigars 
 
 Shipped Coastwise. 
 
 Ag. of fish and oysters | 
 
 Cedar 
 
 Cattle 
 
 Cattle that should be in- 
 cluded in above 
 
 Other Miscellaneous ex 
 ports 
 
 Unit 
 
 of 
 
 Quantity 
 
 Feet 
 
 Feet 
 Gallons 
 
 Pkgs. 
 
 Tons 
 Number 
 
 Barrels 
 
 Tons 
 
 Number 
 
 Number 
 
 Quantities I Value 
 
 Total ocean and coast 
 
 wise exports 
 
 Total imports 
 
 Total ocean going 
 commerce 
 
 572,407,0031 
 
 211,080,947 
 
 10,553,110 
 
 2,192,946 
 
 794,846 
 
 197,630,000 
 
 75,092 
 
 8 
 
 9,669 
 
 70,000 
 
 5 8,329,683 
 5,118,815 
 5,285,252 
 5,616.211 
 5,721,869 
 
 13,B34,100 
 
 246,785 
 
 1,700 
 
 116,028 
 
 1,120,000 
 
 11,284,773 
 
 $56,675,216 
 29,098,187 
 
 185,773,403 
 
 As no record is kept of the fruit and vegetable ship- 
 ments by the custom houses we include them with many 
 other articles in the following synopsis of overland ex- 
 ports; as this information had to be obtained from 
 many sources, there are naturally some discrepancies, and 
 a certain amount of estimation exercised in arriving at 
 Bome of the results, but where there has been any doubt 
 
132 
 
 as to correctness, the matter has been treated with the 
 most careful consideration. 
 
 There were exported by rail and river transportation, 
 1,978,000 packages of vegetables, having a value of 
 f2,24lj,000; oranges, 1.^00,000 boxes at a value of |2.600,- 
 000 (crojj of im'S), and 85,000 boxes of other citrus 
 fruits worth |105,000, cotton of both kinds 58,000 bales 
 at a value of |2,1)00.000, phosphate 187,000 tons, value 
 fl,40G,000, lumber 05,000,000 feet value $050,000, tobacco 
 Florida grown 1.050,000 j^ounds, value $773,500; fish and 
 oysters not included in })revious tables to the value of 
 $885,000; 2,450 carloads of melons worth |250,000, 
 2,200,000 quarts of strawberries worth |450,000; peaches 
 and iteais worth |240,000, and over 8,000,000 pineapples 
 worth 1070.000; over 325.000 pounds of wool worth 
 ?55,;i(;0, or a total of overland exports of fl3,083,8«0. 
 There being no ])0ssible way of obtaining the importa 
 overland, we are compelled to leave that out of consid- 
 eration. The total exports thus foot up 170,^503,710, for 
 the year 1003. and the total commerce for the vear was 
 $99,757,263. 
 
 With a volume of commerce like this under i)resent 
 conditions the future of Florida seems bright, and so 
 it is, with a physical conformation unlike any other 
 section of the Union, a soil of great fertility, a climate 
 embracing almost every latitude of The semi-tropics and, 
 that yields pi-oducts common to every clime; with splen- 
 did water power awaiting development; gi'eat forests of 
 magnifi'wnt limber; mineral deposits of unknown value, 
 and above all harbors spacious enough and deep enough 
 to float the merchant marine of the world. No other 
 State is so well situated to command the commerce des- 
 tined to flow through the Isthmian canal when com- 
 pleted. Her harbors are more numerous, and afloi'd 
 deeper water than those of any State bordering on the 
 Gtilf of ]Mexico, and it must follow as a necessity to the 
 success of future trade, that manufacturing industries of 
 every kind shall establish themselves in close proximity 
 to the material to be worked up, and at the point of em- 
 barkation. Competition in freight rates demands that 
 the fewest transfers possible be made where competition 
 in business is keen; so that when the canal opens up the 
 long wished for route lo the orient, and the rush for 
 
133 
 
 trade begins, then will the superior iiulii cements for the 
 establishment of industrial activities offered by the deep 
 water harbors of Florida be fully recojjnized and appre- 
 ciated and the commerce of today will appear but a 
 pigmy by cami)arisou. 
 
 Agriculture is the very backbone of commerce, and 
 combining these products with those of the forests and 
 mines we have the most important adjunct in the best de- 
 velopHieut of a community or a JState; and when we con- 
 eider the vast area of the rich and prosperous country to 
 the noj'th of us which will pour its teeming millions of 
 wealth bearing products, through the splendid harbops 
 that lie. along the coast line of the State, from Pensacola 
 to Fernandina, the mind halts at the possibilities of the 
 future, no one can overestimate the value of these gifts 
 of nature, for with the expansion of our trade and the 
 enormous increase in the volume 'of our exports during 
 the laist few years, there has also come a marvelous en- 
 largement in the size and carrying capacity of vessels 
 employed in ocean commerce. This means greater water 
 displacement and deeper draught, and the depth of water 
 must be provided, if these insatiable monsters are to 
 yield fair returns on their cost, at the same time carry- 
 ing freight at rates which commerce can afford witK 
 profit. The harbors of Florida offer just these facilities, 
 and fill the requirements thus demanded; and when the 
 canal shall have been constructed, and the great streams 
 of traffic flowing down from the almost limitless interior 
 seeking an outlet to new and innumerable markets in 
 other lands which that great waterway is to create foe 
 American enj^erprizes, the harbors of Florida will be the 
 distributing points for this vast commerce, whether from 
 within or without. 
 
 % 
 
PART IL 
 
 GeographicaL 
 
 .It is essential to those contemplating; the est^iblishmeut 
 of homes in a new country, that they have a fair idea of 
 the geof^raphy of the section in which they are intereste.1; 
 so. considering the po'sition of Florida, and its unusual 
 conformation, a knowledge of its geography becomes in- 
 teresting as well as necessary. Florida is the most 
 southerly State in the United States and lies between 24^ 
 degrees and 81 degrees north latitude, and between 80 de- 
 grees and 88 degrees west longitude from Greenwich. The 
 total area of the State is put down at 59,268 square miles, 
 or 37,1)31.520 acres; of this area, according to the latest 
 United States census, the total land surface is 54,2-10 
 square miles; the total area covered by water, composed 
 of lakes, rivers and ponds is 5,028 square miles. The 
 length of the State from its Northern boundary to the 
 South end of the peninsula, is something over 400 miles, 
 the average width of the peninsula is about 100 miles, 
 and that portion of the State lying along and between 
 the States of Georgia and Alabama, and the Gulf of 
 Mexico, averages about 00 miles in width, though much 
 narrower in some places. 
 
 From its geographical position, being in the same lati- 
 tude as' the Northern half of Mexico and Southern China, 
 it is natural to suppose that the climate is hot, but its 
 comparative degree of heat is not accurately indicated by 
 its latitude, because the temperatures that might be ex- 
 pected from its geogray)hifal position are controlled in 
 great measure by its peculiar shape, bringing the whole 
 surface in close proximity to the ocean currents which in- 
 fluence to a great degree its entire climatic conditions. 
 The narrowness of the State and its consequent exposure 
 to the fructifying influence of the balmy ocean winds 
 produces a pleasantness and salubrity of climate, and a 
 power of vegetative production truly wonderful. 
 
13G 
 
 The surface of the State, taken as a whole, is compara- 
 tively level ; the most level portion being in the east and 
 southern sections of the State, though there are numerous 
 points in the parts just mentioned where considerable 
 areas of country are from 100 to 250 feet above sea level ; 
 in the northern, north central, and western portions of the 
 State, the greater portion of the countrv is quite hilly, 
 many points having an altitude of 200 to 300 feet above 
 tide water. 
 
 Of the geographical features most important, the most 
 noticeable is the great length of coast line, almost 1.200 
 miles, which is also remarkable for the great number of 
 bays, making the entire coast accessible, and containing 
 a number of the finest harbors in tlie United States. Into 
 these bays flow numerous streams, many of them naviga- 
 ble, plied by numerous lines of steamboats, that supply 
 facilities for commercial intercourse with interior points. 
 A number of these rivers flow entirely across the State, 
 the St. Johns river runs almost the entire length, rising 
 far to the south and flowing due north, and in almost 
 every case have at their mouths safe harbor for vessels in 
 coasting trade, as well as for vessels of large draught. 
 The principal harbors on the Gulf Coast are Pensacola. 
 Tampa, Charlotte Harbor, Key West and Carrabelle, and 
 on the Atlantic Coast, Fernandina. Jacksonville and 
 Miami. 
 
 Throughout the history of the world, experience has in- 
 variably shown those countries blessed with water facili- 
 ties for travel, transportation and commerce, are the ones 
 who accumulated the greatest wealth; were prosperous 
 and progressive. Florida has these facilities to a greater 
 extent than any other State, for practically all of her ter- 
 ritory is in close touch with the commerce of the ocean, 
 through her harbors, where her products may be trans- 
 ported to other climes or exchanged for wares from other 
 parts of the world. 
 
 Another most interesting feature of the geography of 
 Florida is the large number of springs of great depth and 
 size; and while the fame of these springs does not equal 
 those of the Hot Springs of North Carolina and Arkansas 
 or of Waukesha, Manitou or Saratoga and others, yet it 
 is true that this State possesses many savings of great 
 curative powers, as well as of unequafed natural 1-eauty; 
 this bursting of great rivers at a single bound from the 
 
13T 
 
 very bowels of the earth is a curious [)henoniena, na well 
 as a remarkable feature of the eouforiiuitlou <»f Fjorida.t'or 
 these springs are veritable fountains; indeed there ia a 
 time honored legend which relates that one of these won- 
 derful springs was sought bv Ponce DeLoon, as the 
 •^'Fountain of Perpetual Youth." 
 
 Beneath the surface of the limestone formations tha,t 
 underlie a considerable part of the State, numerous 
 rivers coui*se toward the sea. In many places no evi- 
 dence of them is observable until they rise to the surface 
 through great caverns or fissures in the limestone, often 
 of remarkable depth. 
 
 Prominent among the springs of this, character is the 
 noted Silver Spring in Marion County, the head of the 
 beautiful Silver Spring Run, one of the main tributariea 
 of the romantic Ocklawaha, with which all tourists arc 
 familiar. Hardly less famous is the great Wakulla 
 spring, in the county of the same name, a few miles south 
 of Tallahassee. Each as an object of curious interest 
 will repay a journey for a long distance. Silver Spring 
 is a circular basin several hundred yards in diameter, 
 and 60 to 80 feet deep, out of which gushes forth a stream 
 of water of so great depth that the '-run" leave.s it a deep 
 river 100 feet wide, and so clear that coins and similar 
 objects may be seen distinctly on the bottom. 
 
 Few natural objects are more beautiful than th^ u*ans- 
 parent Wakulla Springs when its surface is unruflfled by 
 the wind. Lying on the bottom. ISO feet from the sur- 
 face, it is said, a coin can be seen as distinctly as through 
 the atmosphere. Indeed, the curious natural motion of 
 the water is said to give it magnifying properties. 
 
 The Blue Spring of Volusia County is thus described: 
 ^'There is a basin 70 feet in diameter and about 40 feet 
 in depth. It is a huge bowl, from the bott<mi of nhich 
 a column of blue-tinted water presses upward with such 
 force that the center of the surface is convex to the ex 
 tent of ]>erha]ts ten inches. The stream that this gigantic, 
 spring feeds is about 50 feet wide, with an average depth 
 of 10 feet, and a current of perhaps five mile«i an liour." 
 The scenery about this locality is beautiful and pi<'tur- 
 esfjue in the extreme. 
 
 "The big sjuing of Chipola, in Jackson County, offers a 
 Terr different scene. Here, also, a river bursts from the 
 
138 
 
 earth, with a giant force, from large masses of riigg=ed 
 rocks, with furious rapidity, as though impvitieni of re- 
 straint. The orifice opens to the southwest, from a high 
 swelling bank, scattered over with large oak trees. East 
 and west, the orifice may be thirty feet, by eight ieet wide. 
 A large rock divides the mouth almost into two parts, at 
 a considerable depth below the surface. The water acts 
 as a prism ; all objects seen through it on a sunshiny day, 
 reflect all the colors of the rainbow. This spring at once 
 forms a river 100 feet wide and eight feet deep, which 
 joins the Chipola river at about ten miles' distance."' 
 
 Many such springs are to be found in different parts of 
 Florida. They ai-e all subterranean rivers up to the 
 points at which they break forth. They all contain lime 
 enough to precipitate any sediment or coloring matter, 
 leaving the water perfectly clear. Fish of many sorts 
 and sizes are often seen sporting in their depths, or dart- 
 ing about in search of food. The ripples on the surface 
 refracts the rays of the sun, when at the proper angle, 
 and give the varied colors of the rainbow, and lend a 
 sort of enchantment to the view. 
 
 There are also many other natural springs in different 
 parts of the State, the waters of which, as tested in many 
 eases have decided curative properties. Of this class are the 
 Newport Springs, on St, Marks River, in Wakulla County. 
 the Hampton Springs of Taylor, the White Springs of 
 Hamilton, the Suwannee Springs of Suwannee, and the 
 Green Cove Springs of Clay. The latter is a maonificent 
 sulphur spring, located in a wooded and picturesque hol- 
 low, from which gushes forth 3,000 gallons of water per 
 miDute. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 ''Climate," says Humboldt, " taken in its general sense 
 indicates all the changes in the atmosphere that sensibly 
 affect our organs, as temperature, humidity, fluctuation 
 of barometer, pressure, quietness of the atmosphere, winds 
 direction, force and action, purity of the atnios])hore and 
 its admixture with vapor, or noxious exhalations of gas- 
 eous matter, transparency and clearness of sky in 'Af* re- 
 
15J9 
 
 lations to radiation of heat, to the organic development 
 of plants, etc., also with ieter«m(e to its influence on the 
 feelings and mental condHion of mankind." 
 
 In relation to these manifou' elements of cliinale, 
 Florida occupies a most favorabl3 position, for the modi- 
 fying influences in operation- Lave produced a climate^ 
 that for equability has few if any equals and no superior. 
 As regards temperature, continued observations in va- 
 rious parts of the State show that it is not Excessive in 
 either extreme during the entire year, the range between 
 winter and summer temperature being only about 20 de- 
 grees. The annual mean is about 70 degrees, that of 
 spring about 71 degrees; summer, 80 degrees; autumn, 
 71 degrees; winter, GO degrees. 
 
 The main portion of the area of the State is iieninsuiar 
 in character and stretches away south to the borders of 
 the torrid zone. If we divide the peninsula at the iSth 
 degree of latitude, by a line across the State in two parts, 
 north and south, we find that the difference between the 
 summer and the winter temperature is lesf; south that 
 north of that line. This is owing to the sun imparting to 
 southern latitudes less heat in summer and more in winter 
 than to those further north; also, since the temperature 
 falls as distance from the equator increaies. on ? degrei? of 
 depression to every added degree of latitude, and since 
 moreover, the thermometer falls one degree for every 
 300 feet in altitude, and Florida being so near the equator 
 and so little above sea level is liable to be thought a very 
 hot country. Other causes also conspire to give to Flqri- 
 da a climate remarkable for its equability, so ftir as tem- 
 perature is concerned. There are a large number of riv- 
 ers and smaller streams which course the surface, and 
 also innumerable lakes, many of which ai-e large and of 
 great depth. The evaporation from these streams and 
 lakes, and from the Gulf of Mexico on one side, and the 
 Atlantic Ocean on the other, rapidly absorbs and dispels 
 the heat of the sun just as rain upon the hot ground ab- 
 sorbs the heat and cools the atmosphere: this process i«t 
 quite rapid, because as the vapor rises absorbing all the 
 heat it can possibly contain, the oceanic breezes Avaft it 
 away and supply other atmosphere to absorb more vapor 
 in its turn, thus j>erforming the same office in the cool- 
 ing process. Thus the truth is demons^trated. that ihr 
 
themometer rises hi*;her in the latitudes of New York 
 and Boston, or St. Paul, than in Florida; this holds 
 g:ood in any comparison made between Florida and any 
 State lying north of it. 
 
 Another point to be considered when looking for ^he 
 causes of higher temj>erature in states north of this, is 
 the fact that the days in summer are longer as we go 
 northward, and the nights are shorter; conseiiucntly 
 there is less time for throwing off or radiating the Lrat 
 from the sun that accumulates during the day. 
 
 And still another modifying influence exists, but one 
 which by many has been considered as detracting from 
 the general excellence of our climate, but when viewed 
 properly is shown to have a beneficial and modifying in 
 fluence in establishing the equability of climate, to-wit: 
 Humidity, which has been pronounced excessive, and 
 therefore necessarily objectionable. But, when consid- 
 ered from a scientific standpoint, a different aspect is pre- 
 sented. 
 
 The rainy season in Florida is in the summer months, 
 Avhen the showers cool the atmosphere and refresh the 
 crops. During these months fhe average moisture is 
 slightly greater than in the States to the north of us. 
 Observation and experiment have shown, however, that 
 the humidity of Florida in summer is only 1.07 degrees 
 greater than that of Minnesota, while in the winter 
 months, which is the dry season in Florida, the moisture 
 is less than in Minnesota by 1.08 degrees, w'hile for a 
 period of five years the mean relative humidity is shown 
 to be for Minnesota 70.4 and for Florida 72.0. 
 
 Jjet it be remembered that the term relative humidity 
 as used by meteorologists is not the same as absolute hu- 
 midity. The latter determines the exact amount of vapor 
 in the air when condensed into water. The former has 
 eeJation to the amount of va^jor in the air when it vill be 
 condens«*d", jrfter the point of saturation is reached, and 
 this point of saturation depends on the temperature and 
 tension op force of vapor determined by the barometric 
 pressure at the time of taking the observation. 
 
 As for instance — when tlie thermometer is 50 degrees 
 and the barometer marks 30 inches pressure, a cubic foot 
 of air then contains four grains and a fraction of water 
 at the point of saturation, 100. When the temperature is 
 
141 
 
 75 degrees and the barometer the same as before, a cubic 
 loot of the atnK>sph«»re then contains nine grains and a 
 fraction where the air is saturated, but still marked l(K). 
 At the temperature of 100 degrees, pressure as l)efore, Ihe 
 cubic foot of air at the point of saturation will contain 
 twenty grains and a fraction. Thus we see that the 
 amount of moisture in the air at dilFerent temiKraturcs 
 varies in quantity. Therefore, the jiercentagcs given of 
 100 and the different temperatures must also vary, so that 
 the same figures, although they may be corre( t percen- 
 tages of 100, do not indicate to us the absolute amount if 
 moisture in the atmosphere, unless we know the vemiVv'va- 
 ture which regulates each point of saturation. 
 
 It k not upon the actual amount of vap'or wliidk (lie air 
 contains, at a given time or place, that its humidity de- 
 pends; but upon its greater or less degree of saturation. 
 That air is said to be dry in which evaporation takes place 
 rapidly from a surface of water or moistened subsjancc. 
 Hence, if relative humidity shows a small percentage of 
 100, the point of «ti\turation in a climate wher^ the abso- 
 lute moisture is great, its effect in producing cvapova/i'>n 
 is the same as where the absolute humidity is less • t ihe 
 same percentage of 100, indicating saturation there. 
 
 So far then as Florida is concerned, she with her (so- 
 called excessive) humidity is, in that respect, not Ices 
 favorably conditioned than those places which lK)ast of 
 their dry climates, because their absolute humidity is 
 less, and. therefore, more conducive to health. Hut the 
 absolute humidity of our climate is productive of Ix^nefit 
 in modifying its temperature. A'^apor in the atmosphere 
 I'egulates radiation of heat from the earth into the voids 
 of space; thus preventing refrigeration and sudden 
 changes of temperature, so inimical to the comfort of man- 
 kind, and so destructive to vegetation and the ti])ening 
 of fruits. 
 
 Prof. Tyndall says: Whenever the «ir is dry. we are 
 liable to extremes of temperature. Uy day, in suck 
 places, the sun's heat reaches the earth unimi)eded, and 
 renders the maximum high; by night, on the other hadrtl; 
 the earth's heat escapes unimpeded into s])ace, nnd rcji- 
 ders the minimum low. Hence, the difference between 
 the maximum and the minimum is greater where ihe .'lir 
 is driest. Wherever draught reigns, we have the heat of 
 
142 
 
 the day forcibly contrasted with the chill of the night. 
 In the Sahara itself, when the sun's rays cease to impinge 
 on the burning sands, the temperature runs rapidly down 
 to freezing, because there is no vapor overhead to check 
 the calorific drain. 
 
 And here another instance might be added to the num- 
 ber already noted, in which nature tends, as it were, to 
 check her own excess. By natural refrigeration, he 
 aqueous vapor of the air is condensed to water on the 
 surface of the earth, and as only superficial [vortions 
 radiate, the act of condensation makes water the radiat- 
 ing body. Experiment proves that to the ray;^ emitted 
 by water, aqueous vapor is especially opaque. Hence, ihe 
 very act* of condensation consequent on terrestrial cool- 
 ing becomes a safeguard to the earth, imparting to its 
 radiation that particular character which is most liable 
 to be prevented from escaping into space. It might be 
 said, that as we derive all our heat frt)m the sun, the 
 same covering which protects the earth from chill, must 
 also shut out the rays of the siin. But the rays emitted 
 by the sun are different from those emitted from the 
 earth, and it does not follow that what will absorb one 
 set, must neressarily absorb the other. For example, the 
 sun's rays are transmitted wilh comparative freedom 
 through a layer of water one-tenth of an inch in thick- 
 ness; but, through a layer of half that tihckness no single 
 ray of the earth could pass. In like manner the sun's 
 rays pass with comparative freedom through the aqueous 
 vapor of the a^r, the absolving power of their substnnce 
 being mainly exerted upon the heat that endeavors to 
 escape from the earth. In consequence of this differen- 
 tial action upon solar and terrestrial heat, the mean tem- 
 perature is higher than is due to its distance from the 
 sun. A cobweb spread over a blossom is sufficient to pro- 
 tect it from mighty chills, and that aqu-^ons vapor, 
 though attenunted in our atmosphere checks the t"ain of 
 terrestrial heat, and saves the surface of our planet from 
 refrigeration, which would assuredly accrue, were no such 
 substance interposed between it and "voids of space." 
 
 The above clearly shov;s that what by the uninformed 
 is sup]X)ged to detract from our climate, actually protects 
 us from these great dinrnal.changes of the temperature, so 
 inimical to the comfort and health of men, anrJ so dan- 
 
14« 
 
 gerous and des^ruciive to vegetable life, and whicli j»o 
 seriously detrvct frrun those climates where Ihoy exist, 
 and produce those very dangerous derangements in Ihe 
 human system leading to diseases, which our e'luitable 
 climate is calculated to cure, and for which thousands re- 
 sort to our State every winter, and the favorablo results 
 of such visits has induced thousands marc to mijke perma- 
 nent homes in our midst. 
 
 The cool nights of our summer, so highly appreciated 
 by all who have experienced them, attest the fiut Iiat our 
 —so-called excessive — moisture in the air, does not pre- 
 vent radiation. And again during many winters when 
 excessive cold has characterized the weather of the north, 
 and the cold polar waves have been j)recipitated upon our 
 latitudes, the moisture-bearing breezes from the south 
 meet them and the moisture overhead is condensed into 
 clouds that prevent severe radiation and protect us and 
 our groves and vegetable fields from the intense cold 
 which otherwise we would experience. But, if as' lias 
 recently been our sad experience, those intensely 
 cold winds, reduced to a temperature below zero he driv- 
 en as northers down upon Texas and the Gulf and these 
 deflected across to our State, the passage of them across 
 the warm water of the Gulf, although modified in tem- 
 perature, were still cold euough to be widely destructive 
 in efifects. But these pre-refrigerated storms of foreign 
 origin are rare visitors to our clime and do not count as 
 indigenous elements to our enjoyable climate. 
 
 The following table shows the first and last dates of kill- 
 ing frosts in 1903, also the annual mean temperature, and 
 the average precipitation for each year for twelve years, 
 taken from the reports of the United States Weather 
 Bureau: 
 
CLIMATOLOGY FOR THE YEAR 1903. 
 
 Dates on which First and Last Killing Frosts Occurred, 
 or Minimum Temperature of 82 Degrees. 
 
 Last in ; First in 
 t>piing jAutiimn 
 
 Statio:]s 
 
 Apalacliicola • • . 
 
 Archer 
 
 Avon Park 
 
 Barlow 
 
 Honitay 
 
 Brooksville-. ■• 
 
 Cairabelle 
 
 Clermont 
 
 DeFimiak Springs 
 
 DeL and 
 
 Eiistis 
 
 Federal Point- 
 luernandina • • • 
 
 Flamingo 
 
 Fort Geoi Ke 
 
 Fort Meade 
 
 Fort Pirrce 
 
 Gain«pvjllc — • ■ 
 
 Grasmere 
 
 Huntintton 
 
 Hypoiuxo 
 
 Inverness 
 
 Jacksonville ... 
 
 Jasper 
 
 Johnstown 
 
 Jupiter 
 
 Key West 
 
 Ki.ssiinmt'e 
 
 Lake City 
 
 IViacclenny 
 
 Madison 
 
 Malaba 
 
 So Rpp- 
 Feb. 18 
 Jan. Q 
 Jan, g 
 Feb 18 
 Feb. i« 
 Feb. 18 
 Feb.! 8 
 Feb- 20 
 Feb. t8 
 Feb. 18 
 Feb i« 
 Feb 18 
 None 
 Feb, ]8 
 Feb. 18 
 Jan. Q 
 Feb. ig 
 Feb iTi 
 Ftb. 18 
 None 
 heb. )8 
 Feb iS 
 Feb 18 
 No Rep 
 None 
 None 
 Feb 18 
 Feb 18 
 Feb 21 
 No Rep 
 .Ian. <) 
 
 Nov m 
 Nov. 10 
 Nov. 28 
 Nov. 28 
 Nov^ 19 
 Oct- 2S 
 Nov 28 
 Nov. 28 
 
 Nov. IQ 
 
 Nov 27 
 Nov. 28 
 Nov, 27 
 Nov. 27 
 None 
 Nov 27 
 Nov 28 
 None 
 Nov. 10 
 Nov. 28 
 Nov 27 
 None 
 Nov. 27 
 \ov. 27 
 Nov. ID 
 Nov. ") 
 .None 
 None 
 Nov 28 
 Nov. ig 
 Nov. 27 
 Nov. 10 
 Nov. 28 
 
 Manatee 
 
 .Mar* o 
 
 M 'rianna 
 
 Merntt's Island 
 
 Miami 
 
 .Vlicanopy 
 
 Middleburi; ■ 
 
 Molino 
 
 Myers 
 
 New Smyrna . • . 
 
 Nocatee 
 
 O. ala 
 
 Oranjre City 
 
 Orange Home.. 
 
 Orlando 
 
 Pensacola 
 
 Pinemount 
 
 i^lant ^ ity 
 
 Qiiincy 
 
 5st, Andrew 
 
 St. Augustine. . . 
 
 St Feo 
 
 Stepli.-nsville. . 
 
 Sumner 
 
 Switzerlaiad ..., 
 Tallahassee. — 
 
 I'ampa 
 
 Tarpon Spi-ints 
 
 Titusville 
 
 Waukeenah 
 
 Wausau 
 
 Wewahitchka . 
 
 La t in First in 
 Spriig Autumn 
 
 Ian o 
 None 
 I'^eb- 19 
 None 
 None 
 F^b. 18 
 I^e'i. 22 
 ieb. 23 
 None 
 Feb. 18 
 Jan. 8 
 Feb. 18 
 Feb. 18 
 No Hep. 
 Feb. )8 
 Keb 18 
 Feb, .8 
 Feb 18 
 I''eb 10 
 Feb 10 
 Feb, 18 
 F. b 18 
 Heb. 18 
 Feb. 10 
 Feb 18 
 Keb. 18 
 Feb. 18 
 Feb 18 
 Feb. 18 
 F b, iiv 
 Feb 18 
 eb 18 
 
 Nov. 28 
 None 
 Nov 10 
 None 
 None 
 Nov 26 
 Oct. as 
 Oct. 2.S 
 ■■ one 
 N'ov. 28 
 \ ov. 78 
 
 Nov. 27 
 
 Nov 27 
 Nov- 27 
 Nov. 28 
 
 Nov. IV 
 
 Nov. Tj 
 Nov. 28 
 No Rep. 
 Nov. i* 
 Nov. 27 
 Nov 28 
 Nov. 18 
 
 Oct 2S 
 
 Nov 27 
 
 Nov. n; 
 Nov, 28 
 Nov 28 - 
 No Rep. 
 No Rep. 
 Oct. 2=; 
 Nov. 18 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Deffrecs. 
 
 Mean for the State, as determined from records of 30 
 
 stations 00 . S 
 
 Highest annual mean, at Key West 70.5 
 
 Lowest annual mean, at DeFuniak Springs and Mo- 
 lino 05.8 
 
 Highest recorded, at Middleburg on July 28 305 
 
 Lowest recordrd, at Middleburg on November 28 J7 
 
 Absolute range foT the State 88 
 
 TRECIPITATION. 
 
 Inches. 
 
 Average, as deteruiiued from records of 37 stations. ..").".70 
 
 Creatcpt aimunl amouut, at Ft. Meade 78.12 
 
 Least annual amount, at Key West 00.30 
 
145 
 
 Greatest monthly amount, at Ft. Meade in Septem- 
 ber 19.04 
 
 Least monthly amount, at Ft. Pierce in April and 
 October, Bonifay and Carrabelle in April and Mo- 
 lino in September 0.60 
 
 Greatest amount in any 24 consecutive hours, at 
 Jacksonville May 12th-13th 9.06 
 
 Average number of days in which 0.01 or more fell . . lOD 
 
 WIND. 
 
 Prevailing wild direction during the year Northeast 
 
 WEATHER. 
 
 Average number of clear days 167 
 
 Average number of partly cloudy days 116 
 
 Average number of cloudy days 82 
 
 Annual M>an Temperature and Average Precipitation 
 During the Fast Twelve Years, Deduced from Weather 
 Bureau and Voluntary Meteorological Records. 
 
 '''*^-^'' Temjirature departure PrecipiUtion Departure 
 
 1892 70.4 — .02 47.99 —4.60 
 
 1893 71.0 +0.4 53.01 -fO.42 
 
 1894 71.2 +0.6 52.51 —0.03 
 
 1895 69.9 —0.7 45.50 —7.09 
 
 1896 71.0 .+0.4 49.62 —2.97 
 
 1897 71.2 +0.6 56.69 +4.10 
 
 189S 70.5 —0.1 48.36 —4 23 
 
 1899 71.0 +0.4 53.93 +1.34 
 
 190J 70.7 +0.1 61.19....- ••....+8.60 
 
 1901 68.8 —1.8 58.47 +5.88 
 
 1902 70.8 +0.2 51.24 — ) .35 
 
 1903 69 8 —1.0 55.79 +4.55 
 
 The mean temperature for twelve years is 70.6 de- 
 grees. The average precipitation for same period is 
 52 86 inches. 
 
 The following table shows the monthly temperature and 
 precipitation for the year 1903 at various points in the 
 State : 
 
 10 H. F. 
 
'pniM JO 
 
 sXep Xpnop jaqtun^ I 
 
 ^ ^ V V 
 
 X w fl C 
 
 ■SATSp Apni^io 
 
 •sXwp jBajo i^innj^ 
 
 iCni«^ JO jaqran^j 
 
 IM O OC 
 OOCO 
 
 S^S Jo 
 
 ^ 
 
 q-jaoK 
 
 
 > ij U '~i 
 
 ■ > > 
 
 ■ c o 
 
 t- > fci ti • 
 
 2.0 CPU'S 
 
 lanoray 
 
 •q-tnoj^ 
 
 "iunoniy 
 
 C K> CJ O "^ 
 
 — locdd 
 
 
 •gc fcic ^ 
 
 "^ t"c ^ bi '^• 
 
 c3 ^ :3 -3 ^ 
 
 OCOSO ■* o> 
 
 •JBIOX 
 
 SJKOA paooaj ]o qiaua^ 
 
 ' 05 CO 'f n ■*•<?< l- 
 
 •8iBa 
 
 cc'-f ccoiocooa;occc--30ooc»ocoooocccio 
 
 iM ^ Ol ri >>) C-J M M C^ iM C-l CS IM -H <N 
 
 > rj, > ri >>>>>■>> r- >> _£i ■:^ > 
 
 Oo^O^OOOOOOOOC O^ as C 
 
 ■199JAO'J 
 
 «0 05 Tt« O — «D CO 
 C^ — I IN C^ C>< C^« 04 
 
 >j fe-) K >i >. 'or ''■• 
 
 r-^ cc au r-^ I ■ i'- 
 
 Oi Oi ^* Oi o> '^Z O^ 
 
 «1R(J 
 
 HS^qSiH 
 
 •nuaK 
 
 U-. >> >i fcS t£ 
 
 S => 3 
 
 ~ 3 
 
 ^:;_.^•?'-? 
 
 
 
 J? 
 
 
 ce 3— 3 " * 
 
 -< a- ;a Cj <: p- r: tE p: 
 
 -" x < ;, j» x -^ » 
 
 ;= ^ D , ^ 
 
 
 |S2> : § 
 
 ' K X c o t. - '— 
 
 • c 
 
 
 i-"t S 
 
 as 
 ■rx: 
 * c 
 
 5 «s 
 
 - ~ -; 5 = - =« 
 
 ,Ji - ^ c -^ I) 1) 
 
 y ce '^ (v, '^ 2 iS 
 
 is 
 
 CO .i .- O 
 
 * ^ S — •-' ** 
 
•pniM JO 
 uoT?08Jip SaiiiBAsaj 
 
 
 > 
 
 s.-CBp.qmopjaqiun.Ni 1 g= :g :|S§£?S • :c5g :« : 
 
 •S.\"Kp .\pnOI3 i -H QiOO»eor^l~-t^06l 
 
 •s.<Bpj,.^pj3quin.s- [ j^ :^ S^^S ; :§^ -.S :| 
 
 ■sA'iifr "^ a J5 0CCC « CD (M ji — 1 ri 1 
 . *J- •-" ■ ci ■ c< oc o — 06 c; OS cs o • j 
 .^uiBH JO .laqoinM "^: I'"' -.^'*"«'=S.j 
 
 US 
 (h 
 
 -fl 
 
 1 .n 
 
 _c 
 
 a 
 c 
 
 1 
 "3 
 
 CD 
 
 
 juuoaiv 
 
 O ?1 SC CS. O O .O C5 T lO 
 
 » • O • xri- O ■ --I •^4 o -T ir. fH • 
 
 o •' c • c c' o ' o c o c o : 
 
 iIiaoj\[ 
 
 ■< "-r '-^ 7? -D . *"» "O T V: < < . 
 
 •lunouiv S S :&3S JBSSgc'iSg :! 
 
 ■l«lox 
 
 Q • --1 ■ »C C4 r-, ■ O IM O C iO '-! 
 
 06 -OS 1 ic r-i m oc iM ec ec T t- ■ 
 
 <5 •— -Occ— .Tr^_io-HO • 
 CD •I.e. • O t— CD ■ i>- <D tt -^ iC «0 • 
 
 SJB 
 
 aA 'pjooaj jo qj^uaq 
 
 o: £j £1 c ^ oj £2 I- '^ ~i '^1 •' «^ fo CO 
 
 o 
 
 u 
 D 
 
 -u 
 
 C 
 SJB 
 
 ai«a 
 
 a2:xo^QCocc^ocooaco^aoroclOM 
 
 M Tl S^l I^) rt ^1 Tt C-i C-i IM 
 
 O O O i 5 OrtOC§^0§0® 
 
 •iseMoq ?5r^g^a5?????ja?t«^s-i?]^ 
 
 •a»T?a 
 
 C-\ lO OS C"ti O '© ao CD 00 «D (X 
 (M ■ C^l • M TJ !M "N 'M Ol C) 
 
 U '• u • bi c ir- a ^ '=J^ ^^' si ^ ijs • 
 
 •jsdqiJifi 
 
 !g ^ • 5* « CD ir- CC 05 ao lO Tji «. • 
 
 uuejv: 
 
 cc' oc ■ ic au CD .c f:D re — :n 'X) ■ 
 i~ ■ t~ 1- r^ t~ ti ... ,'- t'^ -o S 
 
 re 'pjojjj JO ipJ^uaq 1 =^ Zi I! -^ r; i !2 ' - -^ £j '' g^ 22 « 
 
 ■leaf 'uoT^ BAyia | fjcJ^.^'g^i^^^S'i^^^gS 
 
 -j5 • •■;;::...::: 
 a ■ I ■ '■ ' '■ ' '■'■'.:.: 
 
 H ;'§■••■_■;■ ■^..-•^ ■ 
 
 25 ■ 5 •- -■ ^ i) . * -^ t .5 a .2 
 
 O =£ SiiiJ-^ ^ 9 S ° ■:; > ="n£ 
 O Z: ^ 7Z ^ ez'z t u .::: r> i^- C '^ Z 
 
 
 ! 
 
 c 
 !2 
 
 
 
 .£ -^ • ■ 
 
 S . ... :.::■*::.: 
 
 ■^ :'> ^r^ • i) S C / C ~ y- >■- • ^ 
 
•pUIAV JO 
 
 aOT-^oajip SaiftBAaatj 
 
 sAEp Apnop jaqiuiiM | 
 
 ^aa^ 
 
 aj a5 oj ^ . 
 ic p g fl a> 
 
 •sXEp Xpnop 
 
 t^ Ol T-H CD 
 
 ^ -*1 -*l t^ 
 
 •s/iTip .leaio jaqiun^j 
 
 CO 05 o 
 
 CJi -^ T-H 
 
 (M lO 05 ^ 
 
 o CO tr- ici 
 
 •s^bq; 
 
 • Hiaojii 
 
 i^ £m p ^ ;^ 
 O, p. Cl, Ci< ff. 
 
 'u >'u s^ u u > 
 
 p, O p- CL fn. p. O 
 
 -i1 Iz; -al <| <ji ^ iz; 
 
 •junoray 
 ifiqiuoj^ as'B9T; 
 
 C' o o o o 
 
 r— I r^ uu '^ u.*J UN f. , 
 
 d ddoo 
 
 PU 
 
 ■ mnoi\[ 
 
 >j <D tj ij *3 
 
 
 p,fl a Ph 
 O) 3 c3 a> 
 iXit-sl-alX) 
 
 •"innoaiY 
 
 05-^1^0 
 
 •IB10X 
 
 sjBaA pjooaj JO m3uaq 
 
 •9^^a 
 
 > > 
 
 o o 
 
 •'jseMO'7 
 
 > > > 
 o o o 
 
 oSeSOOOOj^OO 
 
 •a^BQ 
 
 biO >> S bi) bjc bi ti j^- 
 
 < i-s 1-5 <! <! <l <J 
 
 •^saqSiH 
 
 g 3 0*3 3 
 
 •UB8I\[ 
 
 COO CO 
 tr- t- t^ 
 
 T-H iC CD Tti 
 
 ■SJB3X 'pjooaj JO qjSuaq 1 
 
 ^ Cl lO OS Tf o o 
 
 •(jaaj 'uoii'BAa[3 I os <n t~ o -m im r-i 
 
 
 bj; : bBbD : 
 
 b. 
 
 P 
 
 c 
 
 Hillsbor 
 Marion . 
 Pasco .. 
 Hillsbor 
 Hillsbor 
 Brevard. 
 
 o q5 
 
 >-i (Vi <D 
 ^^ O -S TJ fl CI ,, 'O ,r 
 
 JG 
 
 
 OJ (/) 
 
 
 e3 te.t^ 
 
 1: P o 
 
 ce bc« 
 
 (^ a 3 
 
 
 fl £3 O -UJ 
 
 a 
 
 t- «— t ^ ^ 1^ n >^ 
 
 OPhWWHHH 
 
 c3 
 
>< 
 w 
 
 O 
 H 
 
 Q 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 ^A 
 O 
 H 
 
 •pUTAV JO 
 
 noi-^oaaip SaTiiBAaJti 
 
 tn S M t« « fl X -x 
 
 : ■ is 
 
 • CO X 
 
 a 
 
 >> 
 
 s.«BpXpno|D jaquniM ^ .^11 -oro • • '• • m j oo 
 
 •s.\bp .\puu|j j uj i- cioo • ; :k? 1 S 
 
 •s.«Bp.iB=.io jaqiunM 1 2 : g .gS '■ '■ -gig 
 
 AniBa JO jaqran^ 
 
 ■ ■ O ■ 05 IC »C ■ t^ QO CC 1 Oi 
 
 . .^ • ec --1 OS -cooor-t lo 
 
 • 1— 1 • .— 1 T-H 1 I— I 
 
 CO 
 
 a> 
 
 X3 
 O 
 
 a 
 _o 
 
 '*3 
 03 
 -(J 
 
 "3 
 
 ■qinojM 
 
 r-^ .-H .— 1 ,-< ,— 1 *" 
 
 "S 'S "t^ .^^ -s 'S "C z ■ 
 
 <; <ii < O X < <: < - 
 
 -^^ 
 
 
 Li Im ^ 
 
 a c c 
 
 
 "innomv 
 
 0.00 
 0.00 
 0.24 
 0.85 
 0.00 
 0.10 
 0.34 
 T 
 0.11 
 0.01 
 0.46 
 
 qiaoi\[ 
 
 June 
 Sept 
 Aug. 
 May 
 Feb. 
 Nov. 
 Aug. 
 
 June 
 May 
 Aug. 
 
 innoiDy 
 /LXq'jnoi\[ 'jsa^'BaJO 
 
 O r^ CD !M 05 O iO • --1 O C2 
 C-4 ■M OS CC CO ■<J< C5 • O t- CO 
 
 
 C-HOSt-C^i-Ht^ -OCt^ 
 
 
 •l«;ox 
 
 •^ '. 1 . JU I ~ ■ OS O 11 
 • C-1 T) CC X • (X l~ UO 
 
 oa 
 
 to 
 
 ■ ■ r-- • t^ x t-- • O CO CO 
 
 ■ CO ■ coioio ■ COCO ici 
 
 saeax -pjooaj jo qj3u3-[ | cocooc^o.;^ocd2«3'0 ;| 
 
 td 
 
 lU 
 (U 
 
 1- 
 
 be 
 a> 
 •o 
 c 
 
 cT 
 
 u 
 3 
 
 a 
 E 
 
 0) 
 
 •a;Ba 
 
 OSCOCOCOCSt^OSC^tOOOSCC 
 
 
 ce cS c3 fl. .-S ^ cS *^ ^<U «e 03 
 
 
 •5saAAoq 
 
 OiroOSOOCOr-^OSiOOCTft 
 CS C^) T-H C-l C-l 'M C-t ^ (M --1 (M 
 
 •ai^Q 
 
 COCOl^CCCi'N'VOSOCCOC^ 
 Ol :^l -.1 ,— ^1 -^1 Oi T-( !M (M 
 
 3 ? » s ^^ = 9^333 : 
 
 ►-5 t-S C/2 ^ CC •-: i-s -<J >-; l-s 1-5 
 
 •^saqSiH 
 
 asiocJcofcioost--^i-HO 
 ososososcosotososoo 
 
 ■-H 1— 1 tH • 
 
 ■ 
 
 00 • OC • OC -* t- CO OS -CO 
 
 00 
 
 OS 
 CO 
 
 CO ic inicDcot^co •t— 
 i-O .CO ■ CD CO •X> CO CD CD 
 
 sjE9.i 'p.iODaj JO qiSusq [ co ex x, tt ri ^ « rd oo =o o • 
 
 . 1 CO M ro O O «C 71 • CO O • 
 
 
 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 
 
 
 Holmes .... 
 Franklin. . . 
 W alton . . . 
 Jackson . . . 
 I'^scambia . 
 Escambia. 
 Washington 
 Taylor. . . 
 Le n 
 
 a ■ 
 o : 
 
 QJCc 
 
 ^ o 
 
 o 
 
 e3 
 -^ 
 CO 
 
 STATIONS. 
 
 
 
 
 
 O — • ■ • • (J) 
 
 4) • • a • ■ • •'-' 
 
 v> ■ -JT : .TT « 
 
 = :^^ - : cs* ^ S 
 
 c i:cZ ^^ s**^ »<^ 
 
 X ^ - J? r--, A- X V? c- 
 
 : ce 
 
 X ei 
 3 is 
 
 
150 
 
 The foregoing tables ai-e quite interesting as indicating 
 in an intelligent manner the correct climatic condition 
 shown by a series of years; it will be observed that there 
 is a heavy rainfall during certain months, this period 
 representing what is called in semi-tropical climates the 
 rainy season. It is this precipitation that makes the hot 
 months pleasant, cools the atmosphere and produces the 
 wonderful growth of vegetation; the theromemter does 
 not rise as high in Florida during summer as further 
 north for reasons previously explained, and the heat is 
 not sf> seriously felt because the breezes are continually 
 removing from contact with the body the warmer parti- 
 cles of atmosphere, and as continually supplying cooler 
 particles which more rapidly absorb the heat; the cooling 
 sensation is in proportion to the rapidity of this process ; 
 so in like manner these breezes more rapidly cool the 
 moist surface of the earth than if the atmosphere was 
 calm. 
 
 Such breezes are a constant and enduring feature of ihe 
 summer climate of Florida, as they occur with almost un- 
 varying daily regularity; they must be experiened to be 
 appreciated; this feature is the true secret of our cool 
 nights, and it is a well known and universally recognized 
 fact, that there occur but few nights in summer w^hen 
 some covering is not found essential to comfort. The 
 close, sweltering tempera4:ure so frequently met with at 
 night in the inteiior of more northern states is rarely 
 experienced in Florida. 
 
 As a reply to the multitude of questions concerning the 
 line below which no frost is ever supposed to fall, we con-" 
 didly say. that there is no such thing as the frost line in 
 Florida ; erosts occcur throughout the entire State, with 
 the possible exception of the extreme southern i)arts of 
 Dade and Monroe counties. In the more northerly sit- 
 uated counties, severe frosts often occur, but grow lesB 
 frequent and less severe as we igo further south. 
 
 It is true and quite proper that we should state it he^^^ 
 that at iri'egnlar intervals, Florida has been .subjected to 
 the influence of cold waves very destructive to tronical 
 vegetation over much the gi"eater portion of her territory. 
 
 ''The earliest information we have upon the subject i« 
 that a great freeze occcurred in the year 17G<), when all 
 the lime, citron and banana ti'ees in St. Augustin* were 
 
161 
 
 killed, as well as many curions evergreens up the St. 
 Johns river which were moi-e than twenty years old. 
 Above Volusia the temperature on the 3d day of January, 
 1766, was down to 26 degrees. All tropical productions 
 were destroyed except the oranges. 
 
 "In 1774 there was a snowstorm which extended over 
 most of Florida. The inhabitants long afterwards spoke 
 of it, we are told, as an extraordinary white rain. Sa 
 that the recent snowstorm had spread over Florida a seo 
 ond time in 125 years. In 1799 the temperature was very 
 low, and on the 6th of April of that year a heavy frost 
 occurred, destructive to vegetation, and the temperature 
 was as low as 28 degrees at Picolata. 
 
 ''The severest cold ever experienced in Florida, so far as 
 known, occurred on the night of the 7th of February, 
 1835, when the temperature went as low as 7 degrees 
 above zero at Jacksonville and vicinity. The St. Johns 
 river was frozen several rods from the shore, all kinds of 
 fruit trees were killed to the ground, many never ptarted 
 again ; and the wild groves were frozen as far south as 28 
 degrees. In 18-44 the writer saw very large swef-<- rirn^^ije 
 trees on Drayton Island bearing fruit, which could not. 
 have been killed in February, 1835. The temperature at 
 Fort Kinig, near Ocala, then an army post, fell to 11 de- 
 grees at that time. 
 
 ''In 1857 the mercuiy fell to 16 degrees at Jacksonville 
 and to 26 degrees at Tampa, 29 degrees at Forr TMerce, 
 and 30 degrees at Ft. Dallas, on the Miami river, in Souih. 
 Florida." 
 
 Temperature for other years at Jacksonville, were as 
 follows : 
 
 December 28, 1872 27 degrees 
 
 January 12. 1873 24 degrees 
 
 December 28, 1875 28 degrees 
 
 January 3, 1875 24 degrees 
 
 December 28, 1878 27 degrees 
 
 January 7, 1879 25 degrees 
 
 December 30. 1880 19 degrees 
 
 January 12, 1886 11 degrees 
 
 Decemlier 30. 1894 14 degrees 
 
 February 8, 1895 14 degrees 
 
 February 8. 1899 28 degrees 
 
 February 13, 1899 10 degrees 
 
 February 14, 1899 . , 17 <legreeB 
 
152 
 
 In Tallahassee on Feb. 8tli, 1895, the temperature fell 
 as low as 8 degrees above zero, and on Feb. 8th, 1899, it 
 went to 2 degrees below zero. Tallahassee was imme- 
 diately in the track of the storm, which veered to the 
 northeast after passing this point some fifty miles. 
 
 It will be seen from these statistics that a fall of the 
 temperature below freezing point, 33 degrees, has oocnr- 
 red many times during the past forty years, and that by 
 reason of occurring in December or early in January, 
 when the trees were in a more dormant condition, no 
 great injury was inflicted upon the trees. It is only 
 when the freezes have occcurred in February, when the 
 sap was up and new growth started, that the trees were 
 greatly injured. 
 
 There is nothing in the idea that the climat?; is i-harig- 
 ing. If there is any change it is in those regions vhere 
 the blizzards came from, or in the occasional transfer nf 
 the cold wave from December and January to February. 
 
 Another, and one of the most important elements in 'he 
 formation of climate, is the winds and storms to which we 
 are liable. We do not intend to go into an exposition of 
 the system of the atmospheric circulation as it exists in 
 the Northern Hemisphere, but over about laiitiule .'iO de- 
 grees north exists a belt of high atmospheric pressure, due 
 to a decussation of winds, where a portion o*" tlu- upper 
 currents from the equator are forced down i\n([ become 
 surface winds. The menn annual barometric pressure 
 along this line of latitude is about one-tentlt of an inch 
 above thirty inches; the normal pressure, at len lower. 
 
 South of this, towards the equator, is the (rade-wind 
 belt, over which the winds are from an f^asterly direc- 
 tion. North of this line exists a belt of about two thou- 
 sand miles in width, and extending around the globe, over 
 which the high winds continually blow from tlie north, 
 stronger in the central portion, but diminishing in strength 
 as each margin is approached. And, still uorHi of this, 
 the polar belt, where the winds circulate around the pole 
 and then take a southerly direction following the line of 
 some well 'lefined depression, such for instanc.^ as the 
 great Mississippi Valley. And, although the directions 
 given to the winds in the three belts named are normal 
 ones, yet under certain conditions they are sometimes 
 diverted from their normal courses. So, inasmuch as the 
 
153 
 
 nortliern end of the great valley, just alluded to, opens 
 into the P^lar Basin, where we learn the direction of the 
 winds are to the southward, nothing prevents th'.Mr «'n- 
 trance ; and the high wall of mountain chain on the west 
 side, is calculated to continue them in the same direction 
 until they reach the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, even to 
 the Caribbean Sea. But antagonistic to these, how- 
 ever, are the moisture bearing winds from the south, 
 seeking an entrance into the lower or southern mouth of 
 this same great valley, where they meet in conflict witn 
 the cold polar winds, which latter, being more dense, lay 
 close to the surface, while the hot, moist winds slide over 
 them to a more elevated position, and in the commingling 
 of the two, moisture is condensed into clouds and rain, 
 presenting the features of a storm elongated north and 
 south. Thus being elevated sufficiehtly to be brought 
 under the influence of the belt of westerly winds; the 
 whole elongated mass is then borne forward brondside, as 
 it were, across the northern plateau, in an easterly flirec- 
 tion, until the storm passes off to sea and is carried off 
 on the Gulf stream, that great river in the Ocean, or elfso 
 it turns, more to the northward, and goes to sea through 
 that other well-defined valley of the St. Lawrence, 'mi 
 its way across the Atlantic to the Eastern Continent. An 
 examination of the storm charts published by <be TTniiol 
 States Weather Service shows that nine-tenths of .the 
 storm tracks that are ^hus generated in the valley of the 
 Mississippi pas^ over this northern plateau, as above in- 
 dicated, while not more than one-tenth touches any pr.rt 
 of Florida. The absence of these storms furnishes still 
 further proof of the equability of our climate. The great 
 spiral storms, termed 'cyclones, having a diametei' of 
 many miles, may. and often do have their origin in the 
 same vallev, and forced below the westerly belt of winds? 
 by the sui>erior force of the cold winds of the^north, Ui^til 
 they are brought under the pressure of the easterly trade 
 winds, and are for' <'d back uix.n the high Avestern wall, 
 the continuation ot the Ror-ky Monntnins; while from tlie 
 108th meridian of longitude, on the 'MHh degree of lati- 
 tude north, to latitude 10 north and longitude 75 west, 
 exists a great curve, embracing the Gulf of Mexico and 
 the Caribl)ean Sea, just fitted to mold this disturbanr<> 
 into a cyclone or spiral stonn, and cause it to whirl in 
 
154 
 
 just the direction which all cyclones in the Northern Hem- 
 isphere take. While under pressure thej exhibit gxeat 
 violence, but as they pass out from the pressure of the 
 trade winds they expand, enlarge their spiral movement, 
 lose a portion of theii* violence, pass around ths southern 
 portion of our State, and, perhaps, follow that great river 
 in the ocean, the Gulf stream, to the north and east, off 
 to sea. These cyclones pass around us, but very seldom 
 invade the land, but they may give rise to high winds, 
 which, however, blow from the land towards the path of 
 the storm, as it passes around us. The effect of these is 
 to purify the atmosphere of all noxious exhalations 
 which might have been generated by varying causes on 
 land. The narrow spiral storms, usually misnamed cy- 
 clones, are tornadoes, and are only of a few rods in width 
 generally, but of almost irresistible power, are very de- 
 structive in their narrow course, are of frequent occur- 
 rence north and west of us, but are seldom visitants in 
 Florida; they mostly operate within the westerly wind 
 belt, where small hills and valleys are more thickly in- 
 terspersed; and this peculiar conformation of the topo- 
 graphy of those countries where they occur is thought 
 to be instrumental in forming these spiral storms when- 
 ever clouds from different directions come in conflict at 
 certain angles with each other. Such storms are rarelj 
 seen in the trade wind belt, and consequently we are 
 exempt. 
 
 Such is our climate in general, and a^ proof of our 
 claims that we have the most equable, and withal, de- 
 lightful climate in the world, we have taken the i>ains to 
 explain the scientific reasons therefor. 
 
 AS TO HEALTHFULNESS. 
 
 It is frequently asserted by ignorant people^ that be- 
 cause Florida is comparatively level, and cxtensiTft 
 swamps exist in certain localities, that the country is un- 
 healthy, and that malaria must therefore penade every 
 section of the State; good climate and good health go hand 
 in hand; we have shown by scientific facts that the cli- 
 mate is good par excellence; and we will demonstmte br 
 
1&6 
 
 records that experience has proven the healthfuInos«> of 
 Florida equally as good. 
 
 In the first place it is not the flat, low counLry that it 
 is often represented to be, except in the extrerao south- 
 ern portion and perhaps one or two localities near the 
 coast; on the contrary the greater portions of the State 
 consist of high rolling lands, while other portions are 
 composed of high hills, rngged, broken and rocky, with 
 numerous elevations of near 400 feet above tide water. 
 
 Malaria exists to some extent in everj portion of tht- 
 world, and of course in a country where vci^etation grows 
 with the exuberance that it does in Florida, where the 
 breath of real winter is scarcely felt, the presence of 
 malaria is to be expected; but the diseases arising froin 
 malarial influences are limited to the mildest forms of 
 fevers and billious complaints. There are no ">n» ji uncom- 
 fortable and dangerous symptoms of malarial poiyoning 
 met with in Florida as manifest themselves in various 
 parts of the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
 Illinois and Indiana. Bilious fever of a remittent char- 
 acter is the most prevalent, but it readily yields to projter 
 treatment. Intermittent fevers also occurs, but is rarely 
 attended with dangerous results. Typhoid fever as 
 known in more northerly states is totally unknown here. 
 
 Consumptives, or those suflFering from chronic «lisordors 
 of the mucous membranes, particularly of the iir pas- 
 sages, usually find much relief, if their cliang'^ has not 
 been too long postponed. Here are vast forests of pines, 
 breathing forth their balm till the whole atmosphere is 
 fragrant with it, and if there is a possibility of relief for 
 the unfortunate victim of consumption, this in conjunc- 
 tion with the genial sunshine and soft balmy air, will 
 effect it. 
 
 The climate of our State is regarded as a spei'ific for 
 most forms of rheumatism, and when couj)led with the 
 bathing to be had from the numerous sulphur springs^ 
 the beneficial influences of which have long been known, 
 a cure is often certain and complete. The following com- 
 parisons from the mortaury records of various states and 
 territories of the United States will forcibly illustrate the 
 superior healthfulness of Florida. 
 
156 
 COMPARATIVE DEATH RATE. 
 
 Maine, one in 315; Massachusetts, one in 254; ISevr 
 York, one in 473; Pennsylvania, one in 462; Illinois, one 
 in 579; Virginia, one in 557; Minnesota, one in 755; and 
 Florida one in 1,447. The records also show that the 
 ratio of deaths to the nnmber of cases of remittent fever, 
 is mnch less in Florida than in any other section of the 
 United States. In the Central section of the lT)iited 
 States the proportion is one death to 36 cases, in North- 
 ern section, one to 52; in the Southern, one +o 54; in 
 Texas, one to 78; in California, one to every 122; in New 
 Mexico, one to each 148; while in Florida it is only one 
 out of every 287. And tiie average annual mortality for 
 the whole State is less than 3 per cent. 
 
 On the foregoing statement of facts, concerning climate 
 and healthfulness, Florida bases her claim to absolute 
 supremacy over all competitors. 
 
 SOILS. 
 
 The averaige soil of Florida is sandy, mixed with more 
 or less, cla.'v, lime and organic matter. The greater por- 
 tion of the lands may be designated as pine lands, be- 
 cause of the pliie timber which predominates. There are 
 lands on which the timber is a mixture of pine, white oak, 
 red oak. water oak, live oak, gum, bay, hickorv. magnolia, 
 cabbage palmetto, etc. ; these lands are termed haininock 
 lands. 
 
 The general classification of soils is in the following or- 
 der, first, second and third rate pine lands, and iiigh ham- 
 mock, low hammock, and swamp lands. 
 
 The pine lands cover much the larger portioii of the 
 State, and the soil is apparently all sand ; not so ; over a 
 greater portion of the State this sand is thoroughly mi^ed 
 with small particles of shells, which are corbonat^ of 
 lime, other mineral and decomposed, finely granulated 
 Tegetable matter. It is true that Florida has her pi^opor- 
 tion of poor lands, just as have all other states and ••nun- 
 tries, but compared with other states the ratio is very 
 email. With the exception of the everglades, and a com- 
 
157 
 
 paratively small portion of irreclaimable swamp lauds, 
 there is scarcely an acre in the entire State which cannot 
 be made, under the wonderful influence of her tropical 
 climate, to pay tribute to man's energy. Lands, which in 
 a more northerly climate wowld be utterly worthless, will, 
 in Florida, for' the reasons above stated, yield valuable 
 productions. 
 
 JFirst class pine land in Florida, is wholly unlike any- 
 thing found in any other state. Its surface is usually 
 covered for several inches deep with a dark vegetable 
 mould, beneath which ta the depth of several feet, is a 
 chocolate colored s'.indy loam, mixed for the most part, 
 with limestone pebbles, and resting upon a substratum of 
 marl, clay, or limestone rock. The fertility and durability 
 of this character of land may be estimated from the well 
 known fact that in the older settled districts t\\\>^ kind of 
 «oil has been cultivated for as many as twenty years, suo 
 cessfully in corn or cotton without a pound of any sort of 
 fertilizer, and are still as productive as ever, practi-'ally 
 then these lands are indestructible. 
 
 SECOND-CLASS PINE LANDS. 
 
 The second-class pine lands, which have been adjudged 
 by competent authority to be in the larigest proportion, 
 are all productive. They are not hilly, but for the most 
 part undulating in their surface. In some plToes, lu)w- 
 ever, these elevations amount to hills. Some of tho sand 
 hills in Hernando County are regarded among the liighest 
 points in the State. TTnderlying the surface is '-lav. uiarl, 
 iime rock and sand. These lands, from their accessibility 
 and productiveness, the facility of fertilizing with rattle, 
 and the impression of their healthfulness above liammock 
 lands, have induced their enclosure and tillage, when the 
 richer hammock lands were hard by, but more dift'icult to 
 prepare for cultivation. 
 
 Some of these lands have no regular compact clny under 
 them, or, at least, not in reach of plant roots. Tliis fact 
 is taken frequently as an evidence against them, since [lie 
 popular prejudice is decidedly in favor of a clay sub soil. 
 This objection, if it really be one. is taken for more than 
 it is worth, for clay proper, or alluminum, as th(' choniists 
 call it, is not food for plants. Its uses to the plant are 
 
158 
 
 mechanioal. It seiTea to hold firmly the roots of the en- 
 larging n-nnk, but not to subsist the hu'igry or Ihirsty 
 plant. Hoiuetimes it has been found in small quantities 
 in the ash of woods, but this is because the rootlets take 
 up more or less of whatever is in solution about them, and 
 clay has-been taken up in this way just as poisons may be 
 taken up; for trees are sometimes killed by ]>ouring pois- 
 onous liquids about their roots, but clay never mnkes ;my 
 part of the organism of the plant, nor is it nunibered 
 among the elements which contribute to their growth. 
 
 Another notion as to the value of a clny sub-soi Is, that 
 without its presence the applied fertilizers will leach 
 through and be lost. The fertilizers used are generally 
 lighter than the soils to which they 'are applied, or than 
 the water eoming down from the clouds. As the rains 
 fall some of these fertilizers are carried down, after a 
 time of drought; as the soil fills they are borne upward 
 again by .the waters to the surface, and both as they go 
 down and come up, whether they be liquid or gaseous, the 
 humus of soils has a strong absorbing affinity for, them 
 and r^;ii«liily a]H)roj)riates iind retains them for the uses 
 of the jilant, when the superabundance of water has pass- 
 ed away. But if the soil is not filled to the surta<e, so as 
 to bring back directly any fertilizer in solution that was 
 f-arried down, it is safer there in the sub-soil than on rhe 
 steep hih'sidi'fj of day. whert^ what is api)]ied is fr'Mpiendy 
 carried away into the floods, together with the soil, to the 
 vales below. Whereas what has gone down in the poms 
 soil is brought up by the capillary attraction of the sui- 
 faee soil, in time of drought, to the reach of the glowing 
 crop. Ont^ of the uses of drought is, that it thus I. rings 
 up from the sub-soil any mineral food that may be th«Mo, 
 to where it wMll be in reach of the growing crop. 
 
 But light, sandy soils, though they may produce ::reelv 
 iit fn-f-i. soon give away, and this fact, for frequently it is 
 a fact, s regarded as conclusive as atsainst loose and po- 
 ms sub soils, whereas it only proves ihat these light s.>ils 
 were not sufTiciently su]q)lied with humus, and tli-"' lurited 
 supply sooTf exliaiisted. 
 
 FoTne "^ the best nnd most enduring soils of l^londa 
 hnvj' a c|io<-nI;»te colorf'd. loose, ]-»orus snb-soil. The very 
 
 t 'K;;«"''"f , :'rtd closeness which it is rJaimed prevents the 
 
159 
 
 applied fertilizer from sinking will of course be equally 
 in the way of fertilizing matter rising, in the time of 
 drought, from the sub-soil. 
 
 THIRD CLASS PINE LANDS. 
 
 Even the lands of the "third rate," or most inferior 
 class, are, by no means, worthless under the climate of 
 Florida. This class of lands may be divided into two or- 
 ders; the one comprising high rolling sandy districts, 
 which are sparsely covered with a stunted growth of 
 "black jack" and pine; the other embracing low, flat, 
 swampy regions, which are frequently studded with "bay 
 galls.'' and are occasionally inundated, but which are 
 covered with luxuriant vegetation, and very generally 
 with \aluable timber. The former of those, it is nnw as- 
 certained, owing to their calcareous soil, is well adapted 
 to the growth of Sisal Hemp, which is a valuable tropical 
 production. This plant, (the Agave Sisaliana,) and the 
 Agave Mexicana, also known as Maguey, the Pulque 
 Plant, the Century Plant, etc., have both been introduced 
 into Florida, and they both grow in great perfection on 
 the }>oorest lands of the country. As these plants derive 
 their chief su])port from the atmosphere, they will, like 
 the common air ])lant, preserve their vitality for many 
 months when left out of the ground. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to add, that the second order of 
 the third rate pine lands, as here described, are far from 
 woi'thless. These lands afford a most excellent range for 
 cattle, besides being valuable for their timber, and the 
 naval stores which they will produce. 
 
 There is one general feature in the topography of Flor- 
 ida, which no other country in the United States possesses 
 and whicl) affords a great security to the health of its in- 
 habitants. It is this, that the pine lands which form the 
 basis (tf the countrs, and which are almost, universally 
 healthy, are nearly every where studded at intervals of a 
 few miles, with hammock lands of the richest (piality. 
 These hammocks are not, as is generally su|»posed. low wet 
 binds; they never recpiire ditching or draining; they vary 
 in extent from twenty acres to forty thousand acres, and 
 will probably average about 500 acres each. Hence the 
 inhabitants have it everywhere in their ])Ower to select 
 
160 
 
 residences in the pine lands, at such convenient distances 
 from the hammocks as will enable them to cultivate the 
 latter, without endangering their health, if it should so 
 happen that any of the hammocks proved to be less 
 healthy than the pine woods. 
 
 Experience in Florida has satisfactorily shown that 
 residences only half a mile distant from cultivated ham- 
 mocks are entirely exempt from malarial disease and that 
 the negroes who cultivate those hammocks, and retire at 
 night to pine land residences, maintain perfect health. 
 Indeed it is found that residences in tlie liamriiocks thv^m- 
 selves are generally perfectly healthy after they have been 
 a few y?ars cleared. Nevrly cleared lauds are sometimes 
 attended with the development of mnre or less malaria^. 
 In Florida the diseases which result from those clearings 
 are generally of the mildest type, (simple intermittent 
 fever) ; while in nearly all the Southern States they are 
 most frequently of a severe grade of bilious fever. 
 
 The toj)ographical feature here noted, namely, a general 
 interspersion of rich hammocks, surrounded by high, dry 
 rolling, healthy pine woods, is an advantage which no 
 other State in the Union enjoys; and Florida forms in 
 this respect, a striking contrast with Louisiana, Missis- 
 slj)pi and Texn;-!, whose Sugar and Cotton lands' are gen- 
 erally surrounded by vast alluvial regions, subject to fre- 
 quent inundations, so that it is impossible to obtain, 
 Avithin uiany miles of them, a healthy residence. 
 
 At first thought it would seem improbable that the m.a- 
 larial diseases of Florida (abounding as it does in rich 
 hammock lands, and exposed to a tropical sun), should 
 generally be of a much milder form than those v,-hich pre- 
 vail in more northern latitudes. But such, however, is 
 llie faclt. It is suggested, in explanation of this fact, thnt 
 the luxuriant vegetation which in the Southern and Mid- 
 dle States, passes through all the stages of decomposition, 
 is. in Florida, generally dried up before it reaches th(' 
 putrefactive stages of decomposition, and that conse- 
 quently the quantity of malaria generated is much less 
 than in climates more favorable to decompositioTi. Th.is 
 view is strengthened by the fact that the soil of Fbv'ida 
 is almost everywliere of so ijorous and absoi'bent a char- 
 acter that moisture is seldom long retained on its sur- 
 face; Ihat its atmosphere is in constant motion, and thiit 
 
161 
 
 there is more clear sunshine than in the more Northern 
 States. It is further suggested that the uniform preva- 
 lence of sea breezes, and the constant motion of tiie at- 
 mosphere in the Peninsula, tend so much to iifTuse and 
 xittenuate whatsoever malaria is generated, that it will 
 generally produce but the mildest forms of malarial dis- 
 ease, such as intennittent fever. 
 
 The lands which in Florida are, par excellence, denom- 
 inated "rich land," are first, the ''swamp lands;" second, 
 the "low hammock lands;" third, the "high hammocks," 
 and fourth, the "first-rate pine, oak and hickory lands," 
 
 SWAMP LANDS. 
 
 The swamp lands are, unquestionably, the most dura- 
 bly rich lands in the country. They are most r':;ceutly 
 formed lands, and are still annually receiving additions 
 to their surface. They are intrinsically the most v.ilua- 
 ble lands in Florida, being as fertile as the hammocks, 
 and more durable. They are evidently alluvial and of re- 
 cent formation. They occupy natural depressions or baa- 
 ins, which have been gradually filled up by deposits of 
 vegetable debris, etc, washed in from the adjacent and 
 higher lands. Ditching is indispensable to all of them 
 in their preparation for successful cultivation. Properly 
 prepared, however, their inexhaustible fertility sustains 
 a succession of tbe most exhaustini^j crops with astonish- 
 ing vigor. These lands have been known to produce as 
 much as 600 gallons of syrup or about 5,000 pounds of 
 sugar per acre. We mention sugar cane in this connec- 
 tion as showing the fertility of the soil, because it is 
 known to be one of the most exhausting crops, Tt is cot 
 quite fair to make this the measure of the fertility of 
 lands situated in different climates and countries, for we 
 find on the richest lands in the State of Louisiana the 
 product of sugar is not more than about half what "t is 
 in Florida. 
 
 This great disparity in the product of those countries is 
 accounted for, not by any inferiority in the lands of 
 Louisiana or Texas, but by the fact that the early incur 
 sions of frost in both these States render it necessary to 
 cut the cane in October, which is long before it has reach- 
 
 11 H. F. 
 
162 
 
 ed maturity, while iu Florida it is pei-mitted to stand, 
 without fear of frost, till the last of November or Decem- 
 ber, or till such time as it is fully matured. It is well 
 known that it ''tassels" in South Florida, and it never 
 4oes so in either Louisiana or Texas. When cane "tas- 
 sels" it is evidence of its having reached full maturity. 
 In consequence of the heavy outlay of capital required in 
 the preparation of this description of land for cultiva> 
 tion, and from the facility of obtaining hammock land, 
 which requires no ditcliing nor draining, swamp land has 
 been but little sought after by persons engaged in jilant- 
 ing in Florida until in recent years, and there is now !>?: 
 least a million of acres of the best description of this land 
 in various parts of the State which can be secured at from 
 two to five dollars per acre. 
 
 The greater part of what are known as swam]* lands 
 proper are mostly located in East and South Florida. 
 Low hammocks, which are practically swamp lands, arc 
 not inferior to swamp lauds proper, in fertility, but are 
 considered not quite so desirable. They are nearly 
 always level, or nearly so, and have a soil of greater 
 tenacity than that of the high hammocks. Some ditching 
 is necessary in many of them. The soil in them is always 
 deep. These lands are also extremely well adapted to 
 the growth of the cane, as has been well attested by the 
 many plantations which were formerly in operation here 
 on this descrij)tion of land. There is not nearly so large 
 a proi)ortion of Ioav hammock as there is of swamp lands. 
 
 HIGH HAMMOCKS. 
 
 High hammocks are the lands in greatest favor in 
 Florida. These differ from low hammocks in occupying 
 higher ground, and in generally pi-esenting an undulat- 
 ing surface. They are formed of a fine vegetable mould, 
 mixed with a sandy loam in many pla<e8 several feet 
 deey). and nesting in most cases on j) substratum of clay, 
 marl or limestone. It will be readily understood by any 
 one at all acquainted with agriculture, that such a soil, iu 
 such a climate as Florida, must Ije extremely productive. 
 The soil scarcely ever suffers from too much wet ; nor 
 does drought affect it in -the same degree as (Mhcr lands. 
 High hammock lands ]»rodnce with but little labor of cul- 
 
tivation, all the crope of the country in an eminent degi-ee. 
 Such lands have no tendency to break up in heavy masses, 
 nor are they infested with pernicious weeds or grasses. 
 
 To sum up its advantages, it requires no other prepara- 
 tion than clearing and plowing to fit it at once for the 
 greatest possible production of any kind of crop adapted 
 to the climate. In unfavorable seasons it is much more 
 certain to i)rodnce a good crop than any i)ther kind of 
 land, from the fact that it is less affected by exclusively 
 dry or wet weather. It can be cultivated with ijiuch less 
 labor than any other lands, being remarkably mellow, 
 and its vicinity is generally high and healthy. These 
 reasons are sufficient to entitle it to the estimjition in 
 which it is held over all other lands. 
 
 Some of the counties of Middle Florida, Gadsden, I.eon, 
 Madison and Jefferson, and Jackson ccmnty, of West Flor- 
 ida, have large areas of fine high hammock Umd. under- 
 laid with a "?tiff clay. These are the best lands of the 
 State for the growth of the short staple cotton, .'tnd ai-e 
 indeed the cream of the State for general farming pur- 
 poses. They are of the earliest formation of the Florida 
 lands. 
 
 The first rate pine, oak and hi«kory lands are f«)und in 
 pretty extensive bodies in many parts of the State. From 
 the fact that those lands « an be cleared at much less ex- 
 pense than the swamp and hammock lands, they have 
 heretofore been preferred by the smaH planters, and have 
 proved remarkably productive. 
 
 There are, besides the lands already noticed, extensive 
 tracts of prairie lands, which approximate in chui"act3r, 
 texture of the soil, and period and mode of formation, to 
 the swamp lands, differing only in being destitute of , .m- 
 ber. Some of these lands are, however, extremely poor, 
 but most of them afford excellent pastures during the 
 greater part of the year. 
 
 Some of the largest bodies of rich hammock land in 
 East Florida are to be found in Levy, Alachua, Marion, 
 Hernando, Citrus, Pasco and Sumter counties. There 
 are in Levy Coimty alone, not less than one hundred 
 thousand acres of the very best description of sugar lands; 
 and there is but a small proportion in any of the counties 
 here mentioned, that will not produce renninerative crops 
 
164 
 
 of Sea Island and Short Staple Cotton, without rhe aid 
 of manure. 
 
 A most attractive feature peculiar to the soils of Flor- 
 ida is the ease with which they can be cultivate*! as com- 
 pared with stiff heavy soils, whifti quite as fertile. An- 
 other is that the greater part of the farm laboi^ and lii- 
 lage can be, and much of it is, performed during those 
 months of the year when the ground further north is 
 frozen. Still another peculiarity is, that fertilizer can be 
 applied to greater advantage, because the fertilizing nate- 
 arial will remain in the soil until the stimulating » hemical 
 ingredients are assimilated and absorbed in to the earth, 
 and are not carried away by washing rain as they .'ire in 
 broken or mountainous countries, and also because the 
 porosity of the soil enables the atmosphere, through 
 oxidization, more readily to aid the fertilizers in the work 
 of decomposing the minerals of the soil, thus setting free 
 thO'tfood elements they contain, for the use of (he growing 
 crops. 
 
 STAPLE PRODUCTS. 
 
 The staple products of Florida are much the :-ame as 
 those of other States ; combining with practically all the 
 products of more northern latitudes, about all those of 
 the semi-tropical and tropical regions, she produces a 
 greater variety of food producing plants than any other 
 country in the world. To the staple products, recognized 
 as such in all countries as such, belong the following: 
 Upland and Sea Island Cotton, Com, Oats, Sweet ]'ota- 
 toes. Sugar Cane, Rye, Field Peas, Rice, Hay, Wheat, 
 Tobacco and Peanuts; others such as Cassava, Velvet 
 Beans, Millet, Pumpkins, etc., are also staple products 
 here. 
 
 CORN, 
 
 The most universally grown crop on the American Con- 
 tinent, grows in every county in the State except Dade 
 and Monroe. The method of cultivation % practically 
 the same as that of all the other corn growing sections of 
 
1G5 
 
 the Union, except that these methods are modifieJ or 
 changed to suit the local conditions, such as soil, situation 
 and climate. 
 
 COTTON. 
 
 The importance of this crop to Florida is such, that we 
 devote a little extra space to its history and value as one 
 of the main field, and money crops of our State; facts 
 which are becoming more evident with each year, as the 
 demand, specially for the long staple or Sea Island va- 
 riety is increasing faster than the supply. 
 
 Cotton is an indigenous product of all infer-tropical 
 regions, and is the plant that supplies the raw material 
 for one of our most important industries, and the cloth- 
 ing for the nations of the temperate and torrid zone; and 
 thus it is entitled to rank as one of nature's Important 
 products. 
 
 This plant has caused no little perplexity to botanists, 
 and in spite of all research its genealogy is involved in ob- 
 scurity. The celebrated botanist, Linnaeus, gives five dis- 
 tinct species; to this list other writers on and students of 
 this subject have added two more, though some authori- 
 ties claim that there are at least twenty separate and dis- 
 tinct species. They have without doubt, confused varie- 
 ties of the different species occasioned by soil, climate 
 and culture for separate s])ecies. 
 
 The two great divisions are the cotton of the new and 
 of the old worlds — the Oriental and the Occidental (the 
 Indian and the American.) The botanical differences are 
 slight, but sufficient to distinguish them. The -^-eed of the 
 eastern plant is never black or naked. The Indian is rhe 
 upland variety we have today, only that it has been im- 
 proved and gradually brought up to its present state of 
 perfection. 
 
 The origin of this icrrand division of cotton '^eenis to 
 have been in India. Five centuries prior to 'he Chris- 
 tian era the peoi)le of India made a cloth from tlie fiber «<f 
 cotton. More than 2,000 years before England or Europe 
 had conceived the idea of manufacturing cotton, India 
 had mafnred a system of liand-sj>iniiinfr. weaving and 
 dying, and singular as it may seem to the people of lh!.« 
 
166 
 
 progressive and utilitarian age, though this people were 
 remarkable for their intelligence, in all these <:enturie8 
 they made no improvements in their mechanical methods, 
 nor was the cultivation of the plant extended. Indeed, it 
 would seem that the plant was so poorly cultivated that 
 when the attention of westesrn nations was attracted to 
 India the cotton was found to be so poor that the East 
 India company attempted to improve it by introducing 
 the cottons of America, Egypt and Pernambuco, but with 
 little or no success. 
 
 The Occidental or American division comprises the 
 cotton most sought after by the manufactories. The prin- 
 cipal varieties are the Sea Island and uplands. 
 
 The sections of the State best suited to the growing of 
 the Uupland Cotton is that contained in the counties in 
 Madison, Jefferson, Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla and Jack- 
 son, the latter lying west of the Apalachicola river; the 
 lands here are heavy hammock of red clay subsoil, Hnd are 
 specially adapted to this crop. Of this variety of cotton, 
 the State produced about 30,000 bales in the vear 1003, 
 worth $1,500,000. 
 
 THE SEA ISLAND VARIETY. 
 
 This species seems to be a native of Honduras, whence 
 it is supposed to have spread to the West Iiidies and 
 thence was carried to the United States about one hun- 
 dred years ago. This cotton requires a climate soft, mild 
 and maritime. Thus it is found on the islands .-ilong the 
 coast of Georgia and South Carolina, south of Charleston, 
 where it grew and flourished as on its native soil, and 
 where it was found and its worth discovered by the Ameri- 
 can planters after this country had recovered from the 
 effects of the revolutionary war. 
 
 lieforc the ];rpsen( century the i)rin<ipal su]>ply of this 
 cotton was obtained from the West Indies. Tlic finest 
 ever brought to the English market, or probably ever 
 grown, was raised on the island of Tobago, The West 
 Indian cotton was of superior grade, but the culture of 
 cotton was superseded there by sugar cane, which in'oved 
 to be more ]»rofitable. 
 
 The abandonment of the culture of Sea Island cotton 
 in the West Indies left the Sea Island cotton region of 
 
1«7 
 
 America without a rival, unless we except -i suix^rior 
 grade of cotton produced by Egypt, as such. While this 
 variety is a superior one, it does not possess the length, 
 strength and fineness of its American rival, which may be 
 accounted for by the absence in part, at least, of the mari- 
 time condition of the climate. The seed of this Egyptian 
 cotton, it is said, was brought from that unknown region, 
 Ethiopia. 
 
 Brazil also produces a very excellent grade of cotton, 
 known as the Santos. 
 
 There is also a small strip of territory in India that 
 produces a very superior article of cotton, which, from 
 all acounts, may be the equal of our famous Sea Island 
 variety, but so small is the territory that there has never 
 been enough raised to find its wnv into the msirts of the 
 world's commerce. 
 
 From this rapid glance at the products of the world's 
 cotton-producing sections, it will be seen that our Sea 
 Island cotton stands as yet without a rival. 
 
 BRIEFLY HISTORICAL. 
 
 The first Sea Island, or long staple, cotton that there 
 is any mention of was igrown on St. Simon's Island. Geor- 
 gia, in 178G. The first exported was by Alexander Hissel 
 from that island in 1788. The seed was obtained from 
 the Bahamas. The first successful crop grown -n. South 
 Carolina was at Hilton Head, by William Elliot, in 1790. 
 The excellence of this cotton was not thoroughly de- 
 termined until 180G. It was then sold for thirty cents 
 when other cotton was selling for twenty-two cents per 
 pound. In 1810 Sea Island cotton was worth forty seven 
 cents, while other cotton was worth but twenty-seven, 
 cents per pound. 
 
 The difl'iculty under which the manufacturers labored 
 for many years was the want of proper machinerv for 
 preparing the long staple cotton for manufacture. For 
 many years the only method of separating the iint from 
 the seed was by hand. Then came Eli Whitney's gin, sim- 
 ple and very imperfect, consisting of two rollers and a 
 brush. The brush, tradition says, was a suggestion of 
 Mrs. Whitney. For some time, it was said, the i janufac- 
 
168 
 
 turers were obliged to cut the staple in two, in order to 
 work it. Then came the ingenous gin of McCarthv, which 
 revolutionized the ginning of cotton; from the principle 
 evolved by McCarthy came the splendid and almost per- 
 fect gins of today. 
 
 The production of Sea Island cotton was for a time 
 confined to the islands lying along the coast of South Car- 
 olina, from Charleston, south, and along the coast of Geor- 
 igia and Florida. These islands are very numerous, and 
 lying as they do, near to or in the confines of the gulf 
 stream, they produce an excellent grade of this unexcelled 
 variety of cotton. For some reason, not w-ell under- 
 stood or explained, the gulf stream appears to exert a 
 great influence on the quality, if not the quantity, of this 
 staple. 
 
 WHY FLORIDA IS ADAPTED TO THE GROWTH OP 
 SEA ISLAND COTTON. 
 
 The name indicates that Sea Island cotton is a product 
 of the islands of the sea. Therefore can it be successfully 
 grown in Florida, which is considered the mainland? Ex- 
 perience proves that it can, and further, that the finest 
 grades as to length of fiber and quality are annually 
 grown in the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Levy, Ma- 
 rion. Columbia, Suwannee and Hamilton, and it is suc- 
 cessfully grown in other portions of the State. Nor have 
 we far to go for a reason. Sea Island cotton requires a 
 climate mild, soft and maritime. This, Florida possesses 
 to an eminent degree. Florida is so nearly surrounded 
 by water that to all intents and purposes it is an island. 
 On the east we have the Atlantic, and flowing near the 
 shores of Florida is the Gulf stream, a river amid the 
 ocean, bearing on its bosom life and warmth, and impart- 
 ing to the atmosphere of Florida that which is needed to 
 cause the Sea Island cotton to grow and flourish. But 
 this is not all. The Gulf stream is assisted and aided by 
 the many warm currents in the gulf thnt flow north nutil 
 they are deflected by Florida's shores, there to add their 
 portion to the atmosphere of Florida to fit and adapt it ;(» 
 tlie needs of this staple. 
 
109 
 
 For these reasons no country in the Avoi-ld is so well 
 adapted as Florida to the ^a-owth of this partionUu- staple. 
 The happy combination of atmosphere and soil is so pe- 
 culiarly adapted for the production of Sea Island cotton, 
 that for length, strength and finenessof staple it is not ex- 
 celled by any other country in the world. This is shown 
 by the fact that cotton grown in this State was awarded 
 the gold medal at the Paris exposition, over all oonipeti- 
 tors from the cotton-growing countries of the world. 
 
 In this favored clime this staple is produced of such 
 strength and fineness that it is capable of being converted 
 into hand and sewing machine thread from No. 8 to No. 
 1,000, into most beautiful laces, and so deftly woven into 
 the finest silks, satins and velvets that only the best ex- 
 pert can tell it. So many and varied are its uses that if 
 the amount of this staple that is now being produced was 
 increased tenfold, the price would not be affected ; indeed 
 the chances are that it might be advanced. 
 
 For growing Sea Island cotton the region beat snitcd 
 is in the territory included in Alachua. Bradford, T evy 
 and Marion counties. Why this is so Ave Avill not attempt 
 to say. But that it is the case is indicated ]\v 'lie fact 
 that the cotton grown in Levy, Alachua and INfarion coun- 
 ties has been quite often brought into competition with 
 the finest cottons of other cotton growing countries and 
 in every case it has been aM'arded the medal as the best. 
 At the Paris exitosition cotton grown in Alachur<. county 
 was awarded the gold medal over all competitors. The 
 fact that cotton produced in this region has taken the 
 medal year after year is conclusive proof that these coun- 
 ties are better adapted for the production of Sea Island 
 cotton than any other country on the globe. 
 
 The growii\g of Sea Island cotton can be ])ursued in 
 connection with the cultivation of other farm crops, and 
 will be found exceedingly profitable when cultivated with 
 care and intelligence. It always brings a good price, -uid 
 the supply never exceeds the deuKUid. Of this variety of 
 cotton, the State produced about 28,000 bags in lOO'J, 
 worth 12,500,000. 
 
170 
 
 SUGAR CANE. 
 
 The prospective settler in the State of Florida naturally 
 wants to know from those already here which are the 
 most profitable and the most reliable crops to grow, and 
 if he comes from the wheat or com sections of the country 
 he will want to knoV particularly which of all oar 
 crops is the most reliable as a ready cash crop. If he 
 should get into the trucking and vegetable section of the 
 State the answer to his inquiry would be according to the 
 particular crop that was at that time yielding The best 
 returns, and the same holds true in other sections ; but for 
 an all round farm crop that is suitable for all sections of 
 the State there is no crop that will give more satisfaction 
 in every way than the sugar cane crop, for it is at home 
 in every section of the State ; it grows and gives a good 
 account of itself in all kinds of soils, from the sandiest , 
 blackjack to the heaviest low hammock, and the product, 
 if made into a high grade article of table syrup, is always 
 iu demand at remunerative prices. There is enough of 
 suitable land in the State of Florida today to jgrpw 
 enough sugar cane to produce one hundred and fifty gal- 
 lons of high-grade syrup for every man, woman and child 
 in the United States. 
 
 The culture of sugar cane and the manufacture of raw 
 sugar or syrup in Florida, dates from the earliest settle- 
 ment. The plant was introduced by the Jesuit Fathers 
 and lai\gely cultivated on the East Coast, near St. Augus- 
 tine and New Smyrna, by the early Spanish settlers. The 
 canes having been introduced from the West Indies, from 
 India by Spanish and Dutch traders, where it was culti- 
 vated on a commercial scale as earl}' as 1.518. The re- 
 mains of sugar factories and evidences of sugar culture 
 on an immense scale are still found at New Smyrna in 
 the Turnbull hammock. A drainage system is still in 
 use, established by sugar and indigo planters raore than 
 two hundred years ago. There is no reason to doubt that 
 Florida was the first of the United States to cultivate and 
 manufacture sugar on a large scale. 
 
 Culture — It is unnecessary here, to go into detailed 
 methods of cultivation, every Florida farmer fully under- 
 stands them, and the new farmers from other States, to 
 be successful must learn the process where he can .see it 
 
171 
 
 going on or have the assistance of those who do knovir, but 
 we do say this much, that a large part of the culture 
 should precede the planting. The bed should be deeply 
 plowed and in perfect tilth before planting. Fall plant 
 ing is preferable in South Florida. In the centra', north- 
 ern and western portion of the State it nnist be planted 
 in the spring, the earliness depending on the section of 
 the State. By having the ground ready the plantin;^ can 
 be done at the time of grinding, using the immavure tops 
 for seed. An acre of tops should plant more than an 
 acre of new land. In South Florida cane should yield at 
 least three good crops from one planting; frequently, 
 with proper care, it will last five or six years. The cul- 
 ture should be shallow, at all times working a low ridge 
 toward the cane. For fertilizing nothing is hotter than 
 cow-penning, which, however, should be re-inforoed liy one 
 hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds of Hi^h (irade 
 Sulphate of Potash (45 to 50 per cent, of potash.) Cane 
 requires potash to mature its juices, as does all fruit or 
 sugar producing plants. A general fertilizer for cane 
 should have about these proportions : Amnioma o, Phos. 
 Acid 5, Potash 4. Cotton seed meal. Acid IMios. and 
 Kainit mixed in equal parts and applied 500 to 1,000 
 pounds per acre will give most excellent results; this will 
 yield the necessary fertilizing elements in about the cor- 
 rect proportion. 
 
 At present prices this fertilizer should not cost to ex- 
 ceed flS.OO per ton at seaports. One thousand pounds 
 per acre should insure a crop of not less than 25 tons of 
 cane per acre, with an average of 10 per cent, sugar or 
 5,000 pounds sugar per acre, or 000 to 750 gallons of first 
 class syrup per acre, using a first class apparatus and ex- 
 ercising due econouiy. About one half this amount can 
 be secured with the usual apparatus now geiM^rally em 
 ployed in this State. 
 
 Varieties of Cane— There are a number of difi'orent 
 canes, probably seventy-five or more known varieties. lu 
 many cases the same cane is known by different local 
 names. There is not to exceed a dozen kinds tha* are val- 
 uable in Louisiana and Florida, of which probablv three 
 distinct kinds are worth considering, the "Orystaline." 
 from which a number of different canes have originated, 
 is generally considered best; the "Red Ribbon" and the 
 
172 
 
 "Purple" caue come next. The large white or Hawaiian 
 cane is largely planted in Florida ; it is a favorite for 
 chewing. It is a slow grower, late in starting, and does 
 not rattoon perfectly. 
 
 The "Grj'staline" is considered the bes^t all ronnd cane. 
 It is known by many local name?. It rattoons well, is 
 early in sprouting and ready to lay by by May 15, its su- 
 gar content is high and impurities small. 
 
 The Red Ribbon is also an excellent cane and infe- 
 rior to the Crystaline only in the fact that it does not rat- 
 toon so perfectly. The Purple or Burbon ^ane is a hardy 
 cane, smaller than either of the others named; its f-ugar 
 content is equal to the Red Ribbon or Crystaline; it is 
 well adapted to North Florida, and is almost exclusively 
 cultivated in Georgia; it will stand more frost than the 
 Crystaline or Red Ribbon. 
 
 We have the soil to grow the cane and as above stated 
 the best sugar producing cane; and in respect to fertiliz- 
 ers it is reasonable to say that no other State is more 
 favorably situated than Florida.. We have inexhaustible 
 deposits of the finest phosphate in the world. In the 
 leguminous crops which grow here and are almost indi- 
 gineous, such as field peas, velvet beans, beggar weed and 
 others, we have the most valuable means assimilating ni- 
 trogen from the air. 
 
 In cotton seed, fish scrap and oiher animal refuse have 
 access to large stores of nitrogen. Through your sea- 
 ports stores of fertilizer materials, such as nitrate of 
 soda and potash salts, can be brought from South Ameri- 
 ca and Germany. It would be hard to find any other 
 portion of our country where fertilizers could be manu- 
 factured and sold more cheaply than in tliis State. 
 
 This country is the (greatest sugar and starch consun)Pr 
 in the world. We use more than 2,000,000 tons of sugar 
 annually. Of this quantity, before the Spanish war, we 
 made only about .300,000 ton.s— about one-seventii of all. 
 
 Since the Spanish war we have acouired^awaii. I'orto 
 Rico and the Philippines, all of which gives us large addi- 
 tional quantities of sngar. Tliis year we will i)roduce 
 about 100,000 tons of beet sugar, so that at the present 
 time it may be said that we produce about one-iliii-d of all 
 the sugar we consume; but still there is a vast foreign 
 market which we might supply with a home ])rodn<-t. 
 
J73 
 
 Tliere is no danger, therefore, of overstockins: our own 
 market with increased sugar productions, nor is there 
 danger of the best sugar driving the cane sugar out of the 
 market. For many purposes, as, for instance, the manu- 
 facture of syrup, beet sugar is unsuitable, and there will 
 always be a demand for all the cane suffar that can be 
 made. 
 
 The sugar crop of the whole world for the present year 
 is about 10,000,000 tons, of which nearly 7,000,000 tons 
 are made from the sugar beet. 
 
 "The sugar beet cannot, however, be grown in Florida 
 profitably. Here you must depend on the sugar cane for 
 sugar and upon the cassava and potato for starch. From 
 starch glucose can also be made, and it seems that in the 
 near future the glucose industry will pass from the Indian 
 corn belt to the cassava and potato belt. 
 
 In the cultivation of sugar cane we claim for Florida 
 soil a superiority over any other section of the United 
 States, even including Louisiana. 
 
 The great advantage lies in the fact that the ^ane is not 
 injured by standing — it may remain uncut until the secre- 
 tion of sucrose is complete. There is no danger from 
 frosts or cold, and the stalk may therefore reacli full ma- 
 turity. In Louisiana a matured cane stalk — that is, one 
 in the tassel — is practically unknown. Cutting must 
 commence in October or early November, ( because to be- 
 gin later would be to invite a complete destruction of the 
 crop by freezing. The cane is, therefore, har^-este<i long 
 before maturity, and consequently at a loss of ranch of 
 its value. 
 
 It has been frequently stated, and again and again as- 
 serted, that first class granulated sugar can be made from 
 Southern cane at a large profit when selling the sugar at 
 less than it costs to produce beet sugar; that if these facts 
 were intelligently placed before the American farmer and 
 capitalist the enormous sums now being invested in beet 
 culture and manufacture would be diverted to the sugar 
 belt of the South, and particularly to Floirda. 
 
 It requires no experimentation; there are no facts to 
 demonstrate; they are here, ready for investigation. The 
 plant, the amount it will produce per acre, its sugar con- 
 tent, the cost of production, in labor and time— these 
 
174 
 
 factore are authoritatively established by our Agricultu- 
 ral Department, and by our own people. 
 
 COST OF FACTORY. 
 
 A factory to turn out 50,000 pounds- "f granulated su- 
 gar per day can be erected for |75,000. Allowing the raw 
 material (cane or syrup) to cost 50 per cent, of the selling 
 price of sugar, 50,000 pounds will ]iay thr grower |;i,125; 
 cost of manufacture (75 cents ]>er TOO poutfds), if>875; net 
 profits of factory per day, |750; gross daily proceeds, 
 |2,250. These figures are based on present prices of su- 
 gar — i. e.. 4.\ cents for standard granulated. The factory 
 should run for one hundred days, showing a not profit of 
 175,000 per season. Such a factory will reipiire ;;00 tons 
 of cane (or its equivalent in syrup), yjcr day, and will 
 consume the product of some 1,500 acres of averat^e Flori- 
 da cane, paying the growers |1 12,500 for the season. 
 Tkere is not a town or village in the Shite, from Pensa- 
 cola to Jacksonville, or from Jacksonville to Tampa or 
 Miami, that cannot furnish within a shorr distance twice 
 the i-*^r[uired acreage for such a mill. .\ thousand such 
 mills would be required to produce the 5,000,000.000 
 pounds imported annually. 
 
 The modem factory will make 175 v>ounds gran\ilated 
 sugar per ton of cane, pay the farmer ft ])er ton, and net 
 the factory |2.50 per ton of cane. The product of the 
 modern house will find a ready sale wherev<»r offered. 'J he 
 open house sugar can only be sold to a refinery, as the 
 American public will use none but the best granulated 
 sugar. A mill handling from 400 to 800 tons of cane per 
 day, requires no greater number of skilled '^m])loyees, en- 
 gineers, sugar makers, etc., uses little fuel, the waste of 
 house is reduced to a minimum, the extraction is ])racti- 
 cally ix'rfect (80 to 82 per cent.), practically no labcn* is 
 required after the cane is placed on the carrier, the ])ro- 
 duct is ready for immediate consumption. 
 
 These mills or factories, purchasing their supplies fi-oui 
 the farmer, can afTord to pay for the cane delivered, a 
 price, equal to the smn now obtained for his <'rnde syrup, 
 now made in a crude and w\isteful manner, saving the 
 farmer the annoyance and cost of niannfactnre and ])!ick- 
 
17i 
 
 ages, and at the same time make large profits on the <*api- 
 tal invested. 
 
 From by-products of the factories immense quantities 
 of cattle food can be obtained, both from sugar cane !.nd 
 the starch producing plants. Thus a dairy industry (an 
 be established in connection with sugar and starch mak- 
 inig, which will add much to the wealth of the State. 
 
 There is an immense amount of wealth in this industry 
 of Florida, and if properly directed it will in a few years 
 far outstrip that of Louisiana and make Florida ihc lead- 
 ing sugar-producing country of the world. 
 
 SWEET POTATOES. 
 
 Next to corn, the most important article of vegetable 
 food in common use is the sweet potato. They ilo best <.n 
 s\ light soil, well manured. The yield ])er acr»^ is from 
 100 to 300 bushels, depending upon the season, cnltuie 
 and quality of soil. They are propagated from the ^-^ed. 
 like Irish ])otatoes; from draws, and from ihe vines. 
 Under the first method, the i)otato<'s are iilant-^d in hills 
 or drills earh' in the season, and cultivated vf>i'y much 
 like the Irish potatoes. By iho second method, the pota- 
 toes are planted thickly in a bed ; when thev have snronled 
 two or three inches, the young shoot«. called draws, are 
 broken otf and set out in the field. This must be done in 
 damp or showery weather. The third is bv cnttinc'- off 
 and planting out pieces of tho vine, after the plants Iidvp 
 commenced running. The crop raised from vines Is h'ter, 
 but frequently not inferior, either in onantity or qualitv. 
 to that raised by the other methods of propagation. The 
 early crop begins to mature about midsummer. The crop 
 is a profitable one. and desrrvinsr of more attention, as a 
 market crop, than it has hitherto received. J^weet pota- 
 toes bear shipment well, and command .srood yn-icesi in tlie 
 Northern markets. 
 
 ]{TCE. 
 
 Rice does finely, even on the poor pine lands whim suffi- 
 ciently fertilized. After cow-penning the grounds 00 
 bushels ])er acre have bei^n produced. The reclaimed 
 swamp lands will be eminently fitted for its productio:;. 
 
176 
 
 While this grain feeds a majority of the world's ].eople, 
 the straw is excellent forage for horses and cattle. But 
 the sugar cane will, perhaps, be the lariger crop on the 
 richer lands, whether swamp, low hammock or high. The 
 world's demand for the product of the cane is enlarging, 
 the price is enhancing, and no substitute has yet j.een 
 found that will adequately supply its place. Another in- 
 centive to its production is the improved machinery 
 brought into use in the last few years for converting its 
 juice into sugar and syrup, and purifying its granulations 
 up to the highest grades. 
 
 FIELD PEAS. 
 
 The cow pea is extensively grown, and produces excel- 
 lent crops. It resembles the. bean family in the appear- 
 ance of its foliage and the manner of its growth. It is 
 common to sow them between the rows of corn at Ihe last 
 plowing. They will produce from ten to twenty-five !)ush- 
 els per acre, besides a large amount of forage. On ac- 
 count of the luxuriant growth of the vine, on poor soils 
 even, its culture as a gi^een crop, to be turned in, has been 
 practiced by the farmers of Florida for many years. It 
 has no superior as a renovator of worn soils. This plant 
 also makes excellent hay. 
 
 PEANUTS. 
 
 The peanut, pinder, [goober or ground-pea, as the plant 
 is variously called, grows well on almost any warm, light 
 soil. The seed should be planted early in the spring. 
 The after cultivation is simple. Fifty bushels to the acre 
 is an averge crop. They are worth |1.00 to $3.00 per 
 bushel, depending on the cultivation and variety. The 
 nut produces an oil. which is said to be equal to the finest 
 olive oil, and has a ready market for all that is manu- 
 factured. 
 
 OATS. 
 
 This crop is grown in almost every county in the 
 State, and yields good average crops of about fifteen to 
 twenty bushels to the acre. 
 

177 
 
 WHEAT AND RYE. 
 
 Wheat and rye are grcwn in the northern tier of coun- 
 ties; the former in a small way more for the lack of facil- 
 ities for converting the grain into flower than from any 
 other cause, there being no mills for such purpose; the 
 latter is grown chiefly for winter pasturage. 
 
 HAY. 
 
 It is only within the past fifteen years that hay has 
 assumed the position of one of the standard .'rops , now 
 hay is harvested in every section of the State and put 
 away for winter feed just as is done in more northerly 
 States; the native grasses do best and make as fine and 
 nutritious forage as the best grasses of the Northern or 
 Middle States. It has long been a mistaken idea that the 
 native grasses were not suitable for making hay, but a 
 comparison with the best hay producing grasses of other 
 latitudes, not only prove the contrary, but actually show- 
 some of the native Forida grasses to be superior in ^i^ 
 value. In the following table the first three named 
 grasses are used as a fair criterion of the best hay grasses 
 of the Western States. All the others are either naiive 
 grasses or are perfectly adapted to the climate and soil of 
 Florida. 
 
 To those unfamiliar with the character and value of na- 
 tive Florida grasses, the following table of aoalysia ot 
 nutritive content and estimated market values, compiled 
 by Mr. Peter Collier of the Agricultural Bureau at Wash- 
 ington, may prove of interest : 
 
 12 H. F. 
 
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179 
 
 THE VELVET BEAN. 
 
 The Velvet Heaii is com para tivelv a now ciop in Flor- 
 ida, having been first ex])erimented with in J 800; thoiigh 
 it was in all probability cultivated as a trellis vine and 
 shade for porches in the warm season. TBe writer remem- 
 bers having seen as far back as 1875. in Alachua countj 
 and also in Marion, what he has since recognized as the 
 Velvet Bean; on both occasions it was growin:; in young 
 orange groves, and the owners coni]tlainod of iho diffi<ul- 
 ty of keeping ii from smothering, or choking (hf young 
 trees; with that exc,e])tion they were even at (iiit time 
 greatly pleased with it as a green cattle food; its threat- 
 ening danger of groves ]>reventcd the extensive cultiva- 
 tion, and little was thought of it; its origin had never 
 been jirecisely tix(Hl. and at tlH» period referieJ to it was 
 not known by any particular name. 
 
 The ]>rinclpal uses of the Velvet Bean are as a reno- 
 vator of worn soils, and as a stock food for farm ani- 
 mals, in which case it has been demonstrated to be of great 
 value either a»i a foraige crop or fed green, either cut or 
 pastured. At present the climate of Florida seems best 
 adapted to its cultivation because of the long season, but 
 there is little loubt that in a few years its cultivation 
 will be gradually extended further north: while it will 
 probably mature seed better in a climate like our's, .';till 
 for the purpose of soil renovating it is not absolutely nec- 
 essary that it produce .seed; though it is tru'? that the 
 nearer the plant approaches perfection, the greater is its 
 value for the purpose intended. The Velvet Bean like 
 most leguminous plants has the peculiar faculty of in- 
 creasing the fertility of soils, while at the same time it 
 yields the most nutritious of food crops. Velvet Beans 
 are known to thrive on lands that other crops positively 
 perish on, and two crops of the beans on such lands have 
 been known to increase its productive capjicity to thp 
 equal of cow penned land. It has been demonstrated by 
 experiment, that one acre of Velvet Befins, including the 
 vine, pods and roots contain about 100 pounds of nitro- 
 gen, 240 pounds tf potash and 40 pounds of phosphoric 
 acid; the actua' value of these ingredients being about 
 $40.00. 
 
180 
 
 The first and aiost important use to whicli the Velvet 
 Bean may be applied is perhaps that of soil renovation. 
 In Florida mm h of our land is abundantly supplied with 
 humus or organic matter and nitrogen, though it is 
 equally true that- the greater portion of [he Florida soils 
 is very defici.'iit in these important substances. The vel- 
 vet bean can accomplish for these i)Oor soils of Florida 
 v\^hat the cjv/pea can do for all the Sonthorn States. For 
 us, however ths velvet bean has greater advantages and 
 is to be preferred. Fnder the head of culture it has al- 
 ready been in-ri-nled that the plan^ \< an excellent one 
 from whicli forage may be obtained. It may be used as 
 green pas1ui'a,^e. harvested and cons'erred into hay, or 
 rattle and hs^gs iL'ay be turned in after maturity and ihe 
 cron thus converted into meat at low cost. It has been 
 used by some as a cover crop and as such proved satisfac- 
 tory. The pod!^ after grinding furnisli a foo<l rich in ])r<»- 
 tein that is m lished by poultry, cattle and hogs. This 
 food is now on the market in some parts of the State. For 
 many yeara it has been used as aa ornamental and as 
 such is still in high favor. 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 From the earliest settlement of Florida tobacco lias 
 been found td Y.c well adapted to both the climate and soil, 
 ii'jd has been at different periods, and in different locali- 
 ties extensively: cultivated. A numbe:* of varieiies »»f 
 jnarked difference in character and quality are cultivated 
 in various sections of the State. Experience has demon- 
 strated the fact that Florida tobacco possesses a fineness 
 and elasticity In the leaf that admirably fits it for the 
 manufacture i>f cigars; it also mnkeg an excellent wrap- 
 per. The great bulk of the cigar tobacco growing is con- 
 fined to Gadsden County, though a number of other 
 counties also engage in it quite extensively. The lands 
 of Gadsden County are found to be pecul'arly adapted to 
 tobacco growing. It is in this county, also, to some ex- 
 tent in Leon, that Sumatra tobacco is grown on such an 
 extensive scale I'nder shade ; in fact this method of grow- 
 ing tobacco in this section has almost entirely superced- 
 ed the growing of that weed in the open. The tobacco 
 grown in this way produces the finest of all cigar 
 
■\ ISl 
 
 wrappers and the better grades brinji vecy Iii.^h ])rioes, 
 ranging from iOo per pound to |1.50. So it is readily seen 
 what the possibilities of the industry are when sve find 
 that the land produces with proper care and attention, 
 from 800 to 1,000 pounds per acre. In thvi other counties 
 or sections of the State numerous varieties of tobacco are 
 grown, but the Cuban tobacco of the Vuelti Abaja va- 
 riety predominates, as it is specially adapted to the manu- 
 facture of the better grades of cigars, and also wrappers. 
 Other counties ])roducing tobacco for the ruirpose snggest- 
 ed are, Calhoun, Liberty, Pasco, Polk, Columbia. Her- 
 nando, and Washington. The manufacturing pa it of the 
 business is carried on principally in Tampa and Key 
 West, but these places consume only imported Cuban to- 
 bacco. Almost every town of importance in the State ha.s 
 one or more cigar factories, and in these both ihe Florida 
 and Cuba tobaccos are worked up into cigars and sold to 
 the trade. Th? value of the cigars manufactured in Flor- 
 ida during the year 1903, amounted to near .f 11.000.000. 
 CASSAVA. 
 
 Cassava gr/jws in the sandy soils of every section of 
 Florida. Whilr* It' has been cultivated to a considerable 
 extent for probably thirty years, tlie general usefulness 
 .and all-around V;ilae of the plant had not made much im- 
 pression upon the public [generally, until a .comparative!^ 
 recent period. 
 
 The name ''^ 'assava'' should i)roperly apply only to the 
 purified starch derived from the roots of the plant, but it 
 has passed into general use to designate the plant itself. 
 The plant is kn >Avn by various names, as, for instance. 
 Janivhn manihof, ^fanihot utilissima, Jatrojiha ^fanihot. 
 Manihot ai])i, Manihot loeflingii. and ^fanihot nalmata. 
 One of its common names is Manioc plant. The fleshy 
 root of this plant yields the greatest portion of the daily 
 food of the natives of many portions of tropiciil ATn'»rIra. 
 and one of its forms of starch is imported largely into 
 this country as 1aiiio< a* Tt is a woody or shrubby plan^. 
 growing fT-oni llfsliy. tuberous roots, the sfenis being 
 smooth. w:tli nodui'^s whore the leaves grow. 
 
 •Three form's of tanioco are recognized in commerce, 
 
 pearl ta])ioca. f?ake tai)iocn. and taoicua flour. The latter 
 
 would b'^ mor-* ;!ji]troj(riafely called tnpioca starch or 
 cassava starch. 
 
182 
 
 Thero is pioi>eily only one variety of the planr growing 
 in Florida, whiie that variety which grows in the Tropics 
 contains so much hydrocyanic acid as to render it poison- 
 ous. The variety grown in the sub-tropical region of 
 Florida, however, contains only a small quantity of hydro- 
 cyanic acid, and is therefore commonly known as sweet 
 cassava. Some of the growers of the plant in Florida 
 claim that two varieties grow in the State, one of which is 
 poisonous on account of the large amount cf hydrocyanic 
 acid which it contains, and the other nonpoisonous, as it 
 contains only a Utile hydrocyanic acid. It i« quite prob- 
 able, however, that atfter the poisonous variety has grown 
 for a long while in a subtropical climate it would lose 
 laiigely its poisonous properties. The leaves of the pois- 
 onous variety in the Tropics usually have seven branches, 
 palmately divided. The leaves of the sweet variety are 
 usually only five parted. The botanists clearly recognize 
 two distinct vyrioties. For instance, in the Treasury of 
 Botany (p. 718 1 the following remarks are made: 
 
 it is quite clciir that while the root of one is bitter and 
 a violent poison, that of the other is sweet and wholesome 
 and is commonly eaten cooked as a vegetable. IJotli of 
 them, especially tlie bitter, are most extensively cultivated 
 over the greatoi? part of tropical America and yield an 
 abundance of wholesome and nutritious food, the poison 
 of the bitter kind being got rid of during the process of 
 preparation it undergoes. The ])oisonous expressed juice, 
 if allowed to settle, deposits a large quantity of starcli 
 known as Brazilian arrowroot or tapioca meal, from 
 which the tapioca of the sho])s is prepared by simply tor- 
 refying the moist starch upon hot jdates. the heat ciiusing 
 the starch grains to swell an<l burst and become aggluti- 
 nated together. A sauce called cassareep. used for flavor- 
 ing soups and other dishes. i>articularly the West Indian 
 dish known as ]iep]ier hot, is also prepared from this juice 
 by concentrating and rendering it harmless by boiling. 
 Another of flip products of cassava is an intoxicating bev- 
 eraige called i>iwarrie, but the manner of preparing it is 
 not calculated to rerder it tempting to Kuro]>can.^. ft is 
 made by the w<.men, who chew cassava cakes and throw 
 the masticated materials into a wooden bowl, where it is 
 allowed to fr'rment for some days and then boiled. It ia 
 said to have an agreeable taste. 
 
183 I 
 
 CASSAVA AS AJN ARTICLE OF FOOD. 
 
 The sweet cassava as grown in Florida is a common 
 article of diet, an well f.s the source of the domestic starch 
 nsed over large portions of the peninsula. The roots of 
 the cassava are grated and used directly as human food, 
 and they are also fed to cattle, pigs, mules and horses 
 with very happ> effects, being a food which K? greatly rel- 
 ished. Cassava flour is prepared as a domestic product i» 
 many parts of Florida and other localities where the 
 cassava is grown. In the preparation of cassava flout 
 the root is peeled, chopped into thin slices or grated, 
 spread in the sun for two or three days until sufficiontlj 
 dry, and then ground into a fine powder. In this State it 
 is used for making a kind of bread for puddings and for 
 other culinary purposes. In the making of ]>uddings the 
 addition of milk, eggs, sugar, etc., to suit the taste, i3 
 recommended. As a substitute for wheat Hour in making 
 bread, the cassava flour is of course inferior in igeneral 
 nutritive and cnlinary properties. It contains an exces- 
 sive amount of carbohydrates, and is therefore not as well 
 babi.ced a ration as bread which is made from wheat. 
 For instance, in ordinary wheat flour the nitrogenous 
 bodies vary from 8 to 14 per cent., while in casssiva Hour 
 they rarely reach as much as 2 per cent. The chemical 
 composition of the cassava roots and of the cassava I'our, 
 as determined in the laboratory, is shown in the following 
 tables : 
 
 compositio:n of cassava root (dry mattery 
 
 Serial number .'.o47 
 
 Per cent? 
 
 Ash 1 .95 
 
 Petroleum ether extract (fat) 1.27 
 
 Ether extract ) resins, organic acids. o\c.) 74 
 
 Alcohol extract famids. sugars, glucosids, etc) .... 17.4.^ 
 
 Crude fiber ... 4.03 
 
 Starch *'' 71*35 
 
 Protein (nitrogcnx6.25) 3,47 
 
 100.75 
 
184 
 
 COMPOSITION OF CASSAVA FLOUR. 
 
 Serial numbers 5922 51)23 
 
 Per cent. Per cent. 
 
 Moisture 10.56 1 1.86 
 
 Ash 1.86 1.L3 
 
 Petroleum ether extract (fat) 1.50 .86 
 
 Ether extract (resins and organic acids) . .64 .43 
 
 Alcohol extract (amids, sugars, glucosids) 13.69 4.50 
 
 Dextrin, gum, etc., by difference 2.85 5.63 
 
 Crude fiber 2.06 4.15 
 
 Protein (nitrogenx6.25) 1.31 1.31 
 
 Starch 64.63 70.13 
 
 Most extraordinary statements have been made in re- 
 gard to the yield of cassava per acre. Careful measure- 
 ments, however, made under the direction of rhis division, 
 show that the magnitude of the crop is usually vory much 
 less than is stated in the reports which have been made. 
 An average crop, under favorable conditions, may be 
 placed at 5 tons of roots per acre. In many cuses, how- 
 ever, the yield, Vv^here no fertilization is practiced and 
 where the roots are grown upon sandy soil, is much less 
 than this. In the statement above, showing the composi- 
 tion of the root, the analysis of a single sample of roots is 
 given. 
 
 Cassava is distinctively a starch-forming crop, and be- 
 longs essentially to the carbohydrate division of foods. 
 It is therefore a cliaracteristic fat-former, and when ]irop- 
 erly used, becon.es one of the most economH-al heat and 
 fat-forming ariu-Ies of food for all classes of animals as 
 well as human beings. 
 
 But the greatest value which the crop possesses lies in 
 the cheapness wHh which fat-forming matovial may be 
 produced in thi<( shape, while its economical ]H)sit!on de- 
 pends npon th" recognized desirability of producincc at 
 home the greatest possible supply and variety of foods for 
 home consum])lion. Feeding experiments have fully 
 proven that cassava is not a perfectly balanced food, in 
 other words, it does not contain flesh forminj: and fat 
 forming material? in the exact ])roportion necessary to 
 secure the best ]»ossible results from its use, or ihe great- 
 est economy from feeding it alone; and yet it is nn 
 
185 
 
 doubtedly true, all things cousideied, that -j^ssava comc"?^ 
 about as near suj^plyinj: a more ijerfett ration for fn.rni 
 stock than any other crop produced upon Florida farms. 
 As it is chiefly from the standpoint of its value ns a stock 
 food that we arc considering it, and the immensely favor- 
 able bearing it.-( production is at present havin?^ and will 
 continue to ha>e on the successful raising of live stock :n 
 this State, an industry that is assuming vast proportions, 
 and profitableness, we will consider it briefly iS a mixed 
 food, combined as shown below. 
 
 FEEDING EXPERIMENTS WITH VELVET BK.ANS 
 AND CASSAVA IN COMBINATION. 
 
 Thousands of acres of these two crops have been pro- 
 duced during the past season and are now covered with 
 the product in srifficient quantity to fatten thousands of 
 cattle. The qn('<5lion now troublinig the owner is. how 
 can the fattening constituents of the cassava be best com- 
 bined with the muscle-making constituents of the velvet 
 beans so as to form the most effective and economical ra » 
 tion? That such a combination is desirable is not 
 doubted. The ])r('portion and form in which the carbo- 
 hydrate food should be combined with the protein ration 
 is still the subject of inquiry. 
 
 At the recent S^tate Fair, the Exj^erimeut r>tation had 
 on exhibition tAvo steers which had been fed for (>0 days 
 exclusively in rations containing these two crops for the 
 sole purpose nf answei-ing by actual trial rhese (Queries. 
 Incidentallv tin: feeding of t/ese steers was a T)ractical 
 demonstration ;;f the possibility of these typical Florida 
 feed -stuffs. 
 
 The results of this experimei>t are here ])i'eser,ted as a 
 guide to farmers with these two crops which thev wish 
 to utilize to greatest advantage. They at the same rime 
 serve as a further illustration of the possibilities of 
 Florida for the <levelopment of a great beef-na.kin ; indus- 
 try. The animals fed <(msisted of one typical native 
 Florida i'ioor ;i!id one gra<le shorthorn ste^r. The two 
 therefore furn:>*hcd a com]iarison between the native and 
 a cross of the Fame with recognized beef blood. 
 
 Feed used — The feeding began on Septemb.^r II. TIio 
 beans wei-e theicfore used as grf^Mi f«^d. the titans bein"' 
 
18i 
 
 just formed at tlio beginning of the period and mature 
 at the end. Pasturing would probably have been the 
 cheapest way to feed a large herd, but for our small num- 
 ber, and that the material might be weighed and an ac- 
 curate account kept, soiling was practiced, the material 
 being cut morning and evening. Cassava and cotton seed 
 meal were used with the green feed, the meal being 
 needed as a concentrate to balance the ration. Later in 
 the season the use of ground velvet beans would have 
 obviated this necessity and cheapened the ration. 
 
 QUALITY AND COST OF RATION PER DAY. 
 
 V. B. Forage. 
 
 Cassava. 
 
 0. S. Meal. 
 
 Cost. 
 
 Native 381bs. 
 
 161bs. 
 
 41bs. 
 
 7.6c 
 
 Grade 611bs. 
 
 241bs. 
 
 61bs. 
 
 11.50 
 
 The cost of ration is based on the followins? value pep 
 ton : Forage 30c, cassava |3, cotton seed meal |23.50. 
 
 The cassava was run through a root-cutter and then 
 mixed with the nieal. The forage was fed fresh and was 
 intended to be before the steers all the time, they receiv- 
 ing all they would eat up clean. 
 
 COST OF GAINS MADE. 
 
 
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 fe 
 
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 £-t 
 
 P^ PU 
 
 Native , , 
 
 , . 732 
 
 862 
 
 130 118.30 14.56 |22.86 
 
 -t!7.31 32.0 
 
 Grade . . , 
 
 ...1190 
 
 1404 
 
 214 
 
 41.65 
 
 6.90 
 
 48.55 
 
 7.01 15.6 
 
 The purchase price of the native steer was 2\ cents \>ev 
 pound; the selling price was 3^ cents. The purchase 
 price of the grade steer was 3| cents and the selling j)r)ce 
 was 4 cents. The percentage [gain of the two animals 
 during the 60 day period* was : Native 17.6 per cent., 
 grade 18 per cotU. 
 
187 
 
 The small^^r comparative profit from the grade steer 
 was due to the fact that he was in relatively better ton- 
 dition when purrha<<ed and cost more i>er pound, while 
 the average local market of Florida is at present not edu- 
 cated to a full appreciation of the difference in quality of 
 beef so that the selling price was lower than the superior 
 quality would have secured in larger market.-^. In both 
 cases, however, the increased value of fattened 1>eef over 
 the range animal was demonstrated. The native steer 
 sold for one cent and the grade for one half cent per 
 pound above original purchase price. 
 
 The increased value of the entire carcass as a result of 
 feeding is the chief source of the profit since the feeder 
 not only secures the increased weight resulting from the 
 feeding, but also the increased value of ^the original 
 weight as a re«)ult of improvement through the fattening 
 process. 
 
 ABEA AND FEEDING CAPACITY. 
 
 The amount of land required for fattening steers by the 
 use of cavassa and velvet beans is a most important con- 
 sideration. The native steer used in this te?t was one of 
 a pair running above the average size for range jmimals. 
 Adopting 500 pounds as the average live weight of the 
 native Florida steer and feeding liim at the same rate in 
 proportion to his weight the quantity of velvet boan forage 
 consumed per day would be about 26 pounds and of cas- 
 sava 11 pounds. 
 
 The yield of forage with the crop fed was ovei- 12 tons 
 per acre and the cassava yield about 7 tous. At the 
 rate of feeding riientioned the quantity required for a 60 
 day period would be velvet bean forage 1560 pounds and 
 of cassava 660 ponnds. Feding velvet beans and cassava 
 in the form used with the native steer, one acre of velvet 
 beans approximately balances two-thirds of an acre of 
 cassava. Fed this way this ai-ea will feed fifteen average 
 native Florida steers for market as fat beef if no time ia 
 wasted in teaching the range animal to consume fed r?f 
 tions. 
 
188 
 VEGETABLE GROWING FOR MARKET. 
 
 The success of vegetable growing for market in Florida 
 is too well known to justify going into lengthy delail as to 
 methods of cultivation or transportation; it is sufficient 
 to say, that the same methods of cultivation are generally 
 used here as in other States, except that they are adapted 
 as to time of planting, to the seasons, and the transpor- 
 tation facilities are abundant, both by rail and water. The 
 great bulk of the trucking business is confined to East 
 and South Florida, and it is no exaggeration to say rhat 
 every vegetable of food value is produced in some portion 
 of the State; among the most profitable crops, aie* toma- 
 toes, beans, Irisli potatoes, celery, cabbages, lettuce, pep- 
 pers and egf>; plnuts; from the growing of each these pro- 
 ducts thousarnds of people reap a rich rewnrd for ilieir 
 labor every year, and many of them make comforlablo for- 
 tunes; most, if not all of these vegetables are grown at 
 seasons of the year which enables them to command a 
 monopoly of the markets, as well as prices. Many of 
 these crops bring handsome returns. Tomatoes for in- 
 stance, have violded as much as |1,000 per acns but ihe 
 average run fnmi |300 to |500; Irish potatoes will average 
 near |100 ; lettuce from |300 to |800 per acre, and celery 
 as much as |1,500 per acre. All are .-emunerative to a 
 proportionate degree. Melons of every kind and variety, 
 from the pumpkin of New England to the priniitive gourd 
 abound and thrive in every section of Florida. 
 
 All are the lines r quality and the watermelon and can- 
 taloupe rival in flavor and general edibilitv the best of 
 more northern lalitudes; the two latter crops -avo specinllv 
 remunerative, and are plnnted, grown and shi[)ped to 
 market in immense quantities. 
 
 As previously stated all the vegetable products; thrive 
 and yield well in Florida, and on the average pay t\v?, 
 growers well. From partial returns and estimate.' the 
 vegetable crops of 100.'> brought into the Stal? lx'twe«?n 
 $2,000,000 and .«.3.000,000. 
 
 HONEY. 
 
 TTonev has for uuniy years been classed anionj- the sfn- 
 ple products, both the cliujiite and flora of Flovid;i l.)eii\g 
 
189 
 
 specially adapted to a successful prosecution of the indus- 
 try. Bees can work in all sections of the State almost the 
 entire year, but in portions of South Florida, they have 
 MO difticulty in working through the Vv'hole winter. The 
 industry here pays handsome profits, and there is proba- 
 bly no State where it pays better or with more certainty. 
 There are a number of very large prairies in the State, 
 notably at Hawks Park, in Volusia County, and at We- 
 wahitehka in Calhoun County; W. S. Hart and S. S. Al- 
 derman, respectively are the proprietors. Diseases such as 
 are troublesome North are unknown here. The only seri- 
 ous enemies here being the toads, ants, moths, draggon 
 flies and the butcher bird. There are flowers of some kind 
 all the time for bees to feed on. Some of the leading 
 honey or pollen producing trees are, the orange, and all 
 other citrus trees, the sweet gum, sweet myrtle, bay, mag- 
 nolia, maple, willow, hickory, yonpm mock olive, saw 
 palmetto, cabbage palmetto, and the mangrove; the two 
 latter and the citrus trees being considered the finest 
 honey producers as to quality in the world. No other 
 trees or shrubs begin to compare with them, and it is en- 
 tirely safe to say that the crop never fails. No more 
 inviting field for this most profitable industry is to be 
 'ound on North American soil. The yield of this product 
 'or 1902. was over 700. 000 pounds. 
 
 BRUITS, TROPICAL AND SEMI-TROPICAL. 
 
 Perhaps no section of country of similar area upon the 
 abitable globe, now known, can supply si^-rh p. v^^^^t nirn- 
 er of delicious fruits of unsurpassed quality as Florida, 
 'he list is a long one and we will describe them as briefly 
 s is consistent with correctness, and their importance. 
 
 THE ORANGE. 
 
 The fame of this king of fruits has traveled down the 
 •rridors of time, basking in the favor of all who were so 
 rtunate as to come in contact with it. Its praises 
 unded by Heroditus from the wilds of India, nearly 
 '0 years B. C, its march down through the centuries, 
 
190 
 
 has been triumphant to the present day, where we find it 
 still gladdening the heart, assuaging the thirst, and faci- 
 nating the eyes of a newer civilization. 
 
 BITS OF HISTORY. 
 
 Because it is an evergreen which bears almost continu- 
 ously upon its expanding branches fruit in all stages of, 
 perfection, and fragrant blossoms at the same time, is not^ 
 alone the reason for its fascination of man ; in its gorge- 
 ous dress it but typifies the beauty of everlasting life ; it 
 has held firmly its sway as the monarch of fruit, as it 
 comes down to us through the realms of the misty past, 
 chronicled in song and story of romatic love. 
 
 We read in ancient lore of the famous golden apples of 
 the gardens of the Hesperides. Of the mala mcdlca of the 
 Romans, mentioned by Virgil, Palladio and others, of the 
 hiiron of the Greeks, the citrus of Josephus. All of these 
 were handed down the line as being neither more nor less 
 than the orange of modern times. When the crusaders 
 invaded Syria, they found there numbers of magnificent 
 orange trees, laden with fruit of such beauty and excel- 
 lence as fairly enchanted them, so much so that they 
 henceforth classed the orange tree as one of the "•indi- 
 genous glories of the Holy Land." 
 
 Whether this is all truth is questionable, but we will 
 give one story in which the genuine orange hold a fasci- 
 nating place in mythological lore at least. Out of the^ 
 great catastrophe, the submergence of the continent of 
 Atlantis, where th?: famous garden of the Hesperides were 
 supposed to exist comes the fascinating 
 
 STORY OF ATALANTA. 
 
 "In the age of mythology lived a maiden whose name 
 was Atlanta. Said an uncle to her one day : 'Atlanta, 
 do not marry; marriage will be your ruin.' Therefore to 
 all her suitors (for she was handsome and had money) 
 she made a condition that she thought would effectively 
 shield her from their persecutions.^ 'I will be the prize of 
 him who shall conquer me in the race, but death must be 
 the penalty of all who try and fail.' Now and then a hap- 
 less youth would try, but invariably he suffered the penal- 
 
191 
 
 ty of failure. \t length oauie a young man, liaudsome, 
 brave, fleet of foot, HippomenuR. He loved Atahuitii, and 
 determined to win her or die. But first, like a wise nian, 
 he besought the aid of Venus. The goddess ohukod three 
 golden apples from a tree tbt>t grew in hei*own ])rivate 
 garden in tbe island of Cyprus. These she gave secretly 
 to Hippomenus, iristructing him how to use them. And 
 so the race commenced, Atalanta, be it known, having 
 meantime. nuT'h fo her own suT'prise, come fo the couclu- 
 ,ion that it wonlf' be a great pity for so bennriru) a youth 
 to be put to death. And yet her pride would not allow her 
 to suffer herself to be beaten. So the race bej^nii : it was 
 a close one. Tn'» s]»ectators cheered TTipT^omenns, but hfc 
 felt his breath fa'iinjr. his throat ireTting dry. and the troal 
 was yet afar off. Then he remembered Venus' instruc- 
 tions. He diopned one of the golden apples. Atlanta had 
 never seen anyrhing like it. so of course she slopped 1o 
 pick it up. .\vid crafty Hippomenus shot far ahead. She 
 saw. and by a great effort, caught up to him. Then he 
 dropped another apple. Same insult. But now the goal 
 was near at baud. 'O. Venus, prosper your gift.' cried 
 poor, pantins Hippomenus. Then he thi-ew the one re- 
 maining ball off to one side Atalanta hesitated, but its 
 beauty was too great. She could not pass it hy. For the 
 third time she stooped not to conquer, but to lose. For in 
 that brief interval, happy Hippomenus daHed uj) to the 
 goal, the winner of the race and of his bride. 
 
 "The yovmg conple were so happy, so self-absorbed, that 
 ihey forgot to thqnk the goddess to whom they owed it all. 
 Ro she naturally felt apisrrieved. and se<»retly influenced 
 them to offend the Goddess Cybele. The latter, in re- 
 venge, changed them to a lion and lioness, an.-l yoked ihem 
 to her car." 
 
 And there you may soe them to this day. in all tbe 
 paintings or statnes of the Goddess Cybele. 
 
 This pretty story is one of ihp many roman<'(^s that are 
 inten\oven with the history of the orange, which last, by 
 tbe way. is the only substantial point in 'he ••arrative. 
 But then, it loses nothing by that. We hardlv look for 
 the truth amidst avowed fablrs and romances. All the 
 same, it is the hi^lo thrown about the story of the oranG;e, 
 wkich. first of all. invests it with what we might call a 
 
192 
 
 theoretical interest, entirely distinct from its true, practi- 
 cal, intrinsic value. 
 
 NOT INDIGENOUS TO EUROPE. 
 
 It was not i^ossibie that a fruit so popular should not 
 give rise to speculation and discussion as to its true ori- 
 gin. But this is all it amounted to, until the patient, 
 pains-taking Galessio entered the lists. Then for the first 
 time the noble orange was carefully traced back step by 
 step, and the further he went, the plainer did the truth 
 become it never was indigenous to Europe, all fables to 
 the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 The first disrinct mention of the orange, assert'^s Gales- 
 sio in his Traiti du Citrus, published in Paris in 1811, is 
 made by the Arab«. These wandering sons of the desert, 
 in the long, long ago, penetrated into the inierior of In- 
 dia further than ever the conquering Alexander had gone 
 before them. ITere they found the orange tribe of fruits 
 growing in wild luxuriance. They carried them thence 
 out into the world by two routes. The sweet (now called 
 China) orange was taken through Persia to Syria, and 
 from there to the shores of Italy and France. The bitter 
 oranges, commercially called the Seville orange, was dis 
 tributed through Arabia, Egypt, and the north of Africa, 
 until it reached Europe by way of Spain and Portugal. 
 Thus we see that the honor of being the birthplace of the 
 orange belongs not to Europe, but to India — and to India 
 only. For the '-golden apple" is not indigenous to Ameri- 
 ca, as many have supposed. 
 
 NOT OF AMERICAN ORIGIN. 
 
 True, there are wild orange groves to be found in va- 
 rious parts of America. There were once many such 
 groves in Florida. But note this fact; Only where the 
 Spanish and Portugese invaders landed and penetrated 
 into the country are these wild !grov«s in existence. The 
 great naturalist, Humboldt, traveling in South America, 
 was amazed to come upon a broad belt of wild orange 
 trees on the banks of the Rio Cedeno, growing in the 
 midst of a dense forest. Naturally he deemed that tbcy 
 must be indigenejus to the soil. But he was not one to 
 
193 
 
 "take things fur g^ranted/' He made careful iiiqiiii'v and 
 discovered that these trees, so laden with large, delicious 
 sweet oranges that the branches touched the ground, were 
 raised from seeds given the Indians by their Spanish con- 
 querers years ;md years before. To this same source does 
 our beautiful Florida owe her wild orange groves. Only 
 here, however, it may be, the wild orange Is not sweet, 
 but sour. 
 
 Ponce de Leoa and his successors, but especially the 
 unfortunate French colony on the St. Johns, whom the 
 butcher Menendcz massacred, ''not as Freachmeii but as 
 heretics," were directh^ instrumental in in+rodn<ing into 
 Florida the noble fruit whose destiny, as one of lier ])rin- 
 cipal sources of wealth, has since been so plainly indica- 
 ted. The orange then, you see, is not a native, hut raiher 
 a naturalized citizen of the United States. 
 
 Now let us turn to the more serious side of the subject, 
 that which most intea:^sts the party who wishes to know 
 its practical side, out of which a living and the surplus 
 dollars are to come, to him who would build a home. In 
 the first place making orange groves is not a pastime, and 
 the more thoroughly Ihe incoming settler realizes the truth 
 that it is not pluy to "make" a grove, that orange growing 
 is a regular business, to be conducted on business j)rinci- 
 pies; also that it requires, like all other business ])ursuits, 
 the investment of more or. less capital, a great deal of 
 care, judgment and pluck; the more thoroughly he realizes 
 all this the better it will be for him and foi* Florida. ITere, 
 as elsewhere over the world, the universal law is in force 
 — nothing that is worth having can be had without wort 
 and perse vera (K-e. That such work and perseverance will 
 reap their reward thousands of men and women have 
 proved; and thiuisands more are today rolling up their 
 sleeves, prepai-ed to prove it yet again. 
 
 So many have come to Florida full of wild visions, im- 
 bued with the idea that all they had to do was to stick 
 the trees in the ground anywhere, everywhere, und then 
 sit down for a :^ear or two in order to have golden fruit 
 dropping into their laps, golden coin rattling in their 
 pockets, that we would here sound a note of warning. 
 
 We would urge him who seeks health and a competence; 
 aye, and wealth, to come to Florida and make unto hira- 
 
 13 H. F. 
 
194 
 
 lelf an orange grove. But also we would have him know 
 that this coveted ixjssession is not to be obtained without 
 the expenditure of time, labor and patience, or their equiv- 
 alent in money. The latter, if he is so fortunate as to be 
 able to purchase a grove ready started. 
 
 As a matter of course, everybody knows, of ought to 
 know, that oranges cannot be raised to profit in all parts 
 •of Florida — ''ought to know," because there seems to be 
 some misapprehension abroad as to the real status of 
 Florida in regard to size and consequent variations of 
 temperature. The truth is that Florida is a very large 
 «tate. Stretching north and south, her beautifu! ever- 
 green forests and sparkling rivers and lakes -pread grand- 
 ly over the face of the earth for a distan<'e of four 'nin- 
 dred miles. Nov/, we all know that four hnn<lre(l miles 
 from north to south anywhere in the temperate zone, is 
 sufficient to cause considerable difference In'tAveen the 
 winter temjjerature of places located at eithei* extremity. 
 And this is especially true of Florida, l-^ach degree 
 marks a decided change of temperature, ^ar mor^ so than 
 the same ustance in the mainland states. Just think for 
 a moment ! Florida is one of the largest scutes in ihe 
 whole Union, the largest of any east of the Mississippi 
 river. It is sp\%pn times as large as Massa?liuett?(. It is 
 larger than all the following named states rolled into 
 one: New Ham]>shire, Vermont. Massac'insett-* New 
 Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Rhode Tslan<^ Tt is 
 one-fourth larger than the state of New Yot'C. It woali?. 
 cover "old England" out of sight, and leave a nice little 
 margin of nine thousand square miles besides. And as to 
 Greece, Belgium and Switzerland, vou might roll them 
 np together. dr<ip them down upon Florida's brood bosom, 
 and then have ji sharp hunt to find thom nri'.^sr lier l.'ikes 
 and forests. 
 
 Neither thr" extremp northern poV tlihp exti'«-.nv> f^mith- 
 ern counties of Florida are adapted to the cnltnre of the 
 orange. Tt canno' endnr-e the freonent fro.^ts of the 
 fonper. nor <^oes it flnprish po' thriftlv in the r ytreme 
 southern portions of the peninsula as in the more central 
 sections. The iriTC orange belt of the Stale lies betwej^n 
 the parallels of latitude 2A\ and 20\. north and south, 
 extending from the Gulf to the Atlantic. While bearing 
 trees ai-e found in almost every county in the Rfate, vet 
 
1!^ 
 
 Ibe favorite habitat of the golden fruit is unmistakablT 
 indicated by the extensive wild groves of tho central lake 
 regions, when once on a time they grew as luxuriantly in 
 the section above named. Here located between ihe 
 boundaries described we find the true Florida climate. 
 Here the orange reaches the climax of perfection and 
 richness. To this region is due the fame of the Florida 
 orange. In this belt, so-called, are the couuties which 
 produce the great crops for commerce; they are Orange, 
 Volusia, Marion, Brevard, Polk, Sumter, Lake, OscsoFa, 
 DeSoto, Lee, H'v^ruando, Pasco,^ Hillsborough, Dade and 
 Manatee. In this section orange culture attains its high- 
 est ideal. 
 
 Most of the soJIt* within the orange belt will produce 
 jood oranges. IHut of course, some are better ..dapted to 
 its rapid growth than others. The richer the land, the 
 more vigorously the tree will grow, the more abundantly 
 it will fiiiit. The orange tree is a gross ^eeder, and the 
 more it eats, provided its home is a healthy one, Ihe bet- 
 ter for its owner. 
 
 Hammock lands are richer in humus and potash than 
 the pine lands. Both of these elements of vegetable 
 growth are especially needed by the orange; hence its 
 growth on hammock land is quicker than on pine land. 
 But this is true, as a rule, only at the outset. In a few 
 years the hammock grove will have devoured all the food 
 "lying around l<M)Ke," and then it must be fed, like the 
 pine land grove, from its owners pockets. Hammock 
 lands, in the sou^e localities, cost far more than the pine 
 lands, both in the original purchase money lud in the ex- 
 pense of clearing. There are magnificent groves on ham- 
 mock land, but there are also many others just as valua- 
 ble located on pine lands. In fact, the adhei*ent«t of the 
 latter are growing in numbers year by year. The fact i» 
 that there is little to choose between them. Both are the 
 home of the orange. The one costs more at the outset in 
 the price of the land and its preparation; the »ther costs 
 more in fertilizing materials. 
 
 Also, hammock lands are scarce as compared with the 
 pine lands, and the latter are more healthful, as a rule, 
 for dwelling pli:ces. The better class of pine land is as 
 well adapted (o the thrifty growth of the orange as en 
 the hammock lands, especially when the former is roll 
 
19G 
 
 injg, hence well drained, and some hickory is mixed with 
 the pine. Black-jack oak grows on a soil that is health- 
 ful to the orange, but it is apt io be deficient in humus, 
 and this, with nitrogenous fertilizers, must be supplied 
 for best results. 
 
 It was once fcccepted as a fact that the orange tree 
 would not flourish on low lands, but that a high and dry 
 location was absolutely imperative. Now-a-days, how- 
 ever, it has been abundantly proven that orange trees 
 will do, and are doing well on low lands, hammock as well 
 as pine, that they grow as fast, bear as abundantly, and 
 their fruit stands shipping just as well as if grown on the 
 top of a hill. The truth is that, among many other things 
 in this always new and ever expanding tield, wo are find- 
 ing out that the orange is not as temperate in its habits as 
 was supposed. It is, in fact, more "given to drink" than 
 its friends believed. 
 
 While we would not advise the settler, other things be- 
 ing equal, to select "flat woods" for his grove, yet, if such 
 lands were offered at a decided advantage as to price, lo- 
 cation as to near shippinig points, health and society, over 
 other lands in the desired neighborhood, we would advise 
 him to take to the "flat woods" without fear, if he is 
 willing to look properly after his trees. 
 
 And so we see that the orange is a good deal of a 
 cosmopolitan, and will flourish in a variety of soils. 
 Wherever you can find clay or marl from two to six feet 
 below the surface, there locate your grove without fear. 
 
 With most persons, the great difference between the 
 prices of hammock and pine lands is sufficient to de- 
 termine the purchase of the latter. Where pine land of 
 the best quality can be bought for from ten to twenty-five 
 dollars an acre, adjoining hammock land is held at from 
 twenty-five to one hundred dollars an acre, often even 
 higher than this. Again, it costs not less than fifteen to 
 fifty dollars m acre to properly clear hammock land, 
 while the sam.e result may be accomplished on pine land 
 at from ten to twenty-five dollars. And by the word 
 "properly" here we mean to thoroughly clean out the un- 
 derbrush and small trees from the hammock, leaving the 
 large trees for protection of the grove, and on the pine 
 land, to leave the ground clear and smooth, no unsightly 
 
197 
 
 stumps left to oii(;ourage the growth of weeds and the 
 presence of wood-lice. 
 
 But there is ;>iie point that we would impress upon the 
 intending grove-owner. However much or little the land 
 may cost, it should invariably be selected near some as- 
 sured shippiu» point, either present or prospective, when 
 the trees shall have "come into bearing.'' 
 
 It is better to pay one hundred dollars an acre for five 
 acres near a railroad station or steamboat landing than 
 pay ten dollars an acre for fifty acres five or more miles 
 distant. 
 
 It is impos-^ible here to go into the questio)i of the va- 
 rious methods of culture. The intending settler can find 
 detailed instriictions on this vital subject in works devo- 
 ted to Florida fruit culture, Some advocate "clean cul- 
 ture," keeping the ground clear all the time. Others be- 
 lieve in seeding the ground with cow peas and oiher simi- 
 lar crops, and adding the humus thus formed to the soil. 
 The clean-culturists seem to be steadily losing their ad- 
 herents as experience in orange culture deepens and 
 broadens. 
 
 But recent opinion of thoughtful persons, based upon 
 observations and experience, is that the grove of the fu- 
 ture will be set in one beautiful green turf of Hermuda 
 or other permnnent grass; that the tender rootlets of the 
 trees will be no more torn and lacerated by plow or culti- 
 vator or hoe. Thf^t they will he fed by the decaying roots 
 and nuik'hed }>y the tops of the grass aroun 1 tliem, and 
 by a top dresfMng of such fertilizers as the soil may re- 
 quire to furnish them food. 
 
 Will orange t;rowin|g pay? is a question i.o longer 
 asked. There are in round numbers 4.000.0(H) growing 
 orange trees in the State, of which 1,000,000 .ire at pres- 
 ent bearing tree': in different stages of bearing; in round 
 figures the nuniher of boxes produced in l^tO:^. were 1,.^00,- 
 000, and having a valuation of .f.3..500,000. Tn these ijg- 
 ures is found the answer. There are eiqfh^««eu counties in 
 all that !7ro\v ryrjirices for market to a (^rf^ate." or h»ss ex- 
 tent. We hnvc r.lready given the list of thos*^ producing 
 the great bulk f." the coinuiercinl crop: the nlirrs are: 
 Alachua. Tew. T»utnam. St. .Tohns. Duval and Tnlhoun. 
 
 But a word of caution. A great many ■)f those who 
 seek homes in a Southern clime nrp not able io nurchase a 
 
198 
 
 l)earing groves nor to sit and wait to bring one into bear- 
 ing, therefore ^hey must rely upon th^ planting of other 
 croi)S to yield a living in the interval, in other words th^ 
 must practice diversified agriculture. Florida is prolific 
 in products, but she is no exception to the rule, people 
 cannot live here without work any more than elsewhere. 
 While the orange has been a powerful agency in the up- 
 building of Florida, and directly and indirectly it has en- 
 riched thousands and has undoubtedly mainly been in- 
 strumental in doubling the population and wealth of East 
 and Southern Florida, still the greatest success in orange 
 growing is by tbose who diversify their crops. 
 
 OTHER CITRUS FRUITS, 
 
 Grape Ft'uit, or Pomello, Lemons, Limes, Citron, Etc. 
 
 It will be unnecessary to go into extended detail re- 
 garding the cultivation of these fruits, since the romarkB 
 we have made Avith regard to soil, climate and culture re- 
 quired for the orange, will apply equally t(f them. We 
 will say, howevor, that these varieties of citrus fruits are 
 not quite as hardy as the orange, that is, will not stand 
 quite the same defiree of cold. 
 
 The igrape fruit or pomello, is a large fruit on the order 
 of the orange, except that it is much large? and coarser 
 grained fruit. For many year^ it was considered unfit 
 for any purpose except as an ornamental shrub; in recent 
 years, however, it has grown into popular favor, till it is 
 now considered one of the most delicious of fruits, and 
 brings fancy prices in the market's, the prices ranging 
 from 17.00 to $10.00 per crate. A single tree has been 
 known to yield one hundred dollars worth of fruit at one 
 crop; but the average of course is much less. 
 
 Shaddock — Is a fruit similar to the Pomello, but much 
 larger and coarser, having little value in the markets. 
 
 Lemons — One of the most widely known, and universal- 
 ly grown of the tropical fruits, thrives perfectly in the 
 southern section of the vState. Its culture is particularlj 
 successful in Manatee, Southern DeSoto, Lee. Dade and 
 Southern Brevard counties; they are grown \\'itli virying 
 
199 
 
 •nccess in several other countiesjbut not of cominerciaJ 
 importance. The lemon tree bears at all seasons of the 
 year. 
 
 Limes — This fruit is a prolific bearer, and mak(;s a most 
 wholesome and excellent drink. It thrives best in the far 
 south, and bears nearly the whole year round. They, like 
 the lemon, are easily propagated and come into bearing 
 early. The green fruit is often made .nto piesenes. 
 Quite a large and profitable business is done, and ihe 
 juice expressed and bottled is a favorite article nf com- 
 merce. 
 
 Citron — Is a straggling shrub, is a healthy, vigorou* 
 grower, and a prolific bearer, considering the immense 
 eize of the fruir which it bears. It requires support 
 while the fruit is ripening. It is not as hardy as either 
 the lemon or the orange. It grows well in the far south- 
 ern portion of the orange sections. There are some fine 
 groves in Lee County, where the tree, or more proj>er]y the 
 shrub, maks luxuriant growth. Some tjxcellent speci- 
 mens of the prepared fruit have been put oe the market 
 at prices very remunerative, the quality being fully equal 
 to the very best imported article. 
 
 Banana — One of the most popular of tropical fruits, 
 belongs to the plantain family, which is now admitted to 
 be among the mo&t nutritious of all fruits. There are 
 many varieties, of which quite a number are grown in 
 the various secticius of the State. Only the hardy Afri- 
 can variety grows in the northern and western portion of 
 the State; the finer flavored and more delicate varietie* 
 being grown for commerce in South Florida. In die lat- 
 led locality they do well, and a fairly good trade is done 
 in this fruit each year. The better market varieties are 
 the Fig, Dwarf Red, Cavendish and Lady-Finger. AVith 
 a little care this fruit will rij)en in all sections of Florida, 
 and even if it did not, it supplies a place as an ornamental, 
 that no other does, in lending a rich tropical appearance 
 to the surroundings of any home. It is not as a food pro- 
 ducing plant alone that the banana is valunlde; tiie plant 
 belongs to the (;rder of ^hisas. and is clos'^lv allied to tho 
 M. Textedis or Manilla hemp of the Philippines. It furn- 
 ishes an excellent fibre of extreme tenacity .ind durability, 
 and is worked to a considerable extent jis n tibre i)roduc- 
 ing plant in some of the far eastern islands. 
 
f 200 
 PINEAPPLES. 
 
 The culture of this fruit on a commercial scale datea 
 back to about twenty-five j-ears, when almos: ihe enure 
 crop was produced on the keys lining the coast, from 
 North Biscayne Bay to Key West. Then the fruit was 
 dumped into the hold of a sailing vessel, and carried to 
 Key West, where it was transferred to a vessel of one of 
 the steamship lines touching at that port en route to New 
 York or some other Atlantic coast port in the United 
 States. Even under these difficulties the industry was a 
 profitable one. It could not of course attain very large 
 proportions with such limited transportation facilities. 
 Now since the construction of the East Coast Railway 
 from Jacksonville to Miami, the facilities for handling 
 the crop are ample, and the crop has grown in proportion 
 to the facilities for handling it. The growimr of pine- 
 apples is not however confined to the Indian River or East 
 CqAst country. Pineapples are grown in rhe following 
 counties for market: Brevard, Dade, Monroe, Lee, 
 Hillsborough, DeSoto, Orange, Polk, Pasco, A^'olusia^ 
 Lake, and Osceola. By far the larger number nre 'grown 
 in the first seven counties above named, beginning with 
 the order given, and even in these the gr?at bulk of the 
 product is grown in the two first named counties. The 
 pineapple is to some extent an air plant, and like most 
 plants of that nature thrives? best upon Iiigh, light, dry. 
 sandy soil. For no plant is so particular as to the char- 
 acter of soil rerinired for its perfect develoimient. 
 
 "The physic-;)^ charasfoi'istics of a soil are of primary 
 importance, and determine largely the adaptability of a 
 soil to certain crops. Moisture is the all-important fa'*- 
 tor in controlling jdant life and uponr its vupi^lv dopcTids, 
 to a great extei>1, the kind of vegetation best su-'tcd to a 
 soil. 
 
 "In a general way all our pineapple soils are shown to 
 belong to the sr-.roe type, a ty])e which is nsaiked by the 
 absence of any appreciable amount of vpry fine sand. silt, 
 and clay. Thf» capacity of fhoso soils for holding water 
 is not great. ina«innr-h as the instcrstiiial spaces are rela- 
 tively large and arc not alto'rctlH^r <anillai-". out arc only 
 such near the points of contact of the soil grains. In 
 coarse, sandy soils, jtercolatinn and (lrain.M<.'\' take plai-e 
 
201 
 
 rapidly on account of these large inter-sHtial ojienings^ 
 but in soils of fine texture, a preponderance of these 
 spaces are capillary, hence, the water holdiu^^ capacity of 
 the soil is much increased and percolation is greatly di- 
 minished. 
 
 "The first essential feature to be considered in the kb- 
 ► lection of a soil for pineapple culture is the temperature 
 to which the locality is likely to be subjected. In Flori- 
 da the bulk of the pineapples must be grown south of lati- 
 tude 28 degrees, aS north of this, and indeed for thirty or 
 forty miles south of this line, killing frosts are likely to 
 occur any winter. The fruit is grown many miles north 
 of 28 degrees, but protection from cold by ineans of close 
 Bheds and artificial heat is necessary. This is so ex- 
 pensive that only fancy varieties can be profitably grown 
 under such corditions. Latitude alone doe^ not de- 
 termine how L)W lhe thermometer may be expected to reg- 
 ister, for we have what are term cold streaks far south of 
 localities where frost rarely occurs. Proximity to large 
 bodies of water materially influences the tem]>erature of 
 a locality. The vrater, on account of its great rapacity 
 for absorbing boat, becomes warm dinin;; the day and at 
 night when the temperature of the air <lroj'-< ihe boat ab- 
 sorbed by the w.Tter is slowly given otf and in turn moder- 
 ates the temperature of the snrroundi)!?; almosphere. 
 Another factor vrhich has a decided influence is Ihat of 
 elevation abovo the surrounding country. Such n point 
 well elevated above a considerable area > h<\Ttpd by ihe 
 warm air whir-h rises from th^ lower level. It is a well 
 known fact that wann air is lighter than cold air. and 
 when frost occurs it is found deridedly 'leaA'ier in low 
 places. Told air drops into these depressions and forces 
 the warm air u])ward. so that the elevated points arp not 
 chilled so much as joints on a lower plane. It will be 
 understood that this applies only to moder-al" clival i.Mts, 
 such as we may find in t^outhern Florida. 
 
 "It has been found that a system of clearin;)^' so us to 
 facilitate a free circulation of the air has ^[reaTlv lessened 
 the liability of frost in sp^tions on the Eas!" Toast. Afanv 
 localities in that region which at one time were decided- 
 ly frosty, are rj^rely injured now by cold and this is at- 
 tributed to the large amount of clearinir that has been 
 done in the neighborhood. When the land is elevate<T 
 
202 
 
 along the river fvont, it is advisable to cl^ar out the un- 
 dergrowth at least between the flelris and the river so that 
 free circulation of the air may be establish<Ml. 
 
 "In selecting a location, one must of course lake into 
 consideration tlic facilities which exist for shipping. Most 
 of the land on tho East Coast upon which pineapples can 
 be successfully grown is near the railroad." In other 
 pineapple sections of the State this is not necessarily the 
 case, and the i>inpapple fields are located near railroads 
 mostly because of the convenient shipping facilities. We 
 cannot go into length on the subject of planting and cul- 
 tivation, but experience encourages the planting of slips 
 and suckers immediately after picking, not leaving them 
 to dry as is sometimes done for weekfi. And in so doing 
 we prefer not to trim them. This is oppose! to the gen- 
 eral practice, x^gain, suckers are sold at higher prices 
 than the slips, bvit fhe latter are prefer ab'e. 
 
 New plantat OKM are made usually from Au^^ust to Oc- 
 tober. The slips, growing out at the base of the fruit, the 
 suckers which Rpring from the axils of the leaves near 
 the ground, and the crowns from the apex of the fruit, are 
 all used in making new plantations. When tbe fruit is 
 gathered the slips are left for a month or more upon the 
 stem to grow, i^^^ch slips as are una^^oidubly broken off 
 with the fruit, if slips are scarce, can be planted imme- 
 diately, though they may be small. Each plant will send 
 up from one t j three suckers from near the ground. The 
 one nearest the ground should be left for the next crop, 
 the others removed and planted. The slips will require 
 eignteen months to develop fruit, but the plants will be 
 fetrong and the fruit large. The first crop is usually the 
 most even and abundant. How long a plantation can be 
 kept in profitable bearing is not yet certain. On the com- 
 mon white sand with only ordinary care three good suc- 
 cessive crops have been grown. 
 
 The planting of pineapples is one of the i^u^st profitable 
 industries which South Florida offers to those v^iio de- 
 sire to engage in fruit (growing. 
 
 The crop of lOOr* amounted to. in roun 1 numbei"S, 
 7,000,000 pinenj'ples. valued at a little less than $800,000. 
 
 But it is not r.lone as a fruit producing plant that gives 
 value to the pineapple; it has lone: been noted for the 
 fineness and strength of its fibre, wliich has been used in 
 
203 
 
 many ways for a long time in Eastern countries especial' 
 ly. It has also been manufactured into fibre in Florida, 
 by one or two companies. We are informed that tue 
 ^'Florida Fibre C( mpauy" of Jacksonville \h engaged in 
 its manufacture 
 
 It has been c?aimed that in both its wild and cultivated 
 forms the pineapple yields fibres which, when spun, sur- 
 pass those obtained from the ideal flax in strength, fine- 
 ness and lustre. 
 
 I It has been staled that a certain quaniity of the fibre 
 prepared at Singapore tested against an equal quantity 
 of flax sustaintd 350 pounds, while the biTler could not 
 bear more thau 200 pounds. Another advantage held to 
 be peculiar to i>iueapple fibre is imperviousness to mois- 
 ture. Ropes made of it are thus said to withstand con- 
 stant immersion in water; and for the samj reason and 
 its non-liability to rot it is used in India for threading 
 necklaces. 
 
 As to the characteristics that render it readily adapt- 
 able for textile purposes it has been observed by one writ- 
 er on the subjet that the mere process of bleaching suf- 
 fices to destroy the adhesion between the bundles of fibres, 
 and so renders it lit for spinning in the ;^ame way as flax. 
 It has been confidently asserted that the fibre can be em- 
 ployed as a substitute for silk, and as a aiatorial for mix- 
 ing with wool and cotton, as silk is now so extensively 
 employed. For sewing thread, twist, trimmings, laces, 
 curtains and the like, its particular qualities seem to 
 render it speciiiily applicable. 
 
 P^om the pineapple of the Philippines a famous cloth. 
 is manufactured, much esteemed for its tine hair-Iike 
 fibres, but this is considered as perhaps belongings to a 
 different species. Reference has also been made to a 
 plantation estaltlished years ago at Singapore by a Chin- 
 aman, who there prepared pineapple fibre for export to 
 his native coun ry to be used ''in the manufacture of 
 linen." 
 
204 
 
 COCOANUT PALM. 
 
 (Cocos Nucifera.) 
 
 This is a quick growing and attractive tree. It is very 
 tender, suffering from the slightest frost. Where the tree 
 is not killed outright by the frost a low temperature will 
 cause the milk to sour in the nuts, thereby ruining the 
 growing crop. The real home of the cocoanut in Florida 
 will be found mainly south of a line drawn from the south 
 end of Lake Worth on the East Coast, to or near to the 
 mouth of the C^a^oosahatchee of the West Coast. Souih 
 of this line thousands of cocoanuts have been planted and 
 many of them are now producing fruit. The oldest plan- 
 tations on the main land of Florida are at two points on 
 Lake Worth and one point on Biscayne Bay, near the site 
 of old Fort Dallas. 
 
 The great freeze of 1895 destroyed hundred;! of {*ocoa 
 nut trees on both coasts, and they were severely injured 
 even as far soulh as Miami. Since then the groves have 
 been rehabilitated, and they are fast cominig into bearing 
 agaij?., and in a few years the trees will again be num- 
 bered by the hundreds of thousands, as formerly. The 
 cocoanut tree is a prolific and constant bearer ^ind it is 
 said mature trees will yield a nut for every other day n 
 the year. When once a plantation is well established it 
 is a very profit;il)le investment. 
 
 Kecently the Agricultural Depaitment at Washington 
 has introduced from the Philippine Islands several named 
 varieties of the cocoanut (the first, we think, that have 
 been brought to this country). From the external ap- 
 pearance of these nnts one would judge them very distinct 
 from each other, and decidedly unlike those growing here. 
 
 It is already evident that the cocoanut tree will need 
 care, and that the profits of the groves w'll depend very 
 much upon the culture given them. It may perhaps be as- 
 sumed that each mature tree, well cared for. will yield- 
 twenty nuts per month. Some are inclined to place the 
 yield as high as one nut per day, but this is only excep- 
 tional. 
 
 Every one is familiar with the cocoaniif tiv'^s as pic- 
 tured in works of tropical travel, with theii' hill nnd of- 
 
20S 
 
 ten leaning, branchless trunks, and ^theu* peculiar ^ind 
 uniform heads; but this is all very muca unlike what is 
 to be seen in our young groves only five or six years old. 
 There is a luxuriance and a grandeur about these young 
 trees, with their long and nodding fronds bendin;^ to the 
 ground, and rusvling in the breeze, and patlering like 
 rain upon the r^of in the wind, and piping in mad refrain 
 to the storm that must be seen and heard to be under- 
 stood. 
 
 THE GUAVA.' 
 
 It is now only about forty-two yeai"?! c«iiue llie common 
 (or tropical) guava (psidium guayava) was first intro- 
 duced into Florida. Since that time this fruit has been 
 carried into every ])ortiou of the State adapted to its cul- 
 ture. Its peculiar habit of sprouting from the root when 
 killed down bv the frost has encouraged its culture con- 
 Siiderably north of its natural limits. Xoth'Ug could bet- 
 ter attest the real value of this fruit than its rapid intro- 
 duction and universal diffusion. It is to us what the 
 peach is to Georgia. Our people have manv laudatory 
 things to say of the guava, but it is probable that we have 
 so far failed to take full measure of its value. To those 
 accustomed to the use of the guava as hei-e grown there 
 is scarcely a p'arc in the kitchen filled by any fruit that 
 the guava will not fill as well. There can be no more 
 beautiful or appetizing jelly than is made from this fruit. 
 To many of us the strawberry shortcake is one of the 
 brightest fruit memories of childhood, but the good house- 
 wife has found a rival for even that in 'he gitava. 
 
 The dried or evaporated guava is yet scarcely known, 
 and yet from the best of testimony it seems 'ikely that 
 this process is destined to add very much to the commer- 
 cial value of the fruit. By this means the entire fruit can 
 be profitably used. The pulp or seedy portion with the 
 peel can be manufactured into jelly, while the (leshy por- 
 tion of the fruit c;jn be evaporated, and when so lu'epared 
 will only need to be known to be in demand everywhere. 
 
 The guava, a tree in its size and shape and m:inner of 
 growth not unlike the peach tree, does about as well in 
 the southern counties of Florida as it can anywhere. 
 Prom its fruit is made the guava jelly of commerce, so 
 
ao6 
 
 widely and so favoifebly known over the world. The taste 
 oi the fruit, like the taste for most tropical fruits, .s an 
 Hcquired one, but when acquired is fully endorsed Some 
 persons like the fruit upon first tasting it, but the major- 
 ity require frequent tasting before the flavor becomes de- 
 cidedly agreeable. The full crop ripens in August and 
 [September, but the trees have blossoms and fruit all the 
 year, and all the year the fruit is ripen- nj^. They grow 
 with less attention than the peach, and sometimes bear 
 the secono year fioni the seed. The fruit is ordinarily 
 about tho size of The peach, and fully as varico in ?iize and 
 quality. So far experience has deraons<r;iled no other 
 means of utilizing thii^ fruit for market than by canning, 
 or manufacturing into jelly and mai'malado. Tn the two 
 lattei' forms vas! quantities are put np evoiy year by 
 persons owning groves in the lower east ainl \v<^'st <oast 
 counties of the State, notably Southern P.revard, l>ade, 
 Hillsborough, IManatee, DeSoto and I^ee. The guava is 
 also grown piofiiably in the southern 1nte?'i(.r counties. 
 
 There are two very distinct species of i\ui guava groAvn 
 here. The flirsi on the southernmost foast icgion form 
 ^ large spreading tree, with coarse, wrinkled leaves, and 
 fruit varying greatly in size and quality, and marked by 
 a fragrance peculiar to itself. This is the guava of South 
 Florida, alwavt^i Kuffering from even a ^ligh!: frost. 
 
 The second species is the Cattley or Chmese guava. a 
 email shrub with thick leathery leaves, half hardy j»nd a 
 small fruit igi*eatly variable in size and quality and want- 
 ing the peculiar fragrance of its larger and tropical 
 neighbor. The first named is the most valuable, and the 
 only edible variefy. 
 
 SAPODILL.^. 
 
 ( A rchra s l^apota. ) 
 
 This fruit ?s ptown somewhat extensively along the 
 coast of South Fl'^rida and upon the kevs. TtM profitable 
 culture Avill dowbr-ess be confined to about the same lim- 
 its with the cocofinut. The tree grows at firsr (juiti^ slow- 
 ly, but when once established it grows mor-' rnpiillv nn«i 
 soon makes a con'Val tree about t^^'ontv f'^et in h(M'<7ht. 
 The leaves are tliick, smootli ant.l vorv c<opsv, with a 
 
307 
 
 marked tendency to form dense terminal clastora. The 
 flowers are small. The fruit is formed on terminal shoots 
 frequently in clusters of four and five. The fruit varies 
 much in size and often somewhat in quality. Externally 
 it resembles an English russet apple, whiie the tlosh is 
 not unlike the most delicate of sweet pears with a sii'ght 
 granulation surrounding a few glossy seeds- from one to 
 five. This fruit picked in a green state is frequently 
 «ent from the Pahamas to Jacksonville, and perhaps to 
 ■ome other pohits on the Atlantic roast; bat !n lliat loii- 
 dition it is very unlike the sapodilla as ga Uered in a ma- 
 ture state from our own trees. Like th-:* h.niana, ihe co- 
 coanut and the guava, the sapodilla is a continuous bear- 
 er, though it ih not equally productive throughout the 
 year. 
 
 The market for this fruit is limited, flrsr. bwause the 
 area where it chu be produced with profit i« small, and 
 second, because its shippinig qualities are poor unless 
 gathered quite gi><»en, under which circuiristance:^ it lacks 
 the very qualitif s which fascinate the ta«<res. 
 
 THE MANGO. 
 
 (Man^ifora Tndica.) 
 
 This fruit is a native of India, and doubtless its ori- 
 gin. It has been highly esteemed by all who luive become 
 familiar with it. from ancient times to the present day. ft 
 is a fruit of peculiar flavor, apparently combining the 
 flavors of many fruits in one. blending them to a. oeT-fet* 
 tion not known to any other fruit. Not onlv is it a de- 
 licious fruit, but 'n many countrips. speciaTy of the East, 
 it is a staple article of food for man and l)ea8t. "Be- 
 sides being .^aten raw, it is made into jellies and pre- 
 serves, wines and even starch and glucose ai'e uinniifa<^- 
 tnred from it. Horses, cattle. pipTj. goat? and even 
 chickens eat ih" fruit readily and thriv" upon ;i ." '^Ve 
 have in this statement an ample gnarant'''\ ngsn'rist ;iny 
 possible waste of fruit; nnd a sirong snicrgesticni that there 
 could scarcely be a more protltable planTtition even fur 
 home consumpt^ion than the mango grove. This fruit has 
 been growing frir many years at St. Lucio. on Indian 
 River, as also on the West Coast. The tree> have occa- 
 
208 
 
 «ionally been killed back by frost, but have .-ontinued to 
 produce fruit until now. The experience with these trees 
 indicates that they are near the northern limit .if inango 
 culture on the East Coast. A very general interest in the 
 mango was awakened at a later day on th3 West (Jloast by 
 the early and successful fruiting of several plantations, 
 but unfortunately these were so far north that the ''big 
 freeze" of 1895 ruined their prospects. The marked suc- 
 cess of this first planting up to the time of the freeze iias 
 stimulated extensive replanting with the hope of better 
 fortune in the future. The experience given by planters 
 upon the West Coast is ample testimony that there can be 
 no fruit tree that will make so liberal returns for the time 
 and money invented as the mango. We find in this the 
 reason why they ore ready to brave even (he menace of 
 another frost. There is a vei*;v' strong argument in these 
 facts that a])peals especially to those who are located 
 south of the danger line, for the mango will grow, wher- 
 ever the cocoanui and sapodilla do. 
 
 This fruit is not only valuable at home, but ii can be 
 sent to all our Northern markets and will bi'ing I'emunera- 
 tive returns. No one has to learn to like the mango, and 
 the demand will be limited only by the supply. 
 
 The mango ultimately becomes a very large tree with a 
 round spreading head, sometimes sixty feet in diameter. 
 The leaves are lanceolate, smooth and leathery, from six 
 to twelve inches long. The young growth is of a deep 
 wine color, and the leaves retain their dark shade, until 
 nearly full grown, thus covering the tree several times a 
 year with a mas? of wine colored plumes. The fruit 
 forms at the ends of the slender limbs often '<n such num- 
 bers as to bend the branches to the ground. The wood is 
 strong and elastic. The tree has, as far as known, no in- 
 sect enemies. TLe fruit begins to appear frpquently 
 when the trees are only four or five years jpld from the 
 seed, and are generally remarkable for ths vast quantity 
 of fruit produced. The trees grow more rapidly, produce 
 fruit younger and more abundantly upon the high and 
 light sandy. soils vnth a yellow sub-soil than upon shell, 
 rocky or clayey soils. Hence there is upon both the east 
 and west coast, &outh of the danger line, a short and not 
 
909 
 
 very wide belt of land peculiarly adapted to the culture 
 of the mango. 
 
 The mango is propagated in this country so far mainly 
 from seed. This is a profitable fruit to grow, its reputa- 
 tion is world-wide, and it is always in demand in auy mar- 
 ket in which it appears. 
 
 AVOCADO PEAR, OR ALLIGATOR PEAR. 
 
 This tree is a tropical evergreen, with large, glossy, 
 somewhat curled and leathery leaves, often very much 
 crowded upon the terminal shoots. It makes a tall and 
 erect tree, like tbe hickory of the North, with i^omewhat 
 irregular brancbos, and hence becomes a marked object, 
 either upon the lawn or in the grove. It frequently fruits 
 at five years old from the seed, and soon produces large 
 regular crops. This tree will endure about the same 
 temperature as the mango. The culture of the iWocado 
 is gradually extending along the coast belt on both sides 
 of the State. Many young trees are planted. There are 
 many trees fruiting upon the keys, and a few as far 
 north as Lake Worth. The fruit yet finds a ready home 
 market, as it alwajs is in demand where known. It ships 
 well. It is now sent from the West India Islands to 
 New York, where it sells at high prices. The fruit is 
 generally pear shaped, brown or purple when fully ripe 
 and frequently of two pounds weight. The tree, ladened 
 with its fruit crowding seemingly into its dense masses of 
 leaves, is an attractive object. The pulp is of a greenisK 
 yellow color, resembling in consistency, and in taste per- 
 haps as much as anything, the yolk of a hard boiled eg^. 
 The fruit is eaten with salt and pepper, sometimes with 
 the addition of butter or oil. It is also made into a salad 
 which is becoming justly very popular. 
 
 Each fruit contains one large and very perishable seed. 
 This can be safely transported only in dry sand or muck. 
 
 The vast amount of healthy and nourishiiii^ food furn- 
 ished by this tree from June to November should encour- 
 age its planting wherever it can be safely grown, if only 
 for home use, but the planter may be sure that any sur- 
 plus fruit will always find a ready market. 
 
 14 H. F. 
 
210 
 
 TAMARIND. 
 
 {Tamarindus Indica.) 
 
 This tree is worthy of more attention than bui bither- 
 lo been giren it. It is strictly tropical and should be 
 planted only where there is little danger of froat. As an 
 ornamental tree it is extensively planted in all tropical 
 countries. Its delicate acacia-like leaves, closiing at night 
 together with the density of its shade bring it out in 
 agreeable and slriking contrast with other tropical 
 plants and trees. There can scarcely be a more beautiful 
 tree than the tamarind. From past experience we may 
 plant it anywhere in South Florida where the mango and 
 eapodilla do not suffer from the froet. But this tree is of 
 still greater interest because it yields an abundance of 
 valuable and agreeable fruit. This grows in large, thick 
 pods containing a large quantity of delicate acid, used as 
 the basis of an acid drink much esteemed in fevers. These 
 pods grow in large clusters and seemingly crowd the 
 leaves from the branches. If carefully picked they can be 
 kept for two or three months in their natural state, and 
 there seems to be no reason why they cannot be supplied 
 thus to Northern customers. And there <'ertainly is no 
 good reason why thit most delicate, healthfni and agreea- 
 ble fruit-acid should not be in more general demand. 
 
 SUGAR APPLE. 
 
 (Anona Squamosa.) 
 
 Among the Anesas are found some very delicate and 
 valuable fruits. These trees varTincr p-reatly in (hnractcr 
 «eem to be natives of all tropical regions; and it is not 
 improbable that we may yet secure some valuable? addi- 
 tions to the Anona fruit list. 
 
 The sugar apple Is so far the best known and most 
 popular of all Iho Anonas. It is quite oxtenRivolr frown 
 upon the keys and along the east and west con<«fs of 
 Florida, in many places so far north as to be frequently 
 killf-d bnck by the frost. It is little more than a shrub, 
 seldom growing higher than flfleen fer>t, nnd froinontly 
 producing fruir iu abundancce whon only four or ih-^ f(»et 
 
211 
 
 high. It can be so pruned as to be easily protected from; 
 slight cold, and hence can be grown for home use much 
 farther north Ihan any other Anona. The tree is dor- 
 mant for a short time in the winter months, but with ue 
 ie not quite deciduous. Though found everywhere in 
 southernmost Florida it has been grown so far only for 
 home use, excepting upon the keys. The fruit is very 
 delicate and will require as careful and prompt handlinig' 
 as strawberries. The fruit resembles a shortened pine 
 cone three or f(»ur inches in diameter, with a yellowish 
 green exterior and has a very sweet cream -white pulp, 
 which is best eaten with a spoon. Most people soon learn 
 to relish it very much, and are inclined to give it a very 
 high place as a dessert fruit. 
 
 The "sugar apple," in local nomenclature, ihc Span- 
 iards put at or near the head of the fruit list for its ex- 
 cellency. In ilq flavor it is one of the most c*3on(;ent rated 
 Bweets known among fruits, but the first taste has a 
 toiack of something repulsive, soon lost in a few repeti- 
 tions, and then the acquired taste is very agreeable. It 
 grows upon a e^hrub but little, if any, larger than the 
 pomegrante, and in size and shape is somewhat like the 
 pine cone. It decays too soon after ripening for trans- 
 IK)rtation, and as yet has established a use only at home. 
 It thrivei as far north as Tampa. 
 
 
 THE CHEBIMOYA, OR JAMAICA APPLE. 
 
 I 
 
 {A. CherimoUa.) 
 
 Of this variety there are only a few trees yet fruiting 
 as far north as Lake Y/orth, though recently many young 
 ones have been planted. Two causes have served to 
 check the planting of the cherimoya — one the difficulty of 
 first of obtaiuiut; seeds, and the other the certain T)ro«- 
 pect, as though until very recently that this and all the 
 anonas must be, because of their delicate nature, consura' 
 ed at home. The flesh of this fruit is as fragile and ten- 
 der when fully ripe as a strawberry, and yet is frequently 
 8ix inches in diameter. Hence it requires ^he most care- 
 ful treatment. Rome way may be devised to T>lace this 
 delicious fruit in the hands of our friends at the N<»rth, 
 
212 
 
 but any way it will always be counted among the most 
 cherished of our home fruits. 
 
 The tree requires a rich dry soil. It makes a symmetri- 
 cal tree when \ouug. The leaves are a light greeu, glossy 
 and a little downy, larger, thicker and more pointed than 
 the leaves of the sugar apple. The tree grows larger and 
 more upright than the sugar appU. The fruit has the pe- 
 culiar markings of the anonas, but much smoother exter- 
 nally than either the others. The fruit grows from the 
 limbs in a manner peculiar to itself, with an immense 
 woody stem, frequently eighteen inches long, that strongly 
 suggest a squash or melon stead ^f an apple. 
 
 There are a number of other fruits of the same family 
 of equal merit and value, but we can only give space to 
 name them. They are the sour sop, cashew nut, the 
 carica (midon paw-paw) cerimen, maumee apple, egg fruit 
 and others, all of which will grow in the region named. 
 
 PEACHES. 
 
 It has been so short a time since the culture of the peacK 
 in Florida has attained to any importance in a commer- 
 cial way that it is only those who have followed ^ the 
 course of pomological events quite closely during the past 
 few years in this State who can fully appreciate the im- 
 portance that this branch of horticulture is attaining to, 
 and the prominent position that the peach has assumed 
 among the fruit<3 that can be profitably grown in Florida. 
 
 We of the extreme South have to deal with a radically, 
 different climate from that which prevails further North, 
 and many of us have had to be time and time again re- 
 minded, by costly experience, that the varieties that con- 
 stitute the bulk of more northern orchards cannot be 
 profitably taken as the basis of an orchard in Florida. It 
 is not strange, therefore, that, up to the comparatively re- 
 cent date at which varieties better suited to the (rlimate 
 have been introduced, the feeling in relation to peach cul- 
 ture in Florida, for commercial purposes, was largely 
 either one of distrust, or disgust; distrust on the part of 
 those who had witnessed repeated failures with the 
 
215 
 
 Northern varieiies that had been introduced, and disgnst 
 on the part of those who had introduced theui. But ihat 
 time has passed, for with the improved varieties adapted 
 to all sections of the State, peach growing has assumed a 
 commercial imporlance that stands second in value, only 
 to a few of the leading fruits. In the southern portion 
 of the State, the Chinese varieties seem to do best, and in 
 the northern FPCtion the Persian and Spanish type seem 
 best suited, altlioujih there are exceptions to this rule; 
 perhaps the mo8t successful varieties are those obtained 
 from crossing of the several types mentioned. We have 
 not the space to devote to a detailed discussion of varieties 
 and their merits, but regardless of their origin, peaches of 
 finest quality are now and have for years been grown in 
 all portions of the State. In recent years the crop has 
 reached considerable proportions from 150,000 to 200,000 
 bushels being marketed annually at profitable prices. The 
 fruit that brings profit to the grower are the varieties 
 that ripen from April to July, as they practically have no 
 competition in the markets till the Georgia crop begins to 
 come in. about the first of July. The peach attains its 
 highest perfection in thii country when properly cared 
 for. and the tn^e posseses more vigor, bears earlier, and 
 lasts longer thrai at the North. Few brauohos of horti- 
 culture offer greater inducements for a profitable indus 
 try than peach growing in Florida, under proper manage- 
 ment. 
 
 FIGS. 
 
 Of all the fruits cultivated in the South, the Pig re- 
 quires the least care, and is one of the nyost productive 
 and useful. It is propagated readily from cuttings, 
 which usually bear the second year. During the Summer 
 months the Fig may he found upon the breakfast tables 
 of all lovers of fine fruit. When ripe, it is mild, rich and 
 luscious, without being cloying even to those of the most 
 delicate appetite. Being vei^y perishable, it is valuable 
 only for the home market. The dampness of the climate 
 does not admit of its being put up like the figs of com- 
 
214 
 
 merce. This difficulty may be overcome by artificial 
 means, and would make the Fig an article of commercial 
 value to the State. A moist and fertile soil is best suited 
 to the Fig; but it grows readily in almost any location. 
 Every one in Florida who owns a foot of land may literal- 
 ly "sit under his own vine and fig tree." 
 
 POMEGx^ANATES. 
 
 The Pomegranate is common in Florida. There are the 
 sweet and sour varieties. The bush is a pretty ornamen- 
 tal shrub, and with its beautiful blossoms and pendant 
 fruit, iis decidedly ornamental. The rind is very bitter, 
 and has been used as a substitute for Peruvian Bark; 
 but the juice is contained in little sacks surrounding the 
 eeeds, is a pleasant acid, and is quite agreeable. 
 
 The Japan Plum or Loquat, as well as the Japanese Per- 
 simmon, flourish throughout the State ; both are excellent 
 fruit, with growino- popularity, and promise to be profit- 
 able products for market beyond the State. The persim- 
 mon is as large as an apple, and in some of its varieties 
 very much the same shape. Some specimens of the fruit 
 are seedless. The flavor is rich and pleasant. 
 
 Plums of man}' varieties are grown throughout the 
 State, and many are iudigenous to the country. The na- 
 tive and imported varieties do well alike, rarely are af- 
 fected with serious diseases. They are among the first 
 fruit to ripen and are quite profitable in a limited way. 
 
 Quinces — Of the Japanese varieties do well, and bear 
 regularly fruits of large size, many of which weigh two to 
 three pounds each ; they are exquisitely fragrant, and arc 
 used to make preserves and jelly, the latter principally. 
 The northern varieties do not succeed well, and are easily 
 cultivated. 
 
 Cherries — Do not succeed in Florida, or at least not up 
 to this time, though under new methods there is no tell- 
 ing what can be done with it, as the wild variety growi 
 luxuriouslv, and is a native to the soil. 
 
215 
 
 The Olive^ — Were wrown on a considerable scale at one 
 time in the counties of Jefferson, Leon and Gadsden, prior 
 to tlie civil war, but since that time, with the demoralized 
 condition of labor which prevailed all ttiiough the conn- 
 try for a number of years after that period, the planta- 
 tions were deserted by the owners, with tlie consequence 
 that trees of the character of the olive, were soon de- 
 stroyed 0? permitted to die out for lack of proper care ' 
 and attention ; thei-e were, however, many bearing trees in 
 the counties named, and they were practically just be- 
 ginning to he looked npon as a successful fruit, when 
 the unfortunate troubles brought about their final ruin. 
 Xo trees are known to be in existence now, out of the 
 hundreds that once thrived here, and this reference is 
 only made to the subject, to show what has been done, 
 and what might be done again, should any person feel 
 disposed to give the industry a trial. 
 
 Apples have been grown with some success, in a few of 
 the northern and western border counties, but the in- 
 dustry has never received the practical r. fteiUion neces- 
 sary to make a perfect success of it. The catalogue of 
 the State Nurserymen give a number of varieties that 
 are said to succeed, and probably will with the right sort 
 of care, fertilizing, etc. 
 
 PEARS. 
 
 Pears of very many varieties, but especially the Dwarfs, 
 have been for many years favorite incumbents of the 
 orchards in the northern and middle portions of the State, 
 and are found to succeed well. Standards haA^e been ex- 
 tensively planted of late years. Among these the Bart- 
 lett has so far proven the most satisfactory. The intro- 
 duction of the celebrated LeConte variety, gave an im- 
 petus to the production of this fimit that amounted to a 
 boom, and promised to rival in extent the orange indus- 
 tr}'. The LeConte is a most vigorous grower, comes into 
 bearing the fourth year from the cutting, attains a growth 
 of twenty-five or thirty feet, and is the most prolific and 
 sure bearer of any character of fruit tree experimented 
 
21G 
 
 with w Flovifla. The fruit is not, perhaps, as excellent in 
 quality as some of the more choice varieties, but is never- 
 thele«? a very edible and readily marketable fruit. The 
 rapidity of it's growth, the small amount of capital, labor 
 and time required to secure bearing orchards of any ex- 
 tent, its wonderful proliflcness, excellent shipping prop- 
 erties and earliness of ripening, made the production of 
 this pear one of the most popular investments in Florida. 
 A few years of bearing, however, and the blight which 
 afftjts the pear so seriously in other states, made its ap- 
 pearance in the orchards in Florida, and except where the 
 grower vigorously and systematically used the remedies 
 universally known and used, the groves were almost 
 ruined, and many thousand trees were, after a few years 
 of expensive trouble, abandoned to fate, or were cut down 
 and turned into firewood. There are still many orchards 
 left, and about every other year pay their owners fairly 
 well, as the fruit being quite early, brings good prices in 
 the large Northern markets. 
 
 ALMONDS, APRICOTS AND NECTARINES. 
 
 All of these fruits dO' well in Florida wherever tried; 
 little attention, however, is ])aid to their cultivation with- 
 out any other reason perhaps than sheer lack of interest. 
 They grow as well and as easily as the peach, and belong 
 to the same family, and the same care and attention 
 given to them as to the peach will produce quite as suc- 
 cessful results. 
 
 THE PECAN. 
 
 The i>ecan is one of the best of our native nuts ; in fact, 
 as a dessert nut, we think it heads the list. Large (juanti- 
 ties are grown in the h'outhern States every year, but the 
 •crop is by no means as large as can be grown profitably. 
 In Northern Florida #oday there are hundreds of acres of 
 land on which the pecan can be grown successfully, and 
 it is one of the grove crops which should receive more at- 
 tention than is now bestowed u}>on it. True, there are 
 many trees and groves scattered throughout the Northern 
 and Western parts of the State, but the industry has by 
 n( nietirs reached the limit of profitable production. 
 
217 
 
 On the other hand, the pecan should not be boomed io 
 the exclusion of other crops, neither is it advised that it 
 be planted throughout the whole State; l)ut, thei-e is a 
 vast area in which it could be igrown to advantage. In 
 the south, other horitcultural crops can be and are grown ; 
 these should be continued. But in northern and western 
 Florida, the pecan is as nearly reliable as any orchard 
 tree generally is, and, considered from the standpoint of 
 certain remuneration, it should be planted more exten- 
 sively than at present. 
 
 When we consider the fact that more than two and a 
 half million dollars' worth of nuts were imported into our 
 country last year, it can readily be seen that there is still 
 a large demand which may, to a very considerable extent, 
 be met by a home product. Moreover, this demand is 
 steadily increasing, and of nuts grown throughout our 
 country today, whether native or introduced, none is more 
 worthy of careful cultivation than the pecan. 
 
 It is only of late years that it has received the attention, 
 as a cultivated tree, that it so well deserves, and at pres- 
 ent most of the pecan nuts come from either Texas or 
 Louisiana, usuall}' the product of the native forest trees. 
 As compared with other nuts, it ranks high in food value, 
 and the kernel is particularly sweet and palatable. The 
 following portion of a table, copied from Bui. No. 54 of 
 the Maine Ag. Exp. Sta., by Chas. D. Woods and L. H. 
 Merrill, may be of interest : 
 
 Pecans, kernels 
 
 Walnuts, kernels .... 
 Filberts, kernels . . 
 Cocoanuts. shredded 
 A'monds, kernels. . . . 
 Shelled Peanuts 
 
 o 
 
 Per 
 Cent 
 HX> 
 100 
 100 
 
 100 
 100.0 
 
 Edible Portion 
 
 Per 
 Cent. 
 2.9 
 2.8 
 3 7 
 3 5 
 4.8 
 1.6 
 
 Per 
 Cent 
 
 10.31 
 
 16 
 
 15 6 
 6 3 
 
 21.0 
 
 30.5 
 
 Per 
 Cent. 
 70.8 
 64.4 
 65 3 
 57.3 
 54 
 49.2 
 
 Per 
 
 Cent. 
 14,3 
 14 8 
 13.0 
 31 6 
 17.3 
 18.2 
 
 ■3^ 
 
 fo 
 
 Per Calo- 
 Cent! riei 
 
 1.7 
 1.3. 
 2 4 
 1.3 
 2 
 
 3445 
 3305 
 3290 
 3125 
 3030 
 2955 
 
 ♦Calculated from analysis. 
 
218 
 
 RANGE AND SOILS. 
 
 The southern limit in successful culture in the State 
 has been rather difficult to determine, as a positive state- 
 ment could only be made after actually growing and fruit- 
 ing the tree in Southern localities. Yet it has been ascer- 
 tained that it extends well into the region within which 
 orange culture may be successfully carried on under ouf 
 present conditions. 
 
 The statement is generally made that the pecan will 
 succeed wherever the larger species of hickory are found 
 in the State, and this is doubtless true, as the pecan be- 
 longs to the same family of trees (JuglandacecB) and to 
 the same genus [Carga) as the hickory. Unfortunately, 
 as yet a systemalf, botanical survey of Florida has ssot 
 been made, and we are not aware of the exact range of the 
 different varieties of hickory, but hickory as it is common- 
 ly met with, is found in every poirtion of Florida, from 
 Pease river in the south, round to the Perdido river in the 
 west. 
 
 The peculiar conditions of soil and moisture surround- 
 ing the i)ecan in its native home might be regarded as an 
 indication that it could not be grown except on deep, rich 
 soil, in proximity to rivers, ponds or streams. Such, how 
 ever, would be a wrong inference, for it succeeds admira- 
 bly and bears good crops on a wide range of soils. Hence, 
 we find it today in localities far removed from the regions 
 to which it is indigenous, and thriving under conditions 
 differing greatly from those obtaining in its native home. 
 In Florida trees may be found growing on soils ranging 
 from the black hammock to the less fertile high-pine lands. 
 On hammock soils, however, the trees are often inclined 
 to develop wood at the expense of fruit, while on less, 
 fertile soils the trees make less wood and bear more frait 
 proportionately. Moisture in sufficient quantity must 
 be present, but it will not do to plant the pecan on land 
 that is continually wet and soggy. The presence of a 
 hard, impenetrable subsoil doubtless has a great influ- 
 ence upon the welfare of the tree, and it would be better 
 to select other ground, or, when thiis is impossible, to blast 
 out the hardpan. 
 
 . i 
 
BOTANICAL. 
 
 The rich allutial bottoms of the Mississippi and certain 
 of its tributaries is the native home of this tree in the 
 United States. The area as given in "Nut Culture in the 
 United States," * embraces "an obliquely set area, having 
 neafl* its four extremities the cities of Davenport, Iowa, 
 Chattanooga, Tenn., Laredo, Tex., and the region of the 
 headwaters of the Colorado River in Texas." In cultiva- 
 tion, however, it is found far from this region, and haa 
 been and is receiving considerable attention in Alabama, 
 Georgia, Florida and other states not included in its na- 
 tive range. 
 
 The pecan belongs to the family Juglandaceoe (walnut 
 family), and is known botanically as Garya oUvoeformis, 
 Nutt., and Hicoria pecan (Marsh), Britton. It is closely 
 related to the butternut, walnut and the different varie- 
 ties of hickories. 
 
 It is a laiTge, stately tree, 75 to 170 feet in height, with 
 wide, spreading branches and symmetrical top. The bark 
 is rough, broken, and grayish black in color. The bark 
 of the young twigs is quite smooth, and they, during their 
 early life, together with the leaves and flowers of the tree, 
 are covered with a liberal coating of rather rust-colored 
 hairs. The leaves are oval, compound, composed of from 
 seven to fifteen falcate, oblong-lanceolate, sharp-pointed 
 serrate leaflets, green and quite bright above, lighter 
 colored below, and when mature, nearly or quite smooth. 
 The flowers are of two kinds — pistillate |nd staminate. 
 The former are produced upon the young shootis, while 
 the latter come from buds upon twigs one year old. 
 
 VARIETIES. 
 
 A great deal of stress has been laid upon a thin shell 
 as a mark of virtue in a pecan nut; in fact, this point 
 seems to have often received attention at the expense of 
 other and more important ones. True, a thin shell is to 
 
 U. S. Dept. Ag., Div. Pomology, 1896. 
 
22Q 
 
 he desired, both because it is more easily cracked and be- 
 cauise a greater proportion of meat can be secured from 
 a pound of nuts, but it should not be given undue promi- 
 nence. 
 
 The following are the points which it seems desirable 
 to consider in determining the value of a pecan : Quality 
 and flavor, plumpness of kernel, ease with which the ker- 
 nel separates, size, and the thickness of the shell. The 
 ease of separation depends largely upon the convolutions 
 in the kernel. For market the lar,ge and medium sized 
 nuts are perhaps more desirable, while the smaller ones 
 are well adapted for the home table. It should be borne 
 in mind, however, that the medium and small sized nuts 
 are usually somewhat better in quality and finer flav- 
 ored. 
 
 The following varieties are grown either in Florida or 
 Georgia. Some of them, such as Stuart, Van Deman, 
 Centennial and Frotchers are what may be termed stan- 
 dard varieties, while the remainder are for the most part 
 new introductions. Some of these are particularly com- 
 mendable, and are well worthy of a place among the list 
 of desirable varieties. A few of the varieties have already 
 been described in "The American Fruit Culturist," by 
 Thomas, and in the excellent monograph entitled "Nut 
 Culture in the United States," Division of Pomology, U. S. 
 Department of Agriculture, 189G. 
 
 At present the orchards set in regular form, number 
 over 17.000 trees, bearing and non-bearing, and the pro- 
 ducts or crop §^r the past year was about 5,000 bushels. 
 The great bulk of the nuts marketed are of the improved 
 Tarieties, with thin shells, and sell readily at five and six 
 dollars per bushel. The trees bear from a few handfuls 
 at the beginning up to ten and fifteen bushels to each 
 tree, depending upon age and size. Large trees of mature 
 age are known to bear, in* the high lands of North and 
 Middle Florida, as many as eight and ten barrels each 
 in one season. 
 
 WALNUTS. 
 
 The common black walnut so universally known and 
 valued so much for both its wood as well as fruit, t^irows 
 well in the northern and western part of the State, and is 
 
221 
 
 found growing wild in the high hammocks or in rich bot- 
 toms along the f>t reams. 
 
 Japanese Walnut — An imported variety is being exten- 
 sively grown for the nnts wliich it produces, in large 
 clusters; the meat of the nut is of fine flavor, and the shell 
 being much thinner than the n.\tive black walnut it is 
 easier to get out the ehell. It is smaller than the native 
 nut, of fine quality and an early and prolific bearer. 
 
 GRAPES. 
 
 Grapes of many varieties abound in Florida, in fact are 
 indigenous to the soil. They are found in the rich ham- 
 mock lands in great profusion and luxurience, but never 
 in the pine woods. Formerl}' not much attention was 
 given to grape growing, except that a few v/ell known 
 varieties, such as the Concord, Ives, Catawba, etc.; but in 
 recent years, considerable interest has been manifested, 
 stimulated principally by the success of a number of per- 
 sons who believed that the country was adapted to grape 
 growing for wine making purposes. These successes 
 have demonstrated that in various sections of Florida 
 there are soils perfectly adapted to wine grape growing. 
 Old residents believed and insisted that only grapes of 
 the Scuppernong family could be successfully grown here, 
 that bunch grapes would not succeed ; but the success of 
 those who planted vineyards, is proof positive that suc- 
 cess in a high degree is attainable. We do not pretend 
 to claim that either our soil or climate is so well adapted 
 to such a large variety of grapes as California; but even 
 considering- that onr soil requres so much more fertiliz- 
 ing than the average California soil adapted to grape cul- 
 ture, there is m.)ro profit to our growers with the small 
 number of varieties that we do grow, than to those of Cal- 
 ifornia. The varieties that seem to be best suited to our 
 climate and soil are Concord, Ives, Delawares, Niagara, 
 Cynthiana, Norton, and Elvira, and perhaps a few more 
 that we cannot just now call to mind. The quality of 
 grapes marketed the past year was in round numbers 
 800,000 pounds, liaving a value of fraction over |32,000. 
 
223 
 
 And the wine produced in gallon^ was practically 45,000. 
 having a commercial value of a little over .f40,000. 
 
 The entire family of Scuppernong grapes are remarka- 
 bly thrifty and productive, and some of the varieties are 
 highly esteemed as both table and wine grapes. They im- 
 part to the wine that delightful flavor and aroma peculiar 
 alone to the Muscadine type of grapes. In this industry, 
 there is a wide field for a profitable business in Florida. 
 
 SMALL F WITS, 
 
 • 
 
 Of this character of fruits the Blackberry and the 
 Whortleberry are indigenous to this country; both grow 
 in great abundance, but the former grows in perfect 
 luxurience in every section of the State, and especially in 
 those sections where agriculture is the predominant occu- 
 pation. For a few weeks it literally becomes a staple 
 article of daily food with the vast majority of negro labor- 
 ers. Nor is it discarded from the table of the average 
 citizen by any means, but is looked upon as one of the 
 most delightful as well as healthful fruits that nature 
 Supplies. They are also extensively used in the prepara- 
 tion of preserves, jellies, jams, and the universal pie. It 
 also makes a delicious wine, that is not only delightful as 
 a beverage, but is much prized for its well known medici- 
 nal properties. 
 
 STRAWBERRIES. 
 
 Of all the small fruits the Strawberry is perhapi the 
 most universally sought and liked by the people of all 
 climes. It is one of the most important to fruit growera 
 as a money producer. The Strawberry grows to great 
 perfection in all parts of Florida. The fruit comes into 
 market early when there its no other fruit to compete 
 with it, and of course obtain a monopoly in ihe markets 
 for weeks, both at home and in the North. The produc- 
 tion and shipment of Strawberries to Northern markets 
 hna increased to imu'cnse woyiortioTis in the past few 
 years, and continues to increase rapidly each year. The 
 business has grown to such proportions that refrigerator 
 
229 
 
 care were necessary to preserve fruit while on the road, 
 80 that at the present time, all except perhaps that part 
 of the crop shipped in January and Febi-uary are trans- 
 ported in refrigerator cars. Like everything else, Straw- 
 berry growing for profit to be successful must be done in 
 a thorough and intelligent manner. It requires work, 
 good judgment and a spirit of liberality in the methods 
 of fertilizing and cultivation. Forty dollars worth oi 
 fertilizer applied per acre may yield |300 worth of ber- 
 ries; fSO worth is likely to yield, under correspondingly 
 good management, |500 or |600 per acre. 
 
 To the Northern immigrant with a good practical 
 knowledge of the general principles of tillage, industry 
 and perseverance, and sufficient to support him nine 
 months or a year, strawberry growing presents solid at- 
 tractions. Of course, the fancy prices obtained for the 
 first few shipments do not prevail all of the season, and 
 the writer is unable to see any probabilty that the indus- 
 try will be wholly overdone to the reoiotest yeaiis. The 
 Strawberry is the first fresh fruit of the year, and the 
 demand for it is widely spreading in the markets of the 
 North. With a good grower the crop is as certain as 
 corn in Ohio, even more certain. Crickets, cutworms, 
 rust, white bud, frost ( onspire to curtail the yield of the 
 weak and ill used plants, but the early, strong, well- 
 nourished ones, with timely, judiciou* help from the 
 grower, resist each of these enemies in turn and yield 
 an average crop, or at least an average return, in the 
 worst years that have ever overtaken the industry. 
 
 Like other crops, it has its enemies, but take the indus- 
 try as a whole, it is quite as sucoes»ful as other crops, 
 and fully as remunerative as the most of them. The 
 acrf^ajro cultivated to thini crop the pa-st year was in round 
 numbers 1,0(10; the yield was over 2.350.000 quarts, and 
 having a coniniPic'a! valuation of over f 200,000. 
 
 Currants, Gooseberries, and Raspberries, have not been 
 cultivated to any extent. Feeble sporadic attempts at 
 one or the other at tin es have been made, and in a few in- 
 stancies the Cuthbert variety of Raspberries have suc- 
 ceeded fairly well, but no well directed, intelligent and 
 determined effort has hopn niai'e as far as the writer 
 kron-p. It is nnlte Drobable that success would be at- 
 tained with yu'oper care and miiangement. 
 
224 
 STOCK RAISING, 
 
 Of the nearly 35,000,000 acres of lands surface in Flor- 
 ida, about 4,500,000 acres are included in farms, improved 
 and unimproved ; thus leaving owr 30,000,000 acres avail- 
 able as grazing lands for cattle and sheep. It is not to 
 be inferred from this that no cattle or sheep are raised 
 in Florida, for in reality there were on the ranges last 
 year, in round nuniliers, about 600,000 cattle; what we 
 Avant to show is that there is abundant room for 3,000,000 
 head in place of the comparative small nuuibcr noted 
 above ; it is for the purpose of demonstrating to the thou- 
 sands of people who are interested in stock raising out- 
 side of Florida, that we make these statements to prove 
 to them that it is not necessary to go to the bleak north- 
 west, or the far southwest in order to make stock raising 
 a successful, and highly profitable industry. Having the 
 vast area above stated, unsurpassed in extent and suit- 
 ability for the raising of live istock of every kind, it 
 would seem unaccountable that this industry should so 
 long remain in a comparatively chaotic or passive condi- 
 tion; a reasonable solution of lh<^ trouble would seem 
 to be two-fold, first, ignorance of the true situation, on 
 the part of those jjeojtle in other states interested in 
 euch matters, mainly because the real conditions have 
 never been placed before them in a proper and attractive 
 form; second, because of a certain sort of prejudice that 
 exists in the minds of many persons to the efi:ect that the 
 growing of stock cannot succeed in what they are pleased, 
 though erroneously, to call a hot climate, scourged with 
 insect pests of every kind fatal to animal life. In the 
 first instance people cannot know the truth simply by 
 intuition, and in the second, there is absolutely, not the 
 slightest foundation for such belief. The truth is, the 
 climate of Florida is an ideal one for stock raising; see 
 the article on climate elsewhere, preceding this, as to 
 why this climate is iso equable, and therefore peculiarly 
 adapted to the propagation of animal life. In Southern 
 Florida, south of nillsboiroT"!?!! county, in Manatee, in 
 the great Myaka river prairie region, in southern Polk 
 county and in DeSoto, Osceola, Brevard and Lee coun- 
 ties, which include the Alifia, Kissimmee and Caloosa- 
 hatchee river valleys, is found the greatest grazing region 
 
226 
 
 running water will not be encountered; and as water is 
 the most important factor in the make-up of a successful 
 stock raising country we lay this special stress upon this 
 feature ; we know of no other section of country that can 
 «ay as much. Next in importance to the water supply 
 are the grasses tor pasture purposes; these abonud in 
 «very section of the State; and except in the far south- 
 em section first mentioned, the native grasses are cut 
 for winter forage. It is often said and as often believed 
 that the native grasses ai*e lacking in nutrition, not be- 
 ing near the equal of northern grasses, for either pastur- 
 age or forage purposes; for proof to the contrary the 
 reader is referred to an article on grasses, on a preceding 
 page giving an analyses of grasses and their feeding value 
 in which it is shown that more than half of the native 
 grasses surpass in nutritious properties, and food value, 
 the very best northern grasses. Then for winter feed, 
 or finisliing up tho MTtiinals for tntirket. add the velvet 
 bean, green or cured, and <?assava and sweet potatoes, 
 and you will have a cheap food' that is unsurpassed in 
 feeding value for any purpose. Compare feeding for three 
 months of winter in Florida, as indicated, and the six or 
 eight months north as the rigors of the climate require, 
 and the truth is forced upon the most prejudiced mind. 
 In addition to grasses that grow in winter oats, rye and 
 barley are planted for young stock; all are cheap and 
 •ure growing crops. 
 
 The absence romnarativelv of r^'SPRse. surh a« m*'* 
 known in the north m a matter that is not appreciated 
 with us because we have so little of it; this happy con- 
 dition is probably attributed to the pure air, and water 
 that abound; but whatever it is, the fact remains that the 
 live sto( k in this conntry nrp rnif^lv troubled with fatal 
 diseases, epidemics being totally unknown. 
 
 No insects that become dangerous to life or h^aUh of 
 stock are found her^; in the rnrly ^^priT^rr. v^^ nlvfa'^f* nl- 
 luded to. the horse-fly or bufTaU»-^v ip iM'ett^ b'?"' for ihv^a 
 or four weeks, then he disnon^nr'' ; b^^t "''"'» pr^v^T' h'^^"^ ■'"hg 
 precri headed fly that is so troubleporae in other Rtatr^a, 
 north and west. 
 
 favorite iirtproT'ed br'^^cTs nor^^h npd v'Pst: hnt fh^^t is "^t 
 the fault of either the cliirat? or the grasses on which 
 
227 
 
 they feed, but it comes from the parent stock which was 
 mostly imported either fi*om Spain by way of the Wekx 
 Indies, or driven- from some qt the Islands; and, as no 
 attention was evpv known \o h'aVe l>HHn ))ai(l to flu' l>i'eed- 
 ing, or improvement of live j*tock in those days, they were 
 permitted to inbreed among themselves to the extent of 
 great deterioration. ^Vs above stated these cattle are 
 small but quite hardy, and when fat will clean at three 
 to four years old fi*om five to six hundred pounds; the 
 flesh is of good flavor and is much prized by the Cuban 
 trade, to which market a large number are shipped every 
 year, at average price of about |14.00 per head. In the 
 home niarket.s. the mejit usually br.ngs about six or seven 
 cents on the hoof, and twelve to fifteen cents per pound 
 when cut, , 
 
 There are many persons engaged in raising these cattle 
 in all parts of the State, and most of them realize very 
 handsome results from the sale of these cattle; indeed 
 many of the wealthiest and most prominent men in the 
 State are those who have acquired their riches from stock- 
 raising. 
 
 But it is not in growing the native breeds alone that 
 profit can be realized, but in the introduction of new 
 breeds, such as the Hereford, Short-horn, Devon and 
 others. Within the past three years quite a number of 
 each of the breeds above mentioned have been imported 
 into the several sections of the State, and In all cases 
 within the knowledge of the writer success has attended 
 every effort. Rapid strides are being made In the pro- 
 duction of graded, as well as thorough bred stock, and 
 it is already realized that the small range stock of cattle 
 have had their day. It is thus thoroughly demonstrated 
 that climatic and all other conditions are entirely suita- 
 ble to the successful growing of high class stock in Flor- 
 ida, and such being the case there is no valid reason why 
 the pastures of this State should not support three mil- 
 lion hea'1 of rattle, a^^d market six hundred tlioii«nnd 
 head each year, in place of the paltry number of 140.000 
 that are annually shipped to Cuba; and then too, they 
 will be cattle that will turn the scales at 1000 jmunds 
 and yield sixty to seventy five dollars per head, instead 
 of weighing five hundred pounds, and fetching the insig- 
 nificant sum of fifteen dollar^. It may be safely said, 
 
228 
 
 that within five years from today, the native cattle will 
 not be recognized as such. The improvement in breeds 
 will bring about a new order of things, the old race will 
 disappear; it will add to the new animal that marbled 
 conaition of the tieyh so much in demand in northern 
 and. western markets. But cattle raising will have in 
 Florida, a value far beyond that which it yields as a food 
 producing animal; au<i lh>ricia Jias an opitoriuuity of- 
 fered it in connection with this industry tljat no other 
 State can possibly have to the same extent ; these are two 
 industries that will go hand in hand with stock raising 
 in Florida, under the changes being rapidly established 
 as indicated; first is the grievous error of sending our 
 beef cattle to market on the hoof instead of packing it 
 here, and shipping it in cold storage or in cans to msfrket. 
 Secona, the loiss of the refuse of the carcas which go to 
 make up the fertilizer. What Florida needs and must 
 have above all for the production of her immense crops 
 of fruit and vegetables, is an abundance of fertilizers; 
 then why lose the most important part of the fertilizing 
 elements by sending them out of the State to be brought 
 back in another form at a large additional outlay. The 
 hides, hair, horns, hoofs, and blood ammoniates shoiild 
 be kef>t here, adding to our own industvies by building 
 up both the stock and fertilizer industries; this is en- 
 tirely a feasible and practicable proposition ; as it is now 
 every fertilizer manufactory in the State must buy all of 
 its material except the phosphate rock, either in Chicago 
 or from abroad. Even now there is gi-eat opportunity 
 for the establishment of such an industry; if a packing 
 establishment were put in operation today, Florida 
 could furnish practically the whole amount of the bone 
 and blood ammoniates, and all the phosphates necessary 
 (lacking only the potash) to the successful cultivation of 
 her fruit, vegetable, and staple crops. The full force of 
 the situation is best understood when we state that in 
 the year 1903, there was consumed in the State, 76,895 
 tons of fertilizer, costing on an average thirty dollars 
 per ton, or having a value of $2,306,850. 
 
 Much the greater part of the fertilizers and fertilizing 
 material going to make up this vast sum, had to be pup- 
 chased beyond the limits of the State, when the condi- 
 tions could be as well reversed by the manner suggested 
 
220 
 
 above. Tlu'so nre some of The points thnt make stock 
 raisino- both attractive and profitable to a greater degree 
 in Florida than in any other State in the I'nion. 
 
 SHEEP RAISING. 
 
 The same argument nsed in behalf of cattle raising 
 applies to a greater or less extent in regard to sheep 
 raising. They are not so universally grown, though there 
 are but six counties in the State in which they are not 
 grown. Sheep have done well in all sections of the 
 State, though there are some localities better adapted 
 to sheep husbandry than others. The larger herds are 
 found in West Florida, but there are localities in the 
 far eastei-n and southern portions of the State where 
 fine herds are found, and where they thrive perfectly. In 
 the counties of Volusia. Osceola, Pasco, Polk, Marion, 
 Hillsborough, and Manatee, where the great prairies furn- 
 ish fine parturage, they are perfectly at home. In fact in 
 every section of the State there are large areas of lands 
 admirably adapted, and are now used for f^Iieep pastur- 
 age. 
 
 The same rlimafic condition, the same grasses, and the 
 same water snpT.ly ju" at hand for the sheep raiser, as 
 for the cattle man. They are given about the same kind 
 of attention in winter as the cattle, and their cost of 
 maintaina'M e is projK)rti(»nately less. l*eihai»s no domes- 
 tic nnintal yields so much to his owner. com])aratively 
 speakini;-. as the sheep, for their cost is merely nominal. 
 They suffer less from diseases than almost any other ani-, 
 mal. and the diseases that destroy Them by tliousands in 
 the North and West ar-e unknown here. There are not 
 less than twelve or fifteen million acres of land in Florida 
 perfectly suitable for sheep herding, and as a matter of 
 cour-se, they should be an indispensable adjunct to every 
 farm. Outside of their value as wool-jiroducers. there is 
 a -demand for their flesh thnt far over reaches the supply, 
 even in the home markets. The land ai-ea adaj^ted to this 
 industry, is caT.-able of supjtorting four to five million 
 sheep at all seasons. 
 
 HOOS.* 
 
 Are raised as successfully and as ch"a])lv. ri'ob- 
 alblv chea]»er. than in any other countTw. No farm, is 
 Without its stock of hoes, and few farmers, but what 
 
230 
 
 make bacon enough to supply their wants throughout the 
 year. Of coui^e some will fail, but that is the fault of 
 the man, but most of the farmers have a surplus of ba- 
 con, lai'd and harms, to dispose of at good prices during 
 winter. The fHmous raxor back, of which so much is heard 
 of in connection with Florida, which subject has always 
 been much exaggerated, has loujg since departed. He has 
 either been absorbed by grading with improved stock or 
 has -dropped out, and yielded his place to other breeds. 
 The breeds that have succeeded to the native stock, and 
 which succeed perfectly, are the Berkshire, Poland China^ 
 Essex and the Duroe red. These breeds are as success- 
 fully raised here as in any country. And all hogs are 
 much less susceptible to disease than in any other section 
 of country. 
 
 GOATS. 
 
 What has been said of sheep, applies equally as well to 
 goats of all breeds yet tried. They thrive with all the 
 certainty and vigor of an indigenous tropical plant in 
 the rainy season, and if one ever died for lack of food, 
 the fact has never been recorded. Angora goats haro 
 been tried by only a few persons to a limited extent, and 
 with good success ; they require a little different manage- 
 ment than that usually meted out to thp common goat, 
 but if given the same care and attention necessary to 
 make sheep herding successful, they too will yield a large 
 profit on the investiflent. 
 
 HORSES. 
 
 Horses are grown in a g»meral way in all parts of the 
 State, except in the extreme southern portion. No par- 
 ticular care as to breeds is exercised, and the general run 
 of horse breeding is of a mixture of Cuban, American 
 and Mexican stock that has come by the way of Texaa. 
 The offspring of this mixture is a vei-^' hardy, touijrh ani- 
 mal, peculinrly arlapted to a warm climate. There are 
 numerous growei's of fine stock in various portions of the 
 State, notablv f'o novthcrp fountics. Tn this section 
 some fine stock is produced from imported thoroughbred 
 stallions and selected native stock. Rut for some reason 
 
231 
 
 no well directed efforts on a large scale have ever been 
 made, although success has always attended the effort. 
 Each grower or each neighborhood, has been content to 
 supply their own wants in this line, without enlarging 
 the scope of operation. One reason why this is so, is 
 that so many thousands of cheap horses of ordinary 
 grade are brought down and scattered all over the South, 
 from the Middle West. Such stock is sold in the markets 
 here at from |75 to $125 per head, and often for much 
 less. The ordinary farmer being easily satisfied, in this 
 way, takes little interest in breeding better grades, which 
 if he should want to sell would have to compete with the 
 cheaper common stock above mentioned. Hence, the 
 great majority of horses, and practically all the mules, 
 are brought here from other states. That horse breed- 
 ing here is successful to a high degree, is known to all, 
 and no finer field or opportunity is offered for a profitable 
 business in this line, in any country than right here in 
 Florida. 
 
 We have shown that we have a climate adapted to 
 stock raising, and we have given scientific reasons as to 
 ■why it is so. We have shown that we have the water 
 supply, and the grasses, and forage equal to any country, 
 and have given proof that is unquestionable. We have 
 shown that we have the territory that produces and sup- 
 |)orts these essentials to successful stock raising, and now 
 we assert without hesitation, that Florida offers to the 
 live stock grower, a better field, and better opportunities 
 for success, than is or can possibly be offered by any other 
 section of the Union. To the man with capital already 
 in hand, or the man with brains, nerve and energy to back 
 him, failure is impossible. 
 
 DAIRY FARMING 
 
 This is another industry closely allied to stock raising, 
 and a necessary adjunct to all around profitable farming. 
 The industry has greatly increased in importance in the 
 past six or eisrht vears. Fifteen to twenty years ago a 
 considerable number of thoroughbred Jersey. Ayreshire, 
 Alderney, and some Holstein and Durham bulls and cows' 
 
232 
 
 ■were introduced into the State, principally in the sectioto 
 lying between the Suwannee and Apalachicola rivers. 
 
 The effect of this was very soon noticeable in the better- 
 ment of milk stock by grading up, till now a very large 
 percentage of the stock, and specially that used for dairy 
 purposes 'are either thoroughbreds or high grade, of one 
 or the other breeds mentioned, but chiefly Jerseys. At 
 this time, however, high grade and thoroughbred dairy 
 cattle are to be found in every section of the State and 
 the industry is paying handsome profits on the invest- 
 ment. The business is steadily increasing, yet the de- 
 mand is far greater than the supply, the dairymen of the 
 State not being able to supply more than ten per cent, of 
 the quantity consumed. 
 
 Last year the milk disposed of to consumers amounted 
 to a little over 3,600,000 gallons, valued at $890,000. The 
 butter produced amounting the same year to nearly 
 600,000 pounds, and sold at something over |140,000. 
 This was the product of 35,000 cows of all grades, but 
 really the product of about 7,000 cows of improved milk 
 stock. That there is an opening here for many times the 
 present dimension of this industry is easily seen, and the 
 facts as we have briefly given them can be verified by any 
 one, at any time. 
 
 POULTRY RAISING. 
 
 The history of ]»on]try raisino in Florida, were it writ- 
 ten, would not differ materially fi-om thnt of any other 
 section of the couns ry. All varieties of po^iltrv tlu'ive 
 perfectly, and with the climatic advantaGP*?. whif h enable 
 the greater number of flocks to be hatched and grown in 
 the winter months, much of the expense of winter hous- 
 ing, and feeding that attaches to poultry farming in more 
 northerly sections is avoided. While the diseases are 
 fewer in number and not near so fatal in eft'ect. Of 
 course ])<)ultrv are l^'ablo to certain diseases, and some of 
 them necessarily fatal in any country, but in a mild cli- 
 mate, where the flocks can have the open run of the lot 
 throujihoiu all seasons of the year, and the coops and 
 roosts are ojten at all times, much less labor is retjuired 
 
233 
 
 to keep perfeet sanitaiy louditions. tlie t'»»wls will eujoy 
 better health, aud lay nioie eggs, than when closely con- 
 fined, as is necessary in cold climates. In the past few 
 years specially, the poultry industry has increased to a 
 wonderful degree. Formerly, while vast quantities of 
 fowls were jgrown each year, on the farms for market, it is 
 only in recent years that poultry farming as a separate 
 industry, has been entered into. At this time there are a 
 number of such farms being operated on an extensive 
 scale in all portions of the State; some of them are said 
 to occupy 20 to 50 acres of land in the deve]o])ment and 
 operation of their ranches, and, as with every thing else 
 that is successful, these growers of ix)ultry are making 
 the raising and care of their flocks a great and profitable 
 industry, managed and directed by men trained in the 
 best methods of fowl production. 
 
 There has also been a great improvement in breeds in 
 recent years, and much more attention is bestowed upon 
 the selection of brt^eds for special purposes, and this in- 
 terest is manifested by the farmers of the country as well 
 as the specialist in poultry production. It is a business 
 that cannot be overdone and there are opportunities for 
 a profitable business in this line to ten times the present 
 output. Last year the number of i)()ultry on liaud was 
 1,500,000 head,'the market value of which* was |400.31S. 
 
 The eggs marketed for the same period amounted to 
 3,052,45.3 dozen, and they were sold in the market for 
 $455,G0G, showing a total value of pouhry products fgr 
 one year of $855,924. 
 
 FLORIDA FISHERIES. 
 
 There is perhaps no industry of such great importance 
 to the State of Florida, about which so little is known by 
 the. people generally, although no subject is nun'e univer- 
 sally diiscussed with greater pleasure than that of land- 
 ing pro'licuous hauls, or some huge specimen of the finy 
 tribe, but it is of the industry in its commercial form that 
 we write, ami desire to direct attention. 
 
 The peculiar position which Florida occupies, with its 
 approximately twelve hundred miles of sea coast, together 
 
234 
 
 with its numerous large bays, sounds, lagoons, and its 
 rivers, lakes and streams all teeming with fish of almost 
 every kind and variety, enables it to possess these natural 
 advantages to a greater degree than is enjoyed by any 
 other state. Formerly, before transportation facilities 
 had opened the way to markets beyond the State, this in- 
 dustry was almost entirely local in character. Id the 
 fall, farmers and others from the interior portion of the 
 State, and also from the states of Georgia and Alabama, 
 would journey overland to the fisheries on the coast, and 
 spend from two to four weeks accumulating a supply of 
 Bait fish, principally of the mullet variety, which they 
 would take back to their homes for winter use. Even un- 
 der these conditions the business paid handsome profits 
 to those engaged in it. 
 
 The industry as it is today was begun about the year 
 1873, and the great bulk of the business was carried on 
 at and from the ports of Pensacola, Apalachicola, Cedar 
 Keys and Key We«t, on the Gulf, and Jacksonville and 
 Fernandina on the Atlantic Coast. Since that time, 
 owing to the continued and rapid increase in transporta- 
 tion facilities, through the building of new railroads, the 
 industry has increased to immense proportions, still 
 capable of expanding an hundred I'old without in the least 
 affecting the supply or overreaching the demand, or the 
 possibilities of extending the trade. 
 
 Ihe principal branches of the fishing industry are: 
 Sponge, Red Snapper, Grouper, Mullet, Pompano, Span- 
 ish Mackerel, Oyster and Turtle fishing. 
 
 THE SPONGE FISHERY. 
 
 This fishery has been carried on since Xf^^2, when it was 
 discovered that the sponges ffrowini? in Florida waters 
 were of as good quality as those of the Mediterranean, 
 which, at about that time, had become scarce and costly. 
 
 The Key West people were the founders of the trade 
 and they have always been the leaders in this country. 
 At first the better qiralites of snonges were bonght for 
 ten cents per pound, but their value rapidly increased as 
 as the r^roduct became better known. 
 
 The first discovered grounds appeared nearly exhausted 
 after twenty years' fishing, when a large area of spong- 
 
235 
 
 Ing ground was discovered that yielded more abundantly 
 than the first. In the year 1870 Apalachicoia and St. 
 Harks engaged actively in sponge fishing. 
 
 The methods of capture dift'er greatly from those em- 
 ployed in B^urope; where the fi4*hermeu dive down into 
 the sea and bring up the sponges. Here, a two-pronged 
 hook, at the end of a slender pole of forty feet length, is 
 used from small row boats. The small schooners that 
 are fitted out at Key West and Apalachicoia, for this 
 business, carry crews of from five to fifteen men, who go 
 in pairs in the small boats when on the spon^ging grounds. 
 One man uses the sponge-hook, while the other sculls the 
 boat slowly along. An instrument called a "water glass" 
 is used to facilitate the lookout for sponges upon the 
 bottom. It is commonly a water bucket with a glass bot- 
 tom. The men who use the "water gla8.«i" and sponga 
 hook must be expert and their duty is besides very tire- 
 some. 
 
 ■ Soon after they are caught, the sponges are laid out in 
 the sun on the vessel's deck and allowed to die and get 
 rid of a large part of the glutinous matter of which thej" 
 are composed. 
 
 The next step is to soak them in sea water, In little 
 pens called "Kraals" for a week, to looisen the covering 
 or skin, that has, by exposure to the sun, become dry and 
 tough. After this ithey are beaten and squeezed unti! 
 clean and then stored on board the vessel. 
 
 Sponges are sold at Key West altogether by auction. 
 The buyers there represent large business firms at Ne\r 
 York. 
 
 Each firm has a packing house where the sponges are 
 sorted, freed from sand and slimy matter, and trimmed- 
 They are shipped in small compressed bales. 
 
 The best season for their fishery is the summer, but oc- 
 casionally the winter has b<;en favorable. Success is 
 mainly dependent upon the weather, for when the water 
 is distnrlxMl by strong winds, it becomes too rough to do 
 any fishing. 
 
 The fishing has been a complete failure some years, 
 while again it has been very profitable. The natural sup- 
 ply of sponges, it is claimed, is becoming exhausted, but 
 this is doubtful. The fishermen and dealers continually 
 complain of a scarcity. 
 
23G 
 
 It has been demonstrated that sponge culture is feasi- 
 ble and profitable, and it may be classed among the fu- 
 ture great industries of Florida. 
 
 THE RED SNAPPER FISHERY. 
 
 The first red snappers were brought to market about 
 forty years ago, but for a long time there was ^ no at- 
 tempt to make special trips into the Gulf for them. The 
 first to engage regularly in the red snapper fishing were 
 several Connecticut smack owners who ran small sloop- 
 smacks from ^i|e nearest fishing grounds to Mobile and 
 New Orleans. This kind of business was carried on for 
 twenty years. 
 
 The best fishing grounds for the red snapper ai^e be- 
 tween Peusacola and Cedar Key. There are other good 
 grounds in the lower part of the Gulf, which find market 
 for their catches through the ports of Tampa and Punta 
 Gorda, thence by rail to interior points. 
 
 The red snapper is taken wholly with hook and line, in 
 from ten to forty fathoms of water. Vessels of five to 
 eiight tons, carrying crews of three to eighteen men, are 
 fitted up for this business. The fish are preserved in ice, 
 or else, in the smaller vessels alive, in "wells." A week 
 or ten davs are consumed on a trip, and the catch ranges 
 from 2,000 to 30,000 pounds, or 500 to 4.000 fish. As 
 Boon as landed the fish are ])acked in ice and sent off by 
 raiil in every direction, far and near. 
 
 The red snapper fishing has grown very rapidly during 
 the past few years and now stands next to the sponge 
 fiishery in importance. It seems safe to predict that it 
 will, in a few years more, stand at the head of the list of 
 Florida fishing industries. 
 
 THE GROUPER FISHERY. 
 
 This fishery has been one of the main stays of Key 
 West, where it was alone jmrsued. It was. wholly de- 
 pendent upon Cuban mnrkets. Before the Cnbnns found 
 the enterprise to do their own fishing the Key West T)eo- 
 ple enjoyed a long and jirofitable traffic with them. Ves- 
 sels were brought to Key West from New Englnnd and a 
 number w^-re built at home to take part in the fishing. 
 
237 
 
 It has since failed, partly because the Cubans have 
 placed heavy fees and duties upon fishing vessels from 
 the United States, and because they have decided to 
 catch their own fish, having, it is said, bought a number 
 of the Key West vossels for the purpose. 
 . The grouper is caught with hook and line in about the 
 same manner as the red snapper, but is always preserved 
 alive in ''wells." 
 
 Those taken to Havana are caught in five to ten fath- 
 oms of water, 200 miles north of Key West, so that they 
 may be hardier and better able to bear the long journey 
 in confinement than those that are found in the deep 
 waters near Key West. 
 
 THE MULLET FISHERY. 
 
 While not the most valuable commercially, the mullet 
 fishery is probably the most important to the Florida 
 setler. 
 
 The mullet occurs about the coast everywhere, and for 
 a large part of the yeaF is the most abundant and easily 
 secured of any of the fishes. In season (during the fall), 
 it is also a very excellent food fish. It ranges in weight 
 from one to five pounds. It is most extensively pursued 
 during the fall months, when it is schooling. 
 
 Seines are run around the schools and great quantities 
 are often taken. vStations are selected at the most fav- 
 orable points on the coast where crews of fishermen are 
 busily employed for several months. 
 
 The greater part of their catch is salted, but a great 
 quantity is packed in ice and shipped to the interior mar- 
 kets by rail. 
 
 The most valuable stations, which are on the southwest 
 coast, south of Tampa Bay, are worked to supply the de- 
 mand for salt mullet in Havana. North of Tampa Bay, 
 on either side of the peninsula, the catch is sold to the 
 nearer markets in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. While 
 the fishing is going on, the stations are visited by many 
 customers from the country, who travel with horse and ox 
 carts and are prepared to carry their purchases home 
 with them. The roes of the mullet are always saved and 
 are prepared for sale by being lightly salted and then 
 dried. 
 
23i 
 
 Almost every coast settler in Florida has a cast-net with 
 which to supply his table with mullet. During the first 
 four months of the year there is one species of mullet in 
 good condition, and about the time they have become 
 poor the other species has become edible, and continues 
 good until December, so that there is an almost constant 
 supply of good fish easily availa:ble to those who care to 
 use from it. 
 
 The mullet is rather better in a salted condition than 
 most fishes, and it comes very near in excellence to the 
 mackerel of the North. 
 
 THE POMPANO AND OTHER FISHES. 
 
 The choicest of the Florida fishes, the pompano, blue- 
 flsh, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, channel bass and sea 
 trout, are taken mainly with seines in the same manner 
 as mullet. 
 
 The pompano is caught in small schools in shoal water 
 along the sea beaches, where it feeds upon shell fishes. 
 During the seasons when it is scarce it brings very high 
 prices, occasionally to the fislw^men i|l a piece, fallinjg 
 when abundant to five or six cents apiece. The fish aver- 
 age one and a half pounds each, and has not been found 
 weighing over six and a quarter pounds, although another 
 species of poorer edible qualities gnt'ows to a weight of 
 twenty pounds. The pompano is shipped from Tampa 
 Bay, Jacksonville, Cedar Key, Carrabelle and Pensacola 
 to the interior. 
 
 The Spanish mackerel is taken in seines and gill nets, 
 as it occasionally comes into tshoal water within their 
 reach. Tt is readily sold for a good price during the 
 period of its "mn,"' and would appear in market much 
 longer if there was some economical way to capture it in 
 deen water, where it occurs in abundance for several 
 months. 
 
 The bliT'^fi^^h is tjU'en with the Spanish mackerel. It la 
 very ahnnr'nint nt timps. but not so snler'ble n"? the two 
 epecieis Just niert'one'l, from the fact that it does not well 
 bear handling and transnortation. When enclosed in 
 larre numbers in npts it is very d^^trTictive to thf» twine 
 f,,, 1 ic, ^i,^voforp pbrinned by the fishermen when other 
 fishes can be caught. 
 
239 
 
 The sea trout, red fish or channel bass, and Hheepshead 
 are taken mainly in the waters of the bays an<I lajfoons 
 on the grassy bottoms. The trout and sheepshead sell for 
 about the same price aa blue fish. They are not often 
 found in large schools and but comparatively few are 
 handled by the fish shippers. 
 
 The channel bass is rather more abnndant, but as it is 
 considered an inferior fish, it is not utilized to any great 
 extent. 
 
 THE OYSTER FISHERY. 
 
 The people of Florida have good reason to be proud of 
 the large sikpply of fine oysters that occur in the waters 
 of the state. It has been estimated that there ai*e more 
 than 12.800 square acres of edible oysters in the waters 
 of Florida. 
 
 They occur in natural bed-s in the salt and brackish 
 waters of the bays of the northern parts of the State, on 
 the east and west coasts. Along the shores of the south- 
 ern part of the peninsula are large reefs of a small oyster 
 known as ''coon oyster," or "tree oyster," the latter name 
 ^eferri^^? to their habit of growing upon the tide-washed 
 roots of the mangrove tree. These oysters are of no com- 
 mercial value, because of their diminutiveness. 
 
 The only method of gathering oysters in Florida is that 
 of the use of the ordinary oyster-tongs. Dredges or other 
 improved apparatus have not yet been required. Small 
 shoal sail boats are ei7gaged in this fishery to market the 
 product. Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Cedar Key, Jackson- 
 ville, Pensacola, St. Andrews Jiay, and Tampa are the 
 principal oyster markets. Apalachicola has of late years 
 been doing a thriving business in canning the excellent 
 oysters of that vicinity. The larger part of Fforic^a fresh 
 oysters is consumed within the State, but thousands of 
 barrels are Rhi{)pe(t by rail to interior markets a<s far 
 north as Tennessee, including Alabama and Georgia in 
 their markets. 
 
 RIVER FISHERIES. 
 
 The river fisheries are nlpo of importance, and tliig 
 branch of the industry' is pursued throughout the water- 
 
240 
 
 ways of the entire state, either for home consumption or 
 for the market. 
 
 For the past few years the U. S. Fish Commission has 
 at stated periods during the spring months, planted many 
 millions of shad fry in a large number of the most irtt- 
 portaut rivers of the State, and as far as known yet, the 
 experiment is proving sucoessful ; but shad in great quan- 
 tities are oaueht in the St. Johns river ever.^ spring, -ind 
 an immense business is done by the fishermen in supply- 
 ing the home and more northerly interior markets at high- 
 ly remunerative jtrices. 
 
 The State has a Fish Commission, composed of three 
 persons, whose duty is to repi'esent the State's interests in 
 the fishery laws. The pi*esident of the Commission is 
 Hon. J. Y. Detwiler, of New Smyrna, Fla., to whom ap 
 plicants for information are directed. 
 
 Below will be found a statement of the number of peo- 
 ple engaged in the fisheries industry on the Atlantic 
 Coast of Florida, the number of vessels, and their ton- 
 nage, and a list of the material and appliance used in 
 operating the business; also, a complete list of the fish, 
 and variety caught, the quality, and value of the product 
 for the year 1902, as reported by the U. S. Fish Commit 
 sion. 
 
 Items. Number. Value. 
 
 Persons emploved 2,698 
 
 Vessels fishing' 7 $ 6,225 
 
 Tonnages 98 
 
 Outfit 1,405 
 
 Vessels transporting 2 1,655 
 
 Tonnage 18 
 
 Outfit 750 
 
 Boats 1,400 71,710 
 
 Seines 145 11,277 
 
 Gill nets 1,781 58,435 
 
 Pound nets and weirs » 1 50 
 
 Cast nets ■ 125 693 
 
 Lines >• ' 560 
 
 Tongs, rakes, hoes and grabs 216 860 
 
 Other apparatus 4,968 
 
 Shore property 80,490 
 
 Cash capital ". 115,750 
 
 Total $ 354,835 
 
241 
 
 Products Pounds. Valne. 
 
 Alewives fresh 405,697 $ 1,596 
 
 ^^Sel-^^^ 4550 '71 
 
 ^f^^^^f^ 1,000 50 
 
 S'''^ ?^'f •; 314,310 12,449 
 
 Bluefish, fresh 78 500 3 548 
 
 Sonito 7120 212 
 
 Bream and sunfish 643,^514 14,149 
 
 ™^®^--;: 610,742 12,152 
 
 Cero and kmgfish Sl^go '313 
 
 ™^"^ ••• 5,900 95 
 
 Croakers, fresh 6,593 191 
 
 i^f''"'^ 134,885 3,815 
 
 ^^^"^•^^^•« 49,380 1392 
 
 g^"^t« ••• 33,442 755 
 
 Hickory shad 58,666 2,651 
 
 ^""^t, fi-esh 7,340 916 62 347 
 
 ^""on-fish 4;740 ' gg 
 
 254 
 
 28 
 
 l^'fi 10;342 
 
 I'S-^^^ 1,800 
 
 ?rrr 205,231 21,835 
 
 159 
 
 831 
 
 1,045 
 
 43 
 
 ^^i'P? ••••. 5,300 
 
 bailor's choice and pin-fish 43 533 
 
 f^a ^ass .' 29,'80O 
 
 Sergeant-fish 2 828 
 
 s^ff ••••; '••*•• 1^819,431 124,760 
 
 Sheepshead 404,251 7400 
 
 Snappers, red 20,000 400 
 
 Snappers, other 8,043 m 
 
 Spanish mackerel 659,088 34,374 
 
 Spot, fresh 32,451 825 
 
 Squeague, fresh 898,563 26,26T 
 
 Strawberry bass 221,606 5 166 
 
 ^^^L;. • 82,150 3;657 
 
 Yellow-tail 1366 
 
 Alligator hides *.***.;.*;.'.*;.* ioo;n87 13,538 
 
 ^^^^ :"' 5,200 325 
 
 ^;f«'^^^d 6,066 152 
 
 ^*^"r«^'°« 2,927 17,352 
 
 2r^''\: 2,163,483 37188 
 
 Periwinkles 5 4O0 '12O 
 
 16 H. F. 
 
 21 
 
242 
 
 Products. Pounds. Value. 
 
 Prawn 3,012,360 62,896 
 
 Shrimp 494 ' 34 
 
 Terrapin 3,940 1,164 
 
 Tortoise shells 20 50 
 
 Turtle 12,200 787 
 
 Total 19,584,265 ? 477,866 
 
 Supplemental Products, Quantity. Value. 
 
 Alligator hides, number 22,375 $ 13,538 
 
 Clams, bushels 650 325 
 
 Crabs, hard, number 18,189 152 
 
 Otter skins, number 2,927 17,352 
 
 Oysters, bushels 309,069 37,188. 
 
 Terrapin, number 1,480 1,164 
 
 The following is from the official report of the U. S. 
 Fish Commission for the Gulf Coast, for 190!?. It will 
 be noted that there are almost double the number of vari- 
 eties in the Gulf, as in the Atlantic, and having a com- 
 mercial value of more than three times that of the At- 
 lantic. A casual glance at these statements is quite suf- 
 ficient to show the immense possibilities of this already 
 great industry : 
 
 Items. Number. Value. 
 
 Persons employed 6,416 
 
 Vessels fishing 243 $ 396,175 
 
 Tonnage 3,928 
 
 Outfit 190,611 
 
 Vessels transporting ; . . . . 63 82,950 
 
 Tonnnge 809 
 
 Outfit' 43,853 
 
 Boats 2,666 330,220 
 
 Seines 146 13.075 
 
 Gill nets 1,661 46.742 
 
 Stop nets 302 16.110 
 
 Tr,TmpioI nets . .' -^ ^ 2,5^0 
 
 Fyke nE>ts 10 60 
 
 Dip netg 16 9 
 
 Capt nets 77 363 
 
 Lines 2.472 
 
 'Sponge apparatus 6.663 
 
243 
 
 Items. Number. Value. 
 
 Tongs t)08 4,887 
 
 Minor apparatus 2,486 
 
 Shore and accessory property 318.80.^) 
 
 Cash capital 492,250 
 
 Total I 945,320 
 
 Products. Pounds. Value. 
 
 Amberfish 42,140 $ 1,051 
 
 Angel-fishes 71,12G 1,831 
 
 Barracuda 34,435 1,203 
 
 Black bass 12,680 455 
 
 Blue-fish, fresh 346,606 10,567 
 
 Blue-fish, salted 3,000 120 
 
 Bonito 10,100 503 
 
 Butter-fish 3.140 46 
 
 Cat-fish '. . . . 75,800 1,690 
 
 Channel bass, or red-fish 1,104,251 16,247 
 
 Creville 54,665 16,247 
 
 Drum, salt water 193,625 . 2,738 
 
 Flounders 80,181 2,182 
 
 German carp 1,175 33 
 
 Groupers 437,089 7,279 
 
 Grunts 374,200 18,029 
 
 Hog-fish 65. UM) 3.236 
 
 Hound-fish 6,000 360 
 
 Jurel 30,025 369 
 
 King-fish 151,900 3,843 
 
 Lady-fish, fresh 697,800 11,945 
 
 Lady-fish, salted 700 21 
 
 Margate-fish 3,500 222 
 
 Menhaden 2,500 25 
 
 Moon-fish 10,628 314 
 
 Mullet, fresli 22,223.685 327,123 
 
 Mullet, salted 2,589,190 77,313 
 
 Mullet roe, salted 134,887 6,270 
 
 Mutton-fish 28,301 84« 
 
 Permit 10,010 500 
 
 Pig-fish 2,000 60 
 
 Pike nnd pickerel 175 9 
 
 Pompano 487,099 26,276 
 
244 
 
 Products. Pounds. Value. 
 
 Porgies 70,960 3,548 
 
 Pork-fish 23,332 3,145 
 
 Sailor's choice or pin fish 111,746 3,736 
 
 Sardines 29,600 998 
 
 Sea bass 9,800 128 
 
 Sheepshead 1,373,650 21,686 
 
 Snappers, red 8,074,066 237,428 
 
 Snappers, other 358,256 10,428 
 
 Spanish mackerel, fresh 1,432,356 55,908 
 
 Spot 14,250 300 
 
 Sturgeon 343,291 8,532 
 
 Sturgeon caviar 5,691 3,026 
 
 Suckers 4,800 372 
 
 Sun-fishes 15,100 646 
 
 Tang 200 10 
 
 Trout, or squeteague, fresh 1,804,614 44,221 
 
 Trout, or squeteague, salted 54,098 2,024 
 
 Trunk-fish 300 12 
 
 Turbot 850 66 
 
 Whiting 20,254 303 
 
 Yellow-tail 93,687 6,036 
 
 Other fish 400 16 
 
 Alligator hides 54,400 4,109 
 
 Clams 800 100 
 
 Conchs 3,334 890 
 
 Crabs, hard 1,333 83 
 
 Crabs, soft 280 84 
 
 Crabs, stone 11,681 1,799 
 
 Crawfish 55,664 3,282 
 
 Otter skins 356 1,013 
 
 Oysters 4,057,107 124,108 
 
 iShrimp 17,280 288 
 
 Sponges 346 899 364,422 
 
 Terrapin 30,899 4,22f 
 
 Tortoise shells 495 1,733 
 
 Turtle 369,257 28,385 
 
 Turtle eggs 600 99 
 
 Total .48,120,019 |!l,462,n:6 
 
245 
 
 Supplemental pif)ducts. Quantity. Value. 
 
 'Alligator hides, number 9,067 f 4,109 
 
 Clams, bushels 100 100 
 
 Crabs, hard, number 3,999 83 
 
 Crabs, soft, number 840 84 
 
 Crabs, stone, number 11,681 1,799 
 
 Otter skins, number 201 1,015 
 
 Oysters, bushels 579,587 124,108 
 
 Terrapin, number 10,593 4,227 
 
 FERTILIZERS. 
 
 • 
 
 Only a brief reference is necessary to this subject here, 
 though it is one of the most important subjects connected 
 with farming operations. This article is not, however, 
 intended to discuss the subject in de'tail or deal with the 
 various methods of fertilizing crops, but more specially 
 to direct attention to the fact, that we have here in va- 
 rious foriDS. material for making manures, that cannot 
 be found in all states as cheaply or as readily as in Flor- 
 ida. The immense deposits of phosphate rock ai-e of 
 course well known to all the world ; this material is a nec- 
 essary ingifdient in every fertilizer if perfect plant 
 growth is desired ; it is the only mineral adapted to the 
 purpose, except marl, that we know to exist in the State, 
 but botli of these are in quantities that will last for all 
 time. The large nuiiiber of suliihur springs is a rpasona- 
 ble indication that beds of sulphur exist, and will some 
 day be discovered. This opinion has been expressed by 
 some very emiuPirl scieniitic men. If so, the manufac- 
 ture of commercial fertilizer could be conducted on a mor.'; 
 profitable basis than anywhere in the country, and even if 
 it were not so. the close proximity of the sulohur deT30sits 
 of Mexico, whieh are now being operated, will ultimately 
 enable niarnifnctui'ci*^! to sn]n>lv fertilizers at less cost than 
 at present. Tn addition to these materials named, there 
 ar'' immense ]hh^< of muck, decayed vegetable matter, that 
 when pnnMM-lv manipulated, also makes a fine fertilizer 
 of great eheaitness. It is particularly efficient when com- 
 bined with acid phosphate — dissolved phosphate rock — 
 and cotton seed or cotton seed meal, stable manuTO and 
 
246 
 
 other material in the form of compost, a form which 
 every farmer can work up to the purpose suited to hi» 
 needs. There may be other minerals adapted to these pur- 
 poses, not omitting lime, which is to be had at all times, 
 but in the absence of a Geological Survey of the fetate, 
 which successive Ijegislatures have thus far refused to 
 establish, nothing is known of them. In addition to 
 these are the well known leguminous plants, so well 
 adapted to soil renovation, referred to elsewhere, when 
 combined with, or in connection with the materials 
 already mentioned render fertilizing easier, better, and 
 cheaper than in almost any other section of the country. 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES. 
 
 Fop reasons previously stated, the want of a Geological 
 Survey, little is known of the minerals that do exist or 
 those that may exist, in the State, except the phosphates, 
 Fullers Earth, and clays, such as kaolin. These three are 
 mined and worked extensively. Iron ore of excellent 
 quality is found in several localities, notably in Levy 
 County ; Gypsum, Fire Clay, and cement rock are known 
 to exist, and the presence of many other minerals are 
 strongly suspected, in fact there are numerous indica- 
 tions, such as are usually observed in connection with 
 these matters. 
 
 FIBRE BEARING PLANTS. 
 
 We can only refer briefly to those principal fibre bear- 
 inig plants having a present commercial value, and which 
 thrive in Florida soil, as in fact all of them do as though 
 they were indigenous to the country, as many of them are. 
 
 The fibre-bearing plants capable of successful and 
 profitable cultivation in this State are in great variety, 
 comprising practiralh', if not <)uit(\ All the fibres, or an 
 equally good substitute for them, that are 'imported Into 
 the United States annually. The T'liited States, and par- 
 ticularly the South, is probably the largest consu»ier of 
 
247 
 
 long fibres in the form of jute, used in handling the cot- 
 ton croj> and its products of all other countries in the en- 
 tire world. It is also the largest consumer of long fibre, in 
 the form of binders twine, in the harvesting and handling 
 of the grain crops of the country, and in the manufac- 
 ture and use of certain kinds of bagging, rope, etc. 
 
 In Florida, the climatic conditions, such as tempera- 
 ture, humidity, regular supply of moisture, and also soil, 
 favor in the hi'ighest degree the growing of these plants 
 in as great perfection as that of any country in the world. 
 This statement is fully confirmed by the unqualified suc- 
 cess of repeated experiments made throughout a period 
 of sixty odd years. Indeed there are many of them that 
 need no experimenting with, their natural and perfect 
 adaptability to soil, climate, and every other condition is 
 demonstrated by the unfailing and vigorous growth made 
 in the wild uncultivated state. 
 
 Following is a list of the fibre plants which thrive in 
 Florida, with a brief description of them and their uses, 
 as far as known. 
 
 AGAVE SIS ALAN A— SISAL HEMP— HENEQUEN 
 
 PLANT. 
 
 This is the same as Manilla Hemp. The plant is found 
 Igrowing in nearly all parts of Florida south of the 29th 
 degree of latitude, and it also frequently matures as far 
 north as Jacksonville, and as far west as the Apalachicola 
 river, but as it does not stand very cold weather it would 
 not be safe to plant it for commercial purposes north of 
 the line above mentioned very much. The plant was in- 
 troduced into Florida in the year 18.30-37, by Dr. Henry 
 Periue, who had beoti Ignited States Consul at ram])eachy. 
 He had obtained a grant of land from ^the United States 
 for the purpose of introducing and experimenting with 
 tropical plants. He was never able to carry his project 
 into effect, as he was killed by the Indians in the Indian 
 Key massacre in 1840. The Agave Sislana will grow and 
 thrive in nearly every variety of Florida soils, but it is 
 generally believed that the poorer sandy soil is best 
 adapted to its cultivation, because of the superiority of 
 the fibre over that grown on rich soils. The life of the 
 plant in which it yields profitably is about fifteen years. 
 
246 
 
 It is easy of cultivation and very inexpensive. It has na 
 known enemies, and is unaffected by either drought or ex- 
 cessive rainfall, and requires no fertilization. 
 
 SANSEVIERIA— BOWSTRING HEMP. 
 
 This plant is found growing in nearly all parts of Flori- 
 da, principally in gardens as an ornamental plant. It* 
 value as a fibre producing plant is not generally known. 
 It is commonly recognized as Rattlesnake Lilly, or Spot- 
 ted Lilly, makes rapid growth in suitable soil, and spreads 
 rapidly, completely taking possession of the soil in a 
 short time. The plant has been known and prized in In- 
 dia from ii'eraote antiquity under the name of Murva. . The 
 Sansevieria abounds on the coast of Guinea, around Cfey- 
 lon, and the Bay of Bengal, extending even to the coast 
 of .Java and China. The plants are easily propagated, 
 and grow with ease, practically taking care of themselves. 
 Of the several varieties the Sansevieria is the best to cul- 
 tivate for fibi'e. The fibre is capable of being manufac- 
 tured into anything, from the heaviest cordage to the 
 finest fabric for ladies dress goods, and is considered equal 
 to many of the finest silks in beauty and fineness of tex- 
 ture. It grows with perfect ease and isucceass in the same 
 latitude as Sisal Hemp, and can be grown safely much 
 further south. It is one of the most valuable of all the 
 fibre bearing plants, and is thoroughly adapted to the soil 
 and climate of Florida. 
 
 BROMELIA SYLVESTRIS— WILD PINEAPPLE. 
 
 This j)lant is found growing in great abundance in Mex- 
 ico, Central and South America, and the West Indies. It 
 thrives upon poor barren sandy or rocky soils, grows rap- 
 idly, and produces leaves as much as tAvelve feet in length. 
 The leaf is identical in sha])e with the Pineapple leaf. 
 The plant is propagated by suckers, as are the pineapple. 
 It has not been grown on Florida soil except as an ex- 
 periment, and it succeeded perfectly. The length of the 
 fibre makes it very valuable, and of superior sti'cngth. It 
 is much liuhter tlian hemr*. and sai<'' to r>ossess a greater 
 average strength by four times than hemp. 
 
249 
 
 pineapplp: fibre. 
 
 The cultivation of the Pineapple in Florida begun about 
 50 years ago, on the keys of the East Coast, near Biscayne 
 Bay. Its production continued to increase until it has 
 become one of the most profitable and important of the 
 Florida fruit industries. It is now grown on the keys 
 and East Coast from Biscayne Bay, north to irpper In- 
 dian River, in Lee, DeSoto and Manatee counties, the Lake 
 region of Polk County, in Hillsborough, Orange and Os- 
 ceola counties, and also other parts of South Florida. 
 
 It is generally understood that the leaves of the plant 
 contain a fine fibre of great value, and it is even now be- 
 ing used in the manufacture of various fabrics. A ma- 
 chine or factory is now ])repar>ng it at White City, with 
 it is said, decided success. Thousands of tons of these 
 leaves go to waste every year that could be utilized for 
 valuable purposes. The leaves of the ])ineapple are of no 
 value to the plant after the fruit has been removed and 
 using them for fil»re. is simply utilizing a waste product 
 to a valuable purpose. In a report by the United States 
 on this subject we find the following: 
 
 "The fibre of the Pineap])le is very soft and fine, the fila- 
 ments being quite flexible and resistent. 
 
 "In the East Indies, where the Pinen])])le was intro- 
 duced as early as 1000. the fibre is extensively used in 
 the manufacture of the delicate fabric called pina. as well 
 as for cordage. Pina is considered to be more delicate in 
 texture than any other known to the vegetable kingdom." 
 
 The fibre now being produced at White City is long-, ex- 
 ceedingly fine and of great strength. The natural color 
 is whiteish-blue. or flaxen, but is quite susce|»tible to dye- 
 ing processes. The fibre is adapted to the manufacture of 
 various yarns and webs, and a beautifnl silken like fabric 
 has been i%'oduced thereform. Undoubtedly, the Pine- 
 apple plant could be cultivated ]irpfitably for its fibre 
 alone, but taking into consideration the value of its fruit 
 as well, it at once becomes one of the moh^t vrihiable of all 
 plants. 
 
260 
 
 URENA LOBATA— FLORIDA JUTE. 
 
 This plant is indigenous to Florida soil and climate, 
 and is foiind growing wild and uncultivated in nearly 
 every portion of the State. It is commonly known as 
 "Caesar Weed," and termed by some peojvle as "French 
 Cockle Burr." This plant produces an excellent fibre, 
 which is found in the bark of the plant, and it belongs to 
 that class known as past fibres, such as Jute, Ramie, etc. 
 The fibre is long, firm, soft, nearly white, and has a silken 
 lustre, and in the opinion of competent judges, will make 
 an excellent substitute for flax. This plant, in common 
 with many other Florida weeds, grows up in the early 
 spring and summer months, and dies down late in the fall. 
 As a fibre producing plant, it is one of great merit. 
 
 BOEHMERIA NIVEA— RAMIE. 
 
 This i)lant was first introduced into the United States 
 from China about the year 1855, It is said to have been 
 cultivated in China and Egypt over four thousand years 
 ago, and that fine fabrics were woven of its fibre at that 
 time. This fact is proven by the discovery of Egyptian 
 cerments used in the wrappings of mummies. It has also 
 been cultivated in Japan, Java, Bornea, Sumatra, and the 
 East Indies, whence it has been introduced to other coun- 
 tries during the last century. Ramie is also known as 
 China grass and Cheva grass, though it is not a grass. 
 
 For about thirty-five years those interested in, and en- 
 gaged in the textile industries, had been endeavoring to 
 find a process by which the plant could be utilized for fac- 
 tory purposes in this country, instead of having to rely 
 upon the far East for a supply. Wide spread interest 
 was taken in the ettorts to invent machinery for decorti- 
 cating, and processes for deguniming. Until recently 
 machinery at first thought to be perfect, failed in final 
 tests, but now the inventors skill has overcome all diffi- 
 culties, and perfect working machinery is at work in a 
 number of places. 
 
 The plant is a coarse perennial, producing a great num- 
 ber of liollow stems about as thick as tlie little finger, 
 which are cut when four or five feet high. When once 
 established it grows for twenty years or more, yielding 
 
251 
 
 several crops a year in the most favorable latitudes. It 
 is propagated fropi divisions of the roots or from rooted 
 joints of the stems, prodiicetl by layering. Five thou- 
 sand roots will plant an acre. After that the plant 
 springs up from the roots everywhere. After the second 
 year no cultivation is needed, and an abundant supply of 
 young plants is always at hand. A start may be made 
 with seeds, but slips and cuttings, when obtainable, are 
 to be preferred. 
 
 Rich and light, sandy soil is best adapted to ramie, 
 and it flourishes on alluvial soil. The preparation of thft 
 ground is important. Before planting it should be 
 plowed to a depth of twelve or fifteen inches, and left 
 fallow until the herbage turned under has time to decay. 
 The fertilizing elements needed in addition to the decay- 
 ing vegetation are potash, soda and phosphates. The 
 planting can be done from March until the end of October, 
 but in the hot season care must be taken to moisten the 
 gi'ound well during the first two weeks after planting. 
 During the first year the plantation must be kept clear of 
 weeds. The rov/s should be three feet apart, the plants 
 needing to be close together in order to produce straight 
 stalks without any branches. The stalks grow from six 
 to ten feet high, fifteen to twenty in a clump, bearing on 
 the upper portion large leaves, which are white on the 
 uuder surface. From the base underground runners are 
 sent out a long distance. There is little chance for weeds 
 after the second year, and then cultivation may cease. 
 
 If the land is poor and thin it should be top-fertilized 
 with muck or ordinary compost each winter, in December 
 or January. It is not an exhaustive crop, and on a good, 
 deep, rich soil will thrive many years without manure. 
 The leaves of the plant contain a large amount of potash, 
 and if allowed to remain on the ground or are turned 
 under, they act as a fine fertilizer. In the Gulf States, 
 Ramie has been grown in an exjierimental way, in a large 
 variety of soils, from the light sandy uplands to the irich 
 alluvial Louisiana bottom lands; the medium light soils, 
 however, have given the best results. In Florida where 
 it has been tested for fifteen years the medium light, well 
 drained uplands have yielded best results: but any good 
 soil that will jiroduce other crops well will also do well 
 for Ramie, if it be well drained. 
 
252 
 
 The fibre of Kamie is very handsome, resembling silk, 
 and is exceedingly strong. It has twicewRs great sti*ength 
 as flax and hemp. It washes much better than any other 
 textile, and becomes whiter than hemp and flax. When 
 properly worked it has the luster of silk to such an extent 
 that it is used for many fancy articles, dresses, fine passe- 
 menteries, portieres, plush, etc. Ramie is more hygienic 
 than flax, hemp or cotton, and its use is recommended in 
 hospitals for dressing wounds. It does not decay in wa- 
 ter, and for this reason it is in great demand wherever 
 resistance to the atmosphere and water is needed. With 
 Ramie, or "Vegetable Silk," as it has been called, valua- 
 ble combinations can be, and are being made with cotton, 
 wool, flax, and silk. This fibre will doubtless enter large- 
 ly into w^earing apparel in the near future, and the grow- 
 ing and manufacture of it may be expected to take rank 
 among the leadini;:? industries of the Southern States; 
 especially should it be so in Florida, where natural condi- 
 tions are most favorable, and Ramie is destined some day 
 to become a leading source of wealth. Now that ma- 
 chinery has been invented for the perfect extraction of the 
 fibre from the plant, there is probably no crop that can be 
 better grown, with proper management, or made more 
 profitable at so little cost of labor as Ramie. 
 
 There are numerous other fibre bearing plants of j)0ssi- 
 bly equal value, indigenous to this country, such ;is, In- 
 dian mallow, whose bark yields a fine and long fibre. The 
 plant grows in almost every yard and stable lot, coming 
 "op spontaupously. and grows vigorously to a height of 
 three to five feet. 
 
 Bear Grass, one of the palmetto family of plants, sup- 
 plies a fibre from the long leaf that for fine cordage or 
 combining in the manufacture of ordinary fabrics has no 
 superior. It grows in immense quantities in its wild 
 state alm ost all over every section of the State. 
 
 Lgave Mexicaiia", iiv'^miMm^ Plant, is of the same family 
 of plants as Agave Sisalana, or Sisal Hemp. Its fibre is 
 in the leaves, like the Sisal plant, and has to be extracted 
 and treated in the samo ninnnev. The fibre is coarser 
 than the Sisal and not so valuable, but can be grown in 
 almost all of Eastern and Soutli Florida. 
 
 Spanish Rayonet, or Yucca Palm — This plant is useful 
 for the medicinal properties of its berries, as well as for 
 
253 
 
 lie fibre of the leaves, wliich is of a quality almost equal 
 :o the pineapple fibre. The plant grows in great abund- 
 ince in every section of the State, and is not affected by 
 ;he coldest temperature, known so far in Florida. 
 
 Palmetto, Saw Talmetto— This is the well known plant 
 hat grows in eveiy section of Florida, covering iitorally 
 iiillions of acres,, therefore practically inexhaustible, 
 rhe fibre, like the^ Spanish Bayonet, and the B-^ar Grass, 
 s in the leaf, and is the equal in quality of either. All 
 ire adapted to the same method of decortication, and is 
 ?aid to yield to treatment much easier than the Sisal 
 Semp. The fibre is adapted to the same purposes as the 
 pineapple and the other palmettos; and in addition has 
 Shielded writing paper — stationery — of finest quality, be- 
 ing equal in every respect to the very best quality of linen 
 paper. 
 
 Okra, the palatable vegetable, made famous in connec- 
 tion with "Gumbo" a favorite dish in the Southern 
 States, particularly in the Carolinas, Georgia smd Flor- 
 ida, and the entire Gulf Coast country, contains in its 
 bark a fibre of great streng-th and firmness. 
 
 Cotton, the plant that supplies the downy fibre which 
 lias yielded a covering to man throughout the civilized 
 world, for centuries, also contains in the plant itself a 
 fibre of unusual strength and firmness. This and the 
 >kra plant, have only been experimented with to a lim- 
 ited extent, but the existence of the fibre, specially in the 
 cotton plant, has been known for man}' years ; the extrac- 
 tion of the fibre is perfectly feasible, and would un- 
 doubtedly be profitable. 
 
 Pine Straw— The leaves from the pine trees of the for- 
 ests furnish a fibre that has been used successfully in the 
 manufacture of oruse fabrics, such as baggins:. in which 
 cotton is wrapped when baled. Vast quantities of this 
 material go to waste every year, that should be employed 
 in some useful purpose; it, as said, has been successfully 
 manufactured into bagging; sixty million yards, approx- 
 imately of this material, are used every year in wrapping 
 the cotton crop alone, and if the pine straw will make a 
 satisfactory material for the purpose, it would seem the 
 height of folly to import jute from India ; there is money 
 in this industry to those who engage in it. There are 
 
254 
 
 other fibre bearing plants of minor importance, but we 
 have not the space to devote to them. 
 
 ^ow that the necessary machinery for the working up 
 of these various fibre plants has been invented and proven 
 successful, the fibre plants mentioned can be cultivated 
 profitably by farn-.ers in the section of the State wiiere 
 the several varieties are adapted. The prospective home 
 seekers, looking for a more congenial clime in which to 
 prosecute his husbandry, has the assurance that the cul- 
 tivation of fibre plants will be found not only remunera- 
 tive, but attended with less difficulties and anxiety, than 
 the crops of a more rigorous latitude; while the man with 
 capital seeking profitable investments will find in the 
 fibre industry, unexceptionable inducements for the in- 
 vestment of his capital. There is no question but that 
 the business will prove highly remunerative and satisfac- 
 tory. 
 
 SILK. 
 
 At various times, considerable work haa been done in 
 efforts to permanently establish the production of silk 
 in Florida; but so far without isuccess; not that there 
 wag at any time serious difficulty in the production of 
 the worms, or of obtaining the ])roper food for them, but 
 that the times and conditions did not seem to fit; more 
 probably because so few had any practical knowledge of 
 how to conduct such a business, and that so many other 
 things of which they had knowledge continually pre- 
 sented themselves, that enough interest in silk culture 
 could not be aroused to put the industry on an Impor- 
 tant footing. All experiments met with complete sue* 
 cegs, and for a number of years a few persons persevered 
 in the attempt to establish the business, but from vari- 
 ous cau-^es finally gave it up. But this fact does not 
 necessf^rily prove it a failure. All conditions here are 
 peculiarly favorable for the successful prosecution of the 
 busi'"e/!s; the cli:^iate 's m^ivf^ favo^-'r'^f" ''vni tb-TTi tli'^t 
 of Italy, because it is much milder; both varieties of 
 the mulberrv, mori^s multicnvli?. ?irifl mni'tis alba, are 
 natives of the country, and thrive luxurantly. These 
 
trees grow so rapidly, that in three years from the cut- 
 tings, by which means they are propagated, they will 
 furnish heavy crops of foliage for the worms. 
 
 The experiments above aluded to made by persons, near 
 St. Augustine, at Bellville, in Hamilton county, and at 
 Tallahassee, the latter about the years 1875 to 1882. 
 
 There is no good reason why this mcst valnble f-'taple 
 should not be produced on a large and remunerative 
 scale, and if it were intelligentry directed and pushed by 
 energy and skill, ihere can be no doubt of success. 
 
 CINNAMOMUM CAMPHCR A— CAMPHOR 
 TREE. 
 
 This is the tree from which the gum camphor of com- 
 merce is manufactured, and is sold by the drug stores 
 throughout the country. It is a native of the Islands 
 of Borneo and Formosa, the latter supplying the greater 
 amount used in commerce. 
 
 The tree has been tried in nearly all parts of the State, 
 and in most localities succeeds well. The climate here 
 differs chiefly from that of Fonrosa. in that it is not so 
 hot in summer. The tree stands a temperature as low 
 as IS ard 20 (^ef^- f s Fproitb^'ii. n'ithont injury, and 
 grows rapidly, attaining considerable size in a few years. 
 A large number of trees are now growing, mostly in 
 Central and South Florida, and is destined in a short 
 time to assume an economic importance of considerable 
 ma.Tnitudp. »It can be. and w'll >>o ir» a few rpnrs. a ])rof- 
 itable industry; as the demand for the product is grow- 
 ing n'ore rapidly than the supply, it is increasing in value 
 continually; and as the soil and climate of Florida are 
 both h»"hlv favoTfi-le n^^d nc'n'it'^d ih^ f^rowth of tl'o tr^e, 
 its cultivation and manufacture, should prove a profita- 
 ble industry. 
 
256 
 
 THE WOODS OF FLORIDA. 
 
 It is probably within the bounds of strict conservatism 
 to gaj that, there are close to twelve miluoa acres of 
 available timber lands still standing in the State. It is 
 not as formerly owned by the State, but by far the great 
 majority of it is owned by private parties and land com- 
 panies or syndicates. In fact the. State no longer owns 
 any large consecutive bodies of timber lands. Immense 
 quantities of tliis i»ine rirobor are being boxed for tur- 
 pentine, and is then cut and sawed up into lumber; the 
 high prices and great demand for its products being an 
 inducement for rapid manufacture. Of all the trees of 
 the forests of Florida the longleaf yellow pine is the 
 most valuable; the enormous use made of it as a struc- 
 tural material in all parts of the world, and for the man- 
 ufacture of a great variety of articles of every day neces- 
 sity, has given it a commercial importance and value sec- 
 ond to none, and in this State specially, it teads every 
 other article of commerce exported from Florida, in 
 value, as shown by the article on exports in another part 
 of this work. The prices of these lands have increased 
 materially in the last few years, on account of the de- 
 mand for the manufactured products, but they are still 
 much cheaper than they should be when the high per- 
 centage of profits on the investment are considered. 
 
 CYPRESS. 
 
 In addition to this vast area of yellow pine, there are 
 also large tracts of cypress timber found in every section 
 of the State. This timber comes next in value to the pine. 
 Its use is not so universal as an all-purpose wood, but it 
 is specially adapted to the manufacture of shingles, doors, 
 sash, blinds, buckets, tubs, pails and for almost every pur- 
 pose to which cedar was formerly adapted, and which it 
 has in a great measure displaced. In addition to the 
 above purposes it is largely used for cross ties and tele- 
 graph poles, staves for syrup and sugar barrels and hogs- 
 heads, etc. It is manufactured in immense quantities for 
 all purposes where contact with vcater or other liquids is 
 necessary, for which purpose it is peculiarly adapted. 
 There are quite a number of large mills engaged in manu- 
 
257 
 
 facturing cypress in to the various forms demanded by 
 trade and commerce, and vast quantities of the products 
 are annually exported to all parts of this country and the 
 world generally. 
 
 KEDCEDAK. 
 
 This is the wood so extensively used in the manufacture 
 of pencils, but its continued use has depleted the supply 
 until the acreage of cedar has dwindled to small propor- 
 tions coiiii»ai*cd to its former area. In fact there are no 
 longer the large bodies of cedar that were formerly so 
 abundant, and what there is left is of great value. 
 
 THE LIVE OAK. 
 
 The wood of this tree was depended on for the frame 
 work of ships, and all other ocean craft, till the '"age of 
 steel" supplanted it to a large; extent with steel. It is a 
 very valuable wood, and great quantities of it still exist 
 along the coast and rivers, and in the low swampy ham- 
 jnock lands. The tree attains gigantic size, and aside 
 from its commercial value, is much prized as a shade tree. 
 
 CATALPA. 
 
 Of this family of trees, there are several varieties grow- 
 ing in Florida. Only one, however, seems to have any 
 commercial importance. The one commonly known as 
 "Hardy Catalpa" has of late years come into prominence, 
 particularly in parts of the west and middle west, ?is sup- 
 plying a most excellent material for fence posts, telegraph 
 poles, and as cross ties for railroads; for the latter pur- 
 pose it is said to rank equal with the very best woods. 
 The planting of it for this purpose is beirig done in some 
 states, on a tremendous scale, and it is said that prepara- 
 tions to that end are now under way by the Louisville 
 and Nashville Railway in West Florida and Southern 
 Alabama. There are hundreds'of thousands of acres in this 
 State, that have been denuded of the timber by the lum- 
 bermen, that are perfectly adapted to the growth of this 
 valuable timber, and which can be purchased at small 
 
 17 H. F. 
 
258 
 
 cost. A few years onW would be required to transform 
 these, now, waste lands into timber tracts of immense 
 value. The development of this industry as indicated, 
 cannot be otheir than profitable in the extreme. 
 
 WHITE OAK. 
 
 This tree is found in considerable quantities in several 
 portions of tho Slate. Its woo 1 is usei for the same pur- 
 poises as the white oak of the Northern States. It is 
 principally found in the counties of North, Middle and 
 West Florida. The tree grows rapidly and attains quite 
 a large size. 
 
 RED OAK. 
 
 This tree represents the principal hard wood timber 
 growth, and is found in extensive areas throughout the 
 State. Its use is the same as the white oak, and for a 
 certain grade of manufactured material, serves the pur- 
 pose admirably. 
 
 RED BAY. 
 
 Commonly spoken of as Florida mahogany, is very 
 abundant throughout the lowlands, swamps and ham- 
 mocks of the State. It is a dark, redish- colored wood, 
 beautifully veined, heavy close grained, and is specially 
 adapted to the finest of cabinet work. It is a remarka- 
 bly hard wood, never isplits, and takes the highest polish. 
 
 WILD CHERRY AND BLACK WALNUT. 
 
 Are not so abundant as the foregoing, but in sufficient 
 quart' ty to be valuable. The?e woor^s ,?row with great 
 rapidity in Florida soil, owing to t^^e favnrnblf* oli^m+p. 
 iir\(\ t^if^v c'^n b^ rjR rendilv prown as thp catalpa. Their 
 economic r^es are so wf»ll known, ihnt it is use?ess to 
 specify them. The cultivation of V^r-=-9 tr^^s for r-ommer- 
 cial purpo'^es could be made exceedi^glv nrofltabl". 
 
 It wo-'ild be a hun-e undprtakinjr to attioTr«T>f fo 'TrtQ"^v'b(? 
 in detail the long list of tre^s or t;''oo'''s nntive to Flori'^a, 
 that are now, and are capable of being utili/.pd in com- 
 
259 
 
 merce and in the arts, so we append the following con- 
 densed list of trees of Florida from the catalogue of Prof. 
 A. H. Curtis: 
 
 A Compkte Catalogue, with Notes on ihe Dlstfibution and 
 Chafaeteristics of Each Species- 
 
 In treating of the trefs of Florida it is essential first 
 that we adopt a definition of the word tree. To do this 
 we must draw a dividing line between the trees and 
 shrubs, and this it is manifestly difficult to do, because of 
 the insensible gradation in size between the two, and also 
 because the same species often develops very differently in 
 different sections. For example, the willow, in most parts 
 of Florida, is only a slender shrub, yet in some localities it 
 becomes a large tree, and is split into rails. Moreover, in 
 our sub-tropical region, there are some plants — like the 
 papaw and coral tree — which have stems from six to 
 twelve inches in diameter and a height of fifteen or twen- 
 ty-five feet, and yet they have little if any woody fibre. 
 Manifestly the line of division between the trees and 
 ahrubs must be somewhat arbitrary and dependent on in- 
 dividual judgment. My experience has led me to resrard 
 as trees all plants having solid woody stems as much an 
 four inches in diameter, growing erect, or nearly so, and 
 without support. 
 
 Applying this standard to the plants of Florida we find 
 that there are in this State fully two hundred kinds of 
 trees, without counting tho«e which lack woody fibre, or 
 those which, though enumerated among American trees, 
 do not attain to a sufficient size in this State. This is 47 
 per cent, of all the trees of the United States, and is a half 
 more than can be found in any other state. This great 
 diversity of forest growth is attributable mainly to the 
 sub-tropical character of the southern portion of the pen- 
 insula. The vegetation of the Florida Keys is idputical 
 with that of the Tlpharaas and other low lands beyond 
 the Gulf stream. There are to be found on the keys sev- 
 enty kiiK-^s of ireep. most of which prow alspo on the south- 
 ern mainlnnd, many extending northward along the coast 
 as far as Capes Canaveral and Romano, some as far as 
 
2C0 
 
 Mosquito Irlet aud Tampa Bay. All but two become re- 
 duced to mei-e bushes at their northern Lmit; these are 
 the palmetto and pitch pine, the only trees which are 
 found both on the southern and northern border of the 
 State. 
 
 Our subtropical forests, in the aggregate, cover but a 
 email area, and although of great interest to the student, 
 they cannot be said to constitute an element of wailth. 
 But if they were not included in the sylva of this State, 
 Florida could still boast of a more varied forest than any 
 other State. In the peninsula counties the variety is not 
 great, but in the northwestern counties there may be 
 found nearly all the trees of the Piedmont region of Ten- 
 nessee and Virginia. The forests of the Upper Apala- 
 chicola river are the finest in the State, both as to size 
 and variety of timber. It is here that we find those beau- 
 tiful and nearly extinct trees, the Florida yew and savin. 
 In Northern aud Middle Florida' most of the trees of the 
 Southern States find their southern limit, but as a rule 
 ihey do not "taper out" in size; some, on the contrary, are 
 unusually well developed. 
 
 In the subjoined table I have epitomized as much as pos- 
 sible of the knowledge I have acquii'ed of the sylva of this 
 State. The weights are taken from Prof. C. S. Sargent's 
 report on the forests of the United States, to which my 
 catalogue conforms in botanical arrangement and nomen- 
 clature. It has also enabled me to treat more fully of the 
 uses to which our various kinds of timber can be put. 
 Among so great a number there will be found some to 
 subserve every purpose. We have the hardest and softest 
 of woods, the heaviest and the lightest, the most durable 
 and the most perishable, the most flexible and the most 
 brittle, woods most easily split and others impossible to 
 split. 
 
 As the uses of the different woods cannot be represented 
 in. so condensed a table, I present this most important de- 
 tail in another form, not giving the uses of each tree, but 
 lists of all the trees which are adapted to a particular 
 purpose. From these lists, however. I shall omit about 
 half of the trees included in the general catalogue, be- 
 cause they are rare and little known. 
 
 1 
 
2f.\ 
 
 Fuel — Most of the pines, oaks and hickories afford ex- 
 cellent fuel, also beech, sugar maxjle, magnolia, black titi, 
 etc. In Southern Florida the woods most used for fuel 
 are the buttonwood, Jamaica dogwood, crabwood and 
 torchwood. 
 
 Fencing — For posts or rails the following trees are pre- 
 ferred : Black cypress, red cedar, juniper, yellow pine, 
 post oak, chestnut oak, white oak, overcup oak, willow, 
 hornbeam, chestnut, catalpa, mulberry, honey locust, 
 sassafras, slippery elm, hackberry. 
 
 Building — For general construction a large variety of 
 woods may be used, but pine is found most convenient, 
 economical and generally satisfactory. For all work 
 which is exposed to the weather, either long-leaved yellow 
 or pitch pine should be used. The latter serves almost as 
 well for framing timbers, but for sills it is not so durable. 
 For sheathing and inside work generally short-leaved yel- 
 low and loblolly pine may be used. 
 
 Flooring — Probably no wood is equal for this purpose 
 to the long-leaved yellow pine. Where this is not obtaina- 
 ble, while elm, si^ar maple, etc., may be used. 
 
 Shingles — Cypress ranks the best, junij^er second, and 
 yellow pine is largely used. 
 
 Interior Finish — The kinds of wood best adapted to in- 
 «ide ornamentation are curly pine, red bay, white and 
 green ;!^^li. sugar maple, cheer, box elder, black walnut, 
 white oak, juniper, magnolia and poplar. 
 
 Cabinet-Work and Furniture — Poplar, magnolia, white 
 cypress, curly pine, birch, beech, chestnut, white oak, 
 black walnut, red bay, white and green a?h, sweet gum, 
 cherry, red and sugar maple, holly, loblolly bay, China- 
 berry, and many of the subtropical woods. For cheap 
 furniture, silver maple, hackberry, sycamore, linn and 
 pine are lifed. 
 
 Cooperage — Bitter-nut hickory, white elm, mulberry, 
 dogwood, sassafras, box older, cypress, juniper, and va- 
 rious oaks, namely: the white, post, chestnut, scarlet, 
 black and red. 
 
 •Ship ami Boat Building — Wliite, overcup and live oak, 
 yellow pine, cypress, juniper, poplar, mulberry, white elm, 
 sugar maple. Of South Florida woods: .Jamaica dog- 
 
262 
 
 wood, mahogany, maBtic, wild tamarind and ink-wood are 
 favorite kinds. 
 
 Wagons and Carriages — White and green ash, red and 
 pig-nut hickory, poplar and linn, white, post and overcup 
 oak. 
 
 Wheel Stock — White elm, slippery elm and oaks of va- 
 rious kinds; hubs being made of red elm, black gum, dog- 
 wood and honey locust. 
 
 Agricultural Implements — Red and pig-nut hickory, 
 white and green ash, white, overcup and chestnut oak. 
 
 Tool Handles and Plane Stocks^ — Hornbeam and iron- 
 wocd, red and pig-nut hickory, beech, persimmon, sour- 
 wood, sloe, sparkleberry. 
 
 Ox Vokes — Black gum, sassafras, black birch, sycamore, 
 titter-nut hickory. 
 
 Saddletrees — White elm, sugar maple. 
 
 W oo>ikiU\varc — Liuu, poplar, white bay, jiTniper, black 
 birch, tupelo, tupelo gum, box elder, red maple. 
 
 Baskets — Ked hickory, pig-nut hickory, tough white 
 oak, swamp chestuul oak. 
 
 Broom Handles — White bay, tupelo. 
 
 Wooden Shoes — Tupelo, black birch. 
 
 Gun Stocks — Red maple, black walnut. 
 
 Rollers and Bearings of Machinery — Black gum, dog* 
 wood, sourwood. 
 
 Engravers' Blocks — Dogwood. 
 
 Shoe-Lasts — Sugar maple, persimmon, beech, 
 
 iShuttles — Persimmon. 
 
 Levers — Hornbeam, ironwood. 
 
 Tobacco Boxes — Sycamore. 
 
 Paper Pulp — Cottonwood, linn, box elder. 
 
 Floats — Tupelo. 
 
 Oars — White and green ash. 
 
 Pencils — Red cedar. 
 
 Canes — Orange, crabwood, princewood, torchwood, pal- 
 metto, royal palm. 
 
 Piles — Palmetto, yellow and pitch pine, black gum, 
 jnaagrove. 
 
2C? 
 
 Railway Ties — Black cypress, juniper, yellow^ pine, 
 chestnut, post oak, white oak, slippery elm, mulberry, 
 catalpa. 
 
 Tannipg Barks — The mangrove aflfords most tannin, 
 but the kinds most used are the black and red oaks and 
 the tan or loblolly bay. 
 
 Medicinal Barks — Are afforded by the cherry, dogwood, 
 white bay, willow, sassafras, Georgia bark, prickly ash, 
 poplar, slippery elm, white oak, and a number of the sub- 
 tropical trees. 
 
 A CATAL'^GUE OF THE FOREST TRXES OF FLORIDA, COMPRISING 
 47 PER CENT. OF ALL FOUND IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 First Column — In this are given the botanical names 
 adopted in the Forestry Report of the Tenth Census, and 
 (in Roman type) the names of orders or families. 
 
 Second Column — ^This contains the popular names most 
 used in Florida, and figures representing the number of 
 species of each order found in Florida, and in the United 
 States. For example: Of the magnolia family there are 
 five species in Florida and eight in the United States. 
 
 Third Column — Here is given in inches the maximum 
 diameter which each tree is known to attain in Florida, 
 the measurements being made about four feet from the 
 ground. 
 
 Fourth Column — The numbers represent the weight in 
 pounds of a cubic foot of kiln-dried wood, according to 
 Prof. C. S. Sargent's tests. 
 
 N indicates that the tree grows only in Northern 
 Florida. 
 
 S indicates that the tree grows only in Southern 
 Florida. 
 
 • indicates that the tree grows only on low or swampy 
 ground. 
 
2G4 
 
 ' DIam. Wt. 
 
 Botanical Name. Common Name. Inch. Iba. 
 
 Magnoliaceae. 5-8 
 
 1 — Magnolia grandiflora, L Magnolia 48 49 
 
 2— glauca, L White Bay 24 31 • 
 
 3 — Fraseri, Walter Cucumber Tree 8 81 K 
 
 4 — macropnylia, Michx .... ....... Great-leaved Cucumber Tree . 4 26 
 
 5 — Liriodendron Tuliplfera, L Poplar 84 28 
 
 Anonaceae. 1-2 
 
 •— Anona laurifolla. Dunal Pond Apple 12 81 S* 
 
 Capparidaceae. 1-1 
 
 7 — Capparis Jamaicensis, Jacq Caper 8 48 8 
 
 Canellaceae. 1-1 
 
 8 — Canella alba. Murray Cinnamon Bark 8 62 8 
 
 Ternstroemiaceae. 1-2 
 
 9 — Gordonia Lasianthus, L. Tan Bay, Loblolly Bay 22 SO • 
 
 Tiliaceae. 2-3 
 
 10 — Tilia pubesnens. Ait Linn, Wahoo 20 26 B 
 
 la. — neterophylla Vent Linn, Wahoo 18 27 N 
 
 Malphigiaceae. 1-1 
 
 12 — Byrsonima lucida, H B K Glamberry * ....10 87 8 
 
 Zygophyllanceae. 1-2 
 
 13 — Gualacum sanctum, L Lignum Vltae 12 718 
 
 Rutaceae. 4-7 
 14— Xanthoxylum Clava-Herculis, L.... Prickly Ash, Sea Ash 12 82 
 
 15 — Caribaeum. Lam Satin Wood, Yellow Wood.... 15 56 3 
 
 16— Pterota. H B K Wild Lime 7 46 3 
 
 17— Pteha trifoliata, L Hop Tree 4 52 N 
 
 Sfmarubeae. 1-1 
 
 18 — Siraaruba glauca, D. C Bitterwood. Paradise Troe....24 26 8 
 
 Burseraceae. 2-2 
 
 19 — Bursera gummifera .Tacq Gum Eleml, West India Birch. 28 19 3 
 
 20 — ^Amyris maritima, Jacq Torchwood 9 65 8 
 
 Meliaceae. 2-2 
 
 21 — Swietenia Mahogoni, L Mahogany 36 46 8 
 
 22 — Melia Azedrach China Berry 18 
 
 Aurantiaceae. 1-1 
 
 23 — Citrus vulgnris Wild Orange 10 
 
 Olaclnae. 1-1 
 
 24 — ^Ximenia Americana. L Purge Nut, Hojt Plum 7 67 8 
 
 lliclne. 6-6 
 
 25 — Ilex o'-nca. Aiton Holly 16 35 
 
 26 — Dahoon, Walter Pro-id-lpaved Yaupon 8 33* 
 
 17 — " var. angustfifolia Narrow -leaved Yaupon 8 N* 
 
 28 — Cass'ne. Walter Cassina 4 43 N 
 
 29 — decidua Walter Possum Haw 3 46 N* 
 
 30 — luoida, Torr <fe v^ray Swamp Gall-berry 5 • 
 
 Cvrillaceae. 2-3 
 
 31 — Cvrilla racemiflora, L Red Titi. Leatherwood 12 42 N* 
 
 82 — Cliftonia ligustrina. Banks Black Titl. Buckwheat Tr^;..12 89 N* 
 
 Celastraceae. 2-3 
 
 S3 — ^Myginda integrifolia. Lam ^alse Boxwood 6 66 3 
 
 34 — Schaefferia frutescens, Jacq Boxwood , 7 48 8 
 
 Rhamnaceae. 4-7 i 
 
 35 — Reynosia latifolia, Griseb T^arling Plum, Red Ironwood.. 8 68 3 
 
 36 — Cond^lia ferrea, Griseb Bl^ek Ironwond 20 813 
 
 S7 — Rhamnua v-aroliniana. Walt Yellow Wood 5 34 N 
 
 38 — Colubrina reclinata, Brongn Soldier Wood ....i.. 36 513 
 
 Sapindanceae. 8-20 
 
 39 — Saplnurs Saponaria. L ... False Dogwood 20 52 3 
 
 40 — mnrginatrs. Willd .Soap Berry ... 4 51 N 
 
 41 — ^Hypelate paniculata. Cambess T,it< Wood 18 60S 
 
 42— trifolinta, Swartz V-Hiite Ironwood 22 57 3 
 
 43 — Acer saccharinum. Wang Plack or Sugar Maple 15 43 B 
 
 44 — dasycarpum Khrh White or Silver Maple .-24 33 N 
 
 45 — rubrum. L ^ ■ <^d r>v Swamp Maple 22 39 • 
 
 46 — Negundo acrroiri'S. Moench Box Elder 14 27 
 
 Anacardiaceae. 2-S 
 
 47 — ^Rhus copallina, L ..^nmac 8 83 
 
 48 — Metopium, L Poison Wood 24 49 8 
 
2«5 
 
 DIam. 
 
 Botanical Name. Commcn Name. Inch. 
 
 Legi:mlnosae. 7-26 
 
 49 — Piscidia erythrlna. L. .Jamaica Dogwood 28 
 
 60 — Gleditsohla triacaithos. L. Honey Ijocuat 12 
 
 61 — monosperma, Walter Watjr Locust 15 
 
 62 — Cercis Canadensis, L Red-bud 12 
 
 63 — Acacia Farnesiana. WiUd Popinac 4 
 
 64 — Lysiloma latisiliqua, Benth Wild Tamarind 22 
 
 K— Pitchecoloblum Unguis-Cati, Bth...L.ong Cod 6 
 
 Rosaceae. 17-34 
 
 66 — Chrysobalanus Icaco, L Cocoa Plum 12 
 
 67 — Prunus Americana, Marsh Wild Plum, feloe 11 
 
 68 — angustifolia, Marsh Yellow or Chicasaw Plum .... 8 
 
 69 — umbellata, L Hog Plum 10 
 
 U — serotina, Ehrh Wild Cherry 24 
 
 • — Caroliniana, Ait Mock Olive 12 
 
 62 — sphaerocaroa, Sw West Indian Cherry 6 
 
 63 — Pyrus angustifolia, Alton Crap-apple 8 
 
 64 — Caiaegus arborescens. Ell .' Tree Thorn or Haw ...15 
 
 65 — Orus-galli, L Chockspur Thorn 10 
 
 66 — coccinea. L. Scarlet Thorn or Haw 6 
 
 67 — tomentosa. Ij Black Thorn 4 
 
 68 — apiifolla, Mx Parsley Haw 6 
 
 69 — spathulata, Mx Hog's Haw 8 
 
 70 — aestivalis, T. & G Summer Haw 6 
 
 71— flava, Alton Yellow Haw 12 
 
 72 — ^Amelanchier Canadehsis, T. & C.CuiTant Tree 11 
 
 Hamamelaceae. 2-2 
 
 78 — L-iquidambar styraciflua, L Sweet Gum 72 
 
 74 — Hamamelis Virginica, L. Witch Hazel 4 
 
 Rhizophoraceae. 4-4 
 
 75 — Hhizophora Mangle, L Mangrove 24 
 
 76 — Concocarpus erecta, L. Button Wood 30 
 
 77 — LaguncuJaria racemosa, Gaertn ....False Buttonwood 22 
 
 78 — Terminalia Burceras Hensly 12 
 
 Myrt=ceae. 6-6 
 
 79 — Cayptranthes Chytraculia, Sw Pimento 7 
 
 80 — Eugenia buxifolia, Willd Oiirgeon Stopper 5 
 
 81— Qic^otoma, D. C Naked Wood 10 
 
 o— . monticola, D C White Stopper 5 
 
 83 — procera, Polret Red Stopper 8 
 
 84 — Garberi. Sargent 18 
 
 Cornaceae. 5-7 
 
 85 — Cornus florida, L Dogwood 10 
 
 86 — Nyssa canitata. Wnlt^r Ogeechee Lime 30 
 
 87 — svlvatica, Marshall Black or Sour Gum 30 
 
 oo — aquatica, ^ Tupelo Gum 86 
 
 89— unifiora, Wang Tupelo, Cotton Gum 42 
 
 Caprifoli.Tceae. 3-6 
 
 •0 — Sambucus Canariensis Elder 10 
 
 91 — Viburnum prunifolium, L Plack Haw 6 
 
 t2 — obovatum, Nutt Swamp Haw 6 
 
 Rublaceae. 5-5 
 
 93 — Exostemma Carbjaeum, R & S Prince Wood 8 
 
 94 — Pinckneya rubers, Mx Georgia Bark, Florida Quinine 6 
 
 *5— Genina clus'aefoHa, Griseb Feven-yepr Apple 5 
 
 96 — Guettarda eli.ptica, Sw M-^ked Wood 8 
 
 97 — ambigua. D C Naked Wood 4 
 
 Ericaceae. 3-8 
 
 *8 — ^Varciniiim arhoreum. Marshall Sparkleberry 8 
 
 99 — Andromi^da ferruginea, Walter 8 
 
 100 — Oxydendr'i'Ti arliorfum, D C Sour Wood 9 
 
 Myrslnanceae. 3-3 
 
 101 — ^Myrsine Rapanea R & S ''"alse Candle Wood 6 
 
 101 — Ardisia Pickeringia, Nutt '>TarI Berry, Cherry S 
 
 103 — Jacquinla ."rmiii .ris. Jacq Joe-Wood 6 
 
 Sapotaceae. j-8 
 
 104 — Chrysophyllum olivilorme, LAm... Satin T^eaf 12 
 
 105 — Sideroxylon mastichodendron, J Mastic 36 
 
 37 
 
 34 
 
 52 
 40* 
 
266 
 
 Oiam. Wt. 
 Botanical Name. Commcn Name. Inch. Iba> 
 
 106— Dipholis s<iiiCiioJia, a D C Caasada 24 68 8 
 
 107— Bumelia tenax, WlUd Black Haw 8 4JN 
 
 108 — lanuginoaa, Fera Black Haw 4 4i.N 
 
 109 — lyciodes, Gaertn, F , ironwuoa, Mock Orange 10 47 
 
 110 — cuneata, Sw Ants wood, Downward Plum .10 &0 3* 
 
 111— MImusops fciieberl, A. D. C Wild Sapodilla, Diily 15 68 8* 
 
 Ebenacoae 1-2 
 
 112 — Dloapyros Virginiana, Li .Persimmon 12 4* 
 
 Styracaceae. 3-3 
 
 113 — Symplocos tinctoria, Lrfer Sweet Leaf, Florida Laurel... 10 3'.N 
 
 114 — halesia uiptera, L owamp bour Wood 7 i6N 
 
 115 — tetraptera L dnowdrop Tree i 38N 
 
 Oleacea*. 7-15 
 
 116 — FraxinuB Americana, L White Ash 32 41* 
 
 117 — pubescens. Lam Red Ash isS 40N 
 
 118 — viridis, Mx. f ^^reen or Swamp Ash 36 44 ? 
 
 119— platycarpa, Mx vVater Ash 12 2i • 
 
 120 — j^'orestiera acummata, Polr Swamp Privet 10 *iH* 
 
 121 — .^hionanthus Virginica, L Old Man's Beard 6 40 
 
 122 — Osmanthus Amencanus, B. & H... Wild Olive, Devil Wood 12 i»l 
 
 Borragineceae. 2-4 
 
 132 — Cordia SeOtisiuia, L Gieger Tree .12 45 3 
 
 124 — Borreria Havanensia Miera Strong Back 10 60 8 
 
 Bignoniaceae. z-4 
 
 125 — Catalpa bignonioiuKS, Walter Cr^alpa or Catawoa 12 2iN* 
 
 126 — Crescentia cucurbitina, L Cu.abash 6 38 8 
 
 Verbenaceae. 2-2 
 
 127 — Citharexylum viilosum. Jasq 6 54 S 
 
 128 — Avicennia nitidia, Jacq Black Iwangrove - x §7 8* 
 
 Nyctagmaceae. 1-1 
 
 129 — ^Pisonia obtusaia, tov,' .Beef Wood 24 60S* 
 
 Polygonaceae. 2-2 
 
 130 — Coccoloba Fioridana, Meisn .Pigeon Plum 24 %1 9 
 
 I'il — uviiera, Jacq Sea Grape 24 60 8* 
 
 Lauraceae. 4-5 
 
 132 — Persea Carolinensis, Nees Reu ^.ay, Sv/cet Bay ?6 40 
 
 133 — Caroaneusis paiustriS, Oil Swamp Red Bay 12 • 
 
 134 — Nectandra Catesbyana, Michx l^nce Wood 6 48 8 
 
 135 — Sassafras offlcinaie, Nees Sassafras 12 3JN 
 
 Euphorbiaceae. 4-4 
 
 136— jurypetes crocea, Poit White Wood 6 56 3 
 
 137 — glauca, Vahl Guiana Plum 14 58 3 
 
 13» — Gymnanthes lucida, Swz Crab Wood 7 68 3 
 
 io J — Hyppomane Mancinella, L Manchineel 12 87 8* 
 
 Urticaceae. 10-14 
 
 140^Ulmus fulva. Michx Slippery Elm 24 44N 
 
 141— Fioridana, Chapm Florida Elm 24 N* 
 
 142— Americana. L Vv .ute Elm, Swamp Elm 22 41 • 
 
 143— alata, Michx Red Elm, Cork Elm 22 47N 
 
 144— Planera aquatica, Gmelin Water Elm 12 «N* 
 
 145 — Celtis occiden talis, L Hai^kberry, Sugarberry 24 45 • 
 
 146— Ficus aurea, Nutt Will i*Mg, Rubber Tree 48 18 8 
 
 147— populnea, WLld 22 40 8 
 
 148— Morus rubra, L Mulberry 24 37 
 
 149— Trema macrantha, B. &. H False Mulberry 8 23 B 
 
 Plantanaceae. 1-3 
 
 150 — Platanus occidentalis, L Sycamore. Button-bail 84 S7N* 
 
 Juglandace. 5-11 
 
 151— Juglana nigra. L Black Walnut 27 38M 
 
 152 — Carya tomentosa, Nutt Red Hickory 24 51 
 
 153— porcina, Nutt Pig-nut Hickory 68 S2 
 
 154— amara, Nutt Sitter-nut Hickory 36 47M* 
 
 155 — aquatica, Nutt Swamp xilckory 30 4«N» 
 
 Myrlcaceae. 1-2 
 
 156 — Myrlca cerifera, L Wax Myrtle 13 K* 
 
 Cupullferae. 17-46 
 
 157 — Quercus alba, L White Oak 8« 40 
 
2t7 
 
 Olam. 
 
 Botanical Name. Common Name. • inch. 
 15&— Stellata. Wang Post Oak 24 
 
 159 — var. parvlf oUa 12 
 
 160 — lyrata, Walter Over-cup Oak 31 oiN* 
 
 1«1— Mlchauxil. Nutt Swamp Chestnut Oak 60 62 • 
 
 162— Castanea, Wiltd Upland Cheatnut OaK 12 52If 
 
 16S— virens, Alton Live Oak 96 5» 
 
 164— rubra. L 30 4lM 
 
 165 — coccinea, v\''ang Scarlet Oak 27 46W 
 
 166— tinctoria, Bartr Black or Quercitron oak...... 36 4«lf 
 
 167— nigra, L Black-Jack, Barren Opk 20 46 
 
 168— falcata, Mlchx Spanish Oak, Red Oak 36 4X 
 
 169 — Catesbaci, Mlchx Black-Jack, Scrub Oak 18 46 
 
 170 — aquatica, Walter Broad-leaved Water <^ak ....48 46* 
 
 171 — Ip.urifoha, Mlchx Narrow-leaved Water Oak ...30 48 
 
 172— clnerea, Mich Turkey oak, Blue- Jack 12 4(» 
 
 173— Phellos, L Willow Oak 30 47Ii 
 
 174— Castanea pumila Miller Chinquspin 10 37 
 
 175 — vulgaris, var. Americana Chestnut 25 28W 
 
 176— Fagus ferruglnea, Alton Beech *o *•*• 
 
 17 J — Ostrya Virginica, Willd Hornbeam 12 5a 
 
 178 — Carpinus Caro..niana, Walt Iron wood 14 4» 
 
 Betulaceae. 3-12 
 
 Vta — Betula niga, jl. Black Birch, River Elrch 15 861f» 
 
 180— lenta, L. Cherry Birca 12 47M 
 
 181 — Alnus serrulata. Wild AWer 4 Zs * 
 
 Salicaceae. 2-25 
 
 182 — Salix nigra, Marah, var. longlpes. ..Black Willow 24 -8* 
 
 183 — Populus monilifera, Alton Cottonwood ^ 60 14N* 
 
 Casuarinaceae. 1-1 
 184 — Casuarlna equisetifolia, Forat Australian Pine ..., 12 67 8 
 
 Coniferael. 13-83 
 
 185 — Chamaecyparis thyoldes, Sph Juniper, White Cedar 24 
 
 186 — Juniperus Virginiana, L. iven cedar 44 
 
 187 — Taxodium distichum Richard Cypress 120 
 
 188 — Taxus Floridana Nutt Florida Yew 6 
 
 189— Torreya taxifolia, Arnott Savin, Stinking C jdur 18 
 
 190— Pinus Taeda, L Loblolly or Old-field Pine 36 
 
 191 — serotina, M:chx Pond Pine 24 
 
 Jno~ clausa, Vasey Upland Spruce Pine 20 
 
 }l. "}»tis, jlichx snort-leaved Yellow Fine 24 
 
 194— glabra, W.,..er Lowland Spruce Pipe 32 
 
 }ai~ Palustns, Miller Long-leaved i allow Pine ....72 
 
 196 — Cubensis, Gr:seb Pitch Pine 36 
 
 r'almaceae. 6-7 
 
 197— Sabal Palmet.o Loddlges Palmetto, Cabbage Treo 20 
 
 198 — Thrinax parviflora, Swartz Silver Thatch 4 
 
 199 — argentea, Loddiges Brickly Thatch 7 
 
 200 — excelsa, Grlseb — 
 
 201 — Pseudophoenix Sarg jntll, Wang 9 
 
 202 — Oreodoxa regia, H B K Royal Palm 34 
 
268 
 
 INSECTS, REPTILES. ETC. 
 
 The common belief among many apparently well in- 
 formed, though somewhat prejudiced people, that Florida 
 is literally alive with every form of deadly insect and 
 venemous reptile, is hardly worthy of notice, except for 
 the fact, that many good people ignorant of the real con- 
 ditions that exist, are liable to be misled, and lacking cor- 
 rect information on the subject hesitate to make their 
 homes in Florida, because of their fears or misgivings 
 upon the subject. As a matter of fact, Florida is not any 
 more troubled with insects or reptiles, than a dozen other 
 states, whether it be New England, Pennsylvania or Ohio, 
 or any other section of the Union. True, we have mos- 
 quitoes from the latter part of May to last of Sep- 
 tember, and sandflies on the coast, but they are as noth- 
 ing when compared with the same pests in some other 
 communities much farther north, than the Carolinas. 
 There are many localities in Florida where mosquitoes 
 are never found, and where mosquito nets are never 
 needed. Roaches are found in occasional localities, but 
 are easily destroyed by proper and efficient remedies. 
 House flies are not, in any section of the State, at any 
 time, as troublesome as in most localities North. The 
 reason is that during the greater part of the summer 
 months, the rainy seasons prevail, and there is less waste 
 matter to attract them, the waters washing it away. 
 
 In localities v/here conditions nre favorable, snakes are 
 to be found. The rattlesnake and moccasin are the only 
 venomous or deadly snakes seen in Florida.. The former 
 is rarely seen in the open, and it is rare that any one is 
 bitten by them. The moccasin is onV found in swampy 
 places or along the banks of creeks. They are timid and 
 will invariably run away from intruders. There are nu- 
 merous varieties of harmless snakes, but they are as sel- 
 dom seen as those first njentioned. The fact of the busi- 
 ness is, there are not near the number of venomous snakes 
 in Florida as are found in the mountain region of the 
 Middle and Northern States. "We do not deny the exist- 
 ence of insects and reptiles in Florida, but we emphati- 
 cally assert, without fear of successful contradiction, that 
 this statement is no more true of Florida tlian other por- 
 tions of the Union, and the Middle and Southern States in 
 
200 
 
 particular. Tarantulas, Centipedes, and Scorpions, so 
 dangerous in the West, are never seen here. Aliigatora 
 are scarce, having been mostly destroyed by punters, un- 
 less it be in the tar south, and they are never dangerous 
 to human life unless attacked. 
 
 To the weak hearted we therefore s^ay that the mon- 
 strous stories, so vividly described, of assaults; by insects 
 and reptiles upcn the persons and jib'cn'ties of the good 
 people of Florida, may be justly treated as "Beautiful 
 Fairy Tales," or the products of a "^lind diseased" by too 
 close communion with "John Barley Corn." 
 
 LABOR, WAGES, ETC. 
 
 While 'the question of labor tn Florida, as elsewhere, 
 is a vital one, it ditfers in many j)hases from that of other 
 states, mainly because of the diversity of interests which 
 exercise control over it, and give direction to its move- 
 ments and operations. And to this diversity of indus- 
 trial interests may be mainly attributed the freedom from 
 strike disturbances, enjoyed with one or two excep- 
 tions, by all classes of business in this State. These oc- 
 currences being rare, except among the cigar manufactur- 
 icig trade and that confined mostly to one locality. In a 
 great majority of other branches of industry strikes are 
 never known. There is no surplus of labor in Florida, 
 nor is there a scarcity, speaking in a general sense. Of 
 course there may be localities where either condition may 
 exist at times temporarily, but there is in some portion ot 
 the State, usually a demand for extra help that serves to 
 equalize these congested conditions, and in that way labor 
 is kept employed, and satisfactory conditions are the rule, 
 whereas the reverse is true where labor is congested and 
 idle much of the time. 
 
 •Quality and character of laboVvaries much in Florida, 
 depending greatly upon the kind of industry predominat- 
 ing in each section. 
 
 In the agricultural section, that is to say. that part of 
 the State where the staple field crops, such as cotton, corn, 
 oats, etc., are the Icarlinir and chief products of the soil, 
 and where general farming in its broadest sense is the 
 
27(» 
 
 principal occupation of the people outside of the towns 
 and villages, the class of people performing the gr^at DuIk 
 of manual labor is composed of negroes. Although it Is 
 true that in this, as in all other sections of the State, 
 there are very many white people who own and conduct 
 their farms themselves without colored help. These are 
 generally farmers on a moderate scale, and who are no 
 less succes^-ful for being so. In fact these are the people 
 who make up the bone and shiew of the land, and on whom 
 larp^ely rests the responsibility for the perpetuation of 
 good governnjent, as well as the future progress and pros- 
 perity of the State. While, as we have stated, there is no 
 scarcity of labor in this section, there is at the siame time 
 no surplus. There is no marked lack of labor to care for 
 the crops that are being produced from year to year, but 
 there are lying idle thousoTids of acres of equally fine 
 tillable lond, thoronijhly adapted to all farm purposes, 
 that could be profitably utilized if there was sufficient 
 labor to operate thera. In this respej't, and to this ex- 
 tent, the supply of labor i=i short of the country's needs 
 and thus prevents the possibility of any rapid increase in 
 favm productions. This statettK^nt will also apply with- 
 equal force to all sections of the State. The real effect 
 is therefore to retard farm development. 
 
 Wages of general farm laboi* varies considerably, 4e- 
 pending upon whether it is day labor, or monthly or an- 
 nual contracts. Also the women, who perform a very con- 
 siderable portion of the field work, are to be considered. 
 
 The adult male who ranks as the best field hand, usually 
 receives for day labor 75c to one dollar per day and found; 
 the ordinary hand gets from fifty cents to seventy-five 
 cents per day and found, and the women get from thirty 
 to forty cents per day and found. Where the laborer 
 feeds himself or herself there is a difference of ten to fif- 
 teen per cent, additional. By the month or year, the 
 wap-es paid run from six dollars to ten dollars per month, 
 and m exceptional crses twelve to fifteen dollars per 
 month, includinf! bonrH. 
 
 In nnub of the jre?iernl farming sections, a system of 
 ten/^i^trv obtplTH! to n pvpnt d<»fTve<^. T"^nder this plan, 
 land, v;ith dwellintr house and other necessary improve- 
 ments are ind^dnd in the ^^]ct rented, usually forty to 
 eighty acres each, sometimes more, as the case may be. 
 
271 
 
 The rent for the laud is usnnlly paid in a fixed quantity of 
 cotton, or other farm prodnct. ns may be agreed u]ion in 
 the contract, delivered at a ]»oint also understood and 
 ajfreed upon. ►Sometimes ownei*s rent their farms, or a 
 portion of them, on shares, mc« ified or enlarged as to 
 terms to p'lit the occasion and conditions. In the wes- 
 tern section of the State the laroier portion of the farm- 
 • irg population is wh'te, and comiiarafively few nei^oes 
 are employed as farm heh). The'^e farmers do their own 
 work, a^d almost without ex( option are a thrifty and 
 pronperous, self-sustaining people. The same conditions 
 exist in a larj?e scope of country in Eastern Florida, 
 thonch there are more repro laboT'crs there than in the 
 western section just mentioned. The wages for farm 
 work in (hese se(tions are also about as above stated. 
 
 In the ear\y vegetable and fruit jTrowiug sections of the 
 Rtntr th"^ lal^or is more nearly divided as between the 
 whites and the negroes. In the more nortlierly ])ortion 
 of the fruit and vo.<?ptable section, negro labor predomi- 
 rates. but the further we go south the fewer negroes we 
 pee, till the white labor is almost entirely substituted 
 therefor. The pame conditions o'^tnin with labor in this 
 section as elsewhere, already noted, there being neither an 
 unwieldlv surplus or such a degree of shortness of labor 
 a« to cau^e material los«, thorgh there are times when 
 lack of labor is keenly felt, but these are short, transitory 
 perioc's with Irng interval'a. The labor is in a sreneral 
 pense sufficient to care for the cro^xs in the quantities in 
 whirh thev nre row planter!, but if it should be desirable 
 to plpnt a^d irpow veo-f^tabies and fruits on a lariTcly ex- 
 inr^f^o^ scale then the supply of labor would be wholly in- 
 adenuate. 
 
 There ar^ millions of acres of ln»id u^surnnssed for veg- 
 e*nbio n^fi fn-iit p-^'owiT'cr yet unoceuiiied in the section re- 
 fer^ef? to. ,"nd H is nuite rcns^nnblp to suppose that the 
 PT"nt -■mr»ul''e ^i^en to t'l^'^e industricR in recent years 
 xxr^}} rrow rnr^i'^'lv. in whirh cape Vhor will be in ffrenter 
 
 f'r«v>OT<'1 • rk»-pTi ■»->r>'^'- i'lorin ^p o1>-i-iT>^''j|r<f vAOni JTi nH "''^"tfonS 
 
 of t^-f> '^tf+p f'^'" mh ^f^rm ^r-brp OR Tiro )i'>ve r^fo^red to. 
 
 V'nrrr^a ip *h'r> c— ^ff^r, pf ^ >,p ^ffx^-n ]^^':'f fOUSldered V^U 
 
 p-T-fvTv ^o r"~TioT»nl n/v..i«,-]f.,,.,x V COO'' li"r>'' hv *}-\n <1nv 
 
 earns from ore f'oll.'^T to a dollar and a half and board 
 
272 
 
 in the busy season, and that is th& period between the veg- 
 etable and the fruit crops, which include about seven 
 months of the year. Monthly or annual contracts are at 
 a less rate of course, but the hire of farm, labor in thisi sec- 
 tion is mostiy by the day. 
 
 Expert labor, such as is employed in the trades, mills, 
 factories, vegetable and fruit packing establishments, 
 and export mechanical v:ovk of all kinds, is always in de- ' 
 mand, and commands good wages. The comj^ensatlon in 
 these lines of work ranging from two dollars to four 
 dollars })er day, and in some special lin^s still more. 
 This class of labor is of course necessarily mostly engaged 
 in or near the cities and towns, Avhere the industries de- 
 manding their services are generally located, on account 
 of convenient transportation facilities, markets for pro- 
 ducts, and other advantages. Among this class of labor 
 there is rarely a surplus, while thei'o is often an incon- 
 venient scarcity. The demand for this, as for all other 
 classes of labor continually grows, and for the sober, in- 
 dustrious, capable man. equipped for any of these. occu- 
 pation®, there is generally a position open to him. 
 
 Domestic labor, or household help is quite as diversi- 
 fied as to quality, supply and reliability as any of the fore- 
 going classes. In some portions of the State there is 
 never enough to fill the wants and needs of families, and 
 boarding houses, and even the best hotels are at times 
 greatly inconvenienced for lack of it. Negroes comprise 
 the larger part of this class of labor, except in the south- 
 erly portions of Eastern and Southern Florida. Some 
 localities are never fully supplied with this charncter of 
 help, and many people are compelled to do their own 
 housework. Probably the principal reason for this situa- 
 tion is to be attributed more to the unreliability of this 
 class of labor, and the desire of the women, who make up 
 the larger pnrt of this class, to take the world easy. There 
 are therefore, many opportunities here for securing posi- 
 tions in this line of work, by intelligent and industrious 
 people of both sexes, of srood character and habits. 
 
 Wages for this class of work rarige from about five dol- 
 lars to ten dollars per month, which includes the several 
 branches of household duties. In the larger cities and 
 towns, wages for this kind of work are sometimes more 
 than above stated, and in cases where exceptional quality 
 
273 ' 
 
 or quantity of work is required employes sometimes re- 
 ceive double the figures named, but all of these matters 
 are regulated by agreement. The following figures from 
 the U. S. Census of 1900 may be of interest, as indicating 
 the opportunities within reach of those who desire to en- 
 gage in farming or any of the branches of agriculture : 
 
 In 1900 the total number of acres in farms in Florida, 
 was 4,363,891. Of this number, there were in improved 
 farms under cultivation 1,511,653 acres, leaving 2,852,238 
 acres not in cultivation, and classed as not improved 
 mainly because they were lying out, and without build- 
 ings, etc. And the principal reason for this condition is, 
 that there is not labor to operate them. Here are oppor- 
 tunities for farmers and farm laborers to secure homes 
 and a competence at the minimum cost, or a good living, 
 by the work of his hands. The total number of farms in 
 Florida is 40,814, and the average size of a farm is a little 
 over 106 acres each, though there are farms ranging in 
 size from 20 acres to several thousand. 
 
 The number of persons engaged in operating these 
 farms are: Males, 75,608, and of females 13,080, and 
 there are opportunities for twice that number, with 
 equal or better advantages than were offered those, who 
 first came here and made their settlements and perma- 
 nent homes, as the above statements and figures amply 
 demonstrate. 
 
 In the 2056 factories of all kind®, there are employed 
 34,230 more or less expert and skilled laborers ; 3,572 of 
 this number being females; and as the mills, factories and 
 other new enterprises are continually advancing their 
 business, the demand for expert and skilled labor con- 
 tinually increases. 
 
 The number of those employed as household or domes- 
 tic help is; males, 32,413, and females, 17,919. As before 
 mentioned, there is a constant and increasing demand for 
 this class of labor. The wages are good, and efficient and 
 reliable men and women will have small difficulty in se- 
 curing employment. 
 
 The question of the cost of living is one which enters 
 largely into this subject, and justly exercises an impor- 
 tant influence in deciding the advisability of a move by 
 
 18 H. F. 
 
274 
 
 those contemplating a change of residence; whether it be 
 a man who earns his living as a day laborer, or the man 
 with means, not to say capitalist, the item of living ex- 
 penses is alwa3's to be considered. In this respect, as in 
 all others, Florida is the equal in most things and su- 
 perior to any other section of the United States, in the 
 vast majorit}' of the essential elements necessary to com- 
 fort, health and economy in home building, and the work 
 of maintaining it. 
 
 The climate, indirectly of course, has much to do with 
 this question. The clothing necessary to keep the body 
 in a comfortable condition in winter does not have to be 
 of heavy and costly woolens ; nor in the abundance re- 
 quired in more northerly latitudes, where winter lingers 
 for eight to nine months of the year. In this item a fam- 
 ily from Ohio, Wisconsin or New York would be able in 
 Florida to save and live with more comfort at least on one 
 half of that required at home, for there are hardly more 
 than fifteen days in an entire winter when a healthy man 
 need wear an overcoat, even in the most northerly and 
 western part of the State, and that not a heavy one either, 
 while in the southeastern, central and southern portion 
 of the State even a light overcoat is rarely necessary, and 
 ordirary spring clothes as worn north would be consid- 
 ered quite sufficient for mid-winter, under the average 
 conditions. Another item of equal importance. i<? the 
 fuel supply, which by comparison with the needs in the 
 northern sections of country referred to, is rediculously 
 small; one-third of the cost necessary in the North would 
 be an exorbitant sum here on an average. 
 
 In Florida the length of time in which fires are re- 
 quired never exceeds four month?, even tben rot all of the 
 time, and that in the colder sect'on of the State. While 
 in the eastern and southern parts of the State the time is 
 still less, growing shorter as we go further south. Neither 
 is the cost of fuel near so great as in the North, unless 
 coal is used, which is never done outsif'e of the larger 
 cities and towns, and in not a ?rent many of them. Wood 
 is almo«'t uTiive"^ally used and it is ol^^ntifvl and cheap; 
 and with the avprage fanner, prn^^if^ally does not fl'rm'e 
 in the cost of living' as no farm in this country is without 
 its woodland. In effect th<»n. this if'^m to tho fprmT is. ex- 
 cept for the labor of cutting and hauling home, is one of 
 
275 
 
 clear gain. And to the city or town resident, it means a 
 saving of 60 to 75 per cent, of the cost of like fuel mate- 
 rial in the North. 
 
 Another distinctive advantage the farmers and all 
 others who labor out of doors have in Florida is, that in 
 uo section of the State is it ever too cold to work in the 
 open, any day of the year; this enables the farmer or 
 gardener to grow something for his table at all seasons, 
 and thns also reduce his household ex})enses, in a way 
 impossible in any other section of country, particularly 
 North. The cost of the staple articles of food, such as 
 are sold in the grocery stoi'es everywhere, is about the 
 same as at the North, but the farmer who makes his own 
 meat and bread, and conducts his farm on business princi- 
 ples, will have small need to patronize the grocery stores 
 to any great exiopt. 
 
 To those who labor in the mills, factories or in the 
 trades, the cost of living is necessarily greater, as they 
 are in no wise producers of food supplies, but wholly con- 
 sumers. Except in this respect they share all the other 
 advantages enjoyed by the farmer, unless it be that of 
 house rent. The farmer gets his house with his farm if 
 lie owns it, or if he rents; the artizan, or the common 
 laborer, must own, or rent his dwelling from another, or 
 board, which, if a man of family, is usually incompatia- 
 ble with his income. The price of rents vary somewhat 
 in the different sections and towns of the State, but small 
 though comfortable houses can be had from ten to fifteea 
 dollars per month, sometimes less, and from that up to 
 twenty-five dollars, or more, depending upon the needs or 
 the ability of the person to pay. 
 
 Good, comfortable cottages or dwelling houses can be 
 built in most parts of the State at from five hundred to 
 fifteen hundred dollars ench. depending of course upon the 
 size wanted, and the quality of the workmanchip expended 
 on it. In the more southerlv portions of the State, qnite 
 com.fortnble dwellings mn be built for very murh le>ss 
 th.?^ tbf-se fignrrs. ■RniJdinTs in thp North nflTording the 
 same dPi?ree of comfort, would cost fifty to sixty per cent. 
 !norf» morev. 
 
 The forporoirg reprefents vory closely, the labor eondi- 
 tfons as thev nre at nrescnt tbro'iahout fh«» Stnto. Att^ if 
 the continued employment of labor at fair wages is indi- 
 
27C 
 
 cative of prosperity and consequent happiness and con- 
 tentment, then k is no exageration to say, that the people 
 of all classes in all sections of the State are indeed in 
 the enjoyment of a degree of prosperity hitherto un- 
 known ; nor is it in the least beyond the bounds of truth 
 to say that, divided among the varios avocations we have 
 named, and others, there is room, and a demand, for at 
 least double the number of laborers now employed. The 
 relationship between labor and capital, employer and em- 
 ployed, in all occupations, have always been and are now 
 of the most amicable nature, whether it be with white or 
 black. The only serious ditferences that ever occur are 
 with the tobaccoc dealers and manufacturers in one or two 
 cities, where the employes, v/ho are almost entirely com- 
 posed of foreigners, have occasional disagreements; it is 
 probably second nature with the race; but beyond this no 
 difficulties occur, worthy of discussion here. 
 
 As a rule labor of all kinds is fairly efficient In its sev- 
 eral lines, probably quite as much so, as in other sections 
 of the country. That there is great room for improve- 
 ment, admits of no question, and just here, opportunities 
 without number offer themselves to the careful pains-tak- 
 ing and industrious men and women of correct character 
 and habits. 
 
 SOCIAL CONDITIONS. 
 
 The social conditions in a general way, which must be 
 met with by all new comers to any country, is of consid- 
 erable moment, specially to the female portion of the 
 family. There is in the human heart, a chord of sim- 
 pathy, which under certain conditions is said to "Make 
 the whole world kin," and there is no condition that 
 serves to awaken the feelings of sympathy in others, as 
 the observation of distress and loneliness, which needs 
 only kind words and actions to replace with the smiles 
 of joy and content. The people of Florida are no excep- 
 tion to the rule, the glad hand of welcome or assistance 
 is ever extended to the deserving, whether rich or poor. 
 There is no bar here to man's associations save that which 
 he himself erects; there is no social dead line, but he must 
 
277 
 
 show merit for the position he would choose; it is entirely 
 with the individual as to what company he shall keep, or 
 what associations he forms, and the social sphere in which 
 he shall move ; he must be the architect of his own moral 
 and social standing, even as he must be the "architect of 
 his own fortune." 
 
 Social equality between the races is not tolerated, and 
 is impossible; miscegnation is prohibited by law, and the 
 gulf that marks the social boundary between the white 
 race and the black, is as broad as the universe, and as 
 fathomless as the infinitudes of space. Yet, the relation- 
 ship between the races is of the most kindly and friendly 
 order. 
 
 CONCLUSION- 
 
 In making the assertion that there is no section of this 
 country with resources so varied, none presenting such a 
 field for new and ])romising enterprises, none that offers 
 to the i-ich and tli(^ jtoor alike the t-^ifts of nature in such 
 lavish form, as P'lorida, it is because we have based that 
 assertion uj.on firmly established facts. 
 
 We have stated that Florida is the healthiest State 
 within the boundary of the United States, and we have 
 shown Avby it is so; we have asserted that the climate of 
 Floirida is unsurpassed by that of any country on this 
 globe, and we have given the scientific reasons for saying 
 it. We have described the character of our soils, and 
 given- tbe reason of their fei-tility, and their peculiar fea- 
 tures which make them lasting and valuable over all 
 others; we have offered a list of the products of these 
 soils and shown their adaptability to the conditions, and 
 their value from a pecuniary standpoint; and in the tim- 
 ber resoni'ces of the State, we have shown tliat our State 
 stands without a peer on this continent in the value and 
 varieties of timber for economic purpose. We have 
 shown the almost unlimited possibilities of Florida in an 
 agricultural sense, and the ojten road to wealth that lies 
 before llie industrious farmer and live stock "rower, jjnd 
 we have submitted the proofs. We have shown in a 
 manner that leaves no room for doubt of the wonderful 
 
278 
 
 future that lies before our State iu a commercial respect, 
 and that with a hundred million dollars a year in exports 
 now going out of our ports, the volume of our commerce 
 will pass comprehension, when the great Isthmian water- 
 way shall have been completed. We have shown in con- 
 nection with this commerce, the unequaled inducements 
 and opportunities for the establishment and successful 
 operation of countless manufacturing industries, and we 
 have also shown that Florida is a land where all who 
 are energetic and honest, can make life a success. Where 
 land is cheap by comparison, taxes low, and transporta- 
 tion facilities are cflficient, abundant and convenient to all 
 sections of the country. There are no laws that favor 
 one class or race of men more than another; all are recog- 
 nized as equals before the law; the State government is 
 Justly and wisely administered, and life and property are 
 as safe here as in any Northern State. 
 
 It is the enjoyment of the many advantages enumera- 
 ted, as well as the advancement and up-building of the 
 State, that Florida invites good people from other sec- 
 tions of our country, and from foreign lands to make their 
 homes within her borders. The foreigner with a record 
 for good health, character, and a moderate sum of money, 
 sufificent at least to support him till work can be ob- 
 tained, will be welcome, and will meet with encourage- 
 ment, and if he i.^ worthy, success will reward him. To 
 the man from Now England who would avoid the bitter 
 Northeastern winds, the disease laden fogs from the banks 
 of New Foundlaitd, and the hopeless prospects for more 
 than a bare existence by farming the old barren wastes 
 and hills; the man from the great west whose anxious 
 thoughts hover between the i)rospect8 of ruin by forest and 
 prairie fires, and the Dakota blizzards, who dreads, yet 
 wishes for the drought of summer, the season of torna- 
 does, and who must face without the hope of escape the 
 weariness and idleness of a nine months relentless win- 
 ter; the business man from the city or the villages, who 
 wants a fair field, where his restricted capital and per- 
 sonal industry will not be forced into mericless competi- 
 tion with, and be weighted down by the immense re- 
 sources of soulless trusts and syndicates of combined cap- 
 ital ; all are assured that superior advantages await them 
 here. According to trustworthy reports, official and un- 
 
279 
 
 official, there are thousands of farmers and others in the 
 greatly overcrowded rural districts of the Northern, Wes- 
 tern, and Middle States, where the value of lands have 
 advanced beyond the reach of ordinary means, who de- 
 sire to change their residence from the scenes of an un- 
 ceasing struggle for subsistence, to a country where the 
 comfortiS of life {\re attainable with less risk of health 
 and strenuous physical exertion. 
 
 To such people, the rich and fertile lands of Florida 
 offer the long desired opportunity. These are the people 
 to succeed ; accustomed to the problems of soil work, they 
 are the men who can utilize the forces of nature and make 
 them yield obedience to their will. Men possessed of will- 
 ing hands, resoluie hearts and level heads, and to such a 
 class no finer field than Florida was ever presented for 
 occupancy. It is a field boundless with the best elements 
 of wealth and substantial enjoyment. It has an endless 
 quantity of raw material of every sort, and rich produc- 
 tive soil, upon which all the fruits, all the crops, and all 
 the animals necessary for man's subsistence, comfort and 
 convenience can be cultivated and propogated ; and withal 
 a climate that brings to the palid cheek the glow of 
 health, to the listless eye *the sparkle of a new life, 
 transforms the careworn frame to one of reanimated na- 
 ture, brings rest to the wearied mind, and takes from the 
 memory of adversity the sting of distress. 
 
County Map ot the State of Florida. 
 
 Showincr TvO^fition of Counties. 
 
PART III. 
 
 Description of Counties. 
 
 The following descriptions of counties have for the 
 larger part been prepared either by the Boards of 
 County Commissioners of the several counties, or by some 
 one appointed or authorized by them to do so. In quite 
 a number of cases — nearly half — we have been unable to 
 get such articles prepared either by the County Boards, or 
 by any citizen of the county; consequently we have been 
 compelled to prepare only brief articles on these counties 
 from such material as the office had in hand. 
 
 Those counties who were repeatedly requested to furn- 
 ish articles descriptive of their possibilities, resources 
 and advantages, and who either declined or paid no atten- 
 tion to the requests therefor, should not feel agT-ieved if 
 what Is said of them should not be exactly as they would 
 have liked it, or would have said it, had they themselves 
 prepared it. 
 
 The figures representing population, square fiiiles, etc., 
 are from the last United States Census. The school sta- 
 tistics from State Superintendent's report for 1002, and 
 the products mentioned at end of each article, are from 
 the State statistical reports for 1002, which have been 
 certified to by the Boards of County Commissioners of the 
 several counties as being cori*ect. The descriptions which 
 follow being largely fi».)m the same source, may also bo 
 considered correct, as they are also interesting. 
 
282 
 
 ALACHUA COUNTY. 
 
 Alachua, one of the largest counties in the State, lies 
 just south of the 30th degree of north latitude, and be- 
 tween the 82nd and 83rd detgree of longitude west from 
 Greenwich ; it is bounded on the north by Suwannee, Co- 
 lumbia and Bradford counties; east by the counties of 
 Clay and Putnam; south by Marion and Levy; and west 
 by Lafayette, from which it is separated by the Suwannee 
 river. Its area is 1,283 square miles, or 851,120 acres. 
 The population is 32,245 as compared with 22,934 in 
 1890. 
 
 It is 250 feet above the ocean's level, and far enough 
 south to be free from the ice, snow and chilling winds of 
 the north, and is fanned by the gentle breezes from the 
 Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, the distance to 
 either being about 45 miles. For natural beauties, fer- 
 tility of soil, perfect drainage, a light, dry and invigor- 
 ating atmosphere, good water, good society and educa- 
 tional advantages, the county is not excelled by any por- 
 tion of the State, and the healthfulness of the county is 
 not excelled by any portion of the United States. Phy- 
 sicians all testify that any disease in Florida is less lia- 
 ble to terminate in death than the same in higher lati- 
 tudes. For a territory so large, the average annual death 
 rate is exceedingly small, being only 11 per 1,000. The 
 pine lands, which are unusually healthy, are nearly every- 
 where studded at intervals of a few miles with rich ham 
 mocks carrying in extent from twenty to forty thousand 
 acres. Unlike the hammocks of other sections of tho 
 State, no marshy or flat lands are lound, the absence of 
 which make them healthy and habitable. 
 
 There are in Alachua county, like all places of mixed 
 peoi)le, representatives of nearly every sect in the Chris- 
 tian religion, and in the largest places a goodly sprinkling 
 of Jews. The churches are principally Baptists, Meth- 
 odist, Presbyterian and Episcopal, all of which are well 
 supported. The white people represent every state in 
 the Union, from Maine to California, and are, in their 
 moral and intellectual status, of advanced classes of tho 
 old States. Intelligence predominates in all the ave- 
 nues of business and principal occupations of life. There 
 is no ostracism of settlers from other places and all 
 
283 
 
 worthy comers are heartily welcomed, and meet with well 
 wishes on every hand. 
 
 The assessed valuation of property in Alachua is |3,- 
 856,938, which represents about one-third of its value. 
 The tax rate for all purposes is 14^ mills. The county is 
 out of debt, with funds on deposit. This is due entirely 
 to the economy and care that have characterized the ex- 
 penditure of funds by the county commissioners. At 
 Gainesville, the county seat, is the court house, one of 
 the most imposing structure in the State. It was erect- 
 ed in 1885 and is fitted with all modern conveniencies. 
 Cost $00,000. Those who contemplate removing to this 
 county will not have to assist in the payment of a county 
 debt, but will be called upon only for their pro rata share 
 necessary to the maintenance of county and State. 
 
 It is confidently believed that no county in the State, 
 nor elsewhere, can boast of a greater variety of products 
 than Alachua. WheaJ: is the only cereal that cannot be 
 abundantly produced. Cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, veg- 
 etables, grain and fruits can be raised in the greatest pro- 
 fusion. So can stock of all kinds be reared in great num- 
 bers. While Alachua is far ahead of any other county in 
 the State in truck farming and fruit culture, general agri- 
 cultural statistics on record in the office of the Secretary 
 of Agriculture show that she also ranks first in general 
 farming. This is due altogether to the thrift, enterprisf 
 and persistency of her farmers, which is responsible for 
 their success; this county has within her borders vaat 
 tracts of lands which' can be cultivated with profit by 
 any intelligput farmer. 
 
 Not only is nearly every acre adapted to the cultiva- 
 tion of general farm products, but the remarkable fertil- 
 ity of the soil has made possible many great successes in 
 fanning. Corn for meal and hominy, oats, rye, rice, syrup, 
 tobacco and i)otatoes can be produced in larger quanti- 
 ties on any good land, than may be required for home 
 use, and the excess can be readily sold for good prices. 
 Fmm this revenue the farmer can 8ui)ply himself and 
 family with flour, coffee and many luxuries of life. Pea- 
 nuts, pumpkins, chufas, potatoes, etc., all easily raised, 
 wjil fatten hogs necessary for meat or to sell. 
 
284 
 
 Corn ot) ordinary land yields from ten to twenty 
 bnshels to the acre, and on good hammock land froni 
 thirfy to sixty. 
 
 Rye and oats average from twenty to fifty bushels to 
 the acre. 
 
 llu'^ is raised principally for domestic use and yields 
 from twenty to thirty bushels per acre. 
 
 The average yield of sweet potatoes is 100 to 200 bush- 
 els', and peanuts twenty-five bushels per acre. 
 
 Cassava of the very best quality, arrow-root, castor 
 beans, grasses, millet, fiber i)lants, etc., are grown and 
 assist materially in the reduction of farm expenses. 
 
 The advantages this county otYers to those who prefer 
 Iho general farm life to truck growing or raising an or- 
 ange grove, orchard or vineyard, arc excelled by no part 
 of the United States. Any farmer in this county can 
 in.'ike his occupation self sustaining and independent of 
 the fatal system of credit, and the county challenges the 
 fc>lj;te as to the prosperous condition of her farmers. 
 
 Alachua is one of the largest sugar cane producing 
 counties of the State, and there are within her borders 
 thousands of acres admirably adapted to its culture, 
 awaiting development. 
 
 Jso industry in the State oHTeres greater inducements 
 for «-aj)'iul and labor than the growing of early vegetables 
 for the Northern and Western markets, and no section of 
 the State t»fPers greater natural advantages for early veg- 
 etable growing as in the county of Alachua. Nor is there 
 a county in the State so extensively engaged in the bus- 
 iness. Here are located the most extensive vegetable 
 fields in the South, and this may ]>roperly be 
 dominated a "Ca:'den County." Truck farming is an in- 
 dustry that has grown to wonderful proportions within 
 a few years, ]ja\ing large ])rofits of several hundred dol- 
 laTs an acre. The vegetables which can most profitably 
 be grown are: Artichokes, beans, beets, cabbage, carrots. 
 eauHfiower, relery, cucunUiers, egg-plants, Irish potatoes, 
 lettuce, mustard, okra, onions, parsnips, ])eas, pumpkins, 
 radishes, squavshcs, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and tur- 
 nips, cain.\louj>cs and watermelons. 
 
 Fruits of the following varieties are grown : JJerries 
 of all varieties, figs, grapes, oranges, peal's, peaches, per- 
 
285 
 
 siinmous, plums, pineapples, quinces and citrus fruitH 
 of difl'erent varieties. 
 
 Strawberries are raised in large quantities, and are a 
 sure and good crop, netting most growers from 20 to 40 
 cents per quart, and are shipped to northern markets in 
 refrigerator boxes or cars. 
 
 There are several varieties of grapes that thrive, of 
 which the Scuppernong is the most hardy and yields the 
 best returns. 
 
 In Alachua county, are many of the finest orari^^e groves 
 and fortunes have been made and are being made by the 
 industrious horticulturist. 
 
 Watermelons and cantaloupes are extensively planted 
 and are a source of great profit to those who study their 
 culture. Ilundretls of cars are shipped out of this county 
 during the season, bringing a return of many thousands 
 of dollars. 
 
 Peaches do well with proper care, and considerable 
 revenue is derived from the shipment of the early crops 
 to northern markets. Many varieties are grown and 
 ripen early enough to be placed on the New York market 
 in May. 
 
 One of the greatest and most profitable industries 
 in the State today, is the mining and shipping of phos- 
 phate. This is an industry that in recent years has as- 
 sumed mammoth proportions. In Alachua county are 
 the most extensive deposits in America. 
 
 Statistical reports of phosphate shipped out of the 
 State show that this county has, during the past three 
 years, shipped nearly one-half of the entire output. 
 
 Nature has covered thousands of acres in Alachua 
 county with a groAvth of timber rarely seen. Hickory 
 trees from one to seven feet in diameter; oak two to four; 
 ash one to three; magnolia one to five, and a multitude 
 of other varieties of hardwood trees, suggest the charac- 
 ter of forestry. The accessibility and character of the 
 timber makes this section peculiarly desirable for the 
 location of factories requiring hard wood, and no section 
 of the State affords better inducements than this for the 
 manufacture of wagons, carriages, baskets, and wooden- 
 ware, furniture, agricultural implements, etc., because 
 the woods with which to make them are convenient, cheap 
 and easy of transportation. 
 
286 
 
 The supply of Florida pine is abundant, and many 
 mills are being successfully operated along the lines of 
 railroads ])assing through the county. The product of 
 these mills is principally for export, but building mate- 
 rial is of a necessity very cheap. 
 
 The manufacture of naval stores from the Florida pine 
 has recently come into prominence in the State. 
 
 Since the pine forests of the Carolinas beiran to de- 
 teriorate and business in those States wane, many large 
 operators have sought Ahichua county's magniiicent tim- 
 bered tracts and begun manufacturing on large scales. 
 
 Stock raisirg is one of the most profitable pursuits 
 incident to a farm life, and occupies the time of many. 
 The beef cattle of this county have always commanded 
 the very highest prices in the State markets. 
 
 Many farmers are breeding standard stock. The cheap- 
 ness of corn, oats, and hay, together with the prairie 
 pji.srnres, and the climate produces excellent animals. 
 
 Sheep do well on grases. Climatic conditions are so 
 favorable to this animal that shelter is nonessential. The 
 >«(i"ii does not produce any of the dreaded ''loco" weed of 
 the southwest and west. 
 
 Jn addition to the prairie grasses there are a number 
 *f perennial grasses forming a close, heavy sod, which 
 bt-ars treading and constitutes a permanent pasturage for 
 Block. 
 
 Th'^re are four annual grasses — crab, crowfoot, barn 
 and water, which furnish principal hay supplies. These 
 grasses abundantly seed themeslves, coming up when 
 the land surfaces are stirred, from February to October. 
 
 General farming in this county is as extensive as it 
 is succfsful. In some sections of the county the acreage 
 of corn, cotton, and other crops this year have been 
 larger than ever known before, and there will be a corre- 
 sponding increase next year. In the northern part of the 
 county the acrenge of cotton this year has been great, 
 and by the improved metho(^s which have been employed 
 the farmer hns found th^t cotton can be grown to a profit. 
 It is the same with coru. This fall the farmer in that 
 part of the county will be well provided for. He will 
 re^'pive ve!)dy money for his cotton, while the other pro- 
 dvri^ of his fprm ai'e sufficient to carry him through 
 another year. In other parts of the county the farmer 
 
287 
 
 has not been quite as successful, but there are few who 
 have not provided themselves for the coining year as a 
 result of tilling the soil. The condition of the farmer of 
 Alachua county demonstrates with what success agricul- 
 ture can be followed in this county, when the proper 
 methods are employed and the proper efforts are put 
 forth. 
 
 One of the greatest industries in Flori^la is the grow- 
 ing of vegetables for the northern markets. This indus- 
 try has been making rapid advancement throughout the 
 State for tlie ])ast twenty years, but in no county is it 
 as extensive and successful as it is in Alachua. The 
 truck farmers of Alachua have been studying the great 
 industry with care, and have invested thousands of dol- 
 lars in providing facilities for producing truck for the 
 northern market during the winter and spring. A great 
 many farmers of this section are provided with canvass 
 cover, irrigating plants and other advantages, and every 
 year witnesses an increase of the wealth in this great 
 industry. 
 
 A few years ago trucking in this county was c<||ifined 
 to what is known as the Rocky Point and North Gaines- 
 ville sections, but of late years the industry has made a 
 remarkable growth, and has extended to nearly every part 
 of the county. The Micanopy, Tacoma, Kirkwood, Island 
 Grove and other sections are extensively engaged in grow- 
 ing vegetables, and the re^^orts to the effect that the acre- 
 age in some of thee localities will be almost double. As 
 a rule those who engage in truck farming are su'^cessful. 
 
 While the industry is being extensively carried on at 
 present, it will continue to grow in xMnchua county. There 
 are yet thousands of acr^s of the best hammock land 
 which are not cleared and which will make extensive 
 truck farms in the n°nr future. There are pos'^ibilities in 
 this industry the sTie as in the many other natural 
 branches, for industry wMl remain undpr«]oned in Flor- 
 ida. Thos<» who are searching for locations for homes in 
 this ^tpte should give the truck farming industry a care- 
 ful, study. 
 
 Alachna county h'^s be'^ter schools than any othf»r conn- 
 \y m t^e State. Tliis fact has been recognized bofore 'ast 
 fall, when the co^ntv carri'^'^ away nearlv all the p^ires 
 offered for educational exhibits at the State Fair. There 
 
288 
 
 Las l)ceii a remarkable development in this branch of 
 government during the past ten years. 
 
 This county has the best buildings of any county in 
 Florida i'or sihool purposes. The Gainesville Public 
 School building is the best puT)iic school building in 
 Florida, and in addition to this there are handsome and 
 costly structures in all parts of the county. 
 
 Number of children in county of school age, lO.lMM). 
 
 Number of children in counrv enrolled in the schools 
 7,000. 
 
 Number of schools in county 120 — white, 73; negro, 
 47. 
 
 Number of brick structures. 4 — Gainesville, ilicanopy, 
 Alachua and High t^prings. They average in cost fnmi 
 So.OUO to .^30,000. All the above buildings are owned by 
 the r.oard of Public Instruction, and except the brick 
 buildings already mentioned are good frame structures. 
 The white buildings have an average value of $850.00. the 
 colored, ^3-50. Nearly all of them are supplied with first 
 class Datent furniture of the most modern make. 
 
 Total vaule of buildings 825,000. Total value of furni- 
 ture 115.000. 
 
 ►Salaries paid teachers, 810.000. Length of term of 
 school from six to eight months. Teachers emploved, 
 100. Does not include E. F. S. 
 
 In addition to the public schools, there is located in 
 Gainesville that famous ^tate institution. East Florida 
 Seminary. This school has an excellent corps of instruc- 
 tors, and the attendance is larger than it has been for 
 years. Every branch of this great school is thorough, 
 and its work has ever been successful. This great school 
 olfers an excellent opportimity for a higher education. 
 Alachua county has just cause to feel proud of her edu- 
 cational advantages, which slie oft'ers to the homeseeker. 
 
 In Alachua county there is a strong religious senti- 
 ment, with every denomination well represented. As 
 a rule her population devotes a great deal of care to 
 churches and church societies, and every little section of 
 the county is blessed with churches. 
 
 At all towns, such as ^Nlicanopy, Rochelle. Island 
 Grove, Ilawthorn, Waldo, Campville. T>aCrosse, Alachua, 
 High Springs, Newberry and Archer there are several 
 
2S9 
 
 good and substantial churc h edifices and there are regular 
 services at one of these houses of worship every Sunday 
 in the north. 
 
 The leading people of every community are the leaders 
 in < hnrch matters to the pame extent that they lead in 
 bn:-ircss and po]iti(al affair-H. There is always an active 
 intcrcpt in rliunh work, and as a result of this, a con- 
 BtfiTit increase in the valuation of church property. Thew 
 i»re at present several church buildings under contempla- 
 tion, and which are to be erected in the near future. 
 
 The manufac ture of baskets and crates for the ship 
 ment of vegetables to the northern markets is one of the 
 great industries which is j^ractically new in this county, 
 and which is being carried on more extensively in 
 Alachua county than it is in any other part of the State. 
 There are two large veneering mills in the county, and 
 both of them give employment to a large force of men. 
 
 While at Campville there is located probably the best 
 paying brick j-ard in the State. 
 
 Ahuhua county is favored with unsurpassed transpor- 
 tation facilities. Every section of the county has rail- 
 road facilities, and the farmer, lumberman, phosphate 
 miner and manufacturer of naval stores experiences no 
 trouble on this line. There are four railroad systems 
 operating in this cour.'-y, the Seaboard Air Line, At- 
 Ijintic Coast Line, Gainesville and Gulf, and Jackson- 
 ville and Southwestern. These roads give the county 
 facilities which are not enjoyed by any other county in 
 the State. 
 
 The soil throughout the entire county is especially 
 adopted to the cultivation of Sea Island Cotton, produc- 
 ing a staple that will grade fully equal to that of South 
 Carolina, which is acknowledged to be the home of the 
 cotton plant, when proper cnre is taken in the selection 
 of seed and cultivation. This fact is being realized to 
 a certain extent abroad, and as a result Messrs. R. F. 
 Dutton & Co., of Gainesville, shij) large quantities of 
 Alachua seed into other portions of the State and lower 
 Georgia. At the Paris Exposition, Messrs. Dutton & Co. 
 exhibited cotton raised in this county that was awarded 
 a gold medal for the "Highest Award Merit." as to the 
 length, strength and fineness of staple, over all other 
 
 19 H. F. 
 
200 
 
 sections. Cotton from tliis county has also received gold 
 medals and special potices at various expositions, Phila- 
 delphia, Chicago, Atlanta and New Orleans, and is fav- 
 orably known to the manufacturers all over the world. 
 The average annual production of coton is 7500 bales, 
 valued at |700,000. 
 
 Ala'hnn countv contribute® one-half of the world's sup- 
 ply of spool cotton. 
 
 Alachua county is known in the New England States 
 and by the great manufacturers of Ensrland, becaii«e of 
 her excellent Sea Island cotton. In this county all the 
 cotton produced is ginned and baled here. There are a 
 great many gins in the county, and this year some of 
 them have been working ^^ay and night. 
 
 There are 5(5 post offices in Alachua county, and 
 among them are some 7)rominent towns. Gainesville is 
 the county site and the most important in a commercial 
 way. It is a city of about 6.000 population, and one of 
 the most attractive cities in the State. Her public build- 
 ings are excellent ones, and her bf^pnt^'ful resid<^nrps and 
 shady streets are the pride of the Northern visitors who 
 come here to enjoy the magnificeT^t climate. 
 
 While the city has no large tourists hotels, it has one of 
 the best operated hotels in the State. The Brown House, 
 :s winning a great reputation for the excellency of the 
 service it gives. The rooms are large, elegantly furnished 
 aiKl complete. The dining room is always well supplied 
 and the servants are courteous and well dis' iplined. In 
 every »• spcct it is an ideal hostelry and gives the trav 
 elev h*s moneys worth. 
 
 In a business way, Gainesville is ahead of any town of 
 it> sv/.Q in The State. She has two excellent banking in- 
 Ktitutions, rod her commercial bouses are all solid and 
 substantial. 
 
 One of the most important towns in this county, and 
 f.ni» which has and is today making rapid progress, is 
 Alachua, s!niated at the junctior of the Atlantic Coast 
 Lhte, the Seaboard Air Line and the Jacksonville and 
 Southwestern Railroads. 
 
 The business men of Alachua have worked together, 
 and there is today a great volume of business being trans- 
 acted there. The merchants have practically controlled 
 .all the cotton grown for miles around that place, and it 
 
291 
 
 was there wiiere the Stato Long Staple Cotton Protective 
 Aw'-ociation was first orpjanized which lias suborganiza- 
 tions in every long staple section of the State. 
 
 The mopt important railroad center in this part of the 
 State is High Springs, the hon".e of the largest Atlantic 
 Coast Line shops in this State. This town, lil^ Alachua, 
 ov-'^s its growth to the push and enteii)rise of its cit- 
 izens. 
 
 There are advantages which the city enjoys. It is sur- 
 rounded by a good fanning section and is on the very 
 border of the rich phosphate fields. It has some of the 
 best brick blocks in the county and some of the n>pst 
 successful and progressive business houses. 
 
 Ore of the coming towns in the county is LaCrosse^ 
 the Seaboard Air Line's Suwannee River extension. Sit- 
 uated in one of the best fanning sections in the State, 
 having a population of enterprising citizens and posses»- 
 in" "bundant resources, its growth is destined to be 
 Tapid. 
 
 One of the youngest towns in this State is Newberr^- 
 situated in the phosphate belt in the western part of- 
 Alachua county and on the Atlantic Coast Line and thfi 
 Jacksonville and Southwestern railroad. It draws its sup- 
 port mainly from the phosphate mines and receivcB 
 thousands of dollars every week, money paid to the en*-, 
 ployes of the many large phosphate plants in that vicin-^ 
 ity. It has several large and reputable business estab- 
 lishments, a good school, churches and one of the very, 
 best hotels in the State. The citizens of Newberry are 
 enterprising and the town is only beginning a long and 
 prosperous career. 
 
 Ore of the oldest towns in this State is Archer, sitr 
 nated in the southwestern part of the county and at the, 
 junction of the Atlantic Coast Line and the Seaboard' 
 Air Line. It is located in an excellent farming section, 
 from which it draws considerable trade. 
 
 It is blessed with good churches and the populatioa 
 takes an active interest in the educational and moral wel- 
 fare of the place. 
 
 One of the most interesting as well as one of the larcrest 
 towns in this county is Micanony, named after an old In- 
 dian chief. It is one of the oldef^t towns in the State and 
 was an important place long before Gainesville wail 
 
292 
 
 known It was in the center of the great fmit section 
 o? Ma'chua and northern Marion and when the orange 
 huiustry was at its height in this State it was one of the 
 woMlthicst towns in Fk>rida. j ^ 
 
 The town has a modern brick school building and one 
 of the nX-hools in the State. Several religious denom^ 
 ^nations a^^ represented by substantial and creditable 
 house of worship. The town will continue to advance 
 and gain in prominence among the other towns in the 
 
 ^^Koihelle is one of the prettiest little towns in the State 
 ami is noted for its magniticent dwelling houses and pret- 
 ty church editices as well as its school. 
 ^It is a railroad center, being the terminal of the IT gh 
 gnrir.os and lUv-helle branch of the Atlantic ^oast Line, 
 fcesieT being on the main line of the Plant ^Xf "^ l^^- 
 t^Ten Jacksonville and St. Petersburg. A great manj 
 trains pass there daily. „ „«a 
 
 TJl;aiul Grove is situated on the Seaboard Air ^^^e nuA 
 on Orange Lake. It is surrounded }^\^^^"^^,.^,V^\? ,^*^l ^f, 
 est and most succesful truck farms in the State -^"^^ »«» 
 in iJ^viciniiy some of the largest and best orange groves 
 in this part of Florida. 
 
 One of the most interesting towns in |his county is 
 Hawthorn, situated in the easteim part Sf the county 
 xvhere the Atlantic Coa.t Line and the ^^^^^^^^ 'In.t 
 main lines cross. This has long been one of the most 
 
 imnortant towns in the county. v i. i • « 
 
 it has the Commercial Hotel, one of the best hostelries 
 in the countv, where many Northern people spend their 
 winters. The merchants of the place are enterpnsng 
 and ai-e enjoving an excellent trade. 
 
 • While Campville is a small place, it is nevertheless one 
 Of the most important points in this State. It is the 
 home of the largest brick yard in the State, an indnstry 
 which gives employment to a great many men The 
 town has a good school, and two good church buildnigs. 
 There is not a more important railroad center in the 
 interior of Florida than the town of Waldo, located at 
 tlie lunction of the Cedar Key division and the main line 
 of the Seaboard Air Line railroad. The Seaboard Air 
 ' Line shops are located there and the town has this and 
 an excellent farming section to draw from. 
 
293 
 
 Thoro aro a groat many Rubstantial bnsinf^ss hon«*»« 
 here and all of them are enjoying a good trade. The 
 Waldo House is one of the best hotels in the State and 
 feeds thonfiands of people every nrionth, as all trains stop 
 there for breakfsist, dinner and supj)er. 
 
 The town of Melrose is in the extreme eastern part of 
 the county. It is located in the counties of Clay, Putnam 
 and Alachua, but is recognized as an Alachua county 
 town. It is a magnificent winter resort, located as it is 
 on a beautiful lake. There are a great many beautiful 
 winter homes there owned by northern people who come 
 to Melrose every winter. It has the Huffman House, one 
 of the best conducted hotels in the State, where a great 
 many tourists find life pleasant during the winter sea- 
 son. It possess a good school, churches, and the so- 
 ciety is excellent. There are in the vicinity of Melrose 
 several orange groves which will soon be in bearing ex- 
 tensively. Melrose is truly one of the most delightful 
 towns in the State. 
 
 The town of Windsor is situated on Newnan's Lake. 
 While it is not Avhat can be characterized as an impor- 
 tant place, it is nevertheless a beautiful town and has a 
 number of elegant and costly homes. 
 
 Bell has the distinction of being the youngest town in 
 Alachua ronnty. It was founded a year ago, but today 
 a town with considerable population and with a great 
 many business houses. There is one of the largest saw 
 mill jdants in the State located there, and the farming 
 interests in that vicinity are extensive. The town also 
 enjoys a remarkable growth. It is on the Suwannee 
 river extension of the Seaboard Air Line Kailroad. 
 
 Wilard, situated eight miles east of Bell on the same 
 line of railroad, is another youthful town. It has a large 
 sawmill, a naval stores manufacturing plant and a good 
 mercantile establishment. 
 
 Gainesvile is a growing manufacturing center where 
 excellent opportunities an; awaiting men of energy, skill 
 and capital. It is situated almost —'^'graphically in the 
 center of the State, on the main lines of live Atlantic 
 Const Liifc, tie Seaboard Air Line, and Gainesville and 
 Gulf railways. 
 
 Backed as it is by fertile lands, progressive farmers 
 and truck growers, the phosphate industry, naval stores 
 
2!>4 
 
 and milling interests, it has always been considered one of 
 the most progressive cities in the State. The index of its 
 prosperity is tlie character of its homes and business 
 houses. The later are of the most substantial kind, all 
 built on modern styles, mostly of brick. 
 
 The principal streets are broad, most of them 100 feet 
 wide, regularly laid out, and shaded by huge oak trees. 
 These streets are paved with Alachua county rock, and 
 lighted by electricity. 
 
 The Water Works Plant is one of the finest and most 
 complete in the State. It is the property of the city, and 
 was constructed at a cost of $60,000 for the payment of 
 which there was issued 6 per cent bonds. This consti- 
 tutes the only indebtedness of the city. The supply of 
 Wiater is pumped from the renowned ''Boulware Springs," 
 and i8 as pure chemicallj' as any in the United States, 
 and its purity has gained for Gainesville an enviable rep- 
 utation. 
 
 The population of Gainesvile comprises about 6,000 
 people, the majority of whom are fully alive to the 
 natural advantages and resources of their surroundings, 
 that await the coming of more caiiital, and earnest, in- 
 dustrious men to assist in developing them. 
 
 Capitalists and manufacturers who are seeking invest- 
 ment sites on v.hich to locate plants will find many op- 
 portunities in Gainesville that will assure them profita- 
 ble returns. Its central location and healthfulness are 
 euprior advantages. A number of factories of various 
 kinds could bo profitably operated from this point. 
 Among them, cotton, cotton seed oil, glucose, cigar, can- 
 ning, cider and vinegar, wood working, hot and shoe and 
 also a foundry and machine shop. There is also a grand 
 opening for iiiv('!>;tmeiit« in city and suburban property. 
 
 Her peo])le are well bred, polite and kindly in manner 
 and feeling. The social sentiment is most liberal, and 
 there exists that pronouncedly warm hospitality to every 
 well bred stranger, so characteristic of the Southern 
 manner and custom. 
 
 In addition to healthfulness, there is nothing more 
 ne<es?nry to tlie advancement of a community than good 
 schools and churches. Of these Gainesville is well sup- 
 plied. Her churches are elegant brick structures, with 
 large congregations ably presided jover. 
 
295 
 
 The educational advantages offered by Gainesville are 
 not surpassed by any city in the State, and by few in the 
 South. In addition to the city graded and high school, 
 there are a number of private schools and kindergartens 
 in charge of thoroughly competent instructors. 
 
 The East Florida Seminary is a State Military and 
 Collegiate Institute, of which the citizens of Florida are 
 proud. The Seminary buildings, consisting of an acad- 
 emic building, barrack and dormitory for the residence 
 of students and teachers, are handsome, commodious, and 
 admirably adapted to the purposes and regime of a mil- 
 itary Pchccl. The grounds are ample, and the drill 
 grounds are the finest in the State. The instructors are 
 thoroughly competent gentlemen and graduates of the 
 leading colleges of America. 
 
 Especially ha® Gainesville gained popularity among 
 those who visit Florida to enjoy the hunting which 
 Ihe surrounding country affords. Quail, snipe, duck, tur- 
 key, squirrels and deer are plentiful. Fishing in the two 
 large lakes near Gainesville affords much amusement. To 
 all lovers of out door sports there is no better opportu- 
 nity afforded than by spending a winter here. 
 
 There is but little rain during the winter and the air 
 is beneficial to delicate lungs. The days are generally 
 warm and pleasant and the nights cool enough to insure 
 comfortable sleep. 
 
 The physicians of Gainesville are among the best in 
 the country. Livery stables are conveniently located, 
 and their charges are moderate. 
 
 Alachua county is not only the greatest county in 
 Florida, but it is one of the greatest counties in the 
 United States. In natural resources it abounds in al- 
 most everything. In climate, it is recognized as a most 
 desirable place of abode, while as to development it i» 
 going a head in ev^ry avenue of trade. It is only during 
 the past few years that the people of Alachua county 
 have appeared to apT)reciate the many advantages na- 
 ture has held in store for them. It is only during the past 
 few years that There has been any apparent awakening 
 in every line of industry and enterprise, but the effects 
 of that awakening nre being felt today. 
 
 Alachua county is progressive as she never progressed 
 before. New towns are springing up, old towns are grow- 
 
29(5 
 
 ing, the great farming and truck industries are increas- 
 ing in extent, the lumbering enterprise has made remark- 
 able advancement, the manufacture of naval stores is 
 becoming a great source of revenue, thousands of dollars 
 are being received weekly from the great phosphate in- 
 dustry, and in every branch of trade, industry or enter- 
 prise, the people of Alachua are displaying a commenda- 
 ble zeal. 
 
 Following are the principal products of 1902, and their 
 value : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island Cotton, bales, 3,462 $262,655 
 
 Corn, bushels, 368,838 279.365 
 
 Oats, bushels, 32,500 16,250 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 50,425 19,156 
 
 Cabbages, barrels, 46,339 ^ 51,590 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 14,475 *. 11,945 
 
 Watermelons, carloads, 191 14,470 
 
 Cantaloupes, barrels, 52,980 51,715 
 
 Lettuce, cr-ates, 88,355 89,378 
 
 Peaches, crates, 8,220 6,115 
 
 The following live stock was on hand: 
 
 Horses, 2,899 206,975 
 
 Mules, 987 70.845 
 
 Stock cattle, 25,996 187.799 
 
 Milk cow«, 126 3,775 
 
 Poultry of all kinds 4,000 
 
 BAKER COUNTY. 
 
 This is in the northern tier of counties and is bordered 
 on the north by the State of <jCorgia, south by Bradford 
 County, east by Duval, and on the wet^t by Columbia. It 
 contains 585 square miles or 374,400 acres of land sur- 
 face. The population in 1890 was 3.383, and in 1900, 
 4,516, of which 3.325 were white and 1.191 were negroes. 
 
 The total number of schools in 1901 was 42, of which 
 38 were white and 4 colored. 
 
 The pj'incipal town and county seat is Macclenny, 
 situated on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad; the number 
 of inhabitants was 350 in 1900. Olustee, a small village 
 
297 
 
 in the western part of the county, was the scene of the 
 only real serious battle in Florida during the late war. 
 Both towns are thriving business places. 
 
 The topography of the county is generally level, the 
 soil mostly sandy, with some small bodies of hammock 
 lands at intervals. The principal industry is general 
 farming, truck growing, and lumbering. 
 
 The principal timber growths are pine and cypress, 
 which is being cut in large quantities and sawed up into 
 the various forms for commercial purposes, by the numer- 
 ous large mills. 
 
 * The health of the people is alv/ays good and epidemic 
 diseases have never been known. It produces most of the 
 crops usually grown in the State, and also in one or two 
 lo' alities, the Satsuma orange succeeds remarkably well, 
 notably the Tabor grove at Glen St. Mary, where the cul- 
 tivation of this variety of orange is made a specialty. 
 
 The people of this county are generous, kind and warm- 
 hearted and extend the glad hand of friendly welcome to 
 all who come with good intent to make their abode with 
 US. 
 
 In 1902. the following constiti7tpd the principal pro- 
 ducts of the county and their value: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 1,263 |8T,459 
 
 Corn, bushels, 79,815 63 858 
 
 Oats, bushels, 10,185 5,091 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 81,851 24.606 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,706.. 17.045 
 
 Sugar, pounds. 51,500 2,580 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 20.597 20.597 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 40,420 40.420 
 
 Velvet beans, "bushels, 8,500*. 8,500 
 
 Oranges, boxes. 270 550 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 5,400 4,203 
 
 And the following live stock was on hand: 
 
 Horses. 420 ^. 18,360 
 
 Mules, 215 14,485 
 
 Stock cattle, 5,877 30.485 
 
 Hogs, 3,493 3,493 
 
 Milch cows, 862 8.665 
 
 Poultry of all kinds 8,351 
 
BRADFORD COUNTY, 
 
 This county is Ktmidod on the north bv l>;\kor. south 
 bv Alaohua. east by Ohiy and on the wrst by Columbia. 
 
 Number of squaw miles of hind surface. 552. or 
 S5oJ2S0 acres, 
 
 .The iH^puhition in 1S90 was 7.510. and in 1900. 10.295, 
 of whi h 7.5t>;> aiv white and 2,727 are colored. 
 
 Just look at a map of Florida and you will rind us liv- 
 injT on five railroads about forty miles southwest from 
 Jacksonville. 
 
 Main line of Seaboard Air Line passes twenty miles 
 thnnigh eastern part, with its Suwannee division 16 miles 
 southwest from Starke: Georgia Southern and Florida 35 
 miles frtnu northwest pan^ to southeast iH^rlion; Jackson- 
 ville and Southwestern 25 miles from central northeast to 
 central southwest: Gainesville and Gulf 5 miles frum 
 Sampson City south. Not a farm in our cotmty is i)ut t»f 
 easv distance from railroad transportatio^i. 
 
 Every part abuudan^^ of water at all times of the year 
 for man and beast. L^ikes Sampson. I^utlcr. Cl^>sby, 
 Kowell. Navarro, Santa Fe, Fern, Dekle. Swift Creek, and 
 South Prtmg: streams are the Santa Fe. New Kiver. Olus- 
 tee. Swift Creek. Sampson, Alli£[ator. Turkey Creek, Mill 
 Creek, with all their hundreds of branches and riverlets. 
 
 Throughout our domain every variety of soil, rich ham- 
 mock, fertile sugar and rice muck beds, rolling pine loaTU, 
 deep rit h I'ark undulating tlatwoods loam — all with gixni 
 clay subsoil. Our methods of cultivation are yet some- 
 what primitive — nearly all with one-horse plow, but the 
 writer has lived here twenty-three years and has never 
 yet seen a failure of good crops where planting and culti- 
 vation were properly attende^d to. 
 
 With modem cultivators, harrows, sulky plows, reap- 
 ing and mowing machines, rollers, cutters, etc.. our possi- 
 bilities in agriculture are immense. The secret of success 
 in farm life is to reduce the cost of production. But 
 even with our one-horse plow and primitive methods of 
 preparation, planting, cultivation and gathering of crops 
 our farmers who work make abundance and to spare. 
 
 Our soil and climate favor successful production of 
 most every field crop, vegetable and fruit known in North- 
 ^st Florida, but so far the main home and market pro- 
 
299 
 
 ducts are corn, oats, hay, rye, sea iMland cotton, chufa«, 
 pinder«, snap beans, onions, cabbages, tomatoes, (^^<^- 
 pinders, field j/eas, sweet potatoes, cassava, velvet beans, 
 Irish j>otatoes, snap beans, onions, cabbages, tomatoes, 
 eggplant, melons, cantalouj/es, cucumbers, lettuce, sugar 
 cane, tobacco, rice, 8trawl>cn'ies, beef, muitou. pork, field 
 cane, tobacco, rice, strawben-ies, beef, mutton, pork, 
 peaches, plums, grapes, j^ears, peacan nuts, and some 
 oranges. With native and imported gi-asses, beggar weed 
 and field peas and velvet beans. Our lands can easily and 
 rapidly be improved to great fertility. Unimproved lands 
 sell at §;i'.50 to ^o jtf^r acre. Imjiroved farms at $10 to f25 
 per acre, according to location and class of improvements. 
 
 Now, you ask, give some actual results? In answer we 
 say '-there is more in the man than in the land." Our 
 projgT-essive, ambitious and wide-awake fanners make 20 
 to 35 bushels corn per aci-e, where the lazy drones hardly 
 average ten bushels : 
 
 Our business method strawberry growers realize |200 
 to |.5O0 per acre net profits each season, while the ignor- 
 ant, blundering, and shiftless man will hardly make ex- 
 fienses. As an example of the success attained by intelli- 
 gent methods, J. M. Brownlee & Son, near Starke, cleared 
 ^5,200 on ten acres of strawbeiTies, season of 1902 ship- 
 ments. 
 
 Our best sea island cotton planters average 700 to 900 
 pounds j>er acre unginned cotton, worth now G to 7 cents 
 a pound in the seed, while the lazy-bones hardly average 
 250 j)Ounds i>er acre. 
 
 The comparison applies in game proportion to sugar, 
 syrup, rice, cattle, and all the products enumerated above 
 in this article. In soil, climate, water and good health na- 
 ture has lavished upon us her choicest gifts. If we do our 
 part well, the results of labor intelligently applied are 
 more than satisfactory. Not only the necessary comforts 
 of life, but many of its luxuries can be made to abound 
 all the year round. 
 
 Our population is 11,000, census of 1900, a gain of 37 
 per cent, over that of 1890. Whites outnumber blacks 
 4 to 1. 
 
 Assessed valuations aggregate $1,764,574. Multiply 
 this by four and you will about hit actual values where 
 sale is not forced. 
 
300 
 
 School tax 5 milles for 4 months public term, but one- 
 half of the school districts have voluntarily voted upon 
 themselves as sub-school districts an additional 3 milla 
 tax and run their schools 8 months in the year. There are 
 53 schools, of which 43 are white and 10 colored. Of the 
 white schools 8 are graded and teach a full high school 
 course of study. Total pupils enrolled 2,633, with 73 per 
 centage attendance. Value of school property, |12.000. 
 Teachers are paid salaries of |112 per month down to |2() 
 per month. Average salary per month, $34.24. 
 
 The Bradford County High School at Starke, the county 
 seat, runs 8 months each year. It is a graded school of 
 regular course of studies from beginner to graduate, and 
 employs a principal and six assistant teachers. Its en- 
 rollment has reached 240. It has large roomy buildings, 
 with modern desks and appliances. There are neat hand- 
 some school buildings throughout the entire county. 
 Our people are wide awake on the subject of education. 
 
 Average winter temperature 52 degrees; spring, 66 de- 
 grees; summer, 79 degrees; autumn, 67 degrees; annual 
 average, 66 degrees. 
 
 Bradford County is on a plateau ISO feet above sea 
 level. The health Sijtistics prove remarkable freedom 
 from any serious forms of diseases, and even of malarial 
 fevers. We are certainly blessed with good health the 
 year round. Come and isee, aud be convinced. Come any 
 time of the year. Cool pleasant breezes will wel'ome you 
 in mid-summer, and a genial balmy sunsiiine in mid-win- 
 ter; but don't forget to bring your overcoat for occa- 
 sional winter use, and ])lenty of light bed coverings for 
 constant use during entire summer time, for our summer 
 nights are delightfully cool and pleasant. In fact we 
 who have lived here for years, summer and winter, actual- 
 ly prefer the Florida summers to her winters. -Tust come 
 along and summer and winter with us, select your piece 
 of soil and patch of sky, then go to work with sound busi- 
 ness methods aud reasonable patience and content and 
 live happy. But if you expect something for nothing 
 don't come at all. 
 
 Starke, on the Seaboard Air Line, is a neat, ])roo;res- 
 sive town of !)00 to 1,100 population at present, with a 
 steady, healthy business growth. A new court house of 
 
301 
 
 pressed brick and stone is just completed. A telephone 
 exchange is in operation, and water works and electric 
 light plants are now being installed under competent con- 
 tracts. Mineral spring water near Starke took the medal 
 at the last State Fair held at Jacksonville. 
 
 Starke'a citizens are now building a carriage and bi- 
 cycle road a few miles out to the clear beautiful crystal 
 waters of Kingsley Lake, which as a bathing, boating and 
 pleasure and cooling summer resort i» simply delightful. 
 This lake is round and 2J miles in diameter, with clean 
 sand beach, and its water, fed entirely by mineral sprintgs, 
 so perfectly clear that a bright nickel can be seen twenty 
 feet deep in its cool depths. It is life and health and 
 strength and joy for children and adults to bathe and 
 swim in its pure water. Its shady shore scenery of hick- 
 ory, oak, magnolia, sweet bay, dogwood and pine forest, 
 with drapery of Spanish moss, in contrast with the bright 
 water, make the whole a tonic to mind and body. 
 
 Other towns in the county -in order of population and 
 business are Lake Butler, Lawtey, Hampton, Providence, 
 Eaiford, Clayno, Sampson City, New River, Highland, 
 Worthington Springs. Churches, with neat buildings 
 and good congregations, throughout the entirq county. 
 
 As illustration, we have in Starke Methodist, Baptist, 
 Presbyterian, Episcopal and Christian churches, with se- 
 cret societies of Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of 
 Pythias. 
 
 Bradford county is prosperous and progressive, its peo- 
 ple self supporting, its future brigh|:. Its exports in sea 
 island cotton and strawberries and peache? alone fi^gure 
 into several hundred thousand dollars annually. 
 
 The principal products for 1902 were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea island cotton, bales, 3,224 $22.5.(U0 
 
 Corn, bushels, 144,675.. 107.772 
 
 Oats, bushels, 25,835 17.031 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 40,820 10 330 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 2,060 20 600 
 
 Peanuts, bu.-hels. 35,610 35.610 
 
 Strawberries, quarts, 274,740 54,760 
 
302 
 
 The live stock on hand was as follows: 
 
 Horses, 1,227 83,245 
 
 Mules, 571 46,730 
 
 Stock cattle, 13,235 105,787 
 
 Hogs, 5,899 5,899 
 
 Poultry all kinds, number, 27.434 8,955 
 
 BREVARD COUNTY, 
 
 This county lies on the east coast of Florida, stretching 
 along the Atlantic Ocean for a distance of 115 miles. 
 Cape Canaveral, with its lofty light house, being near its 
 northeast eorner. Its county seat is Titusville, which 
 lies near the northern boundary of the county. 
 
 The population is slightly over 6,000. Its principal 
 towns are Titusville, Cocoa, Rockledge, Eau-Gallie, Mel- 
 bourne, Sebastian, Ft. Pierce and Jensen. Many other 
 thriving little villages are scattered over the county, ad- 
 ding much to the importance of the county and to its so- 
 cial and material welfare. Tire well known Indian river 
 extends through the whole length of the county. Its 
 oranges and its pineapples are known wherever epicures 
 partake of these delicious fruits. The soils are broadly 
 divisible into hammock, spruce pine, muck and fiat woods. 
 The productions are numerous and varied. 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
 
 This county ranks among the first in the State in the 
 number and value of its public buldings. These com- 
 pr'se court house, clerk's office and jail and other build- 
 ivn-n for the conduct of public bu«?ineps. These are mostly 
 of brick and are substantial and well equipped. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The countv has 20 churches, belonging to the various 
 de^omipations. It is always difficult to get exact statis-, 
 tics of church affairs. The pastors of these churches all 
 renort r-oo'l attcnrfance. well r>ntroP'zed Sabbath Schools, 
 and a healthy, spiritual growth. The pulpits are well 
 
3oa 
 
 and ably filled and the new comer is very likely to find as 
 able a man in the pnlpit of his chosen church here as in 
 the church he left in some other i^tate. 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 Titnsville has the Indian River State r>ank, Cocoa has 
 Brevard County State Bank, Ft. Pierce has Bank of Ft. 
 Pierce, Jensen has Planters Security Bank. These banks 
 aggregate deposits of ^3()0,00() or over. Their policy is at 
 once broad and conservative. Many of the local enter- 
 prises are made possible by the aid of these banks. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 There are four in the county — The Star and The Advo- 
 cate at Titusville, The Cocoa and Rockledge News, at 
 Cocoa, the Melbourne Times at Melbourne. All are up- 
 to-date papers. The Advocate and the Star own and oc- 
 cupy a commodious brick building. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY. 
 
 County SuDPrintendent's report for the year ending 
 June 30th, 1902: 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 Indebtedness July 1, 1901 $5,337.31 
 
 Indebtedness July 1, 1902 1,316.09 
 
 Deduction during year 14.021.22 
 
 Warrants outstanding July 1st, 1901 | 5 3fi8 02 
 
 Warrants issued during year 17.868.52 
 
 Total f!23 236.54 
 
 Warrants paid during year 20,427.86 
 
 Warrants outstanding July 1st, 1902 |!2.808 68 
 
 Total warrants outstandiri? July 1st, 1902 2.808.68 
 
 Leps cash in treasury July 1st, 1902 1 .492.59 
 
 Net indebtedness July 1st, 1902 1,316.09 
 
ao4 
 
 GENERAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR. 
 
 Number of white schools opened 40 
 
 Number of colored schools opened 9 49 
 
 Number white teachers employed 42 
 
 Number colored teachers employed 11 53 
 
 ENROLLMENT OF PUPILS. 
 
 Total white, males 460 
 
 Total whites, females 417 877 
 
 Total colored, males 156 
 
 Total colored, females 175 331 
 
 Total of both races 1,208 
 
 ATTENDANCE OF PUPILS. 
 
 Daily average of white males .308 
 
 Daily average of white females 288 596 
 
 Daily average of colored males 103 
 
 Daily average of colored females 114 217 
 
 Daily average of both races 813 
 
 VALUATIONS. 
 
 The assessed valuation of Brevard County is as follows 
 for 1901 : 
 
 The assessed valuation of Brevard County real estate 
 is $1,524,400. 
 
 The assessed valuation of the railroads in the county 
 is 1730,008.56. 
 
 The assessed valuation of the personal propertv is 
 1225,495. 
 
 The rates, millage of taxation for the various funds, is 
 as follows: 
 
 County revenue, general fund, 4 mills. 
 
 General School Fund, 5 mills. 
 
 General Road Fund, 3 mills. 
 
 Fine and Forfeiture Fund, Ih mills. 
 
 Special Road Tax, District No. 3, 5 mills. 
 
305 
 
 Special School Tax, Districts 1, 2 and 3, 3 mills. 
 State tax, 5 mills. 
 
 llie above is for the year 1901, as the tax books for 
 1901: are not yet turned into the clerk's office. 
 
 CATTLE INDUSTRY. 
 
 The cattle business has been prominent for many years. 
 Immense herds roam the country around Ft, Drum and 
 the prairies back of Ft. Fierce. K is believed by many 
 that the cattle business offers one of the best investments 
 today to be found in the county. The number of cattle 
 and animals and the value of same is as follows: 
 
 Number of horses, 342; number of cattle, T,!)T4; number 
 of sheep, 105; number of swine, G99; value of above, 
 $47,550.00. 
 
 FRUIT GROWING. 
 
 Brevard County after all is pre-eminently a fruit-grow- 
 ing county. The list embraces Oranges, Lemons, Limes, 
 Pomelo, Tangerines, Kumquats, Shaddock, Pineapples, 
 Ma^.^oes, Avacado Pears, Guavas, Sugar Apple, Sappo- 
 dilla, etc. 
 
 All the above are grown in quantity and for market. 
 Many other fruits are grown in smaller volume and for 
 home consumption. The orange industry is now, and 
 has been for many years, one of the prime resources of 
 the county, annually bringing into the county |100,000 
 to .f200,000. The output of Pomelo has rapidly increased 
 in the past few years and now ranks as a heavy money 
 maker. Its future is bright and our people have faith 
 in it. 
 
 The Citrus interests of the county are now more widely 
 distributed than formerly. They now extend from one 
 end of the county to the other, and in extreme South 
 Prevard can toc^nv be found some of thp best yoursr crroves 
 in the county. This is true of the country from Sebastian 
 south to Waveland and extending well into the back 
 country where some of our oldest residents have fine 
 pTovPs. rotiibly Judge Minor S. .Tonrs nnrl ]Mr. F. W. 
 Hall, who have fine groves at Klondyke, some miles west 
 
 20 n. F. 
 
306 
 
 of Quay P. O., in the heavy hauimock back of that place. 
 Mr. H. S. Williams, of Rockledge and others have fine 
 young groves west of Ft. Pierce, and Mr. C. T. McCarty 
 has line young gTovts north of St. Lucie along the Florida 
 East Coast Kailway. Other sections of the county are 
 also making a start in this direction. The heaviest ship- 
 ments are from the Rockledge settion and from Merritt's 
 Island, where Mr. E. P. Porcher and others havo fine and 
 paying groves. 
 
 VEGETABLES. 
 
 Vegetables are grown for profit all over the county. 
 The vegetable output embraces the whole range of mar- 
 ketable products. The output for the season of 1901 and 
 1902 netted |1 25,000 and was the chief source of income 
 to a considerable number of our people. The sections 
 growing the greater volume of the vegetable crop were 
 Narrows, White City, Jensen, Ft. Pierce and points on 
 Merritt's Island. 
 
 Beans, Irish Potatoes, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Egg Plant 
 and Celery are the principal market crops, although 
 other vegetables are getting more attention than form- 
 erly. Strawberries have been grown in a small way with 
 profit for some years and seem to be destined to occupy a 
 larger share of public attention. 
 
 PINEAPPLES. 
 
 This is probably the most extensive and profitable in- 
 dustry in the county. The acreage is 2,000, the output 
 for the year 1901 was 300,000 crates of an averac^ of 30 
 apples to the crate and netting an average of $1.75 per 
 crate. This was, doubtless, the best croT) in the county, 
 corsidering the acreage. The nnrt of th^ countv that 
 experience has shown to be best adapted to the growing 
 of this crop lies between the Srbast'an river and the 
 south part of the county. Sou^e pinea')ples are grown 
 on Merritt's TsUukI. pt Oeoro-i'Mni. fimv.p at M'^'b^'ur'^e 
 Beach and a few at Wh^te Citv. hvf <^' ^^rv '-r^f. of nil fli(» 
 pirea')nles grown in Ihc ro^irt^' iire bofwof^n Sebastian 
 and St. I i7cie r'ver al')'\g tb^ ''ne of the Fieri r'a E'-i«;t 
 Coast Railway and along ln('i;^n river. The elevntpd 
 
^. ao7 
 
 spruce pine and scrub oak and hickor}' ridges have proven 
 best adapted to the growth of this fruit. For the infor- 
 mation of those who want to know more of the practical 
 details of pineapple growing the following facts are 
 given : 
 
 It will be understood that what is said on this subject 
 is from the field rather tlian from the book standpoint, 
 and tliat what sometimes applies to the southern part of 
 Brevard County, and the northern part of Dade County, 
 on the East Coast of Florida, may not apply to the Keya 
 or the Bahamas, where pineapples are also grown. Dif- 
 ference in latitude, altitude, proximity to large bodies 
 of water, prevailing direction of wind, exposure to sea 
 breezes, difference in soil and other factors might vary 
 the method pursued. It will be understood that theories, 
 and disputed and mooted questions generally will not be 
 discussed. While this m'ght deligrht the specialist and 
 the man of years of residence in Florida, it would be of 
 no value to the new comer or the intending settler, for 
 whom this is prepared. On the contrary, it would only 
 tend to confusion and do a positive harm. We take up 
 the subject of pineapple culture from the standpoint of a 
 successful, profitable and well established industry. 
 
 We do not belieAe that so much depends upon a few 
 miles north or south as upon a corresponding number of 
 feet in altitude above the level of the river. In this we 
 do not take the position that there is nothing in latitude, 
 but very mu< h in altitude. We also look at it from the 
 broader stand point of experience and observation, aotl 
 are free from those local prejudices that are sometimes 
 given undue prominence. Some localities claim with 
 dogmatic certainty that they are the only pineajiple 
 growing section. The unbiased, observing man, travelin-^ 
 through the region indicated would not be thus impressed. 
 
 There seems to be some confusion as to the means by 
 which pineapples are propagated. 1 will briefly state the 
 local names of the various pineapple plant growths, with 
 sufficient informat'on for the new conipr to identifv thoin 
 and become familiar with ihe phrnseology of this busi- 
 ness. They are: (1) Slips, (2) Suckers." (3) Rattoons, 
 (4) Crowns. (5) Crownletp. The sPu p-mws at tl>p toT» of 
 the fruit stalk, around the base of the annle, and are the 
 most prolific sources of p^ropagation. The sucker grows 
 
308 
 
 out of the axle of the leaf of the parent plant. The rat- 
 toon might be i ailed a root sueker: that is, it grows out of 
 the base of the plant at or below the snrfai-e of the gro\ind. 
 The crown occupies the center and top of the ripened 
 fruit. The crownlets, as its name implies, is a little 
 ci'own or small plant that sometimes grows around the 
 base of i\\'e crown proper. Thev are not considered desir- 
 able as plants, bi-nr^p; too small for the rapid production 
 of fruit ; however, by careful nursing, in thiiv years lime 
 they usually develop a fair fruit. In very choice or famy 
 varieties they ai"e planted in nurseries and transplanted 
 when sutTicieutly grown. 
 
 The crown proi>er, when cut and some of the lower 
 leaves removed, makes a good plant, but it is found by 
 observation to be inclined tv> "sport," as the botanists 
 put it. The same is probably true of the crowulet. The 
 rattoon is a desirable additic^n to the original plant, be- 
 cause it grs)ws low down and aids the |>erpctuity of the 
 plantation. The fruit whiih it produces is not usually 
 eo large as that prodmed by the suckers. The suckers 
 come out otf the axle of the leaves, and vary in number 
 from one to four, averaging about two to the plant, and 
 are the plants that produce the succeeding crop. The 
 number of slip>s per apple varies from three to six in the 
 common varieties, and sometimes as high as twelve or 
 even twenty in some of the fancy varieties. 
 
 Kepirding the preparation of the land, the method of 
 clearing it, and the planting of it out. we will follow the 
 most time tried and well tested methods. In this as in all 
 other agricultural matters, the methods of procedure, 
 will differ somewhat and embody the ideas of various 
 ix'ople. We will give it as we tind it most successfully ia 
 vogue throughout the ivgion under discussion. The laud 
 riust be thoroughly cleared of grubs, the roots, stumps 
 and trees thoroughly removed, and land left in a condi- 
 tion similar to that of a gtirden. We clear the land 
 mostly in the winter and spring, having it ready for set- 
 ting in June. July and August. 'VA'e use for marking an 
 instrument whii h marks four or five rows at a time and 
 can be handled by one man. At present the nmjoritv of 
 the work on pineapple plantations is done by ban 1. Th's 
 W'll raTiidly chang-e. as don^pstic animals cf all kinds ai-e 
 being introduced, and the methods of performing much of 
 
309 
 
 this labor will soon be simplified and made much easier. 
 There is much difference of opinion as to the proper dis- 
 tance of planting pineapples. A few years ago it was be- 
 lieved that 25x30 inches or 28x28 was sufficiently close. 
 These distances have been steadily narrowed down until 
 today the greater portion of the fields are being planted 
 20x20 or 22x22 in squares. Some even think that i»xi» 
 is sufficient room. Experience, however, is showing that 
 20x'>0 answers all the objections to long distance plant- 
 ing and fills all the requirements for short distance planf- 
 ing The reason why long distances are being discarded 
 and shorter distances advocated is because of the support 
 that the suckers give each other as the years go by. 12,000 
 to 15,000 per acre are planted. 
 
 To the new comer it is perhaps neces.sary to say that 
 after plantirg slips in the summer season it requires from 
 eighteen months to two years to bring these plants to ma- 
 turity and obtain the first crop of fruit. The field then 
 produces the next year from the suckers, and continues 
 to do this for six or seven years, producing five to seven 
 good crops before resetting. These suckers have a more 
 Blender hold on the plant than the original plant had 
 upon the soil, and with each succeeding year the sucker 
 grows higher up on the plant and becomes more un- 
 Bteadv; consef|uently they require the support of each 
 other and this support ran only be obtained by close 
 planting. In long distance planting there is a tendency 
 for the suckers to lean over and the fruit to become sun- 
 burnt and injured on one side, as it is likely to do when 
 not standing in an upright or erect position. While thia 
 is the fundamental reason for short distance planting, 
 there are other numerous economic reasons, based on good 
 practical experience, which recommend it to the n<*w 
 comer. Per^=opally, we plant out the Red Soanish ^0x20, 
 and recommend that as a safe distance. After the suck- 
 ers grow, this number is yjerhaps doubled, and it will be 
 readily seen that this is a very large number of plants, 
 and tliat sufTicicnt space must be allowed around each to 
 put fertilizer, arid upon which to walk and work in car'n<; 
 for the plantation. These distances a only to the Red 
 Spanish, Rtr-awberry, or Key Largo variety, which is the 
 common pine of con^'^'"^'"**. 
 
 The Porto Rico, which is a remarkably large plant, pro- 
 
310 
 
 duciDg an apple weighing from eight to fifteen pounds, 
 requires more spate. We think 24x00 inches about right 
 £or it. The Egyptian Queen, another of our better varie- 
 ties, requires a distance of about 22x22 inches. The 
 Abbaka and Smooth Cayenne requires a little more dis- 
 tance than the Ked Spanish. We think 22x22 a fair dis- 
 tance for these. However, if a man plants but few and 
 has time to stake up or support the plants, greater dis- 
 tances may be allowed. 
 
 A fair list of desirable varieties would embrace: (1) 
 Red Spanish, (2) Egyptian Queen, (3) Ripley, (4) Abak- 
 ka,' (5) Smooth Cayenne, (6) Porto Kico, (7) Enville 
 City. 
 
 Pamphlets on pineapple and orange growing may be 
 had by sending 4 cents in stamps to C. T. McCarty, 
 Eldred, Fla. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 Brevard County is traversed its entire length by the 
 Florida East Coast Railway. There being 125 miles of 
 railway- in the county. This is assessed at |5,000 per 
 mile and pays about one-third of the taxes in the county. 
 Rapid and cheap transit is thus had with the outside 
 Ttvorld. The Indian River is traversed by steamers be- 
 "^^ tween Cocoa and I]au Gallic, and points on Merritt'a 
 ^ Island, thus connecting them with the railway. St. 
 Lucie River points are connected by steamers and power 
 launches with Stuart on the railroad. No county in the 
 State has better or more rapid transportation. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 Perhaps the best way to give an adequate idea of the 
 climate of the county is to give the official figures for 
 1901, thus embracing the entire year. These figures are 
 from the United States Government reports: 
 
 Mean annual temperature, 73.0 degrees as against 68.8 
 degrees for the whole State. 
 
 Total precipitation, G3.11 inches, as against 58.47 inches 
 for the whole State. 
 
 Prevailing direction of the wind southeast. 
 
 The precipitation is fairly well divided throughout the 
 
 ^ 
 
311 
 
 year. The period most likely to be dry is in the early 
 spring. During the fall the rainfall is more marked than 
 during other parts of the year. 
 
 Our summer weather ^s not excessive, but the summers 
 in a semi-tropical country are of necessity long. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 Several saw mills are in operation. There is a Tannic 
 acid factory at Titusville doing a good business under the 
 management of Mr. VVm. M. Brown. This factory is 
 utilizing the despised saw palmetto and making of it a 
 source of revenue to the county. At Melbourne, under 
 the management of John Nicholson, a palmetto fiber fac- 
 tory is in successful operation. This turns out fiber to 
 make into mattrasses and uses the leaves of the saw pal- 
 metto. In a limited way there are several jelly and can- 
 ning factories in operation. 
 
 NEW SETTLERS WELCOMED. 
 
 The people of Brevard County have always extended to 
 the new comer a welcoming and a helping hand. Choice 
 of many profitable lines of fruit growing is offered and 
 in some instances a combination of several crops can be 
 raised in the same plare, thus ensuring greater diversity 
 and surer rewards. Inspection of our resources is 
 courted and to this end the mayors of the various towns, 
 the Board of County Commissioners, the land department 
 of the F. E. C. Ry., and the real estate dealers will co- 
 operate. 
 
 LANDS. 
 
 The graf^es, adantibility, price and lay of land varies 
 so widely thRt much care is needed in making a selection. 
 The crop to be raised is first to be decided on. Then the 
 grade and location of Innd needs attention. A study 
 should be made of the climatic features of each locality 
 and the climatic requirements of the crop to be grown. 
 
 Lands vary in price from $.5.00 to $100.00 and more is 
 sometimes paid in certain favored locations and for throw- 
 ing certain crop©. The location as regards situation on 
 
312 
 
 Indian Kiver proximity to town and to well settled neigh- 
 borhoods modifies the price. 
 
 It is impossible in a general art'He to go into more de- 
 tails as to land prices. Specific inquiry alone will avail 
 the intending purchaser. 
 
 The principal soil products for 1902 were : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 22.060 1 11,455 
 
 Irish potatoes, barrels. 4,010 11 ,980 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 10,690 11.015 
 
 Beans, crates, 62,130 53 350 
 
 Oranges, crates, 127,430 330,740 
 
 Grape fruit, crates. 3,574 11.305 
 
 Guavas, crates, 5.325 2,740 
 
 Live stock as follows on hand : 
 
 Horses, 3^3 14.310 
 
 Stock cattle, 9,321 40.150 
 
 Hogs. 1,490 3 7T5 
 
 Milr h cows, 159 5..5.35 
 
 Poultry, all kiufls. number, 17,015 8.209 
 
 Eggs, dozens, 279,500 29,785 
 
 CALHOUN COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounr?e<l on t^e north bv .Jackson Tountv, 
 on the south by the Gulf of Mexico, on the west bv the 
 Gulf and Washington County, and on the east bv the 
 Apalachicola river for the entire length of the countv. 
 
 It has 1,007 sauare miles of land surface, or 678.400 
 acres. In 1890 the total pooulntion was 1.081. In 1900 
 it had increased to 5,132, of which 3,092 were white and 
 2,040 were colored. 
 
 It had at end of school term in 1901 a total of 30 
 schools, of which 21 were for whites and 9 were for ne- 
 groes. 
 
 Blountstown, on the Apalachicola river, is the county 
 seat. The Apalachicola river on the eastern bound'^rv is 
 navigable for larre stpamers all the year around, a^ri soy. 
 eral lines of fine boats ply its water<5 from ATin^achicoia 
 to Columbus, Ga., giving excellent transportation facili- 
 
313 
 
 ties to the products of the county. The Chii)ola riv"r, 
 running through nearly the whole county, is navigable 
 most of the year. Lake Chipola, near (he center of tho 
 county, is sixteen miles lorg and from one to three miles 
 wide. It abounds in fish. The Chipola river passes 
 through it before emptying into the Apalachicola. 
 
 Attention has been given to orange growing in this 
 county, and with profitable success, Several fine groves 
 are in a flourishing condition though not yet bearing to 
 any extent. 
 
 Peaches r'o well and are grown by almost every one for 
 home consumption. 
 
 The soil of Calhoun is mostly of a loose sandy nature, 
 underlaid with clay, and is largely what is known as first 
 and second rate pine lands. There are also fine hammock 
 lands. 
 
 The timber consists principally of pine and cypress, but 
 there are large quantities of valuable hard woods along 
 and in the vicinity of the creeks and rivers. 
 
 Calhoun is one of the largest honey producing counties 
 in the State, and its pro'^uct has quite a reputation in 
 the markets for the excellence of its quality. 
 
 Its principal farm products for the year 1902 were as 
 follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 558 |19,030 
 
 Sea island cotton, bales, 1,133 19,980 
 
 Corn, bushels, 63,498 62.026 
 
 Oats, bushels. 9,682 ". 6,989 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 30,165 15,667 
 
 Byrup, barrels, 1,943 11,656 
 
 Rice, bushels, 860 860 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 5.-336 5.336 
 
 Teanuts. bushels. 14.308 14.398 
 
 Honey, pounds, 231,420 11,443 
 
 Live stock on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 462 36,795 
 
 Mules, number, 205 19.850 
 
 Btock cattle, number, 6,4.54 41,198 
 
 Sheep, number, 4.532 8.964 
 
 Hoi^. number. 5.997 17.131 
 
 Poultry of all kinds, number, 30,557 '. . , 7,.505 
 
314 
 
 CITRUS COUNTY. 
 
 This county is along and south of the 29th parallel of 
 north latitude; on the west side and in the narrowest por- 
 tion of the peninsular of Florida. It is bounded on the 
 east and north by the weird Withlacoochee River, navi- 
 gable at all seasons; on the west by the Gulf of Mexico, 
 and on the south by Hernando, County. 
 
 It has 612 square miles of land surface, or 391,680 
 ftcres. 
 
 In 1890 the total population was 2,394, and in 1900, it 
 was 5,391, of which 2,754 were white and 2,637 were 
 negroes. At the end of the school term of 1901, it sup- 
 ported 27 schools, of which 21 were white and 6 were 
 colored. 
 
 Embraced within these limits is a section of high, roll- 
 ing lands, lakes and magnificent hammocks; the high lands 
 extend through Hernando into Pasco county, and consti- 
 tute, by far, the largesf part of the county. Devoid of 
 low swamps and ponds it can trutJifully be said to be as 
 healthy as any land on the face of the earth. 
 
 The county was created out of the northern part of the 
 territory of Hernando county by tho Legislature in 1887, 
 and contains twenty-four townships, in whole or in part. 
 
 Citrus County, owing to its location, soil, etc., presents 
 numberless cogent arguments why the rural population 
 from the negro belts of the South and the frigid North 
 should desire to find a home with us. It is needless to 
 array these facts in this article, requiring too much time 
 and space. The happy homes of those to the manor born 
 indubitably point to w^hat may be accomplished by the 
 despairing cotton planter and the horny handed yeomanry 
 of those States where subsistence can only be wrung from 
 the soil by ceaseless toil. 
 
 HOMOSASSA, 
 
 Which is the widest known place, perhaps, in the county, 
 contends with the famous places of Florida for tho prece- 
 dence for picturesque scenery and ftttractions for the 
 tourist. 
 
 Homosasaa is now the west coast terminus of the Silver 
 Springs, Ocala and Gulf railroad, and Pullman sleepers 
 
? 315 
 
 can land the tourist at the famous hostlery, presided over 
 by ye old time host. He may leave the hills clad in a 
 winding sheet of snow and the rivers locked in the un- 
 broken ice, and in a few hours step out into the bright 
 sunshine and warm atmosphere of the famous resort. If 
 perchance he should reach Homosassa at night, which is 
 the case generally, when he awakes in the morning there 
 will burst upon his vision such a scene as will photograph 
 upon his mind an unfading picture of loveliness. Look- 
 ing across the river he may behold the private home of a 
 wealthy man, that will bring up to his mind the Biblical 
 picture of the Egyptian Queen descending to the water's 
 edge and discovering "Moses in the bulrushes." 
 
 Here many thousands of dollars have been spent em- 
 bellishing homes wherein the bleak winters of the North 
 may be baffled and the flush of youth be restored to the 
 cheeks of the tired devotee of fashion and amusement. 
 
 Fine hammock lands, the natural home of the orange 
 and lemon, are interspersed with browsy meadows and 
 low lands susceptible to drainage, exceedingly fertile, are 
 common to all these rivers spoken of, and some day will 
 be described by a more facile pen. 
 
 The high table lands adjacent to the rich lands of the 
 coast, removed from the insects and malaria of the 
 swamps, presents one of the most attractive advantages 
 to the well-to-do man, who wishes to find an ideal home 
 in the hills, and at the same time enjoy the pleasures 
 arising from propinquity to the coast. Thousands can 
 find such homes, and the lands are of such a nature as to 
 be susceptible to indefinite improvement. Here is des- 
 tined to be the home of thousands. Men may settle here 
 and by an expenditure of only a small part of the sum 
 expended by the Californians for irrigation, make the de- 
 sert smile. 
 
 CRYSTAL RIVER. 
 
 The town by that name is located at the head of the 
 river. There are good schools and churches; with the 
 most active Christian Endeavor Society in the county. 
 The river is the largest of all the spring rivers alonjj the 
 west coast, being the outflow of many large springs, 
 bursting out of the bowels of the earth, it flows westward 
 
316 
 
 eight miles through beautiful hammocks and Uien min- 
 gles its placid flood with the Gulf. 
 
 Shell Island, at the mouth of the river, is admirably 
 situated for fishing, hunting, sailing and boating, which 
 can be enjoyed the year round. A pier could be erected 
 where the steamers from New Orleans to Tampa, Key 
 West and Havana could land. 
 
 The Atlantic Coast Line railroad connects Crystal 
 River with the world. 
 
 The Gulf coast of Citrus County is the most attrac- 
 tive on the entire west shore of Florida, and is destined 
 1o be the home of a large population. Her beautiful 
 towns will grow into cities to be famed in future song; 
 the resort of artists and pleasure seekers. 
 
 WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER. 
 
 A large stream rising more than one hundred miles 
 south, flowing in a general noi-therly direction until it 
 strikes the south boun'^ary of Citrus where it deflects to 
 the east, then north, forming the east boundary of the 
 county; thence turning west it forms the north boundary 
 of the county. The river moves sluggishly through low 
 hammocks. 
 
 The land, exceedingly fertile, is to a remarkable degree 
 adanted to the growth of f raits or any other crop grown 
 in the South. The last twenty miles of this river flows 
 through high banks, dashing over falls concealing in its 
 depths vast stores of a^iimal remains and phosphate rocks. 
 
 Along the river and Ivi^^ar bptween it and Charla Apopka 
 lake is a peculiar section, known as the 
 
 COVE COUNTRY. 
 
 Divided (bv cha^^iols. from the river into the lake or 
 riv^r ^9-aln) like Gall into three Darts. Lower, Middle 
 and TTnper Cove. It is picturesque in the extreme, 
 abounding in islands of hnrnmock, surrounded with wa- 
 ter or saw grass. Thope hordes of hammock in some 
 cases are occupied bv spttlers who have happy homes em- 
 bowpred in orano^e or l^mon ffrovps. 
 
 Whfit strikes the mind of the intelligent observer is the 
 vast bodies of rich saw grass that can so easily be drained 
 
317 
 
 and planted in sugar cane. Why the necessity of our 
 government spending so much money supporting the 
 Hawaiian Islands, when we have in our land a country 
 so well adapted to the growth of cane, that may be so 
 easily reclaimed, and benefit so many of our own strug- 
 gling people at so much less cost to the nation? 
 
 Florida has teiTitory sufficient to make the sugar of the 
 world, and can be reclaimed at a moiety of the cost incur- 
 red in reclaiming lands not half so valuable in other 
 countries, Holland, for instance. 
 
 Citrus County embraces a large quantity of rich sugar 
 land, and is destined to give employment to a dense popu- 
 lation. These lands are not alone adapted to cane, but 
 equally well to rice, cabbage and Irish potatoes. These 
 elevated hammocks interspersing the broad expanse of 
 saw grass seem placed where they are for the habitation 
 of men who will eventually be engaged in the cultivation 
 of these crops. 
 
 COVE BEND. 
 
 A body of high lands, hammock and pine, ch'efly the 
 latter. This is one of the most favored spots in the State. 
 Many circumstances contributing to make it attractive. 
 The peculiar location adapts it in a wonderful degree to 
 successful growth of oranges, lemons and rane crops. The 
 lake north and west and the Withlacoochee river south 
 and east, envelops it in a warm shield of atmosphere on 
 cold nights, and protects it from the damaging effects of 
 the low temnerature elsewhere. The river, many miles 
 further south flows out of broad lakes and savannahs, 
 that absorb the warm rays of the sun in mid-day, which 
 warmth is not lost until it reaches the Gulf, but imported 
 along its banks, thus modifying the temperature. JIany 
 magnificent groves are found here, and an enterprising, 
 industrious and moral people reside here. 
 
 West of Tvtarhntta lies the high Inn^Ts of Rose Hill, 
 Fooks* Hill and Stage Pond; a splen<lid country, inhabit- 
 ed by a thriftv and moral people. There is no better sec- 
 tion in the State. 
 
318 
 FAIRMOUNT. 
 
 Here can be seen what can be done on poor pine land. 
 Thousands can find peaceful homes in this section, and 
 with the same energy and common sense, create happy 
 homes. 
 
 It is fine fun to enjoy the pleasures of the coast and 
 isles, but Fairmount will alwajs be a haven from insects 
 and stiff breezes. The population of Fairmount is chiefly 
 from the No-rth, and a law abiding and industrious people 
 — that character of cit-V.ens that would make Oases in 
 the Desert of Sahara. 
 
 Four miles east of Fairmount. and in the heart of the 
 h-'ghlandis, nestles the neighborhood of 
 
 LECANTO. 
 
 There is not a more thrifty settlement of farmers in the 
 country than resides here. They can and do produce all 
 field crops in an abundance, besides they have some of the 
 most luxurient orange groves to be found. 
 
 Here grows the peach in profusion. The wagons going 
 down in "peach and blackberry time" reminds one of the 
 time when the Israelites went down into Egypt for corn. 
 
 MANNFIELD, 
 
 High up in the hills, clustering around a lake, and peopled 
 bv industrious settlers mostly from the Northern and 
 Western States. 
 
 Running north from Mannfield to South Dunnellon is 
 a country almost unwitnessing of civilization. High hills 
 and splendid pine timber awaiting the ''iron horse" to sup- 
 ply the world with the famous curly pine lumber so much 
 in demand for ornamental building. 
 
 This se tion is free from lakes and ponds, with few ex- 
 ceptions; and embraces some magnificent lands. The 
 thoughtful settler may find substantial reasons why he 
 should locate here. No sensible man will willingly take 
 his fannly into n location where thev would pine and fade 
 away in his sight. In these high hills, purified by the 
 Bait atmosphere from the Gulf, and perfumed with the 
 odor of the pine forest, health is guaranteed. 
 
319 
 
 Sanitariums may here be erected where the consump- 
 tive and asthmatic may hnd certain relief, unless almost 
 dead when they arrive.' 
 
 In this section are found Vienna, Orleans, Lecanto, 
 Mannfield, Rooks, Rosehill, Stajge Pond, Pine Level, and 
 other points equally as attractive, naturally. On some of 
 the lofty hills, one can look away for miles upon the 
 green sea of rolling pine forest, land first class, held by 
 speculators. On the tops of some of the loftiest hills 
 may be found pretty lakelets, and springs burst out of the 
 sides of the hills, but the lakes Miaintain their ordinary 
 level. 
 
 STAGE POND 
 
 Is on the north end of the famous Annutaliga hammock, 
 and embraces a large scope of the fine pine lands of Cirrus 
 County. Hundreds of farms might be opened up here 
 and be made to contribute to the support of futuie genera- 
 tions. At present but a small portion of this section, 
 comparatively, has been cleared and cultivated. 
 
 FLORAL CITY. 
 
 Is located on the banks of the Charla Apopka lake (more 
 cori*ectly written Tsala Apopka, Seminole for trout lake) 
 in townhsip 20, south, range 20 east, sections 14 and 15, 
 and famous for the abundance of nourishing groves and 
 hard rock phosphate of high grade. 
 
 INVERNESS. 
 
 It is located in township 19. south of range 20, east, in 
 sections 17 and 18 ; regularly laid off, platted and map re- 
 corded in clerk's office. No spot on the i n'"'".i:ul. tin •''■hh h 
 it is located, can be said to be more eligible for a town 
 site, none more suitable for the county s'te. 
 
 Inverness hns all the ad van tastes of oth^r I'l^-r- ipoioTis 
 in an eminent degree, as for instance, good I'jnds, beiuti- 
 ful sheets of ( If^nr wnt^r. lakes crowrlo i wi'^ titr* '".riv 
 tribe, splendid stretches for rrj^attas and pleasure siilirg, 
 besides it po-^sesses the grand advantage of lining peo'iled 
 by a law-abidir^g and educated population who manifest 
 
330 
 
 a disposition to embelish their homes and make them at- 
 tractive and home like. 
 
 Inverness is on the through line from Tampa to Savan- 
 nah, Silver Springs, Ocala and Gulf railroad, now under 
 the management of the Atlantic Coast Line. 
 
 rnOSPIIATE HOCK 
 
 Abounds more abundantly in Citrus than any other coun- 
 ty in the whole State, proportionately to the area of the 
 county. 
 
 Ihe line enters the county at South Dunnellon and ex- 
 tends through its entire length, varying from one to five 
 miles in width. 
 
 Th3re is practically an unlimited quantity of hard rocIS: 
 phosphate now being mined in many places. Em])loy- 
 ment is given to a large number of employes. Notwith- 
 standing the vast quantity already mined there are many 
 rich mines yet untouched. No one knows, even approxi- 
 mately, the amount yet to be marketed. 
 
 One interesting feature of the phosphate industry in 
 Citrus County, as in other counties, where the rock 
 abounds, is Ihat, no matter how stringent the money mat- 
 ters may become in other sections of the country, here is 
 a product that will command gold, giving her people em- 
 ployment and always keep money in circulation. 
 
 If you are tired of the blizzards of the North and wish 
 to bask in the eternal sunshine; if you wish to tlce from 
 the cyclone-swept section further North and dwell where 
 homes have never been devastated by nuid winds; if you 
 are languishing in the inexorable grasp of disease of the 
 lungs or throat, if you would enjoy the advantages of a 
 temperate clime, good health and good hufd, where ex- 
 tremes of tem])erature are unknown; if you wish to live 
 where you can enjoy your otium cum dignatate under 
 jour own vine and fig tree, within easy rea( h of the Culf, 
 in a tv/o hours ride; if you wish to lounge itlly beneath 
 the live oak, watching the sea gulls lazily scudding before 
 the M'ind, or the porpoise sporting midst the countless 
 schools of mullets; if you desire to try your hand nt the 
 gamest ft"=^h on earth; if you wish to cultivate oysters, 
 ehnse depr, cuff Bruin, in short, if you desire to find the 
 «pring of perpetual youth and the ne plus ultra of a home 
 
321 
 
 land, then come to Citrus; Citrus the highland county; 
 Citrus, where McGregor will rejoice, as on his native 
 heath. 
 
 TO THE WIDE WORLD. 
 
 Our portals are open to all law-abiding people under 
 the sun. We cordially invite you to come and assure you 
 you shall be welcome, whether you bring money or brawn 
 to devote your whole energy to the upbuilding of society 
 «ind the advancement of civilization. 
 
 On the contrary, to the idle and vicious; to those who 
 only seek a section where they may float on the people, 
 subsistirig on their generous hospitality, we would say 
 seek elsewhere. 
 
 The principal crops produced in this county in 1902 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 64,490 |64,490 
 
 Oats, bushels, 16,180 " 10.015 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 57,150 29,685 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 16,770 16,770 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 9,290 9,290 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 25,420 25,420 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,079 11,160 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, 15,320 18,970 
 
 Cabbages, barrels, 50.290 79,350 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 9.360 10.490 
 
 Oranges, crates, 2,860 6,965 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 5,540 7,910 
 
 And the followinsr live stock on hand: 
 
 Horses, number, 603 60 300 
 
 Mules, number, 497 49.900 
 
 Stock cattle, numbpr, 9,580 50.'^30 
 
 Hogs, number, 14,310 14,310 
 
 21 H P 
 
CLAY COUNTY. 
 
 Is bounded on the north by Duval, south by Putnam, 
 cast by the St. John river, and on the west by Hradford 
 county. In area it has 622 square miles of land surface, 
 or 398,080 acres. In 1890 its populativm was 5,1.54, ana 
 in 1900 it was 5,635, of which 3,803 were white and 1.832 
 were colored. At end of school term of 1901 it sup 
 ported 49 schools. 42 of which were whites nnd 7 colored. 
 
 Clay county offers to the homes?eker a healthy, salu- 
 brious climate, an opi>ortiinity to secure a home at j)ri(es 
 within the reach of the humbiest workman; a qrick, s-ife 
 means of transporting the fruits of Iv's labors to the 
 markets of the world, either by rail or by water; an abun- 
 dant supply of the purest water furnished by overflowing 
 springs. There is no better water supply to be feund ii» 
 the State. 
 
 The soil is suitable for all kinds of crops, including 
 rich hammock lands alon<f the rivrrs and streairs roll- 
 ing sand-hill lands ^between the many creeks, as well ^s 
 the moist black lands adjoining the hammock Itinds. 
 These latter lands are the preference of tha inarkpt gar- 
 dener, and the enormous crops of ve«:etable'3 and b'^rr'ps 
 grown upon them is almost incredible. The sand hill 
 lands are best adaoted to fruit growing, although general 
 farming is also followed. Especially is the pear, peach, 
 and grape at home on thpse lands, n^id the larsre ^hin- 
 ments of fruit sent to market from thi«' county attest to 
 its productiveness. The hammork lands rro suita^il« for 
 any crop the owner chooses to plant upon them, f nd fort- 
 unate indeed is the possessor of a fine tract of liammock 
 lands. Of the many vegetables grown hpr^. we v^i<r}\x: 
 mention as the leading croTis the pwe^t notato. »r'=^'^ t>o. 
 tato, cabbage, beets, onions, lettuce, turnios. rutabaggas. 
 and others are also extensively grown. Melons rr? an 
 unfailing crop, and usi-nilv l.-^st from •Fu'^" uit'1 O tob^i.. 
 Berr»es, such rs strawberrie**. huckleberries, and black- 
 berr'c«. y'eld abunf'PTitly. Of field croro. enrn. oats, cot- 
 ton. r>'i1'ot nn^l pi"'""nr o^tt^ jit" f^'^ l"P''"»^g one". 
 
 Green Cove Springs is the county seat. Tt is beauti- 
 
 numbers nearly 1200 people. Fa« n hau'^so'iio b-?."k 
 court I'.ouse and jail, has five (hnrcho'?, viz.: Presliyter'an, 
 
323 
 
 Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, and Catholic; also Baptist 
 church at Hickory Grove and the Methodist at Spring 
 Bank are all churches for the white population. The 
 coloied people have also four churches — Methodist and 
 Baptist. 
 
 A tine two story school building of sufticient size, to 
 accun>iuodate 301! pupiis for whites and a two story builxi- 
 ing for the colored children where seven months sessions 
 are held gives the young of both classes an opportunity 
 to secure an excellent education. 
 
 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. 
 
 The Clay County Brick Works with a capacity of 
 30,000 brick per day makes a splendid article of brick, 
 as their orders testify. It is almost impossible to keep 
 op with their orders. 
 
 The Burroughs-Eddy Lumber Company, with a capac- 
 ity of 15.000 to 20,000 feet of lumber per day, is doing 
 a splendid business. 
 
 Also the Gresn Cove Lumber Company with a capac- 
 ity equal to any in the vicinity. 
 
 A new hard wood mill engaged in the manufacture of 
 everything in the hard wood line. A fine field for opera- 
 tions in this line is open to enterprising people. 
 
 HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES. 
 
 Magnolia Hotel with a capacity of 600 guests, with its 
 fine sulphur spring, golf ground, electric light plant, icd 
 plant and beautified grounds is one of the finest winter 
 bote's in the State. 
 
 Hotel St. Elmo is another popular winter hotel — ca* 
 pacity 100 guests. 
 
 Clarenden Cottage is another winter resort of old time 
 fame. 
 
 Riverside Hote'., one of the "open all year ronnd" ho- 
 tels, enjoys a good trade. 
 
 The Tyler House, is decidedly popular with the trareW 
 ing nnblic and ^njovf 9 <r<>o'l tr-t'V. 
 
 Home Cottage, a winter rooming house, is very popular 
 
 Tl'o Brann'ng boarding houpo, is open all year roumi, 
 enjoys a good patronag?. 
 
324 
 
 FRUITS. 
 « 
 Pears, peaches, plums, grapes, persimmons (Japan) 
 are extensively growL and shipped to the northern 
 markets. 
 
 VEGETABLES. 
 
 Among the many vegetables grown to perfection in 
 this county is celery. Thousands of acres of the low 
 rich lands are especially adapted to the growth of this 
 plant. 
 
 In the western portion of the county it is claimed, and 
 is probable, that no place in Florida has acquired any 
 greater reputation on account of the quality of fruit Jt 
 produces than the western part of this county. It is also 
 claimed for that section adjacent to the Santa Fee Lake 
 that there is something in the soil and climate that pe- 
 culiarly adapts it to the highest development of the 
 peach in all its essentials of appearance, flavor, etc. But 
 the isoil here, a sandy loam, is not unlike that found iu 
 any section of the western half of the county, and the 
 climate so far as one can judge is that only which be- 
 long to its parelel in latitude. So it is probable that the 
 beauty and excellence of the fruit grown here are due to 
 the assiduous study of the subject and the superior 
 knowledge of the growers, rather than 'to any dominent 
 adaptation of the soil or climate. Be that as it may, the 
 fact remains and is undisputed, that a scope of country 
 in this section, is the head center of the fancy peach bus- 
 iness for this county and is destined to be for the State. 
 
 As its advantages are suitable lands in abundance, 
 ample transportation facilities, and a genial climate 
 well tempered by abundant water courses. These waters 
 furnish the settlers with abundance of the finest fresh 
 water fish at all seasons of the year. Melons do excep- 
 tionally well on this sandy so!l. 
 
 Some farmers raise melons for a business, and they 
 make q good income. A nearby mark9t is not absolutely 
 neee«'sary, if enough will go into the business to ship m 
 car lots. Greneral farming in this section, while not the 
 best in the State, can ofler advantages not to be had in 
 the flat or low land sections. These advantages can be 
 
825 
 
 Bunimed np in the way of good henHh. Its practical im- 
 munity from malaria, and its iiever failing water supply. 
 
 We have but one physician'in a radias of 25 miles, and 
 he has to supplement his living with other work. This 
 speaks conclusively for the Lealth of this section (the 
 only trouble being that deaths are so seldom that people 
 are inclined to forget the fact that they have got to die 
 anyway). With all, we have a good quiet lawabiding 
 class of people, with as good church and school privileges 
 as any other section of the country. 
 
 Brooklyn and Melrose are the only towns in this sec- 
 tion of the county, but there are several post offices, near 
 enough together that any farmer can get his mail by a few 
 minutes ride. Brooklyn, a small town on the G. S. & F. 
 R. R., is famous as a strawberry shipping point, and ^3 
 destined some day to be noted as a mining point, as some 
 of the finest beds of chalk clay or kaolin to be found in 
 the State \je in close proximity thereto, and is already 
 beginning to attract the attention of capital. 
 
 Melrose is a town of a winter population of about 70t>, 
 is situated on Lake Santafee and has water transporta- 
 tion from Waldo on the S. A. L, R. R. Has good hotels, 
 schools and churches of the various denominations. Mc- 
 Rae, Lake Side and Kingsley are the other post offices 
 and settlementj!, which only await transportation facil- 
 ities and a few more wideawake citizens to make them 
 thriving settlements. 
 
 The principal products of the county for 1902 were aa 
 follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bags, 422 f 6.629 
 
 Com, bushels, 8.211 15.62t> 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 32,115 16.529 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 5.^8 3,172 
 
 Strawberries, quarts, 43,895 11,190 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 1.746 1,821 
 
 Grapes, pounds, 22,850 72« 
 
 Wine, gallons, 1,750 1,695 
 
326 
 
 Also live stook on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, uumber, 5155 . ... .- 22,945 
 
 Mules, iiiimbor, oo 2,171 
 
 Stock cattle, iiuml)er, 7,971 41,648 
 
 Sheep, mimber, l,0(li) 1,1)84 
 
 Hogs, number, 4,458 4,463 
 
 Toultry all kinds, uumbor 13,047 4,409 
 
 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Its area in square miles of land surface is 792, or 
 606,880 acres. 
 
 Its {x)pulation in 1890 was 12,877, and in 1900, it wa» 
 17,094, of whi( h number 7,773 were white, and 9,321 were 
 negroes. At the end of the school term of 1901, it had a 
 total of 84 schools, of which 54 were white and 30 were 
 colored. 
 
 Columbia County unquestionably possesses, uniquelj 
 and intrinsically, some points of advantages over any 
 other of the many favored counties of our one and unriv- 
 alled Florida. Chief among these are. its situation, the 
 fertile and varied character of its soils, the great abund- 
 ance and divei^sity of its products, its average altitude, 
 its unchallenged healthfulness, and, now not least, the 
 extent of its social and civil development . 
 
 While so far north that nearly all the ordinary fruits of 
 the '*up country" are reproduced and enjoyed here in pro- 
 fusion, it is yet so far south as to secure all the advan- 
 tages and delights of the peninsula climate, even to the 
 conditions necesisary to the successful production of most 
 of the semi-tropical fruits, so almost entirely relied upon 
 further south ; while, at the same time, its field and gar- 
 den products embrace nearly every important staple of 
 the country at large; in fact, the temperate and the tropi- 
 ^cal meet here, the aubstantiala of the former and luxuries 
 of the latter springing from the same soil. 
 
 Geographically considered, this county liws* nearly mid- 
 way between the eighty-second and eighty-third desT^es 
 erf longitude west, beiP(g about twentv-five miles in width, 
 and extends from a line some thirty-five minutes north of 
 
S27 
 
 the thirtieth de}:^ee of latitude to oie about fifteen mia- 
 tites south of same, a length of about forty niileH, so that 
 in fihaoe it is an oblong area. It is bounded on the north 
 by the Georgia State line, Hamilton County and the Hu- 
 wannee River; cm the east by Baker, Bradford and Ala- 
 chna counties and the Sante Fe River, Olustee Creek form- 
 ing, also, a portion of the dividing line; on the south by 
 Bradford and Alachua counties, and the Santa Fe River 
 separating; on the west by Suwannee and IJamilton 
 counties, separated from the latter by the Suwannee 
 River. The Ichetucknee River marks, also, a portion of 
 its sout western boundary. This is a stream of marvel- 
 ous springs and beautiful scenery, the waters as crystallj 
 and wonderfully clear as those of the famous Silver 
 Spring of the lower mid-peninsula. Up this, the Santa 
 Fe and Suwannee, the f-alt v/atcr fish from the Gulf make 
 their way in grent numbers to the southern borders of the 
 county, where they are taken at pleasure, with the fresh 
 water varieties. 
 
 Lake City, the county seat, which occupies an approxi- 
 mately central position, is lifty-nine miles west of Jack- 
 Bonville, on the Western Division of the Seaboard Air 
 Line system of roads, and about 100 miles east of Talla- 
 hassee, the State capital, by the same line. It is a cen- 
 tral point also, with the Atlantic Coast Line system, amd 
 for the Georgia Southern and Florida, in which facilities 
 the county is unusually well served. 
 
 Throughout all its fruitful, undulating length and 
 breadth it is also excellently watered, either by bright 
 running streams and bubbling springs of pure, cool 
 liquid or crystal lakes and lakelets; besides which natural 
 fountains so numerously placed in easy reach, the best 
 water is abundantly obtained, by diggirij; or driving, at a 
 depth of from twelve to fifty feet, so th^t this may justly 
 lay claim also to that all-important distinction — "a well 
 watered section." 
 
 These lakes and streams all teem with the choicest of 
 our fresh water fishes — the bream, perch, pickerel and 
 bass — make a favorite haunt of the wild wntcr fowl in 
 season, and afford among them some very fine y)ower8, 
 which, in many instances, await yet to be utijirod. 
 Wherever there are running streams, in fact — and fre- 
 quently between the lakes, elevated one above another — 
 
. 32« 
 
 good heads of water may be ohIniiKMl for economic pur- 
 poses, including irrigation; and, occasionally, the naturnl 
 fall has done everything but put the requisite machinery 
 in position and operation. 
 
 SOILS AND TKODUCTS. 
 
 The soils of Columbia County embrace almost every 
 variety known to the State and latitude, the more fertile 
 and desirable predominating over a large portion of its 
 area; and hence, in part, the great quantity and diversity 
 of its productions. These, which will be specially con- 
 sidered later on, include cotton, both the short and long 
 staple, (Sea Island), though the latter is almost exclu- 
 isively cultivated, on account of its great superiority and 
 the materially better price obtained for it; corn, whi(h is 
 produced in abundance, and of equal size and quality 
 with that grown anywhere; tobacco, which compares and 
 competes* with the Cuban and Sumatran articles; sugar 
 cane and rice, to compare with the products of the ])lan- 
 jfations of Louisiana, Georcria or Carolina, both in yield 
 and quality; potatoes, Irish and sweet; beans, tomatoes, 
 okra ; stock, table and English peas ; cabbage, cucumbers 
 and vegetables of every de'^criotion ; peanuts, melons of 
 all kinds, and, in fact, about every familiar production of 
 field, grove, j^arden or orchard. In fruits we have the 
 peach, numerouisi varieties in the greatest quantitv and of 
 the utmost excellence; pears, plums, fi^s, pomegranates, 
 xjuince, apricot, Japan plums and nersimmons; grapes, in 
 great variety and unrivalled yield. Strawberries and 
 other small fruits do well and yield readv and amnle re- 
 turns. The blackberry, whortleberry, mulberry and other 
 wild, or undomesticated fruits, are found on every hand 
 in lavish distribution and are free for the gatherin.?. Pe- 
 cans, walnuts, hickory nuts, chinauer>ins. eic, conclude 
 the lists — here only partially elaborated, however. 
 
 For, indeed, nature has been most prodigal in her good 
 gifts to us, so that there is really no crop grown in the 
 S'outh which may not also be successfully produepd in 
 this county; and a<! she has also placed in our is^ils all 
 the elements of fertility, onlv averajre care and skill and 
 moderate industry are required quickly and easily to 
 
329 
 
 establish here as happy and attractive homes as the 
 world knows. 
 
 Our forests are extensive. And here their natural 
 growths, like our lists of cultivated productions, are as 
 abundant and varied as the generous soils from which 
 they spring. Yellow pine is the predominating timber 
 tree, both as regards quantity and industrial and mercan- 
 tile importance, though there is almost an exhaustless 
 supply of cypress. The hammocks, which are usually 
 lygh and dry, and which cover thousands of acres, contain 
 hickory, beech, i>oplar, magnolia, red bay, live oak, water 
 oak, cedar, sweet and black gums, and, in fine, about all 
 the important hardwood trees, and in most abundant sup- 
 ply. Florida, it is known, contains a greater per cent. 
 of the classified woods than any other State of the Union; 
 and Columbia County probably yields individually a 
 greater number of these than any other one county in 
 Florida. 
 
 The lake shores, vacant lands and open woods afford a 
 fine pasturage for cattle, stock, hogs, sheep, etc. ; and all 
 domestic animals, poultry included, exhibit everywhere a 
 healthful and prolific thrift. 
 
 The county is well served by public highways radiating 
 from the county seat and ramifying every section, even 
 to the most obscure locality; and by railroads, as we have 
 seen. Its southern border is the head of navigation for 
 boats on the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers. It is dotted 
 thickly over with numerous thrifty settlements, postoffice 
 villages and farming communities, of each of which sepa- 
 rately and duly in place. The interstitial areas are rapi- 
 dly developing, many new settlers finding therein pleas- 
 ant and profitable homes. 
 
 The best of social order everywhere prevails. There 
 are schools, churches. Masonic lodges, alliance organiza- 
 tions, etc., at easy distances throughout the county. 
 Stores, smithies, mills and gins contribute to the con- 
 venience of every neighborhood, and the new-comer does 
 not have here to enter upon the hardships and privations 
 of a frontier life. The fi'ontiersman has already passed 
 on before, leaving his good works behind him— the way 
 smooth for those who now come after. 
 
 And immigration is desired. Tnadenuacy of population 
 and capital are about the only difficulties that now pre- 
 
»30 • _;^i 
 
 sent themselves; and it is to the end of enlistijag these 
 that the facts herein presented are placed before the pub- 
 lic. The fieW and the indscements are ample for both, 
 as probably no one country combines quite so many natu- 
 ral attractions and advantaiges, or many more of the 
 acquired. But there are thousands of fertile acres 
 around us unfilled and unredeemed from the natural 
 state that should be teeming with the fruits of an intelli- 
 gent application of honest labor. On every hand unde- 
 veloped possibilities that only await the electric touch «of 
 life-giving capital. Both are invited; and aid and wel- 
 come are guaranteed all who become of us. 
 
 HEALTH AND CLIMATE. 
 
 The unchallenged reputation for peculiar healthfulnesa 
 so long enjoyed by and everywhere accorded to Columb'U 
 County and her towns and villages, is an individual point 
 so particularly favorable, ever here in salubrious Florida, 
 that it is both pardonable and proper to place espe.ial 
 stress thereon, as this matter of health is one of prii'jj.ry 
 interest and vital importance, more to the permanent 
 home-seeker, if possible, than even to the invalid visitor 
 or tourist, whose interests in any one locality may be 
 only transient at best. 
 
 And it was in deliberate and careful investigation of 
 this point, that the Board of Trustees, (in its personae! 
 representing every portion of the peninsula), of the Flor- 
 ida State Agricultural and Mechanical College, (now the 
 University of Florida), at a meeting held in TaDahassee 
 in February, 1883, for the purpose of finally locating this 
 important institution of learning, after a thorough can- 
 vass of the claims and real advantages of various com- 
 peting points, unanimously elected in favor of Lake City, 
 our county seat, pursuant to the language of the statute 
 directing that it be located "at some healthy and conven- 
 ient place near the center of the State." The conscien- 
 tiousness of this step has never been impnigned; nor has 
 its wisdom been assailed, even from th0 partisan stand- 
 point of rivalry ; or is it ever likely to be brought into 
 question by any matter of fa' t that may possibly arise. 
 
 Neither the county as a whole, nor any locality within 
 it, has ever been visited by an epidemic of any infectious 
 
331 
 
 or contagions disease; and we are far removed from the 
 districts where sucli may have prevailed in years past. 
 In which connection it is well to consider that Florida is 
 a State of ^'magnificent distances" — at its upper part 500 
 miles from Gulf to Atlantic, and about the same stretch 
 from the Georgia line to its southernmost cape. Scarlet 
 and typhus fevers, diphtheria and the like, are unknown. 
 The local disorders, to which all portions of the world 
 are subject in greater or less degree, are here isually of a 
 mild type, yielding readily to proper treatmeut. Indeed, 
 it is a fact much rmarked upon, that disease )f every na- 
 ture seems robbed of tis more virulent eharacteristica 
 here. 
 
 Topographically considered, with referemce to its posi- 
 tion as relating to the peninsula at large, this county oc- 
 cupies a conspicuous ridge about midway between the 
 Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Atlantic ocean on the 
 east; and aside from the fact that the highest points of 
 elevation known to the State are marked within its area, 
 (in the vicinity of Lake City), its climate is constantly 
 subject to the modifying influences of the health-giving 
 airs that forever alternate between these two great ex- 
 panses of salt water; and no one can imagine or describe 
 the subtle softness^n the touch of these south winds — 
 bracing sea breezes that through the vast areas of bal- 
 samic pine come and go, from sea to gulf and gulf to sea, 
 melting into iwothing indescribable, and gathering and 
 giving the resinous, ozonic exhalations as healing from 
 their wings. The advantage of these pine-scented and 
 balm-laden sea-airs, the value of which will be acknowl- 
 edg and explained by any conscientious and intelligent 
 physician, is obtained here in full merit without the too 
 frequently present attendant of an unproductive soil. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 So in regard to temperature; the same influences find 
 play; and, while our winters are usually open and spring- 
 like throughout, our summers, on the other hand, are tem- 
 pered below that excessive degree of heat so trying in 
 many localities of even higher latitudes. To be specific, 
 the thermometer seldom ripes to ninety-six degrees in sum- 
 mer, and as rarely falls below thirty-two degrees in win- 
 
332 
 
 ter. The average of temperature, by actual record of the 
 United States Signal Service, of the former season may 
 he placed at eighty degrees, and of the latter at sixty de- 
 grees — for the year, seventy degrees — the ideal mean — 
 which will never appear upon investigation to be very far 
 from the actual conditions. 
 
 There are occasional days in summer, to be sure, when 
 the meridian sun grows rather ardent, but the kindly ser- 
 vices of a cooling breeze may always be found within the 
 inviting shades. The nights are almost invariably cool 
 and pleasant, covering to the extent of a blanket usually 
 being necssary to perfect comfort, which, again, is 
 conducive to refreshing and healthful slumber; and all 
 this while much of the population further north, in penc- 
 up far inland regions, is complaining of the "intolerable 
 heat;" a fact often remarked upon, in surprise and de 
 liffht, by those who experience summer here for the first 
 time. 
 
 So in winter. There are days, and especially evenini^s 
 and mornings, sufficiently cool to bring out in full appre- 
 ciat'on the enjoyments of a cheerful blaze upon the 
 hearth, or the glowir^g bpd of embers left behind ; and we 
 would not have it otherwise. 
 
 Neither do we claim to be "below t|ie frost line." Nor 
 do we want to be. For that means under the sod or out 
 of Florida. BesirVs, we insist that a little frost and a 
 few cr^'sD morninirs are necessary to a perfect degree of 
 healthfulness, both in the animal and vegetable organisms. 
 The former it braces and strengthens acainst the relaxing 
 influences, the la^jsitude and enerA^ation of a perpetual 
 summer. The latter it keeps free of insect enemies and 
 blights. It is death to malaria and mellowness to 
 fruits, inclndinjr the orancre, which everybody knows are 
 heH "after frost falls." Even ice ocasionally forms. But 
 neither are often seen before December or later than Jan- 
 uary. And, really, there is no more frost here in mid- 
 winter than at the North in September and May, and in- 
 jurious frosts seldom occur. 
 
 The atmosphere, as a rule, is dry and bracing, free from 
 the rawness of the coast or the dampness of the river re- 
 gions; though there are also rainv davs. and cloudy ones; 
 and our summer "rainy season" is always welcomed as 
 one of especially cool and pleasant days and nights. By 
 
333 
 
 the same records again, though, there are actually a 
 greater number of bright days in Florida than any other 
 JSlate of the Union, though sometimes the annual ramfall 
 will be forty to sixty inches, or even more, which is ren- 
 dered nec-essary by the porous character of our soil, which 
 rapidly absorbs the surplus. Most of this falls in sum- 
 mer, when it is most needed; and our winters are, in 
 great part, a mere continuation of Indian summer. 
 
 In no portion of the county are insects of any species 
 especially troublesome, and there are more poisonous rep- 
 tiles to the square mile in almost any JNorthern State 
 no more thickly settled. The old snake scare is a myth 
 here, and a large "rattler" is a curiosity when found. A 
 fatality from such a cause has never been known in this 
 part of the country. Gnats, mosquitos and house flies, 
 though sometimes present, never become the plague they 
 do in some sections, and by many here a net has never 
 been used or found necessary. 
 
 MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. 
 
 The county's yellow pine timber and hard wood sup- 
 plies, as already hinted, are practically inexhaustible. 
 The extensive hammocks embrace in their yield almost 
 every known wood of the country, while the vast forests 
 of pine, as already shown, still cover a great portion of 
 the area. Aside from the cutting of lumber, the output 
 of naval stores, which includes the production of turpen- 
 tine, rosin, pitch, tar, etc., is now largely developed. 
 Throughout the county are numerous mammoth sawmills, 
 working under both domestic and foreign contracts, utiliz- 
 ing a great deal of labor, employing large capital, disburs- 
 ing and putting into circulation a great deal of money for 
 wages, supplies, etc., and billing throui^ih our depots an- 
 nually millions of feet of the sawn product, which goes to 
 give some idea of the value of our pine, cypress and hard- 
 wood forests, aside from the worth of the land after these 
 are taken off. 
 
 These, in fact, are two of our most gicrantic and profita- 
 ble industries, and their products are shioped to all onrts 
 of the world, and at home put into building and finishing 
 materials of all kind, a good deal of whith are also ship- 
 ped to other points. 
 
334 
 
 TIm'ip ;iro iM()<1 (it'cniiirs v't r<i'' invpsfnipnt \v these 
 anrl iiiJU'v otiior li'^es, esTiPcinlly in rooperir^ estab'iish- 
 me'^ts. in utilize nltrost free the \JiPt supplies of cypress 
 and l-iTidrpd woods; furniture mid cabinet enterprises for 
 the ninnnfacture of tine furniture, etc., from our be.Tut:fu! 
 nat've bard woods, many of wbi( h are found very superior 
 in fine cabinet work ; cotton factories, fibre and wool fac- 
 tories, ciirnr factor-'es and tobicco-packinjj bouses; sasb, 
 door and blind factories, brick yar'^s. and tanneries to 
 work u]> the ^rcat supoly of liidfs monthly shipoed away; 
 other wr^d-workirff establishments of various kin'^s. 
 
 And to the fore<?oin^ may be added, also, the following, 
 as exhibitincr in the arvirecate the chief induements to 
 mnnufa<turers in this section: Good, reliable, cheap, 
 etronu: labor; cheap and abundant fuel or amnle water 
 pressure; the mild c haracter of the climate, and the every- 
 wherp. in ca«!e of steam power, abundant snpply of wa- 
 ter pnfirply free from all the corrosive and incrusting 
 qualities so troublesome and costly in some sections. Our 
 pure, soft waters leave no scale in boilers, and tbe atmos- 
 phere is not destructive to mar h'nery, while the evenness 
 of temperature preclndes all that loss and waste of 
 coMer regions; and there is never any trouble from freez- 
 ing T>ipes — on the whole a meeting of conditions most fav- 
 orable to manufa' turing interests of every description. 
 
 CHARACTER OF LANDS. 
 
 T])P lands of ('olumbia County may very properly be 
 dividpr? into two general or primary classes — pme and 
 hammock. 
 
 And thpsp two treneral or primary divisions are capable 
 of <-"h f^Mision into three secondary or subordinate classes 
 each, viz : 
 
 I. IMne — And Mst) or'^inary high, roll'ng pine, more 
 or less sandy, and but tnodo^'ntplv nrodnrtivp, yet re- 
 smndipo- ie;"d''v to int'»l!'"-'^nt tiHapre and liberal fertiliz- 
 ir"': eif T^ninpofio^od hca'thfulnpss. rrnsidered from the 
 etandpoint of pprpeT,.j| nccui^ancy; (2). plpvted-lcvpl or 
 pi"f"nr r>'>o: rt-raHv rf-^h f^nd'morp T»ro''uctive, with soil 
 darker and of closer co*^sis*"rcA-; r^^PiTf?''** of T"'>i«'ture 
 
 eral agricnltural piirposes; and most of ihe: rolling or 
 
3^5 
 
 broken pine latu?s of tliis stM-flon j)*'i'tako of the rliarac- 
 teristits of this; thev are all usually well watered by 
 running s'lrmiis. lakes, etc.; (3), low or "flat woods" 
 pine; in some instances wet. with wire-orass an'l unlnietto 
 growths, and then urincipally valuable for timber pro- 
 duct^ or «attle rar«o;ps; otherwise, and as a rub, highly 
 valuable as fju-nrng b'^ds; the soil is usually closo, and 
 they are healthy in T)fM"rt of residoTice. as are nearly .'ill 
 the pine lan('s of Florida, and m<'st of all < haracters in 
 this (()Mrt\-. T1hp° ai*' a'! covered with a heavy growth 
 of '•Io"p--!raf" rr yel'ow luv^ fin ber. now of so mudi im- 
 portau'e "n the luu'bpr markets of the world. 
 
 2, ppnnvo«k--.^Ti,i. M?f), hi"h hammock: (2), low 
 han»T»o'k: (Hd). "lijrhf' and ""^arV" hammock, whi(h may 
 be tho o^i^r'pi for of p'ther of the other two. 
 
 T^e '\'irk hammncks are consi >red l!»'re. as elsewhere 
 in Flor'da. the be-^t ^^^d n'o^^t '>oirahle in all resoecta for 
 purT)Oses of general a'^ruulture. as they are naturally the 
 mc^t fpr^^i''^ f'-^d '»rodnft*\o. ( ovresT'onf'ing to th*» rich 
 prairi*^ a^d alluvinl l^'^r'v of oth^r (sectors. They are 
 80 caPpd fv^ryy f}p dark ' olor of their soil, whuh varies 
 from a snn^'bro^'P +o n !>T»'»"-ii.M;»f.ir n^^ in fovfnT*" f-v)i\i 
 in the color and nature of its soil, which is frequently re- 
 Ioo<=e loamy to tena< ions, bniiig. in many instances, *nter- 
 miyp ' or underlaid with « '-w or clayey marls. The best 
 of this class reeds no fertili''i"jr, and retains its high 
 productive oualit'es u^dor indefitiite rullivation. there 
 being a grppt deal in this countv now as goo'1 as ever 
 after a co^^ti'mors cult'vj't'on of from twenty-five t" ilfty 
 years. vVI'i-g still f"l| standard crops of cotton, corn, 
 cane, tob^teco, or anyth'ng el«e. without fertili-^ers. 
 
 Next in value to the dark hammocks are the better 
 grade of piie lands, which, in many instances, are but I't 
 tie irfor'ov. I>ow bau'it'ock. as Ir^'^e mentioned, ripve? 
 means wet. but 9inM;Iv a'u>l'e'=5 to that nearest the inbind 
 water levels, and us^villy of more even surface, in co'iira- 
 distiri ti'>" t-^ tb<» '^i'h i-o'Imig han>mo<'k«9. where t''e»' i-'se 
 out of "U'^ '•'^11 J<Pfk p"ft '-•> F'.^^.M 'ho. fov'*--^" ;■>'<• .o fiie 
 lake !^borf«' and streau's. These lands are all well wa- 
 fpv- ^ i>v r'»->v i-MPinrc- ^tr'N-inis ard numerous sparking 
 
 gppJnjrre 
 
 The light, grey, or sandy hammock, by any of which 
 terms it i« kpown, di'lVis ontv.arflly from the ofhrr onlv 
 
336 
 
 duced to a veritable "pepper-and-salt" complexion, by 
 the intermixture of a large preponderance of coarse, white 
 sand with a loosely held vegetable humus, which, alter 
 the land is denuded of its forest growth and the soil (\> 
 prived of its accustomed shade, is quickly exhausted or 
 eliminated under cultivation and by the chemical iullu- 
 ence of the summer sun, leaving behind little but th»^ 
 sand; though at first it is as highly productive as it is 
 always easJy tilled. Groves or orchards of other trees 
 put on as the forest is taken otf, quickly make shade fJK 
 the soil again and so continue it in fertility. 
 
 Strangely, too, in their natural state, the forest growibsT 
 upon these two classes and characters of hammock Imids, 
 which it is of importance to distinguish because of the 
 intrinsic difference as to real value, are almost or quite 
 identical. Giant water and live oak, stately and dark 
 green magnolias, sweet-scented red bay, stalwart hicko- 
 ries, beech, maple, poplar, gums and a host of others, 
 spring from and densely shade the soils of either. 
 
 The lands of Columbia County are comprised most 
 largelj' of two of these six classes — the best class ham- 
 mock and better grade pine, which is in great measure the 
 secret of her stability and great wealth of varied and sub- 
 stantial production. 
 
 The prices of these lands, such as are suitable for farm- 
 ing, etc., except immediately in the larger towns, is from 
 $3 to $10 per acre. In the immediate vicinity of Lake 
 City, from |10 to |75. Two to three and five to six miles 
 out, the former price, and so on throughout the county. 
 Plenty of cleared and improved lands are to be had at 
 th£ prices quoted, or may be leased or rented on easy 
 tenns. The cost of clearing, except in the heavier ham- 
 mocks, is nominal ; and the timber will do far more than 
 the fencing, or wire may be used at small cost. 
 
 Most of the lands in this section are owned by indi- 
 viduals, a very fair evidence, especially where so great a 
 per cent, is still in the natural state, that their acquisi- 
 tion is highly desirable — or at least they are worth 
 owning. 
 
JJ37 
 LAKE CITY. 
 
 Lake City is in no sense a "new town." It is a sub- 
 stantial place of long established business solidity and 
 steady material growth. In 1900 its population was 
 4,013. The name dates back to 1859; and twenty years 
 earl.er — or during the Seminole war. of 1837 — it was a 
 military post then known as "Alligator," and so called by 
 the first settlers after the Indian chieftain of that name, 
 ■who, with his tribes, wns found here in possession of the 
 fertile lands and attractive lake shores — the usual site of 
 their villages. 
 
 The place is naturally well drained, water from the 
 locality shedding to all points of the compass. 
 
 The streets, too, are beautifully shaded by the same 
 tall, stately, far-spreading, interweaving, over-arching 
 oaks, forming magnificent vistas — Nature's cathedral 
 aisles — with tapestry and Jrapery of the t^ray Spanish 
 moss, the varied bloom of the gradens, camellia japoTii( as, 
 jasmines, roses, myrtles and the many as rare or foliage, 
 fruit and flower. And here it is that royal songster of 
 the South, our matchless mocking-bird, holds high revel, 
 summer and winter, alike in the warm sunlight and the' 
 softer radiance of our golden Southern moon — for our 
 moonlights are gorgeous, as our sunsets are, baffling de- 
 scription, but suffusing sky, earth and water in a varied 
 and mellowed glory — effects whi<h make a never-failing 
 attraction to all who chance among us. 
 
 There are a considerable number of manufacturing in- 
 dustries of various sorts, among them a cotton ginning 
 and warehouse company, brick yard, mills adanted to va- 
 rious purposes, and near by quarries of building stone, 
 phosphate rock, etc. 
 
 The county court house occupies the enclosed center of 
 the public square, from which the town radiates a mile in 
 all direct'ons. It is a commodious and substantial struc- 
 ture, set in a grove of tall oaks, and here the various 
 county and city officials and boards have each their of- 
 ficp<? and transact thb public businpss. 
 
 There are nnmerons pttT-netiv^ |irvi«o« of woT-^'Mn. f"r). 
 re«"Pnting the Baptist, Methodist Episcopal South. Prps- 
 byterian. Episcopal, Catholic, and Christian denomina- 
 
 22 H F 
 
338 
 
 tions, ornament the town. In most of them are held reg- 
 ular weekly and Sabbath services, :-.unday schools, pia.ver 
 and special meetings, ( hoir practices, etc., and the palpits 
 are ably and intiuentiaily filled. There are also several . 
 colored churches, representing the various denominations 
 among this people, who exhib.t great zeal in religious 
 mattei'S. Among all denominations the best of fraternal 
 «pa'it prevails. 
 
 Also many of the secret orders, and benevolent and so- 
 cial organizations are well represented here. The city 's 
 lighted with electricity, and has a complete waterworks 
 system and telephone system. Transportation facilities 
 are ample and complete. Fifteen to twenty trains arrite 
 and depart daily, with nenrly as many mails. It is the 
 distributing point for mails to all portions of this county. 
 There are ample facilities in the way of telegraph and 
 express services. The postoffice is a well conducted 
 presidential of the piecond class. 
 
 A great deal more might be justly said favorable to our 
 little city, but lack of space prevents, as we must make 
 reference to our educational facilities. 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA. 
 
 (Formerly Florida State Agricultural College.) 
 
 This institution, into an elaborate history of which it 
 is rot necessary here to enter, was, as already shown, es- 
 tablished at Lake City in 1883, pursuant to the statute 
 directing its location *'at some convenient and healthy 
 place rear the centre of the State." It has been in suc- 
 cessful operation since, anr? now has an attendance of 
 about 150 students from nil sections of fh's and various 
 other States. It was originally provided for. as in other 
 states, out of the public lands .""ranted for this mirpose 
 hy the Fnitpd States Oovernment by net of 1862. The 
 «uni reali'^ed from the sa'e of paTi^e. with accrued interest 
 therfon. row invpsterl in i^terpst-brarinor bonrl^, jr'vps tlie 
 institution p Tx>rT>pt"al endowment fund, whi'h can never 
 lawfullv b" ''Mnini^hpd for nvy n^ir'^o^'*. r>r /ii'^-i"''^^ r,»i,^ 
 f]»o annuni inron^p from ^h^h cnT> ho nepd only for sala- 
 ries of T>r'^'c«^r«. To this '<» r\''<^pr\ I'Viorn] r^nTi^'O'ir'a- 
 tions by the Legislature, ex])Pnded so f'^r in extensive ira- 
 
•AIM 
 
 provements, equipraents and accessories. Besides which, 
 the 115,000 annually appropriated by the General Govern- 
 ment for the maintenance of the Florida A.gricaltural Ex- 
 periment fetation, under the provisions of the Hatch act, 
 is expended in connection therewith, whith thus may be 
 «aid to enjoy from all sour( es a yearly income of about 
 1^30,000. This latter institution, with its own substantial 
 and valuable improven:ents. occupies the fine lamis of the 
 collpge farm, comprising some 120 acres, with numeroua 
 Bprings, runs, lake privileges, etc. The situation of the 
 college buildings, about half a mile south of the public 
 square and town centre, is most eligible and sightly, over- 
 looking four beautiful lakes, the largest several miles in 
 extent. The surroundings are naturally attractive, and 
 well and ornamentally improved; the prospect including, 
 elevated, sloping grounds, oaks, magnolias, forest back- 
 grounds, gushing springs, Bermuda lawns, eir. 
 
 A full faculty of scholarly gentlemen, graduates of the 
 colli iges and universities of this country and Europe, are 
 in (barge of the different departments, where it is de- 
 signed to couple a thorough, classical and sc entific eda- 
 cation with a practical knowledge of mei hanic arts, engi- 
 neering and advanced ideas of agriculture, horticulture, 
 etc., both in theoretical and applied forms. The whole 
 is under strict military discipline, a comman'^ant of ca* 
 dets. a West Pointer, who also instructs in military tac- 
 ti( s and science, being regularly detailed from the United 
 States service, in compliance with the terms of the act 
 endowing such institutions. Full details of arms and 
 ordnarce have been made by the Government to this in- 
 Btitution. where also an attractive regulation uniform is 
 prescribed and adopted. The sessions run from October 
 to June. Tuition is free to all residents of Florida, mere- 
 ly nominal to those of other States, and excpllent board 
 has been re^ucpd to nbo^t *iO ner month. Tb"R are npe- 
 sented the highest opportunities, not onl^' to the youth of 
 thi«! plnce smd State, but to the pjirents of others a"* well, 
 who would exchnnre the r P'ors of more Northern winters 
 for oMf briffbt skins and soft, wprm airs, nnd vpt nursne 
 thn liberal education of fhpi»* conq \ sub-collpoiate of 
 pr^'nrptory course is also afforded. 
 
 T''o F'or'da Aijricn'tural Exoprinr^nt Stntion wns in- 
 augurated here in 1888. and is conducted in fonnpctiow 
 
540 
 
 with the Univeisily of Florida, (formerly Florida Agri- 
 cultural College). It occupies a large and finely improv- 
 ed tract along the lake shores; has ample buildings, 
 barns, sheds, stock-houses, superintendent's quarters, 
 etc.; ir^achinery, horses, stock, cattle and implements. 
 Cattle-feeding and stock-breeding, ensilage, milk and but- 
 ter values in forages and foods, etc.; sub-irrigation, fei- 
 tilizing and seed-testing are subjects for forthc^iing in- 
 vestigation. Analysis of soils, muck, minerals and wa- 
 ters are comprehended in the work in hand. All the fruits, 
 crops, grasses, etc., elsewhere treated, and many from 
 other sections and countries are placed on trial, with the 
 view to ascertaining adaptability, relative values, 
 fungoid and insect enemies, and the remedies, etc. The 
 enterprise is under capable Lnd energetic management, 
 and the published results, disseminated free through 
 bulletins, available to the people at large, prove of great 
 value to Florida and especially to our own county. 
 
 There are also in the city, some extensively terraced 
 and otherwise Inely improved private experimental gar- 
 dens of great merit and credit, covering several acres, 
 and devoted to the propagation and testing of rare foli- 
 age plants, flowers, fruits and vegetab'.os, foreign and do- 
 mestic, where hundreds of varieties of roses, geraniums, 
 chrysanthemums, and others without Lumber, bloom pro- 
 fusely at nearly all seasons. 
 
 There are many other excellent schools, public and 
 private, in the city, and at other interesting points in the 
 county, but we have not space to devote to them. There 
 are a number of smaller thriving towns, also with good 
 schools ,at desirable points throughout the county, the 
 next in importance to Lake City being Fort White, with 
 a population in 1900 of r>00 pv^rsons. 
 
 The principal agricultural products of the county for 
 1902, were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 4.025 $252 FSS 
 
 Corn, bushels, 228.992 132.987 
 
 Oats, bushels, 28.881 17.9i»r> 
 
 Pweet potafops, bushels, «5,ir)0 28.250 
 
 reanuts, bushels, 111,327 9f5-978 
 
Syrup, barrels, 2,442 17,731 
 
 Pecan nuts, bushels, 213 733 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 7,424 6,588 
 
 Grapes, pounds, 68,458 1,671 
 
 And live stock on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 1,158 81,112 
 
 Mules, number, 995 90,292 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 10,603 65,655 
 
 Hogs, number, 21,545 45,828 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, 53,785 134,973 
 
 Other products : 
 
 Eggs, dozen, 113,748 13,217 
 
 Butter, pounds, 47,159, 11,603 
 
 DADE COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Brevard and 
 Lake Okeechobee, on the east and south by the Atlantic 
 Ocean, and on the west by Lake Okechobee, Lee and Mon- 
 roe counties. 
 
 It has an area of 4,424 square miles of land surface, or 
 2,831,360 a( res. In 1890 its population was 861, and in 
 1900 it. had increased to 4,955, of this number 3,548 were 
 white and 1,407 were colored. In 1901 it had 28 schools, 
 of which number 22 were white and 6 were colored. 
 
 A BIT OF HISTORY. 
 
 Comparatively little is known in regard to the early set- 
 tlement of Dade County, but it is probable that the south- 
 ern portion of the county was settled, before any settle- 
 ment was made at t^t. Augustine. We quote the follow- 
 ing extract from reports of Buckingham Smith. Esq., 
 Treasury Ajrent. in his I'euort dated June 1st, 1848: 
 
 "The early history of the southern part of the peninsula 
 of Florida shows that when discovered by Ponce de Leon 
 in 1512, and for a lo^^g time afterwards, it was numer- 
 ously peo^e4 by Indians, living in towns under the rfo- 
 minion of the principal ch'Vf. a^d thpt wpj^ of an ir»tTHv 
 pid and enterprising character, possessing the same quali- 
 
o42 
 
 ties in war that have recently rendered the Seminoles such 
 troublesome foes. They engaged in agriculture to a cer- 
 tain extent, and their excursions to the islands and keya^ 
 among the perilous reefs, and along the coast of Florida, 
 And atross the straits to the Lutayos and Cuba, caused 
 them to acquire nautical knowledge and experience supe- 
 rior to that of most other Nort*h American Indians. Ponce 
 fle Leon in sailing along the coast near Biscayne Bay saw 
 A town. 
 
 "On the Miami River, when first discovered, was an Iii- 
 (flian town, nearly opposite, on the eastern shore of Katon 
 Key, was once a village, probably the same Ponce saw in 
 Bailing down the coast. A Spanish settlement and a 
 Catholic settlement were made at an early period near 
 this river, and it is probable the missionaries introduced 
 white families among the other Indian settlements near 
 it. The River Miami was called by the Calos Indians 
 ^Mayaimi' and by the English 'Garbrand.' It does not 
 appear that the English ever established any settlement 
 cpon or near it." 
 
 There are many evidences remaining of this early set- 
 tlement in vicinity of Miami. It is said that Ponce de 
 Leon was hunting the new world, for a spring, known to 
 bim as "The Fountain of Youth." Later events have 
 proven Ponce de Leon's mistake in sailing so far north- 
 ward, as the spring in question has been located on the 
 property of Mr. Kirk Munroe at Cocoanut Grove. But 
 we are not dealing with ancient history. It matters lit- 
 tle when, or by whom thes^e early settlements were made. 
 The later movements, and the later settlements are of the 
 keenest interest to all. 
 
 It is probable that there is no section of the United 
 States, in which the general public are so much interested 
 as Dade County. What we mean by the general public, 
 is not confined to those living within the boundarv of the 
 State, or the dwellers in this favored county, but from all 
 sections of the United States, and from foreign rouBtries, 
 people are seeking information, as to the climatic condi- 
 tions, the agricultural and horticultural pg^ssybilities of 
 this county. It is now a well established fact, that there 
 is no section of the State that is adapted to the growin§ 
 of such a great variety of fruits, whore all the staple v<^sr&- 
 tables can be grown in quantity and quality, as Dade 
 
'MA 
 
 County. The Florida East Coast Railway, built by Mr. 
 Henry M. Flagler of New York, was built by easy stages 
 down the East Coast, until it penetrated the tropics of the 
 Lnited JStates, and a line still further south is being sur- 
 veyed. The road was completed from Daytona to Kock- 
 ledge in the year 1892. In the year 1890 the steel band» 
 were laid to West Palm Beach. Here the work rested for 
 a time, and in April 1896 the first train was run into 
 Miami. From Rockledge south, to Miami, before the 
 building of the railway, as a whole was an uninhabited 
 wilderness, save here and there a small settlement. 
 
 It is our purpose to deal only with the marvelous pros- 
 perity of Dade County since the building of the railway. 
 The extension of the "great civilizer" into the northern 
 portion of the county was the signal for a rapid advance 
 movement, but the greater and more permanent improve- 
 ments and settlements have been made during the past 
 two years and each succeeding year, the advance is more 
 marked, and better and more lasting improvements are 
 being made. Stuart, the northern boundary of the coun- 
 ty, has developed into a great fruit country. The present 
 acreage of pineapples is large, and each year ^ there is a 
 marked increase in the area planted. Considerable atten- 
 tion is being paid to growing citrus fruits. The vegeta- 
 ble industry has also proven to be very profitable, and 
 larger acreages are being planted each year. Jupiter has 
 long been a settlemnt of some importance, because of the 
 lo( ation of a United States light house, and a government 
 Weather Bureau Station. Until the coming of the rail- 
 way there had been little or no developments in agricul- 
 ture and horticulture. Now it is a pineapple center of 
 importance, and more or less attention is being paid to 
 planting citrus trees. Several miles west of Jupiter, 
 there is a large body of exceptionally fine orange land. 
 Mr. George Lainhart, one of the counties trusted com- 
 missioners, with several friends, purchased these lands, 
 and now they can boast of as fine orange grooves as ever 
 grew from the ground. Soon a branch railway will he 
 biiilt to these extensive gi-oves to move the fruit. Seven- 
 teen miles south from Jupiter, the flourishing town of 
 West Palm Beach is reached. This, since the coming of 
 the railway, has developed into a thriving village of about 
 2,000 inhabitants. During the past two years real estate 
 
values have rapidly risen, a huj^e miniber of moilern 
 houses have been erected, and several fine business blocks. 
 This town is destined to become a city of winter homes. 
 For lo ation. it is beautiful, lyirg as it does on the banks 
 of Lake Worth. Across the lake at Palm Beach, is the 
 greatest and mos't popular winter resort of this conti- 
 nent. Mr. Henry M. Flagler has erected two of h'a 
 palatial winter resort hostelries, viz.: the Royal Pon- 
 oiana, the largest tourist hotel in the United States, and 
 the Breakers, a smaller hrtel. but in appointment equal 
 to the Ponciana. Since building these, Mr. Flagler has 
 been obliged to enlar^re them, because of the great influx 
 of winter visitors. The grounr's belonging to these hotels 
 are the finest, and most elaborate in the world. Tropical 
 trees, shrubs and flowers, intermingled with those brought 
 from semi-tropical clin^ates abound everywhere. Visi- 
 tors no sooner enter these grounds, when they are en- 
 chanted at the won'^erful scene of beauty. Several other 
 smaller hotels have sprung up, so that all cla'^ses can find 
 entertainment at a cost suited to their financial condition. 
 There are m.any palatial residences, owned by Northern 
 multi-millionaires, who snend ther winters there. The 
 lands surrounding West Palm Beach are mostly spruce 
 pine lands, which have nroven to be the best for pine- 
 apple culture. Vast fields of this lucious fruit surround 
 the village and each year the acreage is being increased. 
 Hypoluxo and LantaT^a, are both located on the banks of 
 Lake Worth, and both are thriving settlements. These 
 places are noted for their large banana fields. Trucking 
 is largely entered into by this prosperous people. South- 
 ward to Miami, from these places five years ago was an 
 almost unbroken wildernes*:. Hardly a trace of civiliza- 
 tion could be seen, and the face of the country was unin- 
 teresting and dis''nura"'incr. Few h^d h^^t little faith in 
 all this long stretch of land as an aeiieuHural or horticul- 
 tirral countrv. In snite of what seemed insurmountable 
 obsta'^^les, many thriving villages have sprung up, inhabi- 
 tated by a prosperous people. What seemed to be worth- 
 less white sand has nroven to be the best lands in the 
 State for growinc ninenrmlps. whHe there are "skirts" of 
 rich lands esnpci'^nv fdanted fn fTT-owiTig- citr'^s fruits. 
 Boynton and Pelrav were settled by sturdy, strong and 
 prosperous people from Michigan, an "• under their foster- 
 
345 
 
 ing Jiands, both of these places have come into great 
 prominence for truck growing and pineapple culture. 
 Skirtirg these towns to the east, are hundreds of acres vi 
 rich muck lands, as fertile as the far-famed Mississippi 
 Valley. Yearly thousands of crates of tomatoes and 
 other vegetables are shipped north. The spruce pine has 
 disappeared, and great pineapple plantations have takeu 
 its place. Neat and coi^fortable homes have been built, 
 and prosperity abounds. These people understanding the 
 value of good highways, are building splendid rock roads, 
 and each year they will extend them until all the cross 
 roads, leading to the main county road will be equal to 
 the best paved streets in the large cities. At Bocoa Rf>' 
 ton, a few miles further south, the orange and pineapple 
 industry has taken a firm hold on the people, and many 
 hundred acres of the spruce pine lands have been trans- 
 formed into profitable fields. Between Bocoa Ra- 
 ton and Fort Lauderdale, there are several prosperous 
 villages and immense truck fields. Fort Lauderdale, 
 located at the junction of New River and Biscayne Bay, 
 was an important place during the Indian war. Here the 
 trucker finds his paradise. The lau(Ts are low and damp, 
 and phenominal crops are grown on tliem. There are sev- 
 eral exceptionally fine groves here, and each year addi- 
 tions are being made. Fort Lauderdale is an important 
 Indian trading post, as it is easily reached by the New 
 River, whose hea<l is among the wilds of the Ev(n'glades. 
 Coming south a few miles and Dania is reached. Here 
 there are thousands of acres of marl prairie, while lying 
 to the west of them are long stretches of spruce pine. A 
 few weeks sfuce, several hundred acres of these lands 
 were sold to a syndicate from North Carolina, who pro- 
 pose to farm on a large scale. Within the last two years 
 the sprure pine land has demonstrated its peculiar adapt- 
 ability for growMnjg pineapples of the finest quality, and 
 now Dania is recognized as a pineapple center, Avith many 
 thousand dollars of Northern capital invested in it. The 
 Bame is also true of Hallendale, with the exce])tion that 
 there are more vegetables grown there than at Dania. 
 Coming south from Hallendale, the Snake Creek Valley is 
 reached. This stream has its heads in the Everglades, 
 and on either side there are thousands of acres of fertile 
 lands which have been turned into profitable fields, and 
 
34G 
 
 the high pine lands are being transformed into orapge 
 giH^es. 'iiie same is aiSo true of the setiiemeut at aixU 
 Oreek, Bisca.vue, Little iviver, and Bueua Vista, ihe 
 lauus skiitiug the Everglades proper, west of these places 
 has been purcliased by progressive larmers, and, are now 
 turned into huge tomatue fields. The next place reached 
 is Miami, the Alagic City of all the Southland. Six years 
 ago where now stands liie beauliiul ana unujue city of 
 liiami there were but two residences, viz.: that of the late 
 Mi-s. Julia 1). Tuttle, and Mr. Wm. D. Brickell. The 
 greater part of the land was covered with a dense growth 
 of tropical vmes, shrubs and trees, not a highway was 
 cut through the unbroken forest. Six years has made 
 almost marvelous changes. The typical tropiial "wilder- 
 ness has been made to blossom like the rose,'' the tangled 
 mass of vines, shrubs and trees have been cut away, and, 
 in their places scores of elegant homes have been erected, 
 miles of paved streets have been built, a complete sewer- 
 age system, constructed by the Fort Dallas Land Com- 
 pany, which Mr. Henry M. Flagler recently presented to 
 the city. One of the most complete waterworks in the 
 South, furnishes the residents with water as pure as the 
 mountain dew, and the city is. lighted by a first class 
 electric light plant. There ai*e six white church organi- 
 zations, each owning neat and substantial buildings, and 
 ea( h having a settled pastor. A large and up-to-date 
 public school building has been erected, with an enroll- 
 ment of two hundred and seventy-two pupils and six 
 teachers. Many large, modern brick and stone business 
 blocks have been erected, and the merchants carry stocks 
 of goods ec^ual to ajiy city in the South. Mr. Henry M. 
 Flagler built here the Hotel Royal Palm, located at the 
 conjunction of the historic Miami Kiver, and the Biscayne 
 Bay. The hotel occupies a commanding site. From the 
 broad detached veranda, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean 
 are seen, while vessels engaged in coast trade pass in 
 full view. This is one of Mr. Flagler's most popular ho- 
 tels, and each winter tourists from all sections of the 
 world tlcxk here, to enjoy the constant summer climate. 
 Early in the history of Miami, Mr. Henry M. Flagler, 
 recognizing the necessity of deep water connections with 
 the outside world, and. at his own expense, drei\2:ed a 
 twelve foot channei frotn the gi-eat pier, to deep water in 
 
847 
 
 the ocean, via Cape Florida. Lines of steamshipa were 
 put on between Aiianii and Key West, Miami and navana, 
 Miami and Nassau, N. P. It was soon evident that 
 deeper water was necessary to care for all the shipping 
 that came this way from (juba and iSouth America. Mr. 
 Flagler, in conjunction with the citizens of Miami, 
 brought the matter before the National Congress. After 
 a prolonged and stubborn fight, lasting several years, the 
 matter was terminated at the Idst session of Congress, 
 by an appropriation of $300,000 for this purpose. The 
 enterprise will cost 1600,000 or more, but Mr. Flagler 
 agreed to spend an equal sum with the Government to se- 
 cure a channel (JO feet wide by 18 feet deep from the wharf 
 to the ocean, also a basin of the same depth, COO by 1,200 
 feet. 
 
 Miami will, when the work is completed, be the farth- 
 est south deep water port on the main land of the United 
 States reached by a railroad. Ihis will make Miami the 
 most important commercial center on the iSouth Atlantic 
 Coast. During the past few months population in the 
 city limits has been increasing rapidly in values, and a 
 large number of residences have been erected. There is 
 at present three large brick and stone business blocks be- 
 ing erected on Twelfth street. The Fort Dallas National 
 Bank, which has recently been organized, has received 
 the plans for a new bank building. When comi)leted this 
 building will be the most elegant banking house in the 
 State. It will be constructed of white Georijria marble. 
 The First National Bank are also preparing to erect a 
 handsome and commodious banking house at the cdrner 
 of Avenue C and 12th street. A handsome jail built of 
 Miami rock is almost completed, and the County Com- 
 missioners have advertised the bids for the building of a 
 magnificent court house from the same material. The 
 contract has been let for a steel bridge to be built across 
 the Miami River at the foot of Avenue D. 
 
 The next place south is Cocoanut Grove, a prosperous 
 village of several hundred inhabitants. The back coun- 
 try, lying west from Miami and Cocoanut Grove, is rapi- 
 dly filling up with a most desirable class of settlers. 
 Hundreds of acres are being planted in citrus and tropi- 
 cal fruit trees. New and comfortable homes are being 
 erected. 
 
348 
 
 Larkins is the next settlemeut south of Cocoanut 
 Grove. This is a hustling little town, and is being rapi- 
 dly filled up. 
 
 Cutler, located on the Perrine Grant, is a thriving vil- 
 lage, and the headquarters of the immense vegetable 
 fields which abound there. 
 
 South and west of Cutler, lies the homestead country 
 "Which is now rapidly filling up. Dade County six years 
 ago was almost unknown save to a few. Today it is the 
 most widely known and most talked of of any county in 
 the State. Last year it is estimated that the farmers re- 
 ceived one million dollars in cash for their vegetable crop. 
 In the last year and a half there has probably been 
 planted in the neighborhood of 200,000 citrus trees, and 
 nearly as many tropical fruit trees. The coming year 
 there is a probability that the number of fruit trees to be 
 planted will amount to more than the plantings of the 
 last two years. The same is true in regard to pineapples. 
 Daffe County received the first premium at the State 
 Fair for the best display of fruits. 
 
 The present Board of County Commisf^ioners have the 
 best interests of the county at heart. They are men of 
 sterling integrity, respected and trusted by the people. 
 
 The assessor's books tells the story of the wonderous 
 prosperity of Dade County in the last few years. Itjteads 
 like a fairy tale. We take the following from the asses- 
 sor's books. Read, then reflect: 
 
S49 
 
 
 Aggregate Tax- 
 able l^roperty 
 
 State Taxes 
 
 Couuty Taxes 
 
 1«(57 
 
 
 * 77 77 
 
 $ 38 87 
 
 1867 1 
 
 
 
 1808 V.... 
 
 
 330 60 
 
 169 06 
 
 imj ) 
 
 
 
 
 ]8i0 
 
 $ 7 850 00 
 
 145 27 
 
 80 90 
 
 1880 
 
 82,ii4(j OU 
 
 252 31 
 
 2:^6 11 
 
 189.) 
 
 4^2,672 00 
 
 2,0o0 12 
 
 5,192 10 
 
 1891 
 
 658,254 00 
 
 3,592 92 
 
 7,385 83 
 
 Ift92 
 
 86ii,»98 00 
 
 4,7oy 77 
 
 10 606 55 
 
 1893 
 
 1,171,412 00 
 
 6,415 iy 
 
 14.356 19 
 
 18M 
 
 1,274,067 t:0 
 
 7,327 9'.' 
 
 13,005 57 
 
 189o...... 
 
 1,562,272 00 
 
 7,0-'5 <0 
 
 15,922 71 
 
 1896 
 
 1,629,002 00 
 
 6,116 23 
 
 16,743 62 
 
 1897 
 
 2,150,581 Ou 
 
 11,322 74 
 
 22-212 87 
 
 1898...... 
 
 2,350,897 00 
 
 11.166 87 
 
 30,076 22 
 
 1899 
 
 2,500,597 00 
 
 13,753 2^ 
 
 30,6'.>7 16 
 
 1900 
 
 2,582,227 00 
 
 12.iJll U 
 
 84,336 95 
 
 1901 
 
 2,7S5,790 00 
 
 13,928 25 
 
 37,U05 27 
 
 Dade County is the only county in the State that has 
 maintained a County Fair during the last five years. 
 
 The industrial departments of the Florida East Coast 
 Railway has been under the management of Mr. J. E. Ing- 
 raham, Third Vice President, and through his untiring 
 and persistent efforts, Dade County has reached its pres- 
 ent prosperous condition. Mr. Ingraham has proven him- 
 self the "right man in the right place." 
 
 In March, 1892, Mr. Ingraham, with an engineer corps, 
 undertook the perilous task of crossing the Everglades. 
 Entering the glades at Myers, on the East Coast, they fol- 
 lowed a southeast course through the broad expanse of 
 water, saw-grass and hammock islands, reaching Miami 
 in April. This was a most difficult and dangerous under- 
 taking, one that none of the party care to repeat. Afler 
 reaching Miami, a few days of observation were sufficient 
 to convince him that he had reached the "Promised Land.'' 
 Here he found tropical and semi-tropiral fruit trees Iqden 
 with fruit and bloom, fhruba and flowing plants told of 
 perpetual summer, while stretching north and south lay 
 
350 
 
 the limpid waters of the now far-famed Biseayne Bay, 
 and just beyond, the restless waters of the Atlantic Ocean 
 were breaLlng on the wave beaten shores of Biseayne and 
 Virginia Keys, wh le through Morris and Bears cuts, the 
 incoming and out-goirg t.des rushed vainly, attempting 
 to plow deeper channels through the unyielding ro( k. 
 His extensive knowledge of plant life, their soil and <-li- 
 niatic requirements, assured him that thi^ was tne coming 
 vegetable and fruit country of the United States. His 
 knowledge of the ne(eRsit es of commercial life told him 
 that in time there would be built in the then wildeimess. a 
 commercial city second to none on the far South Atlantic 
 Cojist. Be was firpt to call the attention of Mr. Flagler 
 to the jiossibilitiea of Dade County, and u:,,.'^ the ejjlen- 
 sion of the railway to Miami, from We«t Palm Beach. 
 Again when the frost demon had devasted (lie country, 
 destroying the groves throughout the old «>Tanire bolt, and 
 a wa 1 of dif'tress and sorrow, because of blasted h«»pes 
 and broken fortunes were heard, he again sfoix^ u])(>n ihe 
 barks of the Bis< ayne Bay. finding that no frost or freeze 
 hprf v'(!H9r\ this sppf^'o^. that Ipmcins. limes, oranges and 
 tropical trees were in full fruit or bloom, and that all na- 
 ture was fresh, bright and glad, he at once gathered ma- 
 tured fruits. fre?h fr".(grart flowers and branches covered 
 with rfark glO'SS'y leaves, and sent them to Mr. Flagler as 
 positive evidence that at last he h.-^d found a place where 
 the frost king had ^o power. Tt was largely through his 
 energy, his explorations and influence that led Mr. Flag- 
 ler to make the terminus of his railway system nt Miami. 
 
 Hon. Fred S. Morse has charge of the snip of lands in 
 South Dade from the beginning, and his efforts have been 
 crowrerl with fi^1ccpf'f^, a"d the T)4»or>1e iu th«^ PO"'ithern «ec- 
 tio'^ ar*» uTif'pr lapt'rtg obligation for that which ha«» been 
 accomnlished by him in the settlement of the wild lands. 
 
 T^ closing" fjifs short and co^^^ensorf history of this 
 vnoKf woTif'erful co-'^pfrv. we will add but ]\if]e. Thp r}\ 
 mate is perfect, and Dsde rourty is a ron^i di^«irable 
 pla p for an all the venr around home. Although ]v^pt m 
 the tropics, the summer weather i«< simply delightful. 
 The winters are perfertion. Good water as clear as crys- 
 tal ?c fo"i^(] jif a fippth of from ten to sixteen feet in all 
 parts of the rountv. Tf you are loo^iT1o• for a fln^e wh'»pe 
 large sums of money are made in tilling the soil, come to 
 
am 
 
 Dade County. In ( ase .'ou wish to know nioro in regard 
 to i;ade County write K. V. Iliackuian, editor of tho 
 Florida East Coasi ilonieseeker, Miami, Fla., and he will 
 send you a sample lopy wh.ch will give you the informa- 
 tion you desire. 
 
 The following are the principal products of the soil for 
 1902: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 1G8,55G $22i),017 
 
 Cmumbers, cri'tcs, 450 000 
 
 Beans, crates, 1,500 1,110 
 
 Oranges, crates, 2,452 3!),074 
 
 Lemons, crates, 250 250 
 
 Grape fruit, crater, 750 2,900 
 
 Pineapple, crates, 105.882 120,7G2 
 
 Bananas, bunches, 1,450 700 
 
 Live stock on hand : 
 
 Horses, number, 210 20 010 
 
 Mules, number, 78 9,405 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 1,626 22,840 
 
 DESOTO COl NTY. 
 
 Is bounded on the north by Polk, on the east by Os- 
 ceola and Lake Okeechobee, south by Lee, and on the 
 west by Manatee County and the Gulf of Mexico. It has 
 3,755 square miles of land surface, or 2,403,200 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 4,944, and in 1900 it was 
 8.047. Of this number 7.874 were white and 673 colored. 
 At the end of the school term of 1901 it had 55 schools, of 
 which 53 were white and 2 were for negroes, 
 
 CLIMATE AND HEALTH. 
 
 Of the climnte nlore. vobiTr^e*? mi'^ht he T^'^-ittf^n if ri^f^vQ 
 worr^s could co'^vey any fust ''oncent'on of it to r^er^ons 
 who hnve rev^r hoon hero. Those who hnvp hr-oofViof^ v\\q 
 soft nir of this rofrion and whosp cheeks h'lve ff^H the men- 
 ial rlow of t^p f''e'i"ious sn"«h*"'» in winter n^rl bivo b«^"n 
 fanned by the perfume-laden, balsamic, gulf breeze of 
 
352 
 
 summer, know that the all-the-year climate of this region 
 is as nearly perfect as anything can be. 
 
 It is not perfectly correct to say that the climate is one 
 of perpetual summer; yet extremes of temperature are 
 almost unknown and the variation is less than 
 in any other part of America, except some 
 other portions of South Florida. There have 
 been many winters in succession when, it is 
 said, no trace of frost was seen in the county; yet they do 
 sometimes occur; usually so light, however, as to do lit- 
 tle damage even to the most tropical vegetation. The 
 thermometric range in winter is usually between 65 and 
 85 degrees during the day, and 60 to 75 at night; but 
 there are a few days in every winter when the thermome- 
 ter drops to 50 or 45 degrees, and, as above stated, at rare 
 intervals the frost line is reached. It may be remarked 
 though that anything below 50 degrees is regarded as 
 cold weather here in winter, just as any temperature In 
 summer above 00 dfgrees is considered hot weather. 
 The summer range is from 75 degrees at noon, and 65 to 
 70 at night, but there are days when the mercury mounts 
 up to fi6, and twice in the past four yars the writer has 
 known it to climb to 98 degrees, but never higher. This 
 may seem excessively hot, but it should be explained in 
 this connection that, owing to the incessant sea breeze, a 
 temperature of 98 deprees is less oppressive here than 85 
 degrees of heat is in the Middle Statas. Hence it is that 
 sun strokes are unknown here and the summer seasons 
 are more pleasant than in m.ost parts of the North. 
 
 The rainy season begins about the first of June, and 
 rortrniies ur^til about the first of September. During 
 that interval there is a shower of morp or less duration 
 alipo^'t every dav, but without proiucing the overflows 
 which such a fall rf ws'ter would cause in a flat country; 
 es'^'^'inllv OT>p with a clay soil. 
 
 There is also a "dry seasoTi," which usually includes the 
 n'OTithp of yarch. Anril and May: but there ^.re excep- 
 tional years when there is no clearly defined "wet" or '<f1rv 
 c-n.-«.or, " fhp. T-airs being pretty evenly distributed 
 Th^'^'in^hoiTt th<» year. 
 
 We come now to consider the subject which overshad- 
 ows nil othorp — hp-ifb. All +^« con^l'tons rond^p^vp to 
 health a^p h^r'^; all the condit'o^s produf^tive of disease 
 are absent. The temperature varies but little; there are 
 
353 
 
 no extremes of heat or cold. The atmosphere, renewed 
 from the ocean daily, through fifty miles of resinous 
 pines, is soft, balmy and health-giving; there are no 
 poisonous gases, no unwholesome vapors and there is no 
 foul air. 
 
 Cloudless skies and bright days are the rule, cloudy 
 days the exception ; gloomy weather, not in the calendar. 
 The water of the wells, like that of the lakes, is free fn ni 
 organic matter and betrays no trace of mineral ; it js 
 pure, wholesome and refreshing, ^andy and saudy 
 loams are the predominant soils; and these absorb the 
 rain, usually, as fast as it falls. When the rainfall !s vx- 
 cessive, the surplus water is rapidly borne away by the 
 numerous creeks and rivers; there is no stUj^nanr water, 
 ^ no mud, no decaying animal or vegetable matter, no ma- 
 laria. 
 
 Chills and fevers and bilious diseases are rare and 
 when they do occur, mild in type; catarrh and hay I'ever 
 are foreign to climatic (onditions here; a cough is never 
 heard unless imported, and without further attempt to ac- 
 count for the fact, it is a fact beyond controversy that, for 
 health, this county equals, if it does not surpass, any in- 
 habited spot of equal area. 
 
 SOIL AND TIMBER. 
 
 The lands of this county are classed as hiph and low 
 hammocks, high pine, flatwoods, sand scrub, ere. and the 
 high pine lands are sometimes divif^ed into iwo ilasses: 
 "Choice" and "poor pine land." This distinction has lit- 
 tle significance, however, as both classes of pine land are 
 frequently embraced in a five-ac re lot. and evrr\ < lass of 
 land above mentioned might be found in one quarter sec- 
 tion. This county has every character of land to be 
 found in South Florir'a and if the immigrant "doesn't see 
 what he wants" he should "ask for it." 
 
 No county of like exte«t under the sun is capable of 
 BUih an endless variety of soil productions; but it mnst 
 not be supposed that the same a<Te will produce pv»tv- 
 thing with equal facility; therefbre the settler should 
 first defiT^itely settle in Irs own mind just what he wants 
 to do; then search intelligently for a location and soil 
 23 H F 
 
;{r.i 
 
 exactly suitod to his ])nr{)<>a('. fnli.v jis^nrc ! tlial such Um a- 
 tions aro to he found within the ronnty limits, if he vv 11 
 look for tiieni. Does he ini line to general i'lrniing — the 
 low, rich hammocks (but rot too low) aio p(N uliarly 
 adapted to the business. Corn, cats, millet, sorghum, 
 potatoes, garden truck an'\ cx(e])t whent, about every- 
 thing ])rodu(ed in the >U)rth '""^^d West <'Vj\ b" abundantly 
 grown on su( h land, and to the^^e (an b'^ a 1(V I sngnr cane, 
 lowland rice, cassava, arrow root, yan s rt^^^ many other 
 crops which the North canriot i>rodu( e. If hf' desires to 
 mix general, farmirg w.th or^n^^e cnltvro. the high ham- 
 mock hind will "wt him brst. It will '^ol "'>nal th<^ low 
 hamn'ock in the prof''nction of pon'e of the H'^ld croT>s! men- 
 tioned (though excelling in some ethers) > but it will pro- 
 du '■> th-^ citrus fruits which cannot bo sufM-essfnlly and . 
 profitably grown on low hammock. 
 
 Perha])s the prospector will como with a strong predilec- 
 tion for orange-grow'ng nsf a sitccialty. le (an finl just 
 what he wa^ts and he will only be renu'rel to < hoose be- 
 tween high hanMvo(k a"'d h'gh T)ine I'Mr^ .^s to the rp'a- 
 tive merits of the two clns'^oo of lan^'' ovi'>)on«3 f^itf^r. The 
 fonnf^r 's the mo^e f^rtiV r>f the tv»'o ;nid will p^^-oduce a 
 thrifty growth of ti*ef>«! and r^mun'^r^tivp croT^s of fruit fop 
 a series of years, without the aid of ^prtil'^^rs. The lat- 
 ter, to secure the best r^^s^ilts. must b^ f"rtilized to some 
 extent from the onts'et; vft it is chea'^er ^n the wild state 
 than hnmmock and t^^e cost of nreparinf^ it ^or planting is 
 80 much les!s that it is •re'^pra'Jlv conce'or^ th'^t an orange 
 gro'" on hi"h nine Ip^'^^ v.''1l havo co^t ^'^'^«. pve'-vthing 'n- 
 cluded. at the expirat'on of ten years, than a similar one 
 on h*"h hammo'k. ar^d if ttie f^rtili-^oi^o i.nvp b^e^i m>nlied 
 intel1\<Tently. the ni'^e land will be more nro'^uctive than 
 the hammock. It is also claim*>d that ova^i^es nroiiuced 
 on n'ne I'^nds are sMperior to thope "^rown on ham'^iock 
 la'"''. "P^owpvi^r that vrvv ^p. o"'^ th'nrr ca" be nos'tivly 
 aff^'rn-ed and that is: PeSnto Conntv T»ror?n((»j ;is lus- 
 cio'"'s oranires as are P"rown i" ttie wr-ri-^ .^-r,^ b'->ih cla'='sps 
 of la^i'l iust allude'^ to co'"tnb"tp ^" ^'^"^ ».'>c-,,h 
 
 Prn'r'"s are uanal'v inclu'''ed under th" h^ad of flat 
 woof^s; b^it a d'sti^(ti''n f^'hnul'^ b'^ nir»''p for the ob\'i'>us 
 reason that prairies are not woor'ln^ds at n').- J^c^i'^s 
 the h'^tter (rra'Vs of f'at wood's f>re f^r\ while the orair'es 
 of this section and of all South Florida are general I v wet. 
 
355 
 
 fio long as the more desirable lands are plenteous the prai- 
 ries will not receive inu< h attention ; but in time they will 
 no doubt become valuable as rice fields, meadow lands, 
 anf^ TH)s«ibiy sufj^r lands, "Snnfl scrub." or "palmetto- 
 Borub" lands are regarded as of little value and at present 
 no attempt is made to cultivate them. But in this Avon- 
 derful ( limate whf"»e the trees and plants of the tropics 
 flourish side by side with those of the warm temperate, 
 temperate and colder regions/'nothing was made in vain," 
 and ere long it will be discovered that the despised "sand 
 scrub" has its uses. There are numerous fiber plants of 
 great value, which it is believed would succeed splendidly 
 on such land — and it is not impossible that in the aear 
 future lands now freely offered at a dollar or two per acre 
 will return their owners |100 or more per acre annually, 
 under a high state of cultivation. 
 
 Yellow pine is the omnipresent forest tree of this sec- 
 tiv>n as of all Florida, and is the most valuable tree we 
 have. It is applied to all purpcses for which lumber is 
 used in the construction of houses and barns, the building 
 of boats, fencing of lands, etc. It also furnishes nearly 
 all the fire-wood consumed, "without money and without 
 price." Cypress also exists in considerable (luantities 
 and is used in the manufacture of shingles and for various 
 other purposes su' h as boat-building, wagon and furni- 
 ture manufacture, etc. Hickory, live oak, water oak, wil- 
 low oak, ash, wahoo, gum, cabbage palmetto, magnolia, 
 sweet bay and occsaioT^ally Florida hamogany, are found 
 in the hammocks, while black-jack and turkey oak are 
 seen on some of the pine lands. Florida mahogany is not 
 abundant in this section, but the man who collects a 
 quantity of it and cuts it into veneering will strike a 
 bonanza. 
 
 The only mineral resources known are the immense de- 
 posits of pebble plioshate, found both in the soil, and in 
 the r-reek a^^d river botton^s. 
 
 Live stock growing is the principal industry, and thou- 
 sands of cattle are annuajly exported, either through 
 Puntn Oorda or Tnmna. 
 
 And it pays to raise cattle. Fortunes have been made 
 in the busir»es«? in this nnl oth<^r counties of South Florida 
 an'l moro forture^ will be n-Pflp in the fntur". Timuirh a 
 three-year-old will only sell for .flO to .fl5, it costs little 
 
350 
 
 to raise it, and every ten dollar note go obtained is $10 
 literally picked up out of the wire grass. 
 
 It will also pay to raise Texas ponies here, and those 
 who go into it right will strike a good thing. 
 
 There are but few sheep in the county, but they do well 
 here and there should be more of them. The same remark 
 will apply to goats. This is a slendid county for poultry 
 raising. Chickens and eggs always command ready mar- 
 kets at good prices. Key West is (he best poultry mar- 
 ket. Hoes are raif^ed like the cattle mostly — wild in the 
 woods. Most of them are of the "razor back" type, but 
 there are many good ones. 
 
 Now we come to briefly consider the productions of the 
 soil, and it is here that this county can justly claim pre- 
 eminence over every other county of the State and of many 
 other states; for, as before remarked, no country in the 
 world of equal size can compare with her in variety of 
 products. So numerous are they that, only the most im- 
 portant can be mentioned and none can here be described. 
 Of the field crops we recall corn, oats, hay, barley, 
 teosinte, rye, millet, sorghum, Kaffir corn, rice, sugar 
 cane, peas, peanuts, chufas, cassava, tanyah, pumnkina, 
 melons, arrowroot, turnips, sweet potatoes and Irish po- 
 tatoes. Sugar cane, perhaps, gives the best net returns — 
 $100 to $150 per acre, and one planting suffices for six or 
 seven years. Smeet potatoes pay venv well too. 
 
 In the truck gardens we find tomatoes, egg plant, cauli- 
 flower, cabbage, cucumbers, beans, beets, peas, onions, 
 radishes, Jamaica ginger, lettuce and about everything 
 grown anywhere. Okra and peppers are perennial. 
 Gherkins grow wild. Tomatoes are the leading early 
 vegetable crop, and patches of ten and twenty a'-res each 
 are frequently seen. They are planted in fall and winter 
 and net the growers from $50 to $.'?00 per acre — some- 
 times more. Egg plants are profitable, and in the lake 
 region only require to be planted onre in three or fonr 
 years. Cucumbers pay from to $."^00 per acre; deT)end- 
 Ing entirely upon the presence or absence of the Aphis 
 Insect. 
 
 The fruits in cultivation in PeSoto Conntv are almo«t 
 innnmerahle and comprise the choirest varieties of nearlr 
 every habitable nart of the slob**. For convenience we di- 
 Tide them into three classes, as follows : 
 
367 
 
 I. Temperate and warm-temperate climates : Peaches, 
 pears, apricots, nectarines, plums, gi*apes, Japan persim- 
 mons, strawberries, blackberries, mulberries, etc. 
 
 II. Semi-tropical fruits: Oranges, lemons, limes, 
 pomelo or "grape fruit," shaddocks, figs, pomegranates, 
 loquats, citron, kumquat, bergamot, jujube, etc. 
 
 III. Tropical fruits: Banana, pineapple, guava, man- 
 go, avacado, sugar apple, cheramoya, paj>eya, sapodilla, 
 pepeno, granadillaj tamarind and some others, such as the 
 cocoanut, which are grown mostly as ornaments. 
 
 The orange still yields the sceptre as the^queen of fruits; 
 yet some others give about as satisfactory results as 
 viewed from a financial standpoint, and it is almost cer- 
 tain that macigoes, avocadoes, and possibly sugar apples, 
 will be even more remunerative when we produce them in 
 quantities sufticient to supply the northern cities. For 
 local markets they are twice as profitable as oranges. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 The Atlantic Coast Line enters the county at Bowling 
 Green on the northern line of the county, and extends to 
 Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor, then crosses the coun- 
 ty southeasterly to Ft. Myers, on the Caloosahatchee 
 river. We thus have through communication, and freight 
 facilities direct to the North and Northwest, and through 
 the ports of Punta Gorda and Ft. Myers, via the steam- 
 ship lines, Key West, Havana, and Mobile, New Or- 
 leans, and Galveston. 
 
 Arcadia is the county seat, and had in 1900 a popula- 
 tion of 799. In 1890, it was about being incorporated, 
 and the population was scarcely more than 100. It is 
 now a thriving town, supplied with banks, railway and 
 postal facilities, churches, schools, industrial establish- 
 ments, mercantile trades, warehouses, and fruit packing 
 houses, and everything essential to a live and prosperous 
 community. 
 
 Punta Gorda, on Charlotte Harbor, is the largest 
 town in the county; in 1890 it had a population of 262, 
 and in 1900 it had increased to 800. Punta Gorda is the 
 most important shipping point in the far south on the 
 west coast of the mainland. It is a great r-attle and phos- 
 phate shipping port, and also a \ny large sliippiijg 
 
358 
 
 point, from whonce immense quantities are annuallj 
 shipped, both bv land and water. It is a flue winter re- 
 sort for tourists, where fishing and hunting of the finest 
 kind is always near at hand. We have not the space to 
 devote to the other prosperous and thriving towns ana 
 villages. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902, 
 are as follows : 
 
 VaJu.j, 
 
 Corn, bushels, 5fi,054 | ^5.864 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 142,163 71,878 
 
 Rice, bushels, lf!344 i).704 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 7,999 11,()5T 
 
 Hay, tons, 1,000 8,000 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 9,025 18,8(55 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,957 28,905 
 
 Sugar, pounds, 20,040 1 ,216 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, 4,920 8,790 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 40,151 14,013 
 
 Cucunibei-s, crates, 9,038 15,094 
 
 Watermelons, carloads, 275 45,103 
 
 Beans, crates, 98,387 141,310 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 418,144 090,40S 
 
 Grape fruit, boxes, 10.700 134,57tf 
 
 Pineapples, number, 547,750 73,504 
 
 The following live stock on hand : 
 
 Horses, number, 2,400 119,{»30 
 
 Stoc k cattle, number, 133,783 1,071.<;0C 
 
 Sheep, number, 7,905 15,800 
 
 Hogs, number, 20,785 20,785 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 40,670 21,028 
 
 DUVAL COUNTY. 
 
 Duval County is bounded on the north by Nassau, east 
 by the Atlantic ocean and St. Johns County, south by 
 Clay and St. Johns County, and west by Baker and Nas- 
 sau Counties. 
 
 Its area in square miles of land surface is 822 or 526,- 
 080 aci'es. 
 
3S9 
 
 In 1890, its popnlation was 26,800, and in 1900, it was 
 39,733, of which number, 17,276 were white and 22,457 
 were negroes. At the end of the school term of 1901, it 
 maintained 70 schools, of which 39 were white and 31 
 were for negroes. 
 
 Naturally an article of this nature will not contaia 
 all the information relative to Duval County that the 
 average tourist or home seeker may desire, but it is hoped 
 that the reader will learn enough to show the many ad- 
 vantages offered by this county. 
 
 The St. Johns River flows through the county for over 
 forty miles, to which is tributary numerous streams, sa 
 that it is well watered. Its transportation facilities are 
 unequalled, as large ocean ateamem and vessels come to 
 Jacksonville, and numerous lines of railways center there 
 The importance of this feature can hardly be overesti- 
 mated to the farmer, because in addition to the home 
 market afforded by the city of Jacksonville, he can com- 
 mand Northern markets without having the value of his 
 products consumed by freight charges. 
 
 Many fruits, vegetables and grains can be grown profit- 
 ably in this county, while the St. Johns Kiver and all its 
 tributaries abound in fish, such as shad, mullet, bas», 
 sheepshead, trout, black fish, perch, bream, red snapper^ 
 and numerous other varieties, which furnish an abund- 
 ance of cheap and nutritious food as well as endless 
 amusement for the lover of rod and gun. 
 
 Oysters also abound near the mouth of the river. 
 
 Stock raising is quite profitable. 
 
 Lands are cheap and most of them so fertile that a- 
 man of ordinary industry will make a comfortable liv- 
 ing from a few acres. Land can be purchased from |2.00 
 to $200:00 per acre, depending upon location. 
 
 Pigs, peaches, pears, strawberwes, Japan plums, peF- 
 simmons, grapes, etc., handsomely repay the cost of cul- 
 tivation. Grapes are especially productive. Some to- 
 bacco has been grown in this county at a big profit. 
 
 The population is over 40,000, about equally divided 
 between whites and blacks. 
 
 The county has about 700 miles of roads, many miles 
 of which are rock and shell. 
 
300 
 
 The county buildings are new and in excellent condi- 
 tion. The new county court house being the finest in the 
 State. 
 
 The county has a bonded debt of $400,000—5 per cent 
 bonds. 
 
 The assessed valuation, State and County, based on 40 
 per cent, value will be about $9,000,000.00 for the pres- 
 ent year. State and County tax, 18 mills. The assessed 
 valuation on a higher basis for the city of Jacksonville 
 alone is about |15,000.0l)0.no. 
 
 The number of mills and manufacturing enterprises of 
 all kinds is one hundred and twenty-five, including lum- 
 ber, cigars, fiber, woodworking, fertilizer, soap, etc. 
 
 Duval County Schools are among the best in the South. 
 The school tax is 5 mills; the city has eight months and 
 the county six months of school, there are 40 white and 
 30 colored schools, emoloying 173 teachers at a cost of 
 ^50.000.00 per year. The attendance last year was, white, 
 3,738; colored, 3,528. There were 11 male and 90 female 
 white teachers and 14 male and 58 female colored teach- 
 ers. 
 
 There are als^o two colored colleges. A fine business 
 college and a Catholic srhool. 
 
 Duval County has $200,000.00 invested in school prop- 
 erty. 
 
 There are about 75 churches in the county, 50 of which 
 are in the citv of Jacksonville. 
 
 The healthfulneps of the county is shown by official 
 records to be good. 
 
 The mean temperature for three summer and three 
 winter months is as follows: June 80, July 81, August 
 82, December 56 January 55, February 82. This is the 
 averfifre for 30 years and comes from the weather bureau. 
 
 Winter is our dry season. The rainfall for the wet sea- 
 son is June 5.67, July ^.32, August 6.19, September 8.25, 
 average for 30 years. 
 
 The principnl towns are Jacksonville, Mandarin, South 
 Jacksonville, Mayport. Pablo Beach, Fort George, New 
 ■Berlin, Chaseville, Dinsmore, Baldwin, Oilraore, Idle- 
 weld nnd Maxville. These towns are all reached by river 
 or ra'l. and Mnyrvort, Pablo P»oach. and Fort Ceorge are 
 esTx^c'allv attractive with lovers of rod and gun. Fish 
 and oysters are abundant and game is plentiful. The 
 
3G1 
 
 beach is lined with cottages of many Jacksonville citi- 
 sens. 
 
 Jacksonville, the County Seat and largest city in the 
 State, is one of the best known cities in the world. It Is 
 the gateway to Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba and South* 
 America. The city has a river frontage of nine miles, a 
 large wholesale trade, numerous banks, well paved 
 streets, an efficient fire department, excellent hotels, 
 electric light plant and water works owned by the city, 
 fifty churches, two daily and a number of weekly and 
 monthly papers, numerous lodges and clubs, fine markets, 
 an opera house, twenty miles of electric railways, a race 
 track, magnficent public buildings, among the number a 
 $300,000.00 government building and $100,000.00 court 
 house, in fact all that goes to make life a comfort and 
 worth living. 
 
 , While Jacksonville does not claim to be a manufactur- 
 ing city, she has over one hundred factories, employing 
 an aggregate capital of over $2,000,000.00. 
 
 Artesian wells supply the city with over 5,000,000 gal- 
 lons of pure water daily, which goes far towards making 
 Jacksonville one of the healthiest cities in the world. 
 
 The land upon which the city is mainly built rises 
 gently from the river bank, thus commanding a view of 
 the river, and affording natural drainage. 
 
 The population has steadily increased and the enter- 
 prise of its citizens and advantages of location have en- 
 abled it to surmount every obstacle and maintain its su- 
 premacy as the leading commercial city of the far south. 
 
 The fatal yellow fever epidemic of 1888 did not stay 
 its onward progress, but only inspired its citizens to 
 take such sanitary precautions as will prevent a recur- 
 rence of such an coidemic. 
 
 The disasterous frosts of 1804-5 was a severe blow, yet 
 the business men of Jacksonville were undismayed and 
 their healthy condition was indicated by the excellent 
 bank statements and the rapid growth of the wholesale 
 business. 
 
 - It ha« survived the shock of the great conflagration of 
 May 3, 1901, and the new Jacksonville stands a monu- 
 ment to the energy and enterprise of a brave and pros- 
 perous people. 
 
3G2 
 
 The doubtful jperiod is paist, and the future beam* 
 forth like the sun in heaven. 
 
 Among the thousands who have found homes of peace 
 and plenty, many have become rich, while all have beea 
 ^ made content. Many thousands more will quickly follow 
 the inspiration of such an alluring example and during 
 the next twenty years Jacksonville will be the theatre of 
 many vast public enterprises, fortunes will be made in 
 every industry, and hundreus now living in the Queen 
 City of the St. Johns will acquire and enjoy the luxuriea 
 of wealth. Jacksonville offers all that is real, solid, hope- 
 ful, and each citizen can leel proud to know that he Is 
 idantilied with a city whose glories he can proudly pro- 
 claim at all times and in all lands. 
 
 The principal agricultural products for 1902, were aa 
 follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 2G,C45 113,030 
 
 Sweet iK)tatoes, bushels, 71,187 28,734 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,081 1U,776 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels. 4,738 4,503 
 
 Tomatoes, cratf s, 8,279 7,413 
 
 Watermelcns, car loads, 161 8,752 
 
 Strawberries, quarts, 24,564 2,979 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 1,298 1,080 
 
 Live stock on hand, as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 623 41,857 
 
 Mules, number, 202 17,260 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 7,354 50,909 
 
 Hogs, number 4,873 11,601 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 23,690 8.223 
 
 Milk, sold and used, gallons, 271,731 54,810 
 
 ESCAMBIA COUNTY. 
 
 Is bounded on the north and west by the State of Ala- 
 bama, on the east by Santa Rosa County, and on the 
 south by the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 Escambia County, situated at the western evtremity of 
 Florida, embraces an area of 668 square miles of land 
 surface, richly diversified with lowland and upland, and 
 
3C3 
 
 abundantly watered by numerous running streams. Its 
 climate is as nearly perfect as any on the contiutnt, be- 
 ing a delightful and healthful combination of the -'piney- 
 woods" atmosphere with the Gulf breezes. The monthly 
 minimum temperature at the Pensacola Weather I'.ureau 
 Station in 1900, for example, for the three winter months 
 was: December, 3G; January, 23; February, I!). The 
 monthly maximum temperature for the thn^e summer 
 months was: June, 92; July, 90; August, 07. The an- 
 nual rainfall for the same year was 70.82 inches. The 
 soil is varied in quality, ranging from the blncic alluvial 
 of the river and creek bottoms to the shallow sandy loam 
 of the pine ridges, with yellow clay sub-soil near enough 
 to the surface to insure fertility. 
 
 The population of the county, in 1900, was 28,313, be- 
 ing an increase of more than 40 per cent, during the ile- 
 cade ending with that year, the increase for the entire 
 State, for the same perrod, being only thirty-five per cent. 
 During the twenty years, ending with 1900, the incre'ise 
 was nearly 183 per cent. The population is divided be- 
 tween the races, as follows: White, 16,384; colorird, 
 11,929. The principal crops are corn, cotton, (upland) 
 oats, potatoes, cane, rice, hay, dairy and poultry products 
 and live stock. Stock-raising has recently become a lead- 
 ing industry and a Pensacola corporation is engaged in 
 extensive experimental operations, in the northwest cor- 
 ner of the county and the adjoining county in Alabama, 
 with common native stock, improved by cross-breeding, 
 and by feeding for a small portion of the winter with the 
 vines of the velvet bean and the roots of the cassava plant. 
 
 The apigregate valuation of taxable property in the 
 county, for the year 1902, was |5,859,604, of which. 
 13,724,740 represents real estate, fl,241,840 personalty 
 and $893,024 railroad and telegraph proi>erty. The total 
 shows an increase for the decade just ending of nearly 
 52 per cent. The total taxation on this valuation is sev- 
 enteen mills; five for State and twelve for county pur- 
 poses. 
 
 The public schools of the county number 67, of which 
 48 are for white pupils and 19 for colored. White teach- 
 ers employed, 83; colored, 28; total, 111. Pupils en- 
 rolled : White, 3,205 ; colored, 1,858 ; total, 4,850. Aver- 
 age attendance: White, 2,178; colored, 1,007; total, 
 
364 
 
 3,185. The expenditures for the year ending June oO, 
 1902, were |42,615.50. The value of school property in 
 the county, for the same year, was : Lots, $16,025 ; build- 
 ings, 145,120; furniture, $11,715; apparatus, |2,310; to- 
 tal, $75,170. In the city of Pensacola, a splendid high 
 Bchool and several graded schools are maintained by the 
 school board, besides which a number of private schools, 
 including a classical preparatory school, are liberally 
 patronized. The public schools are open from October 1 
 to June 1, excepi^ during the mid-w^inter holidays. 
 
 There are eighteen postoffices in the county, and one 
 rural delivery route of about 30 miles. Most of these 
 places are mere villages, the city of Pensacola being the 
 only incorporated place in the county. Railroad trans- 
 portation includes a short line westward from Pensacola 
 to the timber and lumber mills on Perdido Bay and river, 
 the Pensacola and Atlantic division of the Louisville and 
 Nashville system, extending from Pensacola eastward to 
 Eiver Junction, where it connects with the Seaboard Air 
 Line system, and a short line from Pensacola northward, 
 Pensacola division of the Louisville and Nashville sys- 
 tem, connecting with the main line from Montgomery and 
 all points North, East and West, to Mobile and New Or- 
 leans. This line carries the fast mail service between 
 Kew York and New Orleans, and makes the direct mail 
 connections of Pensacola very quick and satisfactory. 
 
 Pensacola, the second largest city in the State, had in 
 1900 a population of 17,747, an increase for the ten years 
 then ending of nearly 51 per cent. At this writing, two 
 years after the census, the population is. believed to be not 
 less than 20,000. Situated on the shore of one of Flori- 
 da's most beautiful bays, which constitutes the deepest 
 and most capacious harbor on the Atlantic or Gulf 
 coasts, south of Newport News, Pensacola is destined to 
 be, as stated by the well-known Major F. A. Mahan, of 
 the U. S. Engineer Corps, "the loading port south of New- 
 port News." As a port of export, it already exhibits a 
 growth that promises the early fulfillment of Major Ma- 
 han's prophecy. 
 
 The aggregate value of exports from Pensacola to for- 
 eign ports, for the final year, ending June 30, 1902, was 
 $14,480,281, an increase of moi-e than 80 per cent, in five 
 years and nearly 386 per cent, in ten years. The list of 
 
3C5 
 
 articles of export includes, besides the staple local pro- 
 ducts of lumber and timber, coal, cotton, tobacco, grain of 
 all kinds, cotton seed products, naval stores, pig iron, 
 phosphate rock, and large quantities of machinery and 
 merchandise. Vessels of all nations enter for cargoes to 
 the number of over 51)0 each year. A large modern ele- 
 vator facilitates the shipment of grain, and extensive 
 docks and warehouses accommodate the constantly grow- 
 ing traffic with foreign lands. 
 
 The city has a first-class telephone system, connected 
 with the adjacent long-distance systems, electric street 
 cars and lights, a complete and satisfactory water sys- 
 tem, and a complete sewerage system, to supplement a 
 partial system already installed, is in contemplation; the 
 principal business stnvt is brick-paved. It has three 
 national banks, with a total capital of $400,000; churches 
 of all denominations, and a number of flourishing manu- 
 facturing industries. 
 
 At the mouth of the harbor (whose entrance throi^h a 
 channel less than a mile in length, has a depth of 30 
 feet), the U. S. Navy Yard occupies a commanding posi- 
 tion and is amply protected by old Fort Pickens, imme- 
 diately opposite, and by Fort Barrancas and Fort McRae 
 farther down towards the open sea. All of these, as well 
 as the U. S. Life Saving Station on Santa Rosa Island, 
 and the remains of two ancient Spanish forts within the 
 city, are objects of profound interest to all visitors and 
 strangers. 
 
 The Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and Young Men's 
 Business League are devoted to the commercial and indus- 
 trial interests of the city, and their secretaries will gladly 
 resy)ond to any request for detailed information concern- 
 ing it. 
 
 The agricultural products for 1D02 are as follows: 
 
 Valne. 
 
 Fpland cotton, bales. 344 $ L^ 020 
 
 Corn, bushpls. 30.005 31388 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 81,285 30.876 
 
 Rvrup, barrels. 523 1 0.440 
 
 Hay. tons. 1 .049 25.045 
 
 lr»«h potatoes, bushels, 3,875 3.875 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 4,900 2,525 
 
36G 
 
 Pecan nuts, bushels, 130 650 
 
 Pears, barrels, 2,000 2,000 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 1,445 1,445 
 
 Live stock on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 1,431 119,730 
 
 Mules, number, 413 53,100 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 12,852 128.520 
 
 Sheep, number, 6,845 14,140 
 
 Hogs, number, 4,2^6 7,418 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 74,675 19,600 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 
 
 Franklin County is bounded on the north bv Liberty 
 County, on the east and south by the Gulf of Mexico, and 
 on the west by Calhonn rour»ty. 
 
 It has an area of 731 square miles of land surface, or 
 467,240 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 3,308, and in 1900 it was 
 4,890, of which number 2,648 were white and 2,242 were 
 negroes. 
 
 In 1901 it maintained 6 schools, of which 4 were white 
 and 2 were for negroes. 
 
 THE CITY OF APALACHICOLA. 
 
 Situated at the mouth of the Analachicola Pivpr— a 
 noble stream, 136 miles in length, which is formed by Ihe 
 confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers, each 
 more than five hundred miles in lens-th — is Ihe « ity of 
 Apalachicola, the cour^tv sent of Franklin County. ,,,, 
 
 Its p-eosraphical popjti^n alone shows to tbe most sn^icr- 
 ficial obsprver its wo^derfn] natuT'al advantap'Pf, and when 
 to those is added an unrivaled climate, a so'l canable of 
 producing in abundance anything, (from the fi"p«t sea 
 island cotton to thp tnble doliracies of strnwberries and 
 pinenrtnles.) a bay filled with the finest flavored ovsteni 
 an'l fish to be found on the Onlf or Atlantic ronst«. it 
 will be sp°n that Nflt"rp >ias been morp than lavish of ber 
 bonntv. aTi ot^Iv mnn's ln1>or nnd investment are needed 
 to reap four-fold the richest harvest. 
 
:4(>7 
 BRIEFLY mSTOKICAL. 
 
 That Ihis was a locality peculiarly favored by the In- 
 dians, is shown in the nnniber of Indian mounds in the 
 vicinity, and the many relics of pottery, arms and uten- 
 sils to be found even yet on the shores and islands near. 
 These natives were scattered by the usurping white man, 
 and ( ivilization, followirg fast in the steps of coloniza- 
 tion, planted cities and towns, while commerce spuead her 
 white wings to bring to them fortune and favor; thus 
 Apalachicola, with her natural harbor and sheltering 
 island*', became one of the first important Gulf ports. 
 The rivers were then the great highways of the country, 
 and the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, Flint and Chipola 
 rivers were the life and food-supplying arteries to the 
 heart of the vast inland portions of the States of Georgia, 
 Florida and Alabama. It was, therefore, as a matter of 
 course, that as early in the last century as 1835, Apala- 
 chicola stood third in importance as a cotton port on the 
 Gulf Coast. 
 
 The wealth of the South, up to the years of the CivSl 
 War, was reprrsented by her cot I on, and a large area of 
 the cotton plantations of Georgia and Alabama's fertile 
 fields was adjacent to, or bordering on the trijautaries of 
 the Apalachi ola River, and this entire product found its 
 nearest market by way of the Gulf. Thus, the port of 
 Apalachicola, with the commerce of nations at her door, 
 and the wealth of a vast interior heaped in compressed 
 whiteness on her streets, became a veritable metropolis of 
 the South, and during the months of the cotton season 
 was a scene of great financial activity. Buyers from 
 ^Northern cities, from Liverpool, London, Paris, and many 
 other foreign markets competed with each other, and for- 
 tunes were made while men slept. In the year 18G0, the 
 commerce of the city amounted to fourteen millions of 
 dollars. 
 
 Then came the dark days of the Civil War. when homes 
 were desolated and fortunes lost, when families were 
 scattered, and mourning tille' the land. Aualachi ola 
 shrire^ with other cities of the South, a^inihilf^tinn (if 
 business, privation and loss; but worse still for her waa 
 the revohition in liattV an ' travel. whi( h .-Jtr^K k m 'leath 
 blow to her cotton trade. Railroads, spanning the broad 
 
3G8 
 
 State of JGeorgia brought to the planter more speedy trans- 
 portation for his cotton to Atlantic ports, and placed Lim 
 in daily communication with cities for the necessities aiid 
 Bupplies of his family and dej.^ndents. The slower, and 
 sometimes dangerous transportation by river was almost 
 abandoned, and as time went on, steamers rotted at their 
 moorings, and the streets of this once populous city were 
 grass grown and silent, while her brick warehouses and 
 wharves became ruins. 
 
 But there were loyal hearts, who clung to and believed 
 in her still, and when the impoverished [South, under sad- 
 ly charged conditions, faced the problem of a new future, 
 here, as elsewhere, brave hearts and strong wills won the 
 victory. 
 
 THE PRESENT. 
 
 Little more than three decades have gone by, and look 
 again at the city by the sea, which sat in ruins and liv<;d 
 but in retrospect. The unlimited resources of Nature have 
 been invoked and from her boundless store new sources 
 of wealth have sprung up, which promise to eclipse the 
 past. The forests of cypress and yellow pine have become 
 the most valuable commodity of modern commerce, and 
 again the ships of all nations wait in her harbor to carry 
 to all parts of the civilized world the finished product of 
 her mills, and the valuable quantities of naval stores, 
 which are constantly in demand. Again the streets of 
 Apalachicola are filled with life and business activity. 
 The roar and clamor of steam sawmills, the shrieking 
 whistles of tugs and steamers towing logs and barges of 
 lumber, the daily arriving and departing steamers from 
 points on the river and Gulf, the whistles of canning fac- 
 tories, planing mills and sash, door and blind factoriea, 
 are tangible evidences of prosperity. Two large saw- 
 mills within the city limits (one of them the largest In 
 the South) and three more at distances three to six miles 
 tip the river, each with an average daily product of fifty 
 thonsand feet of lumber, give employment to an army of 
 skilled and unskilled workmen, while in the important 
 industry of catching, cannir^ and shipping oysters and 
 flsh a large fleet of boats and many men are engaged. A 
 daily Bteamer crosses the bay to Carrabelle, connecting 
 
309 
 
 with the C. T. & G. Railroad, for the accommodation of 
 passengers and mail, besides the daily arriving and de- 
 parting river steamers, with passengers, mail and freight 
 from Columbus, Ga., and all intermediate points. 
 
 The population of Apalachicola, in common with the 
 rest of the State of Florida, has increased one-third in the 
 last decade. It bas a population of 3,077, as per census 
 of 1900, and the lovalty and faith of those, who, since her 
 dark days, have believed in her future, and given brain 
 and money to achieve it, is rewarded in her constantly in- 
 creasing prosperity. 
 
 The record of the past year is little short of wonder- 
 ful. In May, 10(10, a destrudive fire swejjt over the busi- 
 ness part of the city, leaving it a blackened waste of ruins. 
 A church, opera house, two hotels, armory, ice factory, 
 warehou?:es, wharves, and sixty-five business houses were 
 completely destroyed. It was a catastrophe which tried 
 the temper of men's souls; but the loyalty and enterprise 
 of the citizens, the true American "grit," which never 
 acknowledges defeat, were displayed in that crisis, as 
 everywhere. Before the ashes were cold, ground was be- 
 ing cleared for rebuilding, and in less than one year much 
 of the burned district has been rebuilt in a superior and 
 more snbstant'al manner than before, and work is still 
 going on. Buildings erected since the fire are estimated 
 at a co«t of $85,000, and those in course of construction 
 at $55,000. 
 
 THE FUTURE. 
 
 The future of the city was never bn^^htpr, and th?re 
 have been no backward steps in the mnrch of Progress. 
 It is but one year since the electric lighting of the city 
 was sucrpssfullv accomnlisher'. and row the wor-k of hor- 
 inff artesian wells for the supply of a wnter works svst«m 
 is being carried on with enerary and with every indication 
 of success. Mopf important, bowpvpr. i«i the nroject for 
 thp dppT>pn''n<? of tbp rhanr>pl to West Pass, the nearest 
 and most direct outlet to the Gulf. The immense bene- 
 fit this would confer upon the city and entire con»itrr 
 adiacpnt is po annnrp^t. fh^f ati aspocia+i'^n bn« !».»on 
 formed of representative business men of Florida, Geor- 
 
 24 H P 
 
370 
 
 gia and Alabama, all earnest, wide-awake men of the 
 times, who are sanguine of seeing ocean-going vesstHs at 
 the wharves of Apalathicola at no distant day. A aur- 
 vey ordered by Congress has been made for this channel 
 with the most favorable results, and the senators of three 
 States have been memorialized to work for the necesairy 
 appropriation. 
 
 With deep water to the wharves, the commerce oT the 
 city will be more than doubled, and the whole terrilory 
 bordering on four great rivers, while contributing Ic its 
 business activity, will itself re, eive immense iii'jrcial 
 benefit. 
 
 The security of harbor and city from storms atid gales 
 is seen in the long, low, s;ind islands lying between the 
 bay and Gulf, which are Natnre's pn.tection to the in- 
 land shores. They are nearly one-half mile \vi«ie at the 
 nanowest part, and furnish a bulwark, which receives 
 the first shock of wind and wave, and thus pHjttMts ibe 
 land from the full fury of equatorial stornis. No such 
 horrible catastrophe as the destruction af Galveston could 
 ever devastate Apalachicola. Fhe sits secure behind a 
 natural breakwater and wide, intervenirg hay. 
 
 The equable and healthful climate of this section is 
 always a matter of surprise to strangers. It is nowhei-e 
 surpassed, and only equaled by that of raiifornis:. Ic 
 which it is often compared by those who have experienced 
 both. The average temperature for the entire sumvner 
 months is 8G degrees, with an almost invariable, str(>n::> 
 Gulf brppve, whit h is healthful and toning vrA without 
 the debilitatirg warmth, whi<h the Droyimity of the Gnlf 
 stream imjjnrts to the sea brec/es of the eastern coast; 
 the maximum temperature is flR to 08 decrees. S-in- 
 8trol-e is rtiLrown, and the death rate will compare fav- 
 orably with the most healthful city in fho T'nito:! St^'tea, 
 being an a'^nuai twelve per cent, prr thonsant^ When 
 there shnll be made known to tho worH the attra^tioTis 
 and i>ossi'bilitips of Western Flor'f'a. tl»<» r-onT»!''»r»i!il. :is»- 
 ricnlturnl a"d industrial d^vlo'^^ip^t of Frankli.i County 
 will astonish even the proverbial old settler. 
 
371 
 
 APALACHICOLA'S EXPORTS AND IMPORTS. 
 
 Herewith is attached a report taken from the Custoia 
 House, showino: the amonrt of business <:rausacted at 
 Apalachicola for twelve months: 
 
 Vessels entered from foreipfn ports 119 
 
 Vessels cleared for foreijjn ports 77 
 
 Vessels entered from dome'='tio ports 21 
 
 Vessels cleared for domestic ports G3 
 
 FOREIGN SHIPMENTS. 
 
 Value. 
 
 Rosin. 52.7Gt barrels $ 70,200. Of} 
 
 Turpepti'^p. ^OJ^r^ o-allors !4..5oS.pO 
 
 Sawn timber 12,383 M. feet 143.481 .00 
 
 Hewn timber, 1G,482 cubic feet 25,4(;4 .00 
 
 Boards, deals and planks, n,546 M. feet 14!).nr/.).oa 
 
 Shinjrles, 84.000 .'^i2.00 
 
 Scantlinsr, 4G0 M. feet 5.736.00 
 
 Miscellaneous 10,106.00 
 
 Total Foreign $428,666.00 
 
 COASTWISE SHIPMENTS. 
 
 Lumber, 25.773 M. feet $457,730.00 
 
 Shingles. 150,000 600.00 
 
 Rosin, 21,490 barrels 42.880.00 
 
 Total Coastwise 1501,310.00 
 
 r 
 
 Total Shipments, Foreign and Coastwise. . .$929,976.00 
 
 IMPORTS. 
 
 Value, 
 
 Salt, 15.108 sacks $10oon o'l 
 
 Turtle shells. 14 boxes 1,211.0(1 
 
 Cocoanuts. 22,000 214.00 
 
 Miscellaneous 220.00 
 
 Total $11,707.00 
 
 Num^ier of »^essels arrived, which do not enter and 
 clear. 107. 
 
 Tonnage, 12,500. 
 
372 
 
 Number of vessels departing, which, do not cl6ar at 
 Custom House, 110. 
 
 Tonnage, 13,000. 
 
 Estimated arrivals and departures of river steamers for 
 Georgia and Alabama, 750. 
 
 Tonnage, 90,000. 
 
 Oysters and fish shipped, 12,500 barrels. 
 
 The value of merchandise, lumber and other sources of 
 revenue, whi( h tl e Custom Houpe keeps no record, can be 
 placed at |1,250,000 to |1,500,000. 
 
 THE CHURCHES. 
 
 Apalachicola ha<^ four churches with large congrega- 
 t'*nns, vi''-: Methodist. Catholic, Eoisconal and Baptist. 
 The colored people also have several churches. 
 
 SECRET SOCIETIES. 
 
 Apalachioola has a number of secret societies, viz : Ma- 
 gonic. Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Wood- 
 men of the World. The Catholic Knights also have a 
 large following; also the Catholic Total Abstinence So- 
 ciety. The American Federation of Labor also has a 
 large membership at this place. 
 
 HOW TO REACH APALACHICOLA. 
 
 Apalachicola has a tri-weekly line of steamers that con- 
 nect with the Seaboard Air Line, Atlantic Coast Line and 
 Louisville and Nashville Railway systems at Chattahoo- 
 chee. There is also a triweekly line of steamers from Co- 
 Inmbus. Ga., to Apalachicola. The steamer Crescent 
 Citv makes a round trip daily ffom Apnlarhicola to Carra- 
 belle, connecting with the C. T. & G. Railwav, the latter 
 road making connections with the Seaboard Air Line 
 Railway at Tallahassee. Yon ran take a r^'ver steamer 
 at Columbus or Bainbndge. Ga.. or Chnttahooohee. then 
 take a bay trip on the Crescpt City t^* Carr^hpll". and at 
 Carrabelle board the train for any point in the Stnt*»; or, 
 yon TmVbt revers** it pp'1 ptnrt in at. sav. Ja^ksoTivil'p; fo 
 to Tallahassee, the capital, where yon ran take the P.. T. 
 & G. Railway train, go to Carrabelle, visit Apalachicola, 
 
373 
 
 and at Apalachicola take passage on one of our elegant 
 river steamers for points in Georgia and Alabama. Any 
 .way you take it, you will have a pleasant trip. 
 
 OUR HARBOR AND BAY. 
 
 St. George Sound is forty miles in length, extending 
 from Indian Pass to Lanark. The harbor is protected 
 from gales by St. Vincent, St. George and Dcg Islands. 
 Splendid anchorage is had in this Sound. West Pass, 
 now with a depth of sixteen feet of water, is six miles 
 from Apalachicola. The matter of deepenirg this chan- 
 nel to a depth of eighteen feet to the wharves at Apala- 
 chicola has occupied the attention of the government for 
 Bome time. Columbus, Ga., and Eufaula, Ala., are 
 heartily in accord with Apalachicola in this project, and 
 an association has been formed of business men from 
 Apalachicola and Columbus, known as the Deep Water 
 Association. The work of this association was very pro- 
 nounced last year, and the project was down in the 
 Congressional bill for |41,000, at the last session of Con- 
 gress; but the River and Harbor Bill was defeated by be- 
 ing talked to death. Our people are now led to believe 
 that West Pass will fare handsomely by the next Con- 
 gress. 
 
 OUR INDUSTRIES. 
 
 By reason of the vast quantities of cheap pine and 
 cypress timber on the rivers, Franklin County is essen- 
 tially the home of the sawmill. In this county there 
 are some seven large sawmills, each of them with a daily 
 capacity of forty thousand to seventy thousand feet of 
 lumber per day. Two of these mills are situated at 
 Carrabelle. 
 
 In addition, we have one of the largest sash, door and 
 blind factories in the State. 
 
 Considerable business is also done here in hewn and 
 square timber, which is floated down the river from Geor- 
 gia and Alabama. 
 
 The nearby river swamps furnish large quantities of 
 red and white cedar, black and white cypress, walnut, 
 agh, gum, bay, cotton-wood and many other varieties of 
 
374 
 
 timber. Timber is rafted and floated down the river to 
 the sawmills at Apalachieola, and many hundreds of 
 people are engaged in this business. Timber is worth 
 from |5 to $8 per thousand superficial feet at the mills 
 in Apalachieola. 
 
 Among Apalachicola's other industries is the catch- 
 ing and shipping of fish and oysters, and not a few 
 sponges. Apalachieola Bay furnishes more oysters than 
 any other bay south of the Chesapeake, ^nd thousands of 
 bushels are shipped every winter in the shell, also opened 
 and shipped in tubs, and the Apalachieola cove ovster, 
 like its fresher mate, has a national reputation. Large 
 quantities of both fresh and salt fish are shipped from 
 this point. 
 
 The catching and preparation of sturgeon and caviar 
 has recently been added to Apalachicola's other indus- 
 tries, and thousands of pounds of these fish are now sent 
 out, mostly to the Northern markets. These fish are in 
 this vicinity in crreat abundance and many people are 
 erijiaged in catching them. They are caught from the 
 fresh water streams, although they are a native of the 
 Bait water. Apalachieola Bay also furnishes large quan- 
 tities of tarpon — perhaps a larger quantity than any other 
 bay on the Gulf Coast. Shrimp and crabs are also here 
 in abundance. 
 
 CARRABELLE 
 
 Is situated on St. James Island, twenty-five miles from 
 Apalachieola. Carrabelle is the terminus of the C, T. & 
 G. Railway. This road begins at Tallahassee and enda 
 at Carrabelle. At Carrabelle, the side-wheel steamer 
 Crescent City connects with the C, T. & G. Railway daily, 
 making a round trip from Carrabelle to Apalachicola. 
 The distance is twenty-five miles, and is through St. 
 George's Sound, a beautiful body of water. Tarrabelle is 
 situated on St. James Island, Franklin County, and was 
 settled by Mr. O. K. Kellv. about 1870. It now has a 
 population of about one thousand ; has two sawmills, sev- 
 eral mercantile establishments and other enterprises. 
 Six miles from Carrabelle is Ea«t Pass, a famous harbor 
 of the Gulf Coast, Nineteen feet of water are safely 
 carried over the bar at East Pass. The anchorage 
 
375 
 
 grounds inside the harbor cannot be excelled in the State, 
 and the lumber and naval stores shipped through this 
 harbor amount to a large amount in dollars. The citizens 
 of Carrabelle are hosi>itable and enterprising and wel- 
 come those who come to cast their lot with them. Carra- 
 belle is also a sub-port of entry. 
 
 Following are the exports and their value from Carra- 
 belle for the year 1902 : 
 
 Carrabelle. 
 
 Quantities Valua 
 
 Salt fish, U. S 
 
 Fresh fish, U. S 
 
 Oysters, U. S 
 
 Lumber, U. S 
 
 Oysters, U. S 
 
 Kosin, U. S 
 
 Spirits turpentine, U. S. 
 
 Lumber, foreign 
 
 Rosin, foreign 
 
 Spirits turpentine, for'gn 
 
 Pounds. , 
 Pounds. , 
 Gallons. . 
 Sup feet. 
 Barrels. . 
 Barrels. . 
 Barrels. . 
 Sup fe3t. 
 Barrels. . 
 Barrels. . 
 
 43.nnn 
 
 727,500 
 
 13,875 
 
 10,330,000 
 
 730 
 
 » 10,731 
 
 51 9' 
 
 7,317,745 
 
 40,912 
 
 5,012 
 
 ; 1.505 
 23,934 
 
 ii,ioa 
 
 14,462 
 
 912 
 
 58.558 
 
 12,975 
 
 104,774 
 
 143,192 
 
 125,300 
 
 Total exports | | .]$ 490,712 
 
 McINTYRE. 
 
 It also situated on St. James Island, Franklin County. 
 At this point a sawmill is being successfully conducted. 
 The Ockolockness River furnishes water transportation 
 and the C, T. & G. Railway furnishes railroad transpor- 
 tation. 
 
 LAKE WIMNICO. 
 
 Probably one of the handsomest fresh water lakes in 
 the State of Florida is Lake Wimnico, situated some fif- 
 teen miles above Apalarhicola. This lake, made famous 
 hv Tiulipn snptr and ftorv, rreasurcs some five by ten 
 miles, and abounds in bass, bream, perch and other fish 
 usually found in the fresh water streams of the South. 
 Several creeks empty their waters into the lake. Lake 
 Wimniro is said to have been a irreat resort for the In- 
 dians who inhabited this part of Florida years ago, and 
 
'6Ui 
 
 many mounds built by them can now be seen on the 
 shores of this magniticent body of water. Deer, turkey, 
 wild ducks and geese are here in abundance, while 
 ©'possums, squirrels and raccoons fall easy prey to the 
 huntsman. Utters aie also sought in this neighborhood 
 and many of them are captured and sold at much profit. 
 
 LAJSfARK, 
 
 Some five miles from Carrabelle, on the line of the C, 
 T. & G. Railway, offers special inducements for those who 
 enjoy the Gulf breezes. A magnificent hotel, owned by 
 the C., T. & G. Railway, is at this point. This place is 
 an ideal spot for summer recreation, and for salt water 
 sports in winter, |or fish and wild fowl. 
 
 ST. TERESA, 
 
 Franklin County, is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, 
 and is a famous resort for those who appreciate the in- 
 vigorating breezes of the Gulf of Mexico. Hotel accom- 
 modations are good, and no better fishing grounds are 
 found along the Gulf. The elevation is 30 feet above tide 
 water, and there is a lovely bay and fine white smooth 
 beach four miles long in front. 
 
 FRANKLIN'S SCHOOLS. 
 
 Good school facilities are afforded in Franklin County. 
 Free schools for the children of both races are provided. 
 There are also a number of private schools, notable 
 among which is the Convent, presided over by those de- 
 vout women, the Sisters. The free schools are in opera- 
 tion about six months of the year. 
 
 FRANKLIN COUNTY STOCK. 
 
 This is a fine grazing county. As there is very little 
 fencing, the cattle have almost the entire county to run 
 in. In summer the wire grass is fine. There are also 
 other summer grasses. In winter there is Bermuda and 
 other winter grasses, and some cave. The cattle also 
 feed on the shrubbery, which they find in the swamps. 
 
377 
 
 The wintei-s, as a rule, are mild, and in summer the cat- 
 tle get fat and are killed off the range for market. There 
 is an abundance of fresh water for them and there has 
 never been any disease among the cattle in this section of 
 the {State, and cattle and beef bring good prices. 
 
 TRUCKING 
 
 Has not been generally observed in this section, 
 although we have a number of very successful truckers. 
 "Vegetables grow here in abundance and of a very supe- 
 rior kind. Our fruits are of a superior flavor. In times 
 past oranges were successfully grown here, but the re- 
 peated cold winters retarded this industry. Grapes of 
 superior excellence are grown in this section. 
 
 HONEY. 
 
 The people of this section have demonstrated beyond 
 dispute that Franklin County is a point where the 
 apiarist gathers largely from the returns. A number of 
 our people are engaged in this profitable industry, and 
 everyone of them has made money out of the business. 
 
 LANDS AND PRODUCTS. 
 
 The East Bay settlement is situated at the head of 
 East Bay, twelve miles from Apalachicola. There are 
 several large creeks flowing into this bay. These creeks 
 have their head waters far out in the back-woods, flow- 
 ing from thence through all the timbered lands to the bay, 
 thus giving good opportunities for wooding and lumber- 
 ing. These lands are well timbered, giving an almost 
 inexhaustible supplj^ of pine and light wood. Logging 
 and wooding are very paying businesses and form very 
 important factors among the money-making industries of 
 this section of Franklin County. Pine logs bring from 
 $5 to $7.50 per one thousand superficial feet, and wood 
 $2.50 per cord at the market. Beside these sources of 
 revenue, a better field for the turpentine industry is not 
 to be found within the State. The timber is here in am- 
 ple quantities to warrant the establishment of this busi- 
 ness, together with all the advantages necessary to war- 
 rant an easy success in the business. 
 
:j78 
 
 LANDS. SOIL, PRODUCTS, ETC. 
 
 Lands — The lands may be divided into two divisions, 
 viz: pine land and marsh land. The pine land is gener- 
 ally low and level. 
 
 Soil — The soil is of a black and heavy character, being 
 very productive. It is naturally adapted to the growth 
 of the sugar-cane, sweet potatoes, melons and all kinds of 
 vegetables, Apalathitola being a ready market for all the 
 farm products raised in this section of the county. 
 
 Formerly, and at present, the attention devoted to hor- 
 ticulture was, and is, solely for the home markets; but 
 there is no reason why this business cannot be expanded 
 to reach the Northern markets. The great quantities, to 
 the acre, of all kinds of garden vegetables, which are, and 
 can be, produced; the accessibility of quick transporta- 
 tion, and early sprirg trcps, all go to prove beyond ques- 
 tion that gardening for Northern n arkets can be devel- 
 oped and will bring satisfactory returns. 
 
 SUGAR-CANE. 
 
 This crop does wonderfully well. We have been in this 
 portion of the county for fourteen years, a^id have never 
 ssen a failure in this crop. Though there have been some 
 unfavorable seasons, yet we can say, without the least 
 hesitation, that we have never known this <rop to be very 
 materially injured, as very good yields have always been 
 given, even under unfavorable circunjstances. The writer 
 saw sugar-cane on exhibition in Atlanta, in 1895, from 
 the great cane-growing State of Louisiana, and was never 
 more surnrised, as the care we left growing in the fielda 
 at East Bay (and it being the 1st of December, at that) 
 was so far ahead of any cane we saw there that there 
 was no comparison. We have seen cane growing here 
 under favorable conditions that would simply strike any 
 man in the United States with ama/.ement- It was in tas- 
 sel from center to circninfercnce. and the great height 
 and diameter and quantity, to the acreage, was wonderful 
 to see. On entering very far into this cane patch, it 
 would make one feel as if he were in some forest — the 
 habitation of wild beasts. Statistics obtained from the 
 most prominent farmers show that 375 gallons of syrup 
 
379 
 
 to the acre are an averrge crop, while 525 gallons have 
 been produced. This syrup is of the finest flavor and 
 commands the highest prices in the market. 
 
 Watermelons grow very large and are of the highest 
 grade, as to flavor, etc. From eight hundred to one thou- 
 sand saleable melons are produced to the acre. One hun- 
 dred and fifty bushels of sweet potatoes are an average 
 crop to the acre, and a much higher y^eld is often ob- ' 
 tained. Irish potatoes grow well ; but little attention is 
 given to their culture. Onions are grown and sold by 
 the bunch with tops on; $51) have been realized from less 
 than one-eighth of an acre. Cucumbers, squashes, cab- 
 bages, tomatoes and musk-melons all yield well and bring 
 good results. Corn and cow peas can be raised to an 
 advantage. Grapes and scuppernongs, strawberries, 
 pears, [«lums and other fruits grow abundantly, with 
 proper attention. 
 
 MAKSH LANDS. 
 
 While these lands are not utilized in any way, except 
 for grazing of herds of cattle, yet there are no better 
 lands in the United States for the cultivation of rice, and 
 that in immense quantities. One man, who possesses 
 good and fair ju^'gment, and who has been among the 
 great rice plantations of Scmth Carolina since he was a 
 boy, on looking over these marsh lands, said that he 
 never saw better advantages for the culture of rice in 
 South Carolina nor anywhere else. 
 
 There are two banks, with ample capital, in Apalachi- 
 cola, both doing a flourishing business ; one is the Capital 
 City — branch of the bank of the same name in Tallahas- 
 see, Fla., and the other, the First National Bank of Apa- 
 lachicola. 
 
 The principal agricultural products of 1902 are as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Com, bushels, 195 | 197 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 1,750 925 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 190 2,850 
 
 Watermelons, car loads, 12 600 ' 
 
 Live stock on hand as follows: 
 Cattle, number, 1,935 9,675 
 
380 
 
 It is but fair to state that, while Franlilin County, has 
 large quantities of good land for agricultural and horti- 
 cultural purposes, it has until recent years been so iso- 
 lated that only such crops as were desirable for home 
 ' consumption were planted, there being little or no mar- 
 ket for a surplus. Under proper direction and encour- 
 agement, this county would present a fine field for truck 
 gardening and fruit growing, its geographical position 
 giving it great advantages in many respects. 
 
 GADSDEN COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by the S,tate of 
 Georgia, on the east by LCon County, on the south by 
 Leon and Liberty Counties, and on the west by Liberty 
 and Jackson Counties. 
 
 It has an area of 500 square miles of land surface or 
 320,000 acres. 
 
 In 1890, it had a population of 11,894, and in 1900 it 
 had 15,294, of which number 5,438 were white and 
 9,856 were negroes. 
 
 At the end of the school .term of 1901, there were being 
 maintained 79 schools, of which number 40 wei-e white 
 and 39 were for negroes. 
 
 Gadsden is on? of the finest agricultural counties of 
 Florida, and for many years has been among the prosper- 
 ous sections of the State, Her land? are excellent, 
 ranging in character from heavy red clay, with forests 
 of hard wood timber, to light sandy soil, with growth of 
 pine timber and have for years been a source of wealth 
 to her citizens. No county in Florida, or, indeed, any- 
 where, has better facilities for water ])Ower thnn Gads- 
 den. There is scarcely a township in the county that has 
 not one or more water powers cai)able of doing the grind- 
 ing, sawing and other domestic manufacturing for the 
 neighborhood, and in many places these advantages are 
 Buch that some day they must attract the attention of 
 mill-men, who are on the lookout for eligible sites for 
 manufactories in the south. 
 
 For 15 years tobacco growing has been the leading in- 
 dustry, the crop of one year often amounting to as much 
 
381 
 
 as from one and a half million to 2,000,000 pounds. This 
 county is the home of the "tobacco renaissance," and its 
 development has been phenomenal. The variety princi- 
 pally planted is Sumatra, v/hich is cultivated under 
 shade; tliis tobacco from this county took the gold medal 
 at the late Paris Exposition. Cotton is also a staple. 
 
 Rice, peas, pinders and oats ara increasing crops. 
 Irish potatoes, cabbages, onions and all the vegetables 
 are luxuriant. Kecent experiments have demonstrated 
 that "tinck-farming-' will ba a leading industry, and 
 high hopes are entertained now that the facilities afforded 
 for transportation by the several railroads that traverse 
 the county from all isides, have established convenient 
 shipping points. 
 
 The topography of the county is generally rolling, and 
 in some sections quite hilly, the greatest elevation in tha 
 county being given as 373 feet. 
 
 The County Seat is Quincy, which has a population of 
 847, The town is the headquarters of the large tobacca 
 growing companies, and does a large business of all 
 kinds; it has excellent banking facilities, churches and 
 schools; has a telephone system, water works and electric 
 lights. 
 
 Chattahoochee, or Kiver Junction, practically one, is 
 the seat of the State Asylum for the Insane, and is th3 
 junction of the S. A. L. and A. C. L. railroad systems, 
 and also has steamboat connection with Columbus, Ga., 
 and intermediate towns, and also with Apalachicola ou 
 the Gulf. 
 
 The only mineral deposits of special value known. Is 
 Fullers Earth ; the county also abounds in fine kaolin 
 clays, but only the Fullers Earth has been mined for 
 commerce. 
 
 The principal agricultural products for 1902 were as 
 follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 195,150 $195,150 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 97,380 38.953 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 6,227 62.270 
 
 Hav, tons, 578 5.780 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 86,432 86,432 
 
 Tobacco, pounds, 1,055,647 325,769 
 
382 
 
 Live stock on hand: 
 
 Horses, number, 1,521 129,835 
 
 Mules, number, 533 43,730 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 6,150 30,750 
 
 Hogs, number, 6,825 27,767 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number 78,849 191,936 
 
 HAMILTON COUNTY. 
 
 Hamilton County, in the northern part of the State is 
 bounded on the north by the Georgia line, on the east 
 and south by the Suwannee river and on the v/est by the 
 Withlacoochee river. It is the smallest county in the 
 State, being forty miles long from east to west, with am 
 average width of sixteen miles. But though small in 
 area it is large in its industries, its resources and its 
 natural advantages. 
 
 This county has an area of 508 square miles of land 
 fiBrface, or 325,120 acres. Its population in 1890, was 
 8,507, and in 19U0 it was 11,881, of which number, 6,505 
 were white, and 5,376, were negroes. 
 
 At the end of the school term in 1901, it was support- 
 ing 57 schools, 40 of which were for whites and 17 for 
 negroes. 
 
 Jasper, the County Site, situated ninety miles a little 
 north of west from Jacksonville, is a flourishing town of 
 more than one thousand inhabitants and has long ranked 
 as the best market for sea island cotton in a large area 
 of territory. It has a good bank, telephone system, ice 
 plant and a fine system of waterworks. The Methodist 
 and Baptist denominations, each, have flourishing 
 churches here who worehip in good, commodious houses. 
 Here are also flourishing lodges of secret societies, such 
 a3 Masons, Knights of Pj'thias, etc. Its people are gen- 
 erous, hosr)itable and progresj^ive. 
 
 The county possesses as srood and handso»i>e public 
 buildings as are to be found :n the Stal-^. The jnil is a 
 substnntial fireproof structure fitted with the most ap- 
 proved make of steel cells, while the brick court house. 
 tr"ti'??ir^r1 with stone, is on« of t'l? rn-ettipst 1n architec- 
 tural design in the State . Steel brid^^es of the hitrst de- 
 
383 
 
 signs span the rivers and K-i-eeks which are so numerous 
 in th-is county. 
 
 The climate is all that could be desired, being just cold 
 enough in the winter to keep in subjection liie insect 
 life which is injurious to vegetation, and to "enable the 
 farmers to successfully convert their pork into bacon, 
 many thousands pounds of which is curea annu:iily. The 
 thermometer rarely goes below the freezing point in 
 winter. The summers are delightful and real hot weather 
 is seldom experienced. But one of the most delightfuf 
 experience's of summer here is, that the nights are always 
 deliciously cool and refreshing. Ninety degrees is an 
 average sumirer day. 
 
 In the matter of water there is not a county in the 
 State that can begin to compare with Hamilton. Rivers 
 form three of her boundary lines and the Alapaha river 
 flows through it from north to south. Large creaks, 
 many in number, tributary to these rivers, flow through 
 the county, while branches and springs abound every- 
 where. The artesian well at Jasper affords water which 
 excite the admiration of all who taste it, while the sul- 
 phur springs at White Springs is visited by thousands 
 annually to obtain the benefit of its healing waters. The 
 Wesson mineral spring^ near White Springs, also pos- 
 BBSses rare medicinal properties and its waters are used 
 by thou-sands. Pure freestone water can be procured 
 almost anywhere, except in the phosphate region at a 
 depth of eighteen to twenty-five feet. 
 
 The northeastern portion of the county is what is gener- 
 ally denominated as high flatwoods. The soil is produc- 
 tive, T^roduces s^ood crops and is esnecially adai'ted to 
 strawberries and sugar cane. The balance of fhe county 
 fa high rolling pine lands intersper^-ed with hammocks. 
 The soil is productive and of easy cultivation. 
 
 The nriTioiT^al cro^ is sea islnn'l cotton of which 
 many thousands of bales are pj'oduced every year, but 
 large crops are also grown of corn, potatoes, sugar cane, 
 pinders, pe^s. velvet bean'', etc. 
 
 In the matter of fruits this county is esnecially adapted 
 to the prndurt'on of n-'arhes. rlnrrs, near**, annles j'nd 
 fl'XS, It is the natural home of the grnpe and any variety 
 of v'r^'^ b"«! onlv to be nlnnt?d and let alonp to rtT»o''nce 
 an abundant harvest. A few years ago the annual sales 
 
384 
 
 <>f home-mada wines amounted to several thousands of 
 dollars, but the local option law has crushed out this 
 industry which at one time gave so much promise to our 
 people. 
 
 Besides agricultural pursuits the principal industries 
 of the county are the manufacture of lumber, naval stores 
 and the mining of phosphate'. The naval ftoves industry 
 covers the county while large lumber mills, capable of 
 turning out 1011,000 feet of meichantabla lumber a day. 
 are to be found sat White Springs, Baker's Mill and 
 Westlake. Smaller mills are to be found in every neigh- 
 borhood. The western portion of the county is a vast bed 
 of phosphate, large portions of which are being mined 
 and shipperd by the Hamilton Phosphate Company. 
 
 The bed of the Alapaha river, which is dry for a few 
 miles from an immense sink where it runs underground, 
 except in times of freshet, is said hj experts to be the 
 finest glass-making sand in the world. The forests abound 
 with fine timber and the hammocks are covered with hard 
 woods, such as hickory, various kinds of oak, magnolia, 
 beech, etc. 
 
 The natural curiosities of the county are many and 
 they never fail to excite the admiration of the beholder. 
 Shaky Pond, just east from Jasper, with its flaating 
 islands and sulphur springs; the Devil's den, a large 
 cavern; Octahatchie lake with its subterranean pas- 
 sages, and the many rivers and creeks which spring up 
 from the earth, run a few miles and then disappear, all 
 excite wonder and curiosity. 
 
 Hamilton county is the sportsman's delight. Quail, 
 ducks, doves and squirrels abound while fish are in 
 every river and pond and stream. 
 
 The cOunty has ample transportation facilities. The 
 Atlantic Coast Line Railway runs through the county 
 from north to south and the Georgia Southern and 
 Florida Railway runs through from northeast to south- 
 east, crossing each other at Jasper. These railways wit& 
 their connections form continuous lines from Tampa tw 
 Ne-"' York nnd from Miami to Chicap^o. 
 
 White Springs, situated on the G. S. & P. railway anil 
 on the Suwannee river, is eighteen miles from Jasper 
 and eleven miles from Lake City. It is a flourishing town 
 of more than 1200 population and is more widely known 
 
385 
 
 than any town of its size in the Union. Thousands visit 
 it annually. Many for the sake of deriving benefit from 
 the healing waters of its magnificent sulphur spring, 
 many others resort there for the social enjoyment whicn 
 is there to be found, and many more because of the cheap 
 living which can there be obtained. It has a fine school, 
 good churches, Masonic lodge and is a place of rare 
 natural beauty. 
 
 Bellville is a small village on the Withlaooochee river 
 in the western portion of the county and in the niidst of a 
 paople who ate noted for culture, refinement and hospi- 
 tality. 
 
 Jennings is a prosperous town on the G. S. & F. Rail- 
 way eleven miles northwest from' Jasper. It is sur- 
 rounded by fine lauds and intelligent, prosperous farm- 
 ers. 
 
 Churches and school houses, the great factors of civili- 
 zation and progress, are to be found all over the county. 
 The Jasper Normal Institute at Jasper has, probably 
 the largest per cent, of its giaduates lilling positions of 
 trust and usefulness than any other similar institution 
 in the State. The high school at White Springs would 
 be an honor and jredit to any town, while in the country 
 school houses are everywhere, filled with scholars and 
 earnest, efficient teachers. 
 
 The people of Hamilton county are industrious, order- 
 ly and law-abiding. They invite emigrants to make their 
 home with them. They care nothing about what a man's 
 religion nor politics may be, if he is industrious and 
 honest they want uim, they invite him to come and make 
 his home with them. 
 
 Following are the agricultural produclj for 1902: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island Cotton, bales, 4,434 $8l)<).740 
 
 Corn, bushels, 192 255 192.255 
 
 Oats, bushels, 12,J60 12.5R() 
 
 Sweet Potatoes, bushels, 43,48G 20,835 
 
 Field Peas, bushels. 4,340 4,34(1 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 67.112 67,112 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 2,635 40,37a 
 
 26 H P 
 
386 
 
 Live stock on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 1,368 8G,375 
 
 Mules, number, 943 7l).U5l 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 11,170 55.380 
 
 Hogs, number, 16,333 16,333 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 32,076 8,44U 
 
 HERNANDO COUNTY. 
 
 Is bounded on the north by Citrus and Sumter coun- 
 ties, on the east by Sumter, south by Pasco, and west by 
 tile Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 It hns an area of 475 square miles of land surfaro, «»r 
 304,000 acres. Its population in 1890 was 2,47b, and in 
 1900 it was 3,038, of which number 1,823 were whites and 
 1,815 were negroes. 
 
 At the end of the school term in 1901. it supported 24 
 schools, of which 18 were for whites and C were for 
 negroes. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 The topography of the entire county is of a broken hilly 
 and beautifully rolling character, with an altitude in onie 
 places of over 300 feet. This elevated and rolling land 
 reaches within about two miles of the Gulf Coast, and 
 •extends from the northern to the southern limits of the 
 county. On the eastern boundary lies lUe v\ itiiiacuochee 
 Eiver, running nearly north through an open pine for- 
 est, draining large areas of land in Pasco, Polk and Sum- 
 ter counties, all of which lies south and southeast of this 
 county. 
 
 This river, with the Chejsahowiskee and Weekiwachee 
 rivers, are the only water courses which lie within or bor- 
 dering on the county, the two latter rising out of the 
 range of high hills about ten miles from rluMi- months, 
 flow west into the (hilf. Thpre are a prat many small 
 clear water lakes distributed through the open pine woods 
 Jiorderlng the coast rcgfon and a less nnnrber in the pine 
 iforest throngh whi« h the U'ithhK oorlue rivpr pa^'spg 
 on the eastern boundary. The borders of these beauti- 
 
387 
 
 ful little bodies of pnre rain water are not marshy, but 
 clear, and often the pine timber is found growing to the 
 very edge of the water. In many instances they are sur- 
 rounded by high and precipitous hills, and in these the 
 water is apt to be of gi"eat depth. Solar evaporation 
 does not take place fast enough to dry them to any pe»- 
 ceptible degree. 
 
 They all abound in choice varieties of fish. On raanj 
 of the high hills in this county, springs of pure and cool 
 water break from the top or sides, forming small rivuleta 
 which wind their way into some one of the many valleys;, 
 and finally empty into what are called sinks. They are 
 small openings in the earth, sometimes found large 
 enough for a man to enter and follow, in some instances, 
 to a great distance, finding large openings, large enough 
 eometimes to be entitled to the name of caves. 
 
 Hernando County lying about midway in the penii*- 
 «ula on the Gulf Coast, has a stretch of twenty-five miles 
 of coast line. She has a wealth of beauty and pleasure 
 in her numerous clear lakes teeming with fish, bold, beau- 
 tiful rivers, that spring from the bosom of the earth in 
 their full vigor and strength, limpid springs that make 
 one feel as if suspended in space while floating on their 
 transparent waters, high hills covered with oak, hick- 
 ory, red bay, magnolia, cedar, palmetto, ash and cherry 
 trees, masses of grape and semi-tropical vines, or high 
 rolling sandy land covered with pines, stretches of flat 
 gaw palmetto lands or grass-covered prairies, sometimes 
 but a few acres in extent, and again reaching off into the 
 distance until the eye is weary of trying to measure its 
 aize. All these can be seen in Hernando, and each has 
 its special use or charm, and the immigrant can make his 
 selection from the richest hammock to the poorest scrub 
 in all the land; but even the scrub has something to com- 
 mend it, for it furnishes a safe harbor for quo n titles of 
 game, such as deer, turkeys and bear that misrht other- 
 wise be destroyed. Fndprlying many portions of the 
 county are large beds of limef'tone. marl or sa"d<»tone, 
 the second unrivalled as a fertilizer and the third a 
 most vnlnable building material, also rich and valuable 
 pho«5nhntp beds. 
 
 The lan'^s of the county are pine, hammock and 
 swamp. The pine lands are sandy, not sharp silicious 
 
388 
 
 sand, but fine and compact with a large percentage of 
 lime and oi^^anic remains, making it extremely fertile and 
 easy of cultivation. 
 
 'llie li;iii]mocks are high and rolling, thoroughly dniined 
 by the natural water shed. The soil is a rich, fine, vegeta- 
 ble, mold mixed with Mnd anrl shell, or sand and clay 
 intermixed, and resting on a substratum of clay, marl or 
 limestone, and requiring no other preparation for culti- 
 vation save clearing; but as the growth is heavy live oak, 
 hickory and large timber, this is expensive. 
 
 The swamp and overflowed lands are of later formation 
 and are in most instames nothing but immense beds of 
 mu( k f) cm one or two to twenty-five feet in depth. Those 
 lands are heavily timbered, and it is here that the finest 
 pL>uci] limber is found. 
 
 The prospective settler, desirous of knowing how he is 
 to live, will be interested in the following synopsis of 
 field crops and fruits and their yield per acre. It must 
 be borne in mind that the land on which these crops are 
 grown is good pine or sandy hammock, also that by ju- 
 dicious fertilization and cultivation the crops can be in- 
 creased almost beyond ( once].'tion : 
 
 The sea island cotton, the most valuable grown, pro- 
 duces from 150 to 200 pounds to the acre. Rice is as easy 
 of cultivation as any cereal; grows well on high Inn ?s 
 and yields from twenty-five to seventy-five bushels to the 
 acre. Corn varies from ten to fifty bushels to the acre, 
 depending largely upon the cultivation and character of 
 soil. Kve and oats are srood crops. Peanuts, pinders, 
 goobers, ground-peas, all different names for the same 
 nut, grow well and are remunerative, yielding from fifty 
 to one hundred bushels per acre. 
 
 The sweet potato is one of the most valuable crops the 
 new-comer can plant, simply because he can put it in a 
 j-ow or two at a time as the season and his engagements 
 Buit, almost the year around, thus securing a auccesa'on 
 of crops and insuring an abundance of wholesome food. 
 Irish potatoes are a good and profitable crop. Arrow- 
 root, cassava and coontie all grow well, and with proy)er 
 mltivation are profitable crops. Florida arrow-root !a 
 equal in quality and price to the best Rermnda. Tasava 
 Is rich in starch, being far superior to the Tr'sh potato. 
 The coontie grows wild and is the famous Indian bread- 
 
389 
 
 root. Among the fibre plants sisal hemp, jute and ma- 
 nilla have been tested and proven successful. Indigo ia 
 indigenous to Florida, the pine forests being frequently 
 covered with it for miles. The castor bean grows from 
 year to year and attains the size of a tree. No attempt 
 has yet been made to utilize the beans, though the at- 
 tempt would undoubtedly prove profitable. In fruits 
 there are lemons, limes, citrons, oranges, peaches, plums, 
 Japan plums, a number of vai-ieties of grapes, pineapples, 
 figs, guavas, pomegranates, dates, bananas, persimmons, 
 both the wild and Japanese, LeConte pears and others. 
 
 Pecan and hickory nuts thrive; the latter are abundant 
 in the hammocks. Both tea and coffee grow well, but 
 their success from a money point of view, is yet to be 
 proven. Strawberries are unsurpassed in size, color, 
 flavor and perfume. Whortleberries, blackberries and 
 dewberries grow wild in the utmost profusion. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 Of timber TTer^ando has perhaps a greater var'ety and 
 of greater value than any other county. Of the hammock 
 timber, s'lch as oak, hickorv. m«iT)le, bay, magnolia, ash, 
 sweet gum, magnificent timber for wagons, furniture, 
 oar buil-iing and fiui<^hing, anvthing, in *act, requiring 
 hard or close grained wood, Hernando ha^ fully 101),- 
 000.000 feet. A considerable quantity has already been 
 shipped to order. 
 
 Millions of cub'c feet of red cedar have been shi*pp4^d 
 from the county, and there are yet large quantities left 
 of this valuable wood. The yellow pine is as fine as can 
 be found in the world, and the supply runs up ?nt j the 
 many millions of feet. There are also immense quanti- 
 ties of magnificent cypress timber all aloT;g the water 
 courses and Gulf easy of access and transjiDrtntion. 
 There are many other valuable woods that space nill not 
 permit the enumeration of; suffice it to sn_v that for 
 furniture, wagon timber, tubs, buckets, handles, ^ir tim- 
 ber, building or finishing timber, Hernando has a niJ'j^nifl- 
 cent supply ready and waiting for enterprising hands tj 
 turn into gold. 
 
S90 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 It is not only the delightful Gulf winds we have to in- 
 hale and purify the atmosphere which protect us from 
 any great degree of malarial disease, but the natural 
 drainage of the hills and valleys above referred to, is so 
 thorough and never-failing that but little malaria is gen- 
 erated. This is especially the case near the center of I he 
 county, where there is not sufficient stagnant water to 
 even generate that very annoying insect fhe mosrpiito, 
 for, in Brooksville and vicinity, for several miles around, 
 the residents are not required to provide my prote<-tion 
 against them but can enjoy the night's repose undis- 
 turbed, in the cool and balmy atmosphere, rising ir. the 
 earl3' morning, refreshed and strengthened for the day's 
 work. It is quite an item in maintaining good health in 
 this or any other climate, to sleep soundlv in jsn atmos- 
 phere unrestricted by closed room or netting. 
 
 The atmosphere is almost constantly in motion and ihe 
 prevailing winds being from the west and southwest we 
 liave the full benefit of the salt air of the Gulf modTied 
 to small degree by its passage over the open pine land 
 l^'ing along our Gulf coast and extending twelve to six- 
 teen miles in the interior. These winds would so modify 
 an atmosphere laden with malaria as to prevent an^ 
 great degree of poisoning, but when a small amount only 
 is generated, such a constant intermixture of (^ulf atmos- 
 phere with that of the land, that no malarial dis- 
 ease .of severe type could prevail. This is the case in 
 Hernando County. Such fatal diseases as typhoid, 
 dir>theria, small-pox, yellow fever, or the dread infantile 
 ailments of higher latitudes, are unknown here. 
 
 Much could be said concerning the benefits of our cli- 
 mate to invalids, and esoecially those troubled with pul- 
 monary and rheumatic diseases, but we have not the space 
 to devote to the subiect. 
 
 BROOKSVILLE. 
 
 The county site of Hernando, and its most important 
 point, is an incornorated town of ^^\ inhabitants, is the 
 most beautifully located town in Florida, and is as 
 healthy and pleasant as it is beautiful. Built on the top 
 
391 
 
 of a hill 328 feet above the level of the Gulf sixteen miles 
 away, it is one of the highest points in the State and is 
 in a section that has never had a case of epidemic dis- 
 ease of any kind. 
 
 The town overlooks the country for miles in every di- 
 rection, enabling the visitor to see at a glance that mother 
 earth is here richly endowed with all that helps to make 
 life as nearly a constant pleasure as it is possible to be. 
 I'ei-fectly drained, with broad hard streets regularly laid 
 out, pure water and constant breezes, Brooksville is a 
 delightful dwelling place at all seasons of the year; in- 
 sects are notably absent, and even in midsummer, mo»- 
 quitoes, the terror of many places, are almost entirely un- 
 known. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 
 
 The people of Brooksville and of all this section are 
 prosperous, healthy, law-abidirg, respectable and intelli- 
 gent and wide-awake (o the advantages of education, a» 
 is shown by the number of schools maintained in the town 
 and county. 
 
 The principal agricultural products for 1902 is as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 35,300 |21,12G 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 28,140 14,055 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 854 7,90» 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 2,520 2,510 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 1,825 2,815 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 5,560 5,470 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 1,045 1,475 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 930 885 
 
 Watermelons, car loads, 12 1,080 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 347 740 
 
 Strawberries, quarts, 10,400 1,940 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 969 1,235 
 
 Live stbck on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 443 26,080 
 
 Mules, number, 221 22.070 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 4,400 27,060 
 
 Hogs, number, 3,220 6,335 
 
3ii2 
 I. ... 
 
 HILLSBOROUGH COINTY. 
 
 Is bounded on the north by Pasco, on the east by Polk, 
 on the south by Manatee county and Tampa Bay, and 
 on the west by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 It has an area of 13119 square miles of land surface, or 
 837.760 acres. Its population in 1890 was 14,941, and in 
 1900 it was 36,013, of which number 27,528 were whitBs 
 and 8,485 were negroes. At the end of the school term 
 of 1901, it was maintaining 95 schools, of wbich 81 were 
 for whites, and 14 were for negroes. 
 
 Hillsborough County is situated about midway of the 
 Gulf Coast of the peninsula of Florida. In shape it is 
 rectangle, forty-eight miles by thirty-six in dimension, 
 and but for the encroachment of the Gulf on the south 
 west corner would embrace forty-eight townships. Its 
 land ar?a is still further rednced by Tampa bay and its 
 branches, Old Tamoa and Hillshorouc-h bays, so that 
 the ftctnal amount of la^id sur^Tf^e i« thirty-six town^'hins, 
 or about 1309 souare r-'los — 837,760 aorps of available 
 land. The gurfnce is diversified, ranging from high, 
 rolling hills to fat mnrshes. though of the latter the 
 ar?a is very small. Its sei^hore po'^'spssps manv features 
 of the grentest benutv. and a'mo«it its full length is 
 fringed and protprted bv is'nnds a^^d key«? which make a 
 multitu()e of rafe harbors and a svstem of "island" nav- 
 igation, to which the bays mentioned and a score of 
 streams navijrab^e by small boats and hundreds of miles 
 of water rnutcs for business or pleasure. 
 
 The land varies in its soil from rich hammock and bay- 
 heads that rival in fertility the famous? Mississippi bot- 
 tom to pine lands of ordinary quality. Soil and climate 
 are adapted to the cultivation of all staple fruit and veg- 
 etable crops to be found anywhere in the State. A very 
 attractive feature is hundreds of beautiful, dear, sweet 
 fresh-water lakes of all depths and sizes, which not only 
 beautify the scenery ,but modify and tpm|>er th? climate 
 from the extremes of both heat and cold. This is shown 
 by the weather bureau records, which prove that the win- 
 ter ig warmer and the summer cooler than other sections 
 of latitude. The extremest summer heat ever recorded 
 is 95 degrees, which is ten degrees less than the record 
 of the northern section of the State, and the winter tem- 
 
393 
 
 perat'Ure is < orrcspondiugiy milder. The nights jire oool 
 in the hottest summer, and the heat is dissipated in the 
 hours of isunshiue by constantly blowing land and sea 
 breezes. 
 
 The history of Hillsborough county begins with the 
 landing on tha shore of Tampa Bay in 1521) of Pamfilo de 
 Narvaez, the commander of a Spanish expedition of explo- 
 ration. The next event of recorfi is the arrival of the 
 larger and more important invasion of Hernando DeSoto. 
 Both these leaders and their forces came to grief. The tirst 
 permanent settlement of English-speaking people wiihin 
 the limits of Hillsboroueh county occurred when Port 
 Brooke, at the head of Hillsborough bay. was established 
 by the U. S. Government in 1825, four years after the 
 formal taking possession of the territory. The Seminole 
 war began in 1835, and the ill-fated expedition of Major 
 Dade left Fort Brooks in December of that .year, being 
 exterminated on the 28th of the month at a epoz whfcn 
 is now in Sumter county. After the termination of the 
 war the chief portion of tlie tribe was embarked nt Von 
 Brooke for transfer to the Indian Territory, May 14, 
 1858. 
 
 Settlement in the counties was somewhat stra<rgling 
 rntil the 50s. from which time it has been steadily in- 
 creasing, until now the population is second to only one 
 county in Floridn. Tampa, the second city In the State 
 in 7Mmiilation and importance, is the county scat. It is 
 beautifully situated at the head of Hillsborough bay, in- 
 cluding tile old site of Fort Brooke, and its natral ad- 
 vantages uw now supplemented by the entrance of six 
 railroad lines and the construction of a deep water chan- 
 nel from its numerous docks to the Gulf. It is the seat 
 of a large and rj5])idly growing commerce. 
 
 The first railroad entered the county in 1884, and it 
 was speedily followed by the transfer from Havana and 
 Key West of the immense cigar manufacturing interests 
 which are nov/ such a prominent feature of the city of 
 Tampa. The city is the seat of federal revenue collec- 
 tions to the amount of more than a million and a half 
 dollars a year, and the contract Is awarded for the erec- 
 tion of a government building to cost when completed 
 f365,000. It also possesses an |80.0fl0 court house and 
 $30,000 worth of .school building. It is the location of the 
 
394 
 
 most palatial and costly tourist hotel in the world — the 
 renowned Tampa Bay. 
 
 The city has paved streets, complete sewerage, electrkj 
 railways and lights, water and gas systems, five tire sta- 
 tions, and in short every feature of a metropolitan city. 
 The population of Tampa, including several flourishing 
 suburbs, so cloisely connected with it as to comprise a 
 single solid commercial community, will exceed 25,UUD. 
 It has three banks with annual transactions of |17,500,- 
 000. It has two telephone system, with more than 1200 
 subscribers, and long-distance connection with every 
 town and village within a hundred miles. It has three ex- 
 celent daily newspapers. Forty thousand people from 
 other localities visit it annually for business or pleasure. 
 It is the chief gateway of travel and commerce between 
 the United States and Cuba. 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 The inhabitants of Hillsborough county in 19M 
 numbered, according to the national census, 3U,013, of 
 whom 27,528 were white and 11,U1]6 colored. A conserva- 
 tive estimate of the increase for the past two years is ten 
 per cent for the whites and five per cent for the blacks, 
 making them number respectively 30,279 and 12,595, or 
 a total of 42,874. 
 
 As carefully as may be estimated upon a similar basis, 
 the population of the principal towns in the county is atf 
 follows: 
 
 Tampa 17,423 
 
 West Tampa 2,595 
 
 St. Petersburg 1J30 
 
 Fort Brooke 1,248 
 
 Port Tampa City 1,513 
 
 Plant City 805 
 
 Clearwater 376 
 
 STOCK RAISING. 
 
 This is an important and profitable industry. There 
 are returned for assessment iu the county 23,797 head of 
 cattle, 4,830 hogs and 1,755 sheep. There are 2,394 horses 
 and mul»8. 
 
395 
 
 The most important development of recent years in 
 Btock raising: is the discovery and application of the vel- 
 vet bean. This is produced at a very small cost, growing 
 prolifically, and all kinds of stock are very fond of it. It 
 has been the uniform experience of all who have em- 
 ployed it as a food that three months' finishing and fat- 
 tening upon it will fully double the market price of a beef 
 taken from the best range. The bean is being more 
 largely cultivated every j'ear, and handsome profits at- 
 tend its use. It is believed that if it shall be employed to 
 promote the growth of young cattle as well as finishing 
 off the grown stock it will result in practically doubling 
 the size and weight of our native breeds when they reaeli 
 the age of marketing. 
 
 PRICES OF LANDS. 
 
 These vary according to character and location. Wild 
 pine lands in large bodies range from one to five dollars 
 per acre, choice hammock lands from ten to one hundred 
 dollars, and the best selections near the county sent are 
 held at even higher figures. Small tracts convenient to 
 railroad stations may be had at five to fifteen dollars au 
 acre, and, in fact, the range of choice and price is almost 
 unlimited. There is room for ten thousand families to 
 make a good living and more in farming and fruit grow- 
 ing in Hillsborough county. 
 
 The construction of a comfortable home in this section 
 is a simple and easy matter. All the materials nect^ssary 
 for buildings, fences, etc., except the hardware, are furn- 
 ished by the place itself and are produced in clearing It 
 up. Implements needed are few and cheap, and the 
 weather permits work in garden, grove and field the year 
 round. No spot in the world affords so great inducement* 
 to the poor but energetic man. 
 
 As will be noted in the naragraoh on population, three 
 fourths of the people of the county live in the city and 
 towns. This produces a condition very favorable to the 
 farming interest. The urban residents afford a market 
 for farm, fruit and garden produce which is never glutted 
 with supplies, and prices are therefore always good. 
 This is especially true of milk, butter and poultry, for 
 which distant sources of supply are largely called upon 
 the year round. 
 
396 
 PRINCIPAL CROPS. 
 
 The leading crops raised in this county are corn, cane, 
 potatoes, cassava, rice, velvet beans, millet ,and practical- 
 ly all the staples produced in the state. As a rule, how* 
 ever, farming is subsidiary to gardening and fruit rais- 
 ing. 
 
 Gardening is successfully and profitably conducted, 
 and the list of products is limited only by the varieties 
 known to the country at large. There is an unlimited 
 market in the principal cities of the country for the pro- 
 ducts of the winter gardens of South Florida, and na 
 county contributes more largely than Hillsborough to the 
 immense exports of this section to the North. Hundreds 
 of people are engaged in the calling, and they find it with- 
 out exception profitable when well managed. 
 
 Several hundred acres of selected land are devoted to 
 the cultivation of strawberries and great profits are de- 
 rived from them. The most delicious berries in the world 
 are raised here, and the shipments begin by Christmas 
 and couiiiiue uulil June. Watermelons and cantaloupes 
 are also favorites with producers, and invariably bring 
 good returns. The work is easy in comparison with the 
 toil of farming in other sections, and it may be engaged 
 in by persons of very small capital — or what would else- 
 where be practically no capital at all. Many a single 
 acre of celery, egg plant, cucumbers, cauliflower, or some 
 other specially preferred vegetable, yields as much money 
 to the grower in this county as does a forty-acre farm iu 
 the flourishing Northwest. 
 
 FRUITS. 
 
 Oranges annd j)ineapples are the principal fruits pro- 
 duced for export in Hillsborough county. The latter is 
 the newer industry and has become profitable nnd suc- 
 cess-ful. Mail}' people think because the best cultivation 
 of this fruit requires shedding that it is a complicatett 
 and expensive business. Such is not the case, as the 
 planting, fertilizing, cultivation and protection involve 
 only the simplest and cheapest labor. 
 
 There are now eighty -six acres of sheddcd jiines in the 
 county, some of which are in the fourth year of eultiva- 
 
397 
 
 tion. The average number of plants to the acre is 10,000, 
 and the average of fruiting is twice in three years. The 
 shipments from the county last year were about 23,0()JJ 
 crates. The estimates on the 11)1)2 crop, being shipped 
 chiefly in August, is 21,500 crates. The crop this year 
 has so far brought from |2 to §i2.50 net per crate. No 
 person who has ever embarked in the cultivation of the 
 pineapple has abandoned it or reduced the area. On the 
 contrary, all are enlarging their plantings, finding the 
 culture easy and the returns profitable. Five years of 
 experience have shown the planters which are tlie supe- 
 rior varieties and disclosed to them the best and chaap- 
 est methods, and the pineapple has achieved a fixed and 
 permanent place in the list of staple fruit crops of Hills- 
 Ijorough county. 
 
 The orange is the leading fruit product of the county, 
 and it is a conservative figure to set down the acreage of 
 bearing trees in good shape at 2,750, with more than a 
 thousand acres of young trees not yet in bearing. 
 The yi?Id in 1901 was 250,000 crates, bringing an average 
 price of |1.25 per crate. The crop this year will be con- 
 siderably reduced by dry weather and its attendant in- 
 sect troubles. The market price will be much higher and 
 the money returns equally large. Events of the past fe>v 
 years have made this county the center of the orange belt 
 and its culture was never more promising and profitable. 
 The peculial advantage of embarking in the cultivation 
 of this kind of fruits is that the ground will support the 
 farmer and his family while he is waiting for his trees to 
 come into bearing. 
 
 Grape fruit is also a prominent feature of citrus cul- 
 ture, the price being well maintained and the yield large. 
 Many growers are greatly enlarging their groves and the 
 yield will soon be at least doubled. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 In this respect Hillsborough county is happily situated. 
 Two main lines of trunk railway — the Atlantic Coast 
 LiLe and the Seaboard Air Line — penetrate it, and each 
 has various branches. The Coast Line also enters the 
 county near the northwest corner and runs to St. Petpra- 
 burg, a distance of about thirty milee, along wbich line 
 
398 
 
 are several of the liveliest and most prosperous towns in 
 the county. The Tampa and Thonotosassa road runs be- 
 tween the city and lake of those names. The Seaboard 
 terminates at Tampa, and has a branch crossing the eas- 
 tern section of the county. The Coast Line terminates 
 at Port Tampa. There are altogether 145 miles of traffic 
 line railroad in the county, on which there are 38 reg- 
 ular stations — facilities which can perhaps hardly be ri- 
 valled, and certainly not exceeded. 
 
 In the matter of water transportation there is a tri- 
 weekly line of steamers to Havana, two steamer lines to 
 Mobile, and a semi-monthly line to New York. There are 
 regular schoonei* lines to New York and New Orleans and 
 a do/.eu large schooners in the lumber and fruit trade bb- 
 tween Tampa and the West Indies and Central America. 
 
 Two lines of local steamers run daily between Tampa, 
 St. Petersburg and all points on the Manatee river, a tri- 
 weekly line to Sarasota bay, a triweekly line to the Ala- 
 fia river, and at least fifty small auxiliary and sailing 
 vessels are engaged in local and costing trade, extending 
 from Cedar Key to Key West. 
 
 The county has twenty-eight miles of electric railway, 
 of which nine miles are in the city of Tampa and the re- 
 mainder suburban, penetrating country districts. 
 
 There are sixteen miles of paved road in the county, 
 nine miles under contract and several miles under con- 
 struction by convict labor. Pour hundred thousand dol- 
 lars bonds have been voted by the people and issued by 
 the commissioners for the purpose of building 150 miles, 
 or thereabouts, of firstclass paved roadway to cover the 
 entire county systematically, and this project will be 
 completed in about three years. Combined with rail and 
 water facilities, this will give Hillsborough county in« 
 comrarably the best and most complete means of trans- 
 portation of any county in the State, and leave it per- 
 haps without an equal in the South. 
 
 MANUFACTURING. 
 
 The making of cigars is the chief manufactuHng in- 
 dustry of Hillsborough county, of which branch the fol- 
 lowing carefully compiled figures will give an adequate 
 idea : 
 
399 
 
 Number of factories, 135 
 
 People employed, G,00(). 
 
 Weekly payroll, $75,(>0(). 
 
 Output, 137 million cigars annually. 
 
 Cost of material employed, $2,G50,000. 
 
 Money received for product, |9,615,0fl0. 
 
 About one-seventh of the total population is engaged in 
 the business directly as wage earners, and the amount re- 
 ceived from it would provide $225 annually fjr each man, 
 woman and child in the county. 
 
 Other lines of manufacturing show up quite creditably. 
 Foremost is the Warnell & Veneer Co., located at Plant 
 City, employing over 200 persons and putting out a pro- 
 duct of about a half million per year. There are besides 
 3 sa?h, door and blind factories. 5 planing mills, 25 saw- 
 mills, 2 cigar box factories, I cedar mill, 4 carriage and 
 wagon factories, 1 cooperage, 1 distillery, 2 paint works, 
 1 grist mill, 2 rice mills, G bottling works, 6 ice factories, 
 1 prii.ting press factory, 2 iron and bra^s foundries. 4 
 machine shors, 1 macaroni factory, 2 distilled waiter 
 plants, 1 palmetto fiber factory, 2 shipbuilding yards, 2 
 brick and tile works, 2 asphalt works, 1 oyster cannery, 
 1 broom factory. 2 mattress factories, 1 cornice and sheet 
 metal works, and numerous other little enterprises of va- 
 rious kinds of hardly sufficient importance to enumer- 
 ate. All these establishments are in profitable and regu- 
 lar operation except the oyster cannery, which has beea 
 closed by the recent death of its owner. There are room, 
 facilities, materials and demand for a great enlargement 
 of existing establishments as well as an increase in th^ir 
 number, and there are other lines offering openings an<l 
 inducements to capital and enterprise. 
 
 THE WEATHER. 
 
 The temperature and other climatic conditions of this 
 •e<tion are unsurpassed for salubrity and pleasantnesH. 
 The winter is marked by abundant sunshine and warm.h, 
 the summer by rainfall and coolness. 
 
 The average mean temperature of .Tanunry for the pai^t 
 twelve year«. as shown bv the govern mrnt records, is .r>r» 
 degrees. This is the coldest month of the year. The 
 
400 
 
 average means for the months of July and August for the 
 asme period are 81 degrees. The highest temperature on 
 record is 95 degrees. 
 
 The average rainfall for the past twelve years has been 
 55.05 inches. Of this an average of more than 33 inches 
 has fallen during the months of June, July, August and 
 September, vv^hich are commonly known as "the rainy sea- 
 son." The remaining twenty inches is usually distributed 
 equally over the other eight months of the year. This 
 condition makes a winter climate impossible to excel — 
 dry, sunshiny and 3«et cool. For invalids it is the per- 
 fection of kindliness and gentleness. The average num- 
 ber of absolutely clear days per month is in excess of 
 tan, of cloudy days less than seven, which is a sunshine 
 record unet|ualled except on desert lands. 
 
 The highest wind velocity ever recorded is 48 miles an 
 hour, and only three times has the v>'ind reached a veloci- 
 ty of 40 miles. Twenty-four hurricanes have crossed 
 some portion of Florida within the past twenty-five 
 years, but as shown by the tables of the weather bursa a 
 Tampa has been wholly exempt from such visitations. 
 It has been equally free from phenomenal or damaging 
 rainfalls. With the country for a hundred miles sur- 
 rounding, it occupies a position with regard to the trade 
 winds which protects it from violent disturbances of an/ 
 <haracter. 
 
 SrORT. 
 
 To those who seek recreation on land or water Hills- 
 borough county offers unequalled attractions. Deer are 
 to be found in the recesses of cypress brakes, while tup- 
 keys are more numerous, every season yielding many fins 
 specimens to enterprising and lucky sportsmen. The 
 woods and fields swarm with quail, squirrels are plenti- 
 ful, snipe freely visit the feeding grounds every winter, 
 and ail varieties of land, shore and water birds are 
 abundant. The game laws are strictly enforced, and the 
 open season always finds game in large quantity and 
 easy of access. 
 
 The fishing afforded by the waters of the county is un- 
 equalled anywhere. The fresh streams and hundreds of 
 limpid lakes abound in black bass, bream and perch, and 
 
401 
 
 recorded catches are phenomenal. The salt waters teem 
 with every kind of fish known to this latitude, with the 
 addition of oysters, crabs and clams. The character of 
 the calm and i>eaceful sheets of inland waters, the fre- 
 quent occurrence of shell bank«i, bars and channels give 
 every facility for knowipg whore the fiuuny dimizens are 
 to be most surely found, and consequently the sport never 
 fails to reward the seeker who pursues it. 
 
 Among the varieties may be mentioned the lordly tar- 
 pon, i-ed and black grouper, Spanish mackerel, speckled 
 trout, pompano, red and mangrove snappers, slieepshead, 
 red bass, croakeriS, drum and many others — all of which 
 respond readily to the lures of the angler. The shores, 
 islands and keys afford innumerable perfect camping 
 places to which sportsmen may resort. The weather per- 
 mits these sports, on both land and water, to be pursued 
 every day in the year, and thousands of people testify to 
 the perfectly satisfying character of enjoyment by field 
 QM^ flood. 
 
 EDUCATIONAL. 
 
 The total number of public schools in the county is 103, 
 •of which three are high schools and fifteen are graded 
 with two or more teachers. The number of white schools 
 is 87, of colored 16. The number of teachers is 165, of 
 whom 50 ai*e males and 115 females. White, 140 ; colored, 
 25. The amount of school tax levied is five mills in the 
 county at large but in a number of special districts an 
 additional tax of three mills is laid. The average dura- 
 tion of terms of school in country districts Is five months, 
 in the incorporated towns and villages it is eight months. 
 The number of pupils in attendance upon the schools of 
 the county during the past year was 6,345. The aggre- 
 gate salaries paid to teachers for the year was |42,649.75. 
 The total of school property belonging to the county is 
 $36,390, while that occupied belonging to individuals Is 
 118,100. 
 
 A State Normal and Industrial School is located at 
 fit. Petersburg, to which is attached a manual training 
 department. This and the several high schools attain to 
 a most excellent academic rank. There, are two first-class 
 
 26 HP 
 
402 
 
 business colleges and a number of private and parochial 
 institutions, the latter including probablj 1000 pupils. 
 Four of these schools are of the average high school grade 
 in their upper departments. 
 
 The Methodist Conference College, lately located at 
 Leesburg, has been moved to Sutherland, in this countj>y 
 and will open in September with an able faculty and a 
 large attendance. Education is highly prized by the peo- 
 ple of the county, and there is a strong tone in public 
 «piiit on the subject. There are now twenty special sub- 
 districts in the county, and jietitions to create new ones 
 are received at every meeting of the board of education. 
 During the past two years there has been an increase of 
 7 schools and 23 teachers, with corresponding addition to 
 the enrollment and attendance of pupils. Summer nor- 
 mal schools for teachers are held in the county annually^ 
 which are attended by many teacheis from other coun- 
 ties, and in which the best attainable talent is employed 
 a,«i instructors. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 Methodist — 29 churches, including white aud colored 
 and all divisions of the denomination, with 2,460 commu- 
 nicants. 
 
 Baptists — 23 churches, white and colored, with 2,185 
 members. 
 
 Catholics — 6 churches, 4 missions, 3 stations, 1,750 
 actual members, and about 7,000 persons connecte«J in 
 the parishes in addition to the membership. 
 
 Episcopal — 12 churches, white and colored, with 529^ 
 communicants and 1,010 baptized. 
 
 Congr-egational — 3 churches, with 400 membere. 
 
 Christian — 3 churches, with 200 members. 
 
 Presbyterian-^10 churches, with 600 memberg. 
 
 Advent — 3 churches, with 175 members. 
 
 Jewish — 1 synaogue, with 96 members, • ' 
 
 BOARD OF TRADE. 
 
 There is an active board of trade in Tampa, the secre- 
 tary of which will be glad to reply to all qyeries fop in- 
 formation not embraced in the foregoing pages. Letters 
 
403 
 
 addressed to "Secretary, Board of Trade, Tampa, Fla./' 
 will i-eceive prompt and courteous attention. 
 
 The principal agricultural jtroducts for 1902, were as 
 follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 34.4.51 .f 18,314 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 52,08.5 25,212 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,273 14,525 
 
 Rice, bushels, 4,158 5,510 
 
 Hay, tons, 473 7,924 
 
 Velvet bean, bushels, 0,440 5,960 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, G,17M 10,292 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 5,720 7,874 
 
 Watermelons, car loads, 147 12,491 
 
 Oranges, crates. 288.990 135,930 
 
 Grape fruit, crates. 0.028 31,499 
 
 Strawberries, quarts. 1.213,084 72,209 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 2,202 3,521 
 
 Live stock on hand for 1902: 
 
 Horses, numlK^r. 2,181 133,599 
 
 Mule«, number, 280 38,450 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 21,790 179,676 
 
 Hog^, number. 12,387 15,477 
 
 Poultrv. all kinds, number, 58,164 24,508 
 
 HOLMES COUNTY, 
 
 This county is bounded on the north in part by the 
 State of Alabama, and Jackson County, Florida, on the 
 east by Jackson and Calhoun counties, on the isouth by 
 Walton and Washington counties, and on the west by 
 W^alton County. 
 
 Its area is 435 gquai-e miles of land surface or 278,400 
 acres. 
 
 In 1890 its population was 4,336, and in 1900 it was 
 7,762, of which number 6,481 were whites and 1,281 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the end of the school term in 1901 it was maintain- 
 ing 45 schools, of which 43 were for whites and 2 were 
 for negroes. 
 
404 
 
 The country is generally undulating, though high, and 
 in some places quite elevated. The lands are generally 
 sandy, with clay subsoil, often mixed with quartz gravel 
 to a considerable extent; the majority of the lands can 
 be classed as high grade pine lands; there are also con- 
 siderable areas of fine hammock lands. 
 
 The Choctahatchee river flows entirely across the coun- 
 ty from north to soutli, and Holmes Creek, really a river, 
 flows in a southwesterly direction across the eastern half 
 of the county, emptying into the Choctahatchee about the 
 center of the western edge of Washin^'iiton County. The 
 two streams above named form what is known as 
 "Holmes Valley,'' extending entirely across Holmes Coun- 
 ty and well down into Washington County. This area 
 represents about one-half of Holmes County, and contains 
 most of the desirable lands in the county, and compris- 
 ing some of the finest type of farm, timber and grazing 
 lands foujid in any section of the State. This county is 
 perhaps as well watered as any in the State, with large 
 numbers of never failing streams, and is not surpassed by 
 any locality for live stock growing of all kinds. The 
 Louisville and Nashville Railroad traverses the county 
 almost its entire length, in a southwesterly direction, 
 giving through quick transportation to Pengacola and be- 
 yond. A steamboat line plys the river as far up as Ge- 
 neva, Alabama, thence back south and west to Pensacola; 
 thus the people of those sections of the county, who pre% 
 fer steamboat communication to rail have their choice. 
 Transportation facilities are therefore good. The princi- 
 pal industries are the manufacture of naval stores from 
 the magnifi<ent i)ine forests, and cutting and sawing the 
 timber into commercial form for the home or export 
 trade. 
 
 Westville, the county seat, situated on the L. & N. R. 
 R., in the southwestern portion of the county, is a thriv- 
 ing town, as are also the towns of Bonifay and Caryville. 
 
 The agricultural products for 1902 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 1,187 |41,905 
 
 Corn, bushels, 54,018 53,988 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 21,347 10,887 
 
 Syrup, barrels. 846 10,125 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 22,171 16.558 
 
 Peaehes, bushels, 3,750 9,600 
 
405 
 
 And the following live stock on hand : 
 
 Horses, number, 391 16,594 
 
 Mules, number, 251 16,132 
 
 Stock cattle, 3,981 19,617 
 
 Sheep, number, 6,956 9,226 
 
 Hogs, number, 4,258 < 4,750 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 17,553 4,456 
 
 Other farm products, as 
 
 Wool, pounds, 13,996 2,583 
 
 Honey, pounds, 3.750 413 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Jackson County is bounded on the north by the States 
 of Alabama and Georgia, on the east by the State of 
 Georgia, and Gadsden County, Florida, on the south by 
 Calhoun County, and on the west by Holmes and Wash- 
 ington counties. 
 
 It has an area of 963 square miles of land surface or 
 616,320 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 17,.544, and in 1900 it was 
 23,377, of which number 11,087 were white and 12,290 
 were negroes. 
 
 At the end of the school term of 1901 this county was 
 maintaining 93 schools, of which number 57 were for 
 whites and 36 were for negroes. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 Adjoining the rivers on the eastern boundary of the 
 county there is an extremely rich strip of land extending 
 from one end of the county to the other. This strip of 
 land is from one-half to two miles wide, and is the richest 
 land in the State; the only objection is that it is subject 
 to overflow. After leaving the river bottom there is a 
 series of high hills, and then comes high rolling pine 
 lands, intersjtersed with oak and hickory. Approaching 
 the Chij»ol;i. river and its tribntaries is to be found large 
 bodies of hammock land, which is very level and exceed- 
 ingly fertile. These hammocks are to be fonnd in the 
 middle and northern parts of the county ; the western and 
 
40G 
 
 southern parts of the county are high pine land, with 
 occasional oak and hickory lands. The Ch\pola river 
 runs through the county and nearly divides the county 
 in the center. On either side are to be found rich lauds 
 covered with heavy growths of oak, bay, beech, poplar, 
 walnut, magnolia, hickory, maple and other trees. The 
 land is high and rolling. The land in the northwestern 
 part of the county is of the same kind. The entire county 
 is well watered ; on the eastern i)art by the Chattahoochee 
 and Apalachicola rivers, and numerous springs and 
 creeks, tributaries to these rivers ; the middle of the coun- 
 ty by the Chipola river and numerous creeks that flow 
 into this river from both the eastern and western sides; 
 the western part of the county by Holmes Creek and the 
 streams that flow into it and into the Choctawhatchie 
 River. The county is also interspersed with fresh water 
 ponds. 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 The numerous water courses which intersect Jackson 
 County give it a greater variety of soil than almost any 
 county in the State, and difi/rent portions of the county 
 difl'er as widely in the character of the soil as if ihej were 
 thousands of miles apart. The general character of the 
 lands are fine high pine, rolling hills, fertile valleys, 
 dense hammock, rich red clay, sandy loam and table 
 lands. The lands along the Chattahoochee River in the 
 eastern portion of the county are rich hammock, as are 
 also those on each side of the Chipola River, which runs 
 through the middle of the county from north to south. 
 In the western portion of the county the lands are light 
 and loamy, but capable of ])roducing fine ' crops. In the 
 extreme southwestern part of the county is a large body 
 of heavily timbered pine lands, while tke northwest ia 
 stiff clay land, being very fertile and productive. The 
 lands throughout the entire county are unusually pro- 
 ductive for Florida lands, and there are still large bodies 
 of laud in the county on which the virgin forest is as yet 
 untouched by the woodman's axe. 
 
 Lands can be ])ouglit in this county at from $1 to |25 
 per acre, according to location. 
 
407 
 
 The productions are as varied as the soil. Cotton, 
 com, oats, rice and sugar cane ai*e at present the staples, 
 but other kinds of grain do well, such as barley, wheat 
 and rye. Nearly all kinds of vegetables can be raised 
 successfully, and no county in the State offers better fa- 
 cilities for the profitable cultivation of cabbages, peas, 
 beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and fruit 
 
 The fniits produced in Jackson County a#e in great 
 variety and excellent quality. Peaches of all kinds do 
 well upon the ridges, and seedlings succeed in producing 
 good crops all over the county. Apples and plums do 
 well; grapes of various kinds produce abundantly, but 
 those most cultivated and best adapted to the soil and 
 climate are the Scuppernong and the White Niagara, 
 Strawberries of all kinds are produced in abundance. 
 The LeConte pear is a favorite fruit and bears in great 
 profusion. A leading citizen of Marianna gathered over 
 tw^enty bushels from one tree the past season. The apri- 
 cot, quince and persimmon all thrive. Figs and pome- 
 granates flourish, and it is the home of the luscious wa- 
 termelon. 
 
 The pine lands of the country afford splendid ranges 
 for cattle, sheep and goats, and many of the citizens are 
 engaged in raising them and find it exceedingly remuner- 
 ative. The forests of pine as well as the thick hammocks 
 afford good ranges for hogs, which live principally upon 
 the mast. The old fields that have been cleared of timber 
 many years ago furnish fine ])asturage for horses, mules 
 and asses, as well as for sheep and cattle, and those who 
 paid attention to the subject have found the raising of 
 live stock very profitable. 
 
 The climate is unequalled — the winters are nevep' 
 severe, and the nearness to the gulf renders the summers 
 mild and pleasant, and those who are suffering from pul- 
 monaiw diseases can find no healthier place in the South 
 in which to settle. The atmosphere is dry and pure, and 
 while the county is close enough to the oiilf of Mexico to 
 render the winters mild and the summers cool, it is at 
 such a distance as to prevent the moist, foggy weather 
 which some object to in other portions of the Slate, par- 
 ticularly immediately on the coast. The water is both 
 free and limestone; cool and pure springs abound; wells 
 and cisterns are easilv made. 
 
4 OS 
 
 This ooui\ty jilunuuls in lu)ld. swift ortvks ;iud small 
 Ktn^nns. which ot¥,or splondid ituhioontonts for iho oa]>i- 
 talist to iiivost in n\ills and fa»Morios. i^hipola Kivor, 
 l\lv's Mill Tnvk. Uhio Sjninji or Ktibinson's Sprinj^ 
 i^ns^k, lUWnu^s v>iH»k. l>ry Tnvk. and many others wonld 
 Ih^ jlt>od pla«H's to bviihl n\ills and faotorit^s ninm. Tho 
 fon^sts abound in ]>im\ oak. walnut, bay, majjnolia. gum, 
 poplar, iixiipli^ivdar juul ottior wihhIs, and otVor oxtra in* 
 diU'inn(M\ts to tho hnnbormon. 
 
 Tho l\M\sa.>ola and Aflantic Kailn>ad (1.. Ji K. K. K.V 
 ]>ass(^s thnmiih iho «oiU«T of iho ctmnty, and tho n\arkot 
 jrardonor, tho fartiior and tho lnmb<MMnan will havo ani]>lo 
 faoilitios fi>r tho rapid transportation of thoir manufac- 
 tur»^s i>r pr\Hluoo, 
 
 Tho fort^sts alH>\ind in sr.utto of »nory kinil, s\uh as Ivar, 
 door, tnrkoys, duoks. sonintOs. f«)\«^s. rai'»'oons and sn^all 
 j?vmo of o\ory kind. r>oavors and ottors art^ found in 
 numy Uu-alitios also. Tho sttvams and lakos toom with 
 tlsh and turtlo of ovory kind. To tho sponsmau this 
 county will atVoiil as much huntinjt and llshinjj as can bo 
 f<mnd anywhere in Florida, 
 
 In short, to the man who wislu^s to itwest his n\onev in 
 mills and factories, to the truck farmer and market >iarde- 
 nor. to the stock raist^r ami farmer, the I'.calth stvker an«! 
 tho sportMuan. and all who wish to invest protltably in 
 n\»l estate, this county otTers facilities secottd \o no coun- 
 try in tho State. 
 
 (wriTAi. Nr.Kni:n. 
 
 The industrious. »H*onou\ical, thous^h ]M>«>r man, may in»- 
 nujjrate \o this contity and accuu\ulato p''*M^*'^'.^" • y^*^ •^ '* 
 far better for tho settler desijiniuii to euivMiiV in f.inniuii, 
 hon^ or elsowhetv. T»> 1h» possosst^l of sulVirient means to 
 purchase his farm, to build his dwollina: .and other build- 
 iujrs. to clear his tlelds. and enidose (Iumu. to buy his team 
 ai\»l a sn»all stot k of cattle and sh;^»p. autl 'he tco's. .and 
 to supply himst^lf. family and teams with food, until ho 
 can r.ais«» the t\»eat\s frotn tho farm for his support. With 
 less than that tho ojHMtitts; «>f tho farnt »au>st be t'elayeil 
 \u\til W earns tho uu^uts fiH>m other labor. 
 
 The rosT of bnildiuir with lutttber is n»dtnvd t»> tho loAv- 
 est possible tljiuri^s. The amount and «o««t of doihiuis. 
 
409 
 
 fhfi ox[)en8e for fuel nnd of food for the fjjriiily, jire at 
 iiiininmiii i-jitcs. ('aUIo and Khccp can j^ather tlieir food 
 Irom (li(! uiilmrruMl raiiK<; or <li(' jn*',!^^*'! paKUirw. Soine- 
 thit4; for tlio lal)l(? iiiny be obtained from tlie liebl and 
 garden in b'Hs liian otu? hundred davs af(<'r Ihc KcedH are 
 placted in the Hoil. The ininii^rant need l)ut ask irnnnelf 
 the <|ueHlion: Wliat Huni will carry ino to my fulurc les- 
 idenee, eHlablish me on it, and keep me for six months? 
 After that period he should Ilnd his supi><>rl from the 
 farm ilHcdf. 
 
 MAIIIANNA. 
 
 MariiHina in the county scat, nnd the iU'irMi)al town in 
 the county. In 1!H)2 it had a population of !H)(). It is 
 beautifully Hitualed on the wcHt bank of the Thipola river, 
 and iH on th<; L. & N. K. K., and Iuih through transporta- 
 tion facilticH for travel or freight, and \h a thriving pros- 
 perous little city. 
 
 Marianmi in aH healthy as any city in the State. Cases 
 of ty|»liuH, biIi(MiH fever and pneumonia arc rare, and 
 generally are caused by the imprudence of ])ei;s(ms them- 
 selves. Persons who have gone to Marianna <m a<'Ount of 
 lung diseases in every instance, unh'ss they came too 
 late, have been cured or permanently benefited. 
 
 Snead on the sanu' linc^ of railroad, near the Apala(;hi- 
 cola river, is the next town in impoi-tance; it had a jmp- 
 iilatiori of ."'.SS in 1«MM»; it 's situated in the midst of one 
 of the tinesi agi'icultural ami luut icultural secti<ms of the 
 Ktate; the lands ai-e rich, and the people pros|)ei()us and 
 contented. There are numci-ous (dher towns throughout 
 the county (piite as well worthy of note as the fiu-cicjoing, 
 but we liave not the space to treat of them in detail, and 
 we can only say that all of them, and all of Jackson 
 (/ounty, Ivve a thrifty, industrious, progressive, and law- 
 .ibiding people. 
 
 The principal agricultural products of 19012 were as 
 follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 llplaiwl cotton, bales. 1.'{,7S2 .f!482,.370 
 
 Kea Island (•(►tton, bales, 1,(),'{1 .'')1,5.^0' 
 
 (\)rn, bushels, tiJT.TrjO 248.875 
 
 Outs, bushels, S<),2.'>0 44,62G 
 
410 
 
 Swe<»t potators. bushels, 87,800 35,120 
 
 FioUi i»oas, bushels. JK'i.rHH) 47,750 
 
 IVanuls, bushols, 15r),(>50 77,825 
 
 Syrui), barrels, 6.J)2() 150,260 
 
 WatetMUolous, oar loads. (>0 o,000 
 
 Anil livo stoik lui haiul for 1002: 
 
 llorv^os. nuniluM-. 2.74S 2(H). 100 
 
 Mulos, iiuuilRT, 1.141) 85.050 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 0,075 45,375 
 
 t^heep, number, 3,175 0.350 
 
 llo«js. numlvr, 10,228 1!).22S 
 
 ]\Miltrv. all khuis. 21.050 4,780 
 
 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 Bounded on ilie north by Leon Connly, Florida and 
 the State of deorsiia. on the east bv Madison and Taylor 
 counties, on the south by IMadison and Taylor eounues. 
 and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by Leon and 
 AVakulla counties. 
 
 Its area in scjuaie miles of land surface is 503. or 
 :^70.520 aiTcs. 
 
 In 1800 its Stipulation was 15.757. and in 10()0 it was 
 10.105. of whieh nund)er 3,575 were whit(\ and 12.(521) 
 were negroes^ 
 
 At the end of the school term of 10()1 ihe county was 
 maintainiui; (5;j schot)ls. 28 of whit-h were for whites, and 
 35 were for m>gro(»s. 
 
 TOPOCKAPlllCAL. 
 
 This eonnfy is one of the division penerally denomina- 
 teu Middle Florida, thoiijih to one unacquainted with the 
 map. the term «H>nveys no intellijrent idea of its ival h>ca- 
 tion. It lies m\ir the t'enter of that tier of northern 
 counties bonlerinu on OtH^rcia. The snrfatv is jienerally 
 hijili and rolling:. otTerinjj within its limits all the varie- 
 ties of topojiraphy that one could see in traveling: throujjh 
 sevenil States. Fnterinjj; the t'ounty at the (ieor)u;ia line, 
 the traveler A\ill t'rst Ix^ called on to admire the excel- 
 lence of the soil that can produce such a majjniticent 
 
411 
 
 pTowth of j)inp forrst as skirts its iippt^r border. Jour- 
 noying further, he will note with pleasure the increasing 
 luxuriance of ve«;etation and almost rufii^n-d picturesque- 
 ness of the landsi-ape. Sometimes when he has climbed 
 to the top of an excejttionally lofty hill the blue outline 
 of some still hij^her rid^e in the distance will almos^ de- 
 lude him into the belief that he is still amon}^ the moun- 
 tains. ]f it be winter he will need the presence of tropi- 
 cal fruits on every hand to i)ersuade him that he is really 
 in the land of eternal spring. Passing the center and 
 ]»ushinir on toward the southern boundary, he will be im- 
 ]>ressed with the ever increasing steepness and length of 
 the attenuating hills, until tinally reaching and gliding 
 down the highest and most rnc^ged declivity in his whole 
 route, he will tind himself in the "tiat woods," which from 
 there to the coast present nothing but the unvarying 
 monotony of an endless succession of i)ine trees. 
 
 Had tlie traveler on reaching ^ronticello. the county 
 site, instead of taking the road leading south turned to 
 the left and gone into the east(M-n ])art of the county, to- 
 ward the valley of the Aucilla river, he wouhl have seen 
 some of the finest farming lands in the world, (-jusiisting 
 of a syst<^m of elevated ])lateaus covered with original 
 groves of ?ive oak, hickory, magnolia, i)oi)lar, sweet gum, 
 wild cherry, Florida mahogany and numerous other varie- 
 ties of trees. This section is by far the most beautiful' 
 and inviting portion of the county. 
 
 Again, had he turned his horse's head to the northwest, 
 toward ]\liccosukie lake, he would have been greeted with, 
 the same series of red hills, crowned with oak and hick- 
 <tr\ trees of wonderful size and luxuriance. Eveiy por- 
 ti«*n of this sur]>rising topography is redeemed in the 
 suii)rising fertility of the soil. 
 
 Here nature never grows monotonous. If she has 
 given variety and l>eauty of surface, it has not caused her 
 to attemjtt to ''even ujt" on soil. This feature is c(M-tainly 
 the substantial attraction of this section. It ditfers both, 
 in kind an<l quality, consisting of a rich alluvial deposit 
 immediately on a stiff clay bottom, or of a light loam 
 deep to clay. The former comprises by far the most nu- 
 merous and desirable class, l)eing both more fertile by 
 nature, j)ossessing more capacities for being made richer, 
 and are more enduring. These are best suited to grow 
 
412 
 
 cotton and corn, while the other is adapted to long cotton., 
 sugar cane, sweet potatoes, etc. All the lands in the 
 county belong to one or the other of these classes, except 
 a strip of pine timbei-ed lands in the extreme south, 
 suitable for lumbering and cattle ranges, both of which 
 industries are vei*y profitable. The price of lands of this 
 description varies from one dollar to |!2.50 per aci-e; of 
 the iecond class from P to |5 per acre; of first class, 
 fl'om |5 to |8, according to fertility and location. 
 
 The whole county is well watered with never failing 
 streams of pure fresh water, and there are also numerous 
 fresli water lakes. 
 
 As a natural consequence of the numerous water- 
 sheds, there are many rivers and running branches, along 
 whose banks may Ije found innumerable mill sites. A few 
 of these opportunities of nature have been utilized, but 
 the great majority still impatiently await the commands 
 of capital and the skill of the mechanic to give them life 
 and value. 
 
 The farmere of Jefferson County are a prosperous peo- 
 ple, and largely an exception to the rule which applies to 
 the tiller of the soil, in being independent in themselves, 
 and free and able to buy where money will buy most. 
 There is, perhaps, as laiige a proportion of people who 
 depend upon agriculture. solely for revenue, free from 
 financial embarrassment in Jefferson County, as can be 
 found in any county of any State in the Union. This 
 healthy state of the "backbone," whether in the planter 
 with his princely domain of thousands of acres, or the 
 farmer on his "one-horse farm," naturally produces a 
 healthy state of business in all channels throughout the 
 community. With a generous soil, and gracious seasons, 
 every farmer in Jefferson County should be a lord in lys 
 ,own right of perfect freedom. The soil is of a character 
 which produces well of itself, but which is cajtable of 
 high fertilization, and intense culture, which will increase 
 the natural in a proportion of three to one; and the day 
 is coming in the near future for Jefferson County to inV 
 tensify her system, multiply her producers, and place 
 upon the markets not only a greater diversity of pro- 
 ducts, but three-fold in quantity what she now has to sell 
 
 There is land in abundance for any increase of labor, 
 and at prices which will induce the incoming of settlei's. 
 
413 
 
 Land which produces from ten to thirty bushels of corn 
 and from one-third to three-fourths of a bale of cotton 
 per acre, can be bought for from |6 to $12 per acre, and 
 that grade of land which is quoted at ^3 per acre has 
 yielded upon improved fulture and liberal fertilizing in 
 one instance seventeen bales of cotton from thirteen 
 acres, and forty bushels of corn per acre upon twelve 
 acres. These instances are proof of the possibilities of 
 this county upon the sound theory of what has be«n done 
 can yet be done again. A large proportion of the farm 
 lands of this county consist of soil of fertile and sandy 
 loam, closely underlaid by a sub-soil of rich red clay, 
 and is of that character which every practical, intelligent 
 planter will appreciate a** the basis of success in a 
 higher order of cultivation, and a sure guaranty of profit- 
 able returns, when liberally fertilized. These lands are 
 evenly distributed aniong small farmers and large plan- 
 ters, and whether in the cozy cottage of the small farmer, 
 or more pretentious liamlet of the extensive planter — 
 whose comfortable home is the center of a village inhabi- 
 ted by his tenants — they have evidence of an independent 
 wealth of resources. 
 
 LABOR. 
 
 The [great bulk of the labor is of course negro ; and it is 
 but truth to say that he is better suited for farm labor in 
 the cotton growing sections of the South than any other 
 class of people; he of all others is best calculated to stand 
 the conditions which attend successful farming opera- 
 tions in the summer tropics. 
 
 The negro is full of frugal possibilities; with rare 
 capacity for the labors necessary to subdue the soil, 8U]v 
 •ported in every meritorious effort to improve his condi- 
 tion by his white fellow citzen, and has a promise of a 
 future in this climate (which alone is suited to his physi- 
 cal construction) which dwarfs into insignificance the 
 *egt opportunity that was ever offered a laboring man in 
 the less favored North. Be it eaid to his credit, he is rap- 
 idly learning to distinguish the difference between the 
 •faithless promises of political adventurers, and the reali- 
 Eation of a comfortable cottage, a well stocked corn crib, 
 <i plentiful supply of the necessaries of life, and a well 
 
4U 
 
 grounded assurance that in sickness and in health he has 
 a staunch friend hard by in the person of his former 
 master, and his present landlord or employer. Of the 
 labor of this county it can truthfully be said that it is 
 steady, reliable, and, owing to the cheapness of living, 
 non-expensive. 
 
 MONTICELLO. 
 
 Situated on the Seaboard Air Line, also on a branch of 
 the Atlantic Coast Line Railroads, is the county seat, 
 and a prosperous town of 1,076 inhabitants. It is situa- 
 ted on an elevated plateau; adjacent to it on the west 
 are luxuriant forests of mixed woods, and to the north- 
 east and south are the groves and forests of pine trees, 
 stretching away to the Aucilla river on the east, and to 
 the Gulf of Mexico on the south. 
 
 Monticello is the home of prosperous, happy people, 
 every one of whom is proud of his citizenship, and each 
 of whom is ready to atfirm that this land is that special 
 locality which a generous Creator, with masterly skill, 
 finished, and resting for awhile pronounced it "good." 
 Topogi^aphicall}', Monticello neither needs or desires any 
 further favor from Dame Nature. It is constructed upon 
 gentle slopes and drained by pleasant valleys which lead 
 to the Aucilla river on the east and the Miccossukie lake 
 upon the west, and these "catch basins," distant respec- 
 tively nine and three miles, are a guaranty of pure air 
 and sound sanitary conditions, rarely equalled, and never 
 surpassed, by any other locality in the State. Indeed, 
 the location is a natural water-shed, free from depres- 
 sion, and he who built first upon this spot built wisely. 
 It is the abidirig place of an intelligent, moral, refined 
 people, who learned well, and remember ever, the lessons 
 of that cordial Southern hospitality which sometimes, 
 nowadays, is spoken of in less favored communities, a» 
 an ante-bellum virtue. 
 
 The cotton crop, the fruit crops and the miscellaneofls 
 produce, such as eggs, poultry, butter, hides, tallow, 
 Rynip, sugar, etc., and the corn, oats and rye crops, of 
 which this county makes moi^e than enough for home con- 
 sumption, and, therefore, has a surplus to sell to sister 
 counties east and south, who afe less fortunate — these 
 
415 
 
 and other incidentals oi-eate the circulatiug mediuui 
 which has built up the town and its institutions, 
 
 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 The Sejiboard Air Line crosses the county east and 
 west, and a branch of the Atlantic Coast Line recust 
 northwest from Monticello to Thomasville, Ga. In the 
 southern part of the county rail connection is had oyer 
 the Tallahassee Southeastern, from Wacissa to Talla- 
 hassee, the State capital. 
 
 The educational advantages in the towns and county 
 are excellent. 
 
 All religious denominations ai-e well represented, in 
 town and country. 
 
 The principal agricultural products for 1902 were as 
 follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 7,240 $278,24:^ 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 330 * 16,.S10 
 
 Corn, bushels, 25G,539 157,^37 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 94,451 33.909 
 
 Hay, tons, 999 10,120 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 27,26G 25,488 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 3,519 33.572 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902 : 
 
 Horses, number, 801 48,090 
 
 Mules, number, 1,372 99,«49 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 3,861 27,382 
 
 Hogs, number, 15,437 3(],092 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 41,930 9,097 
 
 LAFAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 LaFayette County is bounded on the north by Madison 
 and Suwannee counties, on the east by Suwannee, .\la- 
 chua and Levy counties, on the south by the Gulf of Mexi- 
 co, and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and Taylor 
 County. 
 
 It has an area of 1,202 square miles of land surface, or 
 769,280 acres. 
 
416 
 
 Its popnlation in 1890 was ^,686, and in 1900 it was 
 4,987, of which number 4,224 were whites and 763 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the termination of the school term of 1901 there were 
 in the county 42 schools, of which 41 were for whites and 
 1 for negroes. 
 
 Lafayette County is one of the counties included in 
 what has for many years been denominated Middle Flori- 
 da, and lies immediately west of the Suwannee river. The 
 peculiarity of its position has until quite recently pre- 
 vented itxS development along with other counties while 
 no more deserving, though more favorably situated as far 
 as accessibility to markets and transportation facilities 
 is concerned; formerly its only means of ingress and 
 egress, except by private or public stage conveyance over 
 country roads, was via the Suwannee river steamboat 
 lines to Cedar Keys. Now, in addition to these, she haa 
 rail communication from Live Oak via Mayo the county 
 seat, and San Pedro Bay to Perry, the county seat of 
 Taylor county ; the same line of road is being constructed 
 westward to connect with either the Tallahassee South- 
 eastern, at Wacissa, or at some point on the Carrabelle, 
 Tallahassee and Gulf Railroad. With communication 
 opened to the outside world, this county will be one of the 
 most desirable in the State. It contains large bodies of 
 ithe finest quality of both hammock and pine lands, which 
 •can be bought at from |2,00 to flO.OO per acre, depending 
 upon location. With one or two exceptions, it has the 
 finest bodies of pine timber yet standing in the northern 
 part of the State ; a,nd it is not too much to say that some 
 of the finest cypress timber in the Southern States is to be 
 found in this county. 
 
 There are also immense tracts of the very best grazing 
 lands, and in no county do live stock of all kinds thrive 
 better throughout the year, than upon the broad savannas 
 •of the middle and southern section of Lafayette County. 
 
 It has thousands of acres of as good farm, fruit and 
 vegetable lands, as can be found in the State; soil for all 
 of these purposes is abundant, and can be had at reasona- 
 ble prices. It produces all the standard crops, and in \he 
 gardens are grown all the fruits and vegetables desired 
 for home consumption. The country is high and rolling, 
 is well drained by numerous streams that never go dry, 
 and ifl as healthy as any other part of the country. 
 
417 
 
 Its mineral resources consist of phosphate rock, only, 
 as far as known, but these deposits are known to be very 
 extensive and of high grade ; they are undeveloped as yet, 
 awaiting the advent of capital interested in such matters 
 for their development. 
 
 Mayo is the county seat, and is a thriving little town, 
 fiituated in the northern portion of the county on the 
 Ban l*edro Railroad. 
 
 Old Town, on the lower Suwannee river, is one of the 
 old historical points of the State; it is located in a seciion 
 of the county famed for its rich lands and splendid farm«;, 
 and is an important shipping point on the Suwannee 
 river. 
 
 The principal products of the county for 1902, were us 
 follows : ' 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 915 $ 55,215 
 
 Corn, bushels, 108,462 108,-102 
 
 Oats, bushels, 07,810 61,710 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 07,905 . .' 33,r.99 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 86,005 80,005 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 06,510 ; ; . . . 00,5' 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 27,100 /. 27,100 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,955 , 24,010 
 
 Live stock on hand as follows: 
 
 Horses, number, 513 21,5 13 
 
 Mules, number, 314 9,037 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 7,724 00,208 
 
 Hogs, number, 48,825 48,825 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 19,534 7, (24 
 
 LAKE COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Marion and 
 Volusia counties, on the east by Orange and Volusia, on 
 the south by Orange and Polk, and on the west by Sumter 
 and Marion counties. It has an area of 1,128, square 
 miles of land surface, or 721,920 acres. 
 
 27 H P 
 
' 418 
 
 In 1890, its population numbered 8034, and in "1900, 
 it was 7,467, of which number 4,829, were -white, aiid 
 2,638 were negi'oes. 
 
 (Note — the decrease in population was the reeuli of 
 the great blizzards of 1894-5 which destroyed the fruit 
 groves; the loss has been fully made up and the next 
 census will show a gain over the last two censuses.) 
 
 At the end of the school term of 1901, there were in 
 the county 58 schools, of which 43 were for whites and 
 15 for negroes. 
 
 Lake County has for its eastera boundary line the St. 
 Johns River, from which it stretches westward abour 
 sixty mile**, and has an average breadth of about eigh- 
 teen miles. 
 
 It has at this time forty-three U. S. post offices. That 
 particular part of peninsular Florida so long and so fa- 
 vorably known as "The Lake Region," is now chiefly em- 
 braced in Lake county. 
 
 The Western portion of the county is really the high- 
 est land on the peiiiTisular, and mifht be termed the water 
 shed of thi<* part of the State. From waters here col- 
 lected the crooked Ocklawaha persues its devious ways 
 to the Atlantic; the Withlacoochee begins its passage 
 to the «iu'f I f Mexico; here the Hillsboi-ough river stares 
 for Tampn l^ay. vaid the Kissimmee for Lake Okeechohef* 
 and the Everglades. 
 
 Many portionts of this (H)unty are several hundred feet 
 above tide water. The altitude of this region, nearly 
 midway between the Atlantic and Gulf affords its popu- 
 lation the luxury of a constant fanning with salt breezes» 
 which, with the porous natui'e of the soil, the abseme ol' 
 stagnant water, the bright sunshine, the pure drinking 
 water obtained fi*om deep wells and artesian springs, and 
 the balsamic exhalations of pine forests.- render the lo- 
 cality as healthful as any portion of the globe. Scarcely 
 any chronic diseases are found here among old residents, 
 and one established here in a well equipped home with 
 suitable gardens and groves with a contented mind and a 
 united family needs no other sanitarium, and comes as 
 near to the Adamic Paradise as anything found in the 
 world. 
 
 About one^sixth of the surface of the county is covered 
 with beautiful lakes of clear fresh water, from which cir- 
 
419 
 
 cumstance the county takes its name. These are known 
 as Lakes Ilurtis, E.w8tis, Gniiin, Dunham, Dora, ^ ale, 
 Minneola and Minnehaha, besides scores of lakes of 
 smaller dimensiont*, scattered all over the county. Lake 
 Apopka, covering nearly sixty square miles, lies in Or- 
 ange county at tiie south eastern border of Lake county, 
 and Lake George, a vast sheet of water, forming a part of 
 the St. Johns Kiver, also skirts Lake county on its north- 
 ern apex. All these waters abound with fish of excellent 
 quality for the table through the entire year. 
 
 The central figure in the county, is Lake Harris, cover- 
 ing eighteen or more square miles, encircled with high, 
 beautiful biuiks forming sites for several chuviiiiug 
 towns, the adjacent country being interspei*sed with or- 
 ange groves, villas, market gardens, and farms. 
 
 A short run eastward through Dead River from Lake 
 Harris and the visitor enters Lake Eustis, another 
 charming sheet of water, oval in shape, and several miles 
 in extent, suri"Ounded by a smiling country and some 
 pretty towns. Lake Griffin separated from Lakes Harris 
 and Eustis at points by only narow stretches of land, 
 extends into ihe noith western portion of the cour.ly. 
 This lake is about two and one half by sixteen miles in 
 extent and much of the rich hammock soil adjoining it is 
 underlaid with lime marl, almost exhaustless in fertility. 
 
 In the southern extremity of the county are situated 
 Lakes Minneola and Minnehaha, each being several miles 
 in extent surrounded by a high, rolling, salubrious coun- 
 try, well adapted to grazing, to market gardening, to 
 fruit culture, and to general farming. These lakes are all 
 navigable, as are also the streams, extending between 
 them, and numerous small steamboats conduct regular 
 business on these waters, besides many steam yachts, 
 owned for pleasure and profit by enterprising families. 
 
 Besides these facilities of navigation the county is 
 BO admirably equipped with railroads that no family can 
 possibly settle more than a few miles from any of these 
 lines, and but a short distance from a thriving town. 
 
 The two great lines of railroad extending through the 
 county are the Plant System, now controlled by the 
 Atlantic Coast Line, and the Seaboard Air Line, both 
 large and powerful corporations. Coming southward from 
 the Atlantic Seaboard, the Plant System line of road 
 
420 
 
 enters Lake county and has depots at Conant, Lady Lake, 
 Chitwin, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, Okahumpka and 
 Cason on its sweep to Tampa and Charlotte Harbor. The 
 same line also extends from Leesburg around Lake Eus- 
 tis, and partly around Lake Harris, with depots at 
 Grand View, Belle rene, Lamir, Tillson, Orange Bend, 
 Lisbon, Lancaster, Grand Island, Higley, Fort Mason, 
 Eustis, Mt. Homer, Tavares, and Lane Park. Also from 
 Furt Musort to the ^t. lolius River, with depots at riua- 
 tilla, Glejulale, Altoona, Pittman, Ravenswood, Summit, 
 Sellers, ].;!ke Cummings, Bryausville and Astor. The 
 Orange Belt road, now in the Plant System, extending 
 from Lake Monroe on the St. Johns to Point Pinallis on 
 the Gulf, passes through the southern portion of the 
 county and has depots at Minneola, Clermont and Mas- 
 reuto on its way to Sanford on the St. lohus River. 
 
 The Seaboard Air Line, also, coming southward from 
 the Atlantic Seaboard enters Lake county and has depots 
 at Whitney, Mount Clair, Leesburg, Sunny Side, Eldo- 
 rado and Tavares, passing on through Ellsworth and 
 Victoria on its way to Orlando. It also connects at 
 Tavares with a line extending through Mt, Dora and Sor- 
 rento on its way to Sanford on the St. Tehus River,., 
 
 The Tavares, Atlantic and Gulf railroad starting at 
 Tavares runs along Lake Apopka with depots at Mt. 
 Verde, Minneola, and Clermont. The Yalaha and Wes- 
 tern railroad has just been constructed and runs from 
 Yalaha through Bloomfield and Richmond to Oklahump- 
 ka, where it connects with the Atlantic Coast Line sys- 
 tem. Another line has been graded from Lisbon to Em- 
 eralda Island, a rich orange district. Nearly every village 
 and considerable hamlet in the county is on the line of a 
 railroad, affording fruit growers and gardeners the ad- 
 vantage of easy shipments for their products. 
 
 iSOILS. 
 
 Lake County containe about all the varieties of soil 
 in the State except the limestone. It has drained swamp 
 1: nd, low hammock, high hammock, oak, pine, and scrub 
 land. It has much rich hammock (hardwood) land bop- 
 dering Its great lakes. This variety is adopted to fruit 
 growing (unless too wet) to every kind of gardening, and 
 
421 
 
 to general farming. Three crops per year is no unusual 
 thing en such land. In November it may be prepared 
 for cabbage or lettuce, about April first planted to corn 
 which ripens in August, and a crop of hay may be cured 
 on the same field in September. But the oak and pine 
 lands constitute by far the larger .portion all over the 
 State, and these are capable of far greater productiveness 
 than was formerly supposed. They are much more easil;f, 
 cleared and subdued than the hammocks with their pon- 
 derous forests and tangles of wild vines, and with judiei- 
 ous tiila.ue, including the planting of legumes, and a 'irtle 
 aid from cattle they become highly productive for fruit 
 growing, vegetable gardens, and for all varieties of gen- 
 eral farm crops. 
 
 INDUSTRIES. 
 
 A wide variety of industries, beckon the new settler in 
 Florida. Every family should own some land, the 
 amount to be determined by the nature of the industry 
 to be undertaken, and every settler should strive to be an 
 adept at something. A rapid, irresolute, untrained man, 
 will fail anywhere, and choice of country adds little to 
 him. The ^-range industr;\- — One thing has been set I led 
 by intelligent men, viz: that there has been no permanenv 
 change in the cMmate of Florida. The intense cold of 
 1894-5 crippling the orange trees^ was no more intense 
 than in February 1835, and no colder than other periods 
 in the previous century. xV study of the climatic history 
 of the region reveals the fact thiit freezing weather has 
 occasionally occurred in Florida and in Mexico from the 
 earliest historic periods. All countries and occupations 
 meet with crcapiorial disasters, which brave and well 
 poised men overcome. 
 
 Ten years ago the people of Lake county claimed to 
 produce one-seventh of the citrus fruit exported from the 
 State. The orange tree is entirely at home in Lake conn, 
 ty. The wild orange groves or\oinally found growing 
 on the banks of Lake Griffin and Lake Harris were never 
 exceeded in size but in the one instance at Orange Lake. 
 Of the quality of the fruit grown here the judges have 
 testified in the scores of premiums awarded our growers 
 at the World's Exposition at New Orleans in 1885, and 
 
422 
 
 on many other occasions. In variety, in all that makes 
 supebr flavor and in shipping qualities, finer fruit is not 
 grown on the globe. Orange groves in our county are 
 now in a fine bearing condition again and a generous 
 harvest is anticipated. Our growers have learned valua- 
 ble lessons in the school of experience. By budding a 
 tree near the ground, a small embankment of dry soil 
 will save the bud from frost, and a little heated air from 
 a burning wood pile will sometimes save a crop of choice 
 fruit. The orange industry appears with us about as 
 hopeful as ever. If one drives the length of Lake county 
 and views the groves he will not think the growers ditr 
 couraged. Those immense orangeries around Sunny Side 
 and Orange Bend are assuming great proportions, and 
 fine groves of baauty and vahieare found everywhere 
 ihroiigli the foi.uiiy. Mr. E. H. Mote of Leesburg, vho 
 was at one time the largest orange dealer in the Statfe, 
 and who lost a small fortune in the blizzard of 1894-5, 
 lias now ten thousand budded trees in one enclosure at 
 Orange Bend, many of them loaded with fruit. He be- 
 lieves that to persevere is to succeed. 
 
 Peaches are now largely grown here and many think 
 them quite as profitable as oranges or lemons. At Lady 
 Lake, at Mt. Dor;), at Sarrento, at Eustis and at other 
 points, many peach orchards are cultivated with increas- 
 ing success. The peach tree grows much larger here than 
 in New Jersey and remains fruitful three times as long. 
 The writer of this sketch has trees with ten or moi-e bush- 
 els of fruit and the peaches are of superior quality. 
 
 Pears, plums, figs, pine apples, (under cover) and 
 strawberries yield remunerative harvests. Rapid trains 
 with refrigerator cars carry the more perishable ]»roducts 
 to a ready market. 
 
 General fanning has taken on new life during the last 
 half a do'/(»n years. Corn fields on pine land, that ai*e well 
 tilled, yield twenty or more barrels of ears of corn in the 
 husk, per acre, and rich hammocks do much better, Oats 
 and hay are marketable crops. Irish potatoes grow best 
 in moist or marshy land and always command good 
 prices, and sweet potatoes of excellent quality grow any- 
 where with care. Cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, peas, beans, 
 squash, onions, cucumbers, egg plant, peppers, canta- 
 loupes, and watermelons, are largely cultivated. Mr. F. S. 
 
423 
 
 Johnson near Leesburg recently shipped a. car of lettuce 
 a day for a considerable time, and single planters culti- 
 vate, at times, a hundred acres of melons. Two hundred 
 and forty-two dollars were taken by a grower for a car 
 of melons just loaded. Stories of largxir prices are com- 
 mon but this true one will suffice. The applied science 
 of the Government Agricultural Colleges, elminating the 
 causes of blight and the insects, is greatly augmenting 
 d\Q profits of the grower, and gives a degree of certain- 
 ty to undertakings. 
 
 Long staple cotton formerly grown here in its perfec- 
 tion, has mostly given place to gardening. Sugar cane, 
 a profitable crop, is not much grown as the same outlay 
 in gardening is more profitable. Cassava, yielding 
 starch and tappioca, is much grown as feed for cattle. 
 Velvet beans, cow peas, and beggar weed, (Desmodium) 
 are grown everywhere, as feed for stock and poultry, and 
 for land renovation. No land remains poor or unproduc- 
 tive where thes3 legumes are cultivated, as they extract 
 the nitrogen from the atmosphere and bring it into the 
 ground. Cattle rangej may now be obtained cheaply, 
 with hundreds v>v thousands of acres, including Iak(.\s, 
 that can be fenced with wire, stocked, and held for profit. 
 The cattle industry is rising all over the State. Blooded 
 cattle are common here, especially Jersey's, Gurnesey't?, 
 and Holstein. Horse raising and raula raising are good 
 industries. Sheep do well. Swine thrive with attention 
 or without, and some good varieties are bred here. 
 Fowls of all kinds prosper with care and yield, as every- 
 where else, good rturns. Bees are working here most of 
 the year, and yield the finest honey to their onwera, 
 gathered from the orange blossom and the palmetto. In 
 addition to land culture, merchandising, and the profes- 
 sions, we have here also the tourist industry which can 
 only increase as the years go by. The close proximity 
 of Florida with its genial climate to the gi-eat northern 
 cities of America, and the general increase of wealth will 
 more arid more render Florida the winter summer parlor 
 of the republic, where every isettler can either accommo- 
 date visitors' or handle the supplies that must be con- 
 sumed. 
 
424 
 TOWNS. 
 
 Tavares, sitiiuled near the center of the county, is the 
 County Seat. It is a pretty town, nestling on the western 
 beach of Lake Dora, laid out in regular oiaer with neatly 
 paved streets. The court house is a goodly brick struc- 
 ture, with court room and separate offices for the dif- 
 ferent officials, and near by is a strong jail for the deten- 
 sion of criminals. There is a large hotel, the county 
 *' \bstract of 'J itles" office, one church, an unfinished 
 opera house, numerous stores and residences and the 
 p;in?ing office of the "Tavares Herald," a weekly publi- 
 cation. Tavares is a fine railroad center. 
 
 Eusfife, a few miles from Tavares, situated on the 
 eastern bank of Lake Eustis, with five miles of clayed 
 streets and roads, four churches, excellent schools, ice 
 factory, a bank and a great variety of small industries is 
 considered by its old residents the finest place in the 
 world. It also publishes a weekly paper "The Lake 
 Region."' A bicycle path starts at Eustis, passes through 
 Mt. Onra, Zellwood. Altamont, and Longwood to Sanford 
 on the St. Johns River. Eustis is growing and has a pop- 
 ulation of nearly six hundred. 
 
 Umatilla, a few miles further east on the line of road 
 to the St. Johns, is the center of a brisk trade and of 
 many thriving enterprises. It has two churches, a high 
 school, good depot ,well filled stores, and a rich surround- 
 ing counti^', divided into market gardens and fruit groves. 
 Its people know liow to dig gold, or rather its equiv- 
 alent out of the soil and are doing it. 
 
 Astor, oti ^he bank of the beautiful St. Johns River, has 
 its attractions and should develop into a city. 
 
 Mt. Dora, as its name indicates, sits high looking down 
 on the placid waters of the lake whose name it bears, and 
 furniwlu'.s die ground for the Only chautauqua in the re- 
 gion. 
 
 Sorrento has many well built houses, good churches, 
 and well cultivated places, that are occupied by a cultured 
 people. 
 
 Yalaha, beautiful for situation crowning the queen 
 bank on the south side of Lake Harris, with its waving, 
 tropical palms, needs only people and money to render It 
 a. center of gi'^eat attraction. 
 
425 
 
 Conant, on the northern limit, is a new town founded 
 on the entrance of the Florida Southern Railway, and 
 named in honor of it^ manager, Sherman Conant, 
 
 Lady Lake, an old town, noted for its good lands, early 
 peaches, and its excellent society. 
 
 Fruitland Park, also smiles upon the visitor with im- 
 posing architecture, extensive well kept grounds, pretty 
 lakes and the variety of its productions. 
 
 Whitney is chiefly noted for its brick manufactory. 
 
 Mount Clair is a tidy suburban district with elegant 
 homes, two miles from Leesburg. 
 
 Leesburg, named from a family by the name of Lee, is 
 the largest incorporated town in the county. It is situated 
 on a strip of rolling land about eight hundred yards 
 wide, separating Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, witTi 
 four churches, fine schools, ice factory, two barrel fac- 
 tories, a wagon factory, well filled stores in solid brick 
 blocks, and a strong bank. It has a printing office and 
 issues the "Leesburg Commercial," the oldest paper in 
 the county. It has also an armory and an effective fire 
 department. Its streets are well paved and the town has 
 a population approaching a thousand. 
 
 And what shall T say of Minneola^nd Clermont, twin 
 sisters, separated by a single mile on those high beauti- 
 ful lakes seen only to be admired; of Mont Verde, nest- 
 ling on the bank of the wide Lake Apopka ; of Oka- 
 humpka, with its choice hotel ; of Bloomfield, of Ma^^cotte, 
 of Villa City, o'f Winstead, of Lisbon, of Grand Island, 
 of Fort Mason, of Altoona, Victoria. Cassia, Astatnhi, 
 Seneca, Paisley and Lane Park? Space will not allow 
 of special treatment, but all these places have cultured, 
 thrivirig, and worthy people who will welcome new and 
 virtuous settlers, who will make homes on the rich domain 
 «till unoccupied. 
 
 KAOLIN MINES. 
 
 Lake County is further distinguished for its numerous 
 deposits of white kaolin; (potters clay). It Is found in 
 various places all over the county. The entire region 
 extending on both banks of the Palatlakaha River from 
 Lake Minneola to Lnke Harris, a distance of twenty 
 miles, is largely underlaid with this material, the mines 
 
426 
 
 vastly exceeding in volume any others of the kind ever 
 discovered in the history of the vk^orld. Three large re- 
 fining plants have been established, two near the village 
 of Kichmond, and one at Yalaha. A railroad to handle 
 the products of these mines, has been constructed. The 
 refined clay is adapted to all the finest uses of the potier 
 in the manufacture of china ware and poroeliaiu, and it 
 is also sold to the paper manufacturer. In addition to 
 thase higher uses, the material for fire brick, for a very^ 
 fine white, and of a buff colored facing brick, is furnished, 
 besides, vast quantities of disintegrated quartz, used in 
 the manufacture of plate glass. In these enormous de- 
 posits of pure white kaolin are the potentialities, of vast 
 and permanent industries, that will extend through cen- 
 turies. That these enterprises have been slow in getting 
 under great headway is no dispargement whatever, as 
 large enterprises, like large bodies, move slowiy. Pure 
 white kaolin min2s of long clay have been held in high 
 esteem for ages, and are in our day more important than 
 formerly. It is only a question of time when the manu- 
 facture of pottery and of high priced brick, if not of plate 
 glass, will be conducted within easy reach of these mines. 
 
 CLAY EOADS. 
 
 The people of Lake County deserve special commenda- 
 tion for their enterprise in building . clay roads. The 
 old Florida sand road was a horse killer — especially to a 
 loaded team. During the last few years about sixty 
 miles of road have been straightened, graded and covered 
 with a heavy bed of red clay dug from the deep earth; 
 which is so firmly banked in as to afford a high way of 
 great beauty and comfort, for light, and for heavy dri?^ 
 ing, and for bicycles. On highways, Avhere formerly two 
 horses toiled wearily to haul half a ton, now one horse 
 plays with a ton. About two miles of this road have been 
 constructed between Clermont and Monte Vista. The peo- 
 ple of Eustis have constructed five miles of it in and 
 around their town. Tavares, has clayed its principal 
 streets. The western portion of the county having I^es- 
 burg for its center has done a magnificent work. One 
 line extends from licesburg southward over Corley Island 
 through Helena to Okahumpka, thence around the soutli 
 
;^1 42T 
 
 side of Lake Harris, through Richmond and Bloomficld 
 to Yalaha, fourteen miles, Another line extends from 
 Leesburg to Fruitland Park, still another to Mont Clair 
 and Whitney with separate branches. Another long line 
 extends from Leesburg through New Town and through 
 the Orange Bend district extending to Lisbon, with sail 
 another branch line to Sunny Side. These improvei 
 highways render light riding an exquisite pleasure, and 
 heavy teaming rapid and easy. For this work the peo- 
 ple subscribed so liberally that little increase in taxation 
 was made and no debt incurred. 
 
 LUMBER. 
 
 Saw mills for the lumber manufacture of lumber are 
 located at convenient points all over the county and 
 building and fancing lumber can be obtained at from 
 eight to twelve dollars per thousand feet. 
 
 CRIME. 
 
 At a special election held under provisions of State 
 Constitution some years ago. the voters of Lake County 
 by a large majority, prohibitsd the sale of intoxicating 
 liquors in the county, and the few that have attemT)ted 
 to sell clandestinely have mostly come to grief. This 
 largely accounts for the exiellent state of morals among 
 US and for our low taxes. Profanity is seldom heard i-n 
 our streets, and but little litigation occurs among \^•hite 
 men. The sheriff, Mr. Jas. W. Northrop has at request, 
 furnished the writer in tabulated foriii an account r.f all 
 the crime discovered in the county during tlie last four 
 year-s. This table shows that '*n four years not a single 
 white p(»rson has been convictccv in Lnke county of mur- 
 der, adultery, rape, libel, grand op petit larceny, bigamy, 
 keeping house of ill fame, deserting family, of obtaining 
 goods under false pretenses, or for carrying cimcealed 
 weapons. Three white men have been convicted in that 
 time of selling intoxicating liquors, two for assault, one 
 sentenced to State prison for breaking and enterinsr a 
 building, and two sent to jail for unlawful fishing. What 
 county on the continent with eight or ten thousand pec- 
 
428 
 
 pie can show a more wholesome record in the matter of 
 crime among white citizens? 
 
 The crime of the resident colored people is also small. 
 The turpentine farms, manufacturing naval stores, eiii- 
 ploy large gangs of colored men, and renegades who have 
 escaped justice in other States, plunge into the wilds of 
 Florida for concealment, work a little commit crime and 
 are brought into court. 
 
 As the county has no debt whatever and the State a 
 very small one, and as the government is very economical- 
 ly administered, the county commissioners serving for 
 about pay enough to pay their board, the days they are 
 on duty, and no fat salary is paid to anybody, the taxes 
 are exceedingly light. 
 
 The assessed valuation of the county stands at $2,305,- 
 809. The rate of taxation is for the county nine mills 
 and for the State five mills. The financial statement for 
 1901 was $25,971.97, of which amount there came througn 
 the tax collector |22,507.(>1, and from fines, hunting per- 
 mits, tax redemption, hire or convicts, etc., |3,4G4.o6, 
 or a per capita tax of about |2.80. 
 
 POLITICS. 
 
 Politically, the county is Democratic, but some towns, 
 like Eustis, is largely Republican. Men I'ead and think, 
 and talk, and vote on all political issues, here, precisely 
 as American freemen do all over this broad land. No bet- 
 ter evidence of the excellent political spirit prevailing 
 here need be pvesented than the fact that the writer who 
 has resided here twenty-two years, and is known as a life 
 long Republican, was, unanimously chosen by a board of 
 Democratic commissioners to prepare this article. 
 Families are rated for their virtues, pot for their poli- 
 tics, 
 
429 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The following table shows the condition of the princi- 
 pal (white) churches: 
 
 Church Church 
 
 Edifices. Members, 
 
 lethodist Episcopal Church South.. 12 360 
 
 *rotestant Episcopal 7 237 
 
 baptist 9 465 
 
 'resby terian 8 224 
 
 lethodist Episcopal (> 100 
 
 longregational 2 52 
 
 )i?cip]es 1 CO 
 
 The colored people have many churches and a large 
 hurch membership. 
 
 In New^town, a colored village adjoining the corporate 
 mits of IvCPsburg, the colored people have two large 
 'ell built churches with lofty spires. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Many evidences indicate that the Lake County schools 
 re in a prosperous condition. The facts that our school 
 fficials are seldom changed, that the five mill school tax 
 t paid most cheerfully and that the management of 
 :;hool afl'airs is usually accepted with approval, are con- 
 incing proofs that our people work together for the 
 tst educational interests of the children. 
 
 There are in the county sixty-three public schools, of 
 hich forty-eight are for white children and fifteen for 
 stored. The enrollmont of punils in the schools is about 
 ighteen hundred, twelve hundred and fifty of whom are 
 hite and five hundred and fifty colored. The average 
 ttendance is over twelve hundred. The largest school in 
 le county is at Leesburcr. It had an enroiIm?nt last year 
 f two hundred and twelve. Schools are sustained wher- 
 rer there are eight or ten pupils who d'j not live within 
 ?a«!onable distance of any other school. The minimum 
 ingth of term is six months, but several schools continue 
 ^om seven to nine months. 
 
 There are in the county six special tax districts, viz: 
 ectiburg, Eustis, Umatilla, Mt Dora, Lisbon and Em- 
 
430 
 
 pire. Each of these districts has a good fund for inci- 
 dental expt^nses, and assists in extending the term. 
 
 Nearly all the school housct* in the county are com- 
 fortable and well 8eated,those in the larger towns being 
 especially good and adequate. Leesburg haa a handsome 
 brick building of six rooms, besides a separate frame 
 building used for the primary grade only. The buildings 
 at Eustis, Tavares, Umatilla, Mt. Dora, and Minneola. 
 are excellent in structure, well fuiiiished and kept in good 
 condition. 
 
 Nearly all the Lake County teacher-s are citizens cf this 
 county but the rule of employing home talent is not aa- 
 hered to so closely as to work injuiy to the schools. High 
 grade is insisted upon. Changing teachers from one 
 achool to another is discouraged by the school officers, 
 except when absolutely necessary. Teachers often re- 
 main in the same school from five to ten year?;, and a few 
 ha.vfc now held their places for fifteen years. A large num- 
 ber of our teachers were educated in the schools of thif 
 oonnty, enteiing other institutions only for education in 
 the science of teaching. Teachers wagijs range from 
 twenty-five dollars per month according to grade and size 
 of school. 
 
 Our school expenditures amount to about nineteen 
 thousand dollars annually. Our income is ^sufficient to 
 meet this demand and all wan-ants are paid at par. 
 
 CLIMATE AND RAINFALL. 
 
 The climate of Lake C-ounty is particularly bland and 
 bracing. The elevation affords constant breeze, and the 
 dietance from the sea softens the salted atmosphere. The 
 summers are long but not extremely wnrm, the mercury 
 rarely reaching 96 degi'ces farenheit, the mean annual 
 temperature for the county being about 70 degrees. 
 
 The rninfall of the State in 1901, w^as 58.47 inches, and 
 for Eustis, in the heart of Lake County, for the same 
 year 57.47 inches. 
 
 We have no race war. We Ifave no more people of color 
 than are needed to conduct the enterprises already estab- 
 lished. 
 
4;si 
 
 PRICE OF LAND. 
 
 Wild lauds cau be purchased now at from one dollar 
 per acre upward according to quality and location, and 
 many improved x)laces desarted after the blizzard of 
 1894-5, can be obtained at great bargains. Some places 
 with good buildings, wire fences, and many fruit trees 
 are still in the market at low prices. 
 
 The principal agricultural products of 1902 were as 
 follows: 
 
 Value, 
 
 Corn, bushels, 28,317 !P28.317 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 38,513 26,621 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 285 2,805 
 
 Hay, tons, 850 8,550 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 4,965 . . . .• 6,465 
 
 Cabbages, crates. 13,680 10,730 
 
 Tomii trto.s, crates, 6.625 7,130 
 
 Watermelons, carloads, 189 15,840 
 
 Baans, crates, 10.002 1 1.118 
 
 Oranges, boxes. 18.935 24,095 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 4,025 3,977 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number. 764 58,832 
 
 Mules, number. 196 - 21,600 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 7,400 , 65,50iT 
 
 Hogs, number, 6,291 12,543 
 
 Poultrv, all kinds, number, 60,928 15,470 
 
 LEE COUNTY* 
 
 Lee County is bounded on the north by DeSr»to, on ihe 
 east by Dade, on the south by Monroe County a^id the 
 Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by the Gulf of Sfexico. 
 
 It has an area of 4,641 square miles of land surface, or 
 2,970.2-tO acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 1.414, and in 1900 it was 
 3,071, of which number 2,737 were whites and 334 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the end of the school term of 1901 there were in the 
 
432 
 
 county 25 schools, of which 24 were for whites and 1 for 
 negroes. 
 
 I'rior to 1887 Lee County was not on the map, for it 
 came into existence that year, together with hair a dozen 
 other new counties, under an act of the Legishiture of 
 1887. Prior to that time it was a part of the county of 
 Monroe, of which Key West was and is the center of pop- 
 ulation. With the exception of Monroe and Dade, J.ee 
 County is the southernmost county in Florida, and the 
 Uu.ted States, and lies in the 25th and 2Gth degrees (»f 
 latitude. 
 
 Although Lee County started out to do business on its 
 own account with a vast empire embraciug 1,800 square 
 miles, the population was considerably less than the 
 number of square miles, there being but few more thau 
 one thousand souls within the borders of the county, and 
 one-half of this number were residents of the county seat, 
 Ft. Myers. The mother county, too, had turned her off- 
 spring away to shift for herself without a dollar to ber 
 name. 
 
 But here the vast territory came to her assistance, for 
 although the population was very scattering, the lands 
 were in the hands of large corporations and in the atggre- 
 gate the millions of acres afforded a tax revenue that ena- 
 bled the county to meet its running expenses, and set in 
 operation a school system, improvement of public roads, 
 the building of bridges, and ultimately a good jail, court 
 house and clerk's office, with large steel vault. 
 
 The county has been fortunate in the selection of its 
 Boards of County Commissioners, and as a result the 
 county is today abreast of the leading counties in the 
 State in the matter of public improvements, does not owe 
 a cent for bonds or otherwise, and has plenty of cash iu 
 the treasury to meet the general expenses and to continue 
 the work of improving the highways, public schools, etc. 
 
 Today the population of the county is about 4,000. The 
 aggregate value of real and personal property amounts lo 
 $1,500,000, upon which there is a state and county tax of 
 eighteen mills on the doliar, four mills of this being for 
 roads and five mills for schools. In addition to this there 
 is a special school tax of three mills in the Fort Myers, 
 Buckingham, Alva and South Alva school districts. Al- 
 together the revenue raised from these taxes amount to 
 about 120,000. 
 
433 
 STOCK RAISING. 
 
 In the early days of the county, and even to this day, 
 the leading industry has been stock raising. This busi- 
 ness flourished back in the seventies, when Florida was 
 the principal sourte of beef supply for Cuba. In those 
 days thousands of head of (attle were shipped from Puuta 
 Rassa direct to Cuba. After a time Cuba raised its own 
 beef, and there was only the Key West market left for 
 our stock raisers, and this market only called for about 
 2w hpal of beef cattle per week. But in 181)8 the Span- 
 ish-American war again created a good demand for beef 
 in the Queen of the Antilles, and Florida came in for sup- 
 plying a good share of the demand, on an average of a 
 thousand head of cattle a month being shipped from Pun- 
 ta RasFa to Cuba for a year or more after the war closed. 
 
 Stock raising is at present engaged in by comparatively 
 few persons in the county, but all of these are prosperous, 
 find the busire^s very remunerative, and own large herds 
 of cattle, individual owners having as many as .5.()n() head. 
 These cattle graze en the wild lands, the cattle men hav- 
 ing fenced oif large districts which they use as their pas- 
 tures. The unusually high price of beef has benetlted 
 the stock men in South Florida, but on the whole the busi- 
 ness of raising the native S( rub stock on wild ranges has 
 seen'its best days, and from now on more attention will 
 be given to improved stock and pastures, it having been 
 demonstrated that the growing of such fodder plants as 
 velvet beans has opened up a way to greatly increase the 
 weight of even the native scrub cattle, and already stock 
 men from other states are being attracted to this county 
 by the possibilities in this line. 
 
 VEGETABLE GROWING. 
 
 The growing of vegetables for market early began to 
 attract the new settlers to this county. The lands on the 
 Islands along the coast were found to be suitable for 
 Rowing good crops of tomatoes, egg plants, beans, cab- 
 bage, eic. The slight risk of frost encouraged truckers to 
 engage in this business on the islands of Sanibel, Pine 
 Island. Estero, Marco, etc. The truckers gave most of 
 
 28 H P 
 
434 
 
 fheir attention to the growing of tomatoes, finding that 
 they could produce two crops for market during seasons 
 when they would meet with little competition from other 
 localities. It is now the rule on these islands to plant the 
 first crop in Aujgust and Hetpember and market the toma- 
 toes in the latter part of November and during December, 
 and to plant a spring crop in January and February, 
 which is marketed in April and Mny, being the fli-st of the 
 €arly vegetables to reach the Northern markets. 
 
 Growers frequently realize as high as $2.00 per crata 
 net for tomatoes. Cut Avorms are the greatest enemy to 
 the plants, but even with this drawback the growers have 
 steadily made money and improved their conditions. 
 These islands as a rule face the open gulf on one side and 
 inland bays ou the other, making them very healthy sec- 
 tions in which to live. During the summer months insects 
 are found very troublesome on these islands, and the resi- 
 dents find it necessary to thoroughly screen their houses. 
 
 In the winter and spring months they are, however, 
 ideal places to stop at, and all the hotels and boarding 
 houses are crowded with health-seekers and tourists from 
 all parts of the United States and from foreign countries. 
 Sanibel, particularly, has become quite a popular island 
 resort, the beautiful Gulf beach, with its excellent bath- 
 ing and fishing — even in the winter months — and rich 
 field for the conchalogist, attracting increasing numbers 
 each season. 
 
 GRANGE GROWING. 
 
 Orange and igrape fruit (Pomelos) growing for profit, 
 may be said to date from the spring of 1895 in Lee Connty. 
 Up to that time very little attention had been given to the 
 growing of these fruits. There were a few old bearing 
 groves in Fort Myers, New Prospect. Alva, Hickey's Creek 
 (Rialto), with the largest groves on Orange River, (Buck- 
 ingham), altogether producing about fifteen thousand 
 boxes of oranges. 
 
 The terrible disaster that befell the State of Florida in 
 the destruction of the orange groves by the two freezes of 
 the winter of 1804-05, w.is the cause of at once attrjicting' 
 the attention of orange growers to Lee Connty, for in the 
 wreck of the thousands of acres of fine bearin;g groves all 
 
435 
 
 over the State, the bearing orange and grape frnit tree« 
 of Lee County were the only ones that esoaped. Not eveu 
 the ripe fruit on the trees was frozen, and that spring and 
 for several seasons after, Lee County snp[>lied the 8tate 
 with these fruits. Oranges sold for -?2.00 per box on ihe 
 trees, while grape fruit sold for fabulous pri<es, in some 
 instances bringing as high as |15.00 per box, and it was a 
 common occurrence for the fruit from single trees to bring 
 as much as two hundred dollars. The value of these 
 bearing groves rajjidly jumjied up in price, one grove for 
 instance for which fio.oOO was paid in 1S94, now being 
 held at §45,OC>0. All of the bearing groves have paid their 
 new owners from one to three hundred ]}<^p cent, on thei* 
 investments. 
 
 It was natural that this immunity from killin,^ frosts 
 shouM not only attract orange growers from other sec- 
 tions of Florida, but persons from other states seekin*^ in- 
 vestments in Florida. As a result the country along the 
 Caloosahatchee river has been rapidly settHng up, and 
 hundreds of acres of land has been cleared and planted in 
 orange and gi'ape fruit trees. 
 
 Lee County has now some of the largest groves coming 
 on in the State. One man, Mr. D. A. G. Floi-ence of He- 
 lena, Montana, has now 30,000 orange and grape fruit 
 trees planted on 350 acres. Other large gi'oves are the 
 McGregor groves of 100 acres; Garvey Bros., GO acres; J. 
 T. Murphy, 100 acres ; Borland Bros., 60 acres ; Hugh Alac- 
 donald, Jr., 100 acies; K. Ingram O. Travere, 25 acres, 
 which will yield 7,000 or 8,000 boxes this season; A^ S. 
 Kells, 25 acres, and many othei's. 
 
 The crop has now reached 75,000 boxes, and as the 
 young groves come into bearing will rapidly increase, and 
 in five years time the output of oranges and grape fruit 
 will have reached one quarter of a million boxes. This 
 industry is now firmly established in Lee County, intl 
 there are plenty of opportunities for others to engaii^e in 
 the culture of these fruits. There are thousands of acres 
 of first class orange lands still to be had along the Caloo- 
 sahatchee river and elsewhere in the county, prices vary- 
 ing from $10 to f50 per acre, according to quality and lo- 
 cation. 
 
436 
 PINEAPPLES. 
 
 The culture of this fruit is being taken up by many 
 growers. At Caxamhis Island is located the 200 acre 
 pinery of Chas. Ludlow and his son F. B. Ludlow. There 
 are now 1,000,000 plants in this field, and the yield thi3 
 year amounted to 80 car loads of pineapples. This plan- 
 tation is mostly of the common Bed Spanish variety, a 
 popular mnj'ket variety, which is grown in the open field. 
 
 Along the ualoosahatchee nver are many pineries where 
 the Smooth Cayenne and other fancy varieties are grov/n 
 under sheds. The largest growers of these varieties ai-e 
 Raymond & Son and Garvey Bros. 
 
 TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 
 
 Lee County as yet cannot boast of any large pities. The 
 leading town is Fort Myers. It is the only incorporated 
 town in the county. The leading villages and settlements 
 are Orange River, Alva, Denaud, Labelle, New Prospect, 
 Estero, Punta Rassa, Sanibel, St. James City, Marco, Wul- 
 fert, Capliva and Everglade. 
 
 Fort Myers, the county seat, is situated on the Caloosa- 
 hatchee river 18 miles from the Gulf. It is a historical 
 point, being closely connected with the Seminole Indian 
 wars. It was garrisoned by U. S. troops prior to IS-jO, 
 and about 1857 this garrison was commanded by Gen. 
 Winfield Scott Hancock, then a young officer. The house 
 in which he dwelt, and in which his only daughter was 
 born, still stands, and is now the home of Mr. H. E. Heit- 
 man. one of f)ur leading business men. 
 
 Although Ft. Myers is the southernmost town on Ibo 
 mainland of the West Coast of Florida, and has been all 
 these years without railroad transportation, it is a pro* 
 giressive and up-to-date town, having many modern con* 
 venTences often found missing in older settled towni^. 
 The town has a population of 1,200, l.OOO whites and 200 
 negroes. There are four miles of shell streets, affording 
 good, smooth drives and bicycle paths, and shell sidewalks 
 are' rapidly being laid on all the principal streets of the 
 town. There is a fairly good sewerage system, wliirh i» 
 constantly being improved. Cistern water has been de- 
 pended on for domeetic purposes, but In the past year 
 
437 
 
 # 
 many artesian wells have been opened up, flowing from 
 lOU to 200 gallons per minute, affording an abundant sup- 
 ply of pure, fresh water. 
 
 The town has a good electric light plant, ice factory 
 and guava canning and jelly manufacturing establishmei^;t 
 operated by the Seminole Cannirg Co. Ice is sold for 50 
 cents per 100 pounds. There is also a well established 
 telephone exchan,e with 75 subscribers, and long distance 
 telephone lines now extend to Marco, sixty miles south, 
 and Labelle, 30 miles east. Connections are also being 
 made with Punta Gorda and Arcadia in DeSoto County, 
 and by Oct. 1, 1902, connection will have been made with 
 the long distance systems at Tampa. The Western Union 
 Telegraph Co. also has an office established here, giving 
 telegraphic communication with all points. The post- 
 office is now in the third class, and is a domestic and for- 
 eign money order office. The Southern Express Co. baa 
 an office here. The Citi/ens Bank and Trust Co. of Tam- 
 pa established a branch here a couple of years ago, which 
 is in a flourishing condition, with Mr. J. E. Toxworthy 
 cashier. The Ft. Myers Tress is a first class weekly news- 
 paper, and the only paper published in the town. The 
 business houses include three first class general merchan- 
 dise stores, two well stocked dry goods stores, one up-to- 
 date grocery, one gents furnishings and shoe store, two 
 hardware stores, one wagon and blacksmith shop, under- 
 taker's establishment, lumber yard, butcher shop, bicyde 
 shop, two barber shops and a number of small busiucss 
 places of one kind and another. 
 
 There is one first class tourist hotel, the Fort Myers 
 Hotel, consisting of 100 rooms, whifh is fitted out in first 
 class style, and is open only during the tourist season. It 
 is a favorite resort for anglers from all parts of the United 
 States, and England and Prance, the Caloosahatchee river 
 bein^ one of the greatest fishing grounds in the State for 
 the gainoy tarpon as well as the scores of sni?ller game 
 fish. There are al?o Uv^ small hotels, charging low rate.?, 
 open all the year round, besides several boarding houses, 
 and restaurants. 
 
 Ft. Myers has been declared one of the most beautiful 
 locations in the State. We quote such men as Frof. Thos. 
 A. Edison, who owns a beautiful winter home and labora- 
 tory in the town. Messrs. Florence and Murphy of Hele- 
 
^ 438 
 
 na, Mont., Hugh Macdonald, Jr., of Covington, Ky., while 
 such well known niftn as the late H. B. Plant, the great 
 railroad magnate ; Hugh O'Neill, the great merchant, and 
 A. M. McGregor, of the Standard Oil Co., had a high opin- 
 ion of its beauties. 
 
 It is chiefly as a village of beautiful homes that the town 
 has become noted. While there are many costly resi- 
 dences, the gardens are genuine tropical bowers, in which 
 hundreds of rare tropical shrubs and flowers are seen 
 blooming all the year round, while such rare tropical fruit 
 trees as the Avacado pear, sapadillos, mangoes, tamarin<ls, 
 cocoanuts, and many other fruits to be found in but fe\r 
 places in Florida, flourisli and ripen their fruits. 
 
 Ft. Myers has four churches for whites and two for 
 negroes. The leading denomination is the Methodist, 
 which has a large couigregation and Sunday School, and 
 expects soon to commenco the erection of a new church 
 to cost 18.000. The pastor is paid a salary of ?8f)0 jior 
 annum. The Methodist Church also has missions estab- 
 lished in nearly all the leading villages in the cou'ity. 
 The Episropal Church has a pastor who divides his time 
 between Ft. Myers aud Punta Gorda. This church also 
 has an Indian mission established at Immakalee. The 
 Baptist have a good church building, but have not been 
 holding regular services. The Catholics have a church 
 in which services are held at odd occasions. 
 
 The professions are represented by four lawyers and 
 four practising physicians. 
 
 For a new county the public school system is well ad- 
 vanced, as compared with other counties in the Stat«. 
 The Superintendent of Schools is Dr. J. F. Shands, an able 
 scholar. The only high school in the county is at Ft. 
 Myers. There are six teachers here whose salaries range 
 from |75 to |40 per month. In the county there are 26 
 schools, all of which are for whites, with the exception of 
 one colored school in Ft. My ere, the colored population of 
 the countv amount to but verv few families. Of the above 
 schools five are graded. The average salary paid to 
 teacheifj is ^',]S per month. The school term is six months, 
 the Ft. Myers High School alone having an eight months 
 term. The school tax levied for the past year amounted 
 to 19,370.43, and the value of school property is ^10,650. 
 The total attendance in the schools is 832. 
 
> 439 
 
 PRINCIPAL VILLAGES IN THE COUNTY. 
 
 On Orange River, a tributary of the Caloosahatcliee 
 River, is located one of the most thriving settlements in 
 the county. It is nine miles from Ft. Myers, and has a 
 good store, postoffi* e, telephone, school house and church. 
 Here are clustered some of the finest and most productive 
 orange groves to be found in the State, and within one 
 mile of the postoffice 30,000 boxes of oranges will be ship- 
 ped to market this season. There are also a number of 
 pineries of fancy varieties located there. The soil alon^ 
 the banks of the river is mostly rich hammock. 
 
 LABELLE AND FT. THOMPSOK 
 
 Ft. Thompson is the head of steamboat navigation on 
 the Caloosahatche^ River. Steamers run to that point 
 from Ft. Myers three times a week for eight months in 
 the year and daily except Sunday from Dec. 1st to April 
 1st. This service will soon be made daily throughout the 
 year. At Ft. Thompson are rich grazing lands upon 
 which is the stock farm of Capt. F. A. Hendry and sons, 
 where imy;roved Jerseys and other blooded cows ami 
 horses are raised. Labelle City is the center for this sec- 
 tion, and has a store, postoffice, church, school, telephone, 
 and large bodies of rich lands upon which orange grove* 
 are being planted. 
 
 FT. DENAUD. 
 
 This is the next settlement coming down the river. It 
 is the center of a good orange growing district. There is 
 a good store here, postoffice, saw mill, telephone, school 
 and church. There are also some fine pineries near herfe. 
 The country from Denaud to Caloosa is beautifully situa- 
 ted on the banks of the river, which are about fifteen feet 
 high at this point. The wild, tropical scenery has proven 
 a revelation to the thousands of tourists who have made 
 the trin up the river. The course of the river is very 
 crooked, the banks being lined with palmettoes, oaks, 
 hickories and many other trees. The pilots on the steam- 
 ers have their hands full in piloting their vessels aronnd 
 the sharp bends of the river. 
 
440 
 
 t • 
 
 ALVA. 
 
 This is the most thickly settled port'on of the river 
 country, and the center of the orange business on the river, 
 there being many large bearirig orange groves and vine- 
 ries located here, including the 250 orange antl graiie fruit 
 grove of Mr. D. A. G. Florence of Helena, Mont., the larg- 
 est grove owned by one individual in the State. There art? 
 two good stores here, two schools, two churches, etc. The 
 people are progressive and industrious, and new buildings 
 are being erected, orange groves set out, and vegetable 
 and farm crops continually being planted. Truck grow- 
 ing, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, watermelons and other 
 crops are grown successfully and the syrup manufactured 
 there from the sugar cane is very rich and in great de- 
 mand. 
 
 Caloosa is an extension of the Alva section on the west, 
 the people here having a postoffice of their own. Some of 
 the ri best and finest oran.jre lands on the rivfr are loca- 
 ted along here, and for eight or ten miles further down 
 the river, including the postoffice settlements of Kialto 
 and Olga. 
 
 ESTERO. 
 
 Fifteen miles south of Ft. Myers is the Estero settle- 
 ment located on Estero creek, a small stream emptying 
 into Estero Bay and the (julf. This section has been 
 opened up in the past four or five years, and already is 
 taking its place as one of the leading orange cearcrs. The 
 groves, however, being mostly young. A few miles south 
 of Estero is the Surveyor's Creek settlement, with a ;.ost- 
 office named Survey, a store and a large body of firiQ 
 orange lands. 
 
 LEE COUNTY'S COAST LINE. 
 
 Lee County has a longer coast line than any other conn- 
 ty on the Gulf Coast, covering a distance if about 75 
 miles. The northern point is Gasparilla Island, between 
 which and LaCosta, the next island south, is the entrance 
 to Charlotte Harbor, known as Boca Grande Pass, the 
 finest natural harbor on the southern coast of Florida, 
 there being 22 feet of water on the bar. The waters of the 
 
i41 
 
 many bays are alive with mullet, snapper, poinpano, 
 fiheepshead, sea trout, grouper, channel bass, and many 
 other fine eatable fish. Hundreds of men are eni^a^cd in 
 catching fish for market with saines, and several car loads 
 of fish are shipped from Punta Gorda daily, the fish be- 
 ing packed in ice. 
 
 Kear Boca Grande Pass is the island of Useppa. now 
 owned by J. M. Bouch, president of the Chicago Tractiou 
 Co., who has erected here a fifty room hotel for tourists 
 and fishermen, and a beautiful winter home. 
 
 CAPTIVA AND WULFERT. 
 
 A few miles further south are the settlements of Cap- 
 tiva and Wulfert, truck growing being the principal busi- 
 ness here. Wulfert is the western end of Ranibel Island, 
 and many settlers are moving to these placs to go into 
 the truck business. 
 
 SANIBEL ISLAND. 
 
 This island is about 14 miles in length, and from one 
 to two miles in width. Its eastern end lies at the m-uitli 
 of the Caloosahatchee river. Portions of the island are 
 well settled, and there are schools, churrhes, several 
 stores, express offices, etc., on the island. In the eastern 
 end stands a government light house. Sanibel ships mort? 
 early vegetables than any other point on the coast, as 
 many as .50,000 crates of tomatoes being sent to market 
 in one season. Steamers land at the island daily, run- 
 ning between Ft. Myers and Punta Gorda. Across a two 
 mile stretch of water, known as Pine Island Sound, is 
 Pine Island, running parallel with the main land for 
 about thirty miles. Here is the location of St. James 
 City, where there is a large tourist hotel, cottages, atore, 
 etc. The fishing is very fine here. 
 
 PUNTA RAS8A. 
 
 Punta Rassa is situated on the mainland, at the mouth 
 of the Caloosahatchee River. It is a sub-port of entry, 
 and quite a shipping point for cattle. Deep water corner 
 right up to the shore, making it very convenient to drlFe 
 
442 
 
 cattle aboard vessels. Thousands of head of cattle have 
 been shipped from there to Cuban ports and Key West. 
 While there is very little in the way of a viilage at Punta 
 Rassa, it has been an important point for 35 years, jls the 
 only cable to the island of Cuba up to within a couple of 
 years ago, started from this place. Mr. Geo. R. Bhultz, a 
 Jerseyman, has been the cable manager here for the past 
 34 years, and also conducts a popular fisherman's resort, 
 patronized by many well known New Yorkers. Eight 
 miles south of Punta Rassa is Estero Island, and twenty 
 miles south is 
 
 NAPLES-ON-THE-GULF. 
 
 This is on the mainland, but has an open site on the 
 Gulf. It is a winter resort owned by the late Col. W. N. 
 Halderman, proprietor of the Louisville Courier-Journal. 
 There is a good hotel here, cottngp'', a fine beach and a long 
 dock extending out into the Gulf. 
 
 MARCO. 
 
 This island is forty miles south of Punta Rassa. Tt is 
 the beginning of the Ten Thousand Islands, lying off the 
 coast between there ard Cape Sable. Here is a store, ho- 
 tel, ship building yard, cocoanut groves, and all kinds of 
 tropical fruits, large pineries, and second only to Sanibel 
 for truck raising. 
 
 CHOKOLOSHEE ISLAND. 
 
 This is on the southern line of Lee County. There are 
 two postoffices here, one named after the island, and Ever- 
 glade. Farming, truck growing and fishing are the prin- 
 ciple industries. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 At the present writing Ft. Myers and points between 
 are reached by daily steamers from Punta Gorda, the 
 southern terminus of the Atlantic Coast Line. (This line 
 is now completed and in operation. Editor) A survey 
 has just been completed by this company for the extension 
 of this line from Punta Gorda to Ft. Myers, and it is pro- 
 
443 
 
 posed to have the road in operation to Ft. Myers by Jan- 
 uary 1, 1903. The Seaboard Air Line is also building to 
 Boca Grande, being now as far south as the Manatee rtv-* 
 er. Steamers and sail vessels also ply between Ft 
 Myers and Punta Rassa and Tampa. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 If there is any one thing more than another that h:i8 
 made Lee County a desirable place for settlement, it ia 
 its equable climate, there being no extremes of cold or 
 warm weather. The highest temperature recorded by the 
 government observer here is 94 degrees in the shade. The 
 coldst weather was 24 degrees in December, 1894, the time 
 of the great freeze. The usual winter temperature i-urely 
 goes to the freezing point. The rainy season lasts during 
 the months of June, July and August, during whi( Ii 
 months there are daily thunder storms of short durat;(>n. 
 The winters and spring months are usually dry and pleas- 
 ant. 
 
 The principal farm and other products of 1902 were as 
 follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 9,5G.5 $ 4,8:'.") 
 
 Corn, bushels, 540 aiJO 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 305 n,.3<»0 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 68,5-55 50,235 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 51,595 50,«')0.5 
 
 Grape fruit, boxes, 1,1.59 5,207 
 
 Pineapples, number, 15,240 3,435 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902 : 
 
 Horses, number, 365 25,6.35 
 
 Mules, number, 75 0.935 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 12,685 39.155 
 
 Hogs, number, 1,265 2,765 
 
444 
 
 LEON COUNTY. 
 
 Leon County is bounded on the north by Gadsden 
 County, and. the State of Georgia, on the east by Jefl'erson, 
 on the south by Jefferson and Wakulla, and on th'i west 
 by Gacsden and Liberty counties. 
 
 It has an area of 730 square miles of land surface, '^p 
 467,200 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1S90 was 17,752, and in 1000 it waa 
 19,887, of which number 3,886 were whites and J 6,001 
 were negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in the 
 county 71 schools, of which 31 were for whites and 40 
 were for negroes. 
 
 Leon County is situated between 30 and 31 degrees 
 north latitude and 83 and 84 degrees west longitude. The 
 entire west side is bounded by the Oclo(konee rivei*. The 
 Bouthern boundary' is about 12 miles, and the northern 
 boundary about 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. I'he 
 surface gradually rises from the southern to the northern 
 Bide, reaching in some plates a height of over 280 feet 
 above sea level. About 130,000 acres are in actual culti- 
 vation, leavin/; over 300,000 acres available for cultivation 
 and settlement, over 100,000 acres of which is improved. 
 The surface is uneven and rolling, entirely free from rocks 
 and boulders, interspersed throughout with lakes and 
 forest. 
 
 Lakes Lafayette, Jackson, lamonia and Miccossukie are 
 extensive bodies of water and abound in fish, ai^d during 
 the winter offer a fine field for snipe and duck shiJoting. 
 The environment of these lakes is varied and beautiful. 
 The hills surround them with gently receding curves, with 
 bolder bluffs, or terrace rising one above another to the 
 height of a hundred feet or more. The timber growths 
 are of magnolia, water oak, live oak, hickory and w'ld 
 cherry which line the shore, and between, around, and 
 over these hang the clematis, woodbine and wild grapo 
 and muscadine vines. The general aspect of the ( ountry 
 has been further described as beautifully rolling forest 
 and field alternating; a genuinely Piedmontese landscape, 
 the like of which cannot be found elsewhere in the far 
 South. 
 
445 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 The soil of Leon County greatly differs from that in 
 many other portions of the State. It is prin< ipnlly com- 
 posed of an alluvium of I'cd and chocolate — colored claye/ 
 loams covering a territory of about 200 square miles, and 
 piled in a ramblir,g outspread of sweeping hills Mud dales. 
 It possesses gi'eat uniformity of texture and lies below the 
 surface to an average depth of forty-five feei. Sand ]»re- 
 dominates in the component parts, the first foot of top 
 soil containing about thirty times as much sand as cla>. 
 The soil does not clod or sunbake. An analysis by the 
 State Chemist shows that the average soil contains the 
 three prime elements of plant food in the foHowing pro- 
 portions : One measure of phosphoric acid and three meas- 
 ures of niter to each one thousand measures of soil. Soda, 
 and magniesia are present in slightly less ])roporti<)ns, 
 lime and magnesia are present in slightly less propor- 
 tions, with carbonic acid at a rate of one and three quar- 
 ters parts in a thousand. To these excellent chemical con- 
 ditions may be added equability of temperature, the pro- 
 longed period of growth and the regularity and copious- 
 ness of rainfall. 
 
 HEALTH IS PARAMOUNT. 
 
 The best evidence of the health of this county is that lo 
 public school or business house has ever been closed on ac- 
 count of any epidemic. Nor has any town or village ever 
 been deserted or quarantined because' of any contagious 
 disease, as small-pox or yeMow fever. The diseases which 
 spread havoc and desolation in Northern and Western 
 parts of the United States are comparatively unknown 
 here. The Gulf breeze is the great climatic attraction of 
 this section. Morning and evening it springs up from 
 the Gulf passing over forest of resinous pines, gathei'ing 
 OTione and balsamic qualities in its course, sweeping over 
 the hills of I^on County laden with heal+h. 
 
 The mean temperature from April 1st, 1901, toOofober 
 Ist, 1901, was 75 degrees. From October 1st, lOOl, to 
 April let, 1902, 55 deprecs. 
 
 The rainfall for 1901 was about 64 inches. 
 
 lF*rom Jtine to October the warm season is cohtinwoun, 
 
440 
 
 but not excessive. The winters are not cold and freezing, 
 but nniformlj cool and bracing. The official record 
 shows the average for suiumer 75 degrees and for winter 
 60 degrees. 
 
 PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL. 
 
 The list of productions is a long and varied one embrac- 
 ing nearly all the crops and fruits of the Middle, Northern 
 and Southern States. The agricultural resources of the 
 county are unlimited. The climate and fertility of the 
 Boil give the fanner advantages not possessed in more 
 northern latitudes. Something may be planted every day 
 in the year. This county is in the center of the rich agri- 
 cultural eection of Northern Florida and no district of t!.e 
 fiame extent in the State can offer superior inducements to 
 cultivators of the soil. AVhether we consider its unexcep- 
 tionable climate, the variety, abundance and value of its 
 timber, the wonderful fertility of its soil, with its adapta- 
 bility to such a vast catalogue of crops, the ease with 
 which the soil is cultivated, no iwrtion of the State can 
 offer superior inducements to faruiers. 
 
 The «itaple products are cotton, corn, sugar cane, sweet 
 potatoes, «oats and tobacco. 
 
 Cotton was once the chief product, but now only about 
 8,000 bales are raised. New land will produce about a 
 bale to the acre, old land less. When the land is fertilized 
 and cultivated according to the improvetl methods two 
 bales to the aci-e can be easily raised. The seed are 
 readily sold at 20 and 25 cents per bushel to the cotton 
 oil factory. The cotton seed meal and refuse hulls are 
 extensively used for stock food and fertilizer. 
 
 Com — About 500,000 bushels of corn is raised annually, 
 ranging from 12 to 60 bushels per acre. This crop now 
 has become very profitable and the surplus readily soiil. 
 Planting begins about middle of February and laid by in 
 June. 
 
 Sugar Cane — The farmers of this county have long since 
 realized the value of this crop. The soil here is peculiarlj 
 well adapted for the (^[rowth of cane. Even when crudely 
 raised and crudely manufactured, by old and wasteful 
 methods, Florida sugai* and syrup rivals in color, grain 
 and quality, the best Louisiana production; Syrup wJdIe 
 
44Y 
 
 hot if bottled or canned and sealed will preserve its new- 
 flavor a long period and when used tastes as if just 
 brought from the mill. Syrup put up this way finds a 
 ready sale and brings from 60 to SO cents per gallon. 
 Tbis crop is planted in February and made up in Octf> 
 ber and November. The average yield is about .'>00 gal- 
 lons to the acre, but under proper conditions and manage- 
 ment, will produce COO gallons. The acreage planted i» 
 small. About 5,000 barrels of syrup and 10,000 ponndM 
 of sugar is the usual crop. There is a fine oi^ening here 
 for a large sugar plant. 
 
 Sweet Potatoes — Nearly 200,000 bushels are raised an- 
 nually. The yield is all the way from 100 to 400 bush- 
 els to the acre. The slips are planted from June to Au- 
 gust, and early potatoes can be had the latter part of 
 July. This is an all-round food, can be used for man and 
 beast, and should be next to corn the chief food crop. 
 
 Tobacco — The modern culture of tobacco has brought 
 it to the front as a valuable and paying crop. This will 
 soon become one of the most profitable industries of the 
 county, returning large revenues to the farmer. The fa- 
 mous "Vuelto Abajo" seed seems to be the best for plant- 
 ing. The Sumatra tobacco raised from the ^jenulne Suma- 
 tra seed under shade is equal to the foreign produ. r. The 
 success which has attended the efforts of tobacco growers 
 has proven beyond all doubt that the soil and climate of 
 this county possess all the requisites for successful tobac- 
 oo culture. Besides the tobacco grown for wrappers and 
 fillers, a very good quality of tobacco equalling any pro- 
 duced in Virginia or the Carolinas, can be g^wn for plug 
 wrappers, also for cigarette and pipe use. The seed cjiti 
 be sown for plants the same as celery seed or any fine 
 flower seed. The usual method is to sow on land where 
 trash and wood has been burned to ashes. 
 
 The settings are planted out in April and May. Pruning 
 and cutting begin in July, 
 
 The yield is from 800 to 1,000 pounds to the acre. It 
 Bells from 20 to 40 cents a pound. Fancy tobacco brings 
 higher prices. 
 
 Oats — This crop is planted in October and February, 
 and when properly planted yields from 25 to 35 bushels 
 per acre. Oats raised in Leon County, are in large de-. 
 
44^ 
 
 mand for seed and this crop is becoming very valuable 
 and profitable. 
 
 Peanuts — This crop is largely under-estimated as a 
 food crop. The yield is about 30 bushels to the acr:i and 
 the nut readily sells at one dollar a bushel, while the vine 
 is valuable as forage and can be easily kept. 
 
 Cowpeas — These are always in demand. The yield is 
 about 15 to 20 bushels per acre. The vine cured is a .iue 
 winter fodder. 
 
 STOCK RAISING AND DAIRYING. 
 
 The natural pasturage of Leon County makes it possi- 
 ble to extensively enlaiige this industry with the addition 
 Of some cultivated pastures. The equable cliniate, the 
 abundance of water and forage greatly reduce the labor 
 attached to this work in other districts. 
 
 The four annual grasses, the crab grass, crow foot jrrass, 
 barn grass and water grass, furnish the principal hav sup- 
 plies. These seed themselves coming up in abundanci* 
 when the land is stirred. Besides these the BcT-nnula. 
 Sedge and Smut grasses are perennial, and chemical 
 analysis shows them to be rich in nutritive qualities. 
 
 The desmodimn, known as the beggar weed, grows rank 
 and luxuriant after the corn crop is laid by in June. This 
 weed fully equals clover in its nutritious elements and 
 stock r prefer it green or dry to any other forage. This 
 weed can be cured and baled in the same way as other 
 hays. All of these grasses with sorghum cane, cattail 
 millet, German millet, cowpeas, cloct beans, turnips, car- 
 rots, with field corn planted for ensilage, furnish an inex- 
 haustible supply of forase for stock of all kinds. 
 
 As good water, an abundance of reliable pasture, mild 
 climate and freedom from cattle diseases form the ])rin<n- 
 pal requisites for successful stock raising and dairyiutg, 
 the above stated facts places Leon County in the front in 
 this Ifield of work. 
 
 Horses, cows, hogs, sheep and goats and beef cattle are 
 raised here to some extent, yet this industry is in its in- 
 fancy and all the labor and money invested in this occu- 
 pation will richly repay the investor. 
 
 The Jjcon County horse is noted for hi» hardiness, 
 health arid "bottom." Good beef is a rarity in thrj sco- 
 
441) 
 
 tion, because the steck sold here is fed on wire grass and 
 hence very touj^h — while beef cattle fattened on Loon 
 county pasturage is tender and palatable. There is a 
 wide and profitable field here for enterprising people who 
 are interested in stock rait-ing. 
 
 Since the introdncton of centrifugal separators and 
 methods of dair.-ing, more scientific and convenient than 
 the old methods, dairying will soon r.nik as one of the 
 chief industries of the county. The Jei'scy siock seem 
 best adapted to this county for dairy purposes. Other 
 breeds also do well. Cross breeding, with Hereford. 
 Short Horn and Devon stock, has proved very successful 
 and the cattle cif this county has already gained a reputa- 
 tion for superiority. There has been a steady demand for 
 milch cows raised in Leon and these cows always bring 
 fair prices. The butter frcm Leon county has won a name 
 for excellency abroad and large quantities have been 
 shipped at profitable prices. There are several fine dairies 
 already established here and good butter readily retails 
 from 25 to 30 cents a pound. Cheese has been made here, 
 and it is said that this branch of dairying is more ])rofita- 
 ble than butter making. Large quantities of milk are 
 sold in the city, giving steady employment to 4 or 5 railk 
 wagons. 
 
 The money value of dairy stock and products is over 
 |160,00(). And of farm stock, hogs and sheep, over 
 1192,000. 
 
 There is a wide field here for the improvement and ex* 
 tension of this industry, and no other section of the State 
 can offer better inducements to the dairyman and stock 
 raiser than this. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 The forest growth of this county embraces live oak, red 
 oak. water oak, white oak, hickory, walnut, cherry, niag- 
 nolia, sweet gum, pine and other trees. The pine furn- 
 ishes an abundance of lumber and the lumber mill indus- 
 try is very ])rotablp. Lumber for all building purposes is 
 plentiful. The oak, hickory, walnut, dog wood, cherry 
 and other hard woods offer the best inducements possible 
 for erecting an extensive hnrd wood factory. A factory 
 of this kind could easily work up ax handles, broom han- 
 
 29 H F 
 
45U 
 
 dies, wheelwright material and hardware of various kiuds. 
 The china berry flourishes here and is of very fast growili 
 and coulf'ft be utilized for furniture and no doubt uaod for 
 lead pencil covers. 
 
 The pecan, hickory and walnut are not only useful for 
 the wood they furnish, but also for the nuts. These trees 
 grow rapidly here and fruit heavily. The heavy growth 
 of trees indicate the nature of the sail, and these trees, 
 like all other bounteous supplies, are not apprecialci as 
 they should be. In addition to this forest growth there 
 is some cypress and black gum which can be easily reached 
 and utilized. A hard wood factory would be a paying 
 investment in this county. Pecans sell readily for .?.i.(»0 
 per bushel. The trees begin to bear in about six years. A 
 pecan grove is a more certain paying investment than an 
 orange grove. 
 
 VEGETABLES. 
 
 All varieties of vegetables can be grown and trucking 
 for the home market and for shipping can be made a 
 source of immense profit. The spring garden incluilt?s 
 garden peas, celery, lettuce, Irish potatoes, beets, cab- 
 bage and cauliflower, followed by tomatoes, onions, benns 
 of all varieties, early corn, okra, melons, cantaloupes, 
 and egg-plant. The fall garden, beginning about Septem- 
 ber, beets, lettuce, turnips, cabbage and garden peas are 
 planted. Two crops of Irish potatoes can be grown 
 through the year. Some kinds of vegetables can be grown 
 throughout the entire year. Squash, cucumber, pumpkin 
 and kershaw grow here in abundance. This is the native 
 home of the strawberry. They are very easily cultivated. 
 Planted in September they yield a crop in April and a 
 heavier crop the next year. The yield is enormous and 
 the crop valuable. The blackberry and dewberry gr«tw 
 wild and bear abundantly. They make fine preserve»». 
 Watermelons and cantaloupes are easily raised and quan- 
 tities are sold every year at the home market. Straw- 
 berry and melon culture can be made very profitablp. 
 What is needed here to make truck farming a source of 
 Fast revenue is a first class canning factory. Vegetables 
 of all kinds grow so abundantly that the surplus left 
 from shipping would furnish sufficient material to ran a 
 large cannin^g factory. 
 
451 
 FRUITS. 
 
 While this is not a fruit country equal to some other 
 sections of the United States, yet all fruit trees flourish 
 and grow to large proportions here. The grape culture i» 
 an established success in this county. The Catawba, 
 Concord, Scuppernong and other varieties, grow vigor- 
 ously and fruit well. The San Louis vineyards near 
 Tallahassee annually yield large quantities of grapes and 
 many thousand gallons of wine are pressed. 
 
 The fig fruits heavily and figs properly preserved sell 
 for 75 cents a quart jar. The pomegranate, a large and 
 beautiful fruit, very refreshing to the taste, thrive here 
 and could be made a source of profit. The wild persimmon 
 ripens about November. The tree grows quite large. The 
 Japan persimmon can be cultivated and yields sufficiently 
 well to make their culture profitable. The wild plum 
 which flourishes here makes a very fiue preserve. The 
 cultivated varieties flourish and fruit well. The Japan 
 plum makes a large ornamental tree and bears a fine sub- 
 acid fruit very pleasant to the taste. The LeConte pe-ar 
 does well and quite large quantities are shipped. The 
 peach, apple and quince trees grow to large proportions 
 here, but the fruitage is not always sound, which can be 
 universally ascribed to a lack of proper attention and 
 cultivation. Where given the proper care and manage- 
 ment, no section of counti*y produces finer or more abun- 
 dant crops of peaches than this. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 The facilities, for traTisportation have been increased 
 in the last few years. Ths county is in close touch with 
 East, South, and West Florida, with the Oulf. with the 
 Western and Northwestern States and with the North 
 and the entire Atlantic seaboard. 
 
 The Seaboard Air Line ramifies East, North and South, 
 •nd West, connecting with other lines. The Carrabelb, 
 Tallahassee and Georgia Railroad and St. Marks Railroo«! 
 I^ves an outlet to the Onlf. The Genrcia. Florif'a nnd 
 Alabama Railroad connects North throngh Bainbridj^ 
 iRrith the western, northwestern a^d northern market-*. 
 These lines of road make it possible to get the benefit of 
 
452 
 
 cheap and rapid travel and shipping. The prospect for 
 this county to enlarge and improve all departments of 
 indUvStry i& brighter now than ever before. 
 
 GOVERNMENT AND TAXATION. 
 
 The population of the county numbers 3,886 white 
 and 16,001 colored. The white citizens are noted for 
 their sociable qualities^ hospitality and energy. The n-r»- 
 gro is quiet, law-abiding and industrious. 
 
 The assessed value of real property for 1902 is f 1,547,- 
 200, for personal, |730,40(). The county levies 5 mills 
 tax for school purposes and appropriates the poll tax to 
 this cause. A county levy of 7 mills is made this year 
 for county revenue, S mills less than last year. The 
 county is in a i>ood financial condition. 
 
 The county and city of Tallahassee are both under 
 good police surveillance and life and property are safe 
 and secure throughout the entire county. . 
 
 Land varies in price according to quality and location. 
 Good fanns of 160 acres can be bought, built and stocked 
 entire and complete all the way from $1,400 up. 
 
 INVITATION. 
 
 The county needs men with brains and Willing hands^ 
 h<ime makers and permanent settlers, and to people of 
 this kind, I^eon County offers a home in an equable clime, 
 where with a few dollars of invested capital they can 
 live in plenty and comfort the year round; where with 
 energy and vim they can soon accumulate a surplus and 
 where they will have health, good society, ample church 
 and school advantages and all the political privileges 
 they may enjoy in any other country. 
 
 The agricultural and other farm products for 1902 
 were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 6,312 .$239,727 
 
 Corn, bushels, 268,830 158,07iJ 
 
 Oats, bushels, 27,619 17.538 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 112,650. ....... .' 54,735 
 
 Hay, tons, 1,891 T. 25,842 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 15,226 ."..'. 11,574 
 
453 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 3,632 30,078 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, 9,000 9,000 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 4,000 6,000 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 6,000 6,000 
 
 Pears, barrels, 2,822 4,.~35 
 
 Peachps, bushels, 1,818 1,96J 
 
 Live stock on hand for 1902 : 
 
 Horses, number, 2,085 157,731 
 
 Mules, number, 830 80,930 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 6,158 46,562 
 
 Milch cows, number, 4,280 68.113 
 
 Hogs, number, 15,899 ^ 13,174 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 51,792 15,851 
 
 Dairy Products : 
 
 Milk sold, gallons, 473,292 67,124 
 
 Butter, pounds, 115,748 30,2«;2 
 
 TALLAHASSEE, THE STATE CAPITOL. 
 
 The site upon v/hich Tallahassee, the present seat of 
 the State Governm.ent stands, wart agreed upon as the 
 best situntton for ^be State Capitol by the Commissioners. 
 John L. Williams and W. H. Simmons, in October, 1823; 
 it was formally selected as the capjtol in 1824, and on 
 May 24th, 1824 an act was passed by Congress providinjf 
 for a grant of land for the permanent seat of Government, 
 which point was to be the basis for all surveying opera- 
 tions in the Slate, and to be fixed as the point from which 
 the princi]);il meridian and paralel should run. 
 
 The city is located upon a hill of some 300 feet above 
 sea level, which slopes in all directions, giving beautiful 
 views of the surrounding country, and furnishing excel- 
 lent natural drainage. 
 
 The Capitol building occupies a square on a portion of 
 the land granted for the site, which is in the southern 
 section of the city; the building has been remodeled and 
 enlariged within the last two years at a cost of |!75,000.0l» 
 and is now quite a commodius and imposing structure of 
 Grecian style of architecture, the type of architecture 
 being retained in the rebuilding. 
 
 The situation of the city is an admirable one from the 
 ©tandpoint of health, being so much above sea level that 
 
454 
 
 it is free from all epidemics of contagious diseases; it is 
 also surrounded by a country justly tamed for its beauty 
 topographically and great fertility of soil; the surround- 
 ing country is high, and gently undulating, yet with nu- 
 merous lofty hills from which lovely views are obtained; 
 the soil is of mixed clay and sandy loam and the t.mber 
 growth principally of oak, hickory, walnut, magnolia, 
 live oak and pine; the roadways are firm and kept in good 
 condition, making driving a source of health and pleasure 
 to those who enjoy the sunshine of life, or delight to in- 
 hale the balmy air fresh from over the tropic waters of 
 the Mexican sea. 
 
 Tallahassee is a thriving town of nearly 5,000 peoi)io, 
 and resembles most Southern towns in that its residences 
 occupy as a rule spacious plats or gardens, with pjenty 
 of distance between, with wide and well shaded stieeta, 
 and necessarily covers a considerable area. All sorts ami 
 varieties of flowers and shrubs abound, and it is particu- 
 larly noted for the great variety and profuseness or its 
 magnificent roses. 
 
 For a number of years after the close of the Civil War 
 the city prospered little owing to the severe reverses of 
 the property owning people consequent upon that period; 
 but in recent years, with the advent of greater and bet- 
 ter transportation facilities in the way of new railroads, 
 the improvement and increase in the building of resi- 
 dences, hotels and business houses, and the establishment 
 of new industrial enterprises of various kinds, the city 
 bas grown, and continues to grow at a correspondingly 
 increased ratio with each year. The volume of business 
 reaches to near two and a half million dollars per annum. 
 As a showing for the source of this business this city is a 
 distributing point of considerable importane in the way 
 of lumber, merchandise for interior villages, and supplies 
 for the rjivii! '•t<)ref^ manufacturers and a center of <rade 
 for a large and prosperous farming country. The city is 
 the terminus of three railroads and is also on the Sea- 
 board Air Lire, about midway between Jacksonville and 
 Pensacola. The corporate limits cover ovor thirty miles 
 of measured streets. Tallahassee has within the corpo- 
 ration, or immediately adjoiring. four railroads, three 
 machine shops, two large and well equipped saw and 
 planing mills, two modern ice factories, one cotton seed 
 
455 
 
 oil mill of large capacity, one cotton compress and two 
 cotton warehouses, one gas plant and one electric light 
 and power plant, the latter the property of the city, one 
 cigar factory of large capacity and one not so large, but 
 both of which do a tlourishirig business, and one moss fac- 
 tory which prepares the gray moss for mattress making. 
 The city is supplied with water from artesian wells from 
 a depth <Jf TOO feet; there are numerous industries not 
 mentioned above that afford profitable employment for 
 many people. 
 
 There are two large and well appointed hotels, and a 
 number of smaller ones, all well kept. There are two 
 banks with ample capital, both of which transact a large 
 and profitable business; there are two newspaper plants, 
 one a daily and one wekly; one comfortable oi)era house 
 of large seating capacity, and an eificient fire department, 
 well equipped with the latest modern appliances for com- 
 bating the fiery element. Religious denominations are 
 represented in the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, 
 Baptist and Eoman Catholic churches. 
 
 There is also an elegant public library, supported by 
 public subscription, which contains about 10,000 volume«, 
 including works upon all branches of literature, science, 
 art and fi ti(in. ]ts use is open to all for a mode rare 
 monthly fee. 
 
 Tallahassee is the seat of a number of good schoola, 
 chief of which is the Florida State College, the highest 
 institution of learning in the State. Its curriculum em- 
 braces the higher branches as taught by the most ad- 
 vanced colleges of the country. There is a preparatory 
 department and a first and second high school in which 
 pupils are fitted for the college courses. The college of^ 
 fers to students the choice of three courses, classical, I't- 
 erary, and scientific — each extending through four aca- 
 demic years and leading to the degree* of B. A,, B. L., and 
 B. Sc. The students number about 300 of all grades and 
 represent nearly very county in the State, besides theie 
 are students representing quite a number of other states. 
 The facilities afforded by the institution for the acquiro- 
 mf^^i of kr^owled^e on behalf of the students are not ex- 
 celled in the South. In addition to the Florida State 
 College there is also a common school known as the Coun- 
 ty High School, numbering some 300 students, where all 
 
453 
 
 the branches usually included in common schools are 
 taught bv a corps of excellent teachers. There are also 
 numerous private preparatory schools, so that there is lit- 
 erally no excuse or reason for any child losing the benfita 
 of education, at least to the extent of his ability to absorb 
 knowledge. 
 
 There is also a State Normal and Industrial School for 
 colored people, maintained jointly by the United States 
 Government and State appropriation, and it is well di- 
 rected and attended by near 200 students; there is also 
 a common sdiooi f(;r colored children with an attendance 
 of about 200 pupils. 
 
 Formally the population of Tallahassee was rather ex- 
 clusive in its ( haracter, but in recent years with the 
 breaking ii]» of old ayfjociations and the passing of old 
 ideals, the influx of new people from new lands have 
 changed it into quite a cosmopolitan town; yet through 
 all the vit i^itudes and changes that have come about, one 
 of the greatest characteristics cf the old order of things* 
 still remains a dominant feature with the people, who, 
 always noted for their generous hospitality in the past, 
 still clings to that noble trait, and welcomes with a 
 henrty i^ood v/ill all tho"^e who come with good intent, 
 whether it be in quest of health or pleasure, or to build a 
 home in this favored section. 
 
 LEVY COUNTy. 
 
 Tjevy County ivS bounded on the north by Alachua, on 
 the east by Alachua and Marion, on ths south by Marion 
 and Citrus counties and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the 
 west by the Gulf of Mexico and LaFayette county. 
 
 It has an area of 1,1.33 square miles of land surface, or 
 725,120 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 6,586, and in 1900, it waa 
 8,603, of which number 5,321 were white and 3,282, were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901, there were in 
 the county 44 schools, of which 33 were for whites and 
 11 were for negroes. 
 
457 
 
 • 
 Bronson, the County Seat, is eituated in the north- 
 eastern portion of the county on the S. A. L. R. R., and 
 ie a thriving town. It is in the midst of a fine farming 
 section of coiintiy, with a prosperous, progressive and 
 enlightened population. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 
 
 Beginning in the western part, along the Suwannee 
 River, the lands are mixed hammock and pine; most of 
 it is very fine land. 
 
 Several large, clear springs break cut along the river, 
 notably the Fort Fannin and Manatee springs, either of 
 which support a goodly sized river, which add much to its 
 beauty and attractiveness. From the Suwannee to the 
 Wacasassa it is a high, rolling, fine (Oiintry, very fertile 
 and supporting quite a population of happy, contented 
 people. These lands are underlaid with limestone, clay, 
 and marl. About the center ol the ridge iron is found in 
 abundance and tf the finest quality. The ore is a brown 
 hematite, very ductile and a-ssays 75 to 85 per cent. This 
 ore crops out all through the county, covering an area 
 of four to ten miles:. The Wacasassa valley is v^"t is 
 termed a "fiat-woods" country, the land, however, that 
 is high enough for cultivation, is very productive. Along 
 this river are large beds of gypsum, marl, and phosphate. 
 East of the Waeasassa valley is a scope of high, rolling, 
 fine country that is rather below the average of the coun- 
 ty in fertijity, but probably the healthiest Dart of the 
 State. 
 
 On the eastern side of the county is the Williston and 
 Ftafiord's Pond valley, that is the most thrifty agricul- 
 tural part of the county. Thousands of crates of vegeta- 
 bles ai-e annually shipped from this section, the nroduct 
 beino: nrononnced an^ong the finest that goes tn Tvortbfrn 
 markets. This is a high pine country, rich lands under- 
 laid with limestone, marl and clay, and altogether one 
 of the best sections in the State. 
 
 In the southern part of the county lies the famous 
 Gulf Hammock, extending for thirty miles along the 
 Gulf coast, by eisht to ten miles wide. This is the largest 
 body of dense hardwood lands in the peninsular part of 
 
, 458 
 
 r 
 
 the State. It contains all the hardwoods peculiar ta 
 Florida, and still considerable growth of red cedar, 
 abounds in game, such as bear, deer, turkeys, squirrels, 
 etc., with an occasional panther. This is truly the gports- 
 nian's paradise. Game and fish abound in inexhaustible 
 quantities. The soil is very rich and yields generously to 
 the husbandman. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 In variety and abundance of timber Levy county excels 
 many other sectjoiis of tlie fcitate. the yellow pine fort-sts 
 are, as yet, practically untouched; the immense tracts of 
 cypress await the advent of enterprising lumbermen; her 
 hc.rdwoods, in variety and abundance, are the wonder 
 and envy of other sections; her forests of red cedar once 
 supplied the bulk of pencil material for the civilized 
 world, and are fortunes still to the present owners. 
 
 The finest bodies of cypress to be found in the State 
 are in this county. The timber is the best, clearest of 
 blemishes, and in the most compact bodies of any in the 
 eoatheastern States; isome parts of the swamps running 
 by actual estimate and measurement as high as 120,{)0l> 
 feet per acre. With the exception of some forests of red 
 woods on the slope of the Rockies, no other part of the 
 Union can probably show such growths of timber to the 
 acre. Red cedar is still found in the coast and hammock 
 sections of the county. It is of rapid growth, and can 
 be cut every four or five years and yield a good output. 
 It is one ol the most valuable of woods, grows here readi- 
 ly. Hard woods of every variety abound in the hammocks, 
 including white, live, red, and water oaks, hickory, mag- 
 nolia, gum, beech, birch, wahoo, ash, poplar, etc. The 
 great Gulf Hammock furnishes an abundance of all these 
 varieties, as well as others, and awaits the advent of the 
 pioneer manufacturer to yield up its rich treasures at 
 hij bidding. 
 
 The soil is varied: some a light, sandy loam, rather 
 poor; others a rich dark loam, and very productive. The 
 h?.mraocks are generally a heavy, red soil and exceeding- 
 ly fertile. There is considerable peat lands that can be 
 easily drained, that is valuable for growing sugar cane. 
 These lands can be bought at reasonable prices. 
 
459 
 
 PEACHES. 
 
 Peaches are grown largely, and large areas are annually 
 Bet. This county is designated by successful growers as 
 the "home of the peach." The fruit begins to mature May 
 lot, and extends clear through the season; some of our 
 leading growers having peaches mature every month from 
 May to October, 
 
 It is noticed that some amateur writers say the peach 
 is shortlived in Florida. Let them come and see. There 
 are numbers of "native" trees in this county from fifteen 
 tc thirty-five years old that bear heavy crops of the most 
 delicious peaches every year. 
 
 The peculiar condition of the soil render it especially 
 adapted to peaches. Considerable area is heavily charged 
 with iron and lime; and this is the best soil for the 
 growth of the peach, yet they do remarkably well on the 
 black, limestone soil and on the "sand hills." As fine an 
 orchard as is in the State grows on a Levv county "sand 
 hill." 
 
 PLUMS. 
 
 Plums grow to perfection. The natives of various 
 kinds flourish all over the country, growing in the culti- 
 vated farms, in the by-ways and in the hammocks, pro- 
 ducing a fruit that is quite palatable, as well as furnish- 
 ing a large food supply for Logs and other stock. Im- 
 proved varieties are being introduced, principally im- 
 portations from Japan, and they do equally as well as the 
 natives, and are a much finer fruit. Some of the varie- 
 ties grow much larger than the ordinary peach, are finely 
 flavored, pit much smaller than the common plum, and 
 with good keeping qualities. Specimens gathered when 
 just in condition for shipping, have been known to keep 
 perfectly sound for sixty days. No one should own a 
 place without planting largely of both plums and peaches, 
 not only for home consumption, but for the market as 
 well. 
 
4G0 
 
 STEAWBERRIES. 
 
 Strawberries are grown in considerable quantities, 
 though this industry has not received the attention it dfc- 
 serves. It is a very profitable crop, and tnousands of 
 acres of land in the county contiguous to transportation 
 are well adapted to the growth of this crop. It has been 
 grown on a sufficient scale to show that it is very profita- 
 ble. 
 
 FARM AND VEGETABLE CROPS. 
 
 The advantage that Levy county claims over eome 
 other parts, is that while the Citrus family do so well, 
 ai^d other varieties of fruit grow to perfection, the soil 
 is sufficiently good to enable one to realize a living from 
 the farm while waiting for the grove to come into bear- 
 ing. By planting the regular farm crops, or growing 
 vegetables, one is enabled to live from the soil instead 
 o exhausting outside capital to bring the grove, of any 
 kind of fruit, to maturity. 
 
 CORN 
 
 does well, the average yield on pine land being twelve to 
 fifteen bushels per acre ; on the hammocks, thirtv to sixty 
 bushels per acre are frequsntly grown — this without any 
 fertilization. This will bring, on the farm, from seventy- 
 five cents to fl per bushel. When intelligent culture is 
 applied, and the crop judiciously fertilized, the yield can 
 be easily doubled. The county raises sufficient corn for 
 home consumption. 
 
 VEGETABLES 
 
 are grown on an extensive scale and are very profitable. 
 Cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, beans, peas and Irish 
 potatoes, being the principal products. When seasons are 
 fair, our farmers make large money on vegetables; occa- 
 sionally a dry season prevents the crop from being so 
 remunerative. But those seldom come. 
 
 There are shipped annually, from this county thon- 
 sands of urates of vegetables. Some farmers in this lin». 
 
461 
 
 bj industry and skill, are growing rich, while others are 
 failures. Our successtul growers plant both for the 
 early and late market, their products reaching the North- 
 ern markets before the frosts have melted in the spring 
 and after the snows have fallen in the fall. Vegetables 
 can be grown the year round, and the climate is such 
 that the laborer can work outdoors comfortably every 
 month in the year. This is an item that should be noted 
 by our Xorihern friends who are shut up in snow-drifts 
 for nearly half the year. 
 
 SWEET rOTATOES. 
 
 This is the crop of the county, useful alike for man and 
 beast. It is only necessary to turn under the sod on our 
 good grade pine lauds in the fall, list up in the spring 
 season and set the potatoes to insure a good crop of this 
 fitaple product. * The yield run... from 150 bushels on poor 
 soil to 4UU bushels per acre on land that is well fertilized. 
 The price ranges from forty to tifty cents per bushel, and 
 are in good demand always. One can see at a glance how 
 profitable a cixDp this is. The crop is used extensively 
 for table use, and for feed for hogs, horses and cattle. It 
 is considered to be the best hog feed grown, and meat can 
 be raised as cheaply here on potatoes as on corn in the 
 West. 
 
 PEANUTS 
 
 are a good crop and grown largely. For stock feed they 
 are unsurpassed. They are utilized as hay and as hog 
 feed. The yield runs from forty to 100 bushels per acrfc. 
 
 COW PEAS. 
 
 This is the hay crop, par excellence, of Florida. Good 
 pine lands will yield from two to four tons of hay per 
 acre. Two crops per year can be grown from the same 
 land. The hay will sell readily at |20 per ton. When 
 the peas are gathered, the yield is fifteen to forty bushel* 
 per acre. 
 
4«2 
 
 OATS 
 
 arc grown on a large scale — every farmer putting in hit 
 few acres each season — some planting quite largely. The 
 yield is 20 to 40 bushels per acre. 
 
 COTTON. 
 
 We grow as fine, if not the finest, Sea Island Cotton 
 that is grown in the world. Our soil and climate seems 
 peculiarly adapted to this variety even as much so as the 
 Islands of Carolina and Georgia, . The fibre of this cot- 
 ton is exceedingly fine and is sought after by cotton buy- 
 ers for the manufacture of thread or spool cotton. .The 
 average yield on the farming lands in this county un- 
 fertilized is three (3) to four (4) hundred pounds seed 
 cotton ; but the yield is, and can be gi*eatly increased, by 
 fertilizing to twice and sometimes three times as mucn 
 per acre. 
 
 STOCK-RAISING. 
 
 This is one of the principal industries of Levy County. 
 There are thousands of cattle grazing today on the 
 prairies and open lands in the county. Cattle are not 
 the only stock that is raised in this way; horses, sheep 
 and other stock do equally well grazing on the open lands. 
 Many horses are raised annually here which are never 
 fed until taken up to work. Nearly every one has « 
 small number of cattle, or some stock, feeding on the 
 wild pastures. These do well, and grow to a large size, 
 aad our winters are so mild that the pastures remain 
 fresh and green and stock of all kinds kept fat the year 
 round, without any assistance at all from the owners, 
 only by the grazing from the unfenced lands. Our beef is 
 good, but not such as the stall fed beef of the North and 
 West, but is far above the average — being fat, nice and 
 sweet at any time of the year, and all from the natural 
 pasturage. The yield of beef cattle brings thousands 
 of dollars into our county annually for a very small oot- 
 lay, as does the other stock so raised. There have beea^ 
 in a few years past, a few fine-bred cattle and hons^ 
 l>rought in to raise from, all of which do well with very 
 
4G3 
 
 little feeding, and, with the proper attention, fine stocic 
 could be raised here with an equal profit that it can be 
 done anywhere. 
 
 HUNTING AND FISHING. 
 
 Quail and small game are to be found in almost any 
 place. In the vast area of this hammock are to be found 
 bear, deer, turkey, etc., in abundance. The lakes, creeks 
 and rivers which are scattered over the county abound iu 
 the choicest varieties of fresh-water fish, which are daily 
 ccught with rod and line. The rivers and gulf, teeming 
 with fish, contribute largely to the food products of the 
 county. 
 
 At Cedar Key thousands of dollars worth of fish and 
 oyaters are shipped annually. The oyster business is re- 
 c iving considerable attention, and oyster-farming is 
 quite popular. The coast of Levy County is unsurpassed 
 for the production of the oyster, and offers an inviting 
 field to capitalists and others in this direction. But little 
 capital is required in this business, and the returns are 
 sure and quick. The oysters grown at the mouth of the 
 Suwannee, Wacasassa and Withlacoochee rivers, and 
 around Cedar Key, are the finest on the Peninsular cc^-ist, 
 and are equal to any to be found south of Baltimore. 
 They are without a rival in the markets of Florida and 
 adjoining States. 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 We feel confident we can say, without any denial, that 
 we have as healthy a country as will be found anywhere. 
 There is little or no sickness, as compared with the vast 
 area and population. There has not been any system of 
 vital statistics until the past few months, and hence they 
 will not be given, as they have not been for a long enough 
 time to give any definite idea of the health of our county. 
 The idea is often prevalent that if you come to Florida 
 you will have to go away to spend your Summers or you 
 will die. This is totally erroneous, as there !s only a very 
 small per cent, of ottr population who spend their sura- 
 men away, and those who remain enjoy equally good 
 health. We do not claim there is never a case of sick- 
 
4G4 
 
 ness, nor that people never die here, but we do claim that 
 we enjoy equany as good healih as any country. During 
 the years when our State was afflicted with an epidemic 
 of yellow fever there was not a case in our county, al- 
 though many refugees came here from infected places. 
 We Jjave all the requisites for good health, lying, as we 
 do, along the Grulf Coast, where we get the pure salt air 
 aLd an equable climate and excellent water. The heat is 
 less oppressive here in Summer than in any of the States 
 of the Northwest. While the thernionieter may run a« 
 high here as there, the heat is always tempered with a 
 cooling breeze from the Gulf. We have none of the elosts, 
 Bultry weather so prevalent in Summer further North. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 Churches are numerous over the county, both in towns 
 and country, of various denominations, and all of them 
 are well attended and supported. Our people are quiet, 
 peaceable, soher, God-fearing people. There are but few 
 points in the county that an immigrant could go to but 
 what he could find the church of his choice. All the prin- 
 cipal denominations are represented. 
 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 We have as good society here as will be found. All are 
 on an equal footing who are quiet, sober, genteel, anfl 
 industrious. One of the most notable and gratifying 
 characteristics of the people of Levy county is their sobri- 
 ety. There is nothing which should recommend them 
 more to public favor than this. It is the evidence of vir- 
 tuous citizenship and individual moralityj It conveys 
 the idea of the absence of strife and discord, which is the 
 result of the beneficient influences that are operative. We 
 do not say there is never any strife or discord among our 
 citizens, but we do say we are free from it, comparatively 
 (speaking, for we enjoy the peace and quiet which attend 
 a religions, moral, and sober people. 
 
465 
 
 SELECTING A HOME. 
 
 In the foregoing we have tried to give the intending 
 settler a fair idea of our county, its <;liinate and resources. 
 Men are succeeding here, and there is plenty of room lor 
 others to come and do well. But in selecting a home let 
 them look well to it before locating. It is better to select 
 a good jtiece of land, and, if means are limited, purchase 
 only a few acres, and build a home on it. Many make a 
 mistake by investing their all in land, securing a larige 
 tract, and having no means left to develop it. Strangers 
 will find it to tlieir interest, also, to only deal with re- 
 liable men in buying property, and consulting the best 
 farmers of the neighborhood as to the adaptability of the 
 land for the purpose he wishes to put it to. By carefully 
 selecting your land., working intelligently and industri- 
 ously, thei-e is no question of your success here. Our pop- 
 ulation is made up from all parts of the country, and all 
 are on equal footing. A cordial welcome will be given 
 every immigrant that comes among us, whatever part 
 of the county he may choose to settle in. Only a man*s 
 moral worth is considered by our people. Political opin- 
 ion is as free here as in any part of the Union. "We invita 
 worthy men from any and all quarters to come and live 
 with us and aid us in the developing of our county. 
 
 TEANSrORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 The county has fine water transportation on three 
 sides, the Suwannee River on the west, the Gulf of Mex- 
 ico also on the westward south, and the Withlacoochee 
 river on the south ; also the Seaboard Air Line extends 
 entirely across the county, centrally, from northeast to 
 southwest. Transportation facilities for all commerce 
 and travel are ample. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products of 1902, 
 were as follows: 
 
 Value 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 562 $35,649 
 
 Corn, bushels, 72,506 60.505 
 
 Oats, bushels, 40,108 29,115 
 
 iSweet Potatoes, bushels, 37,057 16,174 
 
 30 H P 
 
466 
 
 Pea nuts, bushels, 42,128 40,855 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 697 8,303 
 
 Cucumbers, crates, 22,860 ]5,i)42 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 5,474 4,376 
 
 Live stock on hand: 
 
 Hors&s,nuinber, 1,286 72,335 
 
 Mules, number, 352 45,525 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 13,441 88,l)l>4 
 
 Hogs, number, 13,741 16.278 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 43,472 15,021 
 
 LIBIRT/ COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Gadsden and 
 Wakulla, on the east by Gadsden, Leon and Wakulla, on 
 the Bouth by Franklin, and on the west by Calhoun 
 County. 
 
 Its area in square miles of land surface is 725, or 
 464,000 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 1,452 and in 1900 it was 
 2,956, of which number 1,459 were white and 1,497 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in the 
 county 17 schools, of which 13 were for whites and 4 were 
 for negroes. 
 
 Liberty County is situated on the eastern side of the 
 Apalachicola river, seijarated from the Gulf by Franklin 
 County, of which Apalai hicbla is the port for both coun- 
 ties. Besides other numerous streams along the whole of 
 the west border is the great river Apalachicola, giving 
 connection with Columbus. Ga., Eufaula, Ala., and sev- 
 eral hundred miles of navigation in the three states, us 
 they are called. 
 
 Bristol, the county seat, is on a bluff a short half mile 
 from the river. Its population is about 400 as the last 
 census demonstrates, but as the people with a commenda- 
 ble fondness for rural affairs bave built their houses on 
 'Mots" usually from two to twenty acres in extent, but few 
 •f the houses show from any one point. It would be well 
 tf more towns (where land is cheap) were laid out on thi« 
 
467 
 
 scale. Good hotel accommodations are to be had and the 
 postoflfice facilities are good. Ihe timber surrounding 
 the town is typical of that throughout the county, edpee- 
 ially where in the vicinity of water. We have the 
 noted live oak, «i%gnolia, many, and some of large size, 
 ash, cypress, gum, juniper, (valuable for telegraph poles, 
 light to handle and growing tall and slender) black jack, 
 red, water and other oaks, persimmon, haw, hickory, dog- 
 wood, mulberry, bay, (often 60 feet high) cot ton wood and 
 many others. Indeed the Biltmore expert who was here 
 a year ago says Liberty County has some plants, includ- 
 ing a tree of two varieties, unknown elsewhere, and ol 
 great interest botanically. He will come again. 
 
 The climate is that of West and Central Florida in g^^n- 
 eral. Average health is the rule. Many old people iu 
 Bristol and elsewhere testify to the healthfulness of the 
 county. 
 
 The turpentine interest is immense, the pines are be- 
 ing ''boxed" over much of the county. In one way this 
 is regretable, but it is the first step toward settlement and 
 happy homesteads where now the whippowill and wild 
 turkey are the only steady inhabitants. Next comes the 
 sawmills and agricultural pursuits. 
 
 Our open-kettle syrup from the true sugar cane is un- 
 excelled, delicious as honey, but not cloying. Honey is also 
 found on almost every farm and all is famous for pecu- 
 liar delicacy of (lavi.r. Cottoi., peas of all kinds, corn, 
 oats, vegetables of all sorts, are some of our products. 
 
 Oranges, replanted in too few instances, are claimed 
 to excel any grown. Some few trees are again nearly 
 old enough to bear. Pompgranates and figs are in many 
 "yards" ard could be largely developed. Pears excel. 
 
 Daily steamboats ply the rivor from Albany, Ga., to the 
 Gulf, but a railroad i<« much npoded to develop and m:\r- 
 k'^t these varied industries. Much cyoress is rifted from 
 our rivrr bottoms to /^pala«•^ico!a. bringing |!10 to $15 
 j>pv 1.000 f(>cl in the log. Borne are four feet or more in 
 diameter. 
 
 l>and Iv now low. II n'^r a'*rf» to ROc; Imt tho tendf^ncy 
 is upward. A "poor man" can easily establish a home 
 
 prtd p\\ Mro x\'o? Mt<<0'V Fow •«»'l- po"f^ \(nvH }jx>p foHiifJ JQ 
 
 the county; crime is very nnfrequent. But our cry'.n^ 
 
 need is ca[tital, and fruit «anncneH and dryers, wood 
 
468 
 
 workei-s of every sort, brick makers, mechanics, saw mill* 
 and manufacturers will all iind here soil, climate, raw ma- 
 terial and willing workers. 
 
 Labor is mostly white and reliable as a rule; 50 cents 
 to |1.50 per day from farm hands to carpenters and gen- 
 eral mechanics. But as we plant and reap every day of 
 the year, these figures will buy more real comfort than 
 twice as much in Northern cities. 
 
 Early potatoes, large as tea-cups, may be had in March 
 and other things in proportion. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 119 | J, 883 
 
 Corn, bushels, 24,697 22,708 
 
 Oats, bushels, 5,864 3,8(i4 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 19,822 11,251 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 3,958 4,239 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 8,570 6,141 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 1,127 1,200 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,127 12,212 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 253 18,271 
 
 Mules, number, 64 6,865 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 2,499 20,495 
 
 Sheep, number, 1,767 3,354 
 
 Hogs, number, 4,422 7,708 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 8,634 2,347 
 
 MADISON COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by the State of 
 Georgia, on the east by Hamilton and Suwannee, on the 
 south by LaFayette and Taylor, and on the west by Jef- 
 ferson counties. 
 
 It has an area of 693 square miles of land surface, or 
 443,520 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 14,310, and in 1900 it was 
 15,446, of which number 6,542 were whites an5 8,904 were 
 negroes. 
 
169 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in the 
 county 95 schools, of which 60 were for whites and 35 
 were for negroes. 
 
 Madison (bounty was organized in 1828. It extended 
 from the Georgia line to the Gulf of Mexico. The With- 
 iacoocliee and Suwannee rivers were as now, the eastern, 
 and the Aucilla river its western boundai'ies. In 18o6 
 the counties of LaFayette and Taylor on the Gulf wci-e 
 made out of it. In shape it is almost a square and con- 
 tains nearly 800 square miles. The population is about 
 16,000. It is a part of the rich agricultural northern tier 
 of counties in Middle Florida. The lands are generally 
 Tindulating and even hilly, only a small portion of the 
 'h'an Pedro Bay in the south and southeast being low and 
 flat. The western half consisting of oak and hickory or 
 hammock lands, was originally settled by large cotton 
 planters from Georgia, South Carolina and other states; 
 the eastern part is pine, well timbered and with a soil 
 especially adapted to the culture of high grades of long 
 staple or Sea Island cotton, which in recent years has 
 almost supplanted the growing of the short staple or Up 
 land cotton. The most of the tillable land is improved 
 and under cultivation, the number of acres being about 
 125,000. There is but little public land subject to entry; 
 that belonging to the United States is rapidly being taken 
 up by homesteaders. There are several large lakes, and 
 many small ones all over the county which abound in 
 fish. There is plenty of quail and other small game. 
 The price of land is from |3.00 per acre to $10.00, accord- 
 ing to location. In 1882 a pamphlet issued from the U. 
 S. Department of Agriculture used this language: *'A 
 larger proportion of lands of Madison County are under 
 cultivation than of any other county." 
 
 PRODUCTS. 
 
 The principal money crop is cotton. The yield per an- 
 num is about 5,000 bales, one-ten fh of which is tFpland 
 cotton, the balance Sea Island. When Upland cotton wa» 
 raised the yield was over 15,000 bales. In recent years 
 cpops have become more and more diversified, less atte»- 
 tion being paid to cotton and more to other products. A« 
 a general rule farmers have many things to sell besides 
 
470 
 
 cotton, and seldom have to buy anything that can Iks 
 raised on the tarni, such as com, oats, rye, rice, syrup, 
 sweet potaiues, peas, pmueis, oacon, beet cattle^ etc. In 
 the last few years many tons of pea vine and beggar weed 
 hay have been raised and shipped to other market s and 
 the out-put IS increasing yearly. The most of the farms 
 are small but well cultivated. There are ten or a dozen 
 turpentine farms in the county, representing a capital of 
 over $200,000, and several lumber mills. Hundreds of 
 acres have been planted in pecans and the acreage is in- 
 creasing annually, thousands of pounds of nuts being sold 
 annually. It is the home of the grape, especially the 
 scupperuong, and of figs of all kinds. Keifer and Le- 
 Conte pears, plums, peaches and other small fruits and 
 berries do well. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The principal Protestant denominations are repre- 
 eented in town and county, each having comm<)dIous 
 houses of worship. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The following statistics for tho scholastic year 1901-2, 
 prepared by Mr. Hughes, County Superintendent of 
 Schools, furnish valuable information in regard to the 
 operation of the common or public schools of the county : 
 
 Tax levy, five mills, county $ 8,554. li 
 
 Tax levy, one mill, state and county 1,710 82 
 
 Amount of county levy collected 7,641,02 
 
 One mill state tax actually received. 3,493.10 
 
 Poll tax assessed 2,100.00 
 
 Poll tax collected 1,346.00 
 
 Interest on state fund received by this county 
 
 on apportionment • • • • 1,209 . 15 
 
 Eeceived from all other sources. 405.89 
 
 Total available school revenues for year ^14,095.16 
 
 No. of white «<"hools '4S 
 
 No. of white children 2,006 
 
 Uo. of negro schools 34 
 
471 
 
 No. of negro children 3,340 
 
 No. of graded or high schools "... 1 
 
 No. white male teachers employed 21 
 
 No. white female teachers employed 21 
 
 No. negro male teachers employed 11 
 
 No. negro females employed 5 
 
 Average salary paid white males (per month) f35 
 
 Average salary paid white females (per month) 29 
 
 Average salary paid negro males (per month) 2G 
 
 Average salary paid negro females (per month) 29 
 
 Average length of school term, 66 days. 
 
 No. of teachers who are college graduates 8 
 
 No. of teachers of the first grade 10 
 
 No. of teachers of the second grade 24 
 
 No. of teachers of the third grade 24 
 
 No. of white children enrolled in school 1,737 
 
 t J 
 
 Cost of teaching white children $7,323.25 
 
 Cost per capita •. 4 . 21 
 
 No. of negro children enrolled 2,194 
 
 Cost of teaching them 1^1,035 
 
 Cost per capita SO 
 
 Value of white school property . •. f 13,221 
 
 Value of negro school property 1,444 
 
 No. of independent sub-districts, none. 
 Pay schools in town and county are open for several 
 months in each year. 
 
 TAXES. 
 
 The value of taxable property has incrensed annually, 
 being for 1902 |1,8.50,000 as agains |1,710,000 for 190*1, 
 and the assessment is lower now than it has been for 
 many years. The levy for 1902 is as follows : 
 
m 
 
 General revenue If mills 
 
 Schools 5 mills 
 
 County bonds i mill 
 
 Fine and forfeiture funds 1 mill 
 
 Roads and bridges ^ mill 
 
 Total county levy 9 mills 
 
 Btate levy 5 mills 
 
 Total for all pui*poses f 14 milli 
 
 The list of tax sales in 1^02 for taxes 1901, is the short- 
 mt of any in the State in proportion to population. 
 
 The total valuation of taxable property for 1902 is 
 about 11,850,000 as follows : 
 
 On real estate $1,035,000 
 
 On personal property 464,000 
 
 On railroads and telegraphs 351,000 
 
 |l,850.u00 
 Total number of acres of farm lands assessdfl is about 
 430,000. 
 
 TOWNS, VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. 
 
 Madison, the principal town, was organized in 1838, 
 and is the county seat. It is situated 110 miles from 
 Jacksonville and 55 miles from Tallahassee, the capital, 
 12 miles from the Georgia line, 35 miles from the Gulf 
 Coast, and has a popula'tion of about 1,500; It is incor- 
 porated; built and owns the waterworks plant, which has 
 been in successful operation for over three years. Has 
 chartered telephone and electric light companies, the 
 former of which has been in operation for two years, and 
 the latter will soon be ready for business. There are "^ev- 
 eml towns and villages situated on the Seaboard Air Lin© 
 railroad, and on the new railroads from Quitman, Ga., to 
 Greenville and Valdosta, Ga., to Madison, while hamlets 
 are scattered all over the county. 
 
 RAILROADS, TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONH 
 
 LINES. 
 
 The Seaboard Air Line railroad bisects the county from 
 east to west. The Valdosta Southern was completed to 
 
473 
 
 Madison two years ago, and the railroad from Quitman, 
 Ga., to Greenville, a fourishing village within 15 miles of 
 the town of Madison, has just been completed, the pros- 
 pective terminus of each being the Gulf of Mexico, The 
 Western Union Telegraph Company ha« been in operation 
 for many years, and there is a telephone line from Madi- 
 son to Valdosta. 
 
 MANUFACTUEIES. 
 
 In addition to the manufactory of naval stores and 
 lumber referred to there are three large cotton ginnery 
 establishments in the county, two at Madison and one at 
 Greenville. One of them at Madison is one of the 
 largest in the State and manufactures cotton seed oil {»nd 
 fertilizers on a large scale. The establishment of a nov- 
 elty works plant is mooted and may be built in the near 
 future. 
 
 HEALTH, TEMPERATURE, RAINFALL, 
 
 Madison has her share of the ills to which flesh is heir, 
 but diseases are usually of a mild type and yield ready 
 to treatment, and there is no dread of yellow fever. The 
 average temperature in summer is moderate, having the 
 benefit of the breezes from the Gulf. The winters are 
 usually mild, fhe occasional freezes doing little or no 
 damage. The rainfall is average, no floods and but few 
 dry spells and they of short duration, rarely doing any 
 serious injury to the crops. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 In a word, Maidson County, on account of its location, 
 fertility of soil, salubrity of climate, healthfulness, va- 
 riety and value of its products, its schools, churches, 
 transportation facilities, and low rate of taxation, ofl'era 
 attractions to all seeking new homes and new investments 
 not surpassed by any otb«* county in the State, to whom 
 a cordial welcome will be extended by her hospitable 
 people. 
 
 The principal agricnltnral and other products for 190f 
 were as follows: 
 
474 
 
 Value. 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 1,680 $ 59.U08 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 3,433 225,411 
 
 Corn, bushels, 290,861 203.401 
 
 Oats, bushels, 37,910 18,2i>7 
 
 Sweet potatoes, 64,796 25,246 
 
 Syrup, ban-els, 3,998 31.749 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 60,485 54,508 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 790 62.230 
 
 Mules, number, 914 154,460 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 4,632 29.908 
 
 Hogs, number, 15,710 33,617 
 
 MANATEE COUNTY. 
 
 Manatee County is bounded on the north by Hillsbor- 
 ough, east by DeSoto, and south by DeSoto counties, and 
 tLe Gulf of Mexico, and west by the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 It has an area of 1275 square miles of land surface, op 
 816,000 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890, was 2,895, and in 1900, it was 
 4,663 of which number 4,205 were whites, and 458 were 
 aegroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901, there were in 
 Hie county 44 schools, of which 41 were for whites and 3 
 were for negroes. 
 
 The general lay of the land in this county is level, 
 though there are some sections of gently rolling country, 
 in consequence its topography is much the same, only 
 being occasionally broken by isolated tracts of moder- 
 ately high hammock country. The peculiar geographical 
 position of Manatee county, give it climatic advantages 
 enjoyed by few localities in the State; the great stretcn 
 of coast line, with the numerous bays and rivers, have 
 in the past giv«n it such a degree of protection from frost 
 in certain sections of the county that it amounts to pos- 
 itive immunity from disastrous freezes. Trees have been 
 damaged in some of the exDosed interior portions Of the 
 county where killing frosts have occurred, but in the Man*- 
 atee river section, the 'great - freezes of 1894-5 did little 
 damage. 
 
475 
 
 The soil of Manatee is with few exceptions of the 
 eecond and third rate pine land classes; there are also 
 limited areas of hammock lands mostly along the banks 
 of the rivers; it is these three classes of lands which are 
 used in making the various crops, and on which the 
 groves of oranges, lemons, limes, grape fruit, guavas, etc. 
 arc grown. There is still another class of land which 
 makes up by far the greater portion of Manatee county, 
 and that is the prairie lands which are utilized almost 
 entirely as stock ranges ; yet it is neither improbable, nor 
 impossible, that considerable areas of these last named 
 lands will in time be brought Into profitai)le cultivation, 
 by means of drainage, and irrigation. On the first named 
 c'asses of land, and in the vicinity of the Manatee River 
 eection, is where the immense crops of early vegetable* 
 thiat are shipped to northern markets are produced; 
 this is really at present the great vegetable and fruit 
 growing section of Manatee county. The timber growths 
 of the county is almost entirely of pine; as before stated 
 there are limited areas of hammock land, the timber on 
 which is usually of a mixed variety of hard wcods, pal- 
 metto, pine and scrub undergrowth. The timber area is 
 however comparatively limited. 
 
 The principal industries are fruit and vegetable grow- 
 ing, and raising of live stock; the immense tracts of open 
 prairie, stretching almost the entire length of the county 
 from north to south down the Myakka river valley, forms 
 perhaps, the finest cattle ranges in one contiguous terri- 
 tory east of the Missississippi river; with unfailing sup- 
 plies of pasture grasses, and fresh water at all seasons of 
 the year, it becomes (as it is) the ideal section for stock 
 raising on a magnificent scale, by those interested in 
 such industries; and yet this vast area is scarcely 
 touched by herds. 
 
 Transportation facilities fop the upper west anfl 
 northwest portions of the county are good ; railroad com- 
 munication is had daily with Tampa and the north from 
 Sarasota on the coast, across ihb county, touching the 
 western edge of the vegetable and fruit growing po4iit8 
 and tam)ing the main line of the Seaboard Air Line near 
 Plant City. There is also close and quick steamboat coni:- 
 munication with the river and coast towns and shipping 
 
476 
 
 points on the rivers, bays, and islands of the coast, via 
 Taiapa. So that all those who desire to engage in any of 
 the avocations mentioned for commercial purposes, there 
 are ample facilitic« for the quick transiK)rtation of their 
 pi'oducts. 
 
 BRAIDENTOWN. 
 
 The County Seat, is a thriving and progressive towa 
 situated on the banks of the broad and beautiful Manatee 
 river squarely in the midst of the most prosperous and 
 fertile sections of the county ; it is the most important 
 town in the county and one of the largest shipping po^nta. 
 It has ample banks, schools, and church facilities, ah "^ 
 nominations of these societies being well representtJ 
 both in town and country. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902, 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Com, bushels, 3.935 1 2,418 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 14,675 7,474 
 
 %rup, barrels, 125 1,952 
 
 Kice, bushels, 1,103 1,103 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 9.650 9,650 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 36,950, 47,15D 
 
 Egg plants, crates, 2,680 9.570 
 
 Celery, crates, 16,690 41,725 
 
 Lettuce, crates, 16,959 21,198 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 114,203 142,474 
 
 Lemons, boxes, 3,000 6,000 
 
 Grapefruit, crates, 3,459 20,766 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 702 23,345 
 
 Mules, number, 34 3,645 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 12,033 60,19« 
 
 Hogs, number 2;934 2.934 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number 3,952 877 
 
477 
 
 MARION COUNTY. 
 
 Marion is boimded on the north by Alachua, Levy and 
 Putnam, east by Alachua, Putnam and Lake, south by Cit- 
 rus, Lake and Sumter, and west by Citrus and. Levy 
 counties!. 
 
 It has an area of 1,010 square miles of land surface, or 
 1,049,600 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 20,796, and in 1900 it \va* 
 24,40;i, of which number 9,:!56 were -whites and 15,047 
 were negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in the 
 eountq 112 schools, of which 67 were for whites and 45 
 were for negroets. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Marion is the central of the Peninsular counties of 
 Florida. It has higher hills and richer lands than any 
 other (;ouuty in the State, or any other portion of the 
 world, ^ye say that its altitude is greater l)ecause its 
 waters flow into the Atlantic ocean on the one side and 
 into the Gulf of Mexico on the other, thus forming the 
 water shed of the peninsula. 
 
 Its extent from north to south is 38 miles; from east 
 to west 54 miles; it contains 45i townships. Its north- 
 ern boundary is in 29 degrees, 15 minutes. As a purely 
 agricultural county, in the yield of cotton, corn, peas, po- 
 tatoes, sugar, syrup, and other products, per acre, it has 
 long enjoyed the reputation of excelling all other counties 
 in Florida; and since the introduction of fruit growing 
 as a wealth-producing factor, it has heretofore borne off 
 many of the honors in quality and quantity, and stands 
 well among the first of fruit producing counties. 
 
 CLASSES OF LAND. 
 
 Pine lands form the basis of the lands of this county .is 
 they do most of the counties of the State. They are divi- 
 ded into three classes, denoting first, second and third 
 rate lands. 
 
478 
 
 FIRST CLASS PINE LANDS. 
 
 Their surface are covered with a dark vegetable mould 
 for several inches in depth, beneath which, to the depth 
 of several feet, is a chocolate colored sandy loam, mixed 
 for the most part with limestone pebbles, and resting 
 upon a sub-stratum of marl, clay and limestone. Their 
 fertility and durability may be estimated from the fact 
 that they have been known to yield for thirty years of buc- 
 •cessive cultivation without the aid of manures, 400 
 pounds (lint) Sea Island cotton per acre. The limit of 
 their durability is unknown. 
 
 SECOND CLASS PINE LANDS. 
 
 These lands form a large proportion of Florida, and 
 Marion County has her due allotment of them. They are 
 productive, and, by a proper system of cultivation, can be 
 rendered valuable. They afford a natural pasturage; hvq 
 heavily timbered with the best species of yellow pine, and 
 are generally high, dry, rolling, healthy and well-wat3retL 
 
 THIRD CLASS PINE LANDS. 
 
 These are the most inferior of our lands, but under the 
 climate of Florida are by no means worthless. They may 
 be divided into two ordem — the one comprising high, 
 rolling, sandy districts, sparsely covered with a stunted 
 growth of ''black-jack" and pine; the other embracing low, 
 flat, swamp regions covered with valuable timber. 
 
 HAMMOCK LANDS. 
 
 These are our best lands, and Marion County has fully 
 100,000 acres. In these lands the orange tree is found 
 growing indigenously. An erroneous impression prevails 
 that these lands are low and swampy, but on the con- 
 trary they are generally the most elevated. The surface 
 i* of a rich, veg?tnble mould. They have an enormous 
 growth of hardwood trees, and yields are reported of forty 
 l)ushels of corn and three hogshead of sugar per s-ve 
 without fertilizing. These lands are high, undulating 
 nnd perfectly dry. it is a pomilar fallacy to snnpose that 
 they are more unhealthy than other lands. These lands 
 planted to bearing orange trees are very valuable. 
 
479 
 RAINS 
 
 During the fall and winter the weather is usually very 
 dry, with azure ski^s, visited with occasional showers. Jn 
 the spring there are more frequent showers, but until after 
 the first of May no more than sufficient to bring up the 
 eeed planted, keeping them in thrifty condition until the 
 latter part of June or July, when the "rainy season" usu- 
 ally commences, and generally lasts through the suramer 
 months, sometimes extending into September and occa- 
 sionally into October. During this period there are 
 usually light showers every day, then there may be a 
 cessation for several days or an interval of a week or 
 ten days, and then at times several showers each day, suc- 
 ceeded by an invigorating and refreshing breeze. 
 
 In addition to the citrus variety of fruits, peaches, 
 pears and grapes are grown in large quantities. The 
 adaptability of the soil of this county to all sorts of fruit, 
 vegetables and fields crops, makes it a most desirable sec- 
 tion for vegetable and fruit growing for Northern mar- 
 kets. All the fruits, except the truly tropical, all the 
 vegetables and all the field crops that are successfully 
 grown in the Southern States proper, thrive in the highest 
 degree in Marion County. 
 
 The farmers are of course under such circumstances 
 very prosperous; the great majority produce mu(h Tviore 
 than they consume, and have abundance for market. They 
 raise the vast majority of their horses, all their cattle, 
 hogs, cows, sheep, igoats and chickens, and everything else 
 necesFary to sustain their farm and its operation. 
 
 In view of these fa'ts and with the gr?at divcr.<^ity of 
 Boils, from the light loam to the deep clay landf*. giving 
 for years plant food adapted to every variety of fho vege- 
 table kin'j^Tom that luxuriates in the temperate an'1 semi- 
 tropical zones, offers great advantages to the settler, who, 
 with sufficient canital directed upon it to make ft profita- 
 ble, and with advantages of rapid transportation of 
 the exported products and a large home demand for the 
 Burptus. should not fail to induce those who desii'e a home 
 Jn a glorious country, with its rolling hi IN, charming 
 lakes and deep clear rivers, to make Marion County Iheir 
 objective point on entering the State. To 'fettle and re- 
 .gret is a calamity to many. Who could fuil to enjoy a 
 
480 
 
 country wliere products can l>e grown the entirft year? 
 The melting peach and juicy orange, the acid, lemon and 
 luscious strawberry; the trailing blackberry and the 
 plum in laiige variety; the pear, pomegranate, and the 
 grape, in company with the majestic pecan and lowly 
 olive, grow to perfection, whilst their companions, the 
 maize, peanut, cow^ pea, hay, oats, and sweet I'otato, af- 
 ford the necessaries for the planter and his stock, and are 
 easily raised, without the vicissitudes that for months 
 during the year in the northern latitudes tax the energies 
 to |}rovide for. Consider the export crops,' cotton, and 
 the golden syrup from the sugar cane, veijjetables and 
 fruits in such great abundance that find a large demand 
 at seasons when they cannot be produced elseyhere. What 
 more can one desire? 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES. 
 
 The mineral resources of the county consi!-t of vast de- 
 posits of phosphate rock of high grade and considered 1o 
 be the finest in the world; in the abson'^e (if a geological 
 Survey, no other minerals are known to exist- A survey 
 would possibly disclose deposits of minerals of equal or 
 perhaps greater value. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 Few counties in the State are so favored in this re- 
 spect as Marion County. It has rail comnir.nication by 
 two railroads and several branches, with nearly all por- 
 tions of the country, and out of the State north and west, 
 and south to all the ports of the South Atlantic and Gulf 
 Coast of the State. In addition to the railways, tliere are 
 the Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha rivers that su])p]y 
 transpoi-tation for commerce and travel, the former to the 
 Gulf of Mexico, and the latter via the St. Johns river to 
 Jacksonville and the north. 
 
 REPRESENTATIVE FARMING SECTIONS. 
 
 Cotton Plant, now a prosperous, hustlitig little town, 
 was originiilly a rural district embracing 108 square miles, 
 situated due west of Ocala ten miles, is 140 feet above 
 
481 
 
 the level of the fea, and is noted for th3 fertility of it3 
 soil, freedom from inset ts, and its adaptab lity for agri- 
 cultural, horticultural and fruit-raising qualilif5S. Jts 
 soil is a ri(h, sandy loam, underlaid with a strata of 
 sandy clay from two to three feet from the surface, inter- 
 mixed in some places with marl and phosphater,. Its 
 topography is high, dry, and undulatirg, being watered 
 by clear water ponds and small lakes, intjrsporsed at <od- 
 venient distances aj)art to supply stock roaming at l.irge- 
 Good wells of water can be had at a depth of from ten to 
 fifty feet. The land consists of detached hammocks of 
 various dimensions, heavily timbered with live oak, ]H)St 
 oak, white oak, red oak, water oak, red b*iy, )imgnolia, 
 ♦ herry, ash. hickory, sweet gum, dogwood, and numerous 
 kinds of other hard woods of value. The ])ine land < om- 
 j)rises 90 per cent, of its area, consists of firsr, second and 
 third class lands as to fertility of soil, all well timbered 
 with yellow pine, which is noted for its value f>»r tnechani- 
 cal purposes. There are immense quarries of lime rock 
 interspersed, which makes as good a quality of lime when 
 buru'^d. for mechanical and fertilizing purposes as the 
 world affords. Pea Island cotton, corn, tobacco, sugar 
 rane, rye, oats, rice, potatoes, peas, pindars, hay, and veg- 
 etables grow to perfection, and yield as much per acrp! 
 without the use of fertilizers as any other locality in the 
 State. It is the home of the oranee, whi( h in size, color 
 and flavor comoare with the most favored localities of the 
 * State. In addition to the citrus family n'^pch^s. qu'T^ces, 
 apricots, pears, figs, plums, grapes, strawberries, black- 
 berrips, rasnberr'es, and dewberries do well. Horses, 
 mules, cattle, sheep, hojrs and poultry can be profitably 
 raised. Some of the native cows with no extra attention 
 give two gallons of milk per day. A» a health resort it- 
 compares favorably with other localities of the State, t!:e 
 climatic diseases being a light type of malarial fever and 
 an occasional rp^f^ of congestion and pneumonia. The 
 Atlantic Coast Line passes throuigh this locality, entprnt 
 it at a central poi"t on th** ^"^st. diverffinsr south a^ it 
 pnos west, and ir^psing a little south of western Cotto'i 
 riant, which atfofds convenient transportation and a 
 daily mail, to its citi-^e^s. Lands convenient to a ship- 
 ping point can be bought at from five to twenty dollam 
 31 H. F. 
 
482 
 
 per acre. Immigrants are desired. Church and bchool 
 privileges are good. 
 
 FLEMINGTON. 
 
 This is a prosperous town situated in the center of one^ 
 of the richest and most desirable farmin^x sections of the 
 county. The town has good schooh^ and churches, and the 
 people are sociable and hoi-'pitable. 
 
 Agriculture and its branches is the principal indus^:rv, 
 and the people have been remarkably successful in general 
 farming, and vegetable and fruit growing for market. 
 Their lands are peculiarly situated and well adapted to 
 stock raising, Av^hich is e?:tensively carried on by its people, 
 some of its solid citizens owning herds that are numbered 
 by the hundreds, of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. Its 
 principle agricultural products are corn, oats, srigar cane, 
 cotton — long and short staple, upland rice, potatoes and. 
 peas. It has long been called the garden spot and gran- 
 ary of the cou.ity. Its natural resources are equal to any 
 in the State. Lands are plentiful and cheap; desirable 
 immigrants are cordially welcomed, and genrously 
 treated. 
 
 ORANGE SPRINGS. 
 
 This community is located in the extreme northeastern 
 portion of the county, twenty-six miles from Ocala. It 
 dertves its name from a celebrated 8uli)hur spring, which 
 possesses wonderful medicinal virtues, in the amelioratleji 
 and cure of skin diseases and impurities of the blood. In 
 anti-bellum days it was the resort during the summer 
 months, for many families from the rich hammock, sug.tr 
 and cotton plantations to the west, to fsnend the enervat- 
 ing season of the year, with most gratifying results, and 
 to this day it retains mueh of its former reputation as a 
 health resort for tho^e with eutaneons atflictions. Its im- 
 mense flow of water is peculiar to the artesian sprinp-g of 
 Florida, bursting forth from the bowels of the earth in 
 quantity sutficiert to drive a cotton mill or float a small- 
 sized steamer. The pl^ee, besides a nostotfice, contains 
 four general stores, a ^rist and saw mill, school hon=?e fwA 
 church. It also boasts of some very fine, producti>'e 
 
483 
 
 groves, and as fertile lands as Florida possesses. Tlio 
 nearest railroad point is Johnson, six miles north, on ihe 
 line of the Florida Southern Kailroad, which Tvins from 
 Palatka to Gainesville and a landing on the Oeklawaha 
 river, some three miles to the southeast. The quality, na- 
 Inre, price and productiveness of the soil is similar to and 
 in all respects equal to the provisions of described locali- 
 ties 
 
 McINTOSH. 
 
 The town of Mcintosh was plotted in ISS'i. The 
 blocks contain about two acres each and are divided into 
 building lots. The streets are sixty and eighty feet in 
 width, the main street havirg a row of live oak trees of 
 great size, some with a spread of branches of over eighty 
 feet. The town is on the Atlantic Coast Line Kailroad 
 and has good transportation facilities, d.^.ily mails, ex- 
 press and telegraph service. It has a resident population 
 of about 400, two churches, a good school eni})loying three 
 teachers and with about 100 pupils enrolled. Orange 
 Lake, on the west bank of which the town is situated, is 
 well stocked with fi^h and good quail shooting can be had 
 near by. Nearly all of the residents are from states north 
 of Florida and have never forgotten the thriftines» 
 acquired in their Northern homes. Their tables are well 
 supplied with fresh vegetables throughout the winter, as 
 well as with fresh butter and milk. 
 
 'soil. 
 
 The soil is very fertile, often producing 40 bushels of 
 corn per acre. Corn is usually a second crop, being 
 planted after a crop of lettuce, bejins. beets, cabbage or 
 potatoes has been taken off. The land is high, rolling 
 hammock with good natural drainage, the original growth 
 being oak, hickory, ash, mai^rnoli.i, gum and live oak of 
 great size. These lands can be puvchased in plotaof from 
 ten to forty acres or more, at prices ranging from §!20.00 
 to |40,00 per acre, some of the plots being cleared and 
 fenced. 
 
4M 
 
 VEGETABLES. 
 
 The farmers raise vegetables for their principal market 
 crop. These crops of vegetables liav^e been quite prodta- 
 ble. A fair yield of lettuce is 400 baskets per acre, sell- 
 ing for about $1.50 per basket. A fair yield of l>eans is 
 100 baskets per acre, which for part 'if the spa*on this 
 year sold for fl.OO per basket. From 100 to 150 barrels 
 of cabbige grow per acre, and a liirj^e part of this year's 
 crop sold at f 2.00 per barrel ; duriu;); some weeks as high 
 as |2.35 per barrel. These prices were f. o. b. .Mcintosh. 
 The farmers likewise raise corn, hwy, oats, cattle and lu)g«?. 
 There is a cold storage plaut at Ocala, a few miles distant 
 by railroad. 
 
 ORANGE CULTUKE. 
 
 Before the freeze of 1805, Mclntosn contained a number 
 of very profitable orange groves. For some years subse- 
 quent to that time no orange crops were c»btained, but la«t 
 fall the r.'^rketed crop reached 0.000 boxes, and interest in 
 orange culture has revived under the belief that the groves 
 will soon be again yieldiPi^ handsome returns, as no port 
 of the State produces oranges of finer llavor or of better 
 carrj'ing and keeping qualities. 
 
 rOULTRY. 
 
 Thickens are shipped from Mcintosh nearly every week 
 in the year, and as many as 1,000 dozen of eggs have been 
 sent out in a week, the large hotels on the East Coast mak- 
 ing a good market for surplus supplies of this sort. Ocala, 
 Jacksonville and other nearby towns also call for a con- 
 Btant supply. 
 
 LAKE WEIR, 
 
 Kvery where acknowledged as the gem of Florida lakes. 
 Tho inke is oVr-nlnr in s^a^e. pnd the banks rpc^^^de rrad- 
 tiallv to a height of forty or fifty feet. The rich foliage 
 of the orange, lemon and lime, the massive oaks, the >\hire 
 Bandy beach, and the sparkling waters, comnlete the per- 
 fect picture. The lake is about twenty miles in firc;ura- 
 
<85 
 
 ference,- and its shores are lined with elegant homos and 
 wealth-yielding or, hards. The lake itrelf is dotted ^\itll 
 steam yachts and pleasure boats; the citizens live \v |)er- 
 fect contentment and dispense an elegant hospitality. 
 They know they have a "good thing" and know how to 
 enjoy it. The county of this section is the equal 'jf i"\y 
 other portion of the county in productive qualities, and it 
 Is in this section that vast quantities of tha vegetable and 
 fruit crops are produced for Northern markets. 
 
 OCALA. 
 
 Ocala is the county seat of Marion county, and one of 
 the most important points in peninsular Florida. Ita 
 population in 1890 was 2,094, and in 1900, 3,385. It is sit- 
 uated almost in the center of the county, and controla 
 practically the entire business of the county, in addiiion 
 to a very large share of the trade of the adjoining coiin- 
 ties. It is a bustling, prosperous city, handsomely built 
 up, and enjoys probably the best transportation, and gen- 
 eral trade facilities of any point in the southeastern .sec- 
 tion of the State. 
 
 Ocala is particularly fortunate in her local surround- 
 ings. The far-famed Silver Springs and Ocklawaha river 
 are only a few miles eastward. Blue Springs and Dun- 
 nellon, where lie the wonderful phosphate deposits, are si 
 few miles westward. Orange lake, containing along its 
 shores the largest continuous bearing orange grove In the 
 world, is only a few miles to the north, and a few miJes 
 to the south is Lake Weir, famed for the beauty of its v/a- 
 ters and the culture of its people. All these places are 
 connected by rail and are reached in a few minutes. 
 
 Immediately surrounding Ocala are immense bodies of 
 hammock lands, which have recently been converted into 
 orange groves and gardens, and the yield from their culti- 
 vation is annually increasing, and has been one of the 
 mainsprings in the rapid and solid progress of the city. 
 
 The manufacture of lime is one of the principal indus- 
 tries and Ocala supplies a large portion of the State with 
 building lime and lime for sanitary purposes, and is said 
 to be the purest in the world. 
 
 The climate, like all Florida, is delightful and healfhful. 
 
 Timber for manufacturing purposes is abundant. 
 
486 
 
 Farm and orange lands in immediate vicinity at reason- 
 able prices. 
 
 The prospects of no city in the South are more prom- 
 ising. 
 
 We extend a cordial invitation to all the world to come 
 and help build and help enjoy. 
 
 All religious denominations are well represented, the 
 churches are thriving, and her school facilties are of the 
 best. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows : 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 1,4G2 1104.020 
 
 Corn, bushels, 146,130 87,220 
 
 Oats, bushels, 74,670 S(M20 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 73,240 20, { -^0 
 
 Eire, bushels, 4,260 4,200 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 15,510 14.040 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 50,560 50,.'n0 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 8,650 >^XthO 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 14,580 13.(;40 
 
 Lettuce, crates, 15,655 13,080 
 
 Watermelons, car loads, 428 30.560 
 
 Cantaloupes, crates, 37,040 30.r.40 
 
 Beans, crates, 30,780 20.780 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 15,600 23.200 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 768 0,190 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Hoi'ses, number, 3,013 100.07G 
 
 Mules, number, 768 58,322 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 14,948 71.261 
 
 Sheep, number, 5.397 6.300 
 
 Hogs, number, 9,566 i 9,566 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 49,321 14.305 
 
 Milch cows, number. 2.510 40.943 
 
 Butter, pounds, 99,265 *. . . 21,105 
 
i 487 
 
 MONROE COUNTY. 
 
 As is well known, Monroe County, the southermost 
 <:ounty of the State of Florida, comprises Key West, all 
 the islands or keys in a northeasterly direction from that 
 point, as far as Angel Fish Key on the Atlantic, all tho 
 keys in a northerly direction from the same point, includ- 
 ing the ten thousand islands, as far as Chocoloskie, and 
 a slip of the most southern point of the peninsular or 
 mainland, known as Cape Sable and N. W. Cape, to the 
 southward of Lee and the westward of the southern por- 
 tion of Dade counties. 
 
 Although the county, as will be sean by the above de- 
 scription, comprises, or includes but a very small por- 
 tion of the mainland of the ?tate, it is one of the mo^t 
 flourishing, not only in the State, but in the country. 
 
 The resources of the county are comparatively ua- 
 konwn, but the probabilities aie that not many years will 
 pass before the untold wealth of its thousands of beauti- 
 ful islands will reward those who properly exploit them. 
 
 Key West is the county seat, and, at the present time, 
 the only city or tewn in the county. It is, therefore, 
 naturally the centre and headquarters of its various in- 
 dustries, and the home of about nineteen-twentieths of 
 its population — the balance of its inhabitants having 
 their homes on the various keys, where they are engaged 
 in farming. 
 
 The population of the county is variously estimated at 
 from twenty thousand and to twenty-five thousand. A con- 
 servative estimate of the present time would be twenty- 
 two thousand, about fifteen thousand of whom are white:, 
 aad seven thousand colored. 
 
 Key West, as has been stated above, being the only city 
 or town in the county, it would not be amiss to give a 
 short sketch of the most unique city in the country. 
 
 The very southennoflt inhabitable key of the many 
 thousands in Monroe county, and the most southern city 
 in. the United States, it stands out boldly between the 
 Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, about sixty miles 
 from Cape Sable, the nearest point of the mainland. This 
 little city of the Gulf is situated on a coral island and i» 
 but seven miles long and one mile in breadth at its widest 
 
488, 
 
 portion. It originally belonged to the Spaniards and 
 was givpn to one Silas. It changed hands several times 
 before it came to those of its original Yankee owners in 
 the year 1816. 
 
 For many years it was simply a fishing and wrecking 
 hamlet, but today it can boast of its fine public buildings, 
 banks, churches, school houses, private residences, etc. 
 
 The United States government has recently purchased, 
 by condemnation proceedings, several valuable blocks 
 for naval purposes, and has now in contemplation the 
 condemnation of two other blocks for the same purpose. 
 On the site already purchased a handsome office and resi- 
 dence has been contracted for especially for the weath?r 
 observer. The rest of the property will be utilized for 
 some immens3 and handsome machine shops, admiral's 
 and officers quarters and depots. 
 
 For the past two years the government has also had 
 under consideration the purchas^e of a very large tract 
 near Fort Taylor, and the new fortifications — erected 
 since the war with Spain, for military purposes, and it is 
 thought likely that the next congress will readily make 
 the appropriation for the consummation of the pur- 
 chase. 
 
 The city may be properly classed as cosmopolitan, as Hr 
 numbers among its citizens people from almost every 
 part of the world. 
 
 The climate will compare favorably with that of any 
 other portion of the country, for while the county is sit- 
 uated almost within the tropics, it is fann3d by the breeze 
 of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic ocean, enjoy- 
 ing an entirely marine, and, consequently, very equable 
 'Climate. 
 
 This can be seen by a glance at the data obtained from 
 the U. S. Weather Bureau office at K;ey West. 
 
 An examination of the reeords for the past eleven 
 years — 1891 to 1901 inclusive — shows the following : The 
 mean or average temperature for the year is 76 degrees. 
 The mean of the three hottest months — July, August and 
 September — is 82.2 degrees. The mean of the three cold- 
 est months — December. January and Febriwry — is '69 de- 
 grees. The range between the hottest and coldest months 
 
• 489 
 
 is 15 degrees, and the greatest range (jf temperature dur- 
 ing any month is 37 degre3s. The hichest teuipeiatiire 
 recorded during the eleven years was 92 degrees, and the 
 entire number of times on which the temperature ei- 
 ceeded 90 degrees was 8 days. 
 
 The lowest temperature recorded was 44 degrees, but 
 a record of 41 degrees was made in January-, 1886. 
 
 The average of the mean maximum temperatures is 80 
 degrees, ranging from a mean maximum of 72 degrees in 
 January to a mean maximum of 88 degrees in August. 
 The meau niiuimum temperatuie is 72 degrees, ranging 
 from G4 degrees in January to 78 d:\irreps in JnW, 
 and August. The average rainfall annually is 35.77 
 inches. The rainy season being from May to October in- 
 clusive. During the season the precipitation averages 
 20.68 inches, or nearly three times as much as falls dui- 
 ing the other six months of the year. Below is a tabu- 
 lated statement obtained from the observer's office in Key 
 West: 
 
 
 Tempe 
 
 ran re 
 
 Men- 
 
 1 e,iij| 
 
 ib've 
 )() de- 
 
 Temperature 
 
 Knia- 
 
 fall. 
 
 Months 
 
 Extr 
 
 pmes 
 
 '.hlv 
 
 Monlhlv M 
 
 ean.*-- 
 
 fnchfts 
 
 
 
 
 KanV 
 
 srrees 
 No o 
 dnys 
 
 
 
 
 ^ hun- 
 
 
 Mav. 
 
 Min. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Min. 
 
 Mejii 
 
 iredihs 
 
 January 
 
 82 
 
 46 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 72 
 
 6t 
 
 68 
 
 2 02 
 
 February 
 
 82 
 
 44 
 
 37 
 
 
 
 74 
 
 65 
 
 69 
 
 1.64 
 
 March . . 
 
 84 
 
 52 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 77 
 
 68 
 
 72 
 
 I.*} 
 
 April . . . 
 
 85 
 
 54 
 
 28 
 
 
 
 "38 
 
 71 
 
 75 
 
 1 11 
 
 May . ... 
 
 89 
 
 66 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 74 
 
 78 
 
 2 76 
 
 .Ivne 
 
 90 
 
 69 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 86 
 
 77 
 
 81 
 
 3.81 
 
 Julv 
 
 91 
 
 69 
 
 21 
 
 4 
 
 87 
 
 78 
 
 83 
 
 •'.77 
 
 August. 
 
 92 
 
 6S 
 
 23 
 
 3 
 
 88 
 
 78 
 
 83 
 
 4.^6 
 
 Spp'PTTlb' 
 
 91 
 
 69 
 
 VI 
 
 1 
 
 86 
 
 77 
 
 82 
 
 7 04 
 
 October . 
 
 88 
 
 59 
 
 28 
 
 
 
 83 
 
 75 
 
 78 
 
 5 71 
 
 Novembej 
 
 K6 
 
 57 
 
 27 
 
 
 
 7*^ 
 
 71 
 
 74 
 
 1 22 
 
 December 
 
 83 
 
 44 
 
 37 
 
 
 
 74 
 
 67 
 
 70 
 
 1.75 
 
 
 Hit'hesi 
 
 Lowe.' t 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tot il 
 
 Average 
 
 92 
 
 44 
 
 28 
 
 8 
 
 80 
 
 72 
 
 76 
 
 35.77 
 
490 
 
 The assessed ralde of real and personal property is, 
 in ronnd numbers, $1,800,000.00 — which is about one- 
 third the actual value. The rate of taxation is but thir- 
 teen and one-half mills, five mills of which is for school 
 purposes. Besides the real and personal tax collected, 
 which, by the way, is paid with more promptitude than 
 any other county in the State, the occupation license tax 
 collected amounts to about |7.500.00. 
 
 The county has five principal industries, which are, in 
 the order of their importance — cigar manufacturing, 
 sponge fishing, farming, turtle catching and fishing. 
 Several other industries, such ?s wood cutting, coal burn- 
 ing, shell gathering, freighting the wood, coal, etc., to Key 
 West being simply a local business is scarcely worth men- 
 tioning, although those engaged make a fair livelihood 
 from the small cigar manufacturing, on account of the 
 capital invested, and the number of persons employed in 
 the business, is entitled to be placed foremost in impor- 
 tance in the list of industries. 
 
 Key West, being the headquarters of all the industries 
 of the county, is especially so of the cigar industry. 
 Thirty-four yeare ago at the time of the exodus of the 
 Cubans from Cuba — on account of the revolution then 
 brewing, and resulting in their war for independence- 
 Key West became the asylum of great numbers of them, 
 and the cigar industry was started there on what wa» 
 then considered a large scale, but was, in fact, in compar- 
 ison to what it afterwards became, an infant industry. 
 
 There are established there at the present time ninety- 
 nine factories, some of which employ from two hundred 
 to four hundred hands. 
 
 The number of cigars manufactured annually for eer* 
 era! years past have been 80,000,000; the value of the 
 annual output being |4,000,000.00. 
 
 Key West having a climate, almost, if not exactly iden- 
 tical with that of Havana, it has for many years been, 
 and it would appear, justly claimed, that cigars man- 
 ufactured there were quite equal in flavor and make to 
 those mannfactured in Havana. Without an unforeseen 
 casualty the factories will mostly all work with full 
 force for the next twelve months. 
 
 The next industry in importance in the county is that 
 of sponge fishing. This business was first established at 
 
491 
 
 Key West in the year 1849 and from year to year has 
 gi'own until at present and for a number of years past 
 the annual value of the production amounts to at least a 
 half million dollars. There are engaged in the business 
 110 vessels of from five to thirty tons, and an almost in- 
 numerable number of smaller crafts. The number of men 
 employed in the business are something over 1,600. 
 
 The value of the vessels and paraphenalia will exceed 
 1200,000. 
 
 The prices for sponge have been increasing for several 
 years past and at present the finest quality are wortli 
 from three to four dollars per pound. 
 
 Thii*d on the list of industries is that of farming, 
 which is exclusively done on the Keys — the principal part 
 and bulk being carried on on Key Largo, Plantation Key 
 and Upper Matacombie. The three above mentioned 
 Keys, especially Key Largo, are famous for their pineap- 
 ples. 
 
 It is a fact which cannot be successfully refuted, that 
 the fii-st pineapple ever successfully cultivated in Flor- 
 ida was raised on Key Largo, about the year 1865. 
 
 From an insignificant business, the growing of pine- 
 apples has attained the importance of one of the prime 
 industries of the county. The Spanish red and Porto 
 Bico are the only two kinds grown. 
 
 Truck farming is also extensively and successfully 
 carried on on the Keys already mentioned, and also on a 
 number of other keys pertaining to the county, tomato 
 being the principal crop planted. Fifty thouMuud boxes 
 are shipped annually. 
 
 Every tropical fruit, including oranges and pomelo as 
 well as the paying crops of truck, such as egg plants, pep- 
 pers, cucumbers, beans, cabbage, etc., can be successful!/ 
 and protably grown on almost every key in the county, as 
 is evidenced by those farmers who plant them. 
 
 There are at present 121 farms in the county, compris- 
 ing a total number of acres approximating 15,000, about 
 2,500 of which are improved and under cultivation. 
 
 The value of the farm^e will aggi*egate $20,0,000 for land 
 and improvements and |50,000 for buildings. The valne 
 of the products the past year was, on a very conservativo 
 estimate, from information obtained, ,|250,000, and the 
 expenditures for labor, etc., were $20,000. 
 
402 
 
 As will be sean by the above figures, the profits for farm- 
 ing on the keys of this county is yearly nearly equal ta 
 the total value of the farms. 
 
 Tlie keys are practically inexhaustible for fruit rais- 
 ing and truck farming, and if done on a scientiflfc, or even 
 a more proper farming manner than at present, the most 
 wonderful and highly profitable results would be realized. 
 
 It has been claimed for many years that pineapples 
 could not be successfully grown on any of the keys south 
 of Matacombie, but the fact is the experiment has aevep 
 been carried to any great extent by those who understand 
 their cultivation. There is no doubt in the mind of the 
 writer that many of what are called the lower keys wourd 
 produce them, and profitably, too. To the certain knowl- 
 edge of the writer and several other persons, the exDeri- 
 ment was made in a small manner, by those who knew: 
 but little of the mode of their cultivation, €n Cudjoes — 
 an island about eighteen miles northeasterly from Key 
 West — and, although the slips were not properly planted 
 nor attended to, they produced a fair percentage of as 
 large and fine pineapples as were ever raised on Key 
 Largo. 
 
 As all the keys in Monroe county are positively below 
 the frost line, and, as has been stated, a great many of 
 them are very fertile, not many more years will elapse 
 before they will bloom with the sweet-scent?d blosso ns 
 from many an orange grove. Such tropical fruit as the 
 mango, Avocado pear, sappodillo, sugar apple, guava, 
 etc., grows on these keys luxuriantly without care or at- 
 tention. 
 
 The transportation facilities, although not up to date- - 
 it all being done by sailing vessels — is fairly good, there 
 being about ten vessels of from fifteen to thirty-five tons 
 each, on the difff^^p^Tt rontps. which n'oi-o wppi^iv lrins. 
 
 A most beautiful sight and a delightful pasttime is a 
 sail on one of these vessels in fair weather along the 
 Ehore of the many keys. 
 
 Thp fishing industry i'^ merelv for lo^al con^umnnon, 
 with the excepition of three months in the year — Decem- 
 ber, January, and February — which is the kingfish sea- 
 son. Dnrin'r those months the industrv is nu'to lively, 
 and every fisherman is busily employed in trolling for 
 this delicious fish. They begin to arrive in these waters 
 
493 
 
 in December in immense scliools, and travel up and down 
 tue oLtau jufct uuiSiUe oi" llxe leefs. The bulk ot tuis lish, 
 which is taught daily by the thousands, is shipped tu 
 Cuba, where they are much sought after. Quite a quan- 
 tity is also shipped to New York and other Northern cit- 
 ies. In the season some two hundred men are engaged in 
 the business, and they all reap a rich harvest. A fisn 
 canning industry, if established either at Key West or 
 on one of the keys, would certainly prove a very profit- 
 able business. The finest fish in the world can be had 
 every day in the year in» unlimited quantities, and at a 
 trifling cust. Genuine ''conch" lish-chowder canned would 
 require but little capital, and if properly advertised, 
 would result in a quick fortune to the individual or 
 company who undertook the business. The turtle indus- 
 try, that is, the catching of turtles for export, although 
 it has fallen off considerably in the past five years, yet 
 furnishes employment and a fair livelihood to about fifty 
 men. Some half dozen vessels are engaged in the busi- 
 ness during the entire year. Almost the entire number 
 of turtles caught are sold in the market at Key West to 
 the agents of Northern firms and they are shipped weekly 
 to New York, Philadelphia and other cities. The busi- 
 ne?s is valued at about $25,000,00 a year. For several 
 jeans past a French company has been putting up canned 
 turtle soup on a small s^ale and shipping their goods to 
 Europe. They seem to be doing well. 
 
 The waters of the Florida Keys in this county is the 
 natural home of that gameet of game fish — tarfxm — and 
 a f"^' hours sailing and trolling often re<*ults in the 
 landing of several. Right in the harbor of Key West they 
 pTP f,.onn'^"''t'v rn^o-ht iiiea''niTig from five to six feet in 
 length, and occasionally a fine specimen is caught from 
 the docks. For those who like this sport there are no 
 waters in th'^ Ptnte th-^t can pnnol f'^ose of the keys in 
 this county for the numbers of this fish. 
 
 On the keys in the county deer hunting is another 
 Bport which repays the sportsman for his time. Fre- 
 quently the farmers complain of the damage done by the 
 herds to their crops, and organize parties to hunt them^ 
 r-turning to town with numbers of them bageed. 
 
 In the winter season duck hunting is also indulged In 
 by sporting huntsmen and a failure to bag a good number 
 
404 
 
 is the exception. Wild pigeons are also quite numerous 
 in the proper season and fine sport is had on a pigeon 
 hunt. 
 
 There are in the county fifteen churches, fourteen of 
 which are in Key West and one at Key Largo. They are 
 divided as follows as to sect: 
 
 Four Episcopalian, two white and two colored. 
 
 One Calkolic, white and colored. 
 
 Six Methodist, three white and three colored. 
 
 Two Baptist, white. 
 
 One Congregational ist, white. 
 
 One Methodist at Key Largo, whit3. 
 
 The Holy Rites and Christian Scientists also occasion- 
 ally hold religious meetings in Key West. 
 
 The number of free schools in the county are nine, two 
 white and €n3 Cuban in Key West; four white in Key 
 Largo and two colored in Key West. The white schools 
 have 1328 registered pupils, and the colored schools 608. 
 
 The total value of county school property is |15,000.00. 
 
 The number of teachers employed in these schools are 
 16 white and 8 colored and the annual salaries aggregate 
 for white teachers $7094, and for the colored teachers 
 15314. 
 
 The total receipts for school purposes amounts to 
 $12,700 annually and the expenditures |11,114.00. 
 
 At the present time the indebtedness amounts to 
 11,370,00, 
 
 Besides the free schools there are eight private schools, 
 two of which, a Catholic convent school and a Methodist 
 seminary, are high schools. 
 
 The transportation facilities are by steam and sail 
 vessels. The Mallory Line of steamships arriving Wed- 
 ne«!days of each week from New York and Fridays from 
 Galveston, Texas, The P, & O. Line tri-weekly from 
 Tampa and Havana, and the Flagler or East Coast Lino 
 also tri-v/pekly from Miami and Havana. A monthly 
 line of isailing froni New York is a regular method of 
 transportation. 
 
495 
 
 NASSAU COUNTY* 
 
 Nassar. County, situated in the northeastern corae? of 
 tiio State, (ontains about G45 square miles, or 412,800 
 •a<Tes. It Is bounced on the north and west by the St. 
 Mary's liiver, a stream navigable for nearly sixty miles 
 by ocean }.{oing vessels; on the south by Nassau River, a 
 stream with equal nav'igation poss.bilities, and on the 
 east by rhe .Atlantic Ocean. 
 
 The rivers and their numerous tributaries, together 
 wilh the Seaboard Air Line Railway, the Atlantic, Val- 
 dosta and Western Railway and the Atlantic Coast Line 
 Railway, which cross the county north, south, east and 
 west, make nearly every acre of land accessible for rail 
 and water transportation and accessibility to its natural 
 rescfurces is one of the leading features of the county, 
 and in that respect cannot be equalled by any other coun- 
 ty in the State.* 
 
 The soil of Nassau County varies according to locality, 
 from low, rich, black, swamp, and marsh lands to dry 
 pine lances. The mainland of the county is mostly of a 
 sandy character unc^rlaid with clay, at a depth of from 
 two to six feet, a soil retentive of fertilizers and capab.e 
 of the highest state of cultivation. The natural re- 
 sources from our pine forests have somewhat retarded the 
 progress of our agricultural developments, but the .lay 
 is not far distant when Nassau County will tako its 
 proper place as one of the best farming counties in the 
 State. Our farmers are commencing to see the possi- 
 bilities of the soil, and from one single small country sta- 
 tion over 12,000 bushels of sweet potatoes were shipped 
 and paid for on delivery, netting over $6,000 or nearly 
 $120.00 per acre, for a single item of crops in a three 
 months season. 
 
 Cattle raising is one of the important factors of the 
 farmers wealth in Nassau Courtv, but is yet in its infan- 
 cy and capable of large possibilities owing to low prices* 
 of good grazips: land and the vast acreasre of denuded 
 timber land which will make the land available for pas- 
 turaoe, 
 
 Tho n'lval stores industry has ju«'t stnrted In the county 
 and thousands of acres are in the hands of operators who 
 will very materially add to the immense business just tie- 
 
493 
 
 veloping in the State. Oats, corn, potatoes, sugar cane, 
 cassava, cotton, lorig and short staple, and vegetables of 
 all description are profitably raised in the county, and 
 peaches, pecans, grapes, ptars, quinces, plums and other 
 fruits are peculiarly adapted to the character of the soil. 
 Kite growirg could be made as su.cessful here as it is in 
 Western Louisiara and Texas and would yield a profit 
 of from forty to sixty dollars per acre. A large reward 
 is in store for those who have sufficient capital and en- 
 ergy and are willing to embrace tlie opportunities offered. 
 Thousands of acres are available for rice culture. 
 
 On Amelia Island, the edge of the mainland, and scat- 
 tered along her rivers, are soils of calcareous sand, that 
 are adapted for the finest qualities of long staple cotton, 
 to the culture of the jrrape and olive, while the branch, 
 fresh marsh, and black rush lands attached to thein are 
 especially suitable for gardening. These lands are easily 
 reclaimed, ri h, moist and close to the dipping opportu- 
 nities, so that the shipping of early vegetables to North- 
 ern markets must soon form a considerable item in the 
 list of profitable investments. 
 
 It is estimated that there are at least 20,000 acres of 
 these marsh lands in the county whi( h can now be bought 
 for a mere song, but when reclaimed, are worth from 
 $100 to fl.OOO per acre. In Connecticut the^se reclaimed 
 marsh lands are considered the most valuable for garden- 
 ing. 
 
 Our reclaimed marsh lands are particularly adanted to 
 the raising of grass, rice and vcjgetnbles. This soil is as 
 fine as flour and consists of vegetable matter which h;iS 
 been accumulating for «entur>s. There is not a twig or 
 root growing upon this land, while it lies perfectly level. 
 It is covered with a salt grab's whidi is much relishei bv 
 stock. To reclaim these lands it is necessary to build 
 dams or levees to keep off the tide water. After eighteen 
 months they will be ready for cultivation. There are 
 Tiundreds of acres of th's land, which can be had for the 
 reclaiming of them. When once brought i^to cultiva"'on 
 there are no lands in the United States which excel them 
 in fertility. 
 
 Nassau County offers inducements to vegetable growers 
 whi' h can be found in ro other section in the rotate. 
 This is no idle boast, but can be demonstrated by oolrl 
 
497 
 
 facts. We have the express and fast mail to the North 
 and West, as well as steamship transpotration to New- 
 York. The vegetables or fruit can be gathered fresh from 
 the garden and placed upon the steamship in first class 
 condition, where they will not be disturbed or handled 
 until placed for sale in the New York market. While 
 there are many localities in the State which have fertile 
 soil, yet the lack of quick transportation debars them 
 from competing with the more favored sections. 
 
 Another feature which is of much importance to llie 
 truck raisers is that we never have extreme cold, as we 
 are surrounded by water direi t from the ocean, which 
 tempers the winter wjnds, and vegetables come off gs 
 early on the island as if we were situated one hundred 
 miles further south. This locality offers rare induce- 
 ments to reclaim some of these valuable lands. 
 
 The total assessed valuation of Nassau County is two 
 million two hundred and twenty-nine thousand dollai-s, 
 with a taxation rate for state and county of 1()J mills. 
 The number of inhabitants in the census year was tab- 
 ulated at 9,654, of which number 4,559 were white and 
 5,095 were negroes, but owing to the large influx of peo 
 pie, due to the naval stores and other industries, the pres- 
 ent population exceeds 12,000, 
 
 Nassau County supports fifty-seven public schools, at- 
 tended by 2,830 pupils, and the school board owns |1S,750 
 worth of property. Forty-one of the schools are attended 
 by white pupils and the other sixteen are devoted to the 
 education of the colored population. Eighteen postofficea 
 and twenty railway stations offer postal, transportation, 
 express, telegraph and telephone facilities within easy 
 reach of every inhabitant of the county, and churchea of 
 leading denominations are to be found in every hamlet. 
 
 Nassau County is practically free from debt; the total 
 indebtedness, including that of school board, will not 
 reach twenty thousand dollars, with the tax levy for 1902 
 etill uncollected. 
 
 The finances of the county are in a prosperous condi- 
 tion, it may be said that the individual is also financially 
 well fixed. Only one commercial failure in twenty years 
 is an unequalled record of prosperity for any co,unty and 
 it can also be said that fewer mortgages are to be found 
 
 32 H. F. 
 
408 
 
 on homes and real estate in Nassau County, in pro])<»r- 
 tion to valuation, than is any county in this or any other 
 Southern Slate. 
 
 Heavy drafts have been made upon our })ine timber, but 
 we have yet enough left to suppl}' our njills for anotiier 
 quarter of a century. 
 
 The hardwoods of the hammocks and river l)ottoms aio 
 still undisturbed. Many varieties of merit and beauty 
 are waiting the certain coming demands of industry. 
 
 The waters of Nassau County abound in fresh and salt 
 water fish, in hundreds of varieties. Diamond back t'n-ra- 
 pins, clams, oysters, prawns, shrimp and crabs. The shad 
 fisheries of the St. iMary's Kiver and Nassau Kiver are of 
 commercial importance, the prawn packers on Araeiii 
 Eiv^er are doing a prosjierous business and our several 
 oyster canneries are realizing handsome profits to tlK'ir 
 owners. 
 
 There are but few towns in the counly. Fernandina is 
 the county seat, Callahan is next in size and importance. 
 It boasts of having a quiet, moral, law-abiding citizen- 
 ship. It has two churches, ^Nfethodist and Baptist, and a 
 good public school. Tbey also have an up-to-date sav/- 
 mill and blacksmith sho]), a first class rice, inill, whicii is 
 still busy cleaning last year's crop. The trick business 
 also adds largely to the revenue of the town, as it em- 
 ploys considerable labor. Turpentine and timber are 
 both indtistries that benefit the town, also the getting of 
 tjes, logs, wood, etc. Lands produce well, and the people 
 are energetic and industrious. 
 
 Callahan is located at the intersection of the Savan- 
 nah, Florida and Western Eailroad and the Seaboard Air 
 Line. Other towns are Dyal and Hilliard, on the A. C. L. 
 R. R., Yulee and Evergreen, on the S. A. L. Ry., Crawford 
 And Kent oti the A., V. & W. Ry., Chester, Crandall and 
 King's Ferry on the St. Mary's river have large lumijer 
 mills, .whose outputs running into millions of feet, jire 
 loaded at the mills into ocean-going vessels. 
 
 These are all small but prosperous communities of in- 
 dustrious, hospitable people, ever ready to welcome the 
 stranger and new comer, for whom there is plenty of room 
 and golden opportunities. 
 
100 
 
 Nassau T'oiinty has no ]»oor liouse and none is v/anted, 
 only a few physicaHv disabled poisons ai-e on the pauper- 
 list. The iini)rovident, the idler and the shiftless are un- 
 known among our people and are not wanted in the 
 county. 
 
 FERXANDIXA. 
 
 Fernandina is the county seat of Nassau County and 
 has the largest and deepest harbor on the easjein coast 
 of the State and on the f^outh Atlantic, v^essels lan en- 
 ter her port at high water drawing 'M) feet*. Three hun- 
 dred and forty-seven vessels cleared out of its cuslom 
 house in 1002 with cargoes valued at seven million sc\en 
 hundred and forty thousand dollars. 
 
 Its present po])ulation is over O.OOU iniial.'itnnis. A 
 jnile and a lialf of wharves and an immense ]»hosphi!te 
 elevator facilitate her large export trade. The city has 
 two oyster canneries, a palmetto fibre factory, saw and 
 planing mills, ice works, water works, three artesian 
 wells, two cigar factories, a national bank, a telegraph 
 station, a telephone exchange, an electric light plant, an 
 electric car system extending to Amelia Beach, a sewer- 
 age system, a handsr)me court house, privale and |)ub!ic 
 schools, a city building in course of erection, two newspa- 
 pers, a large constniction and railway repair shops, set- 
 era! wholesale houses, two hotels, fourteen church(>s. a 
 public library, miles of shelled and i-rraded streets shaded 
 with fine trees and lined with beautiful residences. e:gnt 
 secret and fraternal societies, railway eonnectious' with 
 all parts of Florida and the North and \yest, steanisliip 
 connections with Savannah and New York and Avtth ihe 
 ports of Rotterdam, and Hamburg in Ewrop?. 
 
 Dwellings and store buildings are in constant course 
 of erection, but yet a vacant house or store is not to be 
 found in the city. Fernandina's deep water, spacious 
 harbor and extended water front, her shipping facilities 
 for coastwise and foreign trade, are rapidly making her 
 one of the largest export cities of the South. Fernandina 
 is today the greatest phosphate shipping port on the 
 American continent; l/er lumber shipments are increasing 
 daily and in the handling of this commercial <on»nodity 
 is second only to Pensacola. 
 
500 
 
 Spacious wharves and buildings covering many acres 
 are in course of construction to facilitate the naval stores 
 shipments, and she is now exporting the bulk of the naval 
 store products of the South. 
 
 Fernandina is the only seaport on the \tlantic Coast 
 where the port and town are so near to the sea, th3 docks 
 and wharves being only three miles from the outer sea 
 buoy. 
 
 Fort Clinch commands the entrance of the harbor and 
 extended additions and repairs will soon be commenced 
 by the War Department, indicating that the port is of 
 strategic value to the general government and intended 
 as a coaling station and a port of calls for the navy. 
 
 Fernandina'offers a igood field for manufacturing indus- 
 tries. The low freight by water on raw materials and 
 proximity to fields of productiou and the facilities for 
 distribution of finished products by rail or vessel makes 
 it a fine locality for manufacturing undertakings with 
 certainty of success. 
 
 We are much in need of a marine railway, and the ship- 
 ping interest demands its construction. We need a cot- 
 ton and knitting mill, a rice mill, a spoke, handle and 
 stave making plant, a cotton seed oil mill, a hardwood 
 saw and planing mill, a shingle mill, vegetable canneries, 
 a sash and blind and furniture making factory, and a 
 machine shop and foundry. 
 
 A fine shell road eighty feet wide and about two miles 
 long connects Fernandina with Ocean City, which is 
 also reached by the Amelia Beach trolley line and the 
 Seaboard Air Line Railway. Ocean City is situated ou 
 Amelia Beach, reputed to be the finest sea beach of the 
 entire Atlantic coast. It is an ideal resort for bathing, 
 bicycle riding, and its unbroken and level strand, extend- 
 ing for over twenty miles between land and sea, cannot 
 be excelled for speeding of automobiles and other racing 
 sports. Ocean City has two fine pavilions, a hotel, 
 cottages, artesian water, electric lights, bathing houses 
 and extended board walks and a trolley service daring 
 nine months of the year. 
 
 No better seaside resort can be found and its gi'owtK 
 is assured. A finer and larger hotel will soon be erected 
 to accommodate the summer population. 
 
o 
 
 
 bC 
 
501 
 
 We are accnstomed to regard good health as our normal 
 condition, our people as prosperous, our soil as produc- 
 tive, our surroundings as pleasant and comfortable, our 
 climate as unequalled and our continued prosijeri^y aa 
 almost assured. 
 
 All we need: more laborers for our fields and turpen- 
 tine camps, more farmers to extend our agricultural pos- 
 sibilities, and more capital to help in the handling and de- 
 velopment of our natural resources and the creation of 
 needed industries. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value - 
 
 Corn, bushels, 12,220 | 6,i25 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 24,050 , . . , 12,275 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902 : 
 
 Horses^ number, 793 31,352 
 
 Mules, number, 40 2,055 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 8,826 57,ti77 
 
 Sheep, number, 3,002 4,335 
 
 Hogs, number, 3,329 5,050 
 
 ORANGE COUNTY, 
 
 Orange is bounded on the north by X,!fke, Volusia and 
 Brevard counties, on the east by Volusia and Brevard, on 
 the south by Osceola, and on the west by Luke (bounty. 
 
 It has an area of 1.315 square miles, or 811,(»()0 t;. res. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 32,584, and in 1900, (owing^ 
 to the effects of the great freeze of 1894-5) it wa.^ 11,374. 
 By this date it has fully recovered the loss. 
 
 Of the 11,374 inhabitants, 7,347 were whites and 1.027 
 were negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 thero w«m'.? in tjie 
 county 65 public schools, of which 49 were for whites and 
 16 were for nogroes. 
 
 This county is located in the heart of the Florida i>en- 
 insular. Its lands are diversified and capal)le «.f pro- 
 ducing a wide range of products. It was tli*' <-entor of 
 the orange industry before the freeze of -1894-5 cut the 
 
^02 
 
 trees to the gi-oiind. Since then the oi''ani>e croi-'S liave 
 been niueh lighter than in former years. J>uc the trees 
 are coming- again. Each year sees an increase iu the 
 oranjge crop, and it will be but a few years before the pro- 
 duction of oranges will again be a most important source 
 of revenue. 
 
 During the years that have elapsed since the orange 
 ceased to be the main dependence of the peojjle more at- 
 tention has been given to general agricultural and stock 
 raising. A'egetable growing has become the soui'ce of 
 about as much revenue to the people as was formerly de- 
 rived from orange- growing. This branch of agriculture 
 is receiving more and more attention each year, until the 
 county is no longer dependent upon orange growing for 
 the maintenance of its population. 
 
 A fcAv figures relative to the production and shipment 
 of veigetables from Sanford, in the northern portion of 
 the county, will be a revelation to those who have been led 
 to believe that nothing but oranges can be grown here. 
 During the first six n.'onths of the year 1002 this place 
 shipped 122 cai-s of celery containing 300 crates to the 
 car; 30 cars of cabbage of 200 crates to the car; 75 cars 
 of lettuce, of 400 crates to the car ; 12 cars of Irish pota- 
 toes, of 200 barrels to the car; 3 cars beans, 400 crates io 
 the car; 3 cars tomatoes, 400 crates to the car; 25 cars of 
 egg plant, and 5 cars of cantaloupes. These shi[)ments 
 paid to the tiansportation lines about |GO,000 for freight. 
 
 Sanford Avas the largest producer of vegetables of any 
 point in the county, and even there- the industry is new 
 and only partially develojted. Other portions are devel- 
 0])ing along the same line. There are many thousands of 
 acres of choice vegetable and strawberry land distributed 
 throughout the county, all within easy reach of transpor- 
 tation, and only awaiting cultivation to become highly 
 remunerative. Ten thousand truck farmers can liud 
 openings here, and those who will work intelligently can 
 become indei»cndent. 
 
 SOIL, CHARACTER A^D PRODUCTS. 
 
 The county embraces about thirty-fiye civil townsliips 
 of land. It is diversified in quality and is adapted to 
 vegetable farming, igoneral agriculture, fruit growing, 
 
503 
 
 and j;Taziii.c;. INIost of the laud is coAWMod with iorests 
 of the lonji' leaf southeni pine. IJiit it is interspersed 
 Avith ]>raiiies and bodies of hardwood timber (known in 
 Florida as hammocks). The hammoek lands are sjtron- 
 ger and when onltiviUed produce* the heaviest crops. Tho 
 low hammocks arid some of the i»rairies are well adapted 
 to the growing of sugar cane. This croj) is cultivated in 
 a limited way by many farmers, and the cane is worked 
 into syrup of a liigh quality, which finds a ready market. 
 
 The varieties of fiuits ada])ted to this section cover a 
 long list. Oranges, piueajtples, grape fruit, lemons, 
 limes, loquats, guavas. Jji}>an iiersimmons, peaches, 
 pears, grapes, bananas and strawberries are among the 
 fruits which thrive here. Of these the orange may be 
 mentioned first as having occupied first ])lace in the past 
 as a money making crop. Next in importance is the 
 pineapple, fully as profitable, but not yet havijig attained 
 such general cultivation. Orlando is the center jf the 
 high grade pineapple industry of the State. Her pines 
 are famous. It is claiuied that the world has not st»c- 
 ceeded in producing a finer pineay)p]e than those that are 
 grown in the immediate vicinity of this place. The j^ine- 
 ap])le growers are making big money and making it easi y. 
 
 Strawberry culture has not received the attention its 
 importance deserves. This fruit is only cultivated in a 
 limited way. The fruit begins to ripen liere in Deeeni- 
 •ber, and the fruiting season lasts to June. The very 
 early fruit commands a fancy price in Xorlliern markets. 
 There are thousands of acres of strawberry land in the 
 county awaiting cultivation, and ott'ering rich returns to 
 those who will engage in the business intelligently. 01" 
 the other varieties of fruits named an abundant supi)ly 
 for home use and a good surplus over for the mai'ket can 
 l)e easily produced. Fruit growing is beset with no 
 greater diiTiculties here than elsewhere, while the advan- 
 taige of being first in the market in the season is greatly 
 in our favor. 
 
 No portion of the North is capable. of such diversified 
 farming, or can be made to yield as many dollars to the 
 acre, oF can support a denser population. 
 
 In the "North farmers are limited to one single crop 
 per year, while here, owing to the length of the growing 
 season, two and sometimes three crops can l)e taken from 
 
504 
 
 the same land during the year. A winter crop can ?>e 
 first grown, then a crop of quick growing spring vegeta- 
 bles, after which the same land can be made to produce 
 a crop of forage. Of course, with such forcing, the land 
 must bft kept up with manure or other fertilizer, for no 
 land can long withstand such a drain without the most 
 liberal treatment. 
 
 The population of the county according to the census of 
 1900 was 11,374. Of this number about twenty-five per 
 cent, are colored. The colored |)eople ai-e quiet, orderly, 
 and industrious. There is no friction between the races 
 here. 
 
 The assessed valuation of real estate is $2,305,590 and 
 of personal property, |495,S40. This is exclusive of the 
 assessment ui)on the railroad and telegraph lines within 
 the county, which amounts to |8G6,721 more, a total of 
 13,668,151. 
 
 The rate of taxation for state and county purposes is 18 
 mills, of which 5 mills is for state and 13 for county pur- 
 poses; 3 mills of this is for road improvement, and 5 for 
 public schools, leaving only 5 mills for general county 
 purposes. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 There are 07 public schools in the county. Two of 
 these are high schools and forty four graded. There are 
 sixteen colored schools in the county, separate schools 
 beinig provided for white and colored ])U])ils. The total 
 enrollment of ])upilK is 2,599. Ninety-six teachers are em- 
 ployed at salaries ranging from .fl8 to |100 per monili. 
 Of these 19 are male and 77 female teachers. The col- 
 ored schools employ 26 colored teachers. The term of 
 free public schools covers a period of six months. 
 
 In addition to the public s<'hools, Kollins College is 
 located at Winter Park. It is a thoroughly equipped 
 and up-to-date college. In Orlando are two depomina- 
 tlonal schools, Pell-Clarke Hall, «'onducted under the 
 auapices of the Episcopal Diocese of South Florida", and 
 St. Joseph A<*ademy, under the managemnt of the Sisters 
 of St. Joseph, a Catholic order. At St. Mar^s, in the 
 northern part of the county, is a small Episcopal schooS 
 lor boys. 
 
>» 
 
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 5 
 
50o 
 
 Within the county are sixty-five churches, represent- 
 ing ten denominations. 
 
 The principal towns are Orlando, the county seat, with 
 a population of 4,300; Kanford, population 2,940; Winter 
 Park, population 800; Maitland, population 600; Apopka, 
 j>opulation 500. 
 
 TEMPERATURE AJS'D RAINFALL. 
 
 The mean temperature and rainfall by months for the 
 year 1901 is as follows: 
 
 Month. Temperature, deg. Rainfall, inches. 
 
 January 60.00 1.07 
 
 FebruaW 58.6 3.27 
 
 March 64.2 3.89 
 
 April 66.8 2.47 
 
 May 76.4 2.15 
 
 June 79.6 11.81 
 
 July 8.20 4.28 
 
 August 80.5 13.18 
 
 September 79.6 11.12 
 
 Octob«?r 78.6 2.20 
 
 December 58.05 1.28 
 
 Annual mean 70.47 Total 57.26 
 
 No mining operations are carried on in Orange County. 
 Manufacturing industries are located in different parts of 
 the county, and their number is increaned year by year. 
 There is a large and well equipped starch fu.tory which 
 produces starch from the roots of the cassava plant; a 
 foundry and machine shop with boiler shop conne<;ted ; 
 two ice factories, a dozen saw mills, four venter mills, 
 nine or ten turpentine stills, producing rosin and turpen- 
 tine for export, five or six wagon and carriage factories, 
 and a number of smaller plants of various kinds. 
 
 Two trunk lines of railroad — the .\tlantic Coast Line 
 and Seaboard Air;Line — run through the county, afford- 
 ing ample' transportation facilities for pr-esent demands. 
 The St. Johns River — a navigable stream, forms the eas- 
 tern and a part of the northern boundai-y of the county. 
 River steamers afford a good service for eiiher passengei* 
 ©r freijght business. A trip on the St. Johns is one of the 
 
most delight fill that one can take anywhere. It is popu- 
 lar with the large nimiber of ISorthern visitors who come 
 to Florida to sjjend winter mouths. 
 
 As shown by the books of the tax assessor there are 
 williin Orange Coui%ly 16/JOO head of cattle, about 16,000 
 of Avhicli are stock or range cattle that run on the wild 
 range and get their own living throughout the entire 
 year, it is safe to claim that these receive not one pound 
 of feed during the year save what they get on the range. 
 The other 1)00 head are kept for dairy and domestic [)ur- 
 poses, and receive better treatment, and more civilized 
 rations. The number of horses and mules is 1,300 ; hogs, 
 5,300; and sheep about 1,000. In ispite of the sub-tropical 
 climate and heavy rains, sheep thrive here remarkably, 
 and appear to be always healthy and strong. They are 
 subject to no disease, foot rot and scab are not known . 
 here. It is believed that one of the coming industries 
 will be sheep farming. 
 
 Good range lands, suitable for cattle or sheep, can bo 
 secured at tliis time as low as one dollar per acre, in 
 large sized tracts. Other lands and those adapted to dif- 
 ferent purposes command prices ranging from that figure 
 to .f 100 per acre, according to situation, condition of culti- 
 vation, proximity to the lariger towns and railroads, and 
 adai)tability to the wants of the purchaser. In the item 
 of cheap lands this section has a decided advantage over . 
 the West. Let homeseekers make a note of the fact. 
 
 AN IDJCAL LOCALITY FOR A HOME. 
 
 It is taken for granted that every American is desirous 
 of securing a competence for himself and i)roviding for his 
 family if he has one, or for the means of support for a 
 j>rospective one. It is also a legitimate presumptio?i that 
 whether he is comfortably settled, or is prospecting for'a 
 home, he is ahvays ready to favorably consider a removal 
 to some other part of the country if he can be assured 
 that the other place offeis fewer discomforts and hard- 
 ships, better health, and Uiore favorable opportunities for 
 acquiring a competence than that in which he is now lo- 
 cated. 
 
 The records of the Florida State Board of Health fo? 
 the i)eriod of five years ending December 31, 1898, shows 
 
5U7 
 
 » 
 
 that tlie annual average death late of tlie high, interior 
 portion of Florida is o.o4 })er 1,000 of population. Note 
 well this remarkable ^hewing and then bear in. mind that 
 Orange County is one of the healthiest spots in the in- 
 terior of Florida. Here is the strongest argument that 
 can be brougl.t forward in .support of the elaiui of Iiealth- 
 fulness of this section. 
 
 In industries the county is but partially developed. 
 There are plenty of openings for farmers, and for wide 
 awake people who may desire to engage in other avoca- 
 tions, who have the wisdom to discern a business opening 
 when it is in sight and the means to start and carry on 
 new enterprises. 
 
 To all such Orange County extends an invitation to 
 come and aid in building up and developing a splendid 
 section. The climate is almost ])erfect; living is chea]), 
 industry reaps a^rich reward. Drones are not needed. 
 If you cannot make a living where you are, stay there. 
 You would probably do no better liere. Live men and 
 women are needed, and such can find plent}' to do that 
 will bring good returns. 
 
 Within the county are about eleven hundred lakes of 
 the purest and softest of water. Except 'in the case of 
 the artesian wells and the few large springs all of the 
 water in the county is as soft as nselted snow. This is 
 true of driven and open wells, streams an.d lakes. The 
 artesian well water comes from a lower strata and is im- 
 pregnated with lime. Every housekeeper knows the de- 
 light of having an abundant sujjply of ])ure, soft water. 
 There is no scarcity of this commodity here, ^^'ells are 
 easily driven and an abundance of good water is reached 
 within fifteen to thirty feet. Open wells . are seldom 
 deeper than twenty feet. Near Sanford, and on nearly 
 all of the lower lying country, artesian water is --eached 
 at a depth of about one hundred feet, and fiowinsi; wl^Ala 
 are secured at a cost seldom exceeding one lunuLed dol- 
 lars for a two inch well. There is no need of water bar- 
 rels or cisterns. 
 
 Within the county are at least half a dozen immense 
 springs, any one of which furnishes enough watei- ti) turii 
 a mill. These springs are little short of marvelous. The 
 water comes from a low strata and is impregnated v.-ith 
 lime and sulphuretted jgasses. That they possess medici- 
 
• 508 
 
 nal properties of great value has been demonstrated be- 
 yond all question. 
 
 In the numerous fresh water lakes fish abound, and af- 
 ford fine entertainment for disciples of the rod and reel. 
 It will be seen that both land amd water are productive 
 «f food for man. A lazy man can exist with little effort. 
 The energetic and industrious one can easily secure a com- 
 petence. 
 
 An invitation is extended to everybody to visit this 
 county and verify the claims herein made. There is room 
 for thousands more and plenty of opportunity for all to 
 get a foothold and prosper. 
 
 The principal agricullSHral and other products of 1002 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 33,173 | 27,345 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 45^422 24,12S 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 434 6,762 
 
 Hay, tons, 2,049 26,007 
 
 Valvet beans, bushels, 7,810 9,519 
 
 Irish potatoes, bHshels, 9.401 19,307 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 35,024 35.194 
 
 Celery, crates, 7,561 4l,7S5 
 
 Cabbages, crates, 7,503 ^ 9,574 
 
 lettuce, crates, 0,285 26.355 
 
 Beans, crates, 3,604 4.700 
 
 Oranoies, boxes, 80,143 123,306 
 
 Grape fruit, crates, 2,637 0,403 
 
 Pineapples, number, 38,590 28,107 
 
 Cassava, tons, 1,000 4.631 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1002: 
 
 Horses, numl)er, 1 ,407 116.079 
 
 Mules, number, 338 , 37,005 
 
 Stock rattle, number, 21,61S 165.236 
 
 Shee]). number, 1 .015 2,145 
 
 Hogs, number, 7,642 13,543 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, 40,629 . 23,733 
 
 Dai ly pi'oducts : 
 
 Milk, gallons, 333,766 80,070 
 
 Butter, pounds, 57,969 16,549 
 
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509 
 OSCEOLA COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Orange, eaat 
 by Brevard, south by Polk, DeSoto and Dade, and on the 
 west by Polk and DeSato counties. It has an area of 
 1,827 square miles, or 1,170,280 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 3,lo3, and in 1000, it was 
 3,444, of which number 3,013 were whites and 431 werd 
 negroes. At the close of the school term of 1901, there 
 were in the county 31 schools, of which 27 were white 
 and 4 were for negroes. 
 
 The county of Osceola, called thus in honor of the 
 great Seminole warrior by that name, was laid off from 
 Orange and Brevard counties in 1887. It lies between 
 parallels about 27 degrees 15 minutes on its southern 
 boundary and 28 degrees 20 minutes on its northern boun- 
 dary, and because of its geographical position it enjoys 
 a delightful climate all the year round. Its mean sum- 
 mer temperature is 81.9 Its mean winter temperature Is 
 61.4. The annual rainfall is 53.82. 
 
 The surface of the country is level, relieved and is 
 adorned here and there by ponds and lakes of varying 
 sizes, shimmering from shore to center with the sparkle 
 of crystal waters. The timber is chiefly pine; though 
 small, rich hammocks of oak and hickory are not rare. 
 Much of the land of the county is prairie, affording fine 
 pasturage for the thousands of cattle ranging thereon. 
 
 The prices of land range from 50 cents to ^1.25 
 per acre, according to its adaptability to the purposes for 
 which it is wanted, its fertility and its location. 
 
 The leading industries are enumerated below : 
 
 1. The raising of cattle and sheep — The shipments of 
 the former from Kissimmee to Cuba since the Spanish 
 war have been very heavy; but extensive herds of cows 
 still roam through the woods and over the plains of 
 Osceola. The profits of eheeep-raising are said to be in- 
 viting, and the business is growing year by year. Sheep, 
 like cattle, are left entirely to the bounty of nature for 
 sustenance, winter as well as summer. 
 
 2. Raising fruits and vegetables — These products of the 
 grove and the garden are shipped, in their seasons, in 
 large quantitiem. Oranges, grape-fruit, peaches, melons, 
 squash, cabbage, tomatoes, beans, peas, beets, egg-plants, 
 
510 
 
 sweet and Irish potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables 
 thrive here under proper attention. Corn does well, but 
 cotton is not grown in the county. 
 
 3. The distillation of spirits of turpentine is assuming 
 an ini}!orrant jfosition among the industries of the coun- 
 ty; and to that purpose many of the pine lands are now 
 devoted which formerly afforded only jjasturage for cat- 
 tle. Some of these lands are now doing double duty — 
 feeding tlie cattle and filling the stills. 
 
 The population of the counfy is 3,444; 3,013 whites, 
 and 431 blacks. 
 
 Kissiinniee is tlie county seat, and is beautifully and 
 pleasantly situated at the head of navigation on a long 
 chain M lakes, canals and Vivers. The town has a popula- 
 tion of 1.132, and does a proisperous mercantile business. 
 As a winter resort Kissimmee enjoys an enviable reputa- 
 tion, the large hotel and the smaller ones offering good 
 cheer to tourists at reasonable rates. 
 
 The transportation facilities of the county are sup- 
 plied by the Atlantic Coast Line, the St. Cloud Sugar 
 Belt, the Florida Midland railways; and by steamers on 
 the chain of lakes, canals, rivers aforementioned. 
 . The assessed value of alJ property real and ])ersonal 
 (1901) is |l,363,185i30. The rate of taxation, for State 
 and county pHi'poses, is 18 mills, of which the schools re- 
 ceive five mills. 
 
 Fro!u the county isuperiutendent's '"Annual Report" we 
 have obtained the folowing data: 
 
 Schools maintained (school year 1900-01) 3i. 
 
 White schools (school yeaf 1000-01 27. 
 
 Negro schools (school year 1000-01) 4. 
 
 Salaries paid teacbers (school year 1000-01) .10.023.50 
 
 Total OTirollment in white schools, (including sev- 
 enteen (17) pupils previously enrolled) 012. 
 
 Average attendance on white schools, (including four 
 as average attendance of pui)ils previously enrolled) 578. 
 
 Total enrollment of negro schools 80. 
 
 Average attendance of negro schools GO. 
 
 Value of school buildings, $5,780.00. 
 
 The regular term was six months, but as soine of the 
 schools were not taught full sessions the average terra 
 was ninety five days. 
 
511 
 
 These fijiuics liavo been taken fioui tlie ivjjort for (lie 
 sjhool vear 1!»1I0-01. as before stated; tlie report fur the 
 year just closed not having been made out yei. 
 
 The Osceohi IIij.ih School is one of the best of its class 
 in the State. It is located at Kissininiee, and 1a open to 
 all the children of the county. It has a fa<;uUy of eight 
 teachers and had an enrollment the last session o;- nearly 
 four hundred boys and girls. The length of term is nine 
 months, the city paying part of the cost of running the 
 school. The building is a large, handsome srructure of 
 modern design, furnished with up-to-date desks, slate 
 blackboards, etc.. and is the property of the county. 
 
 There are fifteen churches, of various denominations, 
 in the county; though of these, probably two or three 
 have no house of worship of their own. The gospel, how- 
 ever, is sometimes preached in other communities not- 
 withstanding the absence of an organized church. 
 
 In a brief article like this it is not possible to set forth 
 the advantages, industrial, coinmercial, eduofitioaal, and 
 religious, of the county. Suffice it to say that the latch- 
 string of Osceola hangs on the outside of the xloor, ami 
 all good, law-abiding-, men from any part of the country 
 are Avelcome to come and see for themselves. 
 
 ThP principal agricultural and other products for 
 1902, were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 8,800 ? 8,780 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, ir),0(jiO 0,100 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 103 1,030 
 
 Hay, tons, 70 1,530 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, 430 430 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, OGO 010 
 
 Beans, crates, 1,130 1,130 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 25,475 25,475 
 
 Grape fruit, crates, 900 3,74b 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1J)02 : 
 
 Horses, number, 055 17.973 
 
 Mules, number 31 1,370 
 
 Stock cattle, number 29,710 118,081. 
 
 Sheep, number, 8,050 8,050 
 
 Hogs, number. 2,027 1,356 
 
 Pf)ultry. all kinds, number 4,275 1.029 
 
 V/ool, pounds, 18,800 3,900 
 
512 
 PASCO COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Hernando, east 
 by Polk and Sumter, on the south by Hillsborough and 
 Mexico. 
 Polk, and on the west by Hernando and the Gulf of 
 
 It has an area of 750 square miles of land surface, or 
 480,000 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 4,249, and in 1900 it wa? 
 6,054, of which number 4,375 were white and 1,679 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901, there were 43 
 schools in the county, of which 39 were for whites and 
 4 were for negroes. 
 
 By act of the Legislature, approved June 2, 1887, Her- 
 nando County was dismembered, and the three counties 
 Citrus, Hernando and Pasco were created out of the ter- 
 ritory originally embracing Hernando. The territory 
 now comprising Pasco County is the extreme southern 
 part of the original Hernando County, and is by far the 
 richest and most desirable portion of the territory inclu- 
 ded in the original boundaries of Hernando, as is ^howD 
 by the fact, that in the division of the revenues and prop- 
 erty of the orignal county, between the three counties, 
 Pasco received 42 per cent, while the other 58 per (;eut. 
 was divided between Citrus and Hernando. 
 
 Nearly all portions of Pasco County offer substantial 
 inducements and attractions to the tourist, the sports- 
 man, and the seekers after health, as well as to the immi- 
 grant desiring to enter into commercial pursuits, or to 
 engage in its production of fruits and vegetables, or the 
 more substantial but equally profitable staples, cotton, 
 •xjorn, oats, rice and sugar cane. 
 
 We claim a soil of exceptional fertilty, and we chal- 
 lenge comparison with the best in the State. The cli- 
 matic conditions are peculiarly favorable under all cir- 
 cumstances, while the salubrity of our surroundings is in- 
 disputable. The orange, lime, citron, shaddock, grapo 
 fruit, strawberries and watermelons are practical crops, 
 giving excellent results and satisfactory profits. The 
 :guava, banana and pineapple are successfully grown, bat 
 we do not commend these as reliable crope. 
 
513 
 
 Pasco County is one of the richest agricultural sections 
 in South Florida. It possesses many of the characteris- 
 tics of the far-famed and ^ittract.ve Middle Florida sec- 
 tion, having high and rolling hills and clay subsoil. Our 
 products are therefore more varied, embracing those of 
 the tropical, semi-tropical and temperate regions, giving; 
 to this county a superiority universally conceded, over 
 the counties lyiCg south ot ours. Large quantities of 
 corn, oats and other grains are grown in almost every 
 part of the county. 
 
 Besides its general excellence of soil, climate and topo- 
 graphy, the county possesses several features especially 
 attractive; prominent among these are the Graded and 
 High School at Dade City, Holy Name Academy at Sau 
 Antonio, St. Leo Military College, at St. Leo, together 
 with a progressive public school system, all of which otter 
 exceptionally fine educational advantages, whith, taken 
 in connection with the fact that we have a law-abidiiig, 
 sober, progressive and enterprising population, must 
 commend Pasco County in no uncertain manner to the 
 favorable consideration of homeseekers. 
 
 The soil is of several varieties, and most of it fertile, 
 yet there are portions of it possessed of no wonderful de- 
 gree of fertility, still it is rarely so poor as not to give 
 very satisfactory returns under energetic and intelligent 
 culture. A perfect climate and almost phenomenal 
 healthfulness is one of our chief attractions. 
 
 Here, however, as everyw'here, the fiat of God "that in 
 the sweat of his face man shall earn his living," is inex- 
 orable. No mater how tempting and seductive the pic- 
 ture, the idler and the drone fails in Florida, as he must 
 fail anywhere. Men too frequently come to Florida 
 dazed by the wonderful stories told and the roseate pic- 
 tures drawn by real estate agents and other inter*»ste»I 
 persons. Hence, though even possessed of an enterpris*- 
 ing spirit and all the energy necessary to the undertak- 
 ing, yet warting a sufficiency of ready money and means 
 to accomplish their designs, they are disanpointed, be- 
 come discouraged and discontented and are then ready 1o 
 con(!emn the whole State of Florida and all its people 
 simply because they have not weighed and fully coosid- 
 cred the means necessary to the attainment of their ends. 
 
 33 H. F. 
 
514 
 
 To the industrious, patient toiler, to the frugal and thrifty 
 gettler, who is willing to adapt himself to his surround- 
 ings and profit by the experience of those who have 
 acquired practical information as to the best modes of 
 «ulture, success is certain. The man who migrates hither 
 under the delusion that money grows on trees, or that he 
 will soon become rich in the culture of oranges and vege- 
 tables by easy, certain and inexpensive methods, will 
 meet only with disappointment in Florida, as he must 
 under the same conditions any and everywhere else in iho 
 world. 
 
 There are men in this county, and they are by no 
 means scarce, who have met with great success in grow- 
 ing oranges and vegetables, even on poor and sandy land. 
 *rhese men came here but a few years since, poor 
 cramped and impecunious, yet by pluck and energy they 
 have not only realized a decent living for themselves and 
 families, but are thrifty, prosperous owners of fine orange 
 groves and other property, that render them independent. 
 What these men have done under the most adverse cir- 
 cumstances, others certainly can do under the much more 
 favorable conditions that now exist, but those men owe 
 their good fortune to their rigid adherence to the old 
 maxim, "there can be no excellence without labor." The 
 man who comes here expecting everything to grow as if 
 by magic, without the exercise of the most intelligent and 
 persistent effort, must be a fool, and there is no room for 
 such in our county. 
 
 It is not our purpose to exaggerate the capabilities, re- 
 sources and advantages of this county, nor do we desire 
 to conceal its objectionable features. The good features 
 are so patent and so multifarious, the bad so few, that we 
 would stultify ourselves were we to attempt to deceive or 
 mislead. 
 
 We extend a cordial invitation to all who are seeking a 
 home in a desirable county, to come and see us. These 
 will be heartily welcomed and hospitably treated, and by 
 seeing for themselves, readily perceive that we have fair- 
 ly and faithfully presented the claims of Pasco Countv, 
 without arrogating to it anything it does not deserve, and 
 disparaging the claims of other sections. 
 
 When a prudent man contemplates a removal to a new 
 and, to him, unknown country, the first and most im- 
 
515 
 
 portant questions which present themselves are: Can I 
 improve my condition? Can I make a living for myself 
 and family? Is society good? Will I find good S(;hool3 
 and churches? Is it healthy? To the question "Is it 
 healthy?" we answer, Yes. No heallhier location is to 
 be found in all the world thnn amid the rolling }>ine hills 
 of Florida, of which Pasco County is a fair sample. Here 
 we have no actue and inflammatory diseases, no pulmona- 
 ry troubles, no sunstrokes. No epidemic disease has as yet 
 invaded our territory, and there is scarcely a possibility 
 of its ever doing so. 
 
 As to our society, it is pleasing to inform the {mblic 
 that we have citi?:ens from nearly all the states, citizens, 
 too, of worth and intell^'igence, law-abiding and indust- 
 rious, contented and prosperous. The society of Pasco 
 County, therefore, compares favorably with, and is on 
 equal footing with that of the old settled states in all Ihe 
 elements of true manhood and all that constitutes good 
 citizenhip. 
 
 To the questions ''Can I improve my condition?" **Can 
 I make a living for myself and family?" we answer, it all 
 depends upon the man. If you are an industrious, intel- 
 ligent, practical man, we answer emphatically, yes! Nay, 
 more, you can build up and provide a competency for old 
 age, more or less, as you succeed. 
 
 We desire, however, to impress upon the home seeker 
 the imperative necessity for him to be provided with 
 ready money to purchase whatsoever land he may re- 
 quire, and, in addition, a sum sufficient to meet all ex- 
 penses of housekeeping and all other necessary incidentals 
 during the first year, by these means only can he hope to 
 attain the best results and reach that peaceful state of 
 contentment so essential to ultimate success. 
 
 DADE CITY. 
 
 But a few years ago Dade City was a little insignifi- 
 cant hamlet in the midst of the primeval forest. Now it 
 has grown into a considerable town, with a stirring, bust- 
 ling, enterprising population of 509 that imparts to it a 
 metropolitan air. It is the county site and possesses pos- 
 sibilities that at once forcibly impress the visitor. It has 
 handsome buildings, such as hotels, new and beautiful 
 
516 
 
 private residences, elegant churches, a magnificent graded 
 and high s hool building, and enterprising^ i'joral and cul- 
 tivated people. 
 
 The gei^graphical position of Dade City makes it tke 
 distributing point as well as the business and edura- 
 tional center of a large and flourishing region, and uo 
 point in South Florida, save the rapidly growing city of 
 Tampa, offers more inviting opportunities to industry and 
 capital. 
 
 But we desire to emphasize our former statement, we 
 wish for only frugal, thrifty, industrious immigrants', 
 who will aid in its growth and development. We do not 
 desire the idle, the vicious, the indolent, who only clog 
 the wheels of progress. 
 
 Dade City has a magnificent country tributary to it, 
 and with her many advantages and exceptional railroad 
 facilities as a business center, cheap living, inviting cli- 
 mate, surrounded by a truck-farming, fruit-growing and 
 food-producing country, with adjacent forests of excel- 
 lent pine and cypress, and with her two trunk lines of 
 railroads, there is nothirg to prevent it from becoming a 
 considerable city even in the near future. 
 
 There is no town in South Florida more easy of access 
 than Dade City. 
 
 GRADED AND HIGH SCHOOL. 
 
 This excellent institution has just opened under the 
 most favorable auspices, and it bids fair to rival the best 
 institutions of learning in the State. The curriculum Is 
 comDrehensive, the instruction thorough, and its methods 
 modern and progressive. The building is of handsome 
 arhcitectural design, oommorlious and well arranged *ut 
 comfort and convenience. The corps of teachers is rx- 
 ceHent, and some of them for thorough scholarship and 
 literary attainments are unsurpassed, and for all th'iser 
 elements that inspire love and respect in the youTig Miey 
 stand prereminent. It is the pride of our people, and its 
 benefits will attest its excellence. 
 
 Prominent among the interesting features of Dade City 
 ere its splendid stores, bank, and building and loan asso- 
 ciations. 
 
517 
 
 The trade of Dade City has steadily increased, until it 
 is now the most prominent commercial point betwee?i 
 Ocala and Tampa. Our merchants have demonstrated 
 that the quality of their go.ods is equal to the besr. and 
 prices as low as any. Hence, th^ merchants of Da^.e ''ity 
 supply the wants of Ihe people living in portions of Sum- 
 ter, Hernando, Polk and Hillsborough counties. 
 
 Take it all in all, we commend Dade City in unmeasured 
 terms to those seeking homes or investments, with rhe 
 assurance that they will not be disappointed, but rather 
 have reason to rejoice for the gc )d fortune which induced 
 them to locate amid a sober and law abiding people, where 
 social, moral and religious refinement predominates, and 
 educational facilities are unsurpassed. 
 
 SAN ANTONIO 
 
 Is a growing and thriving town, situated in a very desira- 
 ble section, and it promises, by reason of its igreat educa- 
 tional advantages, to be a town of considerable promi- 
 nence. It is located on the A. C. L. Ry., about five miles 
 from Dade City. San Antonio was founded in ISSl, by 
 Judge E. F. Dunne, a gentleman of distinction and y>ronii- 
 nence, who established at that time a Catholic colony in 
 that immediate section. There have been large acces- 
 sions to the population, many of whom are men of cuJ 
 ture and refinement, and these have spared no geniu.s nor 
 labor in their persistent efforts to impart an impetus to 
 every enterprise that shall send the colony along in the 
 march of progress. 
 
 The cardinal object of its founder. Judge Dunne, was 
 to make it a great educational center, and by the most 
 indefatigable and intelligent effort he has consummate! 
 his plans. Holy Name Academy, under the immed'ato 
 supervision of Mother Dolorosa, opened in Septeml>er 
 last, under the most favorable circumstances. The 
 Mother Superior is a lady of culture, refinement and 
 scholarly attainments, i)ious and exemplary, who will 
 surely make this institution one of the best in the State 
 for the tuition of females. Undf^r the auspices of the 
 Holy Roman Catholic Church, these |>eople are now erect- 
 ing the largest and handsomest college building vm the 
 State. When completed its portals will he thrown open 
 
51S 
 
 io bov« and >\nmj; nn^n. ami a i^rivs of the mtvjt learned 
 and aeexnuplishetl prv^^jisor^ will be en\pKm"Hi. To ik»- 
 plo of the Oatholie fniih San Autonio olYors unusual m- 
 duvVir»oniis and lo all othei>. ivsTv^r^ne** of ^H't or ereod, 
 ihesse pci^ple extend a iH>rviial w^^Kx^tue. 
 
 8>i. TUoiuas and l^rtUle ar^ nt\ir San Antonio, and iH)n- 
 stitute a jKirt of the original vH>louy. They are Kh ated in 
 a ft^riile and des^irable oountrv. \Yhioh will eonuuend itself 
 to those who visit it. 
 
 ST. LEO Mir.lTAKY COUJKGK, 
 
 Conducted hv the Fathors of the *H.>n!er of St. B«^n©- 
 diet." was foundtnl in Iv'^JV and. in ,lune of the same year, 
 endowtxl by the Florida l.ejiislatun* with full eollejiiato 
 po^Trs and privileju^s, 
 
 St. Let> is situated on the AVest or C>ulf Coast of 
 Florida, ISl) miKvsi southwest of .la«*ksouville, 4r> milefl 
 north of Tampa and 5 niiUNS wt^t of l>ade CIin. The At- 
 laiuio Coast Line runs solUI trains fn^iu ,laoksonvil!e to 
 St. Leo. and the St^iln^arii Air Line fnun tlaek«onvill<v 
 etc., to Pade City. The iXvan Steamship Co., New 
 York to Savannah, Oa., and the Clyde Liiu^. New York to 
 Jaoksouville, gn\nt lilK^ral rates to our student*. 
 
 RICni\M> 
 
 Is Kvatetl in that jvirt of Past\» County which many |M>o* 
 pie repinl as the most attratti\-e and desinible portion 
 within its eon tines. Its pivple an^ hospitable. Indus- 
 trious, law-abidinj; and pn^jiressiw. For ajiriouUnnil 
 purjH^sos and truok farnung this stv'tion is in all ivsiK\ts 
 The espial of the best, while its oranue sxnnes for the past 
 fifty years attest its exivllenoe as an ortin«ie s:rowinor sec- 
 tion. Kiohland is promiiiently and advanta,cvH>usly sit- 
 uate<i on the Atlantic Coav<t Line Haihvay. in the midst 
 of the widely known and justly fanu\l Tuokenown ooun- 
 Try. Ixinds in this section t an Ih^ purchastni at reasonable 
 prices. This stvtion fun\ishcs txotable iustanct^ of the 
 success of men who came to Florida determineti to win. 
 We I'ommend it alike for its salubrious snrronndinjrs, fer- 
 tile soil. hi>spitable ixvple. and i^iod schiH^ls. 
 
519 
 
 ELLERSLIE 
 
 Is a ftrnall town on the Atlantic Coast Line Railway, 
 pleanantly Hituated in the mi<lst of am exr-ellc-nt oountrr, 
 offering many inducements to settlers. Its people are 
 thrifty, progressive and enterprising, hospitable and 
 clever, who have determined to vigorously push their 
 promising town for all It is worth. 
 
 OWEXHBORO 
 
 Is located at the intersection of the Seaboard Air Line 
 and Atlantic Coast Line Railway, six miles north of l)ade 
 City. It is very advantageously situated in the mid?;: of 
 undulating pine lands, wifh some of the best hammock 
 lands in the State adjacent. These Iand«. besides Irving 
 amoPiq, *he very best for agricultural and truck growing 
 purposes, ai*e specially adapt<'d to orange culture. Tobacco 
 and sugar cane. The j^eople are refined, intelligent and 
 enterprising. 
 
 ABBOTT 
 
 Ib a small village recently established on the 8. A- L., 
 ten miles south of Dade City. Tte surroundings arc pe- 
 culiarly advantageous, and under proper development 
 this section bids fair to become one of the most prosper- 
 ous and desirable in the county. 
 
 PASADENA 
 
 Is an embrjo town two miles south of Dade City on the 
 ft. A. L. R. R. It ha.s a postoffice and stores, and the 
 Withlacoochoe Land & Lumber Company have there the 
 largest steam saw mill in the county. Wealthy and en- 
 terprising gentlemen are largely interested in this sec- 
 tion, and under favorable conditions will do much, to de- 
 velop it. 
 
 LACOOCIIEE 
 
 Is a tovm located at the intersection of the A. C. L. and 
 8. A. L. Railway. It has stores, postoffice, hotel, and be- 
 
520 
 
 ing surrounded by a good country, populated with thrifty 
 and prosperous people, it does a considerable business. 
 
 ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILWAY 
 
 Passes diagonally through the county, entering at north- 
 east corner and running southwesterly to a point near 
 Anclote. Lennard, Blanton, Chipco, Pasco, Drexel, are 
 towns along the line of railroad, all of which otfer in- 
 ducements to homeseekers. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 25,513 $ 25.513 
 
 Oats, bushels, 15,830 7,915 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 25,170 12,tj25 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,941 19,410 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 22,360 22.300 
 
 Hay, tons, 2,005 29,250 
 
 Tobacco, pounds, 30,000 6,200 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 27,405 27,405 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 5,600 19,140 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 8,895 12,455 
 
 Ejgg plants, crates, 8,765 17,010 
 
 Cucumbers, crates, 11,825 12.270 
 
 English peas, crates, 25,010 26,9 10 
 
 Beans, crates, 28,035 33.565 
 
 Oranges, crates, 23,390 34,245 
 
 Strawberries, quarts, 88,300 11.250 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 4,515 5,175 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 927 55.330 
 
 Mules, number, 35 35,205 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 17,077 150,770 
 
 Hogs, number, 5,951 8,985 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 14,813 5,905 
 
POLK COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Sumter, Lake 
 and Osceola, on the east by Osceola, on the south by 
 DeSoto, and on the west by Hillsborough and Tasco 
 counties. 
 
 It has an area of 1,9G7 square miles of land surface, or 
 1,258,880 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 7,905, and in 1900, it was 
 12,472, of which number, 9,523 were whites, and 2,94D 
 were negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term in 1901, there were in 
 the county 85 schools, of which 75 were for whites and 
 10 were for negro2s. 
 
 Polk County, Florida, occupies a position midway be- 
 tween the Atlantic and the great Gulf, on the dividing 
 ridge between the two, draining into both and is thert- 
 fore the highest and best drained land on the peninsula. 
 The climate is salubrious, the soil fertile, the seasims reg- 
 ular, the people genial, hospitable and intelligent, the 
 flora b3autiful, fish and game abundant, boating and 
 bathing all that could be desired and as much good 
 health to the square mile as can be found in any spot on 
 earth. Eesident physicians and practitioners of expe- 
 rience agree that what few diseases they find here yield 
 much more readily to treatment than diiseases of like na- 
 ture in more northern latitudes. 
 
 SOILS. 
 
 The soils of the county are of five kinds: hammocfe,^ 
 high pine, flat woods, prairie and muck, mostly under- 
 laid with a porous sub-soil of clay, marl or phosphate, 
 adding greatly to their productiveness. Prices of unim- 
 proved land from $1.00 to ^25.00 i>er acre ; improved 
 property at reasonable prices. 
 
 FIELD CROPS. 
 
 In this class we are obliged to place not only *uch 
 crops as are usually called fleld crops in a higher latitude, 
 but alsjo all kinds of vegetables, as these are as much a 
 
522 
 
 staple crop here aa are corn and cotton in Georgia or the 
 Carolinas. 
 
 Cora is here as in the older states a staple crop. Thi« 
 crop can be produced with less labor here, perhaps,, than 
 almost anywhere else, as the cultivation is mostly in the 
 spring, before the v/ild grasses and weeds begin to grow 
 rank , 
 
 ifciugar cane does well on almost any Polk County soil, 
 is extensively cultivated and is one of our best-paying 
 crops, often yielding 200 to 300 gallons of syrup, or 
 1,500 to 2,0(10 or more pounds of sugar, equivalent tu 
 from |75 to |100 per acre 
 
 Sweet potatoes grow to perfection hers, 100 to 400 bush- 
 els being produced at very small cost. The}"^ can be left in 
 the ground all winter and can be dug just as they are 
 wanted. 
 
 Irish potatoes produce well here and at a season when 
 they cannot bQ grown elsewhere, hence fine prices are ol>- 
 tained. They yield abundant crops on muck lands with- 
 out fertilization. 
 
 Rice is one of our most important crops as it can be 
 grown on nearly all our soils. 
 
 Oats, rye, millet, kaffir corn and teosinte succeed well 
 here and chab-grass, cowpeas, velvet beans, peanuts and 
 beggar weed are leading forage crops, yielding a large 
 tonnage on nearly all our soils. 
 
 Velvet beans and cassava. — It is only within recent 
 years that much attention has been given to velvet beans 
 and cassava, yet experience has demonstrated that in 
 these two crops alone the farmers have an inexhaustable 
 mine of wealth. Both are made between frosts, are not 
 subject to risk from cold and will stand long drouth 
 without injury. They are well nigh certain crops every 
 year and, as the cost per acre in cultivating is very small 
 they ai-e crops that appeal to every farmer. The velvet 
 bean can be grown at an expense of not over |3 per acre 
 and an acre will fatten two head of beef cattle, adding 
 $10 to their value. It is equally valuable lu fattening 
 hogs. Besides its feeding value, this plant, belonging to 
 the LejETume family, easily stands at the head of nitrogen- 
 gathering plants. It has been demonstrated that an acre 
 of velvet beans contains in the vine, pods and roots, a 
 hundred and ninety-one pounds of nitrogen, two hundred 
 
523 
 
 and forty-three pounds of potash and forty -one pounds ot 
 phosphoric acid, aggregating a commercial value of over 
 |40 per acre. It thrives on the poorest soil, and lands 
 that will hardly pay to cultivate can in tvNO years be 
 made to produce paying crops of other kinds, the beans 
 in the meantime jiaying a profit for fattening purjjoses. 
 Cassava thrives on almost any kind of soil, is easily 
 cultivated and yields from five to ten tons per acre. It 
 can be sold to the starch factories at remunerative price«; 
 but the greatest profit is in fattening stock for the 
 market. When used in this manner it returns to the 
 farmer $10 per ton, hence it is easy to figure the profit in 
 cassava, as it can be grown for |-3 per ton. 
 
 Cassava and velvet beans are cash crops, with no long 
 period of waiting for returns to come in. They are free 
 from the risk and danger from cold encountered in early 
 trucking, inexpensive to grow, absolutely certain nine 
 years out of ten, and the farmer who will take fifty to one 
 hundred acres of land in Polk county and plant it in 
 these crops, in rotation with such other crops as he cares 
 to plant, and raise hogs and cattle. Is certain of a sure 
 and sufficient income to live comfortably and more 
 easily than the average farmer in the Northern States. 
 
 VEGETABLES. '^ 
 
 Under this head a long list might be given, but we will 
 call attention to such only as are most important in PolR 
 County at the present time. Tomatoes may properly 
 claim the lead, being one of the most profitable crops we 
 grow. Like early potatoes, they i-each the Njithem 
 markets before there is any competition from other 
 States, consequently good prices are obtained. The same 
 may be si'd of beans, wl^ich follow tomatoes as a cloee 
 second. Celery is also a success and pays well, olVering 
 a rich field for the new comer. Cabbages and eggplants 
 are also grown for the early markets and with success 
 and profit. Cucuinbera, lettuce, cauliflower, okra, onions 
 and beets are also grown extensively for home use and 
 local markets. 
 
 Strawberries have proven highly profitable in Polk 
 county, and cantaloupes and watermelons also pay well. 
 
524 
 
 FKUITS. 
 
 The fruits grown in thiis county comprise an ainiovt in- 
 terminable list. We grow, with equal success, the fruits 
 of three zon?s: temperate, sub-tropical and tropical. Thts 
 first are: Peaches, pears, plums, blackberries, blueber- 
 ries, whortleberries, mulberries, grapes and strawberries. 
 The second are: Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, cit- 
 ron, bergamot, shaddock, kumquat, Japan persimmons, 
 loquat, figs, guavas, pomepranates, olives, dates and 
 Surinam cherries. The principal tropical fruits are as 
 follows: Avocado pears, bananas, cherimeyer, guavas, 
 pineapples, mangoes, melon pawpaws, mammee applei?, 
 eappadilloes, sugar apples and tamarinds. 
 
 CATTLE. 
 
 Our first settlers devoted their time chiefly to raising 
 cattle. Some of the largest fortunes in South Florida 
 have been made in the business, and it is now one of the 
 leading industries of this county. It is hardly correct 
 to say that we raise cattle — we simply round them up 
 twice a year to see how they are succeeding in raising 
 themselves. From start to finish, they live entirely on 
 the range, and, except an expense of fifty cents a head 
 for rounding up and branding and as mucTi mure for 
 eelecting and delivering beef cattle, they do not cost their 
 owners a penny. This is a better cattle country than 
 Texas, New Mexico or Arizona in every respect but one. 
 Our wild grasses are not considered iso nutritious as 
 those of western Texas, yet they have the important ad- 
 vantage of being gi'een all the year, while those in other 
 States are dead during winter. Besides, we have no buf- 
 falo gnats, foot rot, screw worms, scab or blizzards, 
 which destroy thousands of cattle annually in the "Lone 
 Star State;" nor have we any coyotes or ''loafer wolves" 
 to kill young calves. Another great advantage is our 
 close proximity to the profitable Cuban markets. 
 
 MINERAL WEALTH OF POLK COUNTY. 
 
 Kaolin, gypsum, marl and cement are believed to ex- 
 ist in considerable quantities in this county, though little 
 
52C 
 
 is definitely known concerning any of our resources ex- 
 cept phosphate. 
 
 PHOSPHATE. 
 
 As this pamphlet is chiefly designed to give informa- 
 tion to stock farmers, fruit growers, mechanics, and 
 others who seek a home in the South to escope the vicissi- 
 tudes of more northern latitudes, we deem it unnecessary 
 to say more concerning our wonderful deposits of phos- 
 phate than to mention them as a great reserve fund, as 
 it were, to be drawn upon for the next hundred years 
 for the enrichment of our soils and those of the world, 
 (the phosphates of this county being shipped to Austra- 
 lia, Japan and to every known country where farming Is 
 carried on) and for the building up of extensive mining 
 and manufacturing induistries, giving 'employment to 
 thousands of busy workers, whom the farmers are expect- 
 ed to clothe and feed. This and the adjoining counties 
 of DeSoto and Hillsborough will control the pebble phos- 
 phate markets of the world. South Carolina is the only 
 formidable competitor and her mines are approaching 
 exhaustion. We have eight mining plants now in suc- 
 cessful operation. There are inquiries now being made 
 for deposits with a view to putting in other mining 
 plants, and there is still an inviting field for the invest- 
 ment of capital in the further development of this min- 
 eral wealth and in the manufacture of fertilizers. . 
 
 Shipments of phosphate from Polk County, Florida, 
 for 1891 were 2,925 tons, and the product has steadily 
 increaised until the present time when it will probably 
 reach 250,000 tons annually. Polk County is the center 
 of the pebble phosphate region and contains more of thi« 
 Talnable mineral wealth than any like area in the 
 "world. 
 
 BARTOW. 
 
 THE CITY^ ITS LOCATION, ETC. 
 
 Bartow, the eounty seat of Polk County. Is located on 
 the South Florida division of the Atlantic Coast Lino 
 railway, at the junction of three branches of the system, 
 
526 
 
 and is 210 miles southward from Jacksonville. It has n 
 population of about 1,983 of ''as indiistrious, intelligent 
 and hospitable people as vei"e ever gathered in one com- 
 munity." From a straggling village, not over two de- 
 cades ago, it has attained to its present development iu 
 population, trade, educational advantages, street im- 
 provement, ornamentation, illumination, social and relig- 
 ious privileges, municipal administration, drainage, san- 
 itation, industrial enterprise, water supply, etc., and her 
 people indulge a pardonable pride in contrasting their 
 present exalted privileges with the annoying deprivations 
 to which they were subjected during the earlier days of 
 their residence here. 
 
 Bartow now stands abreast with modern, progressive 
 cities, in the possession of all the accessories of success- 
 ful municipal administration, the preservation of the 
 healtii and happiness of the people, and the safety of 
 their property, such as a full city government, an oi'gan- 
 ized fire department, schools, churches. Masonic. Odd 
 Fellows and other secret lodges, hotels, restaurants, 
 transportation facilities, long distance telephone, tele- 
 graph connection, a national bank, an ice factory, cigar 
 factories, wagon and carriage factories, opera house, 
 lumber mills, printing office, weekly newspaper — The 
 Courier Infortnant, — livery stables, dentists, physicians, 
 and lawyers. ' 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 The surface of the ground around the limits of Bartow 
 and within the limits of the city m noticeably diflPerent 
 from that of many other sections of the State. There is 
 none of that dreary, depressing barrenness so uninviting 
 to the stranger and even to the resident elsewhere to be 
 seen. On the contrary, the country roads and streets of 
 the city, even when unpaved. are firm and smooth. The 
 landscape views are cheerful, often picturesque, so that 
 in passing along the roadways, either urban or rural, the 
 traveler gratefully enjoys the natural beauties of the 
 changing scenes, supplemented here and there by the 
 artistic touch of human hands. Within the city the sur- 
 face is more or less undulating, admitting of easy drain- 
 age, and preventing noisome accumulation of debris. 
 
527 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 Quite naturally Bartow highly esteema her educationaf 
 advantages. In this important interest she can justly 
 claim, it not pre-eminence, at least equal advantage* with 
 the most favored localities in the State. Her Summerlin 
 Institute ranks with the most advanced schools in the 
 South, and her people proudly point to it as at once an 
 achievement and an heirloom of priceless value. A dis- 
 tinguished educator is in charge of the Institute, assisted 
 by a corps of eleven exDcrieuced teachers. The building 
 is of brick and cost $20,000.00. Tuition is free to all 
 white children of the county the year round, and average 
 attendance is about 450. Steps are being taken and 
 money raised to erect an additional building on the in- 
 stitute grounds, costing eight or ten thousa^nd dollars. 
 Already a large part of that sum is in hand, and the bal- 
 ance wil be ready when needed. The people of Bartow 
 are keenly alive, both from local pride and philanthtropic 
 considerations, to their duty an*^ interest in the matter 
 of education of the youth of the eountry, and more cheer- 
 fully assume tax burdens for that purpose. 
 
 South Florida Military and Educational Institute was 
 established in Bartow by an act of the Florida I^egisla- 
 ture. The building in which it is conducted is handsome 
 and commodious, and stands amidst a grove of Bartow's 
 famous oaks on the outskirts of th^ city. One pupil from 
 each county of the State, chosen by competitive selection 
 is entitled to tuition free of charge and of all ex{)ense 
 for board, medical attention, and incidentals. Pay stu- 
 dents are admitted under appropriate regulations. The 
 curriculum, while guardedly practical, is sufficiently lil>- 
 eral to properly "round up" the educational equipment 
 of young men entering the area of life and qualify them 
 for successfully encountering the exigencies incident tu 
 life's vicissitudes. The discipline, while firm, is paternal 
 and considerate. It is not forgotten that boys are hu- 
 man beings, not machines. An experienced educator, a 
 thoroucrh discinlinarian and an accomolished gentleman 
 is princiDal. He has able assistants in the several depart- 
 ipents of the Institute. Two young gentlemen represent 
 the Institute at West Point and two at Annanolis, chosrn 
 after several competitive examinationft, a fact clearly 
 
52S 
 
 €stablisliing its excellent training. About sixty cadet* 
 are now in attendance. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 There are seven organized churches in Bartow, to-wit: 
 two Presbyterian, one Methodist, one Baptist, one Epis- 
 copalian, and two Christian. The buildings in which 
 thes3 several congregations worship are handsome, com- 
 modious and comfortable. Accesisories to church worK 
 such as Sunday Schools, Epworth League, Christian En- 
 deavor, the Baptist Young People's Union, etc., are con- 
 nected with the several congregations. 
 
 HOTELS. 
 
 There are several hotels, most of them comfortable and 
 well kept, and an excellent opening for a much larger 
 one. A site has been reserved for a large hotel, and 
 special inducements will be offered for its erection. In 
 all the lines of trade there are a number of well-fitted 
 etores, which in addition to the strictly local trade, are 
 lucratively patronized by the farmers and fruit and veg- 
 etable growers, and by the large number of miners em- 
 ployed in the nearby phosphate mines. 
 
 WATER SYSTEM AND FIRE PROTECTION. 
 
 Bartow's water system is another contributor to the 
 comfort of the people and the safety of their property, 
 of which she is justly proud. The plant is owned by the 
 city, and is capable of meeting all present and prospee- 
 live needs for many years to come, at rates at least 50 
 per cent lower than in most cities. It was constructed 
 in 1895 at a total cost of $14,396.72. The water furnished 
 is superb, clear as crystal, soft, palatable and healthful. 
 It is obtained from an artesian well 190 feet deep, and 1i 
 lifted by aritficial force to an elevation of nearly 100 
 feet, and empties into a tank holding 50,000 gallons at 
 the rate of 285 gallons per minute. The elevation of the 
 tank furnishes sufficient pressure for all ordinary re- 
 quirements, but in emergencies direct pressure may be 
 
applied almost instantaneously. Since the acceptance of 
 the system from the contractors, at whi-ch time, 12,325 
 feet of mains had been laid, the service has been extended 
 by nearly a mile and a half more of mains, thus greatly 
 enlarging the area and multiplying the beneficiaries of 
 this great boon. It is needless to enlarge upon the value 
 of an adequate water supply in the protection of property 
 and reduction of insurance rates. Without it a fire de- 
 partment, however well organized, is practically power- 
 less, a fact well known to underwriters. 
 
 ELECTRIC PLANT. 
 
 Fortunately for the city and peopl3, Bartow postponed 
 street lighting, other than by lamps, until private parties 
 were found who were willing to assume the expense of 
 erPctipjT t^nri riinn-nf^ an eleotiic plant. Th^ ^^'vue f-^n- 
 ished by the Bartow plant has proven satisfactory to the 
 city and private patrons, both as to rates and efficiency. 
 
 PAVED STREETS AND PAVING CEMENT. 
 
 Bartow has between eight and ten miles of paved 
 Etreets, and strange to say, ths paving was done at a cost 
 of less than $1,0JK) a mile. The secret of this is the fart 
 that within the city limits is a bed of natural cement, 
 from which the material has been mined to do the work. 
 This n;itural csnient is admirably adaj ted to street and 
 road paving, is cheap and conveniently procured, and 
 doubtipss will continue to be applied, as the convenience 
 and financial condition of the city may permit, until all 
 streets are paved. 
 
 INCREASE OF TAXABLE PROPERTY. 
 
 A*? an Pvid?noe th"t Bartow is fir^nlv p'^tablislipd in tlie 
 public mind as a choice locality fnr busin?ss men and for 
 lioTie and hpalth-f-prkers, thp fact is mpntinned. t'^.ar 
 while in 1884 J^he city assessment roll showed a taxable 
 
 po-sted UT> the handsom'^ s^in of $1.0nn.non. Thi'' gr-itify- 
 in"' growth h'^s b^^f^n '^ttainpd. too. dur'n<T n nrr'orl within 
 which the most fearful calamity that ever befel! a people, 
 34 H. F. 
 
030 
 
 (80 far as the mere destruction of property values is con- 
 cerned, occurred — that of the disastrous freeze of ISUi- 
 95. Some localities were lightly touched, and Bartow 
 and vicinity was one of those fortunate spots. Here reac- 
 tion soon set in, hope revived, and ere long the fruits of a 
 recovered energy were visible, which grew in vigor witli 
 the passing years. The orange trees in and around Ba>- 
 tow are in good condition; they are rapidly recovering 
 their pristine vigor and fruitfulness, and very soon the 
 harvest, already large, will reach its antifreeze pro- 
 portions. 
 
 REFLECTIONS AND FORECASTS. 
 
 The people of Bartow itrf» proaresKiv?, law-abiding, 
 charitable and hospitable, and extend a cordial welcome 
 to any one who may be seeking a home where they cau 
 be free from the chilling blasts of the northern climate, 
 where the weather is pleasant and agreeable the whole 
 year thronch; where lienltli is ennal to, ir" not b<^ttpi*. than 
 elsewhere in the world, and where the opportunities for 
 making a comfortable living are as good as can be found 
 in any other city of like size on the continent. 
 
 Bartow is a temperance city; there has not been a bar- 
 room here for years; the county is "dry," and though 
 several elections, four perhaps, have been held since pro- 
 hibition was voted, the result of each election ^as pro- 
 nounced in favor of its continuance. There is very little 
 probability that public sentiment will change. Bartow 
 being an educational center, and the law-abiding anti 
 pious character of the people well established, it is to 
 be presumed that they will in the future continue, as 
 they have in the past, to carefully guard the morals of the 
 youth placed in their midst from a distance to say noth- 
 ing of their own. 
 
 Bartow is sure to liecorae one of the best and largest 
 towns in the State, for the reason that itfi location is one 
 of the prettiest and healthiest and that it is surrounded 
 by isnch extraordinarily good grove, farming and garden- 
 ing lands, together with the mining interests, and her 
 unexcelled church and educational facilities, which have 
 already bf^en referred to. With good, wholesome, piifo 
 •water, and an elevation which gives this locality entiro 
 
o31 
 
 exemption from malaria, there need be no further search 
 made for a South Florida home. 
 
 Inquiries desiring details as to any of the foregoinj* 
 propositions can obtain them by letter addressed to 
 either of the officials, to the Board of Trade, or to any 
 busine£s or professional man, newspaper or private citi- 
 zen, whose name may come into their possession. Sucli 
 letters will be promptly and candidly answered. 
 
 LAKELAND. 
 
 Lakeland is situated in the northwest3rn part of Polk 
 County, at the crossing of two railroads, at terminus of 
 another, and within ten miles of a third, while a fourth, 
 now being coTistnicted, if^ only a few mile:^ awav, and 
 may at an early date be built into the city. The elevation 
 above sea level is 225 feet. The waters of the Gulf are 
 only 32 miles distant. The principal market crop here Is 
 strawberries, though thousands of dollars have been re- 
 alized from other crops, which will be referred to more 
 fully in another place. 
 
 The soils around Lakeland will compare favorably 
 with any in the State, and it has been fully demonstrated 
 that farming will pay here if properly conducted. A« 
 much as |1,000 to $2..500 have been cleared on small 
 tracts of land, not exceeding three acres in extent, and 
 this on crops that are planted in September and finally 
 harvested in the early part of May. This has been donft, 
 too, without taking the necessary time from the orange 
 groves, which a large majority of Lakeland farmers own. 
 
 As a place of residence, Lakeland cannot be surpassed. 
 The city is well lighted by electricity, and one of the best 
 graded scHools in the State is located here. The popula- 
 tion is 1,180 and the city has six churches and a bank. 
 Mail and express trains arrive at short intervals from all 
 points, and in the tourist season there are as many as 
 26 passenger trtjins arriving and departing daily. The 
 mercantile linos are well represented in all departments. 
 Among the manufacturing enterprises may be mentioned 
 a first-class ice factorv, sawmill, gristmill, and ricemill. 
 Other branches are also renresented on a smaller scale, 
 among them being two first-class bottling works. 
 
532 
 
 As a tourist resort, the place has been well known and 
 popular, being so greatly elevated, surrounded by niuis 
 beautiful, clear waier laKCS — several of wnicii are in tne 
 very midst of the city — and ranging in size from a few 
 acres to many miles in circumference. These lakes are 
 perfectly pure and clear, the water being used from ons 
 to supply tlie drinking water for all trains. They abound 
 in fisu, and one of tue greatest attractions to tourists \h 
 the fishing. Small game, especially quail, may be found 
 in abunoance. 
 
 The streets and roads are well paved, the livery servici; 
 is of a high order, and the drives among the lakes are not 
 to be surpassed in beauty anywhere in the State. One 
 €f the be^t hotels m the State is located herc», and in ad- 
 dition to th;s are many smaller hotels and boarding 
 houses, so tiiat all tastes and purses may be suited. One 
 of the finest dairies in tha State may be found here aua 
 its herd of Jeise\s aie a source cf great pitasure to all 
 lovers of the bovine kind. 
 
 Lakeland has two newspapers, the Polk County Newa 
 and th3 Lakeland Sun, the latter being the pioneer news- 
 paper in this section of the State. The city is now about 
 to install a local telephone exchange, which v>^iil be con- 
 nected by long-distance telephone with all points in the 
 country. 
 
 Lakeland is S!tuat3d iri the middle, so to speak, of the 
 great vegetable section of South Florida. There were 
 shipped from this place alone, the last spring (191)1), 
 over 2,21)0 refrigerators of strawberries which contained 
 two and two and a half bushels, respectively, aggregating 
 in quarts about 154,001), which netted tire growers, en 
 an average, twenty cents per quart. Besides this, there 
 have been shipped from Lakeland this spring and sum- 
 mer, 7,500 crate'^ of tomatoes and about 501) 1[)arrels of 
 Irish potatoes, 800 crates of cucumbers, 1)00 crates of 
 beans, beside* five or six car Ioar"'s of celery and i^umerous 
 other vegetables in Inrge quantities. From one orchard 
 in the corporate limits of the town, abaut 200 crates of 
 y>eaches found sale in northern markets. At Galloway, 
 a st-rtion only^fnur miles from here, fully as many straw- 
 berries were shit)];ed. and from Kathleen, a liamlet six 
 miles from Lakeland, about 1,200 refrigerators w°re sent 
 
533 
 
 into the markets of all the principal cities eaist of the 
 Mississippi. Besides these industries, general farming 
 is carried on to a considerable extent in this vicinity. As 
 fine corn may be seen growing here as can be found iu 
 Georgia or Alabama. 
 
 Five miles from Lakeland are located large shingle 
 mills where hundreds of men are employed. There are 
 fiix or seven turpentine and naval stores farms within a 
 few miles of Lakeland, and the pay rolls at these various 
 places amount to a large sum in the aggregate. The pay 
 rolls of the railroads centering {;t Lakeland amount to 
 nearly |1()0,000 per annum ; and the rolls of the phos- 
 phate, lumber and naval stores industries, amount to 
 many thousands more, making the circulating medium as 
 easy as in any other small town in the South. 
 
 WINTER HAVEN. 
 
 This lake region covers about two townships, with big 
 lakes, little lakes, deep lakes and shallow lakes in pro- 
 fusion, all gems of beauty in their settings of perennial 
 grean, all affording pleasure to the oarsman and sport to 
 the Sherman, all tempering the breezes of winter and 
 the heat of summer, all a never-failing source of delight. 
 
 The section occupies one of the highest points of land 
 in the State; there are no swamps, no fevers, no malaria. 
 ' The region posisesses good church and school facilities 
 and it is possible to live at ease with one's self and hu- 
 manitj', in ia golden age of friendliness and goodwill. 
 
 The center of this section, reached by the Atlantlts 
 Coast Line R. R., is Winter Haven. It is a delightful 
 community of people from many States, who, some with 
 money and others without, have evolved paying fruit and 
 vegetable farms from the surrounding pine lands. 
 
 There are nearly one hundred lakes in a radius of five 
 miles of Winter Haven, almost every farm having its own 
 lake front. The bright and shining jewel in this attrac- 
 tive setting is Florence Villa. It is situated on a chain 
 of sJx Ipkef- an<l T'O'-^sej^s^s its own stean^'^r and rowbonts. 
 Originally a private residence, it has been transformed 
 into a hostlery whose motto for guests is ''Make Your- 
 self at TTonie ;'* w)>''r'^ the fruit 's fr?(» lo thf^ <:>-n«>sts ; where, 
 upon its surrounding acres, the most advanced methods 
 
534 
 
 or orange and grapefruit culture may be seen and facto 
 learned in regaid to Florida's latest and oldest indus- 
 tries. A liome wiiere hie may be spent in complete en- 
 joyment for the time. 
 
 Not only from a tourist's standpoint does this section 
 offer the fulfillment of all wishes. The land is exceeding- 
 ly productive and is responding nobly to the calls fo» 
 general farming. Thousands oi dollars worth of toma- 
 toes have been shipped this year, one firm realizing 
 |1,200 from six acres. 
 
 It used to be thought that oranges only would grow 
 here, but June 4th, this year, at the home of a friend, the 
 writer ate from their gardens potatoes, celery, peppers, 
 strawberries, peaches, cantaloupes, cucumbers and lima 
 beans. Later in the month from this section there were 
 in addition, sugar cane, green corn, watermelons, pome- 
 granates, ^weet potatoes, figs, squash, and soon the guava, 
 Florida's apple, will be in market. 
 
 One of Winter Haven's merchants realized |300 fyom a 
 piece of ground not much over a quarter of an acre iu 
 size, from onions, pineapples and lemon nursery stock. 
 By planting with a view to the ripening season, it is pes* 
 Bible to have fresh fruit every month in the year. 
 
 Another large industry carried on here is the bejfutiful 
 and business-like citrus nursery of thirty acres, called 
 "Mascotte Grove." It is said to have brought a return 
 of 120,000 to its owner during the last two years. 
 
 The good roads make it easy to drive about and also 
 to market products; the lakes offer recreation, be^vty, 
 variety; the soil willingly yields a good living; the genial 
 and ethereal climate lifts one out of the worry of life, 
 and the never failing breeze gives ever welcoming kisses. 
 
 FORT MEADE. 
 
 Fort Meade has, from its earliest settlement, been a 
 trading center of considerable importance, it being the 
 supply point for a large extent of country, especially to 
 the east and south. Here the traders meet the drovera 
 from the outlying ranges ; here many a sale and exchange 
 has been made, and here for many years has been the 
 camping ground for people who come to trade from afar. 
 
 The early settlers invariably selected the most fertile 
 
5ar. 
 
 and productive lands, as they were compelled to secure 
 their subsistance from the soil. 
 
 Numbers of good families and influential people have 
 bought and improved land here, and in the vicinity, since 
 the railroad reached the town, and are well pleased with 
 their choice and discrimination. 
 
 People visiting Florida should certainly see this old 
 and historic place. It is a naturally beautiful site to es- 
 tablish a home. 
 
 The town is pleasantly situated and e.mbowered in 
 beautiiul old cak shade trees and orange trees, on the 
 west side of Peace Klver, on tli.^ line of the Florida South- 
 ern Railway', the depot of which is connected with the 
 hotels and business houses by a street railway, thus fa- 
 cilitating the receipts and shipments of freight, and 
 making passenger travel rapid and cheap. 
 
 Some of the advantages we may rightfully claim for 
 this town and section are: 
 
 1. Healthfulness, in point of which no town in the 
 Union is more favorably located. The elevation is high, 
 and natural drainage is aftbrded by Peace River and ita 
 tributaries, all of which run rapidly southward. 
 
 2. A fertile soil, producing vegetables and field crops, 
 and the various fruits peculiar to the sub-tropical belt. 
 
 Ths lands of this section are mostly first-class high 
 pine, the top eoil of which is dark and contains a large 
 percentage of humus. These lands produce almost as 
 well as hammock, and are much to be preferred for 
 healthfulness. Considreable bodies of both high and low 
 hammock land are to be found here which are in great 
 demand for gardening and the cultivation of rice, cai»- 
 sava, corn, sugar cane, velvet beans, cowpeas, tobacco, 
 and forage crops. 
 
 Both high hammock and pine land was chosen at this 
 place by experts for the establishment of a large tobaco 
 plantation, and a two-hundred acre cassava farm is novr 
 tinder cultivation here in a similar location. Cassava, 
 for starch and stock food, bids fair to be a profitable, 
 leading staple crop. It is predicted by many experts who 
 have recently examined the farm, that it will be the 
 means of inducing many settlers to permanently engage 
 in the business. This product, in connection with cow- 
 peas, velvet beans, and other field crops which grow 
 
53G 
 
 luxuriantly here, produces the b*>st stock food procurable, 
 and a larjje business will result in fattening caltle for t!ie 
 market. There is a large market for cassava root for 
 starch purposes, and contracts can be made per ton at 
 remunerative prices to growers. 
 
 The condition of the orange groves in Fort Meade and 
 vicinity shows that they are at home, a fact that the sur- 
 rounding groves will fully attest. 
 
 Fine vjirictics of fruit i\vo boin<j; pln^itod. !>nd ihe pros- 
 pects are exceedingly bright for a profitable future in this 
 industry. 
 
 3. Fort Meade figured early in the discovery and de- 
 velopment of high grade pebble phosphate, and is in closa 
 proximity to rich, undeveloped deposits; in fact, a rich 
 stratum of same crops out almost in the immediate cen- 
 ter of town. coTit'nuin.T in :> snnt'»P!ist'M-ly co'irsp across 
 Peace River, where a large deposit exists. The overbur- 
 den of this town deposit, hardened by exposure into a 
 (conglomerate mass, is now being used for road, street 
 purpo^'cs, and pavements. The material, when broken up 
 and rollpd doAvn, becomes a solid ma«s, almost if not 
 ^qual to macadam, standing well in both wet and dry 
 •weather. Consequently, we are having the best of roads 
 in thiis section at moderate cost. 
 
 THE FROSTPROOF LAKE REGION. 
 
 Tn no other part of the world, perhaps, and certainly 
 nowhere else in Florida, can be found so many natural 
 attractions and possibilities for varied products as in 
 this beautiful region of southeastern Polk County. 
 Many have heard of this land oi lakes and hills, but for 
 lack of transportation few have braved tlK- '*backwoo(h" 
 for the j)rote(tion from frost, perfect adaptation to fruit 
 culture, freedom from insects, the good hunting and tish- 
 ing, boating and bathing, pure water, and perfect hoalth- 
 fulness, all so haitpily blended here. 
 
 For those who desire such advantages as are combined, 
 the following facts are given and personal investigatiou 
 most cordially invited : 
 
 The Frostproof Lake Region forms the central and 
 m;ost attractive portion of the famous "Excelsior Lake 
 
537 
 
 Region of South Florida," only a few miles in width, 
 reaching from Haines City, on the Plant System Rail- 
 way, to Frostproof and onward, in a southeasterly 
 course, for many miles. This region is also called "The 
 backbone of Florida," because of its central location, 
 great comparative elevation, and long, narrow form. Ita 
 entire length is jeweled with countless clear-water lakes, 
 all set about with hills and beautiful undulations, crown- 
 ed with stately pines or spreading oaks, which are draped 
 with airy robes of Spanish moss. 
 
 Our smaller lakes are Lake Biscuit, nestling alone 
 among the hills, yet teeming with trout and small fish; 
 LpVs Ida. bnrderpd with large live-oaks; Hickory Lake, 
 with its tall hickory trees, and Silver Lake, one of the 
 mo't beautiful small lakes in America, a perfect geni of 
 purest crystal water, set in a circle of clean, white sand. 
 
 Lakes Clinch and Reedy, half a mile apart, are sepa- 
 ifated by a beautiful body of land, adorned with T>ine and 
 oak and vinr's of vv^ild grape. At this point, and fronting 
 on both lakes, is situated the town site of Frostproof, 
 one of the most charming spots in South Florida. Lake 
 Clinch, with its open shores and clean, sandy beach, is 
 a picture of perfection, while Lake Reedy, border3d by 
 miles of rich hammock and cabbage palms, has a truly 
 tropical appearance. Lake Reedy's broad exj)nnse is th« 
 starting point for hunting and fishing parties, down 
 Rsedy and Livingstone creek to Lake Arbuckle. thence 
 throuoh Arbuckle Creek to Lake Istopoga and onward 
 via Kissimmee River to the mighty Okeechobee, the mys- 
 tic Everglades, the ancient Indian mounds on Caloosa- 
 hatchee River, and out and away to the Ten Thousand 
 Islands via Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf. Largest of 
 all is far-famed Crooked Lake, its water level at the sur- 
 prising height of 132 feet above the sea. It runs far into 
 the flat woods to the westward and cuts deep into the 
 "Backbone Ridge" on the east. The hills along its east- 
 ern border rise terrace-like, one above another, reachinjj 
 elevations of more than 150 feet above the lake. Midway 
 on the east is a land-locked harbor, feautiful beyond de- 
 scription. A little to the north, extending half a mile 
 into the lake, is a narrow neck of land, its decoration an 
 evertTPcn forest, known as "Ouy Hammock," a most de- 
 lightful, park-like spot. From this point the lake reaches 
 
538 
 
 out its graceful arm eastward along the northern base of 
 the hills above described, affording excellent protection 
 from winter's chilling blasts. Between this protecting 
 arm and the harbor "Golden Gate" is a magnificent site 
 for a town or city, and on the Uorth a lovely site for win- 
 ter or summer homes. The northern site is known as 
 "Inter-Ocean," the southern as ''Inter-Ocean Heights." 
 
 Before the v/intry winds can reach these central hills 
 of the Frostproof Lake Region they must first pass over 
 the lakes in northern Polk County and finally cross the 
 crescent form of Crooked Lake. The results appear ia 
 our large budded orange and grapefruit trees, which have 
 survived all the freezes without other protection. From 
 Haines City to Lake Livingston, a distance of thirty 
 miles, is a continuous underi^tratum of red clay, rich in 
 oxide or iron. Its good effects are plainly apparent in 
 the dark green of the forest timber, and especially in 
 grape vines and fruit trees. 
 
 Complete success has been attained in fruit culture. 
 Wild grapes grow and bear profusely in the open woods, 
 and make excellent grafting stock for the finer kinds. 
 Peaches produce abundant crops, shov/ing perfect health 
 and freedom from insect enemies. Pineapples are a com- 
 plete success, and figs reach full prefection. The citrus 
 fruits are our stronghold, having proven highly profita- 
 ble on a large scale. Haines City has flourishing and 
 prolific groves, and at Waverly excellent progress has 
 been made in the culture of pineapples and citrus fruits. 
 Some growers at Frostproof have, for the past three 
 years, had heavy crops of grapefruit, for which fancy 
 dealers, hotels, and family customers have paid $9, $10, 
 and $11 net per box, and proportionate prices for buddeCI 
 oranges, fancy oranges having sold this season (1901) at 
 $9 net pnr box. Thr>se are extreme prices, but cut them in 
 halves, or even in quarters, and we can still make money 
 from fruit in this favored region, despite the haul of 18 
 miles to Fort Meade, our nearest railway station at the 
 present time. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows: 
 
539 
 
 Value 
 
 Corn, bushels, 97,494 f97,494 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 101,039 49,903 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 2,200 30,959 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 4,980 7,98W 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 49,020 49,020 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 22,092 22,920 
 
 Watermelons, car loads, 39 4,750 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 137,000 137,000 
 
 Gx'ape fruit, crates, 3,2GG 44,{)7l 
 
 Strawberries, quarts, 200,450 26,950 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 2,170 109,120 
 
 Mules, number, 474 51,135 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 53,597 3G0,3>;3 
 
 Hogs, number, 14,315 14,315 
 
 PviUltry, all kinds, number, 30,188 Il,i7i5 
 
 PUTNAM COUNTY* 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by Clay and St. 
 Johns, Eouth by Volusia and Marion, east by St. Johns, 
 and on the west by Alachua, Marion and Clay counties. 
 
 It has an area of 772 square miles of lynd S'ufaoe or 
 494,080 aciTs. 
 
 Its population in 18S0 was 11,180 and in li)()0 it was 
 11,041, of which number 0,017 were whites and 5,024 weix3 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term in 1901, there v.ere in 
 the county 67 schools, of which 43 were for whites and 24 
 were for negroes. 
 
 Putnam County is south of the 30 degrees of latitude 
 and east of 82 degrees of longitude. It is eighteei: miles 
 distant from the Atlantic on the east, and sixty-tive miles 
 from the Gulf of Mexico on the west. Its (tliniate Is n.ild 
 and invigorating the year round, the brsezps both from 
 the ocean and the gulf exerting an influence that produces 
 uiiexcei)tional winter and agreeably cool summer weather. 
 It is a rare thing that the thermometer rises abovo 90 de- 
 grees in the summer, or falls below 42 degrees in the win- 
 
540 
 
 ter. The official records show an average of 78 degrees 
 for the summer and 60 degrees for the winter. 
 
 Putnam was organized in 1847 and has since become 
 isomethirg more than a geographical expression. Its suc- 
 cess in material progress, permanent wealth -and an in- 
 dustrious and settled population has been steady and un- 
 excelled by any other portion of the State. A section 
 almost unknown to geography until its organization and 
 divided by a river almost unknown to commerce, it ha*i 
 since come to be one of the foremost counti&s in the 
 State. ^ 
 
 Itts transportation facilities have kept pace with its 
 other improvements, until at present it has railway, tele- 
 graphic and ocean steamship communications with all 
 parts of the country. 
 
 Notwithstanding the favorable progress of the pasr, it 
 is believed that Putnam County has but reached the intro- 
 du< t.ion of the splendid progress that is to speedily follow 
 and whi(h promises to be aided by the capital and energy 
 of so many northern and foreign born citizens. Its com- 
 mercial Intercourse has been full}' emancipated from all 
 restrictions, thus placing it on an equal footing with the 
 most favored portions of the country in point of transpor- 
 tation. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 Putnam County has a peculiar topography. No other 
 county in the State comprises such various, so many and 
 such strongly marked natural divisions. The river St. 
 Johns divides the southern portion and skirts the balance 
 on the east for thirty miles. The southeast part is again 
 divided so as to form a peninsular twenty-five miles Avide, 
 lying between the river St. Johns and Lake Crescent, the 
 latter a tributary to the river through a navigable creek. 
 This I'Pninsular is composed of high rolling hills, beauti- 
 ful valleys, picturesque lakes, dense forests, runied ridges 
 and low marshes. Lakes Como, Broward and Margarette 
 and Crystal Lake, very considerable bodies of water, sur- 
 rounded by high elevations, are situated in this peninsu- 
 lar. Dunn's Creek, a deep and navigable stream, con- 
 nects Lake Crescent with the St. Johns. North of Dunn's 
 Creek for five miles the land takes a sudden rise to an 
 
541 
 
 elevation of from 30 to 100 feet above the level of the 
 river. This section embraces the San Mateo district, an 
 area of fully nine square miles. The remainder of tin? 
 country on the east side of the river is undulating uni 
 flat, but generally high enough for cultivation. A tract 
 of land opposite Falatka and running north is "hammock 
 and covered with orange groves. 
 
 The much greater portion of Putnam County lies ou 
 the west side of the St. Johns, and is also sub-divided by 
 lakes, creeks asd a navigable river. The southern por- 
 tion, on this siJe of the river, is high rolling pine and 
 bottom land, islands and swamps. The famous Ocklu- 
 waha river runs through this section. The low and high 
 pine lands and the islands are densely timbered. The 
 Ocklawaha is a navigable stream, although exceedingly 
 tortuous in its course. It is a channel formed through a 
 dense cypr?ss swamp, suddenly issuing into the St. Johns 
 opposite Welaka. North of the Ocklawaha, following the 
 St. Johns, the country is rolling, s'ave that part close to 
 the water's edge; and in many instances the land run- 
 ning to the river is quite high. 
 
 In the western part of the county the topography as- 
 sumes another and distinct form of character, almost un- 
 like any other portion of the county except some parts of 
 Fruitlp.nd peninsula. One nart of it, from 10 miles long 
 to 15 wifTe, is an elevated ridge fr'im 150 to 200 feet above 
 the level of the ocean. The surface may fa'rly be de- 
 scribed as consisting of hills and lakes. The hills ave 
 gentle elevatiors, rising often to the height of GO feet 
 above the lakes. The lakes are very numerous, and are 
 from a few acres to several square miles in area. Ther<^ 
 are also in this part of the county prairies and swamps, 
 but not extensive. The lakes are of cl<^ar pure v/ater, o:\d 
 the country is generally heavily woo'Vfl. The elevfttinn 
 above low ti'> of the ocean jU FTawthorn and L'^<"k!onRa 
 statVns on the railroad running from Waldo to Ocila, Is, 
 for the first, 150, and for the second place, 60 feet. 
 
 The north nart rf the conntv is ro-n^^h an^l ro'linj/ for 
 nrarlv its entire extent. On the margin of :he St. Tr.]»n3 
 on the west sir]e the land is several fret nbnvp hiph \val"r 
 mark: from th" north bound.",ry line to Palatka. md from 
 this point to Fort Gates, a distance of thirty mih's wuth, 
 the margin is low, save in a few instances, and in many 
 
542 
 
 places, especially in the region of the Oeklawaha, sub 
 ject to overflow. From this last place to the southern 
 boundary line the county is again low, but densftiy tin*- 
 bered. Hrg Island, that has an area of nearly 300 acres, 
 at the entrance of Lake George, is too low for cultivation, 
 but has a fine growth of timber; and Drayton Island, a 
 short distance from it, embracing an area of nearly 2,000 
 acres, is from four to fifteen feet above the level of the 
 river, and aleo well woodel. The face uf this island 'H 
 low, nearly level. The margin from 300 to 1,200 foi't from 
 the water is ''hammock," but the interior is flat pine 
 woods. The lards embraced on the margin of che main 
 land in this vicinity of Lake George and the St. Johns 
 river are generally heavily timbered, or were befora they 
 were brought under cultivation, but are not usually ele- 
 vated to any degree, yei are mainly high enough for cul- 
 ture. High pine lanf-s lie back from one co three miles 
 from the river and lake, their surface being undulating 
 and interspersed with numerous clear water lakes. 
 
 The Rt. Johns river at the southern boundary of the 
 county is four miles wide, measured across the lake, grad- 
 ually narrowing in its course until near Palatka, a dis- 
 tance of thirty-five miles, where it is about one mile wide. 
 But from this point on it again expands until it reaches a 
 width of fully three miles at the northern boundary line. 
 Its progress is winding, often suddenly deviating to the 
 right or left in its course, but not to such an extent as 
 farther south. The ocean-tide is slightly felt as far 
 south as Lake George. 
 
 RIVERS A^D PERMANENT STREAMS. 
 
 The rivers ai'e the St. Johns for BO miles, following 
 (usually called Dunn's creek,) tributaries of the St. 
 its course; the Ocklawaha, for 20 miles, and Deep river. 
 Johns south of Palatka. The creeks are Little Orange 
 in the southwestern portion of the county, a tributary of 
 the Ocklawaha; Deep Creek, near Federal Point; Rice 
 and Etoniah creeks, entering the St. Johns north of Pa- 
 latka ; Sulphur creek at Mt. Royal ; P>ig Muddy near Fort 
 Gates; Mill creek nearly opposite Palatka; Cow ereek 
 near Orange Mills, rmd other small streams. All of tli^siC 
 creeks are permanent, but not navigable, and all of them 
 
543 
 
 ore very large streams in wet weather, and never become 
 dry during urough(s. Iheir meauderings are i>eculia;% 
 but the flow of water is constant. Some of them afford 
 good water power. Little Orange creek has several 
 mills on it, and a number more could be added. Sim's 
 creek i-.-ues fiom a de3p ravine near Palatka, and is prob- 
 ably the purest and softest water in America. As ueces- 
 8ity shall require it, will be utilized and introduced 
 through pipes into the city of Palatka for domes^^'.c uses. 
 Every fall there is a freshet on the Upper St. Johns, and 
 sometimes it is high enough 1o raise the level of the river 
 eight and ten feet, tloodiug a large tract of country, but 
 rarely causing any serious damage. 
 
 LAKES— SCENERY. 
 
 Lake George is the largest of the lakes in Putnam, but 
 not all of it is embraced A>ithin the county, only the 
 northern half. It is 20 miles loug by 10 miles wide. The 
 counties of Marion, Oraug*, Volusia and Putnam foria 
 its boundary. It is a magnicent sheet of water, as beau- 
 tiful as any in the world, not excepting its namesake in 
 the State of New York, and has attracted the attention 
 and admiration of thousands of tourists. The lake is 
 skirted by feitile banks, and on the east and west sides 
 has elevated and romantic surroundings. On the north- 
 ern and southern extremities its banks are low and fiat. 
 but bordered with a wealth of foliage ditficult to »find 
 anywhere else so luxuriant. The contour of the lake is 
 fine. Drayton Island, just inside the north entrance. 
 with a channel on either side, is an attractive scene, and 
 fitted admirably for homes and orange groves. Lake 
 George, situated as it is, thirty miles inland, is rarely 
 ever visited by hurricanes or cyclones; yet it is a rare 
 thing that its waters are quiet for a whole day at a time, 
 the sui-face being atgitated by southern breezes. Its surf 
 is often grand. 
 
 Other lakes in the county afford much beautiful scen- 
 ery. Crescent Lake, on the east side, by the imdulating 
 character of the land surrounding it, not only presents a 
 ri< h variety of scenery and foliage, but a wide extent and 
 grandeur of landscape. There is an entire absence of 
 monotony. Como is another lake situated in that part 
 
of the county. It is one mile wide and three in length — 
 a beautiful, blue, sunny expanse, not in the least uU 
 worthy of its Italian namesake. Its waters are crystal, 
 clear and pure. It is five miles from the St. Johns river. 
 Lakes Broward, Crystal and Marguerite are also situare.I 
 in this vicinity, three charming scenes of clear, still wal^cr. 
 
 The lakes in the western part of the county are nu- 
 merous. Among the larger ones is Lake Claudia, at Mc- 
 Meekin, on the Atlantic Coast Line Railway. The water 
 of this lake is deep and clear, and affords an abundant 
 supply of the finest fish. The banks are high and roman- 
 tic, tue coves and peninsulas are delightful, and it is des- 
 tined to become the finest spot on the road. 
 
 The remarkable feature of the scenery of Putnam Coun- 
 ty is the broad expanse and rich foliage on the banks of 
 all its lakes and streams. This is the characteristic 
 throughout the whole county; but besides this there are 
 many other striking peculiarities and features, both "-ub- 
 lime and beautiful, which (an hardly be enumerated here, 
 but which cannot be surpassed in their kind in any other 
 country. Absolute isolation is a feature, and sylvan soli- 
 tudes are numerous and a marvel of their kind. There 
 are hundreds of nooks and corners, and woody dells, fuJl 
 of enchanting picturesqueness and impressive beauty. 
 
 Surrounding all the lakes are ])arks of majestic pines, 
 high ridges and gentle valleys. There are also uumerous 
 natural meadows which are covered in winter and ^j.riii/^ 
 with brilliant f owers and grasses. The yrater co.irses 
 are all lined with trees, bushes and vines of vavicus 
 kinds, and the forests are composed of the largest and 
 ]i:ost j^raceful evergreens. All the lakes are beautiful, 
 juid when the hand of cultivation shall have touchoLi gow- 
 ornliv t'-f^ elevated la^nls snrroimdinfir them, a more lively 
 ^nd inviting siene will not be found beneath the sky. 
 
 SOIL— PRODUCTIONS. 
 
 Tho lands of th*^ county jire classed a'^ high and low 
 hammock, pine antl swamp lands. The last are the most 
 d^rrblv rich hnds in th'^ IJnio-i. Bitrh-ncr if^ indisoe^-sa- 
 ble ■'^ nreTtnri'"!"" t'^^^m fov nrofitpble c11Ttiv^'^''oT> t th<^n tlu'v 
 produce a succession of luxuriant crops with the greatest 
 
645 I 
 
 regularity land vigor. They are especially adapted to 
 «xigar cane and have been known to yield four hogshead to 
 the acre, which is more than twice the average of Louiat- 
 iana productiveness. The characteristic of the hammook, 
 as distinguished from the pine land, is, that it is covot-e^ 
 with a growth of hard wood timber and dense underbrush, 
 while the latter has little, if any, undergrowth. Wherever 
 the land is not so low as to be called swamp, producing an 
 underorowth of shrubbery and small trees, it is called 
 hammock. This is again distinguished by high and low 
 hammock, the first being on high ground. These 1 and? 
 are dispersed throughout the county, varying in extenf^ 
 The lower hammo( ks require ditching and are adapted 
 for crrowing ffereral fnrm crops and many other valuable 
 products. The high liamn 0( Is are romposed of very rich 
 soil, and produce with intelligent cultivation all the crops 
 of the countrv. They require no other preparation than 
 clearing and plowing and are greatly sought after by new 
 settlers who have money. The low hammocks are ex( el- 
 lent ranges for ' attle, Ji'tfording abundant pasturage, and 
 when drained and the S'oil fairly subdued, they make liie 
 very best land for growing vegetables. The pine 'ands 
 are divided between hi,gh. rolling, and low flat woods. 
 Both are fertile to a more or less extent, but only The 
 first are at present generally cultivated. Of the two they 
 are preferred, being more easily brought under cultiva- 
 tion. The pine lane's are getK^rally cleared by girdl'.ng 
 the larger trees, sometimes felling and burning them at 
 once, and cnttirg awav the smaller ones. The follow- 
 ing year nothing remains but the trunks and dry bran* hea 
 which offer no fnrtlier iT"'"r'i'..oT>f fp f^■n vn^« -f )bp sun. 
 The soil of the pine woof's is sandy and in fertility is re- 
 markable. Some distrirfs have vieHed good crops during 
 years of successive cult'vat'on withort the ai'^ of ma- 
 nures. This is. however, only true of th" bpst pine lands. 
 As hio;h as 400 jmunr^s of Sea Islnnd seed Cotton have been 
 raised to the acre. The se-or-rj p^rn-'e of T>ine land is v,'(dl 
 adapted for rais'irg si'-al hetuT). rnt^ie n^rt jntf*. 
 
 The gen?ral character of the arable lands in the south- 
 western part of the county Is n san-^y suD^rstructure with 
 a clay subsoil. The clav sub^'tr.'itnm rnvoiy annroathf^s 
 the surface nearer than two feet and sometimes rannor be 
 
 35 n. F. 
 
546 
 
 found nearer than ten of the surface. The, color of the 
 clay is usually red, redish and yellowish, but sometimes 
 gray and white. The superstratum embracing the soil is 
 generally of a finely powdered sand, with a slight admix- 
 ture of clay and at the surface u)ixed with humus, varying 
 in depth from one to several inches. 
 
 The original forests are hammock and pine. The ham- 
 mock growth consists of live and other kinds of oak, gum, 
 bay, magnolia, hickory, etc. The pine consists chictly of 
 yellow pine and sometimes an undergrowth of oak and 
 persimmon. 
 
 The fertility of the hammock, compared with the pine 
 lands, is about double in most cases. 
 
 The first and second class of those lands produce well 
 when new, without manure. The products are sea island 
 cotton, corn, sugar cane, tobacco, oats, rye, rice, arrow- 
 root, cassava, pinders. potatoes, chufas, field peas, mel- 
 ons, etc. Early vegetables are producoil in great variety 
 and in abundance when the soil is well fertilized. All 
 the fruits are cultivated. Oiiinges, lemons, limes, figs, 
 grapes, pomegranates, peaches, plums, blackberries, 
 s^t raw berries, goiavas, bananas, shaddocks, citrons, etc., 
 grow to grea.t perfection and in very great quantities. 
 
 Putnam County is well adapted to fruit growing. The 
 characteristics of the county for fruit growing are. rapid 
 and vigorous growth,, comparitive freed^im from diseases 
 and insects, only moderate injury from severe cold, a cir- 
 cumstance that occurs only at long intervals, the heavy 
 yield, the good keeping and shipping qualities and the line 
 shape and flavor of the fruit. 
 
 Lands can be bought of individuals at reasonable prices 
 Navigation is ample and convenient in all parts of the 
 county. The St. Johns is the principal stream, the 0«^k- 
 lawaha being next in importance as a means of , commerce. 
 In the western part of the county the Peninsular railroad 
 alTords convenient facilities. 
 
 The Atlantic Coast Line Railway runs from the city of 
 Palatka to Gainesville, through the highest and richest 
 land in the State. Cotton is extensively raised in the 
 county, and is now the main field crop. For cotton and 
 general farming industry the western portion of this 
 county has no superior. The proportion of hammock 
 land, cleared and uncleared, is one-fifth of the arable 
 
547 
 
 land.. The land is well wooded and many trees, admira^: 
 ble for their height and lumber, grow in all directions.; 
 The pine lands have excellent timber for building pur-; 
 poses. The depressions between the hills are very fertile. 
 and capable of supporting a large population. The quali- 
 ty of the water throughout the county is good and the sup-, 
 ply inexhaustible. For salubrity, the climate can be no. 
 where surpassed. 
 
 MDsERAL SnUNGS. 
 
 Another feature of Putnam is her mineral springs. 
 They are the wonders of the State. The boiling ones are 
 especially interesting. Their waters are saline and 
 sulphur. They are often near each other and differ as 
 much in taste, odor and color as in temperature and 
 pellucidness. The ground around is saturated with sul- 
 phur, sulphate of magnesia, alum and various salts. The 
 waters of several of them are reputed excellent for curing 
 cutaneous and chronic diseases. The Sulphur Springs of 
 Mt. Royal and Welaka have often benefited people v»ith 
 rheumatism. 
 
 TEN THOUSAND LAKES. 
 
 The county has — it is said — ten thousand lakes, some 
 of them very large, as, for instance. Lake George, which is 
 ten miles wide and twenty miles long. The land sur- 
 rounding (his beautiful sheet of water is quite fertile, and 
 on the east and west sides high and rolling, while on the* 
 north and south the land is low and flat and bordered 
 with a wealth of luxurious foliage. Drayton Island is 
 just inside the entrance at +he north. It stands like a 
 bold sentinel guarding the pure watei's beyond. It is an 
 attractive spot and quite romantic. Crescent Lake, in the 
 southeast corner of the county, presents a rich and varied 
 scenery. On the west shore is the charming town, Cres- 
 cent City. Lake Como is another beautiful lake, one by 
 three miles, and also in the same vicinity are Lakes Brow- 
 ard, Crystal and Margarette. In driving overland or rid- 
 ing in the cars through the western part of the county, 
 one is seldom out of sight of lakes. On the Atlantic 
 Coast Line Railway are— at Mannville, Lakes Ida and 
 
548 
 
 Twins; at Interlachen, Lakes Chipco and Lagonda; at 
 Keuka, Lakes Keuka, Cambo and Putnam ; at McMeekin, 
 Lakes Claudia and Lu-Lu ; and to the north and south of 
 the road are hundreds of pure, clear water lakes. In the 
 southern portion of the county Lake Kerr is the most at- 
 tractive. The scenery about these lakes has a wild and 
 picturesque appearance. There is no other country in the 
 world that presents such rapid change of scene. Often in 
 the vicinity of these lakes there will be a park timbc>reJ 
 with lofty pine trees free from underbrush. One carf 
 tread on grassy lawns, frequently covered with delicately 
 formed and brilliantly colored flowers. The next moment 
 you are plunged into a dense hammock, which vine and 
 tangled wild woods make impenetrable without an axe. 
 Most of the trees of the forest are evergreens — some of 
 them very large and very beautiful — among them the 
 cabbage palmetto. In looking across the lake or a stretch 
 of prairie, one frequently sees a cabbage palm stretching 
 away above the surrounding trees as though he disdained 
 to associate with his neighbors. He is the pride if not 
 the king of the forest. 
 
 Putnam County has many superior qualities for im* 
 proving every portion of its land. The numerous rail- 
 way's that now lace and interlace the county are sec- 
 onded by the numerous streams that meander through 
 the land. The principal ones are the St. Johns, which 
 runs from south to north, and empties into the Atlantic 
 Ocean; the Ocklawaha, which runs from west to east; 
 tJie Deep river, which rjins from southeast, empty- 
 ing into the St. Johns. There are also a number of large 
 creeks that are navigable for small craft; among them 
 are Little Orange, a tributary of the Ocklawaha; Doed 
 creek, near Federal Point; Rice and Etoniah creeks, north 
 of Palatka; Sulphur creek, at Mt. Rojal; Big Muddy, at 
 Ft. Gates, and many others smaller. 
 
 Transportation is had by rail across the county en^t 
 and west, north and south, the entire length and breadth 
 both ways by the Atlantic Coast Line; the eastern en3 uf 
 the county is traversed by the East Coast Railway from 
 Ja<ksonville via East Palatka to Miami, ft is thus seen 
 thnt no county in the State has better transportation 
 facilities than Putnam. 
 
549 
 
 PALATKA, 
 
 Is the county seat and has a population of 3,655, includ- 
 ing Palatka Heights, which is in reality a part of Palatka 
 proper. It is a thriving, prosgressive, anvl attractive lit- 
 tle city, and is one of the most important points in this 
 section of the State. 
 
 HISTORICAL. 
 
 In the days when the Red man held supremacy in Ihis 
 beautiful, but then unexplored section of thf? Land of 
 Flowers, he was accustomed, in supplying the Spanish 
 garrison at St. Augustine with beef, to swim the cattle 
 across the St. Johns river at the point where t'lis charm- 
 ing city is now situated; so that it was called, in rxpi-es- 
 eive aboriginal lingo, ''Palatka," which menus "the rross- 
 ing." When the white* man obtained the mastery, and 
 the Indians were driven further southward, th(» a])pro- 
 priateness of the name, both on account of its expressive- 
 ness and its euphony, was recognized, and the name per- 
 petuated. 
 
 During the war with the Seminoles Palatka was se- 
 lected as headquarters for the United States Army, as 
 well on account of its accessibility to the interior, as its 
 facilitits for communication with the government. Dur- 
 ing the war Generals Scott, Taylor, Gaines. Wo?th and 
 Shernmn (then a lieutenant), were successively located 
 at Palatka. 
 
 In 1853 Judge Bronson of the United States Court, 
 then a resident of I'alatka, obtained a special charter 
 from the Legislature creating Palatka an incorporated 
 town. At tbis time the greater part of tlie products of 
 the inter-.or, especially of the rich cotton and cane liclds 
 of Marion and Alachua counties, were bron.^bt to Pa- 
 latka for shipment by steamers to Savannah and Ciiarles- 
 ton, and it was T'ot until the construction of the Florida 
 Railroad through the center of the State, which diverted 
 the sl)iT)nioTii« of the inter'or over nnothfM* rontf. tV.Mt her 
 commercial prosperity and growth were interrupted. 
 During tlie jun-iod of her unprccedcMited prosperity, dwell- 
 ings, stores, a court house and churches v/ore built. A 
 large saw mill costing .f20,000 was erected, and vast ([uan- 
 
550 
 
 titles of lumber were shipped by sail ships to New York 
 and Boston. 
 
 ' But, what with the depressing effect (^f the financial 
 crash of 1857 and of the civil war, which began Irlnre the 
 country had recovered from the crash, Palatka languished 
 until 1876, when the orange industry of Florida l.egan to 
 attract attention and to draw settlers from the other 
 states, of whom Palatka and vicinity received a large pi*o- 
 portion, this being considered the best location for ihat 
 business. 
 
 Palatka, so picturesquely situated upon the banks of 
 the St. Johns river, in the rich and populous county of 
 Putnam, is surrounded with all the favoring conditions 
 that afford a prosperous future. Like all cities, she has 
 had her trials and troubles, her periods of stagnation — 
 even of retrograde — and growth. But she has passed 
 through all the vicissitudes of war, conflagration, Snan- 
 cial convulsion, and pestilential alarm; but today she 
 wears, with beauteous complacency and undisputed claim, 
 the proud title of the Gem City of Florida. 
 
 Palatka is situated upon the west bank of the river, 
 with a deep channel running to the shore, affording the 
 best wharfaige on the St. Johns. Steamers and vessels 
 from every clime can unload at the very doors of the rail- 
 road depots, warehouses and stores. 
 
 COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE AND DISTRIBUTING 
 FACILITIES. 
 
 Palatka's future as a large and prosperous city is as- 
 sured. Not only is it at the head of deep water navigation 
 on the St. Johns, the extreme point southward to which 
 ocean steanishij)S and large sailing vess?ls can come, but 
 she is the radiating center, already, of the four railroads 
 mentioned. 
 
 Palatka is the site of many industrial plants; it has 
 its ice factory, gas works, waterworks, brick kilns, ma- 
 chine shops, planing mills and saw mills, and numerous 
 other industries, all of which are prospering. 
 
 We have not the space to devote to a detailed descrip- 
 tion of each of the .smaller towns and their neighbor- 
 hoods ; but we have mentioned a number of them, and all 
 
651 
 
 will, with their respective localities, be found pleasant^ 
 attractive* and desirable places for the locating of homes. 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bales, 155 $ 8,312 
 
 Corn, bushels, 24,184 18,045 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 30,424 13,t)r.5 
 
 Field peas, bushels, 2,809 4,095 
 
 Hay, tons, 365 4,016 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 4,182 5.034 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 594 7.421 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 7,542 ir.,ll9 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 3,472 ' 3,366 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902 : 
 
 Horses, number, 595 31 ,r<20 
 
 Mules, number, 26 3.!»30 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 4,880 32.218 
 
 Hogs, number, 2,683 5.445 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 14,307 3,048 
 
 ST. JOHNS COUNTY. 
 
 St. Johns is bounded on the north by Duval County 
 and the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the Atlantic O-enn, 
 on th? ?outh by Volusia County, and on the west by Du- 
 val, Clay and Putnam counties. 
 
 It has an area of 960 square miles of land surface, or 
 614,400 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 8,712, and in 1900 it was 
 9,165, of which numlber 5,540 were whites and 3,625 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the, close of the school year in 1901 there were in the 
 county 3^ schools, of which 29 were for whites and 7 were 
 for negroes. 
 
552 
 
 ITS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOMESEEKERS AND 
 HEALTHSEEKERS. 
 
 Five years ago St. Johns County was only known to lU© 
 outside world from the fact that it contained the oldest 
 city in the United States, and that city, St Augustine, 
 was the leading winter resort of America, noted for its 
 healhfulness and a delightful winter and summer home. 
 Its hotels, exceeding in beauty and magnificence the royal 
 palaces of the old world, were, as they are now, world fa- 
 mous. As to its agricultural resources, aside its being a 
 thinly settled agricultural region, devoted to cultivating 
 a limited amount of field crops and being an excellent 
 range for cattle and hogs, but little more could be said. 
 
 Today it ranks as one of the important vegetable grow- 
 ing counties in the State. Lands that were considered 
 worthless, except for timber and grazing, are now 
 acknowledged to be among the most productive in Florida, 
 and while the development of the county is still in its in- 
 fancy, it offers to the homeseeker advantages that are un- 
 excelled in any farming country in the entire South. 
 
 St. Johns County is situated on the east coast, with 
 the Atlantic Ocean bounding it on the east and the St. 
 Johns River on the west. It is nearly sixty miles long 
 from north to south and an average of eighteen miles wide 
 from east to west. The climate both in summer and win- 
 ter is delightful, and owing to its proximity to the coast 
 it is comparatively free from malaria and the health con- 
 ditions are excellent. Artesian water, which has been 
 pronounced by the best authorities as pure and healthful, 
 can be easily obtained in any portion of the county, and 
 there are at this time more artesian wells than in any 
 county in the State. The Florida East Coast Railway^ 
 conceded to be the best built railroad in the South, tra- 
 verses the entire len^!?(h of the county. The St. Johns 
 river and several navigable tributaries furnishes water 
 communication on the west. The North river, v/hich 
 reaches the sea by way of St. Augustine bar, 4s naviga- 
 ble for nearly twenty miles for small boats and f ftps a 
 section abounding in rich hammocks and fertile pine 
 lands. To the south the Matanzas bay connects the in- 
 lets of St. Augustine and Matanzas. South of Matanzaa 
 
•"'I^ ^&.jf*f^j, 
 
 Digging Irish Potato. 'S, St. Johns Co. 
 
 Irish Potato Pariu. -St. .John.s Co. 
 
553 
 
 Inlet the South Matan/nH is now navigable for several 
 miles ami wkirtH the old Hi. .loHeph and Ilernande/, planta* 
 tionn which a ((Mihiry ajj;o werr renowned for (heir pro- 
 ductiveneHH. Anide from (liiH the work of completing 
 the lOuHt Coast Canal (o connec ( llie waleiH of (lie Ma(an- 
 zas with (he Halifax river, (Imih fnrnishinf; inland water 
 connnnnication from St. Angnntine to Miami, in being 
 now i)nslied rapidly and two large dredgcH are now at 
 work under con(i;ic( (o (ini^Ii (he canal widiin two yeai"*!. 
 The <ligging of (he canal will also drain a vaHt area of 
 wonderfully fei;tilc lauds. 
 
 TDE STORY OF 11 A STINGS. 
 
 When (li(> freex.e of 1805 destroyed the orange trees, 
 S(. .loliiiH w!is pr.icdcally wip<'(l on( of (he lis( of coniiiiea 
 which lia<l somcdiing (o sell. That was scvt'u years ag«». 
 Today buyers from the principal markels of the I'nited 
 Slates (Io< k here to bjd against e.uh other to purchase at 
 remunerative pri<es (he prcduds of her frui(f\il s(»il. In 
 the li((le Ke((lemeti( of Masdngs. in (his <'oun(y, (here were 
 in (lu'<H' w<>eks time last siti-ii\ij more li-ivh potaloes ship- 
 pe<l (o nmrkc( (han all (lie Irish po(a(o<'s grown in all 
 the counlies of (he State of Florida. Not only that but 
 the protU to the grower ^'as greiUer ami (he relunm 
 purer (han in any sectioti of (he S(a(e. 
 
 The development of Ilaslings was no( due to (he dis- 
 covery of (lie value of i(s soil liy a farmer, 1mi( (o (he en- 
 terprit^e of a lumberman and railroad builder. As a do- 
 nation from (he Stale in the form of a grant of lan<l 
 undei' (he iailroa<l ac(, several (liousands acres of lands 
 in and around Deep creek in (his coun(y came into hi.n 
 possessi<ui. Mr, U. .1. >\'liile, to whom (he ci'edit of (he 
 jMoneer develojimenl of Ilaslings is due, having cut (he 
 timber fr«)m (lie land was thought U) have an elephant 
 on his hands, and it was ]»resumed (hal the uUimate i-e- 
 BuK w(nild be (hat (he lands would rever( (o (lie S(a((» for 
 non paynien( of axes, n fjniiiliar foi-in <>f proceeduiv wi(h 
 the lumhermen <|f. ll^^vSowdi aftei* (hev have s(i-ipned i( of 
 timber, 1( was low land, knowji generally as "crayfish 
 land," and herelofoi-e was c<msidered valueless for pur- 
 pose of cuKivadon. Mr. Whi(e, however. foun«l that it 
 had a surface of rich black soil from eiithleen inclips to 
 
554 
 
 two feet deep, below which was a subsoil of clay. Deep 
 creek, a considerable stream that empties into the St. 
 Johns river, skirts the tract and there is quite a fall td 
 the creek. He took his crowd of laboroi*s who had just 
 finished grading what was then known as White road, 
 but is now a part of the Bast Coast Sytem, and set them 
 at work digging a canal through the tract. Ife also sunk 
 an artesian well and with an ox team broke up forty 
 acres of the land. His experiment was the source of a 
 great deal of good natured ridicule on the part of the na- 
 tive farmers in the neighborhood. Mr. White dug several 
 lateral ditches not connected with each other, but leading 
 to the canal. One niight after a severe drought he opened 
 the stop cock of his well and let it flow all night. Next 
 morning he found all his «it:-hes full of water which had 
 seeped through along the clay and perfonued the duty of 
 sub-irrigation. He was satisfied with the experiment and 
 began planting his seed. Within three months he began 
 phipping the largest crop of cabbage^ever grown in St. 
 Johns County. He had solved the problem of both drain- 
 age and irrigation. 
 
 NEW METHODS AND NEW CROPS. 
 
 From that time on the growth of the settlement has 
 been uninterrupted and crop failures have been practi- 
 cally unknown. However the growing of cabbage and 
 some other crops while yielding a profit have been largely 
 abandoned, as other and more profitable crops have taken 
 their places. The result of the successes at Hastings 
 brought it to the attention of a number of intelligent gen- 
 tlemen who applied scientific methods in cultivating the 
 soil and today a hoe is almost a superfluous implement in 
 the settlement. The cultivation of Irish pptatoes, for 
 which the soil seems peculiarly adapted, is now the main 
 feature of the settlement, although many other side crops 
 are raised. 
 
 Last spring in an acreage of less than 000 acres there 
 was shipped from Hastings 32,000 barrels of Irish pota- 
 toes, of a uniform size, which r?adily brought from |3.50 
 to $3.80 per barrel, delivered at the depot at Hastings. 
 The potatoes are first in market and are remarkable for 
 their uniform size. They command the highest price 
 
555 
 
 and the demand is still largely in excess of the supply, 
 in fact but a few of the markets of the North have a« yef 
 been covered. Next ijeason the acreage will be doubled. 
 
 OTIIEK CROPS. 
 
 Hastings is also becoming celebrated for the produc- 
 tion of cane syrup. Hundreds of acres are devoted to the 
 raising of sugar cane, most of which is converted into 
 syrup and put up in hermetically sealed cans which sells 
 readily at an advance of from fifteen to twenty cents over 
 ordinary barrelled syrup. This trade is rapidly increas- 
 ing. During the summer months large crops of sweet i>o- 
 tatoes are raised and cow peas and velvet beans are sown 
 both for forage and for rejuvenating the soil. In the fall 
 a smaller area of Irish potatoes are planted and they are 
 usually planted on new ground. When they are har- 
 vested the ground is then prepared for the spring crop. 
 Celery dees well here and lettuce is a profitabb- crop. 
 
 One field of oats planted at White Towers, a tract of 
 1,700 acres, which has recently been sold to Messrs. J. VV. 
 Estes and W. II. Erwin for the purpose of cutting it up 
 into small tracts for settlers, which compared favorably 
 with the best oats grown in any Northern or Western 
 state. The oats were heavy, full fleshed and full v/eight 
 and yielded the remarkable average of forty bushels to 
 the acre. They were planted on shares by a colored man 
 who has already threshed out a thousand bushels. Mr. 
 Clarence G. White, one of the most successful potato 
 growers in Hastings, will feed his stock this year from the 
 oats grown on his place. 
 
 Mr. C. A. Dupont with two men and a team, aided in 
 planting and harvesting time by extra help, successfully 
 cultivated a spring crop of Irish potatoes from which he 
 realized, after figuring in all his expenses, in the neigh- 
 borhood of $8,000. 
 
 Mr. Warren Erwin and his father, Mr. W. H. Erwin, 
 who went to Hastings a few years since with no capital 
 to speak of, are now comfortably well off. The same can 
 be said of Mr. F. E. IJugbee. who with his brother, H. E. 
 Bugbee, made $7,000 from forty acres of potatoes last 
 spring. There are dozens of other instances which can be 
 named of persons who without more than enough to buy 
 
6S6 
 
 fhe wild l^nd have made themselves a comfortable compo- 
 ^Dce. 
 
 FRUIT PROSPECTS. 
 
 The cultivation of fruits at Hastings has by no meana 
 been neglected. On the Wetumpka farms is a citrus 
 grove of forty-five acres loaded with oranges and grape 
 fruit. Pears, plums and persimmons grow well and the 
 cultivation of the pecan is a success. 
 
 The following extract from a recent publication gives 
 an accurate idea of life at Hastings: 
 
 RESULTS OF A YEAR'S WORK. 
 
 Next morning as we arose we could see on all sides vnst 
 fields of sugar cane, luxuriant sweet potatoes and whole 
 fieltis of velvet beans and other crops. Besides, the farm- 
 ers have just finished planting their fall crop of Irish po- 
 tatoes. The fall planting is but a Fmall portion of the 
 acreage put out for the spring crop, which is the main 
 crop of the season, although acres of vegetables are raised 
 durinsr the winter. Although Mr. Bugfcee has a barn full 
 of sweet anrl nutritious hay. in which beggar weed and 
 cow pea vines are niinirled wilh the crabgrass, he has just 
 cut several ad^^it'onal tons which were cocked up for 
 curing. Around his home were several pear, peach and 
 plum trees, all of which bore heavy crops this season. 
 Mrs. Bugbee, who shares Mr. Buigbee's enthusiasm for the 
 country, had a pantry whose shelves groaned with their 
 weight of canned fruits, tomatoes and other delicacies 
 raised on the home place. A fine Jersey cow furnisVes 
 an abundance of milk and butter for the family. Last 
 season Mr. Bugbee purchased a forty acre tract and 
 plan+'^d seven acres in Irish potatoes. With the help of 
 one liired man and extra help during the digging and 
 marVeting season, he harvested a fine crop and received 
 f^^ -his spring crop of potatoes, alone, about |1,200. Hia 
 entire income from the products of his farm for the year 
 brought him the handsome sum of ?2.250. Next .year be 
 will double his acreage of Iri^sh potatoes, havinff cleared 
 t;hirteen acres of land additional this season. One of his 
 neighbors, Warren Irwin, a 3'oung man, purchased twenty 
 
557 
 
 acres of land and cleared seven of them for his spring; 
 crop of potatoes. He had a fine yield and was able td 
 get them to market early. His potatoes netted him $4.27 
 per barrel, the best price obtained in the settlement f«>r an 
 ciitire crop. Mr. Irwin was obliged to go in debt in or- 
 der to cultivate his crop. J^e cleared enough in one year 
 to pay his indebtedness, and spend |1,700 in building 
 and clearing additional land, and had money enough Uft 
 to make the first payment on an additional twenty acres" 
 of land. Mr. Clarence White, who has a large farm iri 
 the settlement, is probably the most scientific farmer in 
 the neighborhood. He takes great care of his property 
 and plants extensively in velvet beans, beggar weed and 
 other leguminous crops. After securing suilicient hay 
 for the needs of his stock, he turns the balance in to build 
 up his soil. Mr. White last spring had twenty acres in 
 potatoes, twenty-fiye acres in oats and many acres 13 
 vegetables, corn, etc. He kept an accurate account of his 
 returns from his potato crop. He considered his own 
 time at |2.00 per day, his mules at fl.OO per day, and 
 these, with the other expenses of wages, seed, etc., Avere 
 all charged up against his potato crop. After all this he 
 still had a balance in cash in favor of the twenty acrea 
 amounting to nearly |3,000. 
 
 ITS WONDEKFUL PRODUCTIVENESS! * 
 
 The productiveness of the land is marvelous. It will 
 average from forty to a hundred barrels of Irish potatoes 
 to the acre, and in a number of instances has exceeded! 
 this, and this same land has been planted with sweet pota- 
 toes the same year after the Irish potatoes were out of 
 the ground, which ha^j* yielded from 100 to 200 bushrlii 
 per acre. Mr. E. L. Howard has a fine patch of cane on a 
 piece of ground of about one-third of an acre, which last 
 spring yielded the enormous amount of forty-three bar- 
 rels of potatoes, or an average of 129 barrels to the acre. 
 
 A GOOD FRUIT COUNTRY. 
 
 Nearly every farmer has preserved a portion of the 
 premises nearest the house for the cultivation of fruits, 
 mostly for home ase. Peaches and pears of the finest 
 
558 
 
 quality are raised without effort and plums and Japan 
 persimmons find a natural home here. Pecans also do 
 well, while the most thrifty orange trees in the country 
 can be seen here, although they are frequently frozen 
 down when not protected. The question of protection is 
 interesting the people here and many trees will be pro- 
 tected duriiiig the coming season. On the Wetumpka 
 farms is a grove of fifty -five acres of beautiful young trees 
 in as thrifty condition as could be wished for. Two of 
 the fifty-five acres will be protected this season by a shed 
 and the lumber for the purpose is already on the ground. 
 The top wiil be covered with canvas. Mr. F. L. Brown 
 will experiment with veneer protection for his grove, 
 while Clarence White, P. E, Bugbee, E. L. Howard, -tames 
 Kettle and O. S. Payne have ordered the McFarland tent. 
 Mr. Bugbee has in his order included thirteen tents for 
 his small trees, in which the diameter greatly exceeds the 
 present need of his trees. He will utilize the remainder 
 of the tents in planting lettuce for the winter market, 
 calculating that it will be ready for shipment at a time 
 when the market is bare of lettuce. He believes, from his 
 knowledge of tJie prices obtained last year for lettuce at 
 that season, that he can raise enough to pay for his tentg 
 the first year, 
 
 SUGAR CANE! 
 
 That the country is well adapted for raising sugar cane 
 has already been demonstrated. Probably the largest 
 grower is U. J. White, whose cane is in fine condition 
 this season. Great quantities of cane syrup are shipped 
 annually,and considerable of it is put up in gallon cans, 
 hermetically sealed, for which a good price is obta;ned. 
 One day last season, a drummer for a certain variety of 
 cans, siopp<Hl off at Hastings and took orders for $1,600 
 worth of gallon cans alone. 
 
 Hastings is eighteen miles southwest of St. Auigustino 
 on the line of the Florida East Coast Railway; five miles 
 from the St. Johns River and ten miles from Palatka. A 
 superior class of settlers have located there and there is 
 an excellent school. 
 
550 
 
 , OTHER SECTIONS. - 
 
 There are thousands of acres of undeveloped lands iu 
 St. Johns County which are fully equal ai^d of a similar 
 character to those of Hastings. During the past season 
 , the attempt to raise Irish potatoes has been almost uni- 
 formly successful and in the southern part of the countj 
 several thousands of acres will soon be open to purchase. 
 
 BERMUDA ONIONS. 
 
 One crop which is now being successfully cultivdted in 
 the neighborhood of St. Augustine is the Bermuda onicm. 
 Hundreds of bushels have been raised with profit and a 
 larger area will be put into cultivation within tho coming 
 season. Cassava grows luxuriantly 'jn the lands along 
 the coast and the fattening of cattle and hogs on oassava, 
 velvet beans, manj^el wurzel beets and similar foods, in- 
 cluding also alfalfa, which grows luxuriantly, is begin- 
 ning to be a profitable business. Grape culture is receiv- 
 ing much attention and the manufacture of native wine 
 is already becoming an important industry. 
 
 There are several flourishing vineyards, mostly of the 
 Bcuppernonig and muscadine varieties, although other 
 kinds do well here. 
 
 St. Johns County is rich in fibre producing luaterial and 
 offers inducements for paper manufacturing which will 
 doubtless be taken advantage of in the near future. In 
 the State Fair held last year in Jacksonville it should 
 be noted that Mr. Eugene Masters, a truck farmer whose 
 place is located within two miles of St. Augustine, re- 
 ceived the first prize for the best individual vegetable 
 exhibit. Mr. Masters is also a successful hog raiser and 
 by crossing the native hog with other stock lias raised a 
 superior breed which he sells at a profit. 
 
 FISHING INDUSTRY. 
 
 Fishing was once the principal occupation of a large 
 number of the citi^^ens of St. Augustine and still atfoi-ds a 
 means of livelihood to many. Owing to the great influx 
 of winter visitors there is an excellent market for fish 
 at home. The bays and inlets teem with oysters, and of 
 
560 
 
 late efforts are also being made to cultivate thera. Claras, 
 shrimp and the famous stone crab abound here and find 
 li- ready market. 
 
 ST. AUGUSTINE. 
 
 As an ideal summer and winter home St. Augustine of- 
 fers advantages that are unequalled. The heat in sum- 
 mer is tempered with the southeast winds, which blow 
 steadily here; the nights are invariably cool and annoying 
 insects are scarce. The city has a normal summer popu 
 lation of 5,000, which is quadrupled in the wint3r. The 
 school facilities are excellent and there are many advan- 
 tages which appeal to those who wish a X)leasant home. 
 Opportunities for employment are increasing. This city 
 has one of the largest printing establishments, and the 
 only engraving plant in the State. The shopg and gen- 
 eral offices of the Florida EastCoast Railway are •H'ated 
 here. There are several cigar factories here, the largest 
 of which, that of Garcia, Vega and Carcaba, employs 
 nearly a hundred hands and sends its product to ?Al parts 
 of the United States. The State Institute for the Deaf, 
 and Blind is located here. Also the railroad hospital. It 
 has a steady growth and is constantly improving ih'i rhar- 
 acter of its public and private buildings. It has more 
 asphalt pavement than any city in the State and is con- 
 stantly increasing its area of vitrified pavement. Excel- 
 lent shell roads furnish opportunity for driving and wheel- 
 ing and the County Side Path Commission, recently or- 
 ganized, is now beginning the construction of blcvcle 
 paths all over the county. A new court house will be 
 built within the coming year. It- lias a splendid system 
 of waterworks, gas and one of the largest individual v'^lec- 
 tric light plants in the country, which is used for lighting 
 the Flagler hotels and casino. The casino and batbs are 
 the finest in America. The sea beach is easily reached 
 and furnishes excellent bathing. A Board of Trade lias 
 recently been organized with a view of aiding in the de- 
 velopment of both town and county. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 3902 
 were as follows: 
 
5151 
 
 Value. 
 
 Gorii, bushels, 18,479 f 18,479 
 
 Oats, bushels, l.*,;i8r 1,199 
 
 hwtet iA»t;iu>i=s, bushals, Gi,G25 o(),ii>.;{ 
 
 Field peas, basheis, 7,(>4o 8,202 
 
 Hay, lens, 515 7,7:33 
 
 Syi up, barrels, 1,013 lli,l(Jl 
 
 Sujjjar, pounds, 31.o50 l.oGS 
 
 Irisli potatoes, bushels, 177,390 214,074 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 1,3<I0 1.740 
 
 Tonuitoes, crates. 1,005 1,230 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 1,070 7,135 
 
 Pecans, bu^liel«. 202 1,083 
 
 Peadies, busl-els, 2.(518 3,587 
 
 Grapes, pounds. 250.700 5,134 
 
 Wine, gallons, 21,940 21,940 
 
 Figs, bushels, 224 429 
 
 Live sto< k on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, nunber. 990 72,900 
 
 Mules, number, 137 15,525 
 
 Fto ^- rnt^^ -'Vril'cr, 16,304 152.479 
 
 Hogs, numbpr, 6,662 ; 13,28.> 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 31,085 12,<54l 
 
 SANTA ROSA COUNTTf. 
 
 Ranta Ro^a is bounded on the north bv the State ot 
 Alabama, east by Walton county, south by the Gulf of 
 Mexico, and west by Escambia county. 
 
 It has an area of 1,528 square miles of land Burface, or 
 977,920 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890, was 7,961. and in 1900 it wa« 
 20.293. of which number 7,827 were whites and 2,466 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term in 1901. there were in 
 the county 73 schools, of which 64 were for whites and 
 9 were for negroes. 
 
 Santa Rosa County, Florida, li^s between the Alabama 
 line and the Gnlf of Mexico, and is the second count/ 
 ftrom the Western border of the State. 
 
 36 H. F. 
 
502 
 
 It has within its borders St. Mary de Galvez, Eist and 
 Blackwater bays and large portions of Ksiambia and 
 Tensacola bays with a salt watar coast line of over 2l)0 
 miles. Creeks and rivers, used principally for rafting 
 
 purposes, are numerous. 
 
 The county is at its greatest length, north and south, 
 4G miles, with a greatest breadth of 43 miles. 
 
 Santa Rosa County is one and ona-half times as large 
 as Rhode Island and nearly as large as Delaware. 
 '■ It has within its borders over 1,01)0.(100 acres of land, 
 less than 5,000 of which is under cultivation. Of this 
 vast extent of territory over 200,000 acres belong to the 
 "United States and are subject to homestead entry. 
 
 Large tracts of land are owned by the mill and turpen- 
 tine companies, much of which is for fsale on very reason- 
 able terms, subject to the company removing the mer- 
 chantable timber. 
 
 The land is timbered — principally pine. Cypress, oak, 
 juniper, sweet gum and a host of other varieties of tim- 
 ber are found in abundance within the borders of Santu 
 Kosa county. 
 
 The soil in the greater portion of the county is very 
 fertile, only waiting the sturdy arm of the earnest, perpe- 
 vering laborer to make it teem with the products of nearly 
 every known clime. 
 
 On trial, the land will be found the home of the grape, 
 peach and peer, and will become the most valuable in this 
 eectinn of the State. 
 
 There are between the Rlarkwater and Escambia rivers 
 over 300,000 acree of as fine land as lies out of doors iu 
 this beautiful southland. It is ready and waiting the 
 hand of the farmer and fruit grower. 
 
 This land produces without fertilizers from 20 to 40 
 bushels of cam per acre, and. 100 bushels of 8we?t pota- 
 toes; 40 bushels of rice nnd 500 to j.,000 gallons of cane 
 BTrup is no uncommon vieM. , . •. 
 
 As for fruit, the fig. p?aoh, pear and granp are n't horije. 
 T?»e Kelspy plum, the Japan persimmon, the Satsuma or- 
 nnge and a score of other fruits will thrive here. The fl;^ 
 Id this section knows no RU«h word a» fail. Tt grow* 
 readily nnd rapidly from cuttings which, with prober at- 
 tention, will begin bearing the second year. Within ei^ 
 
C63 
 
 teen months after plajiting jou can eat, in this section, 
 the fruit of your own vine (grape vine) and fig tree. Figs 
 dried, evaporated or preserved ara a delicacy and sell 
 well in any market. Grapes and peaches begin yieldinj* 
 paying crops within two years after setting out. AH the 
 grapes raised in this saction are generally sold at lOc to 
 15c per pound, and peaches bring as high as four dollars 
 per bushel, in the market. Santa Rosa County is the 
 home of the pecan, and a number of the orchards have a 
 world wide reputation. Pecans from this county have 
 taken medals and prizes at expositions. Pecan trees are 
 not of rapid growth, but they will pay handsome returns 
 in fifleen \ears, and from that time on tlse vaiup of the 
 grove is constantly increasing. Trees fifty years old shovr 
 no signs of succumbrng to old age. \Vith the same care 
 it will come into profitable bearing as soon as the orange. 
 A pecan grove is more valuable than au orange grove. It 
 requires no fertilizer, although a little judiciously ap- 
 I>lied increases the growth and shortens the time the 
 ])lanter has to waist for paying crops, and but little care 
 is required. It is a hardy tree and the wood is very val- 
 uable. 
 
 The soil in this county is the ideal of the market gar- 
 dener. Cabbage, beans, peas, lettuce, onions, radashes, 
 ckra, egg plant, beets, tomatoes, corn, turnips, rutabagas, 
 Irish potatoes, etc.. make glad the heart of him who 
 plants either for home' use or the rnarlcet. Melons, can- 
 taloupes, cucumbers, squashes yield abundant crops. 
 
 Thi"^ soil, is the home of tho sweet pohit'^ a^^'' mwhere 
 el^e does it grow to such perfection as in this region. 
 
 The time the r^rop of tlfe' market gardener is ready foP 
 iT;arket insures him good prices. It comes just at that 
 Feison when there is an inierim between the old and new 
 €ron in the places, north of us. 
 
 The early crop is ready to catch not ority ■Northern 
 cities but also. Montgomery^ Atlanta, Birmingham ajd 
 other Routiiern cities.. 
 
 In the years pa,st the people 1nvebe<»n swinging to the 
 end of a pine log and necessity. Fin^ crops have 
 nnd are being raised in this v^ection without a pound of 
 fertilize^;'" 
 
 But admitting for the sftkeof argument that it is nee* 
 c«sary to use fertilizer, it is better than the north 
 
The crops produced being wovlb fi-oin four to ten tmies 
 tlie price obtained in tlie iVortli. There you are laid up by 
 the cold at least six months in the vear, consuming what is. 
 made in the otaer six months, but here >ou ha\e a crop 
 growing m the held the ^ear around. In the i\orth vou 
 s^end aiuie m one ,>ear lor winter fuel and clothing, 
 which yoa do not need in the South, than you would 
 sptud lU two for fertilizers in the South. Use common 
 sense and come South. 
 
 This is one of the greatest sheep growing sections of 
 the State; here the sheep raise themselves. This is the 
 only country in the world where a sheep can out-run a 
 horse, take care of itself and its owner besides, and still 
 increase in number and prove a profitable investment. 
 
 Men here own thousands of sheep, but never see them 
 except in the "round up" and sheep shearing season. In 
 this county there are over 40,000 head of sheep and yet 
 there are none for sale, and it is almost impossible to get 
 any mutton to eat. These facts are evidence sufficient to 
 prove that it is a profitable business. 
 
 As for cattle and hogs they, too, are children of the 
 forest and are usually let run until wanted for the beef 
 pen or pork barrel. 
 
 The stock here is mostly of the native sorts. ConHitler- 
 able etTort is being made at present to improve the s-toek, 
 and a good many imported thorough bred animals are 
 now in the county. 
 
 Poultry needs careful attention but the profits are- 
 enormous. Eggs range from 15 to 40 cents per dozen, and 
 it does not take much of a broiler to bring 25 to 40 cents^ 
 
 Milk and butter bring good prices. Skimmed milk 
 with plenty of water has been sold at 10 cents per quart. 
 Buttermilk brings 5 cents per quart, while good butter 
 seldom sells for less than 30 cents per pound. 
 
 The native grasses are very nutritive, and experiment* 
 with a number of clovers are proving satisfactory, while 
 millet, upland rice and oats yield an abundance of nutri- 
 tive feed stuffs; native grown hay brings from |12.00 to 
 flO.OO per ton, and there is fine profit in it at sucli 
 figures. 
 
 As to health, there is certainly as little sickness amon^;^ 
 the people of this county as anywhere oo the globe. Na 
 ,dangerous diseases are known. 
 
n()5 
 
 As to hent, it never grows exceedingly hot. Sometime« 
 the thermometer crawls up into the nineties, but always 
 retires before evening, giving us comfortable nights for 
 resting. Such a thing as a sunstroke has never beea 
 known in this county. 
 
 The winter climate is delightful and no great degree 
 of cold is experienced. The Satsuma orange withstands 
 a temperature of fifteen degrees, so that it is perfectly 
 hardy in this section. 
 
 Wood can be had in abundance at nominal prices evan 
 by the residents of the towns, while every one who has a 
 tenm can procuie all he needs by sparing a few days for 
 the J urpos3 of "laying in firewood." One of the grandest 
 oppnings in this county is that of the propagation of oys- 
 ter*. The bays and bayous form an extensive area for the 
 planting and cultivation of this bivalve. 
 
 Fishing, hunting and sailing can be enjoyed by all. 
 Plenty of sport for those who ar-e inclined to spend their 
 time in the enjoynienis in the field and on water. 
 
 Santa Ro«!a has several towns. Milton is the county 
 seat with 1,204 inhabitants. Bagdad is an adjoining vll- 
 l,'t"o cf .-(♦' 'on^f'. I\ii"i';;'n clriiirs '^'bo";'! ('■']). Tiifn ^'-f* 
 other stations alonjr the line of railway are Harp, Good 
 Range and^Holt. There are postoffices among the settle- 
 ments throughout the county. 
 
 There are sawmills at Bagdad, Milton and Milligan, 
 and smaller mills at other places in the county. The«t5 
 are shingle mills, and sash blind and door factories at 
 Bagdad, also brick kilns, etc. 
 
 Tliere is plenty of room for other industries. 
 
 Thpre is ample room and the greatest attractions in the 
 South for winter resort hotels right here in Milton. 
 
 Church facilities are fair even in the country. Nearly 
 every settlement has a church building. 
 
 Wages for laboring men range from 7.5 cents with 
 meals to $1.25; mechanics $2 and upward. Good farm 
 labor is hard to get, although inferior help can be had 
 in abundance at almost your own price. White farm 
 labor is the great need of this section. 
 
 Poisonous reptiles are scarce. Now and then a rattle- 
 Enake, and around the water heads, the moccasin. 
 
500 
 
 Insects are scarce. At certain seasons of the year wo 
 liave the tlra whiih disapnears when the hojjs aiM jjoata 
 are kept within bounds. Mosquitops are not nuniprous. 
 
 Flies are not here in sufficient number to worry Ihe 
 housewife to any extent. No screens for doors or wia- 
 dov'i are u^e.]. Ihcic are nu t'rantui.'s or centipciies 
 
 The poor man. who is a farmer, can readily find a home 
 here, but he should have enough money to tide hiiu 
 through until lie can get his land under cultivation. 
 
 If you are satisfi?d with reasonable prosperity, and 
 want to engage in fruit culture, market gardening or 
 efock raising, and have the energy to <-arry out your 
 plans, success is sure to crown your efforts. 
 
 I'o^sibly the best time to come is in the fall monrlis — 
 Sept?mber. October, November — but the winter months 
 are also dcs'rable months to make the change. Y<»u can 
 po to farming any time you arrive, from January 1st t<» 
 De<*ember 31st. 
 
 The princi] :al agricultural and other products for li)f)2 
 were as follows: 
 
 Val.ic 
 
 Upland cotton, bales, 252 fin.lSG 
 
 Corn, bushels, 27.731 21.855 
 
 Sw?et potatoes, bushels, 43,17i 22 !ia 
 
 Field pens, bushels, 1,()25 3.25<i 
 
 Syrup, barrel?, 7G1 12.454 
 
 Hay. tons, 82G «S.255 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 5.857 5.iU-4 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 770 20.733 
 
 Mules, number, 59 : - -305 
 
 Stock cattle, nnmb"v. 0,578 37.792 
 
 Sheep, number, 15,GG2 18,173 
 
 Hogs, number, 1,359 6,079 
 
507 
 
 SUMTER COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bourded on the north by Marion, east 
 by Lake, on tlie south by (Mtrus, Hernando and Polk, 
 aud on the west by Herrando. Citrus and Pasco counlies. 
 
 It has an area of 599 square miles of land surface, or 
 S83.:](;() a< res. 
 
 Its ijojiuhition in 1890 was 5,3G3, and in 1901) it was 
 0,187. of which number 3,997 were whites and 2,281) were 
 negrors. 
 
 At the close cf the school term in 1901 there weP3 In 
 the <ounty 42 schools, of which 31 were for whites aud 
 11 were for negroes. 
 
 TIiP to|;ovra]iliy of Sumter Tourty is to a considt^rabls 
 extent gently undulating, while large portions of the 
 county aie ent rely level. The timber growth is, like 
 most of the smie section of country, mostly pine, with 
 scattering hammoc ks of mixed growth of pine and variciuei 
 hardwoods. A (Ocsi[Ierable portion of the county is 
 taken up with lakes, po'ids. and small fresh waitT 
 Btreams. around and alo^g whose shores strips of 'lam- 
 mo k lands of great fertility are found. These hani]iio«k 
 lands hnve enjoved in the past, and even y9i enjoy, a great 
 reputation as fruit and vegt able producing lands, ind it 
 is not to be dnubtej that they are pt lo^st among the 
 most fertle and pro«1uctive of any in the Ptat°. The pine 
 lands of the high and low jrrade. rr rathrr what is known 
 as fii*ct nrd F.°cond class, form much the larger oart of the 
 landed area of the courty: as elsowhere in the State, the 
 first cla's form the irreat bulk of the gpneral farming 
 lands; the second class and the flat lands, being princi- 
 pally used as cattle ranges. 
 
 No courty in the central part of E^st Florida is 1>et- 
 ter adapted, in soil, climatp a^d location, to snccessful 
 fruit, vegetable and general farminsr than Sumter County. 
 
 Few counties enjoy the transportation facilit'es afford- 
 ed hv fhia county: the Withla'^oochee form more than 
 half of its we'-tern boundarv. au'^ i«s T^vifrable the 2r.^;i*er 
 part of the distance to the Onlf of Mexico, then criviujj 
 water transportation to the West Coast. The Seabonr'l 
 Air Line and the Atlantic Coa^t Line, and their 
 branches traverse the county in all directions, furnish- 
 
568 
 
 ing dose connection with aU points, North, East, !?outIi 
 and West. 
 
 Vegetables are grown in great quantities for shipment 
 1o Northern markets, and about all the senji-tn'pical 
 fruits aie also successfully grown. 
 
 .SUMTERVILLE, 
 
 The county seat, is situated in the central portion of rhe 
 county, on the Seaboard 4^ir Line Railway, and Is sur- 
 rounded by a fine farming and fruit growing section of 
 the county. It has good schools and churches; mo«t of 
 the religious denominations being well represeu^ej 
 Throughout the county. 
 
 The rripcipal agricultural and other products for 1903 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bags, 81 1 7.1215 
 
 Corn, bushels, 7(5.047 ';?JGO 
 
 Oats, bushels, 31,3^3 IT.tOT 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bu«liels, 58,217 2'>.20f) 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1,330 2i ..V).'? 
 
 Field peas, bushels, ] 1,288 22 2r,2 
 
 Peanuts, busheh, 0.013 10.r)2'> 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 1 1,908 1 2.070 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 38.408 27.837 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 80 308. 72,073 
 
 Cucumbers, crates, 02.017 03.805 
 
 Watermelons, cap I'^ads, 5G3 44.172 
 
 Beans, crates. 25,400 27,747 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 5,404 12,487 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902 : 
 
 Horses, number, 1 ,495 88.005 
 
 Mules, number, 2G1 30.075 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 21,117 142.5<)0 
 
 Hogs, number, 15,845 10,903 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 29,228 9,091) 
 
SI WANNEE COUNTY. 
 
 This countv Is houudcd on the north by Hamilton, on 
 the east by Hamilton and Columbia, on the south by 
 Ala* hua ?'nd l.aFavett(\ and on the \vest by LaFayette, 
 Wadif^on and Hamilton count ifs. 
 
 It h-s an area of (589 square miles of land Kurfa(t% or 
 44(M)(>{) acres. 
 
 Its population in 18f:(» wrs 10,524, and lu 1001) it was 
 14,554. of whiih ni:n;ber 7,077 were whit5S and t',o77 were 
 iiegroets. 
 
 At the close of the school term in ISO I vhera were in 
 the (onnty 82 public schools, of which 57 vvorc fc<r whites 
 and 25 were for nej^rocs. 
 
 (leojrraphically, Suwarree County is situated in what 
 is known locally as ^liddle Florida — a term which ramt* 
 into common usage before tlie southern pan of the State 
 became trn versed by ra Iroads. and thereby opened r«) sct- 
 tlemert. The term still remains, though it is r.iislca "ing 
 to one rot acqrainted with the facts, as it is in Aliddle 
 Florica only as appl:e« to the east and west, and is in the 
 north.ern tier of c ouiities of the State, being but a few 
 miles from the Georir a line. However, her geoi;rai)hical 
 position is not a detiimert, but is pos<:;bly one of the 
 favors that Nature bestows so lavishly upon her, for it is 
 traversed by two truck lines of railroads, tlie Seaboard 
 Air Line and the Atlnntic Coast Line, whl h, crossing 
 each other at Live Oak. the county seat, and near the cen- 
 ter of the county, radiate in four direc t'ons, thus a!Vord- 
 ing trfinsportation fncililies far abovj vhose enjoyed by 
 most other counties of the State. The tirst c;f these runs 
 from enst to west throuph the county, c-onnecting Jack- 
 sonville and western part of the State, v/hile tlu^ latter, 
 the Atlantic Coast Lire, traverses it from north 1o scmth, 
 Tampa being its southern terminus. Besides these, the 
 Suwannee and San Pedro Railroad Co., and ihe Live Oak 
 and Gulf Railroad Co. have Live Oak for their . ithem 
 terminus. The first named extends in a southwesterly 
 direction through the counties of La Fayette and Taylor, 
 and the latter to the head of navigation on the Suwannee 
 River. This river forms the northern, wrsf'^rn "nd sonth- 
 ern boundary of the county, and is navigable to Luraville, 
 
570 
 
 a thriving town about sixteen miles from Live Oak and 
 near which are valuable deposits of phosphate. 
 
 The county embraces an area of about t-even humlred 
 square miles, and by the census of 1900 was inluibitcd by 
 15,572 peojile. whi h has since been augmented by i voii- 
 Ktant influx of people who came to engage in the many in- 
 dustries to be found in operation within the territory. 
 Agriculture is the principal industry, and the farmers 
 are of that class who make their farms, not only self-sup- 
 porting but profitable. Many of them have handsoino 
 bank accounts, and few of them, comparitively, are foried 
 to seek the men hants' assistance in their operations. 
 
 Sto< k raising is engaged in to a limited extent, but Mds 
 fair to become one of the most important indust. i^s in 
 this county, as it has been demonstrated that beef and pork 
 can l^e rroduced here cheaper than anywhere else on the 
 Ameriran contii'ent. Natural grasses are the mpin de- 
 pen r'ence for pastura.ge, thouph Bermuda gra<='S Ihrives 
 and is used to some extent. Experiments are being made 
 with other rultivater? orassps. and whi' h will doubtless be 
 Buccessful. Foir raisin jr will no doubt ere long become 
 a lartre and nrofitable industry in this county, ns p'nr'ers, 
 chiTf"s. sorghum. r)Pa«. cas«ava. etc.. produce abundantly, 
 and by Ihe use of whidi pork ran be nrodured at an ex- 
 pe'^^p not PXceerJug ore and one-half cents per iiourd 
 Cattle requ'res feed and att'^ntion but three movrhs i-i 
 ■Ihp year, and cassava and vplvet beans furnish a splr^ndid 
 rat'on for them at very little expense. 
 
 Horticulture commands some attention, and only npo'^s 
 an intellij'ent pursuit to yVd fabulous profits. There 
 ar-* coypral npcnn "tovps of from 40 to fiO npre«. an-l the 
 numbpr is beinp- nr?ded to vf^^rlv. Individual trees of this 
 rut 20 ypars o^d have yielded ^^0 ppr annum here. .A-il 
 kiu'^s of fru'ts do well. The following van'pties arp found 
 in luxuriant growth t^rouffhout the county: Pea'he**, 
 pears, plnms. graues. fio-s and nuinces. A small acreage 
 is devo*^ed to ptra wherries and rasnborries, b"t thev pro- 
 duce abun^'antly and of luscions onalitv, while bh)« kbep- 
 ries p^row at large and are so plentiful as to be a nuisance 
 to the farmer. 
 
 All of the vegetables known to civili'/.ation are at homo 
 in this favored section, and ffarf^en'r^? operations M''e car- 
 ried on the year round. The following are principal vege- 
 
571 
 
 tables grown: Beans, beets, peas, cabbage, cauJ'flDwer, 
 corn, cucumbers, melons, turnips, lettuce, tomat.^rs, egg- 
 plant, squasb, onions and jjotatoes. 
 
 The principal crop raised for export is Sea Ishmd cot- 
 ton, famous for its long, silky staple and used iu nianu- 
 fa( ture of tine fabrics, of whi(h is produced frorii 1201) (o 
 800 pounds per acre, worth from 10 to 40 dollars. 
 
 Other crops raised for home consumption are: Swoct 
 potatoes, yield from 100 to 200 bushels, worth froni .?HJ to 
 $80 per acre; corn, from 8 to 30 bushels, worth here from 
 50c to fl.OO per bushel; sugar cane, yield 300 to 400 gal- 
 lons of syrup per acre, worth from $120 to $100; Irish po- 
 tatoes. 200 to 250 bushels, worth $1 per bushel ; cassava 
 f» to 12 tons, worth for stan h pur]!Oses -^30 t<» $72. and 
 in production of pork, $75 to $150 per acr?. rM]>it}ilists 
 nre considering the erection of a factory for the "on ver- 
 sion of ca«*sava into star<h. in the near future. Rye an»l 
 oats are staple crops, while whePt and barley have Ti^en 
 tested and found to be a suc(ess under intclligen* culture. 
 
 An abundance of pure water can be had anywhere in 
 this county at a depth of from 60 to 125 feet, the total 
 cost of procuring being 00 cents ])er foot. 
 
 Very few po'sorors irserts or rPT»tiles ; re to be fo^ind 
 fn the county, and the oldest inhabitant remembers but 
 one Instance of serious results from such rause. 
 
 This county has never b'^rn vi«'ted by any dlsia-'ter of 
 flood, storm or drougth, and a failure of crops is unknovrn 
 to its inhabitants. 
 
 As a result of the condition of the fanning » lass every 
 other industry in the county is thriving, the people are en- 
 ergetic, enterprising and the evidences of prosperity may 
 be seen on every hand. 
 
 There are in sucressful operation in Hie lounty seven 
 tnmber manufacturing plants, ore foundry and n\achine 
 Bhop, one ice plant and cold storP,ge, one hardwood fac- 
 tory, onp gin and vehicle factory, one bror.n factory, two 
 rice mills, two barrel factories, fourteen cotton ginning 
 •etablishments. besides other enterprises of a lc«3f»r na- 
 ture, all of which give, employment to numbers of people 
 an'1 assist in the lubrication of the wheels of commerce. 
 
 There are 81 public »• hools in the county —52 of which 
 are for the white children and 23 for the colored cliildrcn. 
 
TIloy give eiiiplovinciil to 70 lencluM-s. Tlu' •jvcr.ij'e leu<;lli 
 of term in l!)()l was .SJ days, llie av(M-a;>e alti'iidarue 1h»- 
 iug, for the whites, 1,4;>'), (oloied, 1'2V>. Pjial 1',1G5, lost- 
 ing for the year |15,(>37.31. 
 
 The touuly maintains one high S(hool f >•.• e;'( h race at 
 the county scat, at which tiie carricuhim ctu'tiaios fnv«>ra- 
 bly with that of any preparatory college in the land. 
 
 The religious denominations represented in the < oiinty 
 are Methodist, IJaptist, rro?l)yter'a-n, JOpisropaiian, 
 Catholic and ^'econd Adveniivt. ;'.il of wIj < ii iiavc Inmi- 
 some and commodious i)la( (s of woi'^hip. f>xcc];t the ratli- 
 olics, who are few in number and have no rega'-'i pl.rce 
 or time of meeting. 
 
 The county is ])ossildy as well o!T'<ore' a*; any cmjiity 
 in the State, a^d <'onse{]ueiitIy its Mnrncrs are in good 
 shaT>''. several of tlie furl's l);>v'"«>- ''""-o i..i]..;>..o« •'-) ;])(. 
 hands of the treasurer, none of wl'.ich are ev?r so over- 
 drawn as to discredit warraiits tiiawn i hereon. 
 
 The rate of taxt'on for'the T>ro«'e'^t ^ear s 11^ nii'ls. 
 apro^tioned as follows: F< hrol. .5 mills; roar's, 4 mil's; 
 building and pauper, 1-J mills; general revenue. I mill. 
 
 The Board of Cou'^ty rommissioT^e's Iims latf^ly under- 
 taken the construction of good roads thror^hout the 
 county. Thfv now have constructed a"d \^ course of 
 f onstruVtioTi e'ght miles of hard roads, and it is ])rof)Osel 
 to raridly extend mileage o/ good roads to the farther- 
 most limits of the county. 
 
 Live Cak, the county site, is the principal toAvn ;:ud has 
 a population of about 2,.500. It has two banks, five drug 
 stores, two livery stables, two newsnaT)ers, water works^ 
 ice plant, telei.'hone system, three timber mills, two gin- 
 ning establishments, four railroads and forty or more 
 mercantile establishments. It is regarded in the com- 
 mercial world as one of the safest towns in the St-'.te, 
 there never having been a failure of any conseque.ice 
 among the merchants of the place during its history. The 
 town, as is the entire county, is under the local option 
 law (dry), and the moral and religious status of the peo- 
 ple is fully poua^ to her standing in n biif^i-^rips wa^'. The 
 people are hospitable, generous, enterprising, always 
 ready to extend a helping hand to any worthy man or en- 
 terprise that may see fit to locate among them. 
 
.)<• 
 
 Thr [.ii"» ii>:>I iigri. iiltunil and otlior [inuliKts for .'1)02 
 >v«Mv j«s lollows: 
 
 Valnp. 
 
 S(a isitiH) ( ottt»'>, bnffs, 5.721 $i52,510 
 
 Corn, bnslHg. 344.010 SiV-iH) 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 233,110 128 6-r5 
 
 Fvrnp. barrels. 11,111 in,r)S7 
 
 reain:ts, buslels, 250 830 250,S30 
 
 rea« hes, bushels, 51,083 51,08:J 
 
 Live sto( k en baud in 11-02 : 
 
 Horsts, number, 1,1)23 134,180 
 
 Mules, number. 1.2;6 105.870 
 
 F.to( k catde, number, 10,812 57.009 
 
 Hogs, number, 26,0 i5 139,575 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 128,446 J8,20S 
 
 TAYLOR COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north, by Jefferson and 
 Madison, on the east by Madison and LaFayelte. on the 
 south by the Gulf of Mexico, and on the west by Jefferson 
 County and the Gulf cf Mexico. 
 
 It has an area of 1,100 square miles of land surface, or 
 704,000 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1800 was 2,122, and in 1900 it was 
 3,099, of which number 3,561 were whites and 438 weie 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in the 
 county 35 public schools, of which 34 were for whites and 
 one was for negroes. 
 
 Taylor County is located in what might be termed Mid- 
 dle West Florida, originally a part of Madison, being 
 made a separate county by the Legislature of 1856-7. It 
 extends from the Steinhatchee to the Aucilla rivers. 
 
 The county seat is Perry, a village well laid off with 
 streets, shaded with beautiful oaks, having the public 
 jiquare as center. The town has a good school lasting 
 eight months in the year, and two churches, Methodist 
 'and Baptist. It has a population of about four hundred, 
 
574 
 
 nnd is 35 miles soulh of Madison, the county sea*- of 
 JIadiKon County. 
 
 The po'l of the county is rather varied in some f5ec*- 
 tiors, being of a pandy porous nature. Tn other section-*, 
 it is of a more conipaci gray sub-soil. The soil with ^'av- 
 orable pea^ons. produces well all the staple pro!lucri('n« 
 frown in the Stale, especially a high grade of "Sea 
 Island" cotton, which classes vrell and brings a fancy 
 j)rice in the markets. The soil is well ar'aiited to the i»ro- 
 duction of sugar cane, ri( e, cassava and all kinds of tnic k 
 farming. The farmers, with a favorable season, may ex- 
 pect a good yield, because they can raise nearly every- 
 thing they want on their farms. 
 
 Another important industry of the county is that of 
 stock raising. In the county there are many thousnnti 
 acres of low lands suited to grazirig. and with care that 
 will be one of the great industries of the county. Quile a 
 number of beef cattle are driven from the county each 
 year, which gives a nice income to the cattle owners. 
 
 The county is almost one great pine forest, inter- 
 Bpersed here and there with bays and swamps filled with 
 fypres"s and cednv of such a class as will find ready sale 
 in the timber markets of the world. 
 
 The naval stores operntions are just opening up in sec- 
 tions where tran8r>ortation can be had. The outpnr of 
 gum classes up well with that of a^iy section of the Sta'f». 
 
 There are, in some sections of the county, indications 
 of oil and raturnl ga*"; alFo nhosphnte deposits have '.>°en 
 found along the Aucilla n^d the FinhoHoway rivers that 
 class well; and only awaits the hand of labor and can'tal 
 to remove from the bosom of mother earth thnt whicii 
 will bring riches into our midst and peace and plenty into 
 our homes. 
 
 Taylor Cornty has fi long coast line and the fish'ng in- 
 clustrv' affords employment to many during the season for 
 taking salt fi«h. At Tedar Island, Knring Creek, Dolly's 
 Creek mny be found iri abundance, the, finest variety 'frf 
 oysters along the Onlf Coast of Florir'a. All kinds of 
 fowls seen in Florida are found along the coast diurlng the 
 winter months. Peside the salt fish, every neck anci 
 river is teeming with all the fresh wpter fish known in this 
 section of the country, and can be had only for the tak- 
 
575 
 
 ing. The forest abounds in all kinds of game seen in 
 Florida, and may be called the sportsman's paradise, 
 business man's haven of rest, and a panacea for the ails 
 and diseases of the sick. The long tresses of beautiful 
 moss fanned by the tgentle breezes of the Gulf, ran out 
 reFt the wearied brain, and sooth the aching limbs of him 
 who suffers pain from any malady. 
 
 Among the attractions of the county are Ecoufenee, 
 Hampton and Emerson Springs, the Hampton being liic 
 most noted. The sparkling waters of this spring briiii; 
 forth from the great labratories of natur'^, lemedics for 
 n'any diseases that cannot be reached by the Tieatm(nt i.f 
 skillful physicians. After one has spent sometime .tt ono 
 of these springs, he will feel like he has really visited the 
 "Fountain of Youth" so eagerly sought by Ponce de 
 Leon. 
 
 There are now three railroads building into the rnuntr, 
 the Suwannee and San Pedro Railroad, whi h will reach 
 Perry in a few weeks, is now running passenger cars with- 
 in six miles of Perry. The others are the Souih Georgia 
 and West Coast Bailroad and the TallahaMsee Southeast- 
 ern, both of whi(i promise to be completed at an early 
 date. These roads w'ill furnish ample facilities for trans- 
 portation, together with the trading ve"5S(ils along <he 
 ooast, will open up the channels of tra<^e in such a way 
 that wjll give employment to many who are Jseekins: a 
 place for profitable investment, and soon Iho popul;iti(»n 
 of t^-p county will increase from 4,000 to many tim>e8 that 
 number. 
 
 Tn noint of health. Taylor Gonnty is as h'^llhy as a^y 
 section of Florida. The pru^'f'nt will have as good heallU 
 ns can be had anywhere. The temperatare never ^oes 
 aver no degrees in summer or lower than 3A degrees 'n 
 winter, except in extreme cases, which rarely h:ii)pen. T^ 
 mmmor the nichts are cool and pleasant, and the prevail- 
 ing wind is from the south. 
 
 The schools of the countv are in excellent cimditioT, 
 piving amnle ediiratTonal advantajrps to all who desiif» td 
 educate their children. There are 38 white schoolsi and 1 
 ro'ored school, showing that the ro^mty has almojst a 
 white popujation. The teachers of the oountT mav bo 
 classed na foltows: Seven Ist grade, 12 second grade and 
 
5 70 
 
 5 third grade, and one colored, making 25 in all. Parents 
 can i-est assured that their children are entrusted to com- 
 petent and experienced trainers. During the last year 
 1,142 children were enrolled, an average attendance of 030 
 was made, which shows that the people are interested in 
 the t ause of education. The Board of Public InstiMK t on 
 paid the teaching force of the county |4,Vo2.7o, i^^howing 
 that they appreciate the needs of the ])eu[)l'* and Ihe ser- 
 vi e rendered by the teachers of the county, (.'om for I able 
 buildings are being built in many < ouMnunitles, and at no 
 distant day, good, commodious buildings will dot the 
 roadside of every neighborhood, and give every honest 
 homeseeker a hearty welcome into our county. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other pr':uuet,:i for 19(^2 
 
 were as follows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Sea Island cotton, bags, 1,289 f S7,557 
 
 Corn, bushels, 118,624 110,9:?G 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 23,157 11,732 
 
 Svrup, barrels. 1,311 12,742 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 28.345 25,048 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 1,412 1.033 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 468 38,055 
 
 Mules, number, 343 22,221 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 13,162 (53,407 
 
 Hogs, number, 15,370 15,370 
 
 VOLUSIA COUNTY. 
 
 Thi§ county is bounded on the nortk by St. Johns Coun- 
 ty and the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Brevard, Lake, 
 and Orafige, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and 
 west by Orange and Lake counties. 
 
 It has an area of 1,281 square mi/es of land surface, or 
 819,840 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 8,467, and in 1900 it wa» 
 10,003, of which number 6,538 were whites and 3,465 were 
 negroes. 
 
At the close of the school term of 1901 there were ia the 
 county 55 public schools, of which 39 were for whites and 
 16 were for negroes. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 The St. Johns river runs the entire len<>th of its wes- 
 tern boundary, and the Halifax and Hillsborough rivers, 
 or sounds, traverse the entire eastern boundary, with 
 only a narrow strip of land, formed by the winds and 
 waves of the ocean, extending between them and the 
 ocean. It is one of the most progressive and thriving 
 counties in the State. The lands along the west bank of 
 the Halifax and Hillsborough rivers, four or five miles 
 wide, are the richest of hammocks, and were cultivated in 
 suigar cane at a very early period by the English and 
 Spaniards, the remains of whose extensive works still 
 exist. West of this is a belt of prairie, interspersed with 
 pine and cabbage palmetto, extending the entire length 
 of the county, and affording magnificent grazing for stock. 
 Next further west, extending from the northern end of the 
 county south about thirty miles, and varying in width 
 from two to six or seven miles, is a high rolling pine coun- 
 try, considered by many the best for fruit culture; from 
 this, southward, is a high rolling pine scrub until the St. 
 Johns is reached with its varying banks of high hammock 
 and savannas; springs and beautiful lakes abound all 
 through the county. 
 
 DeLand, the count v seat, is a progressive and thriving 
 town, and had a population of 1.449 according to the 
 United States Census of 1900. It is located in the center 
 of the vegetable and fruit growing section of the country, 
 and its business men do quite a large and succcessful 
 trade. 
 
 DeLand University, the state institution of the Baptist.s 
 of Florida, is located here. It is probably the highest 
 institution of learning in the State and is heavily en- 
 dowed. They ha\e fine buildings and an excellent library. 
 The lands in the vicinity are high and rolling. Many beau- 
 tiful places surround the town. Hotel accommodations 
 are surpassed by no town of equal size in the State. There 
 are few counties more accessible to transportation, none 
 37 H. F. 
 
c7S 
 
 healthier, and nearly every inducement offered by other 
 localities in the State are found here. 
 
 There are a number of other towns in the county that 
 are prosperous and progressive, and delightful places for 
 residence, especially is this true of the many thriving vil- 
 lages that skirt the coast country along the Halifax and 
 Hillsborough rivers. All or any of these are ideal places 
 for winter residences, for those who live in arctic climes, 
 and for healths sake, if for no other reason, must seek re- 
 lief in warmer latitudes. 
 
 One of the most profitable industries of the county is 
 stock raising, the vast extent of green, well watered 
 pairie lands affords the best of grazing for large herds of 
 cattle. 
 
 With the present interest in Florida, and the tide of im- 
 migration turning to the State, there can be no reason 
 why this favored locality should not put on new life, re- 
 ceive her share of the general benefits, and develop the 
 various and importast interests peculiar to it. 
 
 The agricultural and other products for 1902 were as 
 follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Corn, bushels, 34,050 | 27.GSS 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 33,334 27,381 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 694 8,033 
 
 Hay, tons, 835 16.580 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, 4,815. 6,142 
 
 Cabbage, crates, 1.228 3,100 
 
 Tomatoes, crates, 3,550 3,010 
 
 Lettuce, crates, 3,400 4,672 
 
 Celery, crates, 2,200 4,400 
 
 Watennelons, car loads, 168 15,143 
 
 Oranges, boxes, 44,250 106,716 
 
 Cassava, tons, 2,686 16.051 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 18,657 17,845 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 1,142 80,305 
 
 Mules, number, 246 54.575 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 14,090 106,891 
 
 Hogs, number, 8,877 10.874 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 33,988 14,899 
 
579 
 
 WAKULLA COUNTY- 
 
 Wakulla is bounded on tiio north hy Loon, on the east 
 by Jefferson County and the Oulf of Mexico, on the south 
 by Liberty and Franklin counties and the Gulf of Mexico, 
 and on the west by Liberty and Franklin counties. 
 
 It has an area of 001 s^juare miles of land surface, or 
 384.(;40 acres. 
 
 Its j)opulation in 1890 was 3,117, and in 1900 it was 
 5,1-49, of which number 2,;)»59 were whites and 2,790 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in 
 the county ?>2 public schools, of which 22 were for whites 
 and 10 were for negroes. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 Wakulla County is one of the Gulf Coast counties of 
 Florida, and in general is gently rolling, though in some 
 sections rpiite broken. There is a very extensive ridge or 
 plateau, which serves as a water shed, and which extendi 
 from the red hills of Leon County, with a gradual slope 
 towards the Gulf Coast, and reaches within about three 
 miles of 3, when it drops off into the flat woods sandy 
 country. These high lands are drained into the St. Marks 
 and Wakulla rivers on the east side, and by the Ocklock- 
 nee and its tributary streams on the west. This elev'ated 
 plateau is of irregular, alternate tracts of open pine, 
 dense oak and hickory, and denser hammock lands. The 
 natural sub-divisions of this plateau into poor, rich and 
 richer soils, and consequent pine, oak and hickory and 
 hammock forests, without elevations or depressions, is an 
 incomprehensible phenomenon. The hammocks are heav- 
 ily timbered with live oak, white oak, magnolia, s-^^eet 
 gum, cedar, hickory, red bay, wahoo and beech trees, pro- 
 fusely and beautifully ornamented in places with long, 
 gray moss hanging in wreathy complications from every 
 branch of every tree. A moss mill or factory in the 
 mossy realm for the purpose of converting the live gray 
 into dead black moss — a saleable staple — would develop 
 an industry that would fleece the forest of its igarland of 
 gray. And a tannery in the oaky realm would be useful 
 to the people and profitable to the tanner. 
 
580 
 
 The county is rich in its soil, timber and varied produc- 
 tions. The soil of Old Town, White, Berrien, and other 
 larije haniniocks. is dark and mellow, the vegetable decom- 
 position is deep and abundant, and its foundation Is a 
 chaotic combination of clay, marl and . shell; in places 
 lime rock lies thick on the surface, and is deeply mibed- 
 ded in the sub-soil. It is capable of producing from 3,000 
 to 5,000 ounds of sugar, 500 pounds of lint cotton, 500 
 bushels of sweet potatoes, or 50 bushels of corn per acre. 
 These are outside figures. It will produce Irish potatoes, 
 rice, rye, oats, peas, pinders, melons, vegetables, etc., 
 proportionately. 
 
 No bf^tter geneval farming or vegetable growing land 
 are in be found in the State than in this county; any in- 
 dustrious farmer can reap rich reward for his labor, in 
 any branch of agricultural industry. This is also a fine 
 stock raising county, all kinds of live stock do well. 
 
 The fishing industry is of great importance and is car- 
 ried on for about four months of the year on an immense 
 scale; connected with Ibis industry there is an opportu- 
 nity for a large plant for the manufacture of fertilizers 
 from the refuse of the fisheries; such an industry could 
 easily be made extremely profitable.. 
 
 There are numerous mills, such as saw mills, planing^ 
 and shingle mills. At St. Marks is one of the largest 
 shingle mills in the South, which does an immense busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Transportation facilities are good, two railroads tra- 
 verse from north to south, the entire county. A branch 
 of the Seaboard Air Line runs from Tallahassee to St. 
 Marks, and the Carrabelle, Tallahassee and Gulf from 
 Tallahassee to Carrabelle. Water transportation is also 
 had from Newport to the Gulf, and via the Ocklocknee 
 river to the Gulf, through Crooked river at Carrabelle. 
 
 The famous Wakulla Spring, of world wide reputation, 
 is located in this county about seventeen miles south of 
 Tallahassee and about two and a half miles northeast of 
 Crawfordville. 
 
581 
 
 CRAWFORDVILLB 
 
 Is the county seat and is the central business point of the 
 county. It is surrounded by a splendid farming country 
 of high, rich pine and hammock lands. There are fine op- 
 portunities here for a factory for working up hard woods 
 into all sorts of commodities, the supply of white oak, 
 hickory and other commercial hard woods being in im- 
 mense quantities. Lands are very reasonable, and good 
 lands can be bought at from one dollar to ten dollars; j'^ei* 
 acre, depending upon character and location. Wakulla is 
 surpassed by few counties in the State, as a first class, 
 all around country, for general farming, good health, and 
 the certainty of always being able to make a good living, 
 and more besides with fair industry. 
 
 The county has good schools, and nearly all religious 
 denominations are represented in the different neighbor- 
 hoods. 
 
 The ])rincipal agricultural and other products for 1002 
 were as follows : 
 
 Value. 
 
 Tpland <-.otl'in, bales. So | .3,165 
 
 Corn, busliels, 50,082 2r>,0S3 
 
 Swcr^t jMitatoes, bushels, 19,9'12 !),920 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 02G 8.3:77 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 15,859 7,975 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 3.337 "* 3,312 
 
 Livp stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 287 12,SiO 
 
 Mules, number, 125 7,810 
 
 St^ock cattle, number, 4,136 20,045 
 
 Hogs, number, 3,449 3,449 
 
 Poultrv. nil kinds, number, 7,502 2';©38 
 
 Eggs, dozen, 41,160 4,ll«i 
 
582 
 WALTON COUNTY. 
 
 This county is bounded on the north by the State of 
 Alabama, and Holmes County, Florida, on the east by 
 Holmes and Washington counties, south by Washington 
 County and Choctawhatehee Bay, and on the west by 
 Santa Rosa County. 
 
 The county has an area of 1,384 square miles of land 
 surface, or 885,760 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 4,816, and in 1900 it was 
 9,346, of which number 7,307 were whites and 2,039 were 
 negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were in 
 the county 67 public schools, of which 56 were for whites 
 and 11 were for negroes. 
 
 The topography of the county varies as does the soil. 
 In the northern and western portion the surface is undu- 
 lating, the soil is rich hammock and heavy sand loam and 
 is well adapted to general farming. South near the bay 
 the surface is rather flat and is especially adapted to 
 igrazing with some considerable rich farming lands, while 
 east the county is rolling and rich ; has been for years, 
 and is still, tlie chief farming section. The river and creek 
 bottoms throughout the county are very rich, producing 
 abundantly with minimum amount of labor. 
 
 "This is one of the best watered counties in the State. 
 Flowing through each precinct are limpid streams of pure 
 and wholesome water, springs are found in all parts «if 
 the county. Below we give an analysis of the water 
 found at DeFuiiiak S|>rings, the county seat, and it will 
 apply to the water found in much or most of the count}'. 
 
 Analysis made by Prof. A. A. Persons : 
 
 Grains Parts 
 
 per [ler 
 
 Gallon. Mill'n. 
 
 Total solids 1.36 
 
 Volatine matter . . : 0.02 
 
 Silica 0.14 
 
 Chlorine 0.30 
 
 Free Ammonia , .0032 
 
 Albuminoid Ammonia .012 
 
o 
 
 :5&^:ry- i "^ 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
583 
 POPULATION. 
 
 The popnlntion is now, white, 10.000, colored, about 
 2,000. The increase in population for the past decade has 
 been marvelous. 
 
 The assessed valuation of real and personal property 
 amounts to |1,266,155, Eate of taxation, state and coun- 
 ty, 14^ mills. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 Transportation facilities are especially jjood. The 
 Louisville and Nashville Railroad traverses the center of 
 the county from west to east. The Yellow River Railrojid 
 from Florala, on the northern border, taps the Louisvillo 
 and Nashville at Crestview, an enterprising town on the 
 western border. 
 
 The rhoctawhatchee river is navigable and furnishes an 
 outlet from the east, while Choctawhatcliee Bay gives 
 cheap transportation through the sound to Pensa^ola. 
 When our transportation facilities are made perfect by 
 the completion of the Central of Georgia, now building, 
 we will have the cheapest and quickest means of outlet. 
 
 TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL— 1901. 
 
 From January to June inclusive, Mean Maximum. . . .73.0 
 From January to June inclusive. Mean Minimum. . . .51.8 
 From July to December, inclusive. Mean Maximum. .78.8 
 From July to December, inclusive, Mean Minimum. .55.0 
 
 Annual rainfall 72.08 inches. 
 
 The rainfall for this year was unusually heavy. 
 
 CROPS. 
 
 The greatest diversity of crops may be raised. Cotton 
 is grown to some extent, usually short staple; of this sev- 
 eral hundred bales are shipped annually. Corn, hay, 
 oats, sugar cane and potatoes all (grow and produce abun- 
 dantly. In fact, the soil is especially adapted to general 
 farming. The velvet bean is now being grown extensive- 
 ly and is proving a most valuable food stuff, cassava 
 yields enormously, as also chufa, ground pea, etc. 
 
' 584 
 
 The price of land varies greatly, from one to twenty 
 dollars, average price, say two dollars. 
 
 FKUITS. 
 
 A great variety of fruits are grown. Peaches are -ship- 
 ped to some extent, as also grapes. These seem especially 
 adapted to our soil and climate and under intelligent 
 management pay well. This is also true of Japan per- 
 simmon, plums, etc. 
 
 STOCK RAISING. 
 
 Stock raising is one of the best and most profitable in- 
 dustries. Thousands of head of cattle and sheep are 
 raised on the ranges without cost to the owners. Two 
 hundred thousand pounds of wool is exported annually, 
 and hundreds of head of cattle are shipped each season. 
 It would be hard to find a country where nature had so 
 perfected everything to the success of this important in- 
 dustry. 
 
 TIMBER AXD MILLING. 
 
 The country has a vast area of timber lands, pine and 
 hardwood. This is now being manufactured for market. 
 There are approximately 1.3 steam mills and 6 water mills 
 now in operation. Naval stores operators are also at 
 ■work in various portions of the county and the revenue 
 to the county from this industry is enormous. 
 
 There is no section of country where the climatic condi- 
 tions, soil, water and surroundings are more conducive 
 to Ijealth. in fact, the county is one vast sanitarium and 
 thousands come to he restored to health. 
 
 TOWNS. 
 
 There are several towns of more or less importance in 
 the county. DeFuniak Springs is the cnpital and princi- 
 pal town, three hundred feet above sea level, its popula- 
 tion is fifteen hundred, and here is located the State Nor- 
 mal School for whites, with an attendance of over one 
 hundred students, and is growing in importance annually. 
 
c3 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 Pu 
 
585 
 
 Here, too, is located the Florida Chautauqua, an institu- 
 tion for learning that draws its talent and attendance 
 from twenty or more states. North and South. During 
 the winter thousands visit the springs for health and to 
 be present at the Chautauqua exercises. 
 
 Laurel Hill is situated in the western portion of the 
 county, in the midst of a rich farming country, on the 
 Yellow River Railroad. It has good school facilities, 
 several nice churches, and with the farming land as a 
 basis of prosperity it is destined to grow. 
 
 Svea is a new and promising Swedish town a few miles 
 from Laurel Hill and may be expected to grow in impor- 
 tance. 
 
 Freeport is situated on Choctawhatchf^ Bay eiglsteen 
 miles south of DeFuniak with a large milling interest to 
 support it, with its shipping facilities and with a farm- 
 ing county in easy reach, makes this a business town of 
 very much importance. 
 
 There are sixty-two white and eleven colored scbo(>ls 
 in the county, which hold session of four months; teach- 
 ers are promptly paid ; there are tive ,graded school*;. 
 
 The fact is, Walton County has much to recommend it 
 to those seeking homes. If farmers, they may be suited 
 in soil and location ; if for stock raising, there is no bet- 
 ter section; if for the establishment of manufacturing 
 plants of wood, wool, or cotton into form or fabric, there 
 is no better. 
 
 The climate is as near perfect as possible, the seasons 
 regular and sure, temperature equable, water pure, 
 health good, what more could be asked? 
 
 What fhe county needs is more farming enterprise, 
 more money to dei^'lop its latent resources, more men of 
 energy and push, more of modern an^l less of antiquated 
 methods. 
 
 The principal agricultural *nd other productions for 
 1902 were asfollows: 
 
 Value. 
 
 Tpland cotton, bales, 1,037 $130,738 
 
 Corn, bushels, 9'3,350 05,44fr 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 56,133 20.181 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 1.584 , 1 5.020 
 
 Field peas, bushels. 0.057 0,361 
 
 Peanuts, bushels, 18,434 1 7,045 
 
586 
 
 Velvet beans, bushels, 15,144 10,273 
 
 Irish potatoes, bushels, 1,429 1,304 
 
 Watermelons, car loads, 90 5,960 
 
 Peaches, bushels, 16.119 16,718 
 
 .Wool, pojinds, 54,332 10,500 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1901 : 
 
 Horses, unuiber. 6(54 41,157 
 
 Mules, number, 347 27,967 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 10,872 72,797 
 
 Sheep, number, 20,425. 37,25i) 
 
 Hogs, number, 11,817 18,216 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 28,256 7,548 
 
 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 
 
 1 
 
 Washington Countv is bounded on the north by Jack- 
 son, Holmes and Walton counties, on the east by Jackson 
 and Calhoun, south by Calhoun County and the Gulf of 
 Mexico, and on the west by Calhoun, Holmes and WaltoH 
 counties and the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 It has an area of 1,425 square miles of land surface, or 
 912.000 acres. 
 
 Its population in 1890 was 6.426. and in 1900 it was 
 10,154. of which number 7.468 were whites 'and 2.686 
 were negroes. 
 
 At the close of the school term of 1901 there were iu 
 the county 71 public schools, of which 59 were for v\'hites 
 and 12 were for negroes. 
 
 Washington County is located in the western portion 
 of the State. Vernon, a thriving little town, is the coun- 
 ty site situated on Holmes river, a tribuary of Choctaw- 
 hatchee. Surrounding country is some of the best farming 
 lands in the State; also has lumber and naval stores in- 
 terests. Means of transportation, steamers plying 
 Holmes and Choctawhatchee rivers to Pensacola. The 
 population numbers about 250 and here is one of tLe 
 handsomest court houses in the State. 
 
 Chip^ey, in the northeastern part of the county, is the 
 largest town; population, 800; means of transportation, 
 the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. From this point 
 is manufactured and shipped the largest amount of naval 
 
587 
 
 stores of any [joint in tlie United States. Here has been 
 found the best of clay for the manufacture of brick, and 
 two machines of large cai)acity are in ()])eration and find 
 ready sale for the hiiih j^rade bi-ick made. Also near 
 here there are large beds of lime rock which, after being 
 burned, have proven to be the best of lime. The surroun<i- 
 ing country is pine land, the soil a da'rk, sandy loam, with 
 a clay subsoil and capable, with the least assistance of 
 commercial fertilizers, of producing a wider range of 
 crops than can be grown in any other portion of the State, 
 and fruits of numerous varieties are grown successfully. 
 
 (^aryville, in the northwestern portion of the county, is 
 strictly a lumber manufacturing town of about 300 in- 
 habitants. Means of transportation, the Choctawharchee 
 river and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, connect- 
 ing with the steamers plying the river. Here is located 
 one of the largest lumber and milling, manufacturing 
 plants in the State. 
 
 Orange Hill is in the eastern part of the county and 
 one of the highest hills in the State and noted for irs 
 beautiful scenery and rich lands. It is a settlement of 
 experienced and successful farmers. 
 
 Point Washington is in the western portion of the 
 county, and is strictly a lumber manufacturing town of 
 300 inhabitants and located on Choctawhatchee Bay. 
 Means of transporation ai^e by steanu^rs and sailing ves- 
 sels to Pensacola. Only a few miles south of there, on the 
 Gulf, is the summer lesort known as (Jrayton J^each. 
 
 Econfina, in the eastern part of the county, is located 
 on the Econfina river. It is a settlement of experienced 
 farmers and successful stock raisers. Here is found the 
 light yellow loam lands that have been in cultivation for 
 45 years and still producing large crops without the as- 
 sistance of any fertilizers. Near this settlement and 
 through the center and w^estern part of the county are to 
 be found numerous large and beautiful lakes abounding 
 in many varieties of fresh water fish, and called the fish- 
 erman's paradise. 
 
 St. Andrews Bay, in the southern part of the county, is 
 a town of about 400 population, located on a larjr^ bay 
 bearing the same name and widely known as the winter 
 resort for the north and a summer resort for the south, 
 and considered the healthiest resort on the Gulf Coast. 
 
5S8 
 
 Principal industry is the numerous fisheries; also large 
 lumber and naval stores interests near the town and 
 around the hay. Menus of transportation, steamers and 
 sailing vessels to Gulf ports. In this hay is to be found 
 the best flavored oyster on the Gulf coast in inexhaustible 
 quantities. 
 
 Stock raising is one* of the leading and successful indus- 
 tries, the pasturage being free to all. The cattle and 
 sheep thrive well on the native grass so plentiful through- 
 out the entire county. The only attention required for 
 the cattle is to pen them in the spring time about one 
 month to keep them gentle and marking and branding 
 calves. Tlie sheej) are jienned only in shearing season to 
 clip the wool and mark the lambs. Improved and 
 graded stock of Morena and Cotswold is proving bene- 
 ficial, the increase of wool amply repaying their owners. 
 The stock of cattle has greatly improved the ])ast few 
 ycais with the fJersey, Holstein and Hereford breeds 
 Beef cattle are s]iip|)pd by the cnr load n'-arly tlie whole 
 year round to the different Southern markets, realizing 
 handsome prices, being almost equal to the TYestern beef. 
 Although the horse does not thrive so well rs the cow or 
 sheep on the native grasses the entire year, still if fed a 
 little grain or cured hay during the winter months, the 
 remainder of the year he can take care of himself, the 
 farmers claiming they can grow a better and Mardw-r slock 
 of horses at one-half the amount reijuired 'O mirdiase 
 them in the nuirkets. Hogs roam at large Jke tie cattle 
 and sheep, finding plenty of herbs, acorns and other mast, 
 only fed occasionally to gentle them. The improved 
 stock, such as Berkshire, Poland China, Ked Jersey and 
 the (Juinf'a, do well hr^re and require but lUtie arivntion 
 to grow them to unusual large size. 
 
 Farm ci'ops are principally corn, cotton, si^<?;ar cfliie, 
 oats, '"ice, sweet and Irish potatoes, hay, peas (*f several 
 varinies, beam!, peanuts, and cassava. From 20 to GO 
 bush' Is of corn can be easily grown per acre. Short .-ta- 
 ]t)\e cotton from half to one bale per acre. Long staple 
 cGtt<ai, from liaM to three-fourth bale per acre. Sugar 
 cane will make from 400 to 000 gallons of good syrup 
 per acre. Oats from 20 to 25 bushels per acre. Kice 
 from 15 to 25 bushels per acre. Sweet and Irish potatoes 
 from 100 to 250 bushels per acre. Peas, beans and ])ea- 
 
;ipal'Btieiness Street, Chipley, Washington 
 County, Florida. 
 
 
 .■3Ki«««-tStQr^.yard^ Chipley, Washington Co., Fla. 
 
" '•' 589 
 
 nuts from 10 to 15 bushels per acre. Haj from 1 to 2^ 
 tons per acre. Cassava from 10 to 15 tons per acre. Any- 
 thing thrown in gardens elsewhere is grown successfully 
 throughout the couutv. Tomatoes and strawberries are 
 grown and slii])]ied frnm here in time for the growei-s xo 
 realize some of the fancy prices in the Nortliwestern m:ir- 
 tets in the early springtime. 
 
 Numerous varieties of fruits are grown successfully 
 throughout the county, princi]»ally among which is the 
 LeConte pear, they being shipped by the car load. Early 
 peaches are shipped in the mouth of May and extrava- 
 grant prices realized for them. Plums giow almost wild 
 and without any cultivation or care. Also the different 
 tinds of grapes are cultivated and grown successfully at 
 less expense than in any other country. Melons are grown 
 and shij>]»ed by car loads annually at little cost. The sev- 
 eral varieties of pecans only require the planting and 
 without any cultivation grow to a large size, thrive and 
 fruit well. 
 
 The largest industries and in which the most capital 
 is invested is the turpentine and lumber manufacturing 
 business, this county having a lar^e area of apparently 
 inexhaustible pine forests, and alouig the several small 
 streams and the rivers can I? ."ound numerous varieties? of 
 hardwood suitable for manufacturing furniture. Also 
 cypress in abundance. 
 
 Although there is only some 2 or 3 thousand stands of 
 honey bees in this county this industry is proving to be a 
 success, and considerable more interest is being shown in 
 this direction each year. 
 
 Health and climate cannot be excelled in any country. 
 The water is principally soft and free of minerals, al- 
 though some healthy mineral water is to be found in sev- 
 eral parts of the county. 
 
 This county is blessed with the best society anywhere. 
 Churches of all Christian denominations are to be found 
 in almost all communities throughout the entire county, 
 and their pulpits are filled with able and intelligent min- 
 isters. There is 74 white free schools, with an attendance 
 of 2,000 pupils. The average salary for teachers being 
 from ^30 to |50 per month. Also there is 14 colorod 
 schools, with an attendance of 600 pupils, the teachers 
 
590 
 
 being paid in proportion to the white. These schools are 
 within reach of every family, located conveniently for 
 each community, in nice, comfortable bnildings owned by 
 the county and under the control of the Board of Public 
 Instruction, who attend to the selection of able and com- 
 petent teachers, who see that they perform tluHr duties in 
 the interest of education. The county officers are selected 
 by the people from among the most intelligent and for 
 their ability to perform the duties of the offices they fill. 
 
 Taxation does not appear to be a burden as it does in 
 other counties and is considered very reasonable for the 
 amount of bonetit derived by the payers, jjssessment made 
 for the county never exceeding 12 mills on the dollar. 
 
 This county is noted for its peaceable citizens, litiga- 
 tion seldom ever resorted to, and crime almost unknown 
 in comparison with some other counties. 
 
 For the sportsman thi» county is almost a paradise. 
 Nearly all kind of game found in the Southern States '.-an 
 be hunted and killed here, such as bear, deer, turkey and 
 partridge, during the hunting season which is prescribed 
 by the State game laws. 
 
 Farming and fruit lands can be purchased from |1.25 
 to |5 per acre, owinjg to location, and amount of im- 
 provements on it. I 
 
 There are several thousand acres of government lands 
 in the central and southern portion of the county subiect 
 to homestead entry, and only awaiting the hands of the 
 thrifty laboring man to convert them into profitable farms 
 and fruit orchards. 
 
 Emigration is invited, both capital and labor being 
 necessary to develop the numerous resources. Encourage- 
 ment is offered for either by the citizens who readily lend 
 a helping hand to any lawful enterprise that would be 
 beneficial to the county or assist the honest laborer in se- 
 curing employment. 
 
 The principal agricultural and other products for 1902 
 were as follows: 
 
591 
 
 rpland cotton, balps, 84G $ 33,213 
 
 Corn, bushels, 7(l,()yi ,')(i,7S3 
 
 Sweet potatoes, bushels, 21,949 1.1,047 
 
 Syrup, barrels, 959 8,090 
 
 Peanuts, bushe^!, 21,364 ] l.GOO 
 
 Wool, pounds, 23,659 5,137 
 
 Live stock on hand in 1902: 
 
 Horses, number, 385 14,311 
 
 Mules, number, 899 124,510 
 
 Stock cattle, number, 8,895 45,405 
 
 Sheep, number, 9,158 13,941 
 
 Hogs, number, 5,998 7,194 
 
 Poultry, all kinds, number, 11,944 . . . - 2,886 
 
fe^, 
 
 ■"'■■I.'*!. tS"'' ''■. \^^ 
 
 
 St. Andrews Bay, WasMugtoti Co., Fla.. 
 
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Deacidified using the Bookkeeper proce 
 Neutralizing Agent; Magnesium Oxide 
 Treatment Date: rt( 
 
 JUL '^' 
 
 iHBUKEEPH 
 
 PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGIES, L. 
 
 1 Thnmson Park Drive 
 
CONGRESS 
 
 005 457