Introduction

The author of this little treatise, in offering it to the public, is not moved by a spirit of speculation, nor is he desirous of merely gaining fame as a writer, but, knowing that facts are greatly desired by those entering this fair land, he has attempted to give in plain language a truthful description of the five principal counties of South Florida, viz., Hernando, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, and Monroe—four of the five bordering on the coast.

Palmettos
The surface of the country is for the most part level and covered with the dwarf or saw palmetto. The palmetto is a growth whose roots grow above the surface of the earth three or four inches, running horizontally, thus making a very rough road for vehicles.

Elevated Portions
Other portions are more elevated than these palmetto flats (it may be proper here to state that these flats are not very miry) and pleasant.
Numerous prairie ponds and marshes intersperse the whole country and are considered to be excellent ranges for stock, while the more elevated portions are adapted for farming and fruit raising.

Soil
The soil comprises several varieties. There are three qualities of hammock—the white sandy, low black, and the shell hammock—all very fertile.
Sandy hammocks are very productive in corn, sugarcane, cotton, etc. The low black hammock yields any crop bountifully, especially sugarcane and rice. Shell hammock lies near the Gulf coast and is generally selected for fruit raising—it also is profitable, under fair culture, to the farmer and gardener.
There is also a great quantity of swamp land capable of producing abundantly, both in rice and sugarcane.

Trees
The common growth of the hammock and swamp land, in its natural state, consists of cypress, cedar, live oak, water oak, sweet gum, black gum, red bay, elm, dog wood, iron wood, maple, cabbage palmetto, and many shrubs and vines too numerous to mention.
The pine lands are generally productive, affording a good yield of corn, cotton, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, rice, and, after being used as a cow pen, will largely repay in a bountiful crop of sugar and syrup.

Horticulture
South Florida is justly noted for its superior advantages in horticulture. Vegetables of all kinds have been raised here successfully. Every month in the year the garden supplies something nice for the table.
Besides in their season, the rich, juicy watermelon and cantaloupe come in to relieve us of the summer heat. The expense of gardening and melon culture is less in this section than any other part of the country.

Transportation
The sea coast and rivers are generally selected for this purpose as the sound of the railroad whistle has never disturbed the solitude of the woodlands of South Florida. We, of necessity, depend entirely on water transportation.
But please do not understand me to say that this state of affairs will always exist. On the contrary, we are hopeful that in a short time the alligator and wild deer will be saluted with a snort from the iron horse. Railroads are all that we want to make South Florida the garden spot of the earth.

Climate
The climate of South Florida cannot be surpassed by any in the world; it is neither too warm in summer nor too cold in winter—rarely being on either extreme—summer and winter both being mild and pleasant.
Many a winter passes without frost enough to kill vegetation. The thermometer ranges, as a general thing, from thirty-six to ninety-six degrees.

Seasons
Now, I will say a little more in regard to the seasons—that is, the wet and the dry. As a general thing, April and May are very dry; sometimes, crops are injured very much by the drought in these two months.
About the 1st of June, the rains begin, and then, perhaps, it will very wet for two or three months and, sometimes, four months. Some years are not as wet as others. About every fourth year is a very wet year, and then the lower portions of this country are very disagreeable, especially to those not accustomed to slopping about in mud and water.

Health
South Florida is also noted for its excellent health; seldom any sickness known, except a little chill and fever, and in some sections even not that.
Fevers of a malignant type are scarcely known. It is true yellow jack visits our seaports when a due quarantine is neglected, but if a rigid regard is paid to the landing of passengers from infected ports (as was done in 1876), we escape.
Physicians find little encouragement here if their professions are their dependence; notwithstanding, sometimes they are very much needed. It is, doubtless, the best climate for invalids in the United States, and, besides a man can live cheaper here than any other place.
As a general thing, the same clothing that is required for winter will answer for summer. Many years December and January are as pleasant as May.
Some seasons have a few cool days and probably some frost. At other times, we do not have frost enough in two above named months to kill vegetation. We very often have green peas and beans during December and January.

Cattle and Oranges
The old settlers of this country, up to a few years past, did not turn their attention to farming and fruit growing. If they had done so, South Florida would have been almost an entire orange grove. Cattle have been on the brain for many years past, but now the range is failing fast, and they must resort to other means for support.
A great many have taken the orange fever, and it seems to spread daily, and, without doubt, fruit growing in this country will pay remarkably well at a time not far distant. In fact, it is paying well now for those who own bearing groves.

Cultivation of Oranges
The cultivation of the orange requires experience and care. Many people prefer the seedlings, though a number insist that grafting on a sour stock is best because it pays sooner.
The young trees are removed from the nurseries to the grove when from two to four years old. Three years is considered the proper age for transplanting. From four to six years after transplanting are required to bring them into bearing—the time depending upon the manner of cultivation. The trees thrive on almost any kind of soil here.

Land of Flowers
The balmy breezes blow over the land,
We fear not the chilling wind.
The joyous birds, so free, so warm,
Do cheer us with their lively sngs.
This is a land of fruits and flowers,
Of vines, and shrubs, and fragrant bowers;
Where the whippoorwill sings in summer eve;
And the bright stars shine in the twinkling scene.
Oh, the Land of Flowers! where the wild deer roam.
Hear the wild sound of the hunter’s shrill horn
Until lost in the far distant woods,
Where the lone owl hoots at the rising moon.
This pleasant land of beautiful scenes,
Of stately oaks and gigantic pine trees,
Of babbling brooks and glittering streams
That flow along to the tropical seas.

This was published in The Herald-Advocate, 5B, of November 10, 2005.