FLORIDA.


their wide-spreading branches loaded with waving festoons
of soft gray Spanish moss and interlaced with gigantic
vines, while the soil beneath is mostly free of heavy under-
brush, presenting a romantic, park-like appearance as viewed
from the deck of the passing steamer.
 The settlements are frequent, and are usually attractive-
appearing villages, with noticeably large, well-built, bright-
looking homes, neat grounds and fences, cozy-looking little
stores, fine long piers-everything wearing an air of long-
established prosperity. Large estates, having commodious
residences, with wide, roomy verandas, standing ih the midst
of neatly cleared house-grounds, and surrounded by broad
fields and thrifty, green-leaved orange-groves, the home
pier projecting into the river (for every one residing on the
St. John'eRiver must have a pier and a fleet of boats to


complete
shores on
manifest
regarded
unusually
desirable
of repose
like home


his happiness), are everywhere in sight, lining the
either hand and charming the traveler with their
evidences of comfort and content. This region is


,


as healthy,
annoying d
for the hea
desiring or
in mid-win


tables, daintiest fruit
cellent fishing, and th


and is not infested by insects to any
egree. No portion of the State is more
lth-seeker, or for the traveler in search
ly a quiet, cozy retreat for a summer-
ter months, where all the choicest vege-
s, and most brilliant-hued flowers, ex-
e pleasures of small-game hunting, may


be enjoyed all the year round. For the se
only drawback is the liability to frosts in occ
damaging to the prospects of fruit-culture on
for positive revenue ; but this is not an altogel


ure, since it enhances the healthful
where do figs, grapes, strawberries,
kinds of vegetables, grow to better
more abundantly. Oranges also do
where ample water protection is


ess


of the


ttler, too, its
asional years,
a large scale
other bad feat-
region. No-


pears, peaches, and all
advantage or produce
well on the east side,
secured; but lemons,


limes, pineapples, and bananas are uncertain, though they