162 FLORIDA.

agine a more splendid and attractive show of garden-vege-
tables, maturing in the open garden while all the other
States lay congealed in the icy chains of winter. The cau-
liflowers raised near Sanford, for size and beauty, were ob-
jects of surprise ; some of the bloom measured fifteen inches
in diameter, being compact and solid. The pineapples were
in every stage of development, while the matured ones
were large and attractive. The cassava, with its products
of beautiful starch and nutritious tapioca manufactured in
the county, demand especial notice as articles of utility and
profitable manufacture. The display of arrow-root from
eighteen inches to two feet long was sufficient evidence that
this part of Florida will produce it in as fine perfection as
Bermuda. The root is tapering at each end-beautifully
white, and jointed like a bamboo.
 "Tomatoes hanging on vines recently dug up intruded
their plump and rosy cheeks upon your attention. There
were also pepper-plants with mature fruit upon them grown
without protection, and the tender banana with its purple
and peculiar bloom. All the members of the citrus family
were present, with their aprons full of the yellow and golden
fruits just gathered from the grove. The Japan plum and
fine varieties of strawberries were well represented. These
facts are only stated in justice to show that the inclemency
of the past winter-for it is past here-has not materially
interrupted the delicate fruit and vegetable crop of Orange
County. Cotton and tobacco were also on exhibition, both
of which can be raised on some lands profitably.
 "There was quite a varied and handsome display in the
floral and botanical departments, embracing divers speci-
mens of the coleus, ferns, Brazilian plants, pampas-grass,
jaunty jasmines, etc."
 Beginning at Sanford, and bringing to it the products
of the best portion of Orange County, the South Florida
Railroad runs southwest twenty-two miles to Orlando, the
county-seat. The first spadeful of earth in the grading of
the line was turned by General Grant, on the 10th of Janu-
ary, 1880 ; and the road has the further distinction of being
the only "newspaper railroad" in the world-it was built
and is owned by the proprietors of the "Boston Herald,".