FLORIDA.


SNine tenths of


the failures in orange-culture that have


occurred up to this date are due to indolence and misman-
agement. Intelligent industry has always been rewarded
with success. The orange has natural enemies in the scale
and other insects, but good care will overCbme all of these.
The only enemy to the citrus family that can not be suc-
cessfully combated by man is the frost, and it is here that
Orange County has an advantage over any region lying to
the north of us. Its elevated position and numerous lakes
afford a protection from frosts that, in spite of all claims
to the contrary, is not possessed by any portion of the


State north of Lake George.


The recent cold weather-


the coldest with one exception in forty-eight years, and in
some localities the coldest since 1833-did not damage the
trees or fruit in Orange County. This statement is made
in the teeth of all contrary assertions, and in proof of the
claim we invite an inspection of the groves of Orange
County just at this time, before there has been time for
trees to recover from the effects of the cold. We do not
claim that we had no frost. It is not even pretended that
no injury was done in this county. Tender vegetables in
the garden were killed or damaged, and those who were
engaged in vegetable-gardening were subjected to loss.
But neither trees nor fruit were injured, with the exception
of the guavas in a few exposed situations, as there is abun-
dant evidence here to show. .
 "Cotton, sugar, and rice can be successfully and profit-
ably grown upon a large portion of the lands of Orange
County. Where an attempt has been made, upland rice
has proved a successful crop on the high pine-lands. The
cotton-crop of the present year has in most cases proved a
profitable one, and the sugar and sirup crop, just now
being marketed, has amply repaid all effort. The sugar-
crop has received but little attention for years, owing to
the difficulties attending the marketing of the product, and
the consequent low prices offered by local buyers. The
present year shows a little improvement in prices, and
there is reason to believe that coming years will give a
marked improvement in this respect. Upon the margins
of these beautiful lakes there are large areas of land adapt-
ed, both by character and situation, to the production of
sugar. And it is a significant and suggestive fact that