A WORD OF FRIENDLY AD VICE 301

hammock, and locate near some convenient and established
line of transportation.
 One class of persons against whom the new-comer must
be on his guard is the "land-shark." There are land agents
in Florida who are as trustworthy as the same class any-
where, and whose advice and assistance may be of great ser-
vice to the settler; but, on the other hand, almost every lo-
cality is infested by one or more "sharks," who prey upon
new-comers by offering them "the greatest bargain to be
had in the State," the prices asked being usually about twice
as much as the property could actually be bought for. Usu-
ally very plausible in manners and talk, these men are well
calculated to impose upon the inexperienced, but a little
inquiry among other parties will usually suffice to expose
their true character. One rule should be inflexibly adhered
to by the settler, and that is, never to be persuaded into
"closing" hastily with a "bargain," and never to buy a
piece of land.until he has consulted two or three different
parties-as to its quality and price.
 As a general thing, if he has exercised due care in the
selection of his land, the settler need have no fear of malaria
or fevers." He will naturally be discouraged by the sal-
low, tallowy look and listless manner of many of the "na-
tives"; but whoever, in any place, should live as they live,
eating such wretched food, neglecting body and mind,
would at the end of a few years find himself in the same
condition, which is due not to the locality but to the mode
of life. With the right sort of a house, food of good vari-
ety and quality and properly prepared, cleanly habits, and
healthful exercise for the mind as well as the body, people
may enjoy as much vigor and activity in Florida as any-
where in the United.States. ,
 I have observed in all parts of the State that the women
express less liking for Florida than do the men ; in fact, in
reply to the question invariably asked of all, "How do you