48 LETTERS FROM FLORIDA.

within a short time, it was supposed could never come


bearing


eight


or ten


years


they


thought to be safer in case of frost than the grafted
sour stump. Later experience, however, proves that,
by grafting the sweet seedlings, they can be brought


into bearing almost
stump-that is to I


not quite as early as the sour


when


between


four and


years old.


This enterprising family have now a large


number of orange, lemon, guava, and fig trees, as well
as a choice collection of grapes, and raise successfully


cotton, sugar, corn,


melons,


potatoes,


and all needed


vegetables for their own use as well as for sale.
 In all these years they have not paid one penny for
hired help, but have done many days' work for others.


Two


sons, in addition


to their


home


labor,


superintend and do a large share of


work on two


or three neighboring plantations, where they are con-


sidered


invaluable.


With


this amount


hard


labor


thought


breaking up


new


unhealthy, they have


land,
been


which
blessed


is usually
with per-


health,


have


never


employed


a physician.


Does any one need a
ness of Florida ?


better warrant for the healthi-


This


is only one example out of


very many that


have come under my own immediate observation, and


is given


to illustrate how liberally this beautiful lanJ


will recompense honest and intelligent labor, and what


pleasant


comfortable homes


she gives


to those


who trust her generosity.


" But


while


waiting


newly planted


orange-


groves, and fruit-trees


every


variety,


to become