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PUBLISHED EVEP.Y WEDNESDAY.
KUKOFF A dean, Publishers.
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r^Wi kT
FRUIT AND FELLOW FEVER.
The city of Jacksonville lately
passed an ordinance forbidding the
sale of watermelons and tropical fruit
in the city, and we see by our ex
changes that in the northern cities
the value of tropical fruit has been
depreciated from the fear of their
causing yellow fever. We do not
believe that good ripe fruit of any
kind can have a tendency to propa
gate disease, and in fact, arc of opin
ion that more fruit and less meat and
sweets, would be the best diet we
could use in hot weather. The sale
of fruit is never prohibited in any
tropical city subject to yellow fever.
The French, and Spaniards, who
are very abstemious and choice in
their diet, consume great quantities of
fruit, especially in hot weather. Mel
ons, oranges, pine-apples, etc., with
honey and light rolis of bread, are
the usual breakfast viands, the only
addition for dinner being a little veg
etable soup and binilli. In the south
ern part of Europe the people live on
a diet of fruit and vegetables, the
common meal of a Spanidi or Italian
peasant consisting of a piece ol black
bread, raw onion, and a melon or
pomegranitc by way of dessert, and
they arc a robust healthy people.
We quite agree with our Lake
George correspondent, in his article
last week, that the excessive use of
salted pork tends to give that cadav
erous look to people who have been
long in the State. In the tropics salt
pork is only used for seasoning soupsi
which are made from native spinach,
pumpkins, cow peas and other things
that grow readily in the Summer.
The Calialoo so much valued in the
West Indies, as spinach, an ingredi
ent for soups being a blood purdyer,
gnfws wild in every part of this Slate
in the greatest luxuriance, the tender
shoots pinched off and cooked, the
plants being cultivated in gardens for
the purpose. We allude to the plant
called here Carless, or JNarless, a
specie of cockscomb, there are two
kinds of it, the one with thorns not
being nsed. A knowledge of the
useß of these things helps out a nar
row income as well as conducing to
health, giving a simple but nourishing
diet for the long Summer that we
have to pass through. What can be
more tempting than a table laid out
with eggs, butter, water cresses, hon
ey, and the fruit of the season, not
the least being a good melon—Yel
low lever has no chance there.
Still, proper precautions should be
taken in all ciiieß to guard against
stale and decayed fruit being Bold,
for however injurious they may he.
people will buy because they are
cheap.
DRAINING THE OKECIfODFE.
We have repeatedly called atten
tion to tho importance of draining
-take Okechobee, and opening up to
cultivation what would lie the finest
body of sugar cane land in the Uni
ted States. Such a work should he
done before the surrounding country
gets settled up, for it will cause ma
larial fever for some distance around,
when such a vast mass of decayed
vegetable matter is exposed to the
sun. Any one examining the map
can have no doubt that the Caloosa
batchie and Kissimee rivers formerly
formed one river, some obstruction,
aided by the natural lay of the land
around, made Lake Okechobee, it is
therefore an easy matter to remove
the obstruction and throw the two
rivers again into one. When this is
done it wiil open a large system ot
internal navigation easily connecting
the Savannah News '' *
Speaking of the everglades re
minds me of that much m<>o*edqnes
lion of internal improvement, known
as the drainage of the Okechobee.
This plan is "feasible, Laving been
clearly demonstrated numbers of
times. This eanal bes'ub s furnish-
ing an inland course to Jacksonville,
connecting the St Johns and the trib
utaries of Charlotte harbor would op
en lor settlement thousands of acre*
now untrod by white men. Capt.
Hendry, of Fort Myers, has written a
great deal upon this subject, and has
gone so far as to make a trip into the
Okechobee by water.
Last Fall this gentleman, taking
water at the head of the Kis>imee,
made the entire distance via Okecho
bee and Cab>osaliatchie, by water
without difficulty. An appropriation
of $20,000 by Congress would do the
work, and why should we not have
it ? Let all of the county conventions
that are near the proposed route ask
that their members in the Legislature
memoralize Congress on the subject.
It is a work that must be done, for
the march ofeiviliza ion demands it,
and her laws are imperative.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE..
How many people there are who
live up to their pre-ent income, never
thinking that misfortune may over
take them and that they in >y be
thrown penniless on tbe world. This
is more particularly with clerks, and
those who hold government appoint
ments. Many of these peop'e with a
a little economy, could lay by a cer
tain portion of their pay to provide a
home to which they might tetire in
comfort, in old age or time of trouble,
ii does not cost a great deal to buy
ten or twenty acers ol land in this
State, adapted to orange culture and
general farming. If five acers of this
were planted in a grove in a few years
time the owner would have a proper
ty that would give him a comfortable
living. All that is required is the
putting aside sufficient irom the an-
THE FLORIDA AGRICULTURIST.
nual salary to pay a competent person
to set out and take care of the grove,
which could be growing while the
owner attended to his usual employ
ment. There are several people in
the State who make it a business to
plant ont groves for others, and take
care of them for a fixed price. It re
quires some judgment whom to trust
and who to avoid, for in many cases
people have been employed, who
were quite incompetent to accom
plish what they undertook. The
man who has succeeded in making a
tine thrifty grove for himself is like
iy to do so for others, for he has had
the experience. Such men have suf
ficient spar? time to overlook the
work of laborers to see that it is prop
erly preformed, and having already
provided themselves with stock and
implements can do the work for
muen less than the owner himself.
W e know of several men in different
parta of the State, whom we can rec
ommend to this work and are willing
to furnish the Dames to those who
would like to make homes here.
i'bere is a way to succeed and many
ways to fail, it is therefore the most
judicious plan to get a judicious per
son to perform work yon know
nothing about yourself. There are
thousands of people in the north in
this situation who would benefit by a
removal to a warmer climate but are
unable to leave their business which
is their only support; let them follow
our advice and provide in time for
themselves and families. We advo
cate the claims of no particular local
ity but are willing to furnish informa
tion regarding all points alike. Stran
gers without experience are unable
to make a judicious selection for
themselves and we wish to guard
against their being mislead.
The Florida New Yorker Iskld.
and. -B,.Oliver has sold his inter-
I t your
1 besinsawt. a<*c-Vv v-- t „ sjl( t . -
Williamson & Floyd, of New XOrk, (
who signify their intentions of carry
ing it on for the interest of this State.
Col. Oliver intends devoting his time,
at present, in compiling a history of
Florida as it is to-day, the work will
be published by a leading New York
house. Col. Oliver took leave of the
paper with the following address to
its readers:
“ As the results of many months ol
over-work in lecturing, writing and
talking Florida, my health has com
pletely broken down. In order to
escape some of my burdens and find
more time for much needed rest, I
have sol.! the Florida New Yorker to
Messrs. Williamson & Floyd, ol New
York.
The paper has fallen into excellent
hands. These gentlemen are not only
thorough newspaper men, but they
possess the means, the talent and the
ambition to elevate the paper to the
h ghest standard such a journal can
attain.
It is, therefore, an inexpressible
pr.de and gratification toeougraiu ate
the public on the fact that our dear
Florida New Yorker will prove a
more valuable and use ol publication
than il lias ever been, heretofore. As
a central metropolitan organ of South
in lin nigral uni, it will lie a powei
in the laud. Ami to earnestly bespeak
ing lor my woithy successors the in
creased patronage which the great
merits of the paper richly deserve,
aooiner pledge is made loold patrons
and new that with returning liea th,
1 will C'liiliiiue to contribute, with
tongue and pen, whatever aid I can
give. I could never relinquish my
!"Ve ami my labors in behalf of
this great auxiliary of Southern Im
migration, and ui some useful con
n otiou, 1 hope to retain a life-long
association with the Florida Neio
Yorker.
In this brief valedictory I cannot
forbear oue sentence of intense thank •
to my bre'.heren, North aud South,of
the "grey goose quill.” Smce the
pap r was founded no unjust, unfair
or unkind tiieuttcu has ever met my
eyeH. On the other hand, constant,
generous aim kindly notices from ex
changee from all over the laud, have
contributed very largely to the
papers success. May each one of
these cotemporaries ever Lave as
much cause for eternal gratitude!
Finally, to Florida and to the good
people of the whole South, an earnest
promise is given oi life-long devotion
to the cause that has so nearly cost
me my life.
Though overborn for a season, by
excessive labors, rest will soon re
store the ability to work effectively.
Ihe interest already awakened has
very perceptibly augmented the pop
ulation and taxable property of the
regions settled.# And my most earn
est prayer is for such health and
strength and power, as would make
me instrumental in building up all
the waste places of my dear, native.
Sunny South.”
Oranges and the French Exhi
bition.
Many of our orange growers have
friends who are now visiting France
to see the exhibition and some oi our
1' lorida land owners are now there.
Would it not be a good move, lor
those acquainted with them, to write
and request that particular attention
should be given to the citrus family,
that can be seen in the building.
Again, the orangery at Versailles
contains every specie of the citrus
known ; it must now be in the best
condition for inspecting the fruit.
Anything of a superior class should
be carefully noted and buds obtained.
Floridiana.
Geographical Divisions of Florida.
The Florida immigrant divides the State
into four divisions, for the purpose of con
venience in locating counties and describ
ing different sections. Those divisons have
been generally adopted, and are as follows:
Eastern Florida —ls composed of the
counties of Suwannee, Columbia. Alachua,
U T k ? r ' Nassau, Duval. Bradford,
Clay, St. Johns, Putnam and Marion.
West Florida —ls compo-od of the coun
ties ot Escambia. Santa Eosa, Washington.
Walton, Holmes. Jackson and Calhoun.
Middle Florida—ls composed of the
counties of Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin
ffifftnHl,- frdpPiOT -r ■ ‘ ,p nr ■- i
/.’.QT.iJiU"*' -rfuiiiiTO- > * ’
" cobra Florida— ls composed of the
counties of Hernabdo, Sumter. Orange
Volusia, Brevard. Polk, Hillsborough, Man
atee. Monroe and Dade.
—A mail dog reported inPensacola
—The steamer Henry Burden is
dredging at the St. Johns Bar.
—Sixteen marriage licenses in
Pensacola for the month of Jlily.
—An Odd Fellows endowment
Association has been formed in Jack
sonville.
—Two white men have been held
for trial in Jacksonville for lynching
a colored man.
—Messr. Hart, Benliam & Cos. of
Jacksonville have garden seeds that
can be depended on.
—A writer in the South Florida
Journal , advocates making syrup
from cassava starch.
—Sorrento, in the lake region of
Orange county, is settling up rapidly
with a good class of people.
—Mr. M. P. Thatcher of Detroit
Michigan, has become associate Edi
tor of the Immigrant.
—The Semi-Tropical Magazine has
suspended. The cessation of Bitch a
creditable work w.ll be a loss to the
State.
A public >ale of United States
lands, in different'townships of this
State will take plac>* at Gainesville on
the 29th of October Next.
—The Orange County Reporter
'published at Orlando, is well edited
and full of inhumation necessary for
those looking for a home in this State.
—Mr. John Hicks, late of London,
Eng., has gone to work on his recent
purchase near Orlando like the enter
prising Johnny Bull he is. Ho has
four men at work, clearing the land,
building a house, etc., and will soon
commence plaining out a grove.
Success to you, Sir John. —Orange
County Reporter
—Delicious figs were sold at four
cents a dozen on yesterday. It is
gratifying to know that the people
will soon produce enough of this fruit
to supply the home demand.—Z. C.
Reporter.
—The man, who gave his name as
John E. Hickey, that committed sui
cide by jumping trom the st camel'
Carrie into Lake George, is thought
to be Charles A. Ware of Belton,
Texas.
—lt cannot be truthfully assorted
after ibis that apples cannot bo raised
in this and adjoining counties. We
have lately seen several specimens
from several places of this fruit as fine
in size and Savor as are raised in
Georgia. —lake City Reporter.
—Since our last, we have been in
formed that the funds for the pur
chase of the land for the Fair Associ
ation are in hand, and that as soon as
the surveyor can be had, the grounds
will be surveyed and the deed ob
tained.—Marianna Courier.
—Mr. V, illiam Terry has a gerani
um 30 it. in circumference, 4 ft. high,
growing from a sprig planted a year
3go. Fortunately he has never culti
vated this luxuriantly growing plant,
and still has room on his homestead
for an occasional sweet potato or
orange tree.— Orange County Re
porter.
• —lt is an established and notor
ious fact that the lakes immediately
surrounding our town abounJ in the
largest as well as the most palatable
fish to be found anywhere. We saw
a trout (black bass) on Wednesday
last that weighed sixteen pounds five
and one half ounces. Can yon beat
it?— lj. C. Reporter.
—That twenty thousand dollars
appropriated by Congress for our
harbor is going to make Cedar Keys
one oi the most important shipping
points on the Florida coast. Keep
ftnd lYjqeinlna:. tjiyjc is,
better times ahead. Wo understand
that the work of deepening the chan
nel will be commenced early in Sep
tember.—State Journal.
—This is a cotton raising country,
On last Saturday evening we passed
by Mr. George Summerlin's place,
about a mile south of Orlando, which
sin charge of Mr. J. M. Brooks. Mr.
B. has a patch of as fine looking cot
ton as you see anywhere. Much of
it is higher than a man’s head, and he
tninks that it will average 1,200 lbs,
to the acre. It has not been fertilized
in any way, and is on land that last
year, under the same conditions, pro
duced a very ordinary crop of corn,
Orange County Reporter.
The Fruit Scare.
Not a few of the retail fruit dealers
of the city are in a quandary. Some
one set on foot a rumor that the pine
apples and bananas which arc import
ed into Philadelphia come from
regions which are aiieeted with the
yellow fever, and that the deadly con
tagion is likely to be propagated
through this medium. This notion
has spread so rapidly that the demand
for this class of fruit has almost en
tirely ceased, and the retail dealers
who have laid in large stocks are be
ginning to feel anxious. Some of
them say that when a customer
enters the store he edges away from
the piles of tropical fruit.
Fruit importers say, that Baracoa,
Port Antonio and the Bahama islands,
which supply nine-tenths of the fruit
imported into the United States, are
noted as the healthiest ports of the
West Indies islands. As an evidence
of the claim that the fruit cannot be
infected, importers say that when a
vessel with Yellow Jack on board is
detained in the New York harbor
New York quarantine officials permit
the consignees to unload the fruit
and convey it to the shore by means
of lighters and that this would cer
tainly not be allowed if the fruit was
supposed to contain the germs of dis
ease.—Record.