260 Orange Culhtre in Ji'lorlda, 



Orange Culture in Florida. 



BY AL FRESCO. 



[CONCLUDED.] 



THE question will be asked : " Will not orange culture be overdone and the fruit 

 rendered unprofitable?" We are satisfied to the contrary; for the area where 

 this fruit can be produced is limited, and the demand great and constantly increasing, 

 as this great country is being settled and opened up by steamboats and railroads. I 

 have been somewhat of a wanderer, and it has been my lot to taste oranges grown in 

 most orange-producing countries of the world, and have no hesitation in stating that 

 the oranges of Florida are far superior to those of any other portion of the glol)e, and 

 as soon as known and appreciated, will displace those of the West Indies and the 

 Mediterranean. In Florida the culture of the lemon has been neglected ; and we 

 are satisfied that it can be rendered move profitable than the orange ; and such lemons 

 as Florida produces cannot be found elsewhere. 



Unfortunately for the pockets of experimenters, they have mainly confined their 

 researches to the St. John's river, and have planted groves on the worse than poor 

 soil along its banks, to reap disappointment. After a careful examination of a 

 large portion of the State, we shall express our views regarding certain locali- 

 ties. For nearly three centuries St. Augustine has been celebrated for its orange 

 groves ; but the small amount of available land is valued at such a high figure as to 

 prevent the man of moderate means from investing. South of St. Augustine, on the 

 Halifax and Indian rivers, excellent land can be obtained at a moderate price, and 

 the best of fruit can be produced; but for eight months in the year existence 

 becomes almost impossible, owing to the presence of annoying insects. The visitor 

 is attracted by the scenery of the St. John's river and by its pleasant winter climate ; 

 but if he carefully examines the enlarged spleens and the waxy complexions of those 

 he meets at the steamboat landings, he will instinctively make his will and purchase 

 a head stone before he settles on the river between Palatka and Lake Monroe. 



On the Enterprise side of Lake Monroe superior fruit can be produced, but the 

 land is comparatively thin and poor. South of Lake Monro'3, from five to twenty 

 miles, land adapted to the purpose can be found, and numerous large groves are being 

 planted. On the headwaters of the Ochlawaha river some admirable situations are 

 available. 



In the neighborhood of Brooksville vast bodies of the richest land in the world 

 exist ; and cleared hammock land, upon which manure would be unnecessary, can be 

 purchased at from eight to fifteen dollars per acre. The largest and most marketable 

 oranges we ever examined were produced in this locality. The region is high and 

 the land rolling ; water excellent ; heat of summer not so great as in the North ; 

 health of the region unsurpassed, and in every way a desirable point for settlement. 

 Around Orange lake, distant about fourteen miles from Ocala, is a region well 

 adapted to the culture of the orange. Some of the largest wild groves in the State 

 are to be found at this point. In company with Mr. Harris, of Ocala, we examined 

 one of about five hundred acres, and found the undergrowth consisting of wild orange 

 trees so dense as to be almost impassable. Near this wild grove, cleared land, well 

 adapted to orange culture, can be purchased at from six to twelve dollars per acre. 



