NOTES ON BISCAYNE BAY. 191 



winter months. The scenery is delightful, aiul the wiuds and ^Yaters fullill all n-qui- 

 sites for pleasure sailing and light-draft vessels. As soon as better facilities are pro- 

 vided for reaching the locality, there is no doubt but it will become the most popular 

 of our winter resorts and the headquarters for pleasure cruisers from this country 

 among the adjacent islands. 



The country in the vicinity is as yet sparsely populated. A few thriving settle- 

 ments are growing up on the bay. The rich hummock laud in the vicinity is being 

 cleared of its dense natural growth and devoted to raising vegetables, which come 

 to maturity and are shipped to northern markets in midwinter. Bananas, cocoanuts, 

 pineapples, oranges, limes, lemons, and the ordinary tropical fruits flourish here. 



The export products from this region and the keys lying to the south are now sent 

 in light-draft sailboats to Key West, and from there shipped by steamer as Key "West 

 jjroducts to the North. This is the usual route of communication with the bay. 

 There is a triweekly mail between Lemon City, on Biscayne Bay, and Lantana, at 

 the lower end of Lake Worth; distance, 60 miles. This mail is carried in a hack, 

 drawn by two mules, and two days are consumed in the journey each way. The 

 Florida East Coast Canal Company is opening a canal 5 feet in depth, with 50 feet 

 width, through the swamp lands which lie between Lake Worth and the head of 

 Biscayne Bay. In a few weeks this will be open from Lake Worth as far as New 

 Eiver, a distance of 40 miles. The company expects to open the balance of the line 

 during the coming year. AVhen this is tinished a large amount of excellent land will 

 be drained, more convenient access will be had with the Biscayne Bay country, and 

 a great impetus will be given to its development. 



I am indebted to the Hon. F. S. Morse, of Miami, Fla., for the following statistical 

 information relative to the commerce of Biscayne Bay and the adjoining keys: 



"Merchant vessels' tonnage coming in during 1894 aggregate 5,164 tons. This 

 does not include the vessels chartered to take away the pineapple crop or vessels 

 coming into the bay on account of weather or for wood and water; also a large fleet 

 of yachts coming here during the winter months. 



"Actual tonnage of general merchandise brought in during 1894, with statistics 

 at hand, amounts to 3,985 tons. There were shipped out from Biscayne Bay and the 

 keys during 1894, 250,000 dozen pineapples, 5,000 crates pineapples, 50,000 peck crates 

 tomatoes, 10,000 carrier crates tomatoes, 1,000 crates limes, 50,000 alligator hides, 

 besides tropical fruits, cocoanuts, jellies, sponges, fish, etc., of which I have not had 

 time to obtain statistics. 



"I have only included the commerce of those keys that would naturally use this 

 harbor for their shipments of freight. The resources of this section are just begin- 

 ning to be developed." 



From the above facts I conclude that the present and prospective commerce of this 

 locality is worthy of the fostering care of the General Government, and that the 

 entrance at Bear Cut is worthy of improvement, provided that on further investi- 

 gation by surveys and borings, to be taken on its bar, it does not appear that the cost 

 will be excessive and out of proportion to the commerce to be benefited. 



For the purpose of making additional investigations, surveys, plans, and estimates 

 of the cost of the work proper to be done, I estimate that the sum of $1,500 will be 

 required 



