CLIMATE; PROTECTION OF PLANTS. 
As the climate of any region has much to do with the character 
of its wild and cultivated plants it may be proper here to give a 
brief account of that of Florida. 
The lower keys reach down to within a degree of the Tropic 
of Cancer, and, with the extreme southern end of the mainland, 
have a climate much like that of western Cuba. The wind in 
Florida, especially during the cooler season, usually swings 
around the compass in the same direction as the hands of a 
clock. Whenever, during the cooler part of the year, it gets into 
the northwest there is a decided lowering of the temperature: 
it usually blows from this direction for about three days and 
then shifts to the northeast. During these ‘‘ Northers,”’ as they 
are called, frost may occur over any part of Florida, even to the 
lowermost keys. 
I am aware that this statement will be contradicted by many 
who are residents of this region. In the latter part of December 
19c6, a severe and protracted norther visited South Florida, 
lasting eight days in the Miami region. Sharp frost occurred 
five nights in succession, doing great damage to tender vegetation. 
This norther swept over Cuba, extending to the southern part 
of the island, and near Cienfuegos it wrought great destruction 
to the sugar cane at the Soledad Plantation. I was informed 
by Mr. Hughes, the manager, that ice formed on ponds and still 
water, and at the beautiful home of the Cabadas near that city 
I saw many young trees which they told me the freeze had killed 
outright. 
No doubt I shall be condemned for making these statements. 
but I am simply telling the truth, facts which ought to be known 
by every one who intends making a home and growing fruit or 
ornamentals in this state. No matter in what part of it one 
- may settle he should be prepared for occasional frosts and should 
know all that is known about what is best to do to protect his 
plants. 
The climate of the extreme northern part of the state, especially 
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