72 THREE MONTHS IN FLORIDA 



fishing. Two largo lagoons, thirty miles in length, 

 enter the ocean at this point, and via the south, or 

 Mosquito lagoon, can be reached the famous Indian 

 river. 



St. Augustine, though claiming attention from its 

 delightful climate and the interest attached to its ruins, 

 is not especially referred to, as not being in direct com 

 munication with the North. It has small sailing vessels, 

 as well as has New Smyrna, connecting it with Jackson 

 ville, and a rail connection with the St. Johns, but is a 

 dear place to visit. 



When to go depends upon so many things that it 

 is not an easy matter to advise correctly. If one wished 

 merely to get rid of cold weather, then the first of 

 December would be the time, being sufficiently early, 

 and in season to catch a parting touch of the hot season. 

 The months of January, February, and March are prob 

 ably the best to spend in Florida ; being the pleasant- 

 est there, as well as the most trying to the invalid at 

 the North. 



Perhaps a few facts as to climate will be pertinent to 

 the subject, and are accordingly produced. By reference 

 to my note book of three years ago I find that the temper 

 ature in January ranged from 28 to 80 deg. ; was more 

 equable in February and March, with less extremes, 

 though growing warmer. The mean temperature of 

 January was about CO degrees. According to the only 

 tables at present accessible, the mean temperature in 

 Jacksonville, for January, for 20 years, was 55 degrees, 

 for February, 58 degrees, and for March, C3 degrees. 

 In Augustine, for the same time and months, the means 

 were, respectively, 57, 50, and G3 degrees, thirty degrees 

 warmer than the mean temperature of West Point dur- 



