FLORIDA, THE PROMISED LAND. Ill 



roar of the ocean is distinctly audible at our home, and 

 since living here, I can form some faint conception of 

 the emotions which stirred the soul of the author of the 

 &quot;Murmuring Sea.&quot; I cannot better describe the cli 

 mate of this favored land than to use Moore s words, 

 &quot; Its air is balm,&quot; and for the most part, the atmosphere 

 is pure and refreshing to a delightful degree. On the 

 western shore the scenery has quite a tropical air, owing 

 to a profusion of cabbage palmettoes, resembling palms. 

 The eastern side presents a decided contrast, the high 

 white and yellow bluif being crowned principally with 

 the pine. 



In this semi-tropical region, the principal occupation 

 of the people is fruit-growing. The orange, of course, 

 takes precedence over other fruits, and we believe there 

 will be a great demand for Indian river oranges, when 

 once their superior sweetness and flavor shall become 

 generally known. Many of us expect to make the citron 

 and guava profitable. And judging from the growth of 

 young fig-trees here, we expect to eventually &quot;reap our 

 reward &quot; for the attention .bestowed on them. By a lit 

 tle judicious pains-taking we can gather fresh vegetables 

 from our gardens all the year round. Northern invalids 

 are beginning to test the benefits of our winter climate, 

 and in some cases with happy effect ; some, however, 

 defer coming until some fell disease has sapped their 

 vital powers too strongly for them ever to be renovated ; 

 and so they come too late. 



Many of the Indian river residents are enlarging 

 their dwellings, for the purpose of accommodating visi 

 tors during another season. Lack of necessary means is 

 the grand difficulty which cripples the efforts and ener 

 gies of many who might other wise get up elegant hotels 



