THE OKEECIIOBEE EXPEDITION. 229 



long way, forming a conspicuous land-mark. There is 

 good camping ground near here, and an abundance of 

 fish and ducks close by. Deer and bear range the ham 

 mocks north. We camped that night at Andrew Jack 

 son s. Andrew has the neatest little orange grove on 

 the river. Close by, two miles, is the famous Dummitt 

 orange grove, so often described. Captain Dummitt, 

 the original owner of this grove, died a year ago. He was 

 an old resident, and highly respected. The grove is now 

 owned by his three daughters and two others. This 

 year s crop is estimated at 125,000, fully as many having 

 been blown off in a tremendous gale last autumn. Two 

 smaller groves near here have, respectively, four and 

 eight thousand. It is about sixteen miles from the canal 

 to the head of the river, and ten miles to Sand Point, 

 upon the west bank of the river. The buildings of 

 Aurantia Grove, so much advertised, can be seen about 

 seven miles up the river. I had no time to visit it, 

 and so cannot speak of its merits from observation. 

 The land is said to be good, worth $1.25 per acre. 

 Indian river needs for its proper development a railroad 

 to Lake Harney, the head of navigation on the St. Johns, 

 or a new canal to Mosquito lagoon, with light-draught 

 steamers plying between Jacksonville and the lagoon. 

 The railroad is the more feasible route, perfectly practi 

 cable, and would probably pay. The distance to be trav 

 ersed is said to be but thirteen miles. A small steamer 

 is needed upon the river, and three good hotels one 

 at the head of the river or lagoon, one midway, and 

 one near the southern end. Then this delightful climate 

 might be enjoyed by the thousands now kept away by 

 the difficulties attending transportation and lack of 



