CHAPTER XXV. 



WORDS OF ADVICE TO TOURISTS TO FLORIDA. 



EXPENSES OF A TRIP MUST CALL AT ST. AUGUSTINE BRING YOUR GUN 

 AND RIFLE PROVIDE PLENTY OF AMMUNITION DON'T FORGET 

 SHARK TACKLE TAKE A SMALL TENT A LIGHT RUBBER COAT AND 

 A HEAVY BLANKET THE ONLY FOOT-GEAR NEEDED IS A PAIR OF 

 COWHIDE SHOES TAKE ALSO SOME SIMPLE MEDICINES QUI- 

 NINE CALOMEL THE EXPENSES OF THE JOURNEY SMALL. 



THERE are, perhaps, a few sportsmen in the country who 

 have not at some time felt a wish to visit Florida, and per- 

 haps a majority have thought of a trip to the " land of flow- 

 ers" as among the possibilities of the "dim distant future." 

 Others have gone farther, and planned the trip into definite 

 shape, even to fixing the time of starting. 



In the minds of such the first questions arising are, What 

 is the best route to Florida ? What portions of the state are 

 the most prolific in game and fish ? In which localities can 

 I find the best accommodations at the lowest prices ? What 

 class of guns, ammunition, and fishing tackle will I most 

 need for the game and fish peculiar to the country ? 



What will be the necessary expense of a two or three" 

 months' trip to Florida and what season of the year is most 

 suitable for such a trip ? These and similar questions have 

 been asked me repeatedly since my return from Florida, and 

 it is my purpose in this chapter to answer them to the best of 

 my ability, and to give such other facts as in my judgment 

 may be useful to persons going there. First, then, as to the 

 route. Competing lines of railroad offer several different 

 routes, each possessing certain advantages, but perhaps the 



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