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 

 1906, 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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