62 ORANGE CULTURE IN FLORIDA. 



State are not more favorable to the growth of the 

 orange than other portions, but I do mean to say that 

 the orange is so hardy that it can be grown profitably 

 in any part of Florida where proper cultivation is be- 

 stowed and available protection given against the 

 effects of frost. No finer oranges are grown than are 

 grown in West Florida. On Fort George Island, at 

 the mouth of the St. John' s River, the thermometer 

 fell to 1 6, and yet the young grove of Mr. Stuart, 

 planted according to the diagram given in the last 

 chapter, is at present writing in fine condition. A 

 few trees have done well on the mainland across 

 the line dividing Florida and Georgia, while on the 

 islands along the coast old groves in good condi- 

 tion are to be found as high up as South Carolina. 

 The frost of last winter caused the leaves to drop 

 from the trees of the last-named groves, but the 

 owners with whom I have recently conferred report 

 their trees in good condition. 



I do not wish to be understood as advising per- 

 sons who wish to come to Florida exclusively to 

 plant oranges to settle in Middle Florida. Other 

 portions of the State would suit better for this busi- 

 ness. But were I owner of some of the fine lands 

 of the above-named section, and had such excel- 

 lent protection as their fine forests and lakes afford, 

 I should not hesitate to plant largely of the golden 

 fruit. 



