142 ORANGE CULTURE IX FLORIDA. 



North-west is yet inadequate, and the lines already 

 in existence are badly managed ; many of the offi- 

 cers on these lines have not done their duty to 

 their employers, and they have done much to dis- 

 courage fruit and vegetable growing in Florida. 

 This grave charge can be proved by a multitude of 

 facts. A few should be mentioned, to show some- 

 thing of their general character. Some crates of 

 strawberries, to be packed in ice and destined for 

 New York, were thrown upon deck after the man- 

 ner of a traveller's trunk. Remonstrance was 

 made by the owner. "Got angel in dar ?" was 

 the ready reply of the deck-hand, emphasizing his 

 wit with an additional thump of the crate. The 

 captain of the boat laughed at the wit of the negro, 

 and left him to repeat his damage and wit on the 

 next victim who should take the pains to grow fruit 

 for such fun. About thirty- three per cent of the 

 melons which are shipped from the St. Johns to 

 New York never reach their destination. There is 

 no excuse for this. The watermelon, well cared 

 for and handled, will easily keep from six to ten 

 days. A cargo of twenty thousand melons shipped 

 from Fernandina to New York reached the latter 

 port well cooked. Unfortunately it is not the fash- 

 ion to eat cooked melons. West and Middle Flor- 

 ida should have direct communication with the 

 North-west. That beautiful, rich, and attractive 

 country would in a few years become like the gar- 

 den of the Lord. This is a seeming digression 



