22 FLORIDA: ITS CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 



Bounded on the north by Liberty and Wakulla, east and south by the 

 Gulf of Mexico, and west by Calhoun County. It is divided by the 

 Apalacliicola Eiver, and includes Apalachicola Bay, Saint George's 

 Sound, and the adjacent islands. It contains about 600 square miles? 

 and was formerly one of the most thriving and important counties of 

 the State. Ajmlachicola, the county seat, was formerly a place of large 

 commerce; the lines of railroad from Atlantic cities west have almost 

 entirely diverted the trade*, and from being one of the largest cotton 

 ports of the South, it has become only the port for a limited area of 

 country. But with a fair port on the Gulf, and steamboat navigation 

 reaching into Georgia and Alabama, by the Apalachicola, Chattahoo- 

 chee, and Flint Eivers, there is a good prospect of its future growth as 

 the country becomes settled. Many portions are rich, alluvial bottoms, 

 very productive. All the Southern staples are successfully cultivated, 

 and the orange and semi-tropical fruits fully equal, in growth, quality, 

 and quantity, those of other sections. The bays and waters of the 

 Gulf afford superior fish and oysters, and yield abundantly. 



GADSDEN COUNTY. 



Bounded north by Georgia; east by Leon, from which it is separated 

 by the Ocklockonuee Eiver; south by Leon and Liberty; west by Jack- 

 son County, from which it is separated by the Chattahoochee Eiver. It 

 contains an area of over 450 square miles. The surface is uneven, ele- 

 vated, and presents a strong contrast with the more level lands on the 

 Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the topography and soil in many portions re- 

 sembling the northern parts of Virginia. It is one of the best- watered 

 portions of the State ; clear running streams and springs of freestone 

 water are met with at short intervals, in every direction, which afford 

 water-power for manufacturing. The soil is mostly based on red clay, 

 lying from a few inches to two feet beneath the surface ; the lands be- 

 ing rich, productive, and durable, are thus adapted for the growth of 

 grain and forage crops, also cotton and cane. Previous to the war, this 

 county was noted for its production of superior tobacco, which equaled 

 Cuba tobacco in quality and price. The export previous to 1860 was 

 400 boxes of 400 pounds each of tobacco, annually. It is among the 

 richest agricultural counties in the State, and has little waste land, 

 and a larger proportion under cultivation than most others. 



Quiucy, the county seat, is a beautiful town, its location on high 

 elevation affording fine views of the surrounding country. The Jack- 

 sonville and Mobile Railroad crosses the county from east to west to 

 the Apalachicola Eiver, thus affording good facilities for transportation 

 to the North and West as well as to Eastern and Southern ports. Beds 

 of marl are found in this county, as also clay suitable for brick. 



