28 FLORIDA: ITS CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, 



of 1,300 square miles. The Aucilla Eiver enters the Gulf on its western 

 boundary, and the Isteenhatchie on the eastern, while the Econftna, Fin- 

 holloway, and Warrior lie intermediate. There are several sulphur, iron, 

 and chalybeate springs. The surface is generally level, the lands are 

 pine and hammock, and toward the Gulf coast are comparatively poor. 

 The streams abound in fine fish, the coast in, oysters, and the forests in 

 game. It is a fine range for cattle, and stock -growing is the leading 

 business; though cotton, corn, sugar cane, and tobacco for home use are 

 produced by the farmers. Perry is the county seat. 



WAKWLLA COUNTY. 



Bounded on the north by Leon, east by Jefferson, south by the Gulf 

 of Mexico, and west by Franklin and Liberty Counties, from which it is 

 separated by the Ocklockonnee Elver. It has an area of about 650 

 square miles. The surface is generally level, though sufficiently undu- 

 lating for drainage. The lands vary from light pine to the richest ham- 

 mock, and are intersected by streams, the most important of wbich are 

 the Saint Mark's, Wakulla, and Sopchoppy. There are numerous 

 springs sulphur, chalybeate, and pure water. The sulphur springs at 

 Newport, in the eastern part of the county, were formerly a popular re- 

 sort for invalids, and the famous Wakulla springs, whose transparent 

 waters create the sensation, while floating on its surface, of being sus- 

 pended in the air, forms one of the most wonderful and attractive feat- 

 ures. The port of Saint Mark's, at the mouth of the river of that name 

 and the terminus of the Tallahassee Railroad, was formerly a place of 

 considerable commercial importance ; the. construction of the various 

 lines of railway from the Atlantic ports has diverted this trade. The 

 streams abound in fish, and the coast in oysters, and with the facilities 

 for communication with the markets of the world there are abundant 

 inducements for settlement and cultivation. Stock-growing and agri- 

 culture are the leading industries. 



Crawfordsville is the county seat, and is near the center of the county, 

 and in a fertile and productive portion. The extension of the railway, 

 now in progress, will soon afford communication east and west with 

 the railway system of the country. 



WALTON COUNTY. 



Bounded north by Alabama and Holmes County, east by Holmes and 

 Washington, south by the Gulf of Mexico, and west by Santa Eosa 

 County. It embraces an area of about 1,800 square miles. The county 

 was first settled in 1823, by a colony of Scotch families, who located in 

 Uchee Yalley, and whose decendants still possess the land. The 

 lands of Walton County are principally pine; along the eastern boundary 

 much of the soil is light, but there are exceptions, notably on the Choc- 

 tawhatchie, where there is a tract 15 miles long by 4 miles wide of ex- 

 ceeding fertility. In the Uchee Yalley is another tract of rich laud, 



