AND AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES. 39 



i s required in the northern part of this State or in South Carolina, as this is beyond 

 the region of frost. The climate is very agreeable, being tempered by the Gulf 

 Stream. It is not as warm here in summer as in New York, or as cold in winter 

 as in Cuba, as there are no mountains or high elevations of land. The thermometer 

 averages 73, and the extremes are 51 and 92. 



There is a constant sea-breeze off the Gulf Stream, commencing about 8 o'clock a. 

 m. and lasting until nearly sundown. The climate is very exhilarating, and a white 

 man can do as much labor in a day as in any portion of the United States. 



The constant Indian wars, which have been more severly felt in this county than 

 in any other portion of this State, have retarded its growth and prevented its develop- 

 ment. Biscayne Bay is within four days of New York, and is the best locality in the 

 United States for raising vegetables and fruit for that market. All kinds of vegetables 

 can be raised in the winter, and pineapples and limes are three weeks earlier at this 

 place than in the Bahamas or Cuba. 



HILLSIiOROUGH COUNTY. 



Bounded north by Hernando, east by Polk, south by Manatee County, 

 and west by Gulf of Mexico. It contains about 1,500 square miles, em- 

 bracing Clearwater Harbor, Tampa and Hillsborough Bays., with the 

 Hillsborough, Alafia, and Little Manatee Rivers entering from the north 

 and west, and many keys or islands on the coast. The land lies more 

 level than in Hernando County, and though generally lighter, is still 

 fertile. Tampa City, a port of entry situated at the head of Tampa Bay 

 and mouth of Hillsborough River, is a thriving place, and the county 

 seat. The citizens are enterprising, and the cultivated lands and orange 

 groves in city and vicinity show constant progress. Cattle-raising for 

 export has always been a leading business in this and adjoining counties. 

 Large numbers are exported annually to Cuba. Recent immigration 

 and increased population has led to very extensive cultivation of oranges 

 and semi-tropical fruits and vegetables, for which there is no better sec- 

 tion, as climate, soil, and transportation are favorable. Some tropical 

 fruits have been successfully cultivated. The usual Southern staples of 

 cotton, cane, and rice are raised, as also field crops of all varieties com- 

 mon to other sections. There are now five lines of railroads in contem- 

 plation, three of which are in process of rapid construction, from the 

 Saint John's River and the Atlantic ports, with Tampa as the objective 

 point. 



MANATEE COUNTY. 



Bounded north by Hillsborough and Polk; east by Brevard and Dade 

 Counties, being separated from the latter by Lake Okeechobee; south 

 by Monroe County, and west by the Gulf of Mexico; containing an 

 area of over 5,000 square miles, and embracing the northern portion of 

 Charlotte Harbor, the southern portion of Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, 

 and the numerous islands adjacent. Peace Creek, rising in Polk County, 

 subdivides the county near the center, and runs south to Charlotte Har- 

 bor, having numerous tributaries, which, with many lakes, water the 

 interior of the county. The Myakka River discharges into the harbor 

 further westward, and the Manatee River, in the northwestern part of 



