AND AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES. 



has yet been given to the public, and I avail myself of his work, and 

 embody the results in liberal extracts.* He says : 



The climate of Florida is not excelled by that of any of the United States, and it 

 may be doubted whether it can be equalled elsewhere in the world. Located on the 

 very borders of the torrid zone, and, therefore, so far as latitude alone is concerned, en- 

 titled to rank among the hottest portions of the western continent, still her situation 

 between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic is such that^ owing to her peculiar form, 

 fshe is swept alternately by the Aviuds of eastern and western seas, and relieved from 

 those burning heats with which she would otherwise be scorched ; and thus it happens 

 that by the joint influences of latitude and peculiar location, she is relieved on the 

 one hand from the rigors of the winter climate of the Northern and Middle States, and 

 on the other from the extreme heat by which not only the other Southern States, but 

 in the summer time the Northern States, are characterized. 



While in winter the Northern and Middle States are- covered with snow, and frost 

 penetrates the earth to the depth of several feet, and the leafless trees wave their bare 

 and skeleton fingers in the wintry wind, in Florida most of tlie trees and shrubs are in 

 full foliage, and the winter gardens are filled with vegetables in their most thrifty 

 growth. 



In the Northern States the frosts of November and December most effectually pat a 

 stop to all agricultural operations, and the farmer is compelled to feed his stock for 

 from four to six months, and is himself confined to the getting of fuel and lumber, 

 thus in one portion of the year consuming a large share of the result of his labor in 

 the other 



But in Florida this very winter season is better adapted to building, clearing laud, 

 and the performance of all necessary extra work on the farm than even the summer. 



In the North all regular farming work is of necessity crowded into the space of 

 less than half the year, while in Florida there is scarcely a single day in the whole 

 year that may not be devoted to purely agricultural work. 



In some of the Northern States the mean average rang^ of the thermometer is from 

 30 below zero to 90 ^ and 100 above. In Florida, for many years, the range of the 

 thermometer has been less than half as great. 



The word "climate" in its common signification indicates a region bounded by certain, 

 arbitrary lines, but in medicine it possesses a wider meaning. The effect of climate 

 upon the human system is the sum of the influences which are connected with many 

 factors. The climate of any locality, professionally speaking, depends upon its tem- 

 perature, atmospheric vicissitudes, prevailing winds, humidity, its elevation above 

 the sea level, its proximity to the ocean or oceanic currents, its contiguity to mount- 

 ains, lakes, rivers, arid areas, soil, drainage, vegetable productions, malaria, general 

 sanitation and other factors, which we shall briefly consider. 



Considering climatic factors, as a result of experience, observation, investigation, 

 and study, we are convinced that Florida presents more attractions and advantages 

 as a winter resort for invalids than any State in the Union . The temperature is favor- 

 able, the mean relative humidity is peculiarly adapted to the treatment of all forms of 

 pulmonary disease, the air is salubrious, and in a large portion of the State dry and 

 bracing ; atmospheric changes are infrequent, and not so great as in other sections 

 east of the Rocky Mountains. Rains are infrequent, and sunshine and fine weather 

 the rule. The State possesses insular, interior, dry and moist localities, semi-tropical 

 and cooler sections; and if the nature of any given case should necessitate a change 

 of base, a suitable climate can be reached in a few hours and at a trifling expense. 



Dr. Charles A. Lee, the learned editor of Copeland's Medical Dic- 

 tionary, remarks : 



Proceeding south from Canada to Florida, the seasons become more uniform in pro- 

 portion as their annual temperature increases, and they glide imperceptibly into each 



^Climatology of Florida, by C. J. Keuworthy, M. D., of Jacksonville. Reprint from 

 Transactions Florida Medical Association, session 1880. 



