60 FLORIDA: ITS CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, 



PERSIMMON. 



The persimmon is found wild in every section of tbe State. The fruit, 

 at least to the natives, is agreeable to the taste, and, ripe or dry, is used 

 largely for the table and for home-made beer. Some Japan varieties 

 are now being introduced, which are said to be of very large size, and 

 seedless. The Japanese esteem the persimmon as their most valuable 

 fruit. 



GRAPES. 



The grape is found wild in the forests of Florida, and grows luxuriantly. 

 The foreign varieties grow and fruit well, but are afflicted with the Phyl- 

 loxera, and their successful cultivation is not permanently reliable. The 

 Saint Augustine grape, so called, is a choice grape for the table, or for 

 wines. It grows luxuriantly ; but is subject to rot during the rainy sea- 

 son. It resembles tjie grape from which the Madeira wines are made. 

 The Scuppernong, in all its varieties, is the most reliable, as it is a rank 

 grower, prolific in fruit, and free from disease. It makes a wine equal 

 to the best California, and can be grown to great profit. Forty-five feet 

 square are allowed to each vine, and it soon occupies this space, yield' 

 ing many bushels to each plant. It is a late grape, and a good table 

 fruit. An acre yields upwards of 2,000 gallons of wine. 



PEACHES. 



The peach is a sure tree here, bearing in two years from the seed, and 

 early varieties of good size and flavor ripening in May, June, and July. 

 The apricot and nectarine are also safe to cultivate. As yet, no disease 

 has aifected the trees, and they retain their vigor and prolific bearing 

 for many years. 



The northern grown trees do not do well, as they do not seem able to 

 adapt themselves to the climate, but seedlings succeed, make a rapid 

 growth, and are true to the variety planted. Some very fine varieties 

 have been produced, and when this fruit shall receive the attention 

 due to its value and importance, it will be found a valuable product for 

 export to northern markets, where it can be placed in advance of the 

 products there, and command good prices. 



PEARS. 



The northern varieties of the pear do well here, though they grow and 

 bear fruit at uncertain periods. But the Le Conte pear, as it is called, 

 is a southern variety, equal to the Bartlett, free from disease, and pro- 

 lific to a high degree. It is rapidly gaining favor, and its cultivation is 

 being extended. It brings from $6 to $10 per bushel in the northern 

 market, where it is placed in advance of the more northern varieties. 

 It yields an enormous profit, greater than the orange in many localities- 



