62 FLORIDA: ITS CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, 



COFFEE. 



The coffee plant has been successfully introduced from South America, 

 and its production in South Florida gives the assurance that it may be 

 grown in that portion of the State at least, if not further north, and 

 that in time it may become an important factor in the varied industries 

 and products of the South. The first pound of coffee ever produced in 

 the United States by open-air culture was grown in Manatee, and re- 

 ceived the premium offered by the Department of Agriculture. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



This queen of small fruits nowhere in the world finds a better loca- 

 tion for culture; plants put out in September fruit often in January, 

 frequently in February, and may be counted in full bearing and ripen- 

 ing in March and April. The growers about Jacksonville and up the 

 Saint John's Kiver are many, and shipments have been made largely 

 and profitably. In size, color, bouquet, and taste, they are superior to 

 most, equal to the best, and surpassed by none ; the best varieties only 

 are grown. The cultivators pick carefully, select and pack honestly ; 

 and Florida strawberries, like Florida oranges, have earned a name. 

 By using refrigerators the fruit reaches New York and the Northern 

 cities, fresh and cool, only about four days from picking. Being always 

 in advance of any other locality by some weeks, the first shipments 

 bring large prices, and the demand keeps pace with the supply. 



BLACKBERRIES, HUCKLEBERRIES. 



The low-creeping blackberry, or dewberry, abounds in old fields and 

 road-sides, and ripens in April. The high bush, also found in same lo- 

 calities, ripens in June and July $ the huckleberry about the same time. 

 All bear well, and can be had for picking. The improved kinds do well 

 where tried. 



MELONS. 



Watermelons, muskmelons, and cantaleups are readily produced every- 

 where in the State, and the first are grown extensively for export to the 

 Northern cities. One thousand melons to the acre is considered a fair 

 crop, and the standard size for export is 20 pounds and upwards. They 

 are grown to the size of 60 pounds or more, and no better fruit is pro- 

 duced anywhere. 



VEGETABLES. 



Along the navigable streams and the lines of railway, the raising of 

 vegetables for export has become an important element in the pros- 

 perity of Florida, and is rapidly assuming proportions which claim at- 

 tention from the transportation lines and the cities of the North. To- 

 matoes, cucumbers, cabbages, celery, lettuce, beets, turnips, onions, Irish 

 potatoes, snap-beans, Lima beans, pease, egg-plants, okra, and all the va- 



