66 FLORIDA: ITS CLIMATE, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, 



surveyed, and few, besides the wandering cowboys, ever traverse its 

 wild solitudes. Its almost absolute inaccessibility has practically shut 

 it out from settlement; and for years it has been occupied by the small 

 remnant of the Indian tribes that once owned the country, and by vast 

 herds of cattle, which thrive and fatten upon the rich pasturage. 



Very recently the eyes of capitalists have been directed to this remote 

 wilderness, and science has demonstrated that this section can be re- 

 claimed and subjected to cultivation. A careful analysis of the soil re- 

 veals the fact that it contains a remarkable percentage of the elements 

 necessary to sustain vegetation, and that the most exhausting crops can 

 be produced for years without any diminution of its .natural fertility. 

 These lands, when drained and properly handled, will be found capable 

 of supplying a very large portion of the sugar now consumed in the 

 United States. They are admirably adapted to the production of this 

 important staple, and are fully equal, if not superior, to the most valu- 

 able lauds devoted to this crop in Cuba and Louisiana. Here the cane 

 reaches maturity, and regularly goes to tassel, showing that the stalk 

 has reached its highest point of development, and that its juices con- 

 tain the largest amount possible of saccharine matter. One planting of 

 the seed suffices for several years, the plant rattooning for a number of 

 seasons from the old stubble. Another advantage of the utmost conse- 

 quence is found in the fact that, situated as this region is, below the 

 frost line, the cane can be cut and ground to suit the convenience of the 

 planter. 



Mr. H. A. Hough, who resides on Twelve-Mile Branch, an arm of the 

 Caloosahatchee Eiver, had his sugar-mill destroyed by fire in January, 

 1881, before his cane had been harvested. The building was re-erected 

 in the following April, when the cane was cut and ground, making a 

 full average yield of superior sugar and sirup, for which the highest 

 prices were obtained. It is customary in that section to replant cane 

 but once in seven years. The planter is never harassed by fears of 

 having his crop injured or destroyed by the sudden advent of cold 

 weather. 



Besides cane and rice, tobacco, cotton, jute, indigo, and the whole 

 series of tropical and semi-tropical fruits can be successfully and profit- 

 ably cultivated. 



The soils and situation of this region are such that the entire range 

 of vegetables can be put into Northern markets before the truckers 

 around Boston, New York, and Chicago have commenced to break their 

 ground for the reception of seed. In this respect this region has no 

 rivals in this country, and can compete with the Bermudas and Bahamas. 

 The increase of wealth and the growth of luxury in the United States 

 have created a steady and growing demand for table dainties, and the 

 prices paid for fruits and vegetables out of their usual season are largely 

 remunerative. Tomatoes, English pease, string beans, egg-plants, okra, 

 and other garden products can be shipped from this section during the 



