AND AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES. 77 



conduct of the foreign fruit-trade, serving to make it extremely hazard- 

 ous a circumstance against which dealers do not have to contend in 

 the shipment of Florida oranges. We have railroads leading to all the 

 great markets in America, and when the fruit is transported by water, 

 all the facilities are afforded by perfect and commodious steamships. 



Orange culture, therefore, may go on indefinitely in Florida, without 

 fear of reaching a general redundance of product. When our own market 

 is occupied those of Europe and elsewhere will be open to us. The grow- 

 ing desire everywhere, also, of people for semi-tropical fruits, which the 

 efforts of producers are trying to satisfy, is unlimited, and, therefore, 

 efforts in orange culture can continue to be put forth until this unlim- 

 ited and independent desire is met a goal which, perhaps, never can 

 be reached. 



To persons of foresight and capital, who are looking to the future 

 rather than the present for remunerative returns, Florida presents, in 

 her orange pursuit, the most extended as well as the most inviting 

 field. But aside from the question of profit the culture of oranges pre- 

 sents other practical advantages. It is not only a pleasing but an in- 

 dependent occupation. Its pursuit is no dead level of monotonous ex- 

 ertion, but one that affords scope for the development of ^n ingenious 

 mind. As a producer, the oraiige grower is working under conditions 

 of constantly increasing advantages. Young men, sometimes with 

 little or no capital, are starting every year iii the business, often away 

 from communities of old and experienced growers, and have succeeded 

 by dint of tact and industry. In point of regular profits; in point of an 

 industrious, frugal, and cheerful occupation ; in point of a very general 

 desire to become independent j in point of success and freedom from 

 penury, and in point of repressive and adverse influences in other pur- 

 suits, they have found orange culture, and its practical workings, the 

 most pleasing of occupations. Persons who own groves in Florida are 

 entirely well satisfied, as a rule, with their investments. A bearing 

 grove is worth a gFeat deal of money, and to purchase one would require 

 a large cash outlay. In ten years 7 time groves are usually in full bear- 

 ing often in less time and the inducement to plant one is very gtfeat. 



Finally, we would say, that the motives that induce men to labor in 

 Florida are the same as in other States for profit; and if the energy 

 and persistence of the work be proportionate to the constancy and press 

 of the motives, then will they most certainly succeed, and make the 

 aggregate profit of their investment equal, if it does not exceed, that of 

 nearly all other pursuits involving no greater outlay of money. More- 

 over, the occupation of orange-growing has a tendency to make one 

 hopeful for the future. The tilling, too, of the soil immeasurably im- 

 proves the character of the cultivator. Add to this the beauty of the 

 country and climate, and the attractions of country life ; the tranquillity* 

 of mind which they promise, and the enjoyments which they really 

 afford; the charm of proprietorship and self-guiding exertion, and the 



