240 THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 



midwinter. A light rubber coat will be found an indispensa- 

 ble necessity as a protection against the frequent rains and 

 heavy dews when out at night. A rubber pillow will also 

 add greatly to the comfort of the trip. Rubber boots are not 

 needed. You can wade in the salt water all day and all 

 night if need be, and experience no bad effects from it ; be- 

 sides, the weather is so hot as to render rubber boots de- 

 cidedly uncomfortable. The only foot gear needed is a pair 

 of cheap, heavy cow-hide shoes. They should be cheap, for 

 the salt water will rot them out in a few weeks. Every one 

 who goes to Florida has wet feet every day, and still, colds, 

 sore throats, and the like are unknown there. The " Crackers," 

 who live on and near the coast, are in the water almost every 

 day of their lives gathering oysters, fishing, lifting their 

 boats over the shoals, etc., and yet they are uniformly healthy. 

 Indeed, it is said that it is no uncommon thing to see barni- 

 cles growing on their legs, so much of their time is spent in 

 the water. 



It would be well to take along a few simple medicines, 

 such as quinine, calomel, etc., to be used as occasion may 

 require. The radical change in climate usually affects the 

 health more or less. Any physician will tell you what 

 would be most suitable in this line. 



Aside from the items mentioned above, but little baggage 

 will be needed, and but little should be taken. Good clothes 

 are not needed and will look out of place after you reach the 

 thinly-settled districts. No books need be taken, for you will 

 have neither time nor taste for reading, and they will only 

 add to the bulk and weight of your luggage, unnecessarily. 

 There are so many wonders and objects of interest in this 

 marvelous region that you could not spare time to read an 

 hour each week if you had a whole library at your disposal. 



As to the necessary expense of the trip, one hundred dol- 



