WILD ORANGE GROVES. 



Nothing can be more gladdening to the traveller, Avhen passing 

 through the uninhabited woods of East Florida, than the Avild 

 Orange groves which he sometimes meets \\ ith. As I approached 

 tliem, tlie rich perfume of the blossoms, the golden hue of the fruits 

 that hung on every twig, and lay scattered on the ground, and the 

 deep green of the glossy leaves, never failed to produce the most 

 pleasing eifect on my mind. Not a branch has suifered from the 

 pruning-knife, and the graceful form of the trees retains the ele- 

 gance it received from nature. Raising their tops into the open air 

 they alio\s the uppermost blossoms and fruits to receive the unbro- 

 ken rays of the Sun, which one might be tempted to think are-con- 

 veyed from ilower to flower, and from fiiiit to fruit, so rich and 

 balmy are all. The pulp of these fruits quenches your thirst at 

 once, and the very air you breathe in such a place refreshes and 

 re-invigorates you. Their occurrence is a sure indication of good 

 land, which in the South-eastern portion of that country is rather 

 scarce. The Seminole Indians and poorer squatters feed their 

 horses on oranges, which these animals seem to eat with much 

 relish. The immediate vicinity of a wild Omnge grove is of some 

 importance to the planters, who have the fruits collected and 

 squeezed in a horse-mill. The juice is barreled and sent to differ- 

 ent markets, being in request as an ingredient in cooling drinks. 

 The straight yomig shoots are cut and shipped in bundles, to he 

 used as walking-sticks. 



