Orange Groves of East Florida. 6G1 



was gratified and the feelings soothed by the various notes of 

 that delightful songstress the mocking-bird : but alas ! on my visit 

 during the past spring (1838), in vain did I look for those rural 

 bowers, so gratifying to the eye, and invigorating to the system. 

 Not a single tree of any magnitude to indicate its former gran- 

 deur. The imagination could scarcely conceive such a perfect 

 metamorphosis. For a long period the orange trees had flourished 

 without interruption from frosts or other casualties. The city 

 of St. Augustine was peculiarly favourable for this semi-tropical 

 fruit. The soil is naturally sandy, but rich in calcareous and 

 vegetable deposits, consequently well calculated for horticultural 

 pursuits. For years the orange had become the staple commo- 

 dity of the city's commerce ; immense quantities were annually 

 grown and exported. Numerous groves of young trees were 

 planted, and 10,000 dollars had been refused for a grove con- 

 sisting of only two or three acres. Extensive nurseries could 

 scarcely supply the demand for young trees. A vast and lucra- 

 tive field opened to the enterprising horticulturist. On the 

 native orange were engrafted the choicest varieties of other 

 climes. The Minorcain population had been accustomed to 

 depend on the produce of their little groves of eight or ten trees 

 to purchase their coffee and other necessaries from the stores 

 (shops), so that, without either toil or care, their wants were 

 amply supplied by the hand of nature, but 



" There came a frost — a withering frost." 



During the month of February 1835, East Florida was visited 

 by a severe frost, much more severe than any before experienced. 

 A cutting north-west wind blew ten days in succession, but more 

 violently for about three days. During this period the mercury 

 sank 7° below zero. The St. John's river was frozen several 

 rods from the shore, and afforded the inhabitants a spectacle as 

 new as it was distressing. The orange, the fig, and all kinds 

 of fruit trees were killed to the ground. The wild or native 

 orange suffered equally with those cultivated, at all events as far 

 south as Lake George, which lies between 28° and 29° north 

 latitude. The inhabitants of St. Augustine were thus deprived 

 at one fell swoop of their chief dependence for support. But 

 during my late visit to that city, I was happy to find they were 

 not discouraged, for there were many thousands of young trees 

 now ready for planting out, and in a few years more it is to be 

 hoped St. Augustine will again exhibit its wonted appearance, 

 and the citizens reap the reward of their laudable perseverance. 

 The oranges grown here were considered decidedly superior to 

 those imported from the West Indies, and as a long period has 

 elapsed since they experienced so calamitous a visitation (I be- 

 lieve not since 1775-6), it certainly is worth while to persevere. 

 1840. Dec. / x x 



