202 
FOREST AND STREAM 
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA— No. 11. 
BEING NOTES OP A TOOT OF EXPLORATION— BY OUR OWN 
COMMISSIONER. 
T HE morning after our arrival at the mouth of the 
Homosassa wo were moving by daylight, and after 
breakfast followed in the wake of our new friends, as their 
boatman professed to bo acquainted with the channel. We 
had not proceeded over one mile before we found the Spray 
to be hard and fast on a cove oyster bar. As the boat be- 
longing to our new friends was light draft, they left us 
alone in our glory. Finally we found the channel, and 
proceeded but a short distance when we discovered what 
appeared to be two rivers, and we naturally followed the 
widest. By the use of the lead wo found the channel to 
shoal rapiiily, so we returned and took the right hand 
stream, and after sailing a distance of four miles we 
sighted a residence on a high shell bank and an attractive 
boat house at the water’s eage. As we reached the landing 
the raiu descended in torrents, and wo pushed the stern of 
the Spray under the boat house. We had barely secured 
the boat before a youth presented himself and invited us 
to accept the hospitalities of the house. Wo inquired for 
Mr. Jones, and were informed that he was absent, so we 
politely declined the invitation 60 hospitably extended. As 
it was blowing a gale we deemed it prodent uot to light a 
tire in our stove, but indulge in a homeopathic meal, con- 
sisting of three red herrings, a cup of lemonade, and a few 
soda crackers per man. Our frugal repast was barely fin- 
ished when we received a pressing invitation to diuner, and 
os our clothing was not very ornamental, we offered as an 
excuse that we had dluca sumptuously. Soon after wo 
noticed a lady runniug through the rain toward the boat 
house, and her pleasant and smiling face convinced us that 
she was kind and hospitable, and, in words, she informed 
us that “Mr. Jones was absent, but that she was chief of 
the establishment under the circumstances.” Finding that 
“no excuse would be accepted, and that we must make 
ourselves at home,” we surrendered, and followed her to 
the dining room. Upon entering we found a large dining 
table groaning under a supply of edibles that would have 
gratified both a gourmand and a gurnet. For nearly two 
months we had not taken a seat at a table, and it was sim- 
ply a caution to cooks to see the manner in which wo de- 
posited boiled and baked sheepshead, roasted and slewed 
wild ducks, beef, vegetables, home-made bread, fresh milk 
and butter, an excellent dessert, and an indefinite number 
of the most delicious oranges. 
After dinner we expressed a desire to leave and reach the 
head of the river, but Mrs. J. insisted upon our remaining 
uutil Mr. J. returned, and finding that excuses were use- 
less, we accepted the invitation so hospitably tendered. 
Homosassa was the residence of the Hon. Mr. Yulee before 
the war, and the house is situated on a shell mound slopiug 
to the river. Along the water’s edge a permanent stone 
wall a quarter of a mile in length has been constructed. 
Near the stone wall a row of gigantic fig trees are grow- 
ing, the spread of the branches of the largest being fifty- 
three feet. The river is about ten miles in length, and as 
soon as the weather permitted we examined it to its source, 
as well as the adjoining country. Two miles above Mr. 
J.’6 residence we left the boat and landed at the lower ed^e 
of the old sugar plantation. Here we found an old clear- 
ing of several hundred acres, which had been devoted to 
sugar culture in limes past. In traversing the old planta- 
tion wc noticed deer and turkey tracks in every direction. 
W e reached the river again at the old sugar bouse, and 
took seats in the yawl boat. Proceeding up the stream we 
noticed largo fish in thousands fleeing before the boat. 
After a pleasant journey we found ourselves floating in the 
bosom of Homosassa Spring— truly an enchanting spot, a 
view of which repaid us for all our wanderings. Looking 
over the side of the boat we noticed a number of huge 
snapping turtles clinging to the rocky ledges, and cavalli, 
redfish, bass, sheepshead, weakfish and red and black 
f rouper in thousands leisurely swimming about the basin, 
n this spring all the species of fish are ever ready to take 
a bait, and the follower of Old Isaac cun obtain a surfeit of 
sport at any time. Owing to the voracity of the fish and 
the clearness of the water the piscator can Belect the va- 
riety of fish he wishes to capture. In consequence of the 
presence of a number of large turtles and such countless 
numbers of fish the water in this basin is not as clear a 3 it 
is in some others, thirty-five to forty feet being the limit 
where fish can be seen. We measured the deepest point in 
the ba«in and found the lead to reach bottom al forty- 
eight feet. 
"Around the basin and along the banks of the river we 
found large numbers of water turkeys, cormorants, fish 
hawks, and species of the heron and crane families, which 
were more easily approached than on any stream w’e have 
visited. Ducks, not to he enumerated by thousands but by 
square acres, were visible to the right and left, and before 
and behind us. The sportsman can find accommodations 
at Mr. Jones', and can fully occupy his time. Near the 
house excellent sheepsheadiug exists, and these noble fish 
of large size, can be captured until the arms ache. By 
trolling with a spoon or spinuer redfish can be caught rang- 
ing from five to thirty pounds. A year or two since a gen- 
tleman from the Hub engaged in this kind of fishing, and 
pickerel fisher like, placed the line between liis teeth. He 
secured a bite, the line fouled, and at the end of the per- 
formance he has minus a tooth, but landed a thirty-two 
pound redfish. By visiting the spring four miles from the 
house the knight of the rod can land fish of large size as 
rapidly as he can bait and secure his fish. If he desires 
larger and more clumsy game he can amuse himself cap- 
turing turtles ranging from eighteen to thirty inches in 
length. In the Homosassa and Salt Kivers and in the bayous 
and blind creeks near Mr. Jones’ residence the shootist will 
find ducks by the square acre, and if he is disposed to en- 
gage in the destruction of larger game— such sh pelicans, 
gaouel, and an endless variety of herons and cranes— all 
that is necessary to be done is to lay in a stock of provi- 
eions, take a boat, and sail to one of the St. Martin’s Keys 
—a few miles from the mouth of the Homosassa. On one 
of these keys the sportsmau will find a rookery, where the 
sea birds, frequenting an area of probably forty miles 
nightly collect to roost. 
At the old sugar plantation two miles above the house 
good quail and snipe shooting is obtainable. Bear exist in 
the hummocks, and can be captured if the sportsman se- 
cures the services of a cracker with hiB bear dogs The 
neighborhood seems to be a favorite resort for deer, and for 
\Uis description of sport wo can unhesitatingly recommend 
Jones’ as a place of resort.. The still hunter by visiting the 
old sugar plantation or the edge of the pine timber, four 
miles from the house, will experience but little difficulty in 
securing a pair of antlers worthy of gracing his Northern 
home. For miles west and southwest of the house large 
areas of low-lying land exists, covered with a luxuriant 
growth of rushes and coarse grasses, with here aud there 
islands of timber, consisting of gum, live and swamp oak, 
cedar and cabbage palms. The low lands furnish excellent 
feed, and the islands shelter for deer. Late in the year the 
rushes and grasses lose their vitality, and if a windy day is 
selected thousands of acres can be burned over by the ap- 
plication of a single match. In n few weeks the flats will 
be covered with a luxuriant and succulent growth of grass, 
and deer will visit the locality in numbers. These flats are 
comparatively dry, and would furnish the fire-pan hunter 
an excellent field for sport. If parties who propose visit- 
iug Homosassa would communicate witli Mr. Jones a few 
weeks in advance ho would hum off a few square miles of 
marsh for the benefit of his visitors. If turkey shooting is 
desired the sportsman can enjoy it by ascending the river 
to the spring and proceeding to the edge of the pine tim- 
ber. Mr. Jones’ nephew, a mere lad, informed us that he 
had killed sixteen deer within a short period and in hail of 
the house, on a small clearing on the opposite side of the 
river. As Frank was unacquainted with fire hunting I sug- 
gested that we should engage in the sport. After supper 
we piovided ourselves with some fat pine and a long-han- 
dled frying pan . We landed on the opposite bank at the 
clearing, lighted our fire, and had not proceeded over 
eighty yards before we noticed four fine deer within thirty 
yards. Fortunately for the deer Frank had an acute attack 
of the brick fever and aimed at the Pleiades. While he 
was taking aim I heard voices at the house; hence here wns 
deer shooting within a reasonable distance from home. 
Next day I suggested another hunt, and intimated that I 
would try my luck. After supper several visitors — Harry, 
Frank, Mr. J.’s nephew, Fifteenth Amendment Dick, and 
Al Fresco, seven in all — left for the clearing, truly a suffi- 
cient number to prevent the possibility of securing a deer. 
We lighted our fire, and had not proceeded over one hun- 
dred yards before I noticed four (leer within twenty yards 
of the light, but owing to the noise made by seven pairs of 
feet tramping through the dry grass they were alarmed, 
and before 1 could step in front of the light to insure accu- 
racy of aim they bounded into the hummock. Looking to 
the right I noticed a pair of eyes at a distance of probably 
eighty yards. I gave him both barrels, and although 
wounded he escaped. Those who are posted will remark 
that it was madness to attempt fire hunting with such a re- 
tinue, and I am prepared to admit the uselessness of the 
proceeding, but I disliked to be selfish and insist on engag- 
ing in the sport with but one companion. On the first oc- 
casion our party numbered five and on the last seven, and 
if deer can be so easily approached by such numbers, what 
would be the result if the sportsman carried his own head 
light, or was merely attended by the pan carrier. 
Salt River is a tidal channel, extending from the nmno- 
sassa to the Crystal River, and is about leu miles in length, 
with its bottom literally paved with large and luscious 
cooking oysters. The bars off the mouth of the Crystal 
River are covered with the largest and finest salt oyster to 
be found on the American coast. When he has visitors 
Mr. Jones visits these beds weekly, and obtains a boat load 
of these delicious bivalves for the benefit of bis guests, who 
can have them cooked how or when they like, or can open 
ADd deposit them when the spirit moveth. Having referred 
to the bivalve attractions of the place I may as well notice 
the host and hostess as well as the house aud dielic attrac- 
tions. 
Mr. Jones is a Bostonian, and served with honor in the 
First Massachusetts Cavalry during the war. Visitors will 
find him quiet, intelligent, unobtrusive, and ever studious of 
the comfort of his guests. Mrs. . I. is a native of Bloom- 
field, N. Y., and will be found to be intelligent, affable, 
kind, and ever ready to contribute to the comfort and 
pleasures of those who favor her with their patronage. Shu 
seems to anticipate every want of her visitors, and as u 
cook and housekeeper she cannot be excelled. Everything 
was scrupulously clean, and the table in every way unex- 
ceptionable. Wliat the visitor to Florida 'seldom meets 
with he will find at Homosassa — the host of home-made 
bread, fresh milk twice daily, and fresh butter at least 
twice weekly. In addition to a lavish supply of the neces- 
saries aud luxuries of life the visitor is expected to deposit 
an indefinite number of the most delicious oranges after 
each meal, between times, and before retiring at night. 
The house is near the river, one story high, and surrounded 
by a spacious veranda. The rooms open on the verandas 
on two sides, the ceilings being very high, aud each having 
a fire-place in it. Tne beds are such as visitors seldom find 
in Florida. Owing to the limited number of rooms Mr. J. 
can accommodate but four couples in the main building! 
but at a distance of one hundred yards from the house is 
Liberty Hall, where from two to four stags can sleep and 
eujoy themselves. If justified, (aud I sincerely hope he 
will be,) Mr. J. will add to his present building. 
In my humble opinion no place in the State presents so 
many attractions for the sportsman, if we take into con- 
sideration the sporting advantages in connection with home 
comforts, excellent accommodations, superior table, perfect 
cleanliness, aud an admirable climate. Sportsmen who 
wish to enjoy themselves and at the same time be accom- 
panied by their better halves will find this place to offer 
many attractions. If a stag party of from two to four 
wish to enjoy themselves for a few weeks or months we 
would recommend them to engage Liberty Hail. Wliat 
surprised me most was the moderate charge for the accom- 
modations furnished— from .$10 to $12 per week. Visitors 
will find an ample supply of boats, and for a trilling charge 
negroes living on the plantation will keep the piscator sup- 
plied with bait. Mr. Jones is the Postmaster, aud the place 
is provided with a weekly mail. We spent a week at Ho- 
mosassa, and found but one thing to annoy, that being the 
fact that we were compelled to leave. 
To those who propose visiting the locality we would say, 
provide a strong bass rod, a crab net, and u full supply of 
strong hooks aud lines. In this connection we may remark 
that we tested at this point as well as many others a sheeps- 
head hook manufactured by Shipley & Son, of No. 5 Com- 
merce street, Philadelphia, and wo can unhesitatingly rec- 
ommend it as unequaled for strength anil temper. The 
only fault of the hook is the shortness of the shund, which 
should be twice the present length. 
Some of my readers will ask where is Homosassa, and 
how can it bo reached, which I will explain. It is about 
forty miles from Cedar Key*, aud may bo reached by two 
routes — one via Savannah, Fcrnandina, or Jacksonville to 
Cedar Keys, and the other via Silver Spriug and Ocala. 
The sportsman can easily ascertain upon wliat day bo will 
reacji Cedar Keys, anil by addressing Alfred E. Jones, 
Postmaster, Homosassa, Fla., in advance of the day of ar- 
rival, Mr. J. will be found on the keys with a boat to trans- 
port visitors to his place free of charge. If unable to com- 
municate with Mr. J. a suitablo boat may bo chartered at 
Cedar Keys for about $10 for the trip. If the sportsman 
is desirous of visiting an interesting and attractive portion 
of the State ho can take steamer from Jacksonville to Sil- 
ver Spring, aud back from the Spring to Ocala — a distance 
of six miles. From Ocala to Homosassa the distance is 
forty miles over a good road, andE. J. Harris, of the Ocala 
House, will make the necessary arrangements for transpor- 
tation of visitors to the hospitable ingleside of A. E. Jones. 
We have at various times wandered over a large portion of 
the State, and in all sincerity can assure the readers of the 
Forest and Stream that, taking everything into consid- 
eration, we found Jones’, on the Ilomosassa, the most at- 
tractive point we have thus far found in Florida, and if 
alive and kicking during the course of next Winter we pro- 
pose visiting there again, and it would afford me great 
pleasure to meet some ot the sporting reudors of the For- 
est and Stream at the hospitable home of Alfred E. Jones. 
Al Frksoo. 
Game Laws ok Vermont.— W e copy the following from 
the Game laws of Vermont, approved November 24th, 
1874. Those who fish in Lake Champlain will do well to 
peruse what is written: 
Section 1. Whoever takes or catches any salmon in any 
of the waters of this State, or has in his or her possession 
any such fish captured within the limits of this State, for 
five years from the passage of this act, shall forfeit and 
pay a tine not to exceed $10 for each and every salmon so 
taken. 
Sec. 2. Whoever takes or catches any trout, land-locked 
salmon, salmon trout, or lunge in any of the public waters 
of this State between the 1st day of September of one year 
and the 1st day of May of the next year, shall forfeit and 
pay a fine not to exceed $10 for each and every fish afore- 
said. 
Sec. 3. Whoever takes or catches any black bass in any 
of the public waters of this State between the 1st day of 
June and the 1st day of August in any year shall forfeit 
and pay a fine uot to exceed $5 for each fish so taken. 
Sec 4. Whoever takes or catches any white fish or lake 
shad in any of the public waters of this Slate between the 
1st day of October and the 1st day of December in any 
year shall forfeit and pay a fine not to exceed $10. 
Sec. 5. Whoever takes or catches any wall-eyed pike or 
pike perch between the 1st day of April and the 1st day of 
June of auy year shall forfeit and pay a fine not to ex- 
ceed $. r > . 
Sec 0. No person shall bo allowed to capture any trout, 
land-locked salmon, salmon, salmon trout, or lunge in any 
of the public waters of the State except by hook and line, 
in the ordinary way, with bait, fly, or troll, Under a pen- 
alty of $20 for each violation of this act; provided always 
that the Fish Commissioners may be allowed to take fish m 
any season of the year for stocking ponds, lakes, and riv- 
ers, and for maintaining and cultivating fish artificially, 
and for no other purpose; and may also grant permits iu 
writing for other persons to capture fish for artificial prop- 
agation and maintenance in private ponds. 
Sec. 7. Any person legally engaged in the artificial cul- 
ture and maintenance of fish may take them in his own 
waters, how and when he pleases, or take them in the pub- 
lic streams for breeding purposes, provided he gets the 
written permit of the Commissioners of Fisheries to do so, 
or the permit of the selectmen of any town where he so 
takes them, but shall not sell them for food at seasons 
when their capture is prohibited by this act. 
Sec. 8. All pound-net or trap-net fishing in the public 
waters of this State are hereby prohibited. 
Sec. 10. It shall not be lawful for any person or persons 
to engage in the slocking of any of the public waters in 
this State with pickerel. 
Sec. 13. No person shall pursue, kill, or destroy any 
wild deer, buck, fawn, or elk within the •limits of this 
State, save through the months of September, October, 
November, and December in any year, nor shall any per- 
son kill, catch, or destroy any mink, beaver, fisher, or otter 
between the 1st day of April aud Llie 1st day of October iu 
any year, under a penalty of $20 for eacli offense. 
GAM E IN T EXAS. 
Bound Mountain, June 0th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
I send ii few items regarding tho game of this locality, hoping by so 
doing to beueflt some friends of gnu and dog. Tho country hero is 
open woodland, resembling an Immense orchard, the oaks looking like 
npple trees and tho mesqult (pronounced inuskeui) like peach, there be- 
ing an occasional bunch of chaparral for cover. Tho whole country Is 
easy of uccesg on a Spanish pony, and you cun shoot off any of them 
I Imt have boon used as cow ponies, or, if preferred, get off uud throw the 
reins on the ground; he will graze while you secure the gamo. 
First on the frontier Texan's list of gome is Mr. Lo. whoso rnlds for 
pouies oil the settlements, though growing less frequent, aru by no 
menus ended. Here, however, we do not look for them again, the cow 
hoys having so completely whipped them on Pack Saddle Mountain, 
eighteen months ago, ten miles north of me, that they will hardly ven- 
ture so near again. Buffalo still range in large herds seventy-live to one 
hundred miles west. Our people puy hut little attention to them, caring 
nothing for the sport, as they have similar excitement dally In limiting 
wild cattle. Deer uru very plenty, though are not so numerous as a few 
years ugo. They are fast becoming thinned out. Many shoot them for 
their skins, leaving the carcass for the wolves end coyotes, who uro over 
on the alert for so dainty a morsel. I have seen as many ns live deer 
In a hunch within n mile of the house . Wild turkeys uro found In large 
numbers in the cedar brakes during the Winter months; tills being their 
hatching season they nre scattered over tho open country. Morning and 
evening tho loud call of the gobbler cau ho heard in every direction, 
often causing mo to wish for my breech loader. They are generally 
hunted at their roosts, one person often killing six or seven in one night 
—a moonlight night being chosen for the hunt. Tho pocary, or wild 
hogs, are yet to he fouud on Sand Mountain twelve miles west. They 
arc not hunted much, though are often shot by the cow hoys with their 
six shooters while after cattle. These men arc experts with the navy - 
1 saw one u few days since shoot tho heud off a running rattlesnake. I 
have often seen them shoot squirrels through the heud. Wild geese, 
brunt, ducks, pelicans, cruues, &c., give tine sport on the streams In 
Winter. Squirrels are almost os thick as sand dies in Florida.' I have 
counted us many os six on one tree, and think some got away; while tho 
fox, coon and 'possum are Iu sulllcleut nutnburs to oleuu out u hen roost 
auy night, 
