Glass Book. COPYEaCHT DEPOSl'F .^JI^JO' A'TED States Lands Located. — We have inforination respect- '..*>• ' ^ J position of more than 1,000,000 acres Government Lands, whioh be entered at $1.25 per acre, and wliich are worth to-day $10 to §50 r'^re. Send lor circulars. Kaii^road Lands for Sat^e. — We have 500,000 acres all laying in orange belt near to stations, at $2.50 to $10 per acre, timber re- , v'e"1, payments small, and long time j^iven. Send for our circulars. '*' ange Park, the Newport op Florida. — We will sell lots of size, from 1 to 50 acres, in this splendid park of lovely winter es, at prices that must atteact. ^ (NANCiAr. Agents. — We will place loans, procure money. We act notary business, etc, etc., at reasonable rates. I FLORIDA! THE Xj-i^isriD oip :Fi_iO^ArE:E?.s. ^. 7** THE FLORIDA AGRICULTURIST Keeps ti faithful recorfl of the weather in South Fhirida, tal^cii three times daily. To learn about the capabilities of the StaU; of Florida, its productions and resources, subscribe for The oldest A<'i-iculturnl paper in the Slate of Florida. It is a larii'C, EIGHT PxVGE WEEKLY, full of the experieuce.^ of Old SeLtlers. and an instructor for the new. You will leu-u froui it uiu;-h aljoat Oranije Cidture ajid other Senii-'i'roiiica! IVuils, jNIariceL (Jarchuiing, etc., besides niucJi ij^eueral information of iiUerest about all parts of' the State. Terms: §J.OO for one vear. Six montiis §1. Subscribe Tropical Agriculture a Specialty. C. CODRINGTON & CO., DeLaiul, Fla. -A. Li-^TiB iPLOi^.ix)^ x=j^:p:h]i^. THE OCALA BANNER -LACONj Publislied tit Ocala, Florida, every Saturday. The neatest and spiciest journal in the Land of Flowers, fnrnishin all necessary information about the St/ite by a regular corps of correspondents. Pritie, |>2.\)0 per year; fl.OO for six months. Specimen cojoiel^ sent free to any address. Address T. W. HARRIS, Manager. \ r '■'^•t "■'■*!gi^^ ■^■..^.,>n,..«n....«,..^^ '."^^^^^i^ 'i^^^nr^'3 i t^WEEKS PERMIT <^'^rS^ ■^ ^>^:^'^ Ti^T '^'^,::^(^^^ 11.27 7036 SMITH bi ^290 i^iiiiiiiiMiiiii 3542 Il ..J Tl T iiui' AMASKOHEGAN (BRIGHT MOON LAKE). WITH PRACTICAL ARTICLES FROM SUCCESSFUL MEN ON FLORIDA PRODUCTS AND HOW TO RAISE THEM. FULL INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAKE AN ORANGE OR EEMON GROVE. BY T. M. SHACKLEFORD. FOR SALE BY THE AUTHOR AT BROOKSVILLE, FLA., OR HORACE DREW, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. .JACKSONVILLE, FL\.: TIMES-UKION POWER PRIKTING OFFICE. 1883. ENTBBEL ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS. IN THE YEAR 1883, BY T. M. SHACKLEFORD, IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, AT WASHINGTON. ( ^'hh ..L.Um -1, -, PREFACE. It is related of the King of Siani that when the first Brit- ish minister appeared at his court he was requested by the King to describe the manners, customs and climate of England. The King listened attentively to the minister's description of Eng- land until he began to speak of the formation of ice and the freezing over of rivers. This appeared so unreasonable and impossible to the King, that he interrupted the minister and told him that, since he had been guilty of telling one such false- hood, he believed his entire description to be false. The King ))iay have used stronger and more emphatic language than this ; if so, he is under obligations to me for expressing his thought in " diplomatic language." Writers of fancy sketches, correspondents who view every- thing through rose-colored glasses, and i)arties having Florida lands for sale, have so often pictured Florida as the land "where the flowers ever blossom, the beams ever shine," that it is diffi- cult for one who has never visited the State to form correct ideas of the real Florida. Many come to Florida expecting to find a perfect Utopia or El Dorado, aud are disap- pointed l)ecause the real Florida is so different from their ideal land. Some take an early train or boat for home and pronounce Florida a " grand humbug." To have all of their Chateaux en Espagve shattered by one rude blow of the mace of fact, to see them all crumble to pieces " from turret to foundation stone," must be a severe disappoint- ment to them. But those who remain, as thev besin to discover VI PREFACE. the attractions and advantages of the real Florida, gradually forget their preconceived ideal, and then their surprise and de- light is as great as was their disappointment. Thus the pendu- lum swings from one extremity of the arc to the other, rarely ever stopping at the golden mean of truth. In almost every com- munity there are at least one or two self-opinionated, " gifted " persons who know more about everything than anyone else. They can tell you all about Florida, and especially is this the case, if they have never been in the State. They have never visited Florida, therefore they know all about it. They arc ready to tell you that Florida is a swamp and the orange busi- ness a humbug. A favorite expression with them is " I would not live in Florida, if you would give me the whole State." These " gifted " persons are respectfully invited to remain at home. There is no room for them on Lake Weir. One county in Florida does not constitute the State. What may be true of one portion of the State may not be, and fre- quently is not, true of other portions. Florida is a large State and contains soil, climate, beauty, etc., of various kinds and modifications. This book does not claim to treat of Florida in general, but simply of the Lake Weir country. Lake Weii- is not Paradise. The edict " in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread," has not yet been revoked, and we still have to work, even .on Lake Weir. I have endeavored to state frankly our disadvantages as well as our advantages. My preface would be incomplete, if I did not state why and how this book originated. For the last two or three years I have been writing at difierent times for " The American," pub- lished at Nashville, Tcnn., over the signature of "Pine Top," a series of letters descriptive of the Lake Weir country. I have also Avritten occasional Lake Weir letters for other papers. Of late, I have received so many letters of inquiry in regard to Lake Weir, that the idea of issuing a historical and descriptive pamphlet of this section suggested itself to my mind. Upon conferring with some of the citizens here about the advisability and practicability of issuing such a book, I found that they too received many private letters of inquiry. Finding there was a general demand for information concerning Lake Weir, I pro- ceeded to carry my plan into execution, and this book is the re- PREFACE. VU suit. I have no land for sale on Lake Weir or elsewhere in Florida. My object in writing and publishing this book is two- fold ; the benefit it may be to Lake Weir, and the financial re- turns it may bring me. " Candor is the best sauce." To the citizens of Lake Weir for their kind assistance in gathering up the necessary facts and information, and to my con- tributors for their valuable contributions, I return my most grateful thanks. I also take pleasure in acknowledging my ob- ligations to Mr. T. M. Rickai'ds for his well executed map of Lake Weir and vicinity, and to Mr. R. M. Williams, Avho as- sisted Mr. Rickards in the preparation of the map. Dr. L. M. Ayer, Messrs. E. P. Turnley, W. H. Shackleford, CJaptain John L. Carney and Dr. Rufiin Thomson should be named here as having extended me special favors and courtesies. I would also state that the contributed articles are not from theorists, but are written by practical men who have had success ill their respective lines of business. CONTENTS. Page. History and Description of Lake Weir 9 Description of Groves and Residences on Lake Weir.... 21 Description of Smith's, Bowers,' Silver and Fig Lakes and Lake Fay, with Groves and Residences on them 39 Soil, Climate and Transportation 42 Lake Weir as a Health Resort, Viewed from the Stand- point of a Physican — From Dr. Ruffin Thomson 45 From Dr. L. M. Ayer... 50 From Dr. T. J. Myers 53 FroraDr. E. C. Hood 54 Lake Weir from a Business Standpoint — W. Davis Turn- ley 57 So ?ial Aspects of Lake Weir — E. P Turnley 60 Lake Weir as a Permanent Home — Gen. R. Bullock 63 Sunlight and Moonlight on Lake Weir 05 Snakes, Mosquitoes, Gnats,'Etc 68 Lake Weir as a Fruit Centre — Capt. Jno. L. Carney 70 How to Make an Orange or Lemon Grove — ^E. L. Carney. 73 Market Gardening on Lake Weir — Alfred Ayer 85 Grape Culture on Lake Weir — Dr. D. S. Chase 89 Pineapple Culture— Mrs. B. B. Ricker 92 Prices of Lands 93 What Lake Weir Needs 94 To the Reader 95 Addenda 96 LAKE WEIR, FLORIDA. HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION In the southern portion of Marion county, Florida, lies a lake of wondrous beauty. Even the untaught Seminoles were captivated by its loveliness, and they named it in their mvisical language Aviaskohegan, meaning Bright Moon Lake. But years ago the name was changed to Lake AVeir, in honor of Lieuten- ant Weir, of the United States Army, who was killed near its borders by the Seminoles during one of their wai*s with the United States. It is to be regretted that these Indian names, around which cluster so many legends and traditions, should be changed. Bright Moon Lake was a favorite resort with the Seminoles, and it is said that one of their villages was located near it. Broken pieces of pottery, arrow and spear heads and other Indian relics are still occasionally j)icked up. Deei, wild turkeys and game of all kinds were plentiful, and speckled trout and bream were to be taken from the lake at pleasure. What more could an Indian ask than to dwell near a beautiful lake with a satiety of hunting, fishing and feasting ? But at last Os- ceola, their ablest leader, was by treachery taken prisoner, and the Indians were defeated and driven far down into the Everglades. The United States Government sent down corps of surveyors and engineers, who penetrated into the interior of Florida and laid off the land into townships and sections. At that time the 10 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. islands in the lake formed part of the mainland and Little Lake Weir was entirely separated from Lake Weir proper. All old Government maps so represent it. Lake Weir then was almost circular, being about four and a half miles long and four wide. In process of time Lake Weir and Little Lake Weir became united and now form only one lake. But when they united, part of the mainland was detached and now forms six islands. Even yet all that portion of the lake lying to the west of the islands is distinguished from the original by the appellation of Little Lake Weir, though boats easily pass from one portion of the lake to the other. Lake Weir now is about four miles wide and from five to seven miles long. That portion known as Little Lake Weir, is about one mile wide and two long. Lake Weir is situated on the narrow- est part of the peninsula of Florida, being only forty miles from the Gulf of Mexico, sixty miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and lying on the twenty -ninth parallel of latitude. The Avater is lit- erally almost as clear as crystal and on a clear, calm day you can easily see the fish swimming in it several yards from the shore. So pure and so little buoyancy has the water that swimming in it is difficult. When calm and smooth the lake is beautiful. I have seen it when its surface was undisturbed by a single ripple. Sometimes, owing to a peculiar reflection and re- fraction of light, mirrors of various sizes are formed in the lake that seem encased in solid silver. I have seen the lake form a perfect mirror of the sky above. The beautiful blue, with strips of gold and crimson, pink and yellow intercalated in it, was so faithfully pictured in the lake that the water seemed a second sky. I do not knoAV, but I think the sky is of a deeper blue in Florida than in our Northern States. I know our Florida sun- sets are more brilliant and gorgeous. If the lake is beautiful when still, it is grand when rough and raging. I like to watch the white-crested waves " dash their proud foam " against the beach and break into pieces as they strike the unoffending shore. What a dull, monotonous sound they make as wave after wave breaks upon the beach ! Until within the last few years a beau- tiful white beach encircled the lake, afibrding a fine drive en- tirely around it ; but the waters gradually encroached upon the beach until they swept it from sight. For the last three years HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 11 the wa-. ter has been receding and we hope soon to have our ' drive again. With the exception of the islands and hammock peninsula, which consists of about four hundred acres, most of the land sur- rounding Lake Weir is pine land. Occasional strips of hammock, of from one to six or seven acres in area, fringe the margin of the lake elsewhere. Hammock, or hummock, as the word is cor- rectly spelt, is said to be the Indian word for hard wood and, when applied to land, means land covered with hard wood, such as live-oak, water-oak, magnolia, gum, hickory, bay, etc. The land encircling the lake is elevated and rolling. Some- times it descends to the Abater's edge and then again breaks off abruptly into bluffs, from five to thirty feet in height. The water is from one to thirty-five feet in depth. The largest island in the lake, now known as Lemon Island, was called by the Seminoles Phi/hnera, Island of Many Flowers. It noAV has an area of about seventy-five acres, which at one time was entirely covered with wild orange trees. The island is beau- tifully situated in Lake Weir, breaking off abruptly on one side into a high bluff. I can easily imagine the beautiful scene pre- sented by the island when all the orange trees Avere in bloom and loading the air with their rich perfume. But, unfortunately for the lovers of the beautiful in nature and still more so for the purchaser, Col. Wiggins bought the island and had all of the Grange trees cut down in order that he might cultivate the land in 33a-islaiid cotton. Of course, Ave all knoAV now that Col. Wig- gins thrcAV away a fortune Avhen he cut down the orange trees, .But at that time orange culture was^a neAV departure in Florida, and the oldest inhabitants had no faith in it whatever. In pass- ing through this section not very many years ago, Avhile you might occasionally have found some fcAV orange trees growing in the yards and gardens, if you had stopped to inquire about the quality and kind of orange grown, you would probably have been informed that they Avere sour oranges. With so little favor did many of the citizens regard orange growing that they would not even take the trouble to bud the sour orange trees growing on their land. But the cold northern winters drove an increasing number of immigrants to Florida every succeeding Avinter, some of whom wandered doAvn into this section and began planting 12 HISTORY or LAKE WEIR. out Orange groves. At first they were laughed at for their folly by the natives and men who had resided in the country for years. But in a few years they beheld these new settlers gathering bountiful and remunerative harvests from their labors and then they realized that they had been standing on " the wishing gate " and had neglected to wish. While they might have secured an independence in the way of money, they had failed to take that " tide in the afi'airs of men " which " leads on to fortune." For- tunately, the golden opportunity had not passed, and with a late,, though commendable zeal^ they sought to atone for past failures, by future diligence. Through such ignorance or " lack of faith," the grove on Lemon Island, one of the largest natural orange groves in Florida, was destroyed. Orange Island, the second in area, comprises about forty- five acres, and is now connected with- Lemon Island, so that in dry weather you can easily walk from one to the other. Fortu nately, the hand of the destroyer was stayed and the wild orange trees on this island were not cut down. The two islands next in size are much smaller than Orange and Lemon Island and were also covered with sour orange trees. The remaining two are low and marshy and are called Bird Islands from the large num- ber of birds that congregate on them. Col. S. F. Halladay, of North Carolina, was the first settler on Lake Weir. He obtained a grant of land under "the armed occupation act," and settled here in 1843. His house stood on the beautiful bluif where the residence of Dr. Thompson now stands. When asked why he located at a place so remote from civilization as Lake Weir then was, he replied that he was a young man then, and that Lake Weir was the only lake he could find in Florida which came up to his romantic ideas of what a Florida lake ought to be. He also enjoyed the hunting and fishing. Col. Halladay is still living, having reached a hale and hearty old age, and always speaks enthusiastically of Bright. Moon Lake. At present, he is residing in Alachua County. In 1851 he sold his land on Lake Weir to Col. James Wiggins,, who bought it for a cotton plantation. He erected a house where the residence of Capt. Carney now stands. -Lake Weir had long beeh noted in this section of Florida: as a pleasant and healthful summer resort. In ante helhmi days„ HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. io when "cotton was king," the wealthy cotton and sugar planters for miles around would come to Lake Weir with their families and spend the summers. Some had cabins erected and some brought their tents with them and camped out. No attractions or inducements were offered them, but natural beauty, healthfiil- ness and entire freedom from malaria, and fine sport in the way of hunting and fishing. I have talked with some of these plant- ers and sportsmen, who are ^till living in this section of country, and they all speak in terms of the highest praise of the great beauty and healthfulness of Lake Weir, and tell of what rare ■sport they have enjoyed upon its borders. Deer were still plen- tiful, and could frequently be seen from the surrounding hills, coming to the lake for water. Wild turkeys, ducks and all kinds of Southern game were to be found in abundance.. Even jet, deer and other game abound only a few miles from the lake. The lake was then, and is even yet, well stocked with -fish, consisting of trout, bream, perch, pike, cat, and fresh water mullet. I have seen trout taken from it that weighed as much as fifteen pounds, and larger ones have been caught. It is no uncommon thing to catch trout weighing seven or eight pounds. But I am digressing. These citizens, who came to Lake Weir and spent their summers, were among the wealthiest and most influential class of people in Florida. They would come to Lake Weir year after year, admire its great beauty and healthfulness and enjoy their sport, but they never thought of buying any land there. But little of the land was specially adapted to the cultivation of cotton or sugar cane, therefore they regarded it as comparatively worthless. At that time most of the land surrounding Lake Weir was Government land, and subject to homesteading, or sale at the very low price of $1.25 per acre. But no one cared to own it. One of the favorite pastimes of those who spent the sum- mer here was driving around the lake on the beach by moon- light. I have not yet pictured Lake Weir by moonlight. A pen picture would give you but an imperfect idea of the lovely scene. If the reader will visit Lake Weir and see the full, round moon rising over the waters and watch the moon- beams kissing the waves and throwing a silver sheen over all 14 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. the landscaj^e, he, too, will exclaim that this beautiful sheet of water wr.s fitly named Bright Moon Lake. While immigrants were rapidly settling up the country ly- ing on the St. Johns and Indian Rivers, and along the various railroads, and were writing back to their friends golden descrip- tions of their homes in the "Land of Flowers, " Lake Weir re- mained comparatively an unknown countiy. This was on ac- count of its isolation and lack of transportation and traveling facilities, having no connection with the "great world outside." The first orange grower, who settled on Lake Weir, Avas Capt. John L. Carney, a prominent citizen and cotton planter of Rutherford County, Tennessee. He also owned large planta- tions in Arkansas and Mississippi. Becoming tired of planting cotton year after year, and losing money, he determined to se- lect another vocation. His attention was attracted to Florida and the reputed profits of orange culture. He visited Florida first in the summer of 1873 and spent about six months in travel- ing through the State and closely examining the country before locating. Captivated by the natural beauty and healthfulness of Lake Weir, he decided to make his future home there, and moved clown with his family in the spring of 1874. In order to thoroughly test the climate and healthfulness, he rented a place and engaged in farming a year before purchasing. En- tirely satisfied and still more strongly impressed with the many advantages of Lake Weir, in connection with his brothei--in-law, also a Tennessean, he purchased Orange and Lemon Island, to- gether with Hammock Peninsular, embracing about four hun- dred acres, for which he paid $5.00 per acre. He also purchased other lands lying on the Lake. Althougii he purchased the lands at a low price, it was thought by all persons acquaint- ed with them that he had made a foolish trade. Several persons have told me that they felt sorry for Captain Carney when he located on Lake Weir, and thought he had manifested bad judgment. We will take a retrospective view and look at his surroundings as they were then. He had located on a "Lake in the wild woods," the best land on it being by no means the rich est in the countiy. He had had no near neighbors, was five miles from the nearest store, a very poor affair at that, eighteen miles from Ocala, his counry-town and postoffice, the same distance HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 15 from Silver Spring, his nearest steamboat landing, and about sixty miles from the nearest railroad. He had come to Lake Weir to engage in orange culture, a business of which he knew nothing from experience, and, moreover, a business in which the old citizens of the county had no faith. He had invested most of his little capital in land, for which there was no demand then, and had but little money left. Even at best, it would be several years before his orange trees would bring him any return. Add to all this the fact that his transportation and traveling facilities were to remain in statu quo for several years. His chances for financial success seem rather gloomy, do they not ? Acting upon the advice of his brother, Mr. E. L. Carney, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., came to Lake Weir on the 10th day of March, 1875. Before coming to Florida he had been engaged in clerking in a dry goods house at Murfreesboro. He also de- cided to make his future home on the beautiful Lake Weir and to engage in orange culture. He brought with him a capital of less than five hundred dollars. Shortly after coming down he homesteaded a tract of land lying on the lake and containing one hundred and sixty acres. He made a most excellent selec- tion. During the first year he engaged in farming, meeting with about the same success that would have crowned his efforts in Tennessee. In the spring of 1876 he started an orange grove on his homestead, meeting with many reverses before he succeeded in establishing it. Owing to their lack of experience and igno- rance of the business, out of five hundred trees he and his brother put out that year very few lived. There was no one in the neighborhood who knew any more about orange culture than they did. They had to learn from experience, and they paid dearly for their tuition, both in time and money. After thoroughly testing the climate. Captain Carney wrote a sei'ies of letters for the press, in which he described the natural beauty and other attractions and advantages of Lake Weir. Being written in a charming style, his letters were extensively copied, and led to a considerable correspondence. Through these published letters of Captain Carney, and his private letters to friends, a number of citizens were induced to come down and look at Lake Weir. If they once came and saw its surpassing 16 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. • beauty, and had any intention, of locating in Florida, they were almost sure to settle on Lake Weir. They might travel else- Avhere, and visit other places, but, "haunted" by the memory of its wondrous beauty, they would generally come back to Bright Moon Lake and locate. In this way the number of citizens in- creased on Lake Weir every succeeding year. They came in slowly for the first few years, but during the last five years the growth and improvement of Lake Weir has been rapid — almost magical. As other citizens came in and settled, they would write back gloAving descriptions to their friends and induce some of them to come down and locate. Ten years ago there were otio citizens, no orange trees and but two or three rude houses on Lake Weir. Now over one thousand people dwell upon its shores or in its immediate vicin- ity, over 150,000 orange and lemon trees have been planted out in groves, and quite a number of handsome residences, tasty cot- tages and beautiful houses have been erected. Lands have in- creased in value at the rate of from one hundred to one thou- sand per cent a year. And I will state just here that I do not know of a single purchaser of land on Lake Weir, no matter what price he paid, who could not have sold afterwards at a . handsome profit. But those Avho bought land and have not sold any of it could sell at a much higher figure to-day than at any time previous. I shall have more to say on this subject in another part of the book and shall verify my statements with facts and figures. But I make the assertion now, without any fear of con- tradiction, that no person has bought land or settled on Lake Weir who has not bettered his condition financially and is not worth more to-day than wdien he came here. We shall see from the article of Dr. D. S. Chase that grape culture has been tried on Lake Weir with extraordinary success. Mr. Alfred Ayer in, his article on " Market Gardening on Lake Weir," cleai'ly shows that the culture of early vegetables here for Northern markets can be carried on with fine financial results. Mrs. B. B. Bicker demonstrates from her experience that the culture of pineapples on Lake Weir will pay. Capt. Jno. L. Carney, the pioneer orange grower of this section, tells us of "Lake Weir as a Fruit Centre," I stated above that 150,000 orange and lemon trees were planted out on Lake Weir and vicinity. An estimate of HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 17 '$10 per tree for an orange or lemon tree in full bearing is by no means a large estimate. I know of trees on Lake Weir, not in full bearing, that yield double $10wortliof fruitayear.I know of *old orange trees in the State that yield far more than this. An orange tree in full bearing ought to bear at least 2,000 oranges ■every year. There are exceptional trees in Florida that bear 10,000 and 12,000 oranges. I know of an old tree, not more than five miles from the lake, owned by Mr. Dillard, of Whitesville that averages a yield of 6,000 oranges per year. Mr. E. L. Carney informed me that the oranges he shipped last year netted him two cents an orange. Allowing only 1,000 to a full-bearing tree and estimating them at only one cent an orange gives a re- ".turn of $10 per tree. Facts would warrant a larger estimate. JVIultiplying 150,000, the number of trees, by $10, the estimate per tree, and you have a result of $1,500,000. Just think of it ! One million and a half of dollars flowing every year into the com- -axiunity of Lake Weir. This does not include the sales from early vegetables, pineapples, limes and other fruits. Lemon Island contains a forty -five acre lemon grove, as yet the largest iemon grove in Florida. Fifteen acres of this grove belongs to Mr. E. L. Carney, twenty acres to Col. S. E. Eagleton and ten -acres to Mr. Alfred Ayer. A number of the trees are beginning ito bear. Mr. Carney also owns a ten acre orange grove on Lemon Island and Mr. Ayer has a three acre orange grove there. Orange Island contains a forty acre bearing orange grove, owned equally •by Col. S. E. Eagleton and Mr. E. L. Carney. I should have mentioned before that in the spring of 1878 -Mr. E. L. Carney bought from Capt. Carney and his partner Orange and Lemon Islands and most of Hammock peninsula. He made a small cash payment and gave his notes for the bal- -tince due. Capt. Carney had done some work on Orange Island and had budded some few trees. Mr. Carney erected a small Jiouse on Orange Island and moved over in order to begin work in earnest. He made many mistakes and had many difiiculties to overcome, but ne knew " no such word as fail." Possessing an iron will, indomitable energy and a strong constitution, he toiled on day after day, never murmuring at his lot or complain- ing. Reverses and disappointments came, but he set his face futureward and hoped for better things. As his notes fell due he 18 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. would sell part of his land and pay them off. In 1879 he sold an undivided half interest in the two islands to Col. S. E. Eagle- ton, another Rutherford County man, though engaged in mer- chandising for a number of years in the City of Philadelphia. In 1880 Mr. Carney began planting out Lemon Island in trees. He would budd the sour orange trees on Orange Island with lemon buds and then transfer them to Lemon Island. He also budded and sold a great many trees to persons who had settled on Lake Weir and wanted to put out groves. While developing the two Islands he was also planting out both an orange and lemon grove on his homestead. On account of his inexperience he lost fully two-thirds of all he put out at first, but, instead of becoming discouraged and abandoning the fruit business, he re- planted the missing trees and pushed ahead. In the summer of 1882 he and Col. Eagleton dissolved partnership and divided the two islands. Mr. Carney now has in all forty-three acres in orange trees and twenty-two acres in lemon trees, besides several valuable tracts of land. He is entirely out of debt and will next winter fjhip at least $10,000 worth of oranges and lemons. When all three of his groves are in full bearing he will have an income of one hundred thousand dollars. Capt. Carney informed me that Orange Island alone in less than five years would bring in an income to Col. Eagleton and Mr. E. L. Carney of $40,000. Mr. Carney bids fair from the start that he has made to become one of the South's leading capitalists. When he first came to Lake Weir he Avas twenty-three years of age and is now only thirty-one. He is now the same mojdest, unassuming gentleman he has ever been. It was only by repeated and persistent ques- tioning that I obtained from him the information necessary for this article. He did not seem to think that he had accomplished any more than any other capable and industrious man could have done. He likes orange and lemon culture and is well posted on every thing connected with it. In his artitle on " How to Make an Orange or Lemon Grove " he will give us some ac- count of his experience and tell us his ideas of making a grove- I know that this sketch of Mr. Carney's life on Lake Weir reads- like a tale from the Arabian Nights, but I have adhered strictly to facts, and " facts are facts, you know." Mr. Carney has made his fortune by persistent and hard work, by doing whatever he-. HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 19^ did well, and never dodging the tough places. He has obtained no more than he deserves. In the language of Rip Van Winkle, " may he live long and prosper." I had intended reserving this sketch of Mr. Carney's success for another part of the book, but it is so closely connected with the history ot Lake Weir, I have thought it best to introduce it. here, as showing the rapid development of this section. Now almost every State in the Union, and country in Europe, is rep- resented on Lake Weir. We shall see from Mr. Edwin P. Turn- ley's article, on the "Social Aspects of Lake Weir," that the set- tlers here comprise the very best class of citizens. Among the number are men who have already accumulated handsome for- tunes or competencies in business, and, with a love and appreci- ation for the beautiful and artistic, have withdrawn from the busy thoroughfares of life to spend their remaining years in that land " Where the tints of the earth and the hues ofrthe sky, In color, though varied, in beauts^ may vie." Some spend only the winters here and rqturn to their North- ern homes in the summer. Others are men of small or moderate means, who desire fortunes and are willing to work for them. Still others are persons of delicate constitutions, whom the chill- ing winds of the North, laden with ice and snow, together with that terrible foe, consumption, have driven to brighter and sun- nier lands in search of health and strength. They come to Bright Moon Lake, and in this land of sunshine, fruits and flow- ers, if not too far gone, soon recover their wonted vigor and elas- ticity. Never have I dwelt in a community where such perfect peace and harmony and good will prevailed as on ' Lake Weir. Lake Weir now has three postofRces — Lake Weir, Stanton and South Lake Weir^four thriving stores, and two large saw- mills. Handsome churches and good school-houses are being erected, land is being bought, cleared and planted out in groves at a rapid rate ; citizens are coming in, and a spirit of general prosperity and improvement pervades the entire community. All this has been accomplished in the last ten years, without the aid of any railroads and in spite of great disadvantages in trav- eling and transportation facilities. Fancy lake fronts and build- ing sites are already at a high premium, and back lots are rapidljr 20 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. increasing in value. Now that Lake Weir has one railroad and will soon have two others, who can predict the future of this laeautiful lake, " margined by fruits of gold "? DESCRIPTION OF GROVES AND RESIDENCES ON LAKE WEIR. Hammock peninsula lies between the waters of Lake Weir and Little Lake Weir. Just at the point of it is situated the forty-eight-acre lot of Mr. W. T. Radford, of Kentucky. He has thirty-two acres in grove, and will erect a handsome winter residence on his lot this fall. His place is known as Magnolia Grove. We come next to the Summer Lea Grove of Mr. W. S, Harlan, a native of Pennsylvania, but a resident of Lauderdale County, Tennessee, from early boyhood. He came to Lake Weir in the winter of 1881 to take charge of the grove of Messrs. Thomson and Cooper. He brought but little capital with him. Soon after coming he purchased twenty-one acres of land front- ing on Little Lake Weir, for which he paid $600. In June, 1882, he sold four acres of this land for $400. Mr. Harlan now has out about 500 orange and 500 lemon trees ; 300 orange trees were put out in January, 1882, the balance from time to time. He has done most of the work on the place himself, and now has a neat little cottage and a beautiful grove. His total expenses,^ including land, house, trees and work hired, have not exceeded $1,200. In June, 1883, he refused an offer of $6,000 for his place. I have been thus explicit in describing Mr. Harlan's place in order to show what has been done here in less than three years by a man with little capital. :22 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. Lying next to Summer Lea Grove, is the Loav Pressure Grove ■of Mr. Marcellus Turnley. It contains thirteen acres, all in orange trees and is called Low Pressure Grove, from the fact that many of the trees were planted out in the woods before the land was cleared. Next in order, is Hesperia, the residence and grove of the author. He has just "ten acres enough," fronting beau- tifully on Little Lake Weir. His little cottage of five rooms is ■ situated on a knoll, being one of the most elevated places on Lake Weir, There is a gradual slope from the house in every direction and a fine view is afforded across both Lakes, and also of the surrounding country. His house has a double front, front- ing on each lake. It is surrounded by a natural grove of trees, consisting of the majestic live-oak, with its wide spreading branches, the large water-oak with its vernal freshness, the sym- metrical magnolia, with its beau.tiful and fragrant blossoms, the holly Avith its richly colored berries, the tall and graceful hick- ^ory, and the red and white bay. Many of the trees are draped and festooned by Nature, with grey Spanish moss, reaching from some of the boughs almost to the ground. Others are al- most covered with wild grape-vines and Virginia creepers, and .some of the pollards are so completely enveloped that they re- semble pillars of "living green." About sixty feet from the front of the house, toward Little Lake, stands a grand old live-oak, with its gnarled and contorted limbs reaching out in every di- rection. The trees afford a dense, bosky shade, and the house being situated on an eminence between the lakes, we nearly al- ways have a gentle breeze. A broad avenue leads from the yard in front of the house to the margin of Little Lake, some two hundred yards distant. On either side of the avenue, my or- -angeand lemon trees are growing. I have out two hundred orange and one hundred and fifty lemon trees, and will put out other trees next winter. My trees Avere set out in January, 1882. They have done exceptionally well, and some of the lemon trees are already beginning to bear a little. I also have growing on my place some grape-fruit trees, fig trees, and several fine varieties of grapes. Hesperia is as yet "a diamond in the rough," and if, just now, it partakes more of the rough than of the diamond, .still a pure diamond for all that. In process of time my wife HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR, 23 and I hope to make it almost as beautiful as Claude Melnotte's description of his imaginary home on Lake Como. I paid $50 per acre for my place, in the woods and unim- proved, two years ago last February. Last winter I refused an offer for it of $450 per acre. Adjoining Hesperia is the three and one-fourth acre grove of Capt. H. A. Wiley, of AVoodbury, Tenn. It also fronts on Little Lake Weir, and has a fine building site. Capt. Wiley intends building a winter residence this fall. An uncleared tract of land, comprising twenty acres and belonging to the heirs of T. M. Keeble, comes next. Just back of Hesperia and Capt. Wiley's gi-ove is the residence of Mr. W. H. Shackleford, of Coffee county, Tenn. He and I bought twenty acres of land together and divided it equally last winter, at which time he sold three and one-quarter acres to Capt. Wiley for $400 per acre. He now has nearly seven acres, most of which Avill be put out in orange and lemon trees next winter. From his resi- dence you have a magnificent view across Lake Weir and a fine view of Little Lake Weir. He has a beautiful home. Back of the Keeble tract is situated the seven-acre grove of Mr. T. F. Wright, of Murfreesboro, Tenn. He came to Lake Weir sev- eral years ago and homesteaded 160 acres, but as yet has only seven acres improved. He has an elevated building site and a fine lake view. Adjoining the Keeble tract, and also fronting on Little Lake Weir, is Emerald Hill, the beautiful grove of Mr. E. L. Carney. He has out thirteen acres in orange and ^even acres in lemon trees. Many of the trees are beginning to bear. He also will erect a handsome residence. Mr. Carney has proved what can be accomplished by usjng the lever of en- ergy and the fulcrum of good judgment. When viewed from across the lake, his place strikingly resembles an "Emerald Hill," hence the name. An avenue begins at the margin of Little Lake and runs between the Low Pressure Grove and Hesperia and W. H. Shackleford's place until it strikes the ave- nue running between the places of W. H. Shackleford, the Keeble heirs and T. F. Wright on one side, and the places of Messrs. Thomson and Cooper and Ed. Turnly on the other -side. This avenue runs to the public road leading to Whitesville. Lying back of Summer Lea Grove, Low 24 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. Pressure Grove and W. H. Shackleford's place is Eden- wold, a hundred-acre tract owned by Messrs. Thomson and Cooper, of Hinds County, Mississippi. This tract runs down to Lake Weir, breaking ofF abruptly into a bold bluff twenty feet, in height. This tract has a total lake frontage of very near three-quarters of a mile, in some places descending gradually to the water's edge ; in others, breaking oif abruptly, as named above. Sixty acres of this tract arc planted in grove, contain- ing about 1,800 sweet seedling trees, which were planted at in- tervals, beginning in February, 1881, and fiaished in the winter following. They were of all sizes, up to one and a half inches in diameter. The balance of the grove was planted in sour seedlings in 1882 and 1883, and are now being budded with good varieties of oranges and Sicily lemons. The grove also contains 200 sour-bearing stumps, which are budded with the Sicily lemon. The ten acres along the lake front are not planted iu grove form, being intended for building sites for the owners, with space upon which to grow grapes, guavas, pine-apples and the many other fruits which may do well for family use, as well as the flower garden and shade trees. The proprietors wished to avoid the error, too common in Florida, of surrounding the residence with orange trees, thus, in time, depriving themselves of convenient places for planting the small fruits for home con- sumption, so necessary to health and comfort. Dr. Thomson has built his residence on the most elevated portion of the bluff, which is densely shaded by magnificent live oaks, hickories and water oaks. From this point the view is truly grand, taking in at one sweep the expanse of waters, whose ever-changing face relieves it of the charge of monotony, varying, as it does, almost hourly, from the mirror-like surface of a calm, the spark- ling wavelets, Avhen lovingly caressed by gentle breezes in the bright sunlight, to the foam-capped waves madly pursuing each other when lashed by angry winds and driven by them upon the white sand beach with a sounding roar, as if it were a mimic ocean. And more picturesque still is the scene, as viewed from the bluff, when at nightfall the full moon rises across the lake and spreads its silvery sheen over the rippling waters. Dr. Ruf- fin Thomson and Judge T. E. Cooper purchased this tract in the autumn of 1880. Judge Cooper has not built yet. I need HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 25 not add that the Doctor and his family are charmed with their surroundings and delighted with their home on " Beautiful Lake Weir." Next in order is the place known as "Bachelors' Retreat." This is the residence and grove of Mr. Ed. Turnley, of Clarks- ville, Tennessee, who purchased the land in December, 1881. The tract consists of forty acres, all planted out in orange and lemon trees; twenty acres of which belongs to Mr. Ed. Turnley,. and ten acres each to his sons, J. H. and E. P. Turnley. Mr. Ed. Turnley and his family s|)end only the winters here, while Messrs. J. H. and E. P. Turnley remain here the year round. They are so popular and universally liked that their home has acquired the name given above. Though not fronting on the lake, they have a good view of it. We come next to the beauti- ful grove and handsome residence, just recentlv finished, of Cap- tain John L. Carney, the pioneer orange-grower of this section. His place is appropriately named Grand View. There is not a more beautiful place on Lake Weir than this. His house is well constructed, handsomely painted and furnished, and sur- rounded by the finest natural grove of forest trees on the lake. Between his house and the margin of the lake is situated his twelve-acre seedling orange grove, now coming into bearing. With the Captain, " faith has changed into sight, and hoi^e into glad fruition." From his residence you have a magnificent view through his hammock trees and orange grove of Lake Weir and its surroundings. A nice avenue, lined with bananas, conducts you from the front of the house to the lake. Standing in front of this beautiful residence, feasting your eyes upon the charms and attractions Avhich Nature has lavished upon this spot, "And, Avatc']]ing each wliit,' cloudlet Float silently and slow, You think a piece of Heaven Lies on our earth below." We would like to linger at Grand View, but must hasten on if we would see the other " beautiful spots in a flowery land." ^ Adjoining Grand View is the ten-acre grove of Mr. C. A. Baker, of Kentucky, which was put out last winter ; but Mr. Baker had large trees set out and will soon have a bearing grove. He also contemplates building a winter residence soon. Follow- ing the margin of the lake we arrive at the residence and grove '26 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. of General Robert Bullock. He has a seventeen-acre grove, put ■out about four years ago and already beginning to bear fruit. His house is built near the margin of the lake and, of course, a fine view is afforded. Part of his land is hammock and part pine. -Prom noAV on, with the exception of occasional strips of ham- :niock that fringe the shores of the lake, the land is pine land. At present General Bullock is Circuit Court Clerk of Marion ■County, and is residing in Ocala, but he will soon make his per- jnanent home on Lake Weir. The grove of Dr. T. W. Tobey comes next. It fronts on Lake Weir, and also extends across the public road to Bowers' Lake, containing in all 700 trees, some of which are bearing. He has no house as yet, but expects 'to build soon. He has located on Lake Weir for the purpose of opening a select school for young ladies. On or near his land •will be located the Baptist Church, Avhich is to be erected this ••coming winter. General Bullock has donated a lot on his land to the Lake Weir Public Hall and Library, which will be built within the next few weeks. Also, on General Bullock's land, fronting on the public road, is his store, under the charge of Messrs. T. F. and Harry Wright. Here, also, is located the Lake Weir post office. Lying next upon the lake is the grove and residence of Dr. -L. M. Ayer, of Charleston, South Carolina. This contains eight : acres in grove, now coming into bearing. Dr. Ayer's fine suc- cess with his trees shows what can be done on pine land. He came here in January, 1876, and has been an earnest Avorker for the advancement and upbuilding of Lake Weir. Adjoining the liome of Dr. Ayer is the pretty grove and attractive residence of -Dr. E. C. Hood, of Columbus, Georgia, who purchased it in the winter of 1882. He has eight acres in grove, fronting on the lake. The land, instead of descending gradually to the margin of the lake, ends abruptly in a bluff, ten feet or more in height. 'The house is built on the bluff, and is surrounded by a grove of -live-oaks. The bluff commands a most excellent lake view. A large live-oak, that once stood on the verg'^ of the bluff, but has now fallen down across the beach, has an Indian legend con- -nected with it. It is said that a tribe of Seminoles once dwelt on Amaskohegan, as they called Lake Weir, and that a young ■Chief of a rival tribe fell in love with one of the fair daughters HISTORY OF LAKE WiilR. 27 of the Chief of the tribe living on Lake Weir. Tradition says that his love was returned. During- one of his interviews with his lady love he was surprised and captured by the Indian maiden's father. Bitter enmity existed between the two tribes, and the Chief of the Amaskohegan tribe determined that the young Chief should die. Pending the assembling of the Coun- cil, called by the Chief to decide the question of life or death, this young w'arrior was tied to this live-oak tree. When the Council had assembled and all were intent upon the discussion which followed, our Indian maiden dexterously managed to cut the bonds of her lover, who glided into the waters of Bright Moon Lake and made his escajDe. Next to Dr. Hood's place is situated the small grove of Messrs. Leavell and Mcintosh, of Newberry, South Carolina, neither of whom has yet made his home here. We come next to the grove of Mr. Alfred Ayer, of South Carolina, who was one of the early settlers on Lake Weir. The tract embraces thirty acics, fifteen of which are in grove. In a short time Mr. Ayer will put up a nice house on this land and move into it. At present he is residing further down the lake. Mr. Ayer also owns twenty-eight acres of land on Lemon Island, which he homesteaded, twelve acres of this being planted in [grove. The large three-story residence of Dr. Jas. M. Eagleton, of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, is the next house we strike on the lake. Dr. Eagleton purchased this land in 1879 and has spent several Avin- ters here. His house is furnished with both gas and water-works. At present it is occupied by Mr. Geo. E. Campbell, Dr. Eagleton residing in Philadelphia. He has twenty acreSj in orange and lemon trees. A natural forest grove stands in front of his house. The land slopes gently to the water's edge and the view is good. Keeping along the lake shore we soon reach the tasty cottage of Colonel Samuel E. Eagleton, a native of Rutherford County, Tennessee, but for a number of years engaged in merchandising in Philadelphia. He came to Lake Weir in October, 1878. His home place consists of ten acres, all in^ grove. He also owns a twenty acre lemon grove on Lemon Island and a twenty acre orange grove on Orange Island. Lake Weir has no 'more devoted admirer than Colonel Eagleton. Mr. Geo. E. Campbell, of Ruth- erford County, Tennessee, owns the ^next place, containing six 28 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. and a half acres in orange and lemon trees. He has no housfr on it as yet, but will build in a few months. Mr. Campbell came here in January, 1881, and homesteaded a place on Rower's Lake, putting a good house and starting an orange grove on it, which he still owns. Mr. H. P. Eagleton owns the next lot, containing the same number of acres as Mr. Campbell's tract. Mr. Eagle- ton came down from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in May, 1876. Mr. W. C. Eagleton, the owner of the place beyond this, hag truly a lovely home. The view from his residence is one of the most varied and far-swee2:»ing vieAvs to be obtained anywhere on the lake. His house also is furnished with gas and water-works. He homesteaded his place in 1876 and now has a twenty acre grove of large, thrifty trees. His house is situated about seventy- five )-ards from the lake and is surrounded by forest trees. Mr. Edgar Eagleton has a ten acre grove adjoining his father's and also fronting on the lake. Farther down on the lake is situated the grove of Messrs. Ayer and Mcintosh, containing twenty -five acres in large trees. Mr. Ayer is living on this place. Next to this place is the four acre grove of Mr. William McGahagan, who also has a residence here. Lying back of these two places is the residence of the genial Dr. T. J. Myers, a South Carolin- ian. There are no improved places on the lake from this j^oint to Mr. Jas. Josselyn's place, at which point Mr. E. N. Perrin's description ends. We will now return to the point of Little Lake Weir and take a view of the country from there to the 'residence 6y*]VIi''. C L. Porter; whel-e Mr. Perrin^s deserij^tion be- gins. The west and south-west sides of Little Lake Weir, as yet, have but few improved j^laces on them, though they contain some pretty lots and fine building sites. Dr. E. C. Hood, J. B. Carlisle, Willis Willow by (colored), and perhaps one or two others, have places more or less improved and containing young- orange groves. The first j)lace we strike on Lake Weir again, is the residence and grove of Mr. Edward Williams, from South Carolina. He has a fine grove and ought to feel satisfied with his success. Next, is the house and grove of Mr. Charles White, the popular merchant of Whitesville, some three or four miles distant. Leaving the lake-shore at this point, we approach the pretty cottage of Mr. H. Paddock, from Auburn, .N. Y., who HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 29 vsettled here in June, 1882. Of course, he could not resist the temptation to plant out orange trees. Who would not like to own an orange grove on Lake Weir ? This scope of country is thickly settled and dotted with a number of tasty cottages and thriving orange and lemon groves. It is settled principally by people from the Northern States and is in a high state of culti- vation. Generally, the lots are small, varying from one to ten acres. It is much easier for Northern and Eastern men to take a small acreage of land and cultivate it ivell and thor(/aghI>j than it is for people from the Southern and Western States, who have ])een accustomed to large farms and plantations. In Florida small places well cultivated, in my opinion, is the true policv. By referring to the map of Lake Weir, you can form some idea of how thickly settled this country is, though many of the lots were too small to be represented on a map, the scale of which is two inches to the mile. This settlement extends back from the lake for some distance and is rapidly increasing. Lack of space prevents me from giving a more detailed account of the different j)laces. With best wishes for the future prosperity of this thriv- ing, wide-awake community, we pass on, stopping next at the i-esidence of the public-spirited Mr. J. H. Albiston, from South -Manchester, Connecticut. He came to Lake Weir in February, 1878, homesteaded his present place, not quite one-fourth of a mile from the lake, and now has six and a half acres in oranere and lemon trees. Mr. Albiston is a strong advocate of mulching a grove. He has one of the prettiest young groves to be found on the lake. He is also having an artesian well bored on his place. Not far distant and fronting on the lake is the grove of Mr. Oscar Shogrin, a native of Sweden, but coming to Lake Weir from Illinois. He has a residence and about one thousand orange and lemon trees on his place. Passing on, we arrive at the beautiful home of Dr. D. S. Chase, from New Hamsphire, who came to Lake Weir in the fall of 1876, at which time he home- steaded his present place. It ,^extends nearly to the lake-shore, but does not quite reach it. No place on Lake Weir is in a higher state of cultivation than Dr. Chase's. As you will see, by referring to his ably written article on "Grape Culture," he has had extraordinary success in raising grapes. He has lived at different times in various States of the Union, but for health, 30 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIE. climate and fruit-growing, prefers Lake Weir to any point at which he has resided. He began to improve his place five years- ago last February. He obtained nearly all of the materials for his house on his own place, including lumber, lime for plastering and bricks for chimneys. All the lumber used in his house is- heart pine, selected for its beautiful grain. The house is nicely painted outside, and all the inside Avork, including floors, mantel- pieces, etc., is oiled. Dr. Chase has a thriving orange grove,. all kinds of fruits that will grow here, and a fine vineyard on his place. Mrs. Chase has a fine collection of flowers, of which she kindly furnished me the following list : Mock lemon, mag- nolia, fuscata, heliotropes, empatoriums, carnation pinks, golden pyrethrums, thirteen varieties of jasmine, mock orange, ancubas,. including gold-dust tree of Japan, Japan lilies, trumpet lily, &8ven varieties of hibiscus, poinciana gilliesii, royal poinsettias- pulcherrima, several varieties berberry, including japonica, several palms, three varieties of dentizias, seven varieties of spi- reas, century plants, variegated weigelia rosea, several varieties- of snt w-ball, tea-scented olives, purple fringe tree, also the white,, burning bush, allamanda, ampelopsis bsi'tchii, bonvardias, gera- niums, emphorbia splendens, California fern, ice plant, cen- taureas, cinerarias, camelias, enyonymus (silver), clerodendrons,, daphne, chrysanthenms (Chinese), india-rubber tree, lantanas (white, buff* and orange), lanustinus, plumbago, larpent^e, sal- vias vincas, sweet violets, pansies, yuccas, Spanish bayonets,, arbor vitae, petunias, quite a number of varieties of climbing- vines, and last, but not least, one hundred and twenty-five varie- ties of ever-blooming roses, some of the finest of which are Mare- chal Niel, Perle des Jardens, Malmaison, Niphetos, Marie Guil- lot, Mme. Margottin, Letty Coles, Sombienil Mme. Lambard., Michael Saunders, La France, Beauty of Stapleford, Gen. Jac- quimenot, and several budded roses containing several colors on one bush. Also double white and j^ink oleanders and white and pink crape myrtles. The rarest stove, green-house and hot-house plants of the- North, together with tropical plants, may be seen growing in Mrs. Chase's yard, in the open air, with but little or no protec- tion. Immediately east of Dr. Chase's, is situated the one hun- dred acre grove of the "Lake Weir Company." This company HISTORY OF LAKE AVEIE. 311 was formed by Mr. E. B. Foster, from Westerly, R. I., in the- spring of 1881. Mr. Foster came herein February, 1876, home- steaded a 2:)laee and put out a twenty-two acre orange grove... which is no%v beginning to bear. The "Lake Weir Company" was formed with a capital of $50,000 and chartered under the laws of Rhode Island, Mr. Foster putting in one hundred and fifiy-two acres of land containing grove for a certain portion of the stock. Most of the stock-holders of this company live ini Westerly, R. I. The officers are as follows ; President — Charles E. Hill, New York City. Vice-President — I. B. Crandall, Westerly, Rhode Island. Secretary — J. B. Foster, Westerly, Rhode Island. Treasurer — Henry Foster, Independence, Kansas. Manager of Groves — E. B. Foster, South Lake Weir, Florida.. This compan}" now has out 100 acres in orange and lemon trees, containing 7,500 orange and 2,500 lemon trees. They also have five acres in nursery stock, tw^o years old. This is the largest grove on the lake. The manager, Mr. E. B. Foster, is a . thorough business man, and will make a success of the groves. On the southwest corner of the "Lake Weir Company's" is. located the store of W. P. Foster & Bro., and also South Lake. Weir postoffice. All the people living from Mr. Ed. Williams' place to this pointy. and for some distance beyond it, get their- mail at this office. Mrs. B. B. Ricker is the postmistress. She: is from New Hampshire. Her husband, who was far advanced, in consumption, came to Lake Weir in November, 1877, and his- wife and child follow^ed him in May, 1878. They homesteadedi a desirable place and proceeded to have a house built and to put out an orange grove. Some months after coming here Mr.. Ricker died, since which time Mrs. Ricker has had the entire, charge of her place and grove. She now has out 600 trees, and has succeeded in making one of the best groves, for its age, on Lake Weir. She also has charge of 1,000 trees for three other parties, all of which are in a thrifty condition. She also has out on her place pears, plums, peaches, grapes and pineapples, be- sides tropical fruit trees of different kinds. She has had fine- success with pineapples. There is no better postmisti*ess in Florida than Mi-s. Ricker. Adjoining and lying northeast of the grove of the " Lake Weir Company " is the forty-acre grove 32 HISTORY OF LAKE WEI I!. of the " Akron Orange Grove," belonging to a conipany of stock- holders living in Akron, Ohio. This grove is under the eiRcient management of Mr. E. Gillett, who is succeeding admirably with it. Beginning at the northeast corner of Dr. Chase's land, which fronts on the j^ublic road, and proceeding eastward, you have on the right hand side of the road almost a continuous grove for a mile or more. The settlement of South Lake Weir is composed of most excellent citizens, and is in a thriving and prosperous condition. The people are enterprising and public-spirited. They have wisely laid off quite a number of broad avenues, pub- lic roads and drives. The citizens are devoting nuich attention to home ornamenting and beautifying. A ]:)right future awaits South Lake Weir. I regret that I could not minutely describe every grove and residence, but that was impossible. We will how entrust ovirselves to the guidance of Mr. Ern- est N. Perrin and complete our circuit of the Lake. FROM MR.C. LPORTERS'STO MR JAMES jOSSELYN'S It is allowed by common consent that Lake Weir is the most beautiful lake in Florida. This is affirming a great deal, since Florida is full of lakes, and many of them are remarkable for their beauty and picturesqueness. Were the appreciation and admiration of Lake Weir confined to those dwelling upon its shores, all that we might say of its varied charms could have but little weight with the general public. But when travelers and strangers from the four quarters of the globe, gazing for the first time upon the wide sweep of its waters, stand arrested and spell-bound, as with the force of a new revelation ; when those who visit its shores depart only to return again and again, and delight in giving the most enthusiastic accounts of its envi- rons, one is forced to believe that there is something unusual and extraordinary in the very breeze which blows over it. And truly there is. Whatever of rivalry may exist between the north and south shores, there is no dis-agreement as to the general charac- teristics of the Lake as a whole. Indeed, the two sides may ad- mire each other, as they certainly do, for the differences which go toward making up their individuality, as well as for the com- mon excellences. If the hammock lands on the north side are more numerous and more beautiful in their grand luxuriance, the heights and bluffs of the south side have a more command- ing view of the lake waters, and offer many more striking sites for the building of fine residences. Particularly is this the case 34 HISTORY OF LAKE AVEIR. with the striji of land of which we propose to treat in this paper. Beginning from Mr. Porter's place, after passing a broad- bay, the shore land gradually rises until it culminates in the steep bluffs forming the front of Mr. Moon's property. This is undoubtedly one of the finest stretches of shore land on the lake. Leaving the Guion and Jillett bluffs, and passing another small bay, we come to the Rapallo property, which has half a mile of splendid shore land, not so high, however, as Mr. Moon's. Capt. Ly tie's hammock and grove form a break here in the general monotony of pine land. The features of this j)icturesque place suggest many sites on the north side. With a bay between, Mr. Henry T. Spooner's proj)erty follows next. This has a superb lake front, with bluffs some thirty feet in height. A continuous line of bluffs stretches then for more than a mile, as far as Mr. James Josselyn's. These include property belonging to the Per- rin and Spooner families, the Baron Von Feilitsch, the Count Vincent d' Equevilley, Messrs. Hodgson, Waite, Snow and Ger- ald. On Mr. Hodgson's extensive property, known formerly as the Anthony place, is the spot originally set apart for the lake hotel, a commanding height overlooking the entire sweep of Lake Weir. To Mr. C. L. Porter, from New Hampshire, belongs the honor of being the first settler on the south shore of Lake Weir. He came down and located here on the 4th day of July, 1874, and was followed by his wife and family in February, 1875. At an early date the Porters wrote letters for the press, calling at- tention to this section of the kState. Travelers, losing their way in the pine woods, often dropped in upon them for shelter, and - were invariably charmed with the lake. Mr. Porter justly lays, claim to having brought most of the present residents, either di- rectly or 'indirectly, to the southern shores of Lake Weir. He and his family have resided here continuously for the last nine years and have enjoyed most excellent health, though they had much sickness previous to coming here. Mr. Porter and his son have out about thirty acres in grove, owning two island groves in Lake Weir, and having more lemon than orange trees. Several years ago he sold land for $35 per acre, but within the Inst year and a half he has sold six acres on the bay to Mr. Ed. Foster- HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 35' for $500 per acre. His liandsonie new house, one of the finest and largest on the lake, was completed last January. It is. painted Oriental drab with olive trimmings. Mrs. Porter has a fine collection of flowers, somewhat similar to that of Mrs. Chase. She says she had rather protect the tender plants from the slight cold we have here than to shield the hardier ISTorthern plants from the rays of the sun. So much for the tropical climate of" Lake AVeir. In j\Iarch, 1875, the Jos&elyn brothers, James and. Charles, from Brookfield, Massachusetts, homesteaded and im-- proved places on the lake. In 1880 James Josselyn sold to Mr.. Henry P. Gerald two and a half acres of his old grove Avith thirteen acres of unimproved land for $1,300. In May, 1882,. Mr. Josselyn sold the remainder of his 150 acres, together with all improvements, to Mr. Hodgson for $18,000, who bought also at the same time thirty-two acres of the Anthony place, which will be put out in trees next winter. In 1882 the Baron Von Feilitsch bought ten acres from Mr. Anthony for $2,000.- This was divided into two equal divisions the same season and five acres sold to the Baron's brother-in-law, the Count Vincent de Equevilley, for $1,250. Messrs. F. C. Bufilim, Jno. Moon, J. B. Wilbur and E. B. Foster came to Lake Weir about the same time in 1876. Mr. Buffum is from Maine, Mr. Moon' from Pennsylvania, and Messrs. Wilbur and Foster from Rhode Island. Messrs. Buffum and Moon spent some time in traveling over Florida and were about to return home with- out locating, when they happened to visit Lake Weir, of which they had heard before. Fascinated with its beauty and loveli- ness, they immediately decided to settle upon its inviting shores. Mr. Buffum noAv has a pretty home and a beautiful ten acre orange and lemon grove, many of the trees bearing. He also has a large store and does a jprosperous business. Captain F. H. Lytle, from Tennessee, located on Lake Weir in November, 1876. He now" has out, in connection with his sons, over fifty acres in orange and lemon trees. Capt. Lytle's home grove is of the same age as Mr. BufFum's and about the same size. It is on hammock land, however, of the best quality, while Mr. Buf- fum's grove is planted on pine land. About September, 1877, the Guion brothers, from J^Tew York City, appeared on the lake.. They bought land, ten acres each, a quarter of a mile back from-. ::36 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 'the shore, at ten dollars per acre. This was set out in orange and lemon trees in about equal proportions. There are now •some five hundred trees in each grove, ranging from one and a -half to five years old. A little over a year ago they purchased five .acre lake fronts from Mr. Moon at seventy dollars per acre, and 'On these, each has made himself a pleasant home with a fine gar- ' *den. The house of Mr. H. C. Guion is a neat, one story building, containing three rooms and a kitchen. The reception room has a high ceiling, handsomely paneled in oiled pine. The residence of Mr. T. F. Guion, completed last May, is built in the Queen -Anne style, with red roof and olive trimmings. It forms one of ;the most showy and notable cottages overlooking Lake Weir. To prove the value of water protection and the excellence of his location, Mr. H. C. Guion instances a sugar apple and a sappa- dillo, both tender tropical plants, which have stood the coldest winter known here in five years without being touched by frost. The same success has attended him in his efforts to raise the :tamarind and guava. As an illustration of the sudden rise in value of real estate on the south side of Lake Weir, we might note the experience of Mr. H. C. Guion. A year and a half ago he purchased six and a half acres fronting on Lake Weir, at fifty dollars an acre. In May last, this was sold to the Hon. -John M. Wiley, of Buffalo, N. Y., for twelve hundred dollars •cash. Immediately adjoining Mr. T. F. Guion's place on the .north is the property of Messrs. E. & W. W. Gillett. They are brothers and came to Lake Weir from Akron, Ohio, in the win- ter of 1877-78. Mr. E. Gillett, the manager of the "Akron Orange Grove Company," has been able, successfully, to raise the pineapple, guava, Peen-to peach and Japan persimmon- He also has charge of the grove of the Hon. David Buffum, deceased. Passing along the lake-shore in a north-easterly di- rection for a distance of about tAVO miles, we come to the resi- dence of Mr. H. T. Spooner. This gentleman is from Brooklyn, N. Y. He came to the lake some four years ago. His son, A. E. Spooner, the first of the family to come South, took out a homestead in 1876 on Silver Lake, half a mile back from Lake Weir. He now has bearing trees about his house. Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Spooner and their other two sons, H. T. and F. B. .Spooner, all have fine groves and valuable places. Part of their HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 37' land is pine and j^art hammock. In the winter of 1878-79, Miv Perrin was induced, through Mr. A. E. Spooner, to visit Lake Weir. On a later visit he brought a small steamer uj) the Ockla- waha River from Jacksonville, carried it across the country some four miles and placed it in the waters of Lake Weir. In 1881, as the agent of Judge Charles A. Rapallo, of New York, this gentleman purchased land on the lake and erected a fine steam saw mill at the place now known as Stanton. A steam- boat of larger proportions was constructed to run in connection with the mill, and to-day no less than two steam whistles en- liven the quietness of our lake scenery. With the advent of the Florida Southern Railroad, fresh life and energy will be infused into our community, and the business interests of the south shore will be materially advanced. The Perrin franily have in all, about seventy-five acres of land, fronting on the lake, of which thirty acres are planted in groves. Judge Rappallo has one hundred and seventy acres of continuous lake front, unimproved ,. with the exception of the saw-mill and a twenty acre grove . The tendency to-day is to plant groves on the back land and reserve the lake fronts for future places of residence. If the properties of Mr. James Moon and Judge Charles A. Rapallo, both so extensive, can be given up in the end to parties proposing to build handsome villas rather than to multijjly the now almost common-place oi-ange grove, a brilliant future may be predicted for the southern shore of Lake Weii'. In natural attractions it holds its own against any lake shore in the State. With the proper management, there can be no limit to the improvement of its lands and its ultimate career of beauty and usefulness. Ernest N. Perrin. Stanton has been laid off to some extent into a town, and already has two stores, a post-office, saw-mill, and a number of" tasty cottages and handsome residences. If wc mistake not, it was named in honor of Major Henry T. Stanton, of Frankfort,. Kentucky, the author of " Moneyless Man." Major Stanton is a relative of the Perrins, Mr. Stanton Perrin bearing his name. Mr. Stanton Perrin has charge of the saw-mill, carries on a large business in his store, and is also postmaster and justice of the peace. He is ably assisted in his multiplicity of business by his brothers, Messrs. E. 0. and E. N. Perrin. Stanton is fully upv -38 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. ■in progress with the communities of Lake Weir and South Lake Weir. Indeed, how could it be otherwise, with the the influen- tial Judge Perrin and his accomolished sons, the energetic and progressive Mr. BufFum. the determined and public-spirited Cap- tain Lytle, and many other .substantial and enterprising citizens •dwelling in the community? I conclude by proposing the toast, '•'Success to Stanton." DESCRIPTION OF SMITH'S, BOWERS', SILVER AND FIG LAKES, AND LAKE FAY, WITH GROVES AND RESI- DENCES ON THEM. Lying north of Lake Weir, and separated from it by a strip ■of land about one-fourth of a mile in width, is Bowers' Lake. Lake Weir Avenue runs between Bowers' Lake and Lake Weir. Bowers' Lake is about one and one-half miles long and one mile "wide. Passing along Lake Weir Avenue we come first to the grove of Mr. C. F. Benson, from Atlanta, Georgia. He came to Lake Weir in March, 1877. He now has a thriving grove of 1,000 orange and lemon trees, and also one-half interest in a ^rove of ten acres adjoining his place, the other half belonging to Mr. L. J. Trottie, of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Benson also has in a brief manner, j)ropose to answer in regard to Lake Weir. Our universally admitted advantages of health, beauty of loca- tion and society are apt to throw ■ into comparative obscurity this topic of the general head— Inducements. In fact, those who, by reason of location in a rival commu- nity, have a prejudice against Lake Weir, finding that they must admit its health, beauty, etc., say, "Ah! but its lands are so poor" ; thinking by this report to turn away all but men of capital, who come to Florida for some other reason than to make money. Now, to the industrious, orderly, moral poor man we say "Come." Come first yourself, and see for yourself, and then, if you are not ready to admit that ours is a jDrosperous and thriving community as well as a choice one, take your family elsewhere. We invite investigation, and are willing to abide bv the verdict of intelligent business men. I know that some are ready to say that, if our lands are reputed poor, they must to some extent he poor ; that wdiere there is smoke, some fire must be ; that people form opinions at the suggestion of truth. Well, to such of them as are influenced by no second motive, we are 68 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. ■willing to frankly admit that ours are not as good farming lands as some of the low-lying, unhealthy hammocks that are to be so carefully avoided by all, except the most hale. That there are jjlaces better adaj)ted to the growth of cotton, corn, cane and chills than Lake Weir, we will not deny; for it is the avowed purpose of this book to give information and tell the truth, and if anything, which makes against our reputation, ought to be told, it shall be told. "Honest}^ is the best policy," — Lake Weir, the best place. Although ours is not the best farming country in the State, yet the production of annually planted crops has paid, is now profitably engaged in, and will continue to pay in our midst. But what man, unless something else determines his action, would leave the great wheat farms of the Northwest, the ■corn and tobacco fields of Tennessee and Kentucky, or the rice plantations of South Carolina, and come to any portion of Florida to farm ? While we can very favorably compare with the Eastern and some of the Southern States in this line, it can- not be denied that Florida is far below some of the States of the Union for general farming purposes. But, for raising oranges and other members of the citrus family, we challenge the com- petition and admiration of the Avorld. And what Florida is in this respect to the rest of the world. Lake Weir is to Florida — the pride of orange men. What has just been said applies to farming in general. Truck farming is fast developing — yea, has already developed — into one of the leading industries of this most industrious State. The time is not far distant when Flori- da will far excel all other States in the producing and shipment of early vegetables. Now in this Lake Weir can show a most satisfactory report. Large quantities of tomatoes, squashes, cu- cumbers, etc., are shipped annually. Melons are also raised in great quantiti'^s and of the finest flavor; but as yet no one has engaged in their shipment. Several are contemplating a large planting this winter, when we shall have better railroad facili- ties. When the Florida Southern Kailroad shall have been completed to the lake, which will be in a few weeks, the oppor- tunities for rapid shipment will be largely increased, and con- sequently this branch of business will be proportionally enlarged. To thos3 commercially interested there is every inducement to come to this neighborhood. At present there are around the HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 59 lake four stores of general mercliaiidise, two saw-mills, one of them being also a well appointed planing mill, and three post- offices. Q,uite a town is springing up around Lake Weir, hav- ing for its public square the most beautiful lake in all this sunny Southland, with a new and jaunty steamer for its omnibus, and numerous smaller boats for private carriages. The numerous and thrifty groves of oranges, lemons and limes will prevent this from being a city compacted together closely, like others ; but the advantages of both the city and country will unite to make this one of the most charming places on the continent. When two railroads shall embrace us and two steamers ply between, we shall have all that is desired in the way of transportation, and our present encouraging business out-look will, of course, be more encouraging. W. D. TURXLEY. Lake Weir. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF LAKE WEIR. Viewed from a social stand-point, Lake Weir has many at- ' tractions. The most of the people who have settled on its shores came from old and long settled commnnities. They are, in the main, well educated, cultured, refined and hospitable. Though gathered together from many different States and countries, they dwell together on Lake Weir in peace and unity. Out of the one thousand or more people who have settled on Lake Weir and in the immediate vicinity, nearly all are en- iraged in fruit-growing. Satisfied with their business, and full of "confidence for their future, a more hopeful, prosperous and happy people cannot be found. The citizens are energetic, in- dustrious and public-spirited. In each of the settlements the so- cial ties are strong. In a new community the people,. in their intercourse with one another, are not fettered by many of the formalities of older places. Here the principal requirement for recoo-nition is a good character. Without this one cannot enter the best society; with it he will find a hearty welcome. The present improvements on the lake will not furnish entertainment for those who are strictly society people. Their expectations and demands cannot be fully met until hotels and public buildmgs are constructed in the most approved methods of modern archi- tecture, and controlled by talent that understands the art of making one comfortable and contented. Glimpses of these have already been obtained, and it is said that in the near future they will become realities. The entertainments given by the HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 61 young ladies and gentlemen are equal in elegance and refine- ment to those of any of the country towns and villages North or South. The advantages Lake Weir affords for individual enter- tainment and culture are daily improving. There is already started the nucleus of a j^ublic library ; a lot has been secured, and a building of modest pretensions will soon be erected. Fif- teen hundred volumes have been donated, and those who have charge of the enterprise are confident that the number will soon be increased to thousands. There are three public schools on or near the lake ; these are under the charge of competent teachers. Dr. Thos. W. Tobey, a minister of the Baptist Church, formerly a missionary to China and late professor of languages in Shorter College at Rome, Georgia, will in October next open a seminary for a limited, number of young ladies. He will be assisted by his wife, Avho Avas also a teacher in Shorter College. This is only the beginning of what Ave hope may soon be an institution of learning equal to any in the South. There are five " clubs " on the lake : " The Pioneer Reading Club," of the east side, " The South Side Reading Club," and " The Lake Weir Reading Club," " The Stephens Debating Club " and " The Horace Club," of the north-AA'est side. The purpose of the reading club is social and literary enjoyment. The debating club is intended to provide the young men A\'ith opportunities to familiarize themselves AA'ith questions of local and national interest, to become more profi- cient in the art of speaking and versed in the laAA's that govern legislative assemblies and literary institutions. The Horace Club is composed of those Avho Avish to revicAv the classics, and noAv has seven members enrolled. Religious services are held CA^ery Sunday on some part of the lake. Tha Baptists have or- ganized, and Avill this AAanter erect a handsome church edifice. The RcA'. Mr Nash, of Ocala, preaches for them once a month, and Dr. Tobey also preaches for them occasionally. The Pres- byterians expect to build a church in the near future, and haA^e employed Re\\ Henry Yerger to preach for them. The mem- bers of the Christian Church have organized themselves into a congregation, and Avill also build a house of Avorship soon. Elder J. M. Streator is their pastor in charge. On the south side the ReA^ Mr. McMahon, of the Cumberland Pi-esbyterian Church, preaches once a month. Rca'. Samuel Scott, of the Methodist 62 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIE. Episcopal Church, has lately located on the north side, and preaches in the community occasionally. Thus Like Weir will be "well provided with churches and ministers. "You never will tinrl. Thoui^h you ti-avol afar, From the t)Id Rocky Mountains To where pj'rainids ai-e, A place more'delightful. Created to cheer. Than a home on the bluffs That look over Lake Weir. "They are beautiful spots In a beautiful clime. Where the health-,i>;iving breezes Arc almost divine. As thev come with tlieir kisses To comfort us hero In our d\vellin<>;s that stand ( )u t!ie shores of Lake Weir." E. P. TURLNKY. Jyike Weir. LAKE WEIR AS A PERMANENT HOME. The following letter from General Robert Bullock, clerk of the court of Marion county, and one of Florida's most promi-- nent citizens, requires no comment : OcALA, Fla., August i;>, 1883. Mr. T. M. Shackleford, Like Weir, Fla.: My Dear Sir: — I understand you are preparing for publi- cation a description of Lake Weir, its ]-esources and advantages. I heartily approve of the enterprise, as it will be the means of attracting attention to a section that heretofore, from its isola- tion, has been little knoAvn. I first became acquainted with Lake Weir more than thirty-five years ago, and from my first sight of it I passionately admired it for. its surpassing beauty alone. But the fruit from cracking, is not yet seen by our fruit-growers, but it will certainly force itself upon the fruit sections at no distant day. 80 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIK. Some plow the groves the first year out. Where ground is very rooty a jumping coulter is used in front of the bull-tongue or twister on the same stock. Others use the hoe only, the first year, to keep grass and weeds down, and by the next year many of the small roots have rotted and the land is more easily plowed. I am not as much of an advocate noAV as formerly of planting peas in the grove between the rows as a -fertilizer. If planted at all, it would be the second and third years. During the first year let the sourness be worked out of the new land. The two following years peas can be j)lanted several times during the year and turned under the best you can, just before they begin to run. The Georgia clay stock running pea is best for this purpose. After the third year the young tree roots will have filled the ground pretty well, if trees have done as ^ they should do, and it will be impossible to plow deep enough to turn under pea-vines without disturbing many of the orange tree roots. I object to letting the vines cover the ground and remain until fall; for it brings the tree roots near the surface and makes the destruction of orange roots very great when you put the plow in again, enough to over-balance the benefit derived from the vines. And you are sure to get a big seeding of grass and weeds, in spite of all you can do. Unless you have started your grove upon extra good, rich land, the trees will have to be fertilized. My experience with fertilizers has been very limited, but, from what I can learn, natural, home-made manures, or those composted at home and of which you know the ingredients, are to be much preferred to any ready-mixed commercial fertilizers. Be careful not to let your trees get a stunt, which they are more likely to do the first year; for it is a hard matter to ever get them into a vigorous growth again. If you have used sweet seedlings, do not have but one stem or body to the tree, and keep all water-shoots off near the ground, Prune very little until the trees are almost ready to bear, then prune up four or five feet, or as you like, and, if necessary, thin out small dead branches inside. If you are making a budded grove, you Avill have to begin pruning early to make pretty symmetrical trees. They are more inclined to make straggling, lop-sided trees than HISTORY OF LAKE WEIE. 81" seedlings. If your trees have buds in them when put out, so much the better, but, if you have just put out the stock and in- tend budding afterwards, my plans are as follows: I like a stock of about four feet in height to start with. AVhen the stocks are from one-fourth up to one inch in diameter, it is well enough to put the bud in the main body, if the tree has not been kept vigorous and not allowed to become hard and bark-bound. Most of the trees of this size put out in groves are best budded the following year after put out. Very little is gained in bud- ding trees of this kind the first year, unless they are extra vigorous. Where the stock is from one inch up in diameter, I prefer budding into a new shoot near the top of stock, two or three of such shoots having been permitted to grow especially for this purpose. All the balance of the shoots on the tree hav- ing been kept off throws all the sap into these special shoots, and buds are much more likely to take in such wood and make fas- ter growth than when budded into the main stock. The larger tke stock, the sooner you will get buds to take in them ; they have more vitality than smaller trees. I use as many eye buds as possible and only use sprig buds to save wood, or where the eye buds cannot be used. For eye buds I cut the slot out the tree in T shape, but with the T inverted. When the bud is put in, this sheds the water more than when the cross line is cut above, instead of below, and the bud is less lia- ble to sour and die ; that is where you do not use wax, and I do not. The sprig bud does not take so well, makes an uglier limb and, where trees are to be removed, is much more liable to be broken out than an eye bud. I like good round wood for bud- ding ; about the size of a lead pencil is the best size for most purposes. Beginning with the butt end of the twig, so as to get the bud in the tree with the eye up, I try to cut buds about an inch long using the wood until it begins to get angular for eye buds ; the balance of the limb I either use for sprig buds or throw away, depending to a certain extent how scarce budding wood is. If budding sprig buds during the rainy season, I push the sprig up and around the stock, instead of down- ward, as is generally practiced. This avoids leaving a pocket to catch water and sour the bud. In budding from February to 82 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. October, I find February, August and September to be the most successful months. I never use wax or waxed cloth, strings or rags for ties for eye buds, but use the heart leaves of palmetto, after having been dried by sun or fire enough to make them pli- ant. They are not so liable to water-sob buds as rags, to cut into thrifty trees as strings, nor as ti'oublesome and expensive as waxed rags. Force out your buds by topping off tree or shoots five or six inches above the bud, and with a knife cut out all the natural eyes of the stock that are above the bud. If you can- not force the buds out by the first of August, it would be best to let them remain dormant and start them early the next spring ; by forcing out late in the summer or fall they cannot harden up much before winter, and, if it should be a cold one, it might catch the buds napping. As soon as the bud has come out from five to eight inches and is liable to be blown off, cut off the end two or three inches. This hardens up the bud and it puts out several branches. As soon as these get from eight to ten inches long, cut them off. Continue this cutting back for four or five times, or through the first year. It saves trouble in tying up the buds to stakes and makes a close and symmetrical tojD, more like a seedling. If the stocks should be in the nursery do not top and leave in nursery longer than ten days before taking up. If you do, then leave them for another season, and two years would be better. I think this accounts for many budded trees, with buds from a few months to a year old, not doing so well, taken from nurseries when the buds have been forced out by tak- ing the top off the stock. If you are anxious to force out buds before taking up trees, then, if you will cut the stock two-thirds or three-fourths off a tew inches above the bud and bend it down on the opposite side from the bud and take all the eyes out of the stock above the bud, you will generally force the bud with- out the bad results of an entire top-oft'. However, if on account of the trouble in working bent down trees when in a nursery, or for any other reason, it suits you better to top off' the stock en- tirely, then, when topped, take a large tree chisel or long shai'p spade and cut most of the lateral roots around the tree, just as if you were taking the tree up, but leave the taproot uncut. Healthy trees are all Avell balanced as to tops and roots, and when you cut HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. 83 the tops off and leave them Avithout cutting the roots any, the roots will die off, so as to restore the equilibrium between the top and roots, and in so doing will, to a certain extent, become dis- eased. When root-pruned as above, or taken up and trans- planted, the top and roots are nearly balanced and they are soon ready to assist each other in their natural way, without any shrinkage of sap-vessels in the tree or roots, Avhen there is too much top for the roots, or gorging of sap-vessels when there are too many roots for the top. Xow, by the time a^ou have worked Avith your grove long enough to have given most of the suggestions in this article a practical test, your grove Avill have been a success or failure ; and by that time you will have learned many practical things and unlearned many more pet theoretical ideas, that you once had about making a grove, etc. You will then be so elated over your success, or dejected over your failure, that farther sugges- tions in either case from any source Avould be of little use, E. L. Carney. Lahe Weir. In conversation Avith Mr. Carney, he informed me that an orange grove in full bearing ought to yield a return of $1,000 per acre. Instead of being an unreasonable, extravagant esti- mate, he says that this is a moderate and rea'sonable one. He has trees not in full bearing that produce 1,000 oranges to the tree. As remarked before, Mr. Carney's oranges haA^e netted him, on an aA^erage, two cents jaer orange. This giA^es him a re- turn of $20 per tree for his oldest trees. I knoAV that this ap- pears to be a fancy calculation, but Mr. Carney demonstrates every year that it is real and practicable. He does not claim that every orange groA^e in Florida Avill pay this Avell, but that, all the conditions to orange culture being faA'orable, Avith good trees and a choice A^ariety of oranges to start Avith, by giving them proper care and attention, an orange groA-e can be made to pay this Avell. He has no fears Avhatever of the OA'er-production of choice oranges and the consequent decrease in prices. But he would earnestly advise those Avho are about to start an orange gi'ove, to plant none but the very best varieties of oranges, if they Avish to ahvays receive fancy prices for their fruit. I have not 84 HISTORY OF LAKE WEIR. the space here to discuss this question of the over-production of oranges, but will state that I fully agree with Mr. Carney upon this subject. The reader will find this question ably discussed by other writers. Lemon culture is quite as profitable as orange culture. The lemon tree is tenderer than the orange tree and cannot be grown as far north ; consequently, the area in Florida that can be devoted to lemon culture is smaller than the orange area. The lemon tree is a more rapid groAver and a heavier bearer than the orange tree. Mr. Carney is one of the pioneers in lemon culture in Peninsular Florida, and is a firm believer in the culture of lemons for profit. He informed me that he had a lemon tree on his homestead that was put out four years ago last winter, a dormant bud and a one-inch tree. Last Avinter he gathered one thousand lemons from it. Of course this tree had done exceptionally Avell, and will not do to be taken as an aver- age tree. The forty -five acre lemon grove on Lemon Island, the twenty-five acre lemon grove of " The Lake Weir Company," and various other smaller lemon groves, prove that the Lake Weir country is not too cold for lemon culture. When our orange and lemon groves are bringing in such handsome returns and our truck farming paying so well, is it strange that Ave should prefer arboriculture and horticulture to agriculture ? MARKET-GARDENING ON LAKE WEIR. For want of proper transportation, market-gardening on Lake Weir has thus far been carried on only to a limited extent. Enough, however, has been accomplished to demonstrate be- yond any doubt that, with two railroads giving us cheap, quick transportation, vegetables can and will be grown here hence- forth to great advantage and profit. The light, loamy ham- mock land On the lake is the gardener's beau-ideal of vegetable soil, and the wonderful growth that all vine crops make on it, without any fertilizers, proves that it is pre-eminently adapted to vegetable growing. And, when properly enriched, the pine lands have produced as fine vegetables as any market can boast. All authorities on market-gardening tell us that "no soil is naturally rich enough to produce first-class vegetables without manure." Peter Henderson, the great New York gar- dener, in his book on "Gardening for Profit," tells us that he ap- plies from " a thousand to twelve hundred pounds of Peruvian guano or seventy-five tons of stable manure to one acre," and that too on land that he has been enriching at the same rate for many years. Thus we see that natural fertility is of secondar}^ consideration. Peter Henderson also tells us that "up North" a market-gardener's success dejieuds almost entirely upon his proximity to cities; that "a gardener had better pay $50 or even $100 rent per acre for land near a good market, than have the same class of land a few miles off for nothing." Water is to 86 HISTOllY OF LAKE WEIR. the Florida gardener what the city is to his Northern brother; for his chances ofsuccess vary according to his proximity to and facilities for aj^plying an abundance of water to his grow- ing crops. About three in five years the seasons are propitious, and vegetables are grown all over the State to perfection; but about two out of five years a dry spell strikes the. crops just at the critical period, when they are beginning to put on fruit, and all such vegetables as cucumbers, beans, &c., very soon succumb and often prove a total failure. But, with plenty of manure and plenty of water, success is as certain as taxes, and a Florida Revenue Collector never .fails to pay his annual respects. Sever- al years ago, when we had to depend on the Ocklawaha steamers for transportation. Captain Carney planted one-third of an acre in tomatoes and netted seventy dollars from the same. Carney's success shook us all up , like a galvanic battery, and even the old fogies began to prick up their ears; for our groves Avere young and paying nothing, but sucking uj) what little capital we had. It was certainly a hard time then, for it was often dif- ficult for us to tell where the next barrel of flour was coming from. We thought Carney had solved the problem, and conse- quently the next year everyone rushed into vegetables. How- ever, we reversed Peter Henderson's mode of applying manure, and, instead of applying seventy -five tons to one acre, we applied one ton to seventy -five acres. Yet, surprising to say, we all made good crops of very fine vegetables. Everyone had a smile on his face, and some old bachelors actually bought Sunday clothes and got married on the strength of their j)rospects. But, alas ! the steamboat gave the death blow to all our hopes. Instead of two boats a week, we had what the Irishman called a "^r^z-weekly** steamer, which went down one week and tried to get bach the next. We made the vegetables and shipped them by the hun- dred crates, but they were many weeks getting to market, and, consequently, we realized no money. Market-gardening was, of course, abandoned, and the newly married couples had nothing to live on but love and goj^hers. Last year the Tropical Peniii- sular Railroad was completed to within three miles of Lake Weir, and many planted vegetables again on a small scale with fair success. From $50 to $100 per acre was netted on tomatoes. HISTORY OF LAKE WEIE. 87 Oue gentleman planted an acre of cucumbers near the lake and rigged up an inexpensive, rude affair, with Avhich he could water his patch fronthe lake, and netted over two hundred dollars on his patch, while other cucumbers unwatered proved a complete failure on account of the drought. He knew little or nothing about gardening, and made several mistakes, applying only a few dollars' worth of very poor commercial fertilizers, and mak- ing the ground up into high beds or ridges, thereby causing the water to run off almost as fast as apjDlied. Early cucumbers sell at from $4 to $6 per crate, and one acre, properly fertilized, worked and watered, will make several hundred crates of first-class cu- cumbers. There is no doubt in my mind that an experienced gardener, with plenty of fertilizers and water, can, on Lake Weir, net one thousand dollars per acre on cucumbers. I say on Lake Weir, because it is an acknowledged fact that tender vegetables are less liable to be injured by a cold snap on the lake than even a few miles from it. The lake being very deep, a warm vapor rises from it that often carries tender vegetables safely through a cold snap, when they are injured, and even killed, many miles south of us. For example, in 1877, orange trees at Tampa were reported badly ni]3j)ed by the cold, when the tenderest lemon buds on Lake Weir showed no sign of cold. It is, therefore, safe to calculate that the gardener on Lake Weir would get his ten- der vegetables into market a week or ten days before his neigh- bors, and early vegetables always command fancy prices. To- matoes are the staple, crop, for, while they never pay fancy fig- ures, like cucumbers, onions, etc., they can be safely counted on, with proper management, to pay from $50 to $150 net per acre. Snap beans pay about like tomatoes, and the crop is made and over with in two months. I have seen no onions grown for mar- ket on Lake Weir, but my neighbor, Dr. Thomson, planted some of the Bermuda onion seed, of Dr. Tucker's importation, for home use, and raised some of the finest onions I ever saw, of both the red and Avhite variety. Last fall the Rev. Mr. Scott rented three acres of land on Lake Weir, Avhich he planted in tomatoes and watermelons. He told me that he netted $300 on his crop. Mr. T. F. Wright, Judge Benson, and many others have succeeded quite as well at market gardening as any I have 88 HISTORY OF L'AKE WEIR, mentioned, but the above is sufficient to shoAV what can be done, and is written in no manner of boasting, for we have certainly- made a botch of it. An experienced gardener Avould laugh at our efforts, and be sorely jDuzzled to know how, with our rude cultivation and rough handling, we could clear expenses. Na- ture has certainly bestowed her richest blessings on Lake Weir with a lavish hand. What more could a market gardener want in the way of land and location than one of the beautiful bluffs or gentle slopes that surround this lovely lake of clear, crystal water, from which he can draw a never-failing supply? Here he can render himself independent of the fickle and capricious seasons, and can enjoy perfect health, free from all malarial dis- eases, with facilities of cheap and quick transportation, and veg- etables selling for as much per crate as oranges, with advantages of excellent schools, churches and good society, with his pockets full of money, and his happy, healthy, rosy-cheeked children romping around him. In conclusion, I will answer a question that has been asked hundreds of times. " How can a man sup- port himself and family on Lake Weir until he can bring an orange grove into bearing?" Heretofore the answer has been, " I don't know. If you have not money enough to live on for eight years, stay where you are." But the Tropical Peninsular and Florida Southern railroads enable us now to give a very dif- ferent answer. Plant vegetables. If a man has enough money to buy ten acres on Lake Weir, clear, fence and set it out in orange or lemon trees, and build a cottage, and then has not enough energy to plant melons, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., between the tree rows, and derive therefrom a handsome living for himself and family, he is certainly a worthless fellow, and does not deserve to live anywhere. Eespectfully, Alfred Ayer. GRAPE CULTURE ON LAKE WEIR. T. M. ShacJdeford, Esq.: Dear Sir : — At your request, 1 seud you a few lines giving briefly my experience in cultivating the grape here on the lake. Five years ago last fall, in 1877, I brought a few Delaware and Concord vines with me from Nebraska, and early in the follow- ing spring, as soon as the brush and timber could be cleared away, planted them where they now stand. They made a fair growth without fertilizers. The vines were well cut back in the winter and the cuttings planted out. And here let me say that in Florida, with proper care, cuttings of the vine root freely, and you may count on more than double the number of vines from a given number of cuttings that you can either in the North or West. The vines were lightly fertilized and well cultivated, and gave us a few grapes the second year, and have continued to bear heavy crops ever since. In the meantime, I added other varieties, of which I will speak hereafter. For fertilizers, the sweepings of the yard and cow^ stable are excellent. Ashes are also good. Of the various commercial fertilizers, I prefer bone dust, containing from two to three per cent, of ammonia, apjjlied at the rate of from three hundred to five hundred pounds i)er acre, and cultivated in. If potash is needed and ashes cannot be obtained, the suljihate, or even the muriate, of potash, made fine and mixed with land plaster, or lime, and scattered lightly over the soil just before a rain, will answer. But these salts 90 HISTORY OF ]:ake weik. must be used with caution. Tiie Scuppernong family of grapes do well here with little care, requiring little or no pruning and only moderate cultivation and an arbor to run on. From a vine planted five years ago I gathered the other day, August the 6th, of the ripest, four bushel-'!, and did not take one-half of the grapes from the vine, the others being left to mature more ful- ly. They make excellent jelly, and are also very fine, when fully ripe, canned in the usual way. I am often asked if I have ever gathered two crops of grapes in one year? This question and some others I will answer by copying from notes which I have by me, a portion of which have already appeared in 1 he Florida Dispatch. During the first week of January, 1882, 1 cut from my vines three varieties of ripe grapes, the Goethe, Delaware and a variety the name of which is unknown to me. These grew during the fall and matured the first of January, no frost appearing to hurt them. In May and June following, not- witlistanding the sharp drought, I gathered a very heavy crop from the same vines, including also the Hartford Prolific, Dela- ware, White Sweetwater, Concord, Goethe, and others, and later, Agawam, Morton's Virginia and Reissling. The earlier varie- ties shed their leaves after fruiting, and rested about six weeks in July and August, during the rainy season, then started out fresh again and bloomed freely. Some vines matured the last of November from thirty to forty bunches, some a very few, and others none. My vines are growing on pine land, with no extra care, excepting good cultivation. I have never seen vines fruit better, either in the North or West, or produce larger or finer bunches, and though they are cut back to two, or at most three, buds every winter, they are apt to overbear. The leaf-roller is the principal enemy we have to contend with, and on the thick- leaved varieties must be closely watched. The most of my vines are from layers and cuttings, but I have grafted the Black Ham- burg, Muscat of Alexandria, Malaga, White SAveetwater and Riessling all on the wild " Bullace " root, and the most of them made a very remarkable growth, often sending out a main cane from twenty to thirty feet in length the first season, besides nu- merous side branches. The first three varieties named mildewed with me, though I used no remedies to prevent it. The White Sweetwater and Reissling have fruited heavily in less than IlISTOKY OK I.AKK WKII!. I>1 eighteen iiio)tths from the graft, iiiui, indeed, &ome have borne a few bunches Me same sea.'Jr. ^^ ^"" IE 1.^. LakE Wsir, Marian County, Flnrida. He has a few Choice Lots for sale. Apjily early 21 WEST BAY ST.. JACKSONVILLE. FLA , • „.„.>„,., PUBLISHERS. BOOKSELLERS. STATIONERS. PRINTERS ami BINDERS. AND DEALERS IN We have the most complete Book Bindery in the State^ Can Rule. Number or Pa-^lnd Perforate any job sent us. Blanks and Blank Books manufactured to ofder for Railroads. Steamboats, Hotels, Banks and Corporations. 'Iheruhn;? ol difflcult jobs a specialty. ^^^ puBLISH THE A 20-paKe Weekly Agricultural Journal, at only $3.00 per year. Devoted to South- ern Agriculture, Fruit Growing. Market Gardening, etc. This paper has the largest cfrculltion of any published in Florida Specimen copies free. Write for a copy. It is generally conceded we do the finest Job I'riutii.g in the State We have all the modern machinery and all new type. Can pnnt the smallest^Visitmg Card to the largest size Poster. Printing of Pamphlets a specialty, bend for prices.. LIST ODP BOOKIS 035r :FLOI^IX)J^- WARPOTTRT'S FRUITS OF ; TOURISTS' aND INVALIDS' FUmiFM (cltn, ...."..Price $1 00 REFERENCE BOOK OF MimaiLt/SUHANGECU ! ^V1^TER TRAVEL. For TTTRF tliH latest iind best Price 100' 18H2-3. with maps Pri.e .tO FLOmD-A-'^FSoUmlTS;' iRU.DETOJACK^O.VILL^ 25 INVALIDS AND Si-T | ORANGE CUL I L REIN C AL- TLERS (Barbour; profuse- .1 IFO^NIA. by A. T. Garey. FiioRl^'^rl^.-SOENERT-'""' ' ''^ ! A^A^AL OF GARDLNING^^"" ' ■" r-r UVIATE VnVhISTORY : in FLO kIDA ( Whimer) . . .Price .'SO pL^nL'^T'^. -'.':.':..".'.'''^^'^.'^ .Price 1 oO COLTON'S MAP OF FLOR- 'TFdwa™ ^;aJer''^'^''''''''Price 1 ..0 COLTON'S-MXp-OF FLOR:"^'"" "' FimrANKsPH^fsTORYOF'^'"'^ , - J. v^^.^ ITD^Tr^cn^RlTf .l.p'^™' ' '" TTTORTDA Price 2 i>0 NE^^ AND ACCu RAIL 31AJ:' TOUrIts'^ANU INvXlIDS' .,«r^|^''^^-^t^i?Iv7.mEST''""'' REFERENCE HOOK OF . .J '"^.^.^^t^J^v^ oF FT ORIDA WT \TH"R TRAVEL Price T.5 ' OF LAWS Ol* I'L.Ul-i.iDA SOUTH FLORID ^ . THE I V- \ J«\« ^^i^^H^fl^F D^ CMONS^'''"' ' ''" AL Y O F AM E RIC A Price 25 : INDEX TO r H E DECISIO N b DAVIS-ORANGECUL'IURE Rm^RTO^ FT oIlD^ Price i 00 SofJdr^"''^''^^' ^"%rico 50 n8?E.?f'r%I^SlPn^l2nD,On'^"" ' "^ MOoTE^f^oRANCiE'cUL:'^ ' ?^?T^f^f)^srOF sSl^rii TFTRF (new edition en- (iULFCOAbl Ob biUUI±l Kd and'Tmpmed)...... Price 1 00 ' FLORIDA. Its eHmate. soil OR.4.NGE INSECrS-IUustra- and productions (by Samuel _^^ ted (Ashmead) Price 1 ^ C|Jpham) ..._... ^^..Papei ,o HISTORY OF Sr. AUGUS- , .,- ^^^StnT HOMF Price 10 TINE (Dewhurst) Price \ 2r, \ NENT HOMI^. riict GUIDE'JOST. AUGUSTLNE AND FLORIDA (Bloom- 1 field) Price oO i ■ , <, ■ Any of the above books mailed on receipt ol price. A^IE-V^S OIF :FI.0E'I.I3^- . ^ iSenthymnil, postage free, on rec^'ipt <■/ ■ "'■^^' 111 Boob Form, Coiitaiiiiiig 13 Views JH^acli- Souvenir of Florida (small size)..' ... 25c I Souvenir o ' f^k.o"!'"^^ f;|« ^, % vg^ Scenes and characters of the Sunny Souvenir o^^!; Augustine (Irge size) .,0c South (small size ) 25c I Stereoscopic^\^i^v_s, pei doz *1 SO 10,000 copies ot^.^°h^.av? j^st been issued by ";;' '^"^^1'"^ f|,SESs rial s z ■ oiored views in a handsome cloth case, illustrating the different sections ""' 'Thi!^s\Ve'handsomest work of the kind ever published in Florida. Pri^e, by mail, postage fxee, .50c. Every one intere_sted in Florida should have a copy. Warranty Deed= ner doz^rTT .5Uc I Moi tgages, per doz •■ ■-• -'"l Qu1[-c^aim DiedV, ^er doz 50c | Nota^nal Seal Presses, made to ^_ ^^ We publish a full line of Law Blanks for^Lawyersi Jusiic^s of the Peace. Cir- cuit Courts, etc. Pric -list mailed on a pplication. OR.^NGE WRAPS. -Full count-^i^ieets to the ream.> 1^10. lie. per ream; 11x11, I7c. per ream ; 12x12. i9c. pei ream. M. A. DZIALYNSKI, WHfir.KSALK AM) UliTAll, DKALKK IN ri_-e Lists funiished on application. Special pi-ice.> t ) Diialers. State Agent CORTLAND WAGON COMPANY; Agant COLUMBUS BUG- GY COMPANY ; For the IMPROVED TENNES- SEE and STUDEBAKER DISSTON PURCHflSJ— 4,000,000 HCRES ! riORIDA LAND AND IMPROVEMENT COMPANl'. Lands for Sale at Government Price of $1.25 per Acre. In Blocks of Not Less Than 80 Nor More Than 64-0 Acres. rPHESE LANDS INCLUDE ALL VARIETIES OF UPLAND AND LOWLAND, -•- and are adapted to Oranges, l^fmons. JJaies, Pineapples l-iananas. Sugar Cai)e. Early Vegetables, etc., and are chietly in t lie counties of St. Johns, Volusia, Bre- vard. Orange. Sumter. Levy. Hernando, Hil'sborousih, Polk, Manatee and Monroe. Our Lauds are selling rapidly 'I housands of Settlers have located on Iheiii during the past six months. Do not delay ir vou want them at t-iv.sent low prices. W. T. FORB> S, liaiid Commissiuiier, .Tacksoiiville, Fla. T. H. ASBURY, President. HAMILTON DISSTON, Vice Pre.sident. T. W. PALMER, Secretary L. W. KLAHR, Treasurer. *^ OO tf>00 A^CRES CHi dCEST LOCATIONS FOR UESiDENCES AND "^ ^-"-^ ' ^-^ ^ ' ^-^ cultivation of Oranges, Lemons, Pineapples, Bananas, Co- <;oanuts, etc , in the counties of Orange, Brevard, Siiiiitcr, Polk. Hillsboroiigli, Manatee and Monroe. Sold in Quantities to Suit Buyers. Pi ices from $3.50 to $10 per acre, according to location and quality. TTiqciTMMh^F PTTV ( ^"^'"^^''s Lots $200 to $500. KlbMMMEEt.lli f Five-Acre Lots $300 to $500. W. T FORBES, Manager, Jackson viile. Fla. PIKE, CLICK & CO,, RECEIVERS AND PACKERS OF LORIDA ORANGES AND YEGETABLES. 344 Greenwich Street, - * " New York REFERENCES : R. S. Coiu.ver, Pauasofflcee Lake; J. T. Harris, Citra, Fla. ; John A. Pike, Panasoffkee Lake; R. J. Dean tt Co., Bankers, N. Y. FLORIDA SAVINGS BANK AND lE^E^L ESTATE EXIOHZ^nsrOE, JacliiBioiiville, Florida, HAS FOR SALE CHOICE LOTS, ORANGE GROVES AND WILD LANDS. ALLOWS INTEREST ON DEPOSITS, COLIKCTS llENTS AND INTEREST, NEGOTIATES LOANS, Etc. J. C. GREELEY, President. HENR Y S. ELY, Treasurer . aF'c.'SiTlZbIc^H^R: W. F. SlTLZBACHER. consrsic^isrnyniEisrTS sox,iciteid. PEALKRS IN AND SHIPPERS OF FRUIT, VECxETABLES, FISH AND OYSTERS. ■r08"FMrh/ Sfraivberries and Georgia Melons a Specialty.-^ 36 28, 30 and 32 N. Cherry Street, NASHVILLE, .... TENNESSEE. REFERENCES : First National Bank, Nasliville, Tennessee, or any Agent of South- ern Express Company. Of all the Liver llegiilators now in Use, EUREKA IS THE BEST. Try a bottle and if it does not give satisfact'on return tlic bottle and ■* get your money refunded. FOR SALE BY Druggists and Store-keepers in Ocala, and on Lake We:r, Fla. — AND— M. I>. HOOD & CO., - Wliolesale Agents, - Columbus, Georgia. Situated in South Lake Weir, in Sections 29, 32 and 30. All Rolling, good Pine Land, suitable for ORANGE GROVES AND OTHER FRUITS. High elevation, overlookin'j; the LaVe. Will be sold in tracts to suit. Groves set out and honestly eared for at reasonable rates. Address OCJ^L^^, ZFHiOI^ID.^. HARDWARE IN ALL FFS BRANCHES. CarpentGrs^ Tnnls, Bar IrDHj CutlEry^ Pumpsj Wagon Materials, Sasli, Doors and Blinds. Mouldings, Brackets, Etc. jNIost extensive T3rug Business in sixty miles of Lake Weir, and I made it such by adhering faithfully to my motto : :^inest Soods at Moderate Prices, All DrdErs, JLccDuipariied. by Praper EnclosiirB, vv1i.bii iliB PartiES ere nDt Favnradly Kncvv/n to me, will Pv.BCBi\^B Prainpt and CarBful AttBiitlDn, Soliciting- a generous patronago on the strength of iny motto, I am, respectfully, R. R. SIVO^^OEIV, r»lx. Oi-., Ooalu, Fla. A BUSINESS MAN'S BOOK 03Sr IF'I-.OI^ZID.A.. riORIDA STATE GAZETTEEP i # BUSINESS DIRECTORY- ■188^84, o iV ( ONTAINING THE NAME, BUSINESS AND ADDKESS OF KVERY MERCHANT, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS MAN, PRINCIPAL FARMERS AND LAND OWNERS, ORANGE GROVES AND PLANTATIONS, TOGBTHEB WITH A Sketch, of all Cities, Towns and Villages in tlie State and how- to reaoli them, hesides other valuable information. 600 :F-A.Q -ES- ^5,0Q0 ISTA-IV^ES, PRICE, --------. $5.00 Address orders to Box 1042. JACKSONVILLE, FLA. 59 W. Bay St., Jacksonville, Fla., B00I1S5 Stationery, Printing and Binding, TOYS, OOUe AND FANCY C00D8, Full Hr.e of all BOHOOT. BOOKS and SCHOOL SUPPLIES. Special Discount to Teachers. Orders from the trade particularly solicited. Satisfaction and Low Prices Guarauteed. A Specialty of OKA.]VOE TrUA-PS In all sizes— 10x10, 11x11, 12x12, of best stock at mill rates. I, will guarantee THE BEST WRAP for the least money. LIST OF 3Pr.OBtir>A BOOKS. Florida: For Tourists, Invalids and Set- tlers: best general work on the State $1.50 Florida: Its Scenery, Climate and His- tory; by Sydney Lanier 1.50 Bloomfleld's Historical Guide to St. Au- gustine,Halifax and Indian Rivers 50 8t. Augustine: Its History and Antiqui- ties; Fairbanks, (flex. $1.00) 1.25 Hlstoi-y of Florida: Fairbanks,(standard) „ 2.50 PeSoto and Florida: Shipp— large 8vo — Fine work 6.(t0 Orange Culture, by Garey — cloth .... 1.25 Moore's OrangeCuTture-(the standard) 50 How to Have an Orange Grove in Flori- da; Porter— just out— tho latest work on the subject 25 Gardening in Florida; "Whitner 50 Colton's New Sectional Map of Florida, revised for 1883, most accurate and best 1.25 Colton's smaller Map of Florid a 75 Map of St. JohuH River 8 feet long... 25 Florida: soil, climate and productions 25 A Seminole Tragedy in Florida; a true Indian narrative 10 Guide to Jacksonville 25 Conquest of Florida (Irving) 2.00 Petals Plucked From a Sunny Clime (with map $1.75) 1.60 South Florida: Italy of America Sunland on Manatee River; Gulf Coast— (Upham) 25 Tourists' and Invalids' Reference Book of Winter Travel 75 Palmetto Leaves (H, B. Stowe) 1.60 History of Lake Weir (Shackleford) CO Bt. Augustine; Bull 76 H^" Any of above, or any work published, sent, post free, on receipt of price. „.£. I'lie Largest and JVEost Goniplete Establishment] ^outli, -o- GEO, S. MUCKER & SON, {ESTABLISHED 1812,) Office ami .^a^ yf^^fflmUBMiilliSll Yards, Warersoms, King, ^^SB^K^^^^ UJl usHllI I lloSff "Wolfe Street a opposite l^i^^^o^^^^^^^^^lt sP^^Wl au(l Camion Street; ^j ^/. i .._TT^^^^^^fa J^^^ ^^^^^^^^p Raili'oact Avenue. MANUFACTURERS OF Boors, Sasli, Blinds, Mouldings and Building Materalls. oi^^HQE hJiii-^^ FOR ^Khz, — AT— SOUTH LSKE WEIR SND STSNTON. Some of the finest located lands around Lake Weir, lying immediately back of the Lake fronts, with fine building sites, commanding a good view of the Lake. Florida Southern Railroad Station within one-quarter mile. Land will be sold in lots to suit purchasers at Call on or address E. B. FOSTER, Soutli take Weir.