,,biscayne ,,bay1 ,,dade ,,co41 ,,florida1 ,between the #beth and #bfth ,degrees of ,latitude4 ,a ,,complete ,,manual ,,of ,,information ,,concerning ,,the ,,climate1 ,,soil1 ,,products1 ,,etc41 ,,of ,,the ,,lands ,,bordering ,,on ,,biscayne ,,bay1 ,,in ,,florida4 ,,albany3 ,,weed1 ,,parsons ,,and ,,company4 #ahgf4 ,,introduction4 ,the information contained in the following pages has been carefully collected almost entirely by ,mrs4 ,,james ,e4 ,,walker1 of ,albany1 ,n4 ,y4 ,the facts stated are but a small portion of the large amount of material in her possession4 ,the compiler has endeavored to give due credit to all by name whose statements are given1 so that none may suppose he has either drawn upon the resources of his imagination or appropriated the ideas and language of others as his own4 ,,henry ,e4 ,,perrine4 ,june1 #ahgf4 ,in our northern ,states there are thousands of health and pleasure seekers who every fall eagerly hasten away from comfortable and luxurious homes to escape the rigors of approaching winter4 ,of late years the current of travel has been constantly increasing1 being directed more and more toward that portion of our country which1 beyond dispute1 can now claim to be more healthful and free from disease than any other section of the ,union4 ,the statistics furnished by the ,surgeon-,general of the ,united ,states establish this fact4 ,he says3 8,the diseases which result from malaria are of a much milder type in the ,peninsula of ,florida than in any other ,state in the ,union4 ,these records show that the rates of deaths to the number of cases of remittent fever has been much less than among the troops serving in any other portions of the ,united ,states4 ,in the middle division of the ,united ,states1 the proportion is one death to thirty-six cases2 in the northern1 one to fifty-two2 in the southern1 one to fifty-four2 in ,texas1 one to seventy-eight2 in ,california1 one to one hundred and twenty-two2 in ,new ,mexico1 one to one hundred and forty-eight2 while in ,florida1 it is but one to two hundred and eighty-seven40 ,more will be said upon this subject further on4 ,the facts compiled in this little pamphlet with great care1 are not intended alone for the benefit of the invalid and mere seeker of pleasure4 ,they are to attract the attention of the large number of people who for many years have been struggling in the various avenues of business1 in our cities and large towns1 men whose earnings1 even if large in the aggregate1 have been each year swallowed up by the increased cost of living in these later days4 ,for those who would like a home in a more genial clime1 where they can1 by patient industry1 within from two to six years1 lay the sure foundation for a permanent income1 where the expenses of living are not more than about one-fourth as great as in the north1 these pages will surely be of interest and will repay them for the time consumed in their perusal4 ,the peninsula of ,florida extends abruptly from the main land of the continent1 in a direction a little east of south4 ,it is nearly #djj miles in length1 and has an average width of #acj miles4 ,its formation is peculiar4 ,every other peninsula in the world owes its existence to a central mountain chain1 which affords a stubborn resistance to the waves4 ,florida has no such elevations1 and mainly a loose1 low1 sandy soil4 ,it has another peculiarity4 ,it is said1 that at no other point in the world do the trade winds divide1 as at ,cape ,sable4 ,on the one hand1 passing up the east coast to the ,atlantic1 and on the west into the ,gulf of ,mexico4 ,this it is that produces that wonderful equability of climate1 that puzzles a northern man to understand1 why it should be so much cooler in summer than at the north4 ,the base of all southern ,florida is limestone1 not tertiary1 but modern and coralline4 ,this it is that prevents all miasma1 and this decomposed limestone with its admixture of vegetable mold1 makes the best soil in the ,united ,states for the introduction of tropical plants4 ,this it is1 also1 that causes the difference in fertility of this soil1 as compared with the siliceous sand of the more northern part of the ,state4 ,biscayne ,bay is located on the south-eastern coast of ,florida1 between the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth degrees of north latitude1 below the frost line1 and is included within the limits of ,dade county4 ,the following facts are quoted from the 8,florida ,settler and ,immigrants' ,guide10 prepared by ,dennis ,eagan1 ,commissioner of ,lands and ,immigration3 8,the climate of ,dade county is exceedingly agreeable and conducive to health4 ,the thermometer throughout the year shows a temperature of about seventy-five degrees1 the extremes being fifty-one and ninety-two degrees4 ,it is never visited by frost1 and the heat in midsummer is much less oppressive than at ,new ,york or places further north1 being tempered by the influence of the ,gulf ,stream1 which flows within a few miles of the coast4 ,the water is pure and good4 ,many fine springs are found in different parts of the country2 some of them mineral springs of considerable value4 ,the everglades1 which are within the limits of ,dade county1 simply consist of a shallow lake of vast extent--the water is from six inches to six feet in depth1 and teems with aquatic and semiaquatic plants1 which present to the eyes of the beholder a scene of perpetual verdure4 ,out of the surface of the lake rise innumerable small islands1 which are covered over with a growth of cypress1 sweet bay1 crabwood1 mastic1 cocoa palms1 cabbage palmetto1 and live and water oaks4 ,the waters abound in turtles1 fish1 etc4 ,around the margin of the everglades is a prairie1 from half a mile to a mile in breadth2 99 99 99 this prairie comprises some of the richest land to be found in the ,united ,states1 and has a productive capacity for every variety of vegetable life known in the tropics that is unsurpassed4 99 99 99 99 ,between the margin of the everglades and ,biscayne ,bay and ,barnes ,sound1 there is a strip of land from three to fifteen miles in breadth4 ,it is for the most part rocky pine land1 and some portions have a considerable elevation above the level of the ocean4 ,the deposits are oolitic and crystalline calcareous rock4 ,in the vicinity of the bay the land is covered with an undergrowth of sago palm1 called the coontie1 probably from the ,indian designation of the root4 ,it yields an excellent article of starch1 and also farina1 which cannot be distinguished from ,bermuda arrow root1 except by the aid of the microscope4 ,the soil is well adapted for the cultivation of sea island cotton1 which is here perennial1 and can be picked at almost all seasons of the year4 ,along the bay tobacco1 equal to the best grown in ,cuba1 can be cultivated0 7yielding from five to seven cuttings each year71 8while every variety of tropical fruit can be grown successfully4 ,the banana1 plaintain1 cocoanut1 guava1 sapadilla1 pomegranate1 mamma1 tamarind1 pine-apple1 lime1 lemon1 and citron4 ,limes are so abundant in some places that they literally cover the ground4 ,grapes ripen in ,may4 ,the finest varieties of fig are found in great abundance4 ,the olive tree yields an oil equal to the best of ,lucca4 ,the castor oil plant is also very productive1 and the ,sisal hemp of commerce1 from which the best of cordage is made1 is wonderfully abundant4 ,sugar cane grows to a great height1 and ratoons from seven to ten years4 ,the tomato gets to be a stout bush1 with hard1 woody stalk1 and bears continually4 ,biscayne ,bay abounds with a great variety of fish1 and is also the favorite haunt of the green turtle2 it here finds an abundance of the peculiar seaweed it prefers and on which it thrives and fattens1 and the water swarms with them4 ,key ,west offers a market for all that can be caught1 and turtle catching1 in this section1 is a most lucrative employment4 ,sponges are very abundant1 and a large trade is now carried on in ,key ,west in this article4 ,the sponges taken from these waters probably realize for the gatherers fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars per annum40 ,northern persons1 in going to this section1 must leave behind them all their preconceived ideas as to soil1 for they will find that the above-mentioned rocky pine lands are 8the very best0 for the cultivation of most of the tropical fruits1 but the prairie lands1 to use the language of ,col4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,williams 7the ,state agent for the survey and location of the lands granted to the ,state by the general government71 8are inconceivably rich1 beyond description10 and are well adapted to the growth of the most exhausting crops of sugar cane and tobacco4 ,l4 ,d4 ,,stickney1 says in his pamphlet on ,florida1 8,it is a great mistake to suppose that sugar cannot be made to advantage without the investment of large capital4 ,the cane produced on less than ten acres of ground1 is usually ground in a wooden mill1 which does not cost more than #ajj 7generally the work of the farmer himself71 while the juice is boiled in the common utensils of the kitchen1 or at best1 as the ,new ,england farmer manufactures his maple sugar4 ,the yield is usually greater1 in proportion to the stock worked1 than where the machinery has cost ten or fifteen thousand dollars6 ,cane is cultivated with more ease than corn1 not requiring so much hoeing4 ,from midsummer to the time of harvesting1 the hands may be employed in other business2 and even at the time of taking off the crop1 no great increase of hands is required1 as in ,louisiana or ,texas1 where frost prevails4 ,one hand can cultivate six acres with the hoe1 or ten to twelve with the aid of a horse and plough4 ,at the same time he can raise other crops sufficient to subsist himself and family4 ,twelve hundred pounds of sugar to the acre1 is an average yield1 though four thousand pounds have been produced4 7,this refers to the yield on land further north than ,biscayne ,bay2 it is very certain that the larger yield can be relied upon in this locality47 8,the molasses is always expected to pay the expense of manufacturing40 ,col4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,williams1 while engaged in the ,united ,states survey in #ahgd1 writes3 8,this country is attracting attention2 those who are here 7and there are several from various ,states1 who have come since ,january71 are perfectly delighted40 ,,wm4 ,m4 ,,swan1 who was with him1 writes1 8,biscayne ,bay comes up to the preconceived idea general with strangers in ,florida4 ,if this place 7,i mean the entire ,bay71 had a competent party to write it up as it is1 into notice1 the larger part of the travel and investment would undoubtedly center here40 8,the whole of ,biscayne ,bay1 is far more beautiful than the scenery along the ,indian river and the ,st4 ,johns40 99 99 99 99 99 8,we met here a ,mr4 ,,samuel ,,rogers1 of ,omaha1 seeking health1 and a desirable tropical home for his family4 ,after carefully plodding over the beaten track1 the ,st4 ,johns and ,indian river1 he finally selected this as the ,eldorado he had been seeking4 ,mr4 ,,rogers is one of the founders of the new thriving city of ,omaha40 ,under date of ,may #cjth1 he writes3 8,the nights are always pleasant1 calling for a blanket before morning4 ,i must admit1 that with the exception of ,key ,largo1 ,i have not found mosquitoes any thing as bad on the whole1 as ,i was led to believe40 99 99 99 99 99 ,a ,mr4 ,,jones1 of ,new ,york1 reported to be very wealthy1 says1 8he has traveled over the continent of ,europe two or three times2 has visited all of the ,islands of the ,mediterranean in search of a climate favorable to his 7heart7 disease4 ,he decides unequivocally in favor of the ,bay1 and announces his intention to buy a small tract of land1 put up a splendid cottage1 stock an orchard complete in every fruit suitable1 have his steam yacht on hand for his convenience to travel anywhere2 but his home must be here4 ,the climate he says1 is far more agreeable and delightful the year round than any he has found40 ,he has been boarding with ,mr4 ,,addison for one or two seasons4 ,we see plenty of deer1 and one of our party on ,sunday killed one and wounded another4 ,mr4 ,,noyes brought in a live fawn and saw ten yesterday1 although too shy to get a shot4 ,partridges are numerous4 ,i wish ,i could have time to write fully on the fruits that could be grown here4 ,bananas1 plantains1 etc41 the year around4 ,the ,rev4 ,d4 ,w4 ,w4 ,,hicks1 of ,miami1 ,biscayne ,bay1 ,dade county1 in a speech1 made before the ,florida ,fruit ,growers ,association1 said3 8,mr4 ,president and gentlemen--,i place myself below #8the frost line' and within a territory1 the most beautiful by nature1 and the most susceptible to the attentions of industrial art1 probably1 on the continent4 ,it may not compare in rugged grandeur with the far ,west1 up the canyons of the ,yellowstone1 or within the picturesque valleys of the ,rocky mountains2 but more beautiful1 because with us1 nature is in repose and at rest1 holding in her lap the riches of a semitropical clime1 adorned with the perpetual bloom of ,spring1 and regaled with the unceasing concerts of the oriole and mocking bird4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,who can do justice to that climate8 ,the sick are restored to health1 the poor may speedily become rich by industry4 99 99 99 99 ,while borne upon every breeze is the balmy health giving breath of the ,gulf ,stream40 ,,byron in one of his rhapsodies1 speaks of being 8intoxicated with eternity40 ,the sentiment seems vague and almost unnatural1 but whoever casts himself into the eddying blessings of the climate of which ,i speak1 will1 if he have a spark of sentiment1 forgive the poet's license4 ,the rheumatic and the consumptive1 with ordinary care1 lose their ailments with us4 ,eighteen months ago1 one came from the hyperborean regions of the ,north1 lame and almost despairing4 ,he was accompanied with crutches4 ,a few months enabled him to throw them aside1 and to-day you would rejoice to take a tramp with him through the ,coontie forest1 or better still a sail in his boat upon the bosom of the ,bay of ,biscayne4 ,he is well4 ,rheumatism and my friend have parted company1 and his crutches are the relics of a past age4 ,the climate suits the consumptive1 because rude1 abrupt changes in the atmosphere are almost unknown4 ,the ,gulf ,stream hugs our shores so devotedly that from the ,north1 ,northeast1 ,east1 ,southeast and ,south1 no chill can obtrude upon us4 ,the strongest breeze is tempered with a warm and genial spirit4 ,it is impossible to conceive of a more perfect climate1 taking it all in all4 ,of course we have plenty of sunshine1 and hot sunshine too2 but with the sunshine comes the breeze1 and not a day in the whole year need be lost on account of the heat4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,if the soil is thin1 for the most part it is very rich and yields abundantly4 ,the rock is near the surface when it does not protrude and is soft1 nutritious to plants1 and otherwise valuable and useful4 8,what will grow there80 ,every thing that ,i see about me in this hall except discontent6 7,the platform on which the gentleman stood was covered with various fruits3 oranges1 lemons1 limes1 citrons1 bananas1 and many varieties of vegetables47 ,this looks like home4 ,i see familiar things1 but miss more than ,i recognize6 ,i think ,i must yield the palm to you in oranges1 but in all other varieties of citrus1 you must take a back seat4 ,our guava is a royal heritage1 only we have not yet found how to market them4 ,we have about twenty varieties and thousands upon thousands of bearing trees4 ,the fruit delicious to a cultivated taste fresh from the tree1 while every housewife in the land1 and every lover of sweets1 can descant with eloquence upon the marmalades and jellies made of this desirable fruit4 ,the tree is hardy with us1 and will take care of and propagate itself1 and is on terms of great cordiality with our rocky plantations4 ,it should bear in three years4 ,ours is the natural country of the lime1 lemon and citron2 children of a common stock4 ,we have several varieties of the lime4 ,the trees are of rapid growth1 constant bearers1 very prolific1 subject to no disease1 and very tenacious of life4 ,the fruit is large1 8,how large80 as a ,sicily lemon4 ,i consider the lime as profitable as the orange1 and more so1 with us4 ,it should be cultivated for citric acid1 of which it yields more than any other fruit4 ,the time will come when our part of ,florida will supply citric acid to the world4 ,a peck of limes will yield a gallon of juice2 one and a half gallons of juice should produce one pound of citric acid1 which in the markets of the world should bring #a4be in gold4 99 99 99 ,lime trees will bear in three years and can be planted as thick as blackberry bushes1 but to cultivate them1 they should be eight to ten feet apart4 ,too much attention can not be given to this matter4 ,citric acid is a commodity always1 everywhere1 and increasingly in demand4 ,the lime belt is narrow and limited4 ,ours is the most productive in the world4 ,the limes are larger than those of any other country and the percentage of acid is perceptibly greater4 ,fortunes await in this department of industry alone1 and the outlay of money to get a start is insignificant compared to the planting of an orange grove4 ,ours is the country of the palm and the cocoanut4 ,the tree grows with us enormously and bears continuously4 ,they are meat and drink in a thirsty land4 ,then we have the mango and maumee apple1 fruits one soon becomes familiar with1 after which1 intimacy is never interrupted4 ,but the sugar apple is1 from my point of view and experience1 the choicest of all4 ,there is nothing comparable to it4 8,exquisite0 is a nice word1 and orange1 mango1 maumee1 avocado pear1 pine-apple1 banana1 are names1 the bare mention of which sets one's mouth watering1 but gentlemen1 they are all1 compared with the sugar apple1 common things6 ,i can give you no adequate idea of it1 and ,i will not attempt to put my experience of its lusciousness into mere ,english1 for after all is said that may be said1 the apple itself must be seen1 handled 7very tenderly7 and eaten when1 gentlemen1 you must come down to ,dade to eat the proof of my words4 7,some one in the audience2 can't you send us a few87 ,no2 for two or three reasons4 ,first1 to pull a sugar apple is to eat it4 ,second1 some one would be sure to capture it on the way4 ,third1 it must be eaten where it grows4 7,,solon ,,robinson--,how does it taste87 ,ah6 my friend1 ask the lover how the pure kiss of affection tastes1 and he will describe it accurately4 ,the fruit immortalizes our country1 and a true description of its deliciousness1 its creamy1 frosted sweetness1 its fragrance beneath the dimpled protecting ring will immortalize its author4 ,of the alligator pear1 ,i need not speak at large4 ,they are brought in large quantities to ,key ,west from ,cuba every year1 and readily sell at from forty to seventy-five cents per dozen4 ,they grow well with us4 ,the fruit is large1 and love of it is acquired2 but once truly relished1 bread is at a discount4 ,ours is the banana's own country1 and shortly this delicious and valuable fruit will receive a large share of our attention4 ,the pine-apple belongs to us2 nothing grows better4 ,it is peculiarly adapted to our rock soil1 and will thrive and bear fruit if a hole is made in the soft rock for its accommodation4 ,our soft rock is admirably adapted for building purposes4 ,it is easily worked but soon hardens when exposed to the sun and air1 and then coheres like public plunder6 ,when burned it is first-rate for lime and mortar1 and also as a fertilizer40 ,mr4 ,,hicks in answer to the question1 whether he would advise emigration1 said1 8yes2 but ,i would advertise to all1 that it is no country for a lazy man without means4 ,a man with money to keep him in necessaries for a couple of years could get a paying start and so go on to fortune4 ,industry pays quite as well there as in any part of the globe40 ,r4 ,m4 ,,bache1 of ,philadelphia1 author of 8,the ,young ,wrecker of the ,florida ,reef10 writes3 8,the climate of ,biscayne ,bay1 like that of all the ,reef1 is wonderfully equable and pleasant1 insular in its character1 rarely oppressively hot in the shade1 and during most of the year leaving nothing to be desired regarding enjoyability1 the only trying weather being an occasional 8norther40 ,fish as well as turtle1 are abundant1 and game of various kinds on the land4 ,the impressions ,i have about the soil1 is that it is very fertile2 ,i do not see how1 from its formation1 it could be otherwise40 ,capt4 ,,gibbs of ,buffalo1 ,n4 ,y41 writes from ,biscayne ,bay1 under dates of ,march #adth and ,april #gth1 and #beth1 #ahgf 7to his wife and ,mr4 ,j4 ,p4 ,,trible73 8,i am in love with this country2 the climate is simply everything that is beautiful1 it is all and more than all that has been said of it4 ,there has never been a case of ague that ,i can hear of4 ,i do not wish to come back1 and shall not if you will come down here4 ,i have not had an ache1 pain1 cough or sneeze1 since ,i have been here40 7,he left ,buffalo with a bad cough47 8,two men can raise more stuff1 off from ten acres of land here1 than four times the number can from a hundred acres in the ,north4 ,with irrigation in the winter season1 there is no end to the growth of everything4 ,squashes 7they call them pumpkins here7 once planted1 grow forever4 ,sweet potatoes the same1 and many other things40 99 99 99 99 99 ,there is a man from ,orange county1 who says the pine land here is better than in ,orange county1 and he is coming down to settle1 this side of ,new ,river1 so as to get below the frost line4 99 99 99 ,bermuda grass grows luxuriantly4 ,i have seen it on both pine and hammock lands4 ,you can have green peas1 new potatoes1 cabbage1 onions1 etc41 every month in the year1 they had them at ,christmas and ,new ,years40 ,capt4 ,,gibbs proposes to plant on the place he has purchased on the ,bay1 ten thousand cocoanut trees1 which are expected to bear in six years1 and will require no care whatever1 save to be fenced in for protection from stock while growing4 ,one hundred nuts to the tree 7which is only one fourth what may be expected when in full bearing7 would give a pretty fair income1 at the lowest price #ae4jj per thousand1 paid on the ground by buyers4 ,,daniel ,g4 ,,brinton1 ,a4 ,m41 ,m4 ,d41 in his book for tourists1 and invalids1 78,florida and the ,south071 says of ,biscayne ,bay3 8,undoubtedly the finest winter climate in the ,united ,states1 both in point of temperature and health1 is to be found on the ,southeastern coast of ,florida4 ,it is earnestly to be hoped1 for the sake of invalids1 that accommodations along the shore at ,key ,biscayne1 and at the mouth of the ,miami1 will before long be provided4 ,while it is the very best1 it could also be made the most accessible part of the sea coast of ,florida1 as the whole journey from the ,north could be made by water4 ,game as deer1 bear1 turkeys1 etc41 etc41 very abundant in the pine woods1 which extend along the coast1 and fish swarm in countless numbers in the bay4 ,turtle of the finest kinds can be caught on the islets off the shore4 ,oysters are plentiful4 ,the abundance of game on the shore ridge from ,cape ,sable to ,miami1 led it to be chosen as a favorite spot of resort by the ,indians1 and it is still distinctively known as the #8,hunting ,grounds4'0 ,dr4 ,,brinton continues on page one hundred and twenty-eight of his book1 8and these are the words of ,dr4 ,r4 ,f4 ,,simpson1 ,u4 ,s4 ,a41 writing about ,fort ,dallas1 on the ,miami4 ,the very spot ,i have been maintaining approaches the nearest1 the model climate for consumptives2 ,i have been on duty at most of the posts in ,florida1 but none compare with this for salubrity4 ,the sea coast of south east ,florida1 therefore fulfills the four conditions which make up the best climate for a consumptive4 ,i have other testimony about it1 well worth presenting4 ,it1 too1 comes from the same unimpeachable source1 the medical statistics of the ,united ,states ,army4 ,we are inquiring particularly about throat and lung complaints4 ,these army statistics are here of immense importance4 ,they specify the diseases of each station4 ,i have taken these four4 ,consumption 7phthisis pulmonalis71 bronchitis1 inflammation of the lungs 7pneumonia7 and pleurisy2 and have ascertained their relative frequency at various points in the ,south4 ,here are the results1 omitting fractions4 ,in ,arkansas1 each year1 one man in every sixteen came under the surgeons hands1 with one or the other of these diseases2 on the southern frontier of ,texas1 also one in sixteen2 at ,baton ,rouge1 ,la41 one in seventeen2 on the western frontier in ,texas1 one in nineteen2 on the west coast of ,florida1 one in twenty-one2 on the east coast of ,florida1 one in thirty-nine4 ,this is confirmation strong indeed4 ,even in the favored northwest we may look in vain for any thing equal to it4 ,the sick reports of ,st4 ,paul1 ,minn41 show one in every nineteen1 yearly treated for these complaints4 99 99 99 99 99 ,all that is needed to make it one of the most eligible spots in the ,south for the invalid or the tourist1 are a few well-kept1 moderate priced hotels and weekly steamers4 99 99 99 99 ,i have already detailed at some length the position1 soil1 etc41 of ,biscayne ,bay1 but as already said1 ,i build for the future1 and not the present4 ,it has the best warm climate in the ,united ,states for invalids and it deserves to become a much frequented resort40 ,the reader will bear in mind that ,biscayne ,bay is between the same degrees of latitude as that of the ,island of ,new ,providence1 on which ,nassau is situated4 ,,the ,,perrine ,,grant--,,biscayne ,,bay4 ,the facts embraced in the preceding pages1 apply to various portions of ,biscayne ,bay4 ,before condensing the reports of ,col4 ,,williams and ,mr4 ,,wm4 ,m4 ,,swan1 in regard to their survey of the land in #ahgd1 it may be well to explain to the reader the history of the 8,perrine grant40 ,dr4 ,,henry ,,perrine1 while ,united ,states ,consul1 at ,campeche1 in ,yucatan1 in #ahbg1 received a circular from ,,richard ,,rush1 ,secretary of ,state1 under ,,john ,,quincy ,,adams1 commencing as follows3 8,the ,president of ,united ,states is desirous of causing to be introduced into the ,united ,states1 all such trees and plants from other countries1 not heretofore known in the ,united ,states1 as may give promise under proper cultivation1 of flourishing and becoming useful1 as well as superior varieties of such as are already cultivated here4 ,to this end ,i have his instructions to address myself to you1 invoking your aid to give effect to the plan he has in view1 etc41 etc40 ,in obedience to that circular1 ,dr4 ,,perrine devoted nine years of his life to collecting and transmitting to the ,united ,states1 the valuable plants and seeds of the tropics1 a list and description of which will be found in the printed reports of ,congress in #ahch4 ,upon his return to this country ,congress granted to him a township of land to be located in ,florida1 below the twenty-sixth degree of north latitude4 ,in #ahdj1 while engaged in the cultivation and domesticating these plants upon the islands of ,indian ,key and ,matacumba1 preparatory to their removal to the township after the ,seminole war should cease1 an attack was made upon ,indian ,key by the ,indians1 in overwhelming force4 ,dr4 ,,perrine with others was killed1 his family1 after a concealment of nine hours in the water under a wharf1 during which time their house was plundered and burned within a few feet of their place of retreat1 and after miraculously escaping death from both suffocation and fire1 providentially escaped from the ,island in a boat which the ,indians were loading with plunder from a store4 ,congress in #ahda1 by a supplementary act1 gave to the family of ,dr4 ,,perrine the same rights before granted to him4 ,among the most valuable of the many plants introduced by him into ,florida1 was the ,agave ,sisalana1 7the important ,hemp of commerce7 99 99 growing now in great abundance in many localities1 and especially on ,key ,west and ,key ,vacas1 as well as on the lands bordering upon ,biscayne ,bay4 ,the township was duly located in accordance with the conditions of the grant4 ,owing to various causes beyond their control1 but little has been done by the family toward effecting a settlement of this valuable tract4 ,it is their intention now to offer such favorable inducements to settlers as will bring together a goodly sized colony in this favored locality4 ,so much of the land at and near the ,miami1 7the northern portion of the bay71 being held under old ,spanish titles1 has made an undisputed title an impossibility1 and prevented settlers from locating4 ,the 8,perrine grant10 being direct from the ,united ,states1 cannot be disputed4 ,it will be seen by the letters given hereafter from the surveyors1 7,col4 ,,williams and ,mr4 ,,swan71 that they are candid and impartial witnesses4 ,they have in their surveys been all over the land1 and in their report give the worst side as well as the best4 ,col4 ,m4 ,a4 ,,williams1 under date of ,aug4 #f1 #ahge1 writes3 8,i have in my surveys been upon every part of the #8,perrine grant4' ,it commences at a point on the west side of ,biscayne ,bay1 about opposite to the best inlet to the bay from the sea1 and ,i think about from nine to eleven feet of water1 can be carried to within about two or three hundred yards of the shore at an exceedingly rich and beautiful locality upon the claim4 ,this particular place is settled upon by a man named ,,addison1 and embraces some two or three hundred acres of excellent lands4 ,there is a large quantity of high land 7that is high for that country74 ,in this grant there are in many places1 small hammocks which are exceedingly rich1 there are also passing through the claim several savannahs1 through which in wet seasons the water passes from the ,everglades to the sea4 ,the face of the country is exceedingly rocky1 rocky beyond anything that you will imagine1 but the climate is pleasant and healthy1 and the mosquitoes not at all troublesome during the winter months4 ,the ,miami and the country adjacent upon the bay is similar in all respects to the ,perrine claim1 probably not quite so rocky1 but my favorite place upon the bay is the ,,addison place upon the ,perrine grant4 ,there is a beautiful sand beach in front of this section upon the bay1 and it extends ,south for a mile1 probably a mile and a half40 ,labor is scarce1 it would be best to take it along1 the same of house servants4 ,there is timber enough for all building purposes1 if there were saw-mills4 ,the country is remarkably healthy1 and the climate in winter and spring cannot be excelled1 it is pleasant even in summer4 ,it is attractive1 and will doubtless be well populated at no distant day4 ,the great trouble is the want of facilities to get to and from it4 ,it is a splendid game country upon the ,perrine grant4 ,the water is pure and good4 ,at the ,,addison place there are some very remarkable springs1 some of them mineral4 ,mr4 ,,wm4 ,a4 ,,swan1 under date of ,april #aj1 #ahgf1 writes1 in answer to the question1 what time is the best for northerners to come to the bay8 8,the charm and chief merit of this locality is its equability of climate4 ,the months of ,may and ,june ,i was at and near ,,addison's2 there was no night that ,i did not use my blanket1 and frequently my double blanket1 and ,i learned from all sources that the only perceptible difference in the seasons was more northers in the winter months2 they usually last about three days4 ,hence ,i would say any season was desirable4 ,of course it is hot1 but the constant sea breeze makes it invariably pleasant4 ,the bay is the sanitarium1 so to speak1 where the garrison at ,key ,west was sent every year to avoid yellow fever1 and if it were made accessible1 ,i do not see that there would be any comparison between it and ,long ,branch and ,newport1 in regard to the natural attractions and advantages4 ,and here should be the location of the 8,national ,botanical ,garden10 referred to in the pamphlet ,i sent you to-day4 ,at ,addisons' you can wade out half a mile before you get overhead1 over a bottom of clean1 white1 smooth polished rock1 and certainly no more delightful bathing can be found winter or summer4 ,there is nothing in the masses of rotted seaweed1 grass1 etc41 that line the shores of this entire region1 and ,indian ,river1 to create malaria4 ,at least the same is found wherever our troops were located1 and they never got sick from any such cause4 ,besides1 if a settlement were made1 this mass would soon be utilized by applying to fruit trees1 gardens1 etc4 ,our tents were pitched upon beds of it1 and the only injurious results1 if any1 were increased voracity of appetite6 ,added to the natural beauty of the bay1 are the colors of the water1 from the transparent crystal to every shade of the rainbow4 ,the latter is produced from alternate banks of sea-grass1 saw-grass1 minute shells and black and brown rock4 ,game is abundant4 ,except the ten days we were in the everglades1 we were hardly ever without fresh venison and fish1 and soft-shell turtle always4 ,on the bay1 salt water fish of all varieties2 mullet1 bass1 trout1 sheephead1 carvalho1 pompino1 grunts1 flounders1 and in a pretty little creek of fresh water that runs into and out of ,addisons hammock 7and which is the water station supplying the ,keys above and below in dry seasons71 can be found bream1 trout1 etc4 ,at ,black ,point1 about twelve miles below 7,i believe7 may be found any quantity of large fat oysters and clams1 the largest ,i ever saw2 ,col4 ,,williams says the best he 8ever ate40 ,in speaking of other attractions for the mere tourist or invalid1 ,mr4 ,w4 says3 8,a sail also over to the light-house1 among the cocoanut and other fruit trees1 then up to the north end of the bay1 #ae or #be miles2 or stop at ,miami ,river4 ,at the mouth of the river are two of the finest locations in the world4 ,the site of old ,fort ,dallas1 with its fields of guavas1 bananas and cocoanuts1 that fringe the shore1 in all stages from the bud to the ripe fruit40 99 99 99 99 ,in the four months time we were in the vicinity of the bay1 in and through hammock1 marshes1 prairie1 or otherwise1 we did not see a rattlesnake1 nor did we see but three moccasins4 ,the presence of so many deer and hogs1 who are their natural enemies1 may account for this40 ,mr4 ,,swan also writes3 8,it is not usually known the full maturity1 size and flavor of the ,florida pine-apple1 as compared with those of other markets1 such as the ,bahamas1 etc4 ,a judicious placing in market of the ,florida pine-apple and banana1 would secure for them a preference over all else1 and establish a reputation that would enhance their value1 and stimulate there production to a great degree1 as well as bringing this portion of the ,state into that prominence which its merits so demand40 ,again he writes3 8,they tell me here that two men1 with mule and cart1 usually make one hundred dollars per month1 gathering and preparing the coontie for market4 ,one hand gathers twelve barrels of the root1 which makes about one and a third barrels of marketable coontie or what is known as ,florida arrow-root4 ,the roots much resemble the ,rutabaga turnip4 ,it is washed and ground1 then put in a stand1 and water applied1 stirred thoroughly and left to settle about two hours1 or until the starch 8thick as soft cheese0 settles to the bottom4 ,then draw off all the water and change to another stand1 separating the light coontie which collects on the top1 leaving the pure article in the first stand1 to which sufficient water should be added to give a consistency thin enough to facilitate its passage through the finest sieve or strainer4 ,place it in dryers containing twenty-five pounds each4 ,in two days of good weather it is ready for market4 ,the refuse or 8mash0 is fed to stock3 horses1 hogs1 poultry1 all thrive well upon it4 ,by boiling the skimmings1 a substance as hard as bread is produced1 which keeps well1 and fattens hogs for market as readily and as well as corn40 ,a small saw mill is also suggested on the point of economy1 if nothing else1 that you might have your own lumber sawed on the spot1 for your cottages1 besides the necessary boards for paling1 wharf1 etc41 thereby saving the risk and freight in shipments either from ,jacksonville1 ,key ,west or ,new ,york4 ,as ,i before mentioned1 lumber is from thirty to fifty dollars per thousand at ,key ,west1 and you could manufacture and sell all you did not want for your settlers to the settlers between you and the ,miami as well as on the ,keys4 ,timber 7pitch pine1 no sap7 is abundant1 and right at hand4 ,attachments could also be fixed for running coontie1 sugar1 and grist mills4 ,a great drawback to settlers will be the inconvenience of procuring lumber4 ,when the war in ,cuba is closed a great demand will spring up for cross ties2 and as this is the nearest point to ,cuba 7about #bjj miles7 a decided advantage is gained by a party engaging in the business here4 ,the quantity is inexhaustible and just the size suitable for this business4 ,a small stock of goods1 would be indispensable1 as the nearest store is at ,miami1 and it would pay in supplying the large number of small coasters1 spongers1 etc41 almost constantly in the ,cove2 coming in for water1 etc41 as also for the convenience of the laborers and settlers on the mainland and ,keys4 ,everything in the line of poultry1 eggs1 vegetables and fruit1 finds a ready market at ,key ,west40 ,in compiling the foregoing facts1 there may appear to be something like repetition2 but it is owing to the endeavor to give reliable testimony1 which is of course cumulative in its nature2 and being from different and disinterested persons1 touches upon the same point oftentimes4 ,one objective point is to induce1 if possible1 a goodly number of families of culture and refinement1 who are desirous of seeking new homes to join us in forming a settlement upon our grant4 ,we do not wish any to go who expect that there will be no discomforts to encounter1 or that they can at once step into the enjoyments of all the comforts of a luxurious home without working for them4 ,neither should any go 7unless in the employ of others7 who have not sufficient means to enable them to procure supplies for their own subsistence for at least one or two years4 ,the larger capital one has1 the sooner of course1 he can place himself in a pleasant home and lay the foundation for future competence4 ,intelligent and well directed industry in the cultivation of any one of the staples mentioned1 viz3 sugar cane1 sea island cotton1 tobacco1 and coontie1 will yield quicker returns than tropical fruits4 ,the banana1 pine-apple1 and fig1 can be relied on to commence bearing in from eighteen months to two years from setting out1 so that thereafter there will be an assured income from those delicious fruits alone4 ,limes1 lemons1 oranges1 tamarind and cocoanuts require longer delay1 but when once in full bearing there can be no surer or more permanent source of income than these4 ,grapes also thrive most luxuriously4 ,in the ,everglades upon the islands grow large1 luscious1 tender grapes1 which1 by cultivation1 would become an important article of commerce4 ,it is believed that all of the varieties of our hot-house grapes can be cultivated in this latitude with great success4 ,as an inducement to settlers1 we will1 to each of the first thirty-five families 7who will in ,october or ,november of this year1 locate themselves upon our land with a view to permanent settlement71 donate twenty acres of land free of charge1 save the condition of erecting a dwelling place thereon1 and agreeing to cultivate at least one useful tropical plant4 ,for others who desire to engage largely in the cultivation of the staples named1 and who wish to purchase larger tracts of land for that purpose1 we will give information as to terms1 etc41 on application to us4 ,we will also dispose of a limited number of lots1 of one and two acres each1 at 8,perrine10 the most eligible location on the bay for a town1 called at present ,addisons' ,landing4 ,both for those who expect to make permanent homes for themselves1 and those who wish for winter residences in the ,south1 this is a most favorable opportunity to procure building sites at reasonable rates4 ,none will be sold unless on condition that a neat and substantial house shall be erected thereon within one year from date of purchase4 ,when it is remembered that in addition to the other advantages1 the temperature of this favored spot is so equable that it does not vary in some years more than twenty-five degrees1 its advantages as a resort for invalids will be evident4 ,all communications in regard to this land can be addressed to ,,henry ,e4 ,,perrine1 #fjb ,main ,street1 ,buffalo1 ,n4 ,y41 or to ,,james ,e4 ,,walker1 #gcf ,broadway1 ,albany1 ,n4 ,y4 ,,transcriber',s ,,note3 ,punctuation inconsistencies have been retained4