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0233

which might otherwise be expected, and of damage to the trees, a more southern latitude than that of the regions which we visited, or a carefully selected water protection should be sought by those who would engage in the production of the orange for market. It is true that artificial protection in the way of very high fence for small orchards or high hedge might be afforded, but the risk for any extensive operation in orange growing would be too great to be incurred - The danger to tropical fruits lies in the exposure to occasional frosts, and to the common northeast winds - which kill the fruit-buds if the tree escape-

[[left margin]] Crops. [[/left margin]]
So broken and disarranged have been the system and practice of farming during the past few years. that no very definite information as to the relative amount of crops raised during the past year can be given. Such was the restriction on cotton growing placed when the planters by the Rebel Congress, that very little cotton has been raised the past year, and in the Districts of Eastern Fla. the working force has been so irregular, that it was really difficult to obtain any positive and reliable information. But from repeated inquiries and comparing results, the average amount of cotton to the acre is not seventy five pounds, while the range is from fifty to four hundred pounds. - So with corn. the average is believed to be not more than eight bushels to the acre, while the range is from five to sixty. In respect to Sugar Cane, there does not appear to be so great a difference; the reason I judge to be, that only a comparatively small amount of land is thus appropriated. and that little of the very best quality. From ten to four barrels of sugar or from six to twelve barrels of syrup to the acre, is about a just statement.

Of all the country through which we passed, I do not think more than one tenth would be regarded such as to reward well the labor of the tiller of its soil, while not one hundredth part of the country passed through, is under any attempt at cultivation.

Orange and Silver Springs are of too much interest to pass unnoticed. At Orange Springs there is a small village of perhaps a hundred and fifty inhabitants with a large Hotel for the accommodation of those