; mullet, bass, trout, sheephead, carvalho, pompino, grunts, flounders, and in a pretty little creek of fresh water that runs into and out of Addisons hammock (and which is the water station supplying the Keys above and below in dry seasons), can be found bream, trout, etc. At Black Point, about twelve miles below (I believe) may be found any quantity of large fat oysters and clams, the largest I ever saw; Col. WILLIAMS says the best he “ever ate.” In speaking of other attractions for the mere tourist or invalid, Mr. W. says: “A sail also over to the light-house, among the cocoanut and other fruit trees, then up to the north end of the bay, 15 or 25 miles; or stop at Miami River. At the mouth of the river are two of the finest locations in the world. The site of old Fort Dallas, with its fields of guavas, bananas and cocoanuts, that fringe the shore, in all stages from the bud to the ripe fruit.” * * * * In the four months time we were in the vicinity of the bay, in and through hammock, marshes, prairie, or otherwise, we did not see a rattlesnake, nor did we see but three moccasins. The presence of so many deer and hogs, who are their natural enemies, may account for this.” Mr. SWAN also writes: “It is not usually known the full maturity, size and flavor of the Florida pine-apple, as compared with those of other markets, such as the Bahamas, etc. A judicious placing in market of the Florida pine-apple and banana, would secure for them a preference over all else, and establish a reputation that would enhance their value, and stimulate there production to a great degree, as well as bringing this portion of the State into that prominence which its merits so demand.” Again he writes: “They tell me here that two men, with mule and cart, usually make one hundred dollars per month, gathering and preparing the coontie for market. One hand gathers twelve barrels of the root, which makes about one and a third barrels of marketable coontie or what is known as Florida arrow-root. The roots much resemble the Rutabaga turnip. It is washed and ground, then put in a stand, and water applied, stirred thoroughly and left to settle about two hours, or until the starch “thick as soft cheese” settles to the bottom. Then draw off all the water and change to another stand, separating the light coontie which collects on the top, leaving the pure article in the first stand, to which sufficient water should be added to give a consistency thin enough to facilitate its passage through the finest sieve or strainer. Place it in dryers containing twenty-five pounds each. In two days of good weather it is ready for market. The refuse or “mash” is fed to stock: horses, hogs, poultry, all thrive well upon it. By boiling the skimmings, a substance as hard as bread is produced, which keeps well, and fattens hogs for market as readily and as well as corn.” A small saw mill is also suggested on the point of economy, if nothing else, that you might have your own lumber sawed on the spot, for your cottages, besides the necessary boards for paling, wharf, etc., thereby saving the risk and freight in shipments either from Jacksonville, Key West or New York. As I before mentioned, lumber is from thirty to fifty dollars per thousand at Key West, 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 Keys. Timber (pitch pine, no sap) is abundant, and right at hand. Attachments could also be fixed for running coontie, sugar, and grist mills. A great drawback to settlers will be the inconvenience of procuring lumber. When the war in Cuba is closed a great demand will spring up for cross ties; and as this is the nearest point to Cuba (about 200 miles) a decided advantage is gained by a party engaging in the business here. The quantity is inexhaustible and just the size suitable for this business. A small stock of goods, would be indispensable, as the nearest store is at Miami, and it would pay in supplying the large number of small coasters, spongers, etc., almost constantly in the Cove; coming in for water, etc., as also for the convenience of the laborers and settlers on the mainland and Keys. Everything in the line of poultry, eggs, vegetables and fruit, finds a ready market at Key West.” In compiling the foregoing facts, there may appear to be something like repetition; but it is owing to the endeavor to give reliable testimony, which is of course cumulative in its nature; and being from different and disinterested persons, touches upon the same point oftentimes. One objective point is to induce, if possible, a goodly number of families of culture and refinement, who are desirous of seeking new homes to join us in forming a settlement upon our grant. We do not wish any to go who expect that there will be no discomforts to encounter, or that they can at once step into the enjoyments of all the comforts of a luxurious home without working for them. Neither should any go (unless in the employ of others) who have not sufficient means to enable them to procure supplies for their own subsistence for at least one or two years. The larger capital one has, the sooner of course, he can place himself in a pleasant home and lay the foundation for future competence. Intelligent and well directed industry in the cultivation of any one of the staples mentioned, viz: sugar cane, sea island cotton, tobacco, and coontie, will yield quicker returns than tropical fruits. The banana, pine-apple
, and fig, can be relied on to commence bearing in from eighteen months to two years from setting out, so that thereafter there will be an assured income from those delicious fruits alone. Limes, lemons, oranges, tamarind and cocoanuts require longer delay, but when once in full bearing there can be no surer or more permanent source of income than these. Grapes also thrive most luxuriously. In the Everglades upon the islands grow large, luscious, tender grapes, which, by cultivation, would become an important article of commerce. It is believed that all of the varieties of our hot-house grapes can be cultivated in this latitude with great success.
As an inducement to settlers, we will, to each of the first thirty-five families (who will in October or November of this year, locate themselves upon our land with a view to permanent settlement), donate twenty acres of land free of charge, save the condition of erecting a dwelling place thereon, and agreeing to cultivate at least one useful tropical plant. For others who desire to engage largely in the cultivation of the staples named, and who wish to purchase larger tracts of land for that purpose, we will give information as to terms, etc., on application to us. We will also dispose of a limited number of lots, of one and two acres each, at “Perrine,” the most eligible location on the bay for a town, called at present Addisons’ Landing. Both for those who expect to make permanent homes for themselves, and those who wish for winter residences in the South, this is a most favorable opportunity to procure building sites at reasonable rates. None will be sold unless on condition that a neat and substantial house shall be erected thereon within one year from date of purchase. When it is remembered that in addition to the other advantages, the temperature of this favored spot is so equable that it does not vary in some years more than twenty-five degrees, its advantages as a resort for invalids will be evident.
All communications in regard to this land can be addressed to
HENRY E. PERRINE,
602½ Main Street, Buffalo, N. Y., or to
JAMES E. WALKER,
736 Broadway, Albany, N. Y.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: Punctuation inconsistencies have been retained. The cover for this e-book was created by the transcriber and is granted to the public domain.