This being one of the younger children of the state, having been born into it indeed only in 1845, its progress has been slow--much slower than that of many of the other states in this “go-ahead” land, many of which have grown to maturity at a single bound, like the magic tree the Indian jugglers show us, which is planted, grows, bears buds, flowers, and fruits in the very hour of its birth. Although the natural advantages of Florida are unequalled, its development has been very gradual, and its population, scanty and scattered, is much smaller in proportion than that of any other state in the Union. We may, perhaps, except Nevada and Colorado, both of which are mountainous, rocky regions, whereas Florida is a level land, its highest elevation being about 500 feet above the sea, and very rarely attaining to that. There is, however, a constant tide of immigration flowing into the state, and the increase of the population during the last dozen years is surprising. Still some of the finest portions of the state are yet unpenetrated--luxuriant wildernesses left in a state of nature; but these are being rapidly cleared, and there is room enough for another million of workers and a promising field for their speculations. Let the settlers flock in as fast as they may, provided they come with an adequate supply of patience, industry, and discrimination in their choice of a settlement, a prosperous career may be assured to them; for Florida has a soil fitted for the production of every possible kind of fruit, flowers, vegetables, and forest produce that can be cultivated in any part of the temperate or semi-tropical world. Many of us have heard (and regarded as fabulous) of its growth of oranges and lemons, but these marvellous accounts are in no way exaggerated. Some orange groves have produced for their owners from 300 to 3,000 dollars an acre, and a single acre of pines has produced as much as 1,200 dollars in one season! Such prolific productions and large profits are by no means uncommon, especially when there is a railway depot near at hand which renders the transport easy.