THE question will be asked: "Will not orange culture be overdone and the fruit rendered unprofitable?" We are satisfied to the contrary; for the area where this fruit can be produced is limited, and the demand great and constantly increasing, as this great country is being settled and opened up by steamboats and railroads. X have been somewhat of a wanderer, and it has been my lot to taste oranges grown in most orange-producing countries of the world, and have no hesitation in stating that the oranges of Florida are far superior to those of any other portion of the globe, and as soon as known and appreciated, will displace those of the West Indies and the Mediterranean. In Florida the culture of the lemon has been neglected; and we are satisfied that it can be rendered more profitable than the orange; and snch lemons as Florida produces cannot be found elsewhere.

Unfortunately for the pockets of experimenters, they have mainly confined their researches to the St. John's river, and have planted groves on the worse than poor soil- along its banks, to reap disappointment. After a careful examination of a large portion of the State, we shall express our views regarding certain localities. For nearly three centuries St. Augustine has been celebrated for its orange groves; but the small amount of available land is valued at such a high figure as to prevent the man of moderate means from investing. South of St. Augustine, on the Halifax and Indian rivers, excellent land can be obtained at a moderate price, and the best of fruit can be produced; but for eight months in the year existence becomes almost impossible, owing to the presence of annoying insects. The visitor is attracted by the scenery of the St. John's river and by its pleasant winter climate; but if he carefully examines the enlarged spleens and the waxy complexions of those he meets at the steamboat landings, he will instinctively make his will and purchase a head stone before he settles on the river between Palatka and Lake Monroe.

On the Enterprise side of Lake Monroe superior fruit can be produced, but the land is comparatively thin and poor. South of Lake Monroe, from five to twenty miles, land adapted to the purpose can be found, and numerous large groves are being planted. On the headwaters of the Ochlawaha river some admirable situations are available.

In the neighborhood of Brooksville vast bodies of the richest land in the world exist; and cleared hammock land, upon which manure would be unnecessary, can be purchased at from eight to fifteen dollars per acre. The largest and most marketable oranges we ever examined were produced in this locality. The region is high and the land rolling; water excellent; heat of summer not so great as in the North; health of the region unsurpassed, and in every way a desirable point for settlement. Around Orange lake, distant about fourteen miles from Ocala, is a region well adapted to the culture of the orange. Some of the largest wild groves in the State are to be found at this point. In company with Mr. Harris, of Ocala, we examined one of about five hundred acres, and found the undergrowth consisting of wild orange trees so dense as to be almost impassable. Near this wild grove, cleared land, well adapted to orange culture, can be purchased at from six to twelve dollars per acre.

From actual observation and from inquiries, we would recommend the intending emigrant to examine the golf coast from Clear Water harbor to Punta Rosa. In this region the orange and lemon are uninjured by frost. The range of the thermometer during the summer months is lower than in the Northern States, seldom exceeding 90°. When this point is attained persons do not suffer, for the land is fanned by a refreshing sea breeze. During the months of June, July and August, showers of short duration arc of almost daily occurrence, the rainfall for these three months exceeding thirty inches. In this region insects arc not troublesome; the people are intelligent and more than hospitable, and the health unequaled by any portion of the United States. We have not visited Cape Romano, but from information we have collected, we would willingly become one of the twenty to make a settlement at this point. In this locality the orange, pine apple, banana, coffee, and other tropical fruits would prove more than successful and profitable.

Many Northern people ridicule the statements of travelers regarding the productiveness of orange groves, and in consequence we feel a delicacy in referring to results. In the summer of 1868, in company with that intelligent horticulturist, W. W. Williams, of St. Augustine, I carefully examined a grove at St. Augustine, planted thirteen years. The soil was of superior quality, and the trees planted about sixteen feet apart. We counted the fruit upon a given number of average trees, and thereby estimated the yield, which, at $2 per hundred, amounted to over $2,000 per acre. During the summer of 1872 rain was deficient, and the high winds injured the crop, reducing the yield two-thirds below the average. Yet the diminished crop proved remunerative.

In February last we examined the Ginn grove, near Melonville, and found it to consist of 600 trees about twenty years old. For many years this valuable property has been neglected and the soil uncultivated. The ground was a network of grass and weeds, and the trees were covered with moss and lichens. It surprised us that trees could exist, much less produce fruit. Although there was but one-third of a crop, the yield was 175,000 oranges, which were sold on the tree at $2 per hundred, the purchaser to gather the fruit; amount realized, $8,500. One tree budded in 1856, producing 3,290 oranges. One tree budded in 1848, growing on the Eden grove five miles from Melonville, produced 6,000 marketable oranges, the crop yielding $120.00. Col. Hart's grove at Palatka, numbering 600 trees, produced but one-half of a crop, yet he shipped 300,000 oranges, which, at two cents, would amount to $6,000. A portion of his crop sold at the grove at from five to ten cents per fruit. At Manatee we inspected a lemon tree, growing uncared-for, by the side of the road, and at the lowest estimate we believed the crop to be 1,200. We gathered several of the fruit, and on our return home five weeks afterwards, we weighed one of the lemons and found it to weigh over eighteen ounces, avoirdupois.

Some of your readers will inqure: "How am I to keep the pot boiling until a grove produces fruit?" If near steamboat or railroad communication, early tomatoes and potatoes would prove remunerative; rice, cotton, sugar cane, cassava, arrow root, sweet potatoes, oats and tobacco would prove paying crops. The latter is a successful crop, and for aroma and quality nearly equals that of Cuba. Along the. Gulf coast, south of Clear Water harbor, the pine apple, lemon and banana are a success and prove a paying crop. To those versed in horticulture I would simply remark, that we annually import roses in quantity; that they are raised in immense qualities by our florists, and yet the demand is .greater than the supply. Florida is the home of the rose, and in one year from cuttings plants will attain a remarkable size; and we are satisfied that their production would prove remunerative. If any of your readers could see with what luxuriance camellias and gardenias grow in the South, they would agree with me that there is money in their culture. My impression is, that there are openings in Florida for nurseries.

Grape vines, fruit trees and ornamental plants are obtained from the Northern States. On the main lines of travel there is a constant and increasing demand for cut flowers during the winter months. During the course of last winter 40,000 persons visited the State; and it is probable that the majority possessed floral taste, and would have purchased cut flowers, but they could not be obtained.

On the main lines of travel during the winter months there is a constant demand for superior vegetables, but they are not produced. As one source of income, I may refer to the annual demand in our Northern cities for tuberoses and liliums; and with cheap land and cheap labor, I see no reason why these bulbs cannot be profitably grown. With cheap lauds, inexpensive houses, cheap lumber, a hospitable people, frequent summer rains, vegetables the year round, meat at from five to seven cents per pound, game and fish in plenty, id many localities a bracing sea breeze and perfect health, I see no reason why emigrants should wander westward and slave for six months to raise sufficient to keep themselves and stock for the other six. In conclusion, we may remark that planting an orange grove will pay better than any other description of fruit culture in the United States; that with carefully-prepared soil, selected varieties, and fair culture, the planter may anticipate a return of from $500 to $1,000 per acre per annum.

If you shall deem it of sufficient importance, I shall only be too happy to supply reliable data regarding soil, climate and productions of the State; and may remark, that I cannot consent to reply to letters; but if any of your readers desire information, I shall only to be too happy to welcome them to my residence and furnish such information as I may have obtained regarding the State.