t the
surface is so nearly a dead level that the current is imperceptible; it
can be distinguished only by noting the position of the grass.

The islands are covered with a dense growth of oak, pine, cypress, and
palmetto trees, together with a jungle of luxuriant tropical vines and
shrubs. They range in size from one to one hundred acres and are but
slightly elevated above the surrounding waters.

About three hundred Seminole Indians inhabit the interior and live by
hunting and fishing. Deer, bears, otters, panthers, wild cats, and
snakes frequent the land; alligators, crocodiles, fish of various kinds,
and waterfowl dwell in the water. In the western part of the Everglades
is Big Cypress Swamp and in the extreme southern part Mangrove Swamp,
where myriads of mosquitoes are hatched out. Extending along the eastern
side of the Everglades is a long, narrow belt of dry, fertile land which
is utilized for farming purposes.

A far-reaching project to reclaim the Everglades has been proposed.
Unlike the Western projects, the problem is to get rid of water and not
to supply it. The plans for reclamation include the construction of
drainage canals and the clearing of the jungle growths. It is purposed
to use the land thus reclaimed for sugar growing. At the present time
the United States is importing annually over two hundred million
dollars' worth of sugar; it is estimated that by draining only a part of
this vast area and planting it to sugar cane the local demands could not
only be supplied but a large surplus for export would result.

The possibilities of this region, when properly drained and cleared of
its superfluous vegetation, are almost beyond computation. It has a rich
soil, abundant moisture, and almost tropical climate. Reclaimed land of
this character is suitable for raising not only sugar cane and
subtropical fruits, but a great variety of other crops. It is estimated
that the cost of reclaiming the Everglades, so that the land may be made
productive, need not exceed one dollar per acre.

A great impetus has been given to southern Florida by that wonderful
achievement of engineering, Mr. Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast
Railway. This railway stretches in a direct line along the coast from
Jacksonville to the southern part of the State, and has been extended
along the Florida Keys to Key West. When all arrangements are completed,
the trains will be ferried across Florida Strait between Havana and Key
West,