This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

'40
MEXICAN (IULF COAST ILLUSTRATED.
Yjuced: “ llcrf1 is a veritable land of milk and honey, with a climate as fine as that of Southern Italy, and as that distant land is benefited by the balmy breezes that sweep across the Mediterranean Sea, so this section of Mississippi has all (lie benefits of the healthful breezes that come like a healing balm from off the bosom of the Gulf of Mexico. To the invalid of the North this section offers a climate for his healing, for the sportsman tile great forests abound in frame, and to t he lover of the rod and reel the waters of the rivers and the Gulf of Mexico offer the finest of fisli, while to I in.' tiller of the soil here is not only health with all the word implies, but. tiiat which all alike seek, wealth, for the combined wealth of soil and climate ar tin<i in unison make for him who takes advantageof these proffered conditions, riches with the least expenditure of money or toil.”
Riverside is tin'spot chosen by a wealthy and enterprising citizen of Chicago. T. Swartwout, Fsq., for carrying' out an enterprise in the development of this Coast country, which will contribute largely in bringing it to the attention of the country at large, as well as to very many persons who desire to find homes on the balmy and healthy northern shore line of the Mexican Gulf. Some time ago he purchased a large tract of land’and has sub-divided it into lots and holdings of different areas to meet the wants of different buyers, which are offered for sale on terms at once liberal and easy of payment, monthly or yearly, as we'.l as by cash payment in full if desired. PI is address is at Orange Grove, and he will furnish all desired information upon request.
OUANGE GROVE.
Orange Grove is thirty-three miles west of Mobile on the L. & N. R. R. It has come into notice of late years on account of the quantityand quality of its large shipments of early fruits and vegetables. The soil is naturally ■ Fort.iln and on account of the retentive clay subsoil (which during dry , weather stores and holds previous rainfall), it affords to plant growths a .constant supply of needful moisture. One of the most unvarying and important laws of nature is that of equnlizntion, and its beneficent action is 1 conspicuously illustrated by capillary attraction. When the surface of the earth by reason of excessive and continued hot weather becomes dry and po relied, vegetation, unless fed with moisture from some source, withers and dies. A substratum in which water is stored up is a reservoir from which the capillary tubes of plants are fed. From the water-charged depths of tenacious clays, nature sends to the drier surface the vital current which entering into the circulating system of the grateful plant, keeps it in a healthy, growing state. In climatic conditions and healthfulness Orange
MEXICAN GULF COAST ILLUSTltATEL).
Grove does not suffer in comparison with any other place on th^'oa Another thing which deserves mention—and is remarkable—in tliQvgi between Mobile bay and the Pascagoula river, tornadoes, cyclones^- h ricanes and hail storms are unknown. Nor has the slightest treWr o subterranean disturbance ever occurred. Such at least is the testiQjny those born and reared there, some of whom have reached their th score years and ten. There are a goodly number of fruit farms and ph tations around OraDge Grove. Two of the well-known growers and sh pers have given on preceding pages their testimony in relation to growi the products which flourish and are profitable in this favored locality. ? J. K. Murray, proprietor of the Gulf Coast Nursery at Orange Grove, i very successful grower of fruit and vegetable products. Mr. J. J1 lie land arid Mr. W. J. Parker, have, iu a marked degree, demonstil d i wonderful capacity of this section for this industry. Mr. W. II Strock I a valuable fruit farm near by. A visit to his pear orchard, peach orclia orange and pecan groves furnishes evidence of the most satisfactory ch acter of the adaptation of land and climate*to the growth of these a other vegetable products. One of the most active, energetic and progrr ive men there, or for that matter on the Coast, is Mr. Jes>e y. Jacksi engaged in merchandising, to whom the writer hereof is under obligatk for valuable information.
SCRANTON AND THE PASCAGOULAS
The thriving town of Scranton, the county seat of Jacksou county one of a group of points within a radius of five or six miles, which t braces the most important plants for the manufacture of lumber in i Southern States. The mills are at Moss Point (where the greatest num are situated), Scranton and West Pascagoula. Most of them are lai capacity and the output annually, is immense. The product i on;, from every point of the compass. Orders are received from all parts of I United States east of the Rocky Mountains, from the West Indie.'-. Soi America, Great Britain, France and Germany, from both shores of Mediterranean Sea and far Natal. The rivers here reach the sea from 1 heart of the vast long-leaf pine region—a belt of timber from fifty to < hundred and fifty miles broad.
Scranton owes its origin to the location of the railroad line a mile more from the margin of the sea. Population and business centered at station and Scranton grew apace. Its court house is a fine brick build accounted one of the finest in Mississippi. In its vicinity are a number