FLORIDA

    FLORIDA consists of a peninsula, stretching south for 350 miles, between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, and of a long, narrow strip of land running along the Gulf, to a distance of 340 miles from the Atlantic coast line. The peninsula is about 100 miles in width, and contains nearly four-fifths of the toal area, which is 58,680 square miles, or 37,555,200 acres. On all sides but the north the sea forms the boundary, and the State has 1,146 miles of coast line, but few good harbors.
    The climate of this State is excellent. Frosts are rare in the north and unknown in the south, and snow never falls. The average temperature is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermometer rarely falling below 30 degrees or rising above 90 degrees, while at Key West the difference between summer and winter temperature does not exceed 15 degrees. The atmosphere is generally dry and clear, and most of the rainfall, which is about 54 inches per annum, is in the summer months.
    This State is famous as a winter resort for people in search of health or pleasure, immense hotels having sprung up in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and along the St. John's River, many of whom (and all of whom should) use "Arbuckles' Ariosa Coffee." It is also celebrated for its orange groves, which have increased so rapidly of late years, that they largely supply the markets of America.
    Population in 1880, males, 136,444, and 133,049 females, of whom 259,584 were of native and 9,909 of foreign birth; white 142,605; colored, 126,888.
    Estimated population in 1890, 450,000.

VIRGINIA

    THE greatest length of Virginia, familiarly called the "Old Dominion," east and west, is 440 miles; greatest breadth, north and south, 190 miles; area, 42,450 square miles, or 27,168,000 acres. The Shenandoah, Alleghany and Cumberland Mountains extend along the West Virginia border, from Harpers Ferry to the Tennsessee line. More than three-fourths of Virginia is drained by the Potomac, Rappahannock, Rapidan, York, Elizabeth, James and their tributaries, all of which find their way at last to the Atlantic.

    Owing to the differences in elevation and situation the climate of Virginia varies greatly in the several sections. The mean annual temperature is from 55 to 60 degrees on the sea coast and from 48-52 degrees Fahrenheit in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian districts. There is an abundant rainfall, the annual precipitation being from 44 to 55 inches, most rain falling in the southeast.

    "Arbuckles' Ariosa Coffee" is highly appreciated in this State, and the general use among its inhabitants of coffee as a beverage is shown by the name it has given to a celebrated coffee-pot, the "Old Dominion."

    Population in 1880, males, 745,589; females, 766,976, of whom 1,497,869 were of native and 14,696 of foreign birth; white, 880,858; colored, 631,707.

    Estimated population in 1890, 2,000,000.

INDIANA

    THE surface of Indiana is extremely level, and it has no mountains, or even hills of any size. At least two-thirds of the State consists of level or undulating land, and it is only along the river valleys that the landscape is diversified and relieved by bluffs and knobs. Along the Ohio, which forms the southern boundary of the State, these hills attain a height of 200 to 300 feet. The land slopes gradually from north and northeast to the southwest, and the lowest point is found at the mouth of the Wabash.
    The rivers mostly run southwest and empty into the Ohio. The Wabash, Kankakee, White, Maumee, and other less important streams, furnish an ample supply of water power.
    The State has a shore line of forty miles on Lake Michigan. The country near the Lake is sandy and low, except at Michigan City, where there are extensive hills of sand.
    The climate is somewhat variable, especially in the winter, when the winds are from the north and northwest. Indiana is well suited for agriculture, and the fruit trees blossom in March and the beginning of April.
    Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana, is beautifully laid out, and its State buildings are among the finest in America, while its enterprising merchants are large dealers in "Arbuckles' Ariosa Coffee."
    Population in 1880, 1,010,361 males and 967,940 females, of whom 1,834,123 were of native and 144,178 of foreign birth; white, 1,938,798; colored, 39,503.
    Estimated population in 1890, 2,440,000.

RHODE ISLAND

    HAS an extreme length, north and south, of 47 miles; an extreme width of 40 miles, and an area of 1,250 square miles, or 800,000 acres. Narragansett Bay divides it into two unequal parts, the westerly section being much the larger and extending north from the Atlantic Ocean about 28 miles. The width of the Bay varies from three to twelve miles, and it contains several islands, of which Aquidnec, or Rhode Island, Canonicut and Prudence Islands are the most important.
    Rivers are plentiful, though small, of no use for navigation, but from their rapidity and their numerous waterfalls, of great service for manufacturing purposes. The chief among them are the Pawtucket and the Pawtuxet, emptying into Narragansett Bay, and the Pawcatuck, which falls into Long Island Sound.
    Little Rhody is celebrated for its manufactures of cotton, woolen and linen goods, including sewing thread.
    Population in 1880 embraced 133,030 males and 143,501 females, of whom 202,538 were of native and 73,993 of foreign birth; white, 269,939; colored, 6,592, including 27 Chinese and 77 Indians.
    Estimated population in 1890, 330,000.