“DR. G. IS SURE THAT NO HURRICANE TIDE WOULD GO MORE THAN TWO FEET ABOVE MEAN HIGH TIDE.”
Letter: 1914
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Designer
Reveal Transcript
Mr. Chalfin:-
I had an interesting interview the other day with Dr. John Gifford. He expresses himself as anxious to do anything he can for us and shows it by act & manner.
He says that there is great exaggeration about the height to which the hurricane tides go. He says that Mr. Matheson has filled in about 18” which does not protect him from hurricane tides but Dr. G is sure that no hurricane tide would go more than two feet about mean high tide.
As to land crabs, he things, as we rather concluded las year at Four Ways Lodge that height is an element in keeping them out, does not think we would have much trouble with them about 4ft. He says that a little sand over the soil discourages them greatly as it gets into their holes. He said that ditches encourage them as they go through the sides of the ditches and come out on top.
Dr. G. knows Burbank and thinks he is successful with citrus fruits but would not be a good manager of men. He thinks that the Potter Bros., halfway between Miami and Cocoanut Grove are the best people for Citrus trees. The peacock Bros., are very successful with vegetables. Beverly Peacock is especially successful in this line and would make a pretty good superintendent for the property although not as good as Kershaw Richardson, who know all that needs to be known and is remarkable good Manager both of white and blacks. Richardson has worked for him and was by him recommended to Matheson. Will try to think of some one to recommend to us. He does not know of any landscape gardener around here. There are several men who have recently come down who pretended to be this but does not think they know the country or the vegetation.
He thinks Soar and Simpson could advise me. He thinks it likely that Soar would take charge of the work. Soar has in his nurseries much that we would want and he has no doubt that Simpson would be Glad to give us advise. And he voluntarily stated that he would be glad to help himself. He does not believe much in Griffing Bros. Their business is to large and highly commercialized and is run to much by subordinates. Soar is not at all commercialized although he tries more or less to be.
Trees may be planted or transplanted anytime although Feb. and later is best. The transplanting trees can be done herewith great success if proper care and knowledge are used.
He thinks that a nurse or mother trees for many growing things are excellent. The Back Calasbash He recommends highly for low lands. It looks like the mangrove and grows freely. It occurs to me that as we shall do much planting in our Mangrove swamps to make the canal effective artistically, we might remember this recommendation.
Yours very truly,
[J.D.]
“HE HAS NO FEAR THAT OUR TREES WILL BE BLOWN DOWN BY HURRICANE UNLESS WE THIN THEM OUT VERY MUCH”
Letter: 1914
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Designer
Reveal Transcript
Mr. Chalfin #2
Regarding the matter of growing citrus fruit, or any other trees, or shrubs among the pines, he says it can be perfectly done, and gives us a splendid demonstration of the truth of the statement. He and I walked around his place, and there among the pines is growing about everything one could think of. Mr. Brown says his results are as good as anybody’s, and certainly it so appears, he is growing magnolias, camellias, and jessamines. He says that in all Florida there is one successful grape vine. This is at Fort Lauderdale. He says that the avocado tree on my mother’s place, which is now actually bearing fruit is the Mexican variety. Most avocado trees of the ordinary kind have finished fruiting long ago. He says that a man has recently come to Miami who pretends to be a tree expert. I will try to find out about him.
The only source of supply for muck is the Everglades, and he does not know where in particular one should go to find it. He thinks any time will do for the planting of trees, or for transplanting. He says it is certain many trees can be successfully transplanted and the gumbo limbo will grow rankly anywhere.
He does not think we need [for?] forest fires from the inside, if we clean out dead matter. He thinks a stone fence, even a low one, will preclude all danger of a fire coming in from the outside.
He has no fear that our trees will be blown down by hurricanes unless we thin them out very much. The slim tall trees are most likely to suffer.
He believes that for fruit trees the best method of irrigation is to turn the water on the roots. He thinks the Colorado plant of chemicals with laterals would work well.
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Mr. Chalfin #3
Citrus fruit, after they reach a certain growth, needs no water. The best nursery for citrus fruits is that of Roberts, Homestead, Fla., tropical fruits , natural trees, Reasoner, of Onokee, is the best selection. Reasoner is honest, sincere, and now works on scientific lines. He thinks bamboo and oleander would do well for screen hedges, and called my attention to the thorny hedge between Mr. Matheson’s place and my mother’s. This I learn is the Clarissa; it is just the thing to put on the west end of the property next the railway tracks, and the highway. I believe the tramps come from the railway, and thefts from this direction are most probable.
I called on Charles T. Simpson, who gave me the following information. There is nothing to do with land crabs but kill them. There is no given height to which they cannot go. In summer they cover the country, and that he has killed hundreds of them at once time on his porch, which, as you known, is high. He thinks that anything and everything will grow among the pines.
He thinks that a new hammock is easy to make, as many [strikethrough- improved] hammock trees stand transplanting very well.
As a tree expert. He recommends Soar, of Little River, saying that he would no doubt supply and plant trees, and would perhaps also be willing to supervise transplanting and work of this kind. He mentioned a man named Trefy and another by the name of Greening, Miami, who set themselves out as tree experts.
He says any time will do for planting or transplanting. He thinks no protection is needed against fire, if the dead things are taken out. He has repeatedly seen [strikethrough- thinkgs] fires come up to his hammock [strikethrough-to]and stop.
He thinks we need no fear that hurricanes will destroy our trees.
He thinks very highly of Reasoner’s Nurseries, and says [strikethrough- he] R. has a good supply of Royal Palms partly grown.
Reveal archival photographs after the Great Hurricane made landfall on September 18, 1926
Reveal the front cover of Miami Daily News on September 19, 1926
