 Delius was in Florida from the spring of 1884 to the autumn of 1885, living on a plantation at Solano Grove () between Picolata and Tocoi on the Saint Johns River, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) south of Jacksonville.He continued to be engrossed in music, and in Jacksonville he met Thomas Ward, who became his teacher in counterpoint and composition.Delius later said that Ward's teaching was the only useful music instruction he ever had.