Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-04-20

WHOLE NO., IA.
known. Among the popular vices is
petty gambling, extensively INDUCED
in by the Spanish portion OF the pc p.
ulation. All are Roman Catholics
except the American emigrants, who
are Methodists and Baptists, though
no intolerance or religious persecn-
tion can be discovered. The people
generally own land, which they cul-
tivate, although agricultural opera
tions are limited by lack OF market
and frequent political disturbances,
though the Dominicans are not avcrsc
to work, when sure OF reasonable
reward. Labor is in abundant sup
ply at $40 or less a month. Few
schools exist, aud the people gener-
ally are uneducated, though the Com
mlssioners believe opportunities for
education would be eagerly irnprov.
ed, the Dominicans being possessed
Of proverbial shrewdnoss and ability.
0nsy. one small and poorly equipped
printing Office exists in the Repab.ic
The general political capacity OF
the people is regarded favorably,
there having been for years neither
slavery nor caste spirit to deprive
them OF their manliness. The cour-
age and devotion wasted in insurrec
ton abundantiy prove their capacity
tor self government aud regular po-
litical action. The Commissioners
estimate the actual population OF the
Republic at 15U, 900, more than nine
teen-twentieths being native Domi-
means. White blood prepondera,es
largely, majority being much near
er white than black.
the RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY
are vast and various, and ITS products
may be increased with scarcely any
other limit than the labor expended
upon them. There is evidence Of
mineral wealth in several parts OF the
island. The geologist's expedition
reports the existence Of ores of iron,
copper and gold, with deposits OF l,g-
mite, rock salt, and petroleum. Iron
ore is abundant, of easy access, and
will doubtless be made available for
the cheap production OF pig iron. The
copper ores are Of fair degree Of
richness, anI leads have been opened
to aslight extent. The reported coal
on Samana peninsula and in the neigh
borhood of Puerto Prata was exam
med, and found to be Ignite, OF little
value as fuel compared with Pennsyl-
wanna or English coal. The gold re-
plon is extensive, and, though work
ed anciently, is at present but little
known. It invites patient explora-
ton by practical miners. The salt
deposits in the mountains near Ne
bay, are believed to be extensive and
valuable. Tie salt can be quarried
oat in large blocks, and chemical
analysis made for the Commissioners
shows it to be Of sufficient purity tor
commercial purposes.
Summary and practically review
ed, tor agricultural purposes, there
are five classes OF lands In Santo Do
mingo, viz:
l. Mountain slopes and valleys
These are uniformly rich and pro
ductive, except IN limited regions
where the rain is deficient. as on tn.
southern slope OF the coast range
north. east of Monte Christi.
2. The extensive region of Lianos
lying east and north OF San Domin
60 City. south Of the Cibra range
This is all admirable pasture land. A
large portion of it is capable OF prot
table cultivation. 1t is intersecteG
by wooded valleys, and groves con
tanning much excellent timber.
8. The rolling plain OF Vega, which
is generally wooded, and is the fines
body of agricultural ground on thu
island.
4. The Daglands, like a portion o
the plain Of Azaoa and the valley o
the Yagin, where rain is partly ol
wholly wanting, from Typographical
causes. These lands can be made
fertile by artificial irrigation.
5. The red clay lands, mostly alon.
the coast, covered by corralian lime
stone. These are wholly covcrct
with timber. They are not general,
verp rich or deep, but are susceptible
OF profitable cultivation. The viclni
ty OF San Domingo city is fair av
erage specimen OF this class. The sol
OF hardly any portion OF the island i
not capable It cultivation, and takel
as whole it is one OF the most fer
tile regions on the face Of the earth
The agricultural products include al
the tropical fruits and vegetables, a
we'll as commercial staples. Suga
cane IS grown most profitably on tn
low lands, AMI the yield Is mucl
greater than in the island Of Jamaica
even though aided by artificial irri
CATION. Fifteen annual cuttings iron
the original root is common, and tn
abundance OF fuel gives San.o Dc
mingo additional advantages over tn
ncighboring islands IN this branch i
Industry. The mountain regions ar
especially laptel to the culture 9
coffee aud cocoa, and valuable fibrou
plants. The product OF wax and hon
ey is very large, thousan IS OF hive
OF honey being DESTROYED for the SAX
OF The wax alone. Wild ginger an,
indigo grow everywhere in the great
est profuslon, and cotton Is raise'
near Azua. Cinchona is successful,
raised on the higher mountains, an'
many vegetables and fruits Of tn
temperate zone are also produced i
abundance. The country every whcr
. adapted to the cultivation Of to
haccO. and three croDs OF Indian cor,