The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-03

when darby, with formidable machcte, hurled
to earth from an altitude of forty feet half hun
dred cocoanuts, and In the milk of this extraordi-
nary fruit, beautifully tempered with gin Ia la
Smyth), the visitors abjured allegiance to their
native land and swore by the tropics and st.
Domingo The soil OF this grove was as black as
ink and as deep as well. The cocoa trees grew
to maturity in seven years, and bore fruit longer
than the average span of a mans existence.
Each was valued, at the Dominican STAN
dard, as being worth $40, so that thou.
sand Of them would be as safe an invest
ment as corner lots near the Central Park.
FERTILITY.
The sugar estate Of $50 acres turned out annually
400 barrels OF sugar, 200 barrels OF molasses and
quantity ofthe native rum called aguardlente, Of
which our pioneers had better beware, or each
one of them will be dead as door nail before he
gets accustomed to drinking a gallon per day.
Having disposed Of the milk of the cocoanut to q
liberal extent, examined the sugar-making ma
chinery and admired the curious shiftings OF light
and shadow on the mountains in the background,
we retired to the farm house to breakfast, which,
In this country, Is usually served at eleven O'Clock
though slightly anticipated at an earlier hour tsiX
seven) by dash at cup OF coffee and the crust
Of loaf. breakfast OF seven courses, plentiully
fabricated by claret, Sauterne and champagne, was
novelty to our nnocens, but none the less welcome
SUMMER RESIDENCE.
II would make the fortune of an American arch-
tect II he could manage to put up some such houses
as the one on this plantation at our Summer water
ing places, where the heat IN July and August is
certainly more oppressive than we felt it yesterday
morning-yet here 1t is perennial Summer. The
dwelling was nearly all verandah and lattice, and
a coplous breeze flowed into and around the house
on every side. OF course, we talked good deal at
breakfast over the prospects Of SANTANA and Of
ST. Domingo generally. Mr.. Loyanais rather liked
the island but he preferred Cuba, and when 1t was
liberated, as he expected 1t would be very soon he
should return. The brother OF our host and Captain
harrington. ex British Consul, had made up their
minds to GO to samaha They argued that the fact
OF SANTANA being declared free port would
take away the trade Of Curacao and St Thomas
and concentrate it at the former point. ~,
/ THE KEY OF THE WEST INDIA ISLANDS.
1t was pointed out by some one that ST. Thomas
was over hundred miles nearer the course of the
steamers carrying on the European and general
American trade, and that twelve hours sail was a
consideration, BESIDES 1t was an old established
port and was the key OF the West India Islands, to
all Of which 1t held position for trade and easy
communication. Mr.. Loyandis favored the pros.
poets OF SANTANA because Of its harbor which, at
Suuu cApcuse, COulu De mdue N SAFE as canal
lock for ships and because of Its being superior In
point OF health to St. Thomas where the sea breeze
was shut or In the hot season by range OF hills
back OF the port and yellow fever had Its own way
In consequence. Captain harrington said he had
been waiting over two years for annexation,
or the transfer OF SANTANA to any hands
likely to make IL profitable place In which to live
In o six years. residence In st. Domingo he had
failed to make anything worth while yet he hated
to leave, for he liked the climate having spent n
great portion OF his life in the West Indies There
was money to be made in St Domingo by any man
Of average ability and industry but a radical
change was essential In the habits OF trade ana
governmental conditions OF the country. II was
useless to strive with limited means and simple
bone and muscle to win fortune where so much
conspired to obstruct the labor-a meneyless and
thrtless people, long credits, worthless currency,
roadless and painless land, never-ending dissen-
sions and the unfailing bugbear OF Haytian In.
vasion.
THE MERCANTILE VIEW.
Mr.. Uhrlaub thought that many merchants Of
Porto Plata would establish branch houses In
SANTANA so as to reap the advantage OF its being
free port. Speaking afterwards to several persons
engaged In the wholesale business In the town
found few disposed to believe that their customers
up the country would leave them altogether and
trade at SANTANA, which forms tho other angle OF
an eQuilatera, having Its apex at Santiago, sixty
miles oG Others declared that while It was