Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-09
LETTER FROM san DOMINGO.

SANTANA, Santo Domingo,
Aug. LIST, 1873.
To the Editor Of the Journal:
Yon have asked what are the inducements
to emigra.e to the island of Santo Domingo,
under the auspices of the SANTANA Bay Com
pany. In reply, as briefly as may, will
mention some of the many advantages appear
ing to one who has been over the ground,
offered to the settler with moderate means or
small capital, possessing energy and industry.
These benefits are particularly available to
the agriculturist wishing to engage in the cul-
ture of cocoa, coffee, tobacco, &c. 1t is true
that skill and knowledge must be exercised
in the successful growing, curing and prepar-
ing for market of these important commodi-
ties, known all over the commercial world.
than that raised anywhere else. There are
| two classes grown, that of South America, is
worth about SIS, while that of Santo Do
mingo brings $25 to $50 per 100 lbs, and in
no part of the world is more productive than
here. 1t bears all the season, but its greatest
yield is in May and December, and the largest
| in the rainy season. The chocolate made
| from this is found to be worth more in foreign
markets than any other, on account of its
superior rich taste. The trees are planted
twelve to fifteen feet apart, the average yield
from one and one-half to two lbs. per square
foot, and from the seed mature in six years.
The method Of planting, preparing this and
the coffee is quite simple, requiring but small
expense in the operation. The forests, in
some localities near SANTANA and Savanna La
Mar furnish nursery from which to select
vigorous, healthy trees, always to be had.
The soil adapted to the cocoa, suits the coffee
tree, and they are grown side by side, both re-
quring the same culture.
The profits from the culture of tobacco, es
pecially of the finer sort, induces almost
every farmer of the peninsula to engage in
this business, and beautiful tobacco patches
of all dimensions cover the side hills, all over
the island more remunerative to the Guilt
vator. if he has skillfully selected his patch.
This patch and plant under the careful man
agement Of our farmers, with the pillow, cult
vator and such other implements as their good
sense and experience after while would sug-
gest, would vastly enhance the produc. and
value of this valuable staple, for which the de-
mand in Europe is steadily increasing.
The plantain and banana grow here in great
er perfection than in any other of the Antilles,
nd tha af
all-wise Providence has bestowed upon the
inhabitants of the tropics, giving to all classes,
white and black, a healthful luxury of food,
found on the table of the rich and poor alike.
The ease and abundance with which this fruit
grows, is absolutely astonishing, rushing to
quick maturity perfectly regardless of soil,
or human care, growing amidst rocks, on bar
rens where no other vegetables would thrive.
This is planted from the slip in rows from fif
teen to eighteen feet apart, the space interven-
ing with cocoa or coffee trees, their long,
broad leaves affording grateful shade, and at
ter it has borne its fruits, the leaves and stalk
drop to and cover the ground with its thick
mating, thus returning to the soil some COM
pensation for its rich and abundant gifts. The
plantain is good, even in its green state, and
when ripe, roasted, fried, boiled, or baked, is
excellent food. By a recently discovered
method this fruit, with the fig banana is care
fully dried, and in a preserved state is sent to
Europe and the United States, and considered
luxury. Oranges are plenty but not so good
and large as those of Cuba. The pineapples
are very large and easily raised and will yield
with care in cultivation about $500 per acre
The Alligator pear is rich vegetable marrow
with salt, pepper and mustard and a crust it
will suffice for nore tLla respectable break
last. The Nancy is beautiful tree,
| cone like, very high, full of branches and not
unlike the Magnolia of Louisiana, bearing a
very delicious fruit. The Bread fruit is an
excellent substitute for wheat or corn bread,
| but Is not common.
There are many other kinds of fruits that
have not been mentioned, and a thousand
shrubs, trees and plants that are useful, to
the human family, and known as possessing
valuable medicinal properties.
The SANTANA Bay Company are now survey