Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-10-31

mon in calcareous formations. Fish
are numerous and various, as are also
birds. There are many miles of excel
lent roads, and the drives are very
pleasant. There are only two towns
Hamilton and st. Georges. The har-
Dor of the latter is Que of the finest in
the world, and completely landlOcked.
Hamilton is the seat of government.
On three sides of the islands-nOrth,
west, and south-are formidable coral
reefs and rocks, nearly all under water,
and extending at some points, ten miles
into the ocean. The soil is generally of
a reddish-brown color, varying in diff
ferent localities in strength and char
acter. Epidemics are rare, and the
death rate very low. There are no
springs or fresh water ponds or streams,
and rain water has to be gathered in
tanks and reservoirs for all domestic
purposes. The houses of the Islands
are built of stone, and very durable
The population of these islands is 49,
900, or one person to each acre OF land.
Less than 1000 acres are cultivated; ;
much of the balance is waste land, but
great deal of good land is neglected.
The principal crops are vegetables,
which are mostly sold in this city. Ii
is through the Bermuda potatoes, onions,
tomatoes, ETC., etc, that the islands are
at all known to the public at large.
Three enormous crops of these are
raised annually. Arrowroot of the
best quality is also produced largely.
but it exhausts the soil, and is not so
remunerative as garden vegetables.
Fruits of great excellence are also
produced, but not in great abundance.
Their diversity, how ever, is eXtraordi-
nary, and both those of the temperate
and torrid zones succeed well. Oranges
of fine flavor are raised, and the lemon
grows wild. The mango, fig, banana,
pomegranate, paw-paw, pear, peach,
apple, grape, and small fruits, grow and
produce readily and without an effort.
Strawberries are in season from Novem-
Der to July. Fruits do not enter largely
into the exports of the islands, though
no reason exists for their not doing so
except want of enterprise. \ few
Strawberries find their way to New
York in mid-winter.
The cedar is the characteristic forest
tree of the Bermudas. Ii covers all the
islands, and springs in some instances,
apparently from the bare rocks. 1t
reaches great height, and forms eX-
cellent lumber and timber for great
many purposes. Tropical trees-such
as cocoanut, palm, tamarind, India
rubber, calabash, mahogany, palmetto,
etc., are frequently seen. Flowers in
endless variety and of the utmost beauty
are found in great profusion. Roses i'll
particular are superb, and are in the
greatest perfection about Christmas
time. There dozen or more varieties
of the oleander, which are used for
hedges, and their masses of pink and
white blossoms may be seen every
where. Geraniums of surprising
beauty grow wild.
Notwithstanding the favorable con-
ditions existing in these Islands, agri-
culture is far from being carried on
with system and energy. Nature stands
by with such willing hands, that the
indolent inhabitants are disposed TO
permit her 10 do great part of the
work. But gradually change is be-
ing wrought, and with the constantly
increasing demand for their produc-
tions, the ready contact with the great
and profitable market afforded by this
city, and the use of modern farm appli-
ances. the Bermudas must take rank at
no distant day as one of our most I'M
portant sources of food.