The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-06
CUBA'S CONDITION.
STATE osHoll7los AND 4oa,-
CULTbRMIN THE ISLAND.
The oountry,s Crops and Hopes-To-
bacco and Sugar Might Be Better
Cultivated-H Rule Desired by
the People.

w hNiO w pNStN tulo SuoJOSN ~ N'N~N
written about s6n and on since 1892, Is
puzzlng. Pen sketches OF the island as it
is show the salient traits OF its people, with
the drift Of their politics-these will be the
aim OF Juan Soldado in this and subse-
quent letters.
Not more than one-eighth part Of the
surface OF Cuba is cultivated. The eastern
third Of the island is moro sparsely popu-
lated than the rest. This part is billy and
mountainous, well watered, good harbors
on both the north and south coasts. The
bottom lands, bordering ON numerous
rivers, have soil that produces abundant
crops OF sugar cane. Further west on the
south coast, are extensive swamps, but the
arabic land Is well suited for cane.
Through the center OF the island are
large tracts OF elevated table lands, with
poor soil and fit only for grazing. On the
north coast about Cardonas the surface is
level, and here are to be found many sugar
estates. West OF Havana is the tobacco
district, for the most part level-poor soil
with a range OF high hills near the north
shore. The soil in the agricultural sections
OF Cuba is not rich; not comparable TO that
Of Illinois prairies. The advantages, how
ever, OF tropical climate, with the Gulf
Stream and trade winds affecting this eli
mate, make Cuba fertile spot on the
carth's surface. Tobacco grows and gives
most valued crops on land that in New
England would be considered only fair in
quality and fertility. In Illinois, Indiana
and Iowa the farmers would hardly till
rolling upland such us in Cuba grows good,
rich, large stalks Of sugar cane.
USING THEIR GRASDFATmER's FLOWS.
Agricultural implements often are OF the
rudest kinds, particularly those used by
small farmers. The old Pharoah plows that
the reader has no doubt seen cuts OF has
It's fellow here, and is much used-reason
why, these peoples forciathors used them.
Hoes that would be cast aside rs worthless
by farm laborers at the North are preferred
here, as overconfdent Northern merchants
sometimes find out when they sent con-
Segment OF modern steel hoes TO be sold
in Cuba. Now, IL is but fair 10 state that
Northern plows do not give perfect satis-
faction. They are mostly from factories in
the Atlantic States, and will not scour in
this sticky soil as would plows modelled
after those used ON the Western prairies
Furthermore, the laboreB lack intelli-
! gence--they never learned their trade, and
try to pillow, Just after tropical showers,
when no pillow would scour.
Cuban farmers are not industrious. They
are in the way OF work. Indolent habits
with them are aninheritance. Figs, grapes,
rice, all tropical and semi.tropical produc-
tions can be grown on the island in pro-
fusion and with but little labor. Still, no
class Of people live so poorly, so from hand
| TO mouth, as Cuban farmers. The palm
furnishes them nearly all they need for
their houses The trunk gives them boards
that are almost everlasting. The smooth
| bark at the top OF the tree from which the
| leaves grow and which loosens and falls
ever month covers the cracks and forms
divisions inside, and the leaves thatch the
roofs. Dirt floors arc the rule. No stoves
are used for cooking. This is done over a
fire on the ground In an clubhouse. or on
top Of sort OF box filed with earth 10 a
convenient level.
| Tobacco planters, or better said farmers,
are but little better oil. They are lazy;
they have no vegetable gardens in n coun.
irywherc anything will grow II you only
plant the seed. You will hardly see q
fruit tree about their places. Their farms
aro mostly rented, and they will tell you II
will not pay 10 improve the owners
property, for then no would raise the rent
A forchanded tobacco farmer Is a rare per-
son In Cuba. The middle men and the
cross roads grocer manage 10 make the
money that the tobacco raising affords.
Oxen are used principally for farm work.
The yoke Is fastened TO tho horns and does
not rest on the neck. Yokes on the necks
OF oxen In this hot climate would cause
sores. Corn natures In forty days aftel
planting, and two crops are gathered each
year. But little hay Is cut here, though
large quantities are imported for use in the
cities The present generation in CubS
will never learn 10 make hay while the
sun shines. In the interior green fodder
Is used instead.
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY.
Sugar planting Is farming on n largI
scale, deyodng ones energies 10 one kind
Of crop. Making sugar is quite differ
ent occupation; and, on account Of the III
directed efforts Of sugar estate owners e
manage the two kinds Of business by on,
administrator or superintendent, the re-
suit In most cases Is failure. Sugar can,
In Cuba grows rapidly, and Is easily carct
for II one knows how. Sugar cane In lhii
island. once properly planted In good sol
aud cultivated as IL ought 10 be, can b,
cut yearly for many years without ~
planting.
II ON cutting the cane for grinding yot
leave tho stub too long aud uncovered no
moro cano win grow from those roots IL
the following year. On cutting the can,
laborom throw II In piles, TO DO loaded OF
carts hauled by mules or oxen. II thi
work Is done Just after rain the car
wheels and feet Of the oxen injurc thl
small roots of the cane. Tho plants d
aud there must bo a partial rcplanling
with a loss OF part Of the next season
crop. II Is well 10 have the sugar.hous
wen arranged M TO machinery, etc, AM
complete for economical working, but un
less you have the cane TO grind you mn
not going 10 got oil the sugar you might
aud here Is where the trouble begins ol
sugar estates IN Cuba. No business Ii
Cuba will pay better than raising suga
cane aud making sugar at average price
tor sugar, but 10 do this YOU must rails
the cane and then know how 10 make th
sugr-all to u dono in season. Of thi
more anon.
HOME RULE DEsipERArUN.
The political situation. no IL natural
absorbs attention here aud In Spain. :
many opposing forces work 10 gain thci
ends that the igiyfc Is doubtful. Auiono
misls or home falsrs IN Cuba have a. thei
ideal n goyernpent ior the island simila
TO that OF Canada and lo those OF othc
prospcrous Englf,b colonies
Cuban autoaoffisis haVo NJ lpati,,a aI,i