The morning call., 1890-11-30
THE MAHOGANY.
WHERE IT GROWS.
Description of a Scene in British
Honduras Forests.

IFN54N interesting story about mahogany
%1k cutting and rafting has reached the
INV State Department from Con sui
Burchard, says the st. Louis be-Demo-
crat Belize, the capital of the British pos
sessions in Central America. now city of
considerable commercial Importance, owes
its origin and wealth 10 the mahogany cut
terry. During the first half of the present
century princely fortunes were quickly ac-
eumulated in the business, especially by
those who had the good fortune to secure
contracts from tie English Government for
the mahogany, which was formerly largely
employed in naval architecture. Since iron
and steel have taken the place of wood in
the construction of public vessels the ma
hogany trade has decreased to q notable eX-
tent, although it is stil large and profitable.
The expense and difficulty of getting out
the wood are much greater. Few trees can
now be found near the river of sufficient
water to float the logs. Having selected and
secured suitable locality and arranged
with one of the exporting houses OF Belize to
advance the means in provisions and cash to
carry on the works; the mahogany cutter
hires his gang of laborers for the season.
Nearly all labor contracts are made during
the Christmas holidays, as the gangs from
the mahogany works all c0ngregate in Belize
at that time. The men are hired for a
year at wages ranging from Sl2 to $50 per
month. They generally receive six months
wages in advance, one-half Of which is paid
in goods from the house which furnishes the
capital. The cash received by the aborers
is mostly wasted in dissipation before they
leave the city. Early in January the works
are commenced. Camps (or banks" as they
are called are organized at convenient
places on the margin of some river in the
district to be worked. Temporary houses
matched with palm leaves are erected for
the laborers, and substantial building for
the store and dwelling of the overseer.
All work in mahogany cutting is done by
tasks. The best laborers are out at day
break and generally finish
THEIR TASK
Before II o'clock. The rest of the day can
be spent in fishing, hunting, collecting India
rubber and sarsaparilla, or in working up
mahogany into dories, paddles and bowies,
for ali of which they find ready market.
Game and fish are abundant, the former
consisting of two varieties of hogs (warree
and peccary), deer and antelopes, tapir
(mOuntain cow, monkeys. two varieties of
wild turkeys, armadillos. gibonets, Indian
etc. The rivers abound in excellent fish,
and the supply Of terrapin and iguanas is in
eXhaustible.
The regular ration for laborer in this
country consists of four pounds of salt pork
and seven quarts of flour per week, which is
delivered to him every Sunday morning.
The abundance of game and wild fruits en-
able the mahogany laborer to save large
part of his ratlons, which ne either sells to
his employer or sends home to his family.
The standard of morality in the mahogany
camps is decidedly low. Women of easy
virtue are always present, and cause fire.
uuent QuarTels and disorder. Disputes and
questions concerning such women are settled
by the overSeer in accordance with regula-
tons long established and recognized by the
lab0rerS; for instance man who entices
woman away from another with whom she
has been living must pay all expenses in
CURED by the latter in bringing her to the
camp, supplying her with clothing and orna-
menIs.
Hrhe owner or overseer of mahogany
works is distinguished person within the
district OF his operations. He lives well,
often IuXuriOuSly, and has many and varied
sources of enjoyment. His rustic dwelling
in the forest Is supplied with every comfort
aud many luxuries. He travels up and down
the river in bateau made of mahogany and
fitted up regardless of expense for enjoy
ment and convenience. He carries eyery-
thing needful for hunting and fishing, aud
his lockers are supplied with the choicest
vfvand, wines. liquors and cigars. His
crew consists OF from twelve to twenty
skillful rOwers, generally Indians, and q
captain, cook and waiting-bOy. He camps
out at night on the bank OF the river, where
sayory dishes are prepared which wOul1
PUZZLE THE UNINTrIATED.
No menu is considered complete without
entremets OF monkey and iguana cooked Ia
cri0lla, delicious even 10 the uniniIiated.
The mahogany tree hunter Is the most
important and best paid laborer in the SER
vice. Upon his skill and activity largely
depends the success of the season. Ma
hogany trees do not grow in crumps or
clusters, but are scattered promiscuously
through the forests and hidden in dense
growth OF underbruSh, vines and creepers.
1t requires skillful and experienced woods
man to find them. No one can make any
progress in tropical forest without the aid
of machete or heavy brush knife. He has
to cut his way step by step.
The mahogany IS one Of the largest and
tallest Of trees. The hunter seeks the high
est ground, climbs to the top of the highest
tree and surveys the surrounding country.
His practiced eyes detect the mahogany by
its peculiar foliage. He counts the trees
within the scope Of his vision, notes dis
recti0ns and distances, then descends and
cuts o narrow trail to each tree, which he
blazes and marks, especially if there be
rival hunter in that vicinity. The axmen
follow the hunter and after them 60 the saw
yers and hewers.
To fell large mahogany tree is one days
task for two men. On account of the wide
spurs which project from the trunk at its