The Progress., 1898-10-08
CUBA'S RICH FORESTS.
THEY CONTAIN OVER FORTY SPE.
ClES OF HARD WOOD.
The Lumber Industry, Like Most of the
Islands Resources, Has Been Neg
lected-There Arc Thirty-two Vnri-
cites of Palm-Cuban Ebony.

inent lumber merchant, contains
100000 acres Of virgin forest, in
which are to be found upward of forty
species of valuable hard woods. The
lumber industry, like, indeed, most of
the islands resources, has been neg
lected under Spanish rule. These
great forests are practically unex-
plored. They have certainly never
been surveyed by experts, though they
will be mines of wealth to the first
lumberman who exploits their con-
tents. AS for the exports Of wood,
about $780, 900 year, they represent
a small fraction Of the possible prod
uct. The wood which comes to mar
ket in largest quantity from Cuba is
cedar, which is wonderfully abundant
in Pinar del Rio and the east. But
the trade in cedar is badly managed.
What with bad packing and general
shiftlessness, more than half the wood
is lost or useless before it reaches this
country.
"Other woods which we have been
in the habit Of getting from Cuba are
mahogany and lignum vita, both very
plentiful. The common mahogany of
the island is the best there is and
sells in this country and Europe at
from $40 to $3.50 per 1000 feet. An
other kind, called figured or birds
eye, fetches from $500 to $500 per
1000 feet. It has been known, indeed,
to sell as high as $3.50. The Cuban
lignum vitae, the finest known, is
much in demand, bringing from s25
to $40 a ton, the extra quality $45.
And there are many other woods
which would be valuable if only
brought to market.
"For example, Cuba contains thirty
two species of palm, including the
Yarez palm, whose leaves are used for
the manufacture of hats and baskets.
The articles so made are exported in
considerably quantity to Europe,
where they fetch good price. The
fibre, if not so pliable as that of the
Panama hats, is more durable. The
bark Of another palm, the palma real,
is used for boards. The boards are
very hard and withstand moisture far
better than the best yellow pine. The
palma real is almost the only material
used by the small farmers in building
their houses. They employ the bark
boards for the walls and the leaves for
roofing.
''The Cuban ebony should have a
large sale some day. The acana, of
which there are two varieties, is used
in the island for rafters. It is very
durable and will last for many years
even if exposed to wet. The sabina
cimarona resembles cedar, but is more
solid. It is easily worked. The robel
blanco end roble amarillo are also
easily worked. They a,e used for
window and door frames, ind for car
riage and shipbuilding. From its
durability the latter is known as
eternal wood. The iiqui is extremely
hard and is especially suitable for
posts on account Of its durability.
The quebra hacha has the same
qualities. The granadillo is a
peculiarly beautiful cabinet wood.
The caimitillo is elastic and very
strong, and is used for rafters, car
riage shafts and barrel hoops. The
guiana de costa is also strong and
elastic, and in addition it is prac-
tically waterproof. The yaya, maboa
and cuero make good rafters, while
the jagua is suitable for gun stocks,
and the clya for posts, particularly
under water.
'"The jigue has great resisting prop
critics, as has the majagua, as we'll as
durability. From the bark Of the lat
ter ropes can be made as good almost
as those Of manila hemp. They used to
be used all over the island, but they
are very dear owing to their being
made by hand.
"As proof Of the usefulness Of the
Cuban forest trees it may be said that |
q house can be built without the use
of q single nail, and strong enough to
stand up against any wind. The beams
and rafters are tied together with sew
eral species Of Llama, which are found
in abundance in the woods. Another
interesting product Of the Cuban for.
est is the water vine. It grows from
two and half to three inches in di.
ameter, and when cut yields large
quantity of pure fresh water. There
are also considerable quantities of dye
woods, while the supply of copal, rosin /
and turpentine in the forests of Pinar
del Rio is simply unlimited.
!. ''The chief difficulty with which the
Cuban lumber industry has had to
contend hitherto is lack of transporta.
ton facilities. Yet this ia difficnlfv |