The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-08-27
The Cuban Forests.
From the n. Y. Sun

Among the many sources of wealth ex-
listing in Cuba not the least important is
timber Cuba" said prominent lum-
Der merchant, contains II, 600, 900 acres
of virgin forest, in which are to be found
upward of 40 species of valuable hard
woods. The lumber industry, like indeed
most of the island resources, has been
neglected under Spanish rule. These great
forests are practically unexplored. They
have certainly never been surveyed by ex-
perts, though they will be mines of wealth
for the first lumberman who exploits their
contents. AS for the exports of wood,
about 1920, 900 year, they represent
small fraction of the possible product.
The wood which comes to market in larg
est 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 the
United States
S'Other woods which we have been in
the habit of getting from Cuba are ma
hogany and lignum vitae, both very plenti
full. The common mahogany of the island
is the best there is and sells in the United
States and Europe at from S110 to $50
per 1000 feet Another kind called
figured or birdseye fetches from $500 to
5000 per 81, 90 feet. The Cuban lignum
vitae, the finest known, is much in de-
mand, bringing from $50 to $40 a ton,
the extra quality S45. And there are
many other woods which would be valu-
able if only brought to market.
For example, Cuba contains 32 species
Of palm, including the Yarez palm, whose
leaves are used for the manufacture of hats
and baskets The articles so made are ex-
ported in considerable quantity to Europe,
where they fetch good price The fiber,
if not so pliable as that Of the panama
hats, is more durable The bark Of an
other 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 large
sale some day. The acana, of which there
are two varieties, is used in the island for
rafters. 1t is very durable and will last
for many years even if exposed to wet.
The sabina cimarona resembles cedar, but
is more solid 1t is easily worked. The
roble blanco and roble amarillo are
also easily worked. They are used for
window and door frames, and for carriage
and ship building. From its durability
the latter is known as eternal wood. The
jiqui is extremely hard and is especially
suitable for posts on account OF its dura
bility The quebra hacha has the same
qualities. The granadillo is peculiarly
beautiful cabinet wood The caimitillo is
elastic and very strong, and is used for
rafters, carriage shafts and barrel hoops.
The guiana de costa is also strong and elastic
and in addition it is practically waterproof.
The yaya, maboa and cuero make good
rafters, while the jagua is suitable for gun
stocks, and the cuya for posts, particularly
under water.
1.-The jigue has great resisting proper
ties, as has the majagua, as well as dura-
bility. From the bark of the latter ropes
can be made as good almost as those of
MANILA hemp. They were formerly used
all over the island, but they are very dear
owing to their being made by hand.
Gas proof of the usefulness of Cuban
forest trees it may be said that house can
be built without the use of single nail,
and strong enough to stand up against any
wind. The beams and rafters are tied to-
gether with several species of llama, which
are found in abundance in the woods. An
other interesting product of the Cuban for
est is the water vine. 1t grows from p
to 3 inches in diameter, and when cut
yields a 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 Pinor del
Rio is simply unlimited.
''The chief difficulty with which the
Cuban lumber industry has had to contend
hitherto is lack of transportation facilities.
Yet this is difficulty which should be
easily got over, for the shape of the island
is such that no point is far distant from the
coast, while the latter has sheltered inlets
every few miles The transportation of
the wood ought to be very small matter
if you remember that it is considered profit
able in the United States to convey lum-
Der many hundreds of miles to the nearest
river. But | have no doubt that this will
all be rectifed once the Spaniards are out -