Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-24
CUBA'S SOIL AND CLIMATE.
She Former Eminentiy Fertile, the
Latter Hcafthful.
Baltimore Americana

Much interest is being taken in BALI
more, az also throughout the country, IN
the soil and climate of Cuba, and many
inquiries are being made with reference 10
the subject. From a number OF encyclo-
pedlas the following facts regarding the
climate and soil OF the island are obtained:
The soil Of cuba is emlnently fertile, a
large part still covered with virgin forest
containing magnificent mahogany, cedar
ebony. ironwood, dyewooGH, and pine. The
vegetation Of cuba also includes hgnum-
vitae, tamarind, palms, ferns, lanaS &c.
Amonr the cultivated products are sugar.
tobacco, coffee, cocoa. rice, maize, cotton,
egculent roots, and tropical fruits.
In the hills it IS healthful and agreeable;
in the lowlands sickly and generally hot.
The maximum temperature does not often
exceed IS degrees, but the heat is pro-
tGacted, the mean of the year in the low
lands being 70 degrees. It IS moist
climate, the annual rainfall In Habana
being 90.66 inches. yet some places IN the
interior require irrigation.
The climate IS more temperate than In
the other islands Of the same latitude,
and more equitable than IN many more
northern countries. Mercury never rises
50 high as 1t sometimes does in New York,
in the hot months and sunstrokes arc
unknown. From May to October the neat
seldom reaches 100 degrees IN any part OF
the island. The highest recorded tempe
nature. In observations extending over
many years since 1901, was l0i degrees.
In December and January the air Is
cooled by the north winds, and the Their
mometer has occasionally fallen 10 the
freezing point.
The average temperature in Habana is
r degrees; maximum, SO degrees; mini
mum 80 degrees. The average temporal
ture Of tho hottest month IS 81 degrees.
and Of the coolest, T. degrees. In San
tiagO de Cuba the average of the year Is
50 degrees; Of tho hottest month. IS de-
grees Of tho coolest. 70 degrees.
The typographical position OF Cuba re-
duces the four seasons Of the year 70
two-the rainy and the dry. In the
former the rain pours down IN torrents
nearly every day. The rainfall IN the
island I'm one year has reached lsl inches.
The rainy season begins In May or June.
and ends I'm November when the sea
son. known as the cold" or the dry"
begins The most rain falls IN Septem-
Der and October. In the dry season the
GeWs are very abugGant, both at night
and i'm the early morning. The average
number Of rainy days In the year is
102. The greatest rainfall noted in Ha-
bana in year is ~ inches In six lines
the smallest % inches and lines. In
the eastern department IL halls frequent
Is between February and July. There is
no record Of snow having fallen In Cuba.
excepting on December q and q. ls56,
when the coolest term ever known on
the island WAS experienced, and snow
fell near Vile Clara. in the central part
Of the island. Violent thunQer-storms
occur from June 10 September. Earth
quakes are seldom felt IN the western
districts. but are frequent IN ths eastern,
especially In the vicinity OF Santiago de
Cuba.
Tho salubrity Of the climate is various
ly estimated. Some consider II favorable
10 prolonged life but the most remark
able instances OF longevity have been
found among tho negro and aboriginal
races Others think II unfavOrablo 10
health. The yellow-feger is justly feared
by Europeans, and those coming from
more temperate chimes. The Cuban ply
slclans believe that this disease was not
known in the interior, and its appearance
al many places Is recent. IL was intro
duced into Pcurto Principe only a few
years ago BY Spanish troops
Hurricanes. less frequent than IN ia
maica, sometimes cause widespread des-
ola,i0n. a hurricane IN 1916 demolished
1872 houses. and sank ZlT vessels.
While the climate IS more temperate
than in the other west Indian Islands,
being salubrous IN the elevated interior,
fever and ague haunt the coasts.