Evening journal., 1898-06-29
11HE ROYAr, pAdM ON CUBA.

Not only is the climate OF Cuba fa-
vorable to the planting OF crops when
ever the farmer chooses to plant them.
and the lands so rich that no fertlliza-
ton is ever required, but nature seems
to have. with a beneticent hand, reared
many strange trees and plants to sup
ply the wants OF man without the ne
cessity of his planting them himself
First among these are the palms, some
twenty-six varieties OF which adorn the
fields of Cuba, giving shade, food and
life. AT the head OF these stands the
royal palm. This majestic tree con-
slsts OF tall, straight trunk Of fibrous
wood supporting a cluster OF pennated
leaves, like bunch OF p,umes on a
long stick. II is a marvel OF beauty
and utility, yet It is one OF the most
common Of all trees in Cuba. Il is
met with most everywhere; IN the CEN
tire Of broad pasture lands it often
stands alone, tall and straight; while
bordering the cultivated fields OF the
rich planter It forms shady avenues TO
his dwelling Again it's seed finds root
amid the gloom OF the sombre forest,
sending the tall shaft high up to find
room for its fairyllke cluster Of plumes
In the free air above On the plains II
often forms delicious groves OF shade,
and on the distant mountain it may be
seen rearing It's plumed crest against
the sky. and in the valley below It's
dark green leaves murmur softly in
sweet cadence with the winding river.
The palm has been called the blessed
tree, for every part OF 1t has its useful
ness to mankind. Certain medicinal
qualities are claimed for its roots, and
its trunk is easily split into strips,
making excellent boards for the siding
OF houses. benches, and even tables. As
the trunk is without any bark, and It's
centre is very porous, increasing IN
density toward the outer surface, which
is nearly as hard as glass, II is only
the outside hard shell OF the trunk
which furnishes these boards, From
this hard, fbrous wood some very
pretty canes are made, which take a
most beautiful polish. The leaves Of the
palm grow from the centre OF the
trunk, first in the form OF delicate
spire shooting up, which, gradually
unfolding itself. forms new leaf
These leaves continue TO grow from the
centre spire to a great length, iorm-
ing the cluster which in the case Of
the royal palm, resembles x
much bunch of enormous
plumes. The leaves, when they
cannot grow any more, drop tC
the ground from the bottom OF the
cluster, thus making room for the new
ones which are always coming out o
the centre. The bud or root OF tn
centre spire, from which the leave
grow, consists Of tender substanc
buried deep down within the cluste
Of green leaves. and forms a very pal
;s.,asssssas s.sssss..ss Sss,s sssS rSV' state o
cooked as a vegetable, or made into
preserve with sugar.
, One OF the peculiarlties OF the roya
I palm is the stem OF its long leaves J
e is a semi-circular stem, which EN-
braces the trunk OF the tree and hold
, the leaf in place until 1t withers an
drops to the ground The stem is call
ed the "yagua." II resembles a thu
board. often as long as a man is tall
and the Cuban insurgent, now strue
, Cling for independence, makes 1t sery
him a variety of purposes. For ex
1 ample. while was in the field It IRE
{ quently served me as plate by sim
ply cutting off section OF 1t. By soak
ing in water II Is rendered pliable,
s that Il may be folded almost as readil
e as a piece Of stifi paper. Thus soften
5 ed It is folded at the ends, somethin
after the fashion Of bakers pape
- hat. and fastened with wooslen PIN
Il In this shape il is called a ~catarro,
: and serves the Cuban farmer as
(. water-bucl1et, or a wash-bafan, or
n receptacle for milk, lard, cheese, ege
q or whenever a receptacle Of amy kin
,. may be needed. I have seen. "a grou
II Of rebels using a 'yagua" thus folde
as kettle in which to cook the
: breakfast Of beef and yams. The wat'
% kept the fibrous wood from br'rnin
# and I was assured that the food thu
S cooked required no salt other than tn
e which was extracted from the "yagua
= in the process Of cooldng.-Current Ii
J. erature.
. ~.,,... r,..,...o,. nr.Tntxyro wan