The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-21
CUBA'S TIMBER RESOURCES.
VIII Be Developed by Capital and
Industry From the states.

industry From the States.
There will probably be none of the Gu
ban resources more profitable to Savan-
nah and the South than the Astounding
timber there. Under Spanish rule this
seems not to have been given much at
tention, but things will likely be differ
ent henceforth.
There is proba bility that the impor-
tation and manufacture of the finer spe-
cies of hard wood found on the island
whl be one of the first vast sources of
wealth at which the Savannah CONNER
clal interests viii direct attention.
The lumbermen here know something of
what there is in the shape of superior
TIMBER in Cuba, and there is no doubt
some of them will soon establish saw mills
IN Ihe forests there and employ capital
IN manufacturing the timber of Cuba.
MI John j. Kirby, secretary and treas
ufef OF the Georgia Lumber Company
SAID yesterday he thought there is no
ooubt the southern lumber manufactur-
ers VII establish plants there and make
the island their seat of operations. at
least IN the manufacturing and importing
OF hard wood He said the timber re-
sources there would be looked into by
Maj. T. S. Wylly of the Third Regiment
VINO Is also connected with the Georgia
Lumber Company. Mr.. Kirby expects to
near from Maj. Wylly in about a week
ana believes the letter will contain some
interesting information in this regard.
Cuba contains Il, 10000 acres of virgin
forest, II has been stated, 'n which are
to De found upward of forty different
species OF hard woods. The lumber in
dustry, like most of the islands resources
mas been neglected under Spanish rule
These great forests are practically unex-
plored- Ihey have certainly never been
surveyed by experts, though they will be
mines of wealth for the first lumberman
who exploits their contents. AS for The
exports of wood, about $4,000 year. they
represent small fraction of the possible
product The wood which comes to mar
ket in largest quantity from Cuba Is e.
Oar, which is wonderfully abundant in
Plnar del Rio and the east But the
trade In cedar is badly managed. What
with bad packing and general shiftless-
ness, 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 ma
hogany and lignum vitae, 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. Another kind
called figured or birdseye fetches from
$500 to 5000 per 1000 feet. 1t has been
known, indeed to sell as high at 81 80
The Cuban lgnum vitae, the finest
known, is much in demand bringing
from $25 to $50 ton, the extra quality
$40. And there are many other woods
which would be valuable if only
brought to market.
For example, Cuba contains thirtv-
two species of palm, including the Yarez
palm, whose leaves are used for the manu-
facture Of hats and baskets. The articles
SO made are exported in considerable
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 varities, is used in the island for
rafters. It is very durable and will last
for many years even il exposed to wet
The sabina cimarona resembles cedar.
but is more solid. 1t is easily worked.
The roble blanco and robe amarillo are
also easily worked. They are used for
window and door frames, and for carri-
age and shipbullding. From it's durabil-
ity the latter is extremely hard and is es-
pecially suitable for posts on account of
its durability. The quebro hacha has the
same qualities. The granadillo is a pecu-
liarly beautiful cabinet wood. The caimi-
THO 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 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.
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 used to be used all
over the island, but they are very dear
owing to their being made by hand.
LAS proof of the usefulness of the Gu
ban forest trees 1t may be said that a
house can be built without the use of a
single nail, and strong enough to stand
up against any wind. The beams and raft
ers are tied together with several species
of liana which are found in abundance in
the woods. Another interesting product of
the Cuban forest Is the water vine 1t
grows from two and a half to three inches
in diameter 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 tur-
pentine in the forests of Pinar del Rio is
simply unlimited
1.-THE chief difficulty with which the
Cuban lumber industry has had to con-
tend hitherto is lack of transportation ia
cilities. Yet this is a difficulty which
should be easily got over, for the shape of
the island is such that no point is far dis
tant from the coast, while the latter has
sheltered nlets every few miles. The
transportation of the wood ought to be
very small matter, if you remember that
it is considered profitable In the United
States to convey lumber many hundreds
of miles TO the nearest river. But 1 have
no doubt that this will all be rectited
once the Spaniards are out"