Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-09-03
'CuBA'S RICH FORESTS.
Vdsy CONTAIN OVER FORTY sPe-
clEs OF HARD WOOD.
The Lumber Industry. Like Most OF the
Islands Resources. Has Been Neg
rected-rhere Are Thirty-two vari-
cite. OF raim-Cubsn Ebony

Among the many sources of wealth
existing IN Cuba not the least impor-
tant Is timber. Cuba, said a prom
inent lumber merchant. contains
Il. 200, 600 acres Of virgin forest. In
which are 10 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 CT wealth 20 the first
lumberman who exploits their CON
tents. As for the exports of wood,
about $500. 600 year. they represent
small fraction Of the possible prod
uc.. The wood which comes 70 mar
ket IL 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
| shiftiessness. more than half the wood
| Is lost or useless before II reaches this
country.
"Other woods which we have been
IN the habit Of getting from Cuba are
mahogany and hgnum vitH. both very
plentiful The common mahogany Of
/ the islanl is the best there Is and
sells IN this country and Europe AZ
from SllO % Slo) per 1000 feet. An
other kind. called figured or birds
eve. fetches from $500 20 $500 per
1000 feet. Il has been known. indeed,
70 sell o. high as $3.50. The Caban
hrnum vito. the finest known Is
mu-h in demand. bringing from So
te S4l q ton. the extra quality So.
And there are many other woods
which would be valuable If only
brought 70 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 50 made are exported IN
considerably quantity 70 Europe.
where they fetch good price. The
fbre. il not So piiable Is 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
.heir 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. II is very
durable and will last for many years
even If exposed 70 vet. The sabina
D cimarona resembles cedar. but is more
solid. l. is easily worked. The robel
r. blanco and roble amarillo are also
easily worked They are used for
window and door frames, and for car
riage and shipbuilding From Its
durability the latter Is known as
eternal wood. The jiQui Is extremely
hard AMI is especially suitable fol-
posts on account q its durability.
The quebra hacha has the same
qualities The cranadillo Is a
peculiarly beautiful cabinet wood
The caimitillo j. elastic and very
strong. and Is used for Yafters. car
riage shafts and barrel hoops The
guiana de costa X also strong anS
elastic. and IN addition II Is prac
ucally waterproof. The yaya, mabo.
and cuero make good rafters, while
the jagna Is suitable for gun stocks
+, and the cGya Tor posts, particular.
~ under water.
D. 1.-The jiCue has great resisting prop
b critics. As has the ma,agua. as we'll a
4 durability. From the bark of the lat
er ter ropes can be made As good almos
r as those Of manila hemp. They used
- be used all over the island, but the
n are very dear owing TO their bein
D. made bv hand
N AS proof Of the usefulness Of th
Z. Z Cuban forest trees IL may be said III.
FL house can be built without the Us
5. Of a single nail, and strong enough
J. stand up against any wind The bean
10 and rafters are tied together with Sc
IS eral species of Llama, which are foun
IN abundance IN the woods. Anoth'
interesting product OF the Cuban 10
est is the water vine. II grows fro
two and half 70 three inches in 4
ameter, and when cut yields lars
= quantity of pure fresh water. The
are also considerable quantities Of IL