The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-05
Even Coffee ThrivCB,

Tho sugar cane grows all through tho
island and yields tho largest percentage
known of Sacchnrino matter. In somo
parts Of tho island the coffee troo thrives
very well, and tho quality Of tho bean
is equal to the best Muracnibo or Con-
trail American. Tho banana a..d tho
plantain also flourish. Largo quantities
Of tho latter arc raised and consumed
III tho country. 1t is an exceedingly
nourishing food. OF tho former, in tho
eastern part, thero are jrent plantu-
tions, and several million dollars worth
nro exported every year to tho United
States.
Tho orange and tho pineapple abound
III tho island and about l3 other spo-
clos OF most delicious fruits, rs tho
guava, tho mango, tho Nancy, tho
unOna, etc.
AS has been said, tho forests of tho
island contain IL great number Of valuu.
bio hard and cabinet woods among thom
tho mahogany and tho cedar, of which
thero arc very largo quantities.
Thoro arc plantations Of tho cocoanut
tree, and millions Of tho nuts aro OK.
ported yearly. The cocoa tree also grows
very well, and tho bean is OF u very su-
porior quality.
Tho cedar furnishes tho material Of
; tho cigar boxes. Tho fruits Of tho island
comprise nearly al those found in tho
tropics. Tho pineapple is indigenous to
the soil. There were at tho timo of tho
discovery of tho island six varieties Of
tho sweet potato cultivated by tho na-
two Indians, as well ns tho yucca or
cavassa and Indian corn. Although tho
forests aro dense, very nearly impone-
trablo, they aro inhabited by no wild
animals larger than tho wild dogs,
: which arc, in fact, small wolves These
; arc pests to planters, rs they destroy
quantities. Of poultry and young cattle.
The iutia, Il small animal resembling II
muskrat, living in trees and having tho
habits Of tho raccOon, is tho only other
animal Of importance that is found.
Birds i'll great number and variety hero
mako their homes, and many migratory
fowls use tho island for breeding
place.
Charact oriSticS of tho People.
Tho spirit Of tho people Is light and
gay. Tho Latin mind is volatile and not
given to mourning. Grief hero, like
hatred, is violent while it lasts, bus
smiles and laughter follow swiftly.
Tho race characteristics aro distinctly
, Latin. Tho Cuban lady is charming.
Sho moves with simple elegance, i'll
variably having that great dosidcratum
Of most American womon--an unaffcct
Ell and graceful carriage. Bonncts and
hats arc things which, for tho most
part, sho happily knows not at all, but
sho wears across her glancing shoulders
or lightly thrown over hor head q shawl
OF whito or black laco. Tho highest OK.
amples Of her arc almost matchloss ns
types of glorious, dark, feminine beauty,
with their slight, well rounded figures,
their wealth Of billowy, bluo black
hair and the finely chisclcd features OF
their sweet oval faces. which seem, after
all, Eut the fit setting OF glorious eyes,
dark as night, soft as velvet, yet bright
RS winter stars. That tho Cuban lady il
not lacking in mentality, in native wit,
clcvcrncss and understanding sho ha.
often proved when tranSplantcd to moro
stimulating climates. Sho has been a
leader in the brilliant intellectual salons
OF Paris, and If at home sho is seldom
distinguished by high intellectual nc.
complishmcnts it may charitably be sup.
posed to bo chargcablo to "a climate
which renders prOtraCtcd mental effort
real pain even to trained minds.
Under tho favorable conditions OF
peace, when homes have not been mar.
red and polluted by the rourl and de.
grading touch OF the trooper, tho Cuban
girl Of quality is reared in tho strictcst
refinement, and even tho poor arc more
regardful Of tho prGprictlcs than they
arc under tho dcmcralizing influence OF
war. But tho education Of Cuban chill.
drcn has been sadly neglected. AS late
as 1856 not primary school could be
found towns b0asting $500 or 3, 600
mhab' ants. In 1851, when Cuba was
compelled to contribute 50, 0G0, 900 in
support Of tho army Of Spain, the
amount appropriated for public instruc.
ton in the island was less than $50, 900.
A few years ago BuracOa, with /, 1865
children, had no moro than two public
schools, with accommodation for 1876
children, and costing for teachers sala-
RIGS, rent Of building and other expenses
the yearly sum Of $50. Manzanillo,
with 3,019 children, had four public
schools. with an Attendance Of 1856.