New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
NEWS FROM PORTO RICO.
CHANCES TO MAKE MONEY IN COTTON
RAISING AND ORANGE GROWING.
But TEACHERS OF THE ENGLISH Lam
ct.acr WHO CAN SPEAK SPAN


BUT TEACHERS OF THE ENGLISH Lam
GuAGE WHO CAN SPEAK SPAN
ISL ARE IN DEMAND
San Juan. Porto Rico April g.
The cotton trees of Porto Rico differ from those
Of the States for they from eight TO ten feet
high and grow wild in the fields. so cotton could
be easily cultivated as 1t grows pretty much all
over the island On some OF the trees leaves dos
SONS and cotton pods seen at the same time'
There is a chance for up-to-date woman 10
start the business of cotton raising ana make
success of IT, The natives do not cultivate or use
a great deal of 1t. 1t Is sold In the nore lot oo
cents a yard. instead OF being done up III puhuies'
Oranges also grow wild, and are superior 10 the
cultivated ones in the States. Why not nave or
ange groves here such as Mrs. Henry ward beech-
or and Mrs Thomas c. Plat had in Florida? This
is really a garden of the gods in the matter OF
scenery and beauty OF sky. Only in poetry and
dreams have we found skies go blue.
An erroneous impression has been given concern
ing the native wines. There no native wines,
as there are vineyards here. Even common
imported wines are extremely dear.
II Is a mistake for women TO come down here
hoplng TO do anything in a business way In the
usual lines for there hundreds Of native
women out Of employment; they do not enter the
various commercial fields here as in the states.
A few good boarding house keepers and a few
good cooks might find ready employment.
English teachers at the present are In great de-
mand An advertisement for scholars in the San
Juan News" brought to the advertiser over 800
answers
All the better class of Porto Ricans are most
anxious to learn English. and few women who
are good English teachers, and who speak Span
ish also would probably do well for a time. No
American woman should come down with less
than $500 ready money, for living is very expensive
One should bring down plenty Of shirt waists.
organizes light summer gowns. White Is pref
erable on account OF the washlng The natives
do not know how to wash. and ruin everything with
color in 1t. 1t Is not well, eitner TO rely on pur-
chasing and having garments made here.
Many letters come asking IL stenographers are
In demand. No, they not. Nearly all English
business firms bring their own secretaries as also
DO the Army officers The Government officers ant
many civilians and tourists bring their own type
writing machines One or two good typewriters
might find some work here.
The mode of living under the present conditions
Is hard the constitution OF American women,
even under the most favorable circumstances.
After the sightseeing Is over life becomes mo-
notonous. the diversions few though the
women Of the American colony mostly wives of
the Army officers and few business men, do all
they can to make the social side of life as bright
as possible. The Porto Rcan women usually
Invited o the functions. and pleased. though
amazed, at the energy and independence Of the
Northern women. But II Americans would remain
long the island they must adopt the less en-
ergetic ways of life. take the midday maps and
forcgo many pleasures they are accustomed to-.
One does not wake refreshed here. II usually
takes an hour or two to get energy to begin the
day. and when Americans become Frustrated or
overtred, their only chance of recovery is 10 re-
turn to the States for few weeks.