Arizona republican., 1899-06-17

i the United States in competition with i the merchandise from Spain, they were i at liberty to buy in Spain. But they ! lacked business connections in that country and being further handicapped l by the customs of Porto Rico, with drew from the field.
 Mir. Davenport says the island is not now a good place for any man unless he is government emIploye. Even a capitalist enjoys no advantages. Skilled labCrers, such as engineers ana
 plumbers. are in demand for making the improvements being carried on
 under the military occupation. There
 were no sewer systems, but they arc
 now being inCrodaced into the posts
 and other governmental places.
 Under other conditions Mr Daven-
 port believes that farming Cn large
 scnIe will become profitable. 7 There
 is no public land in the island, but
 there is plenty Of lard that may be
 bought at from S15 to S2O an acre.
 This was sugar land which has lain
 out of use since ten years ago when
 many of the plantations were aban-
 doned. Most of the planters who are
 now carrying on operations are Eng
 fish and French-Spaniards. Coffee
 raising is an important industry in
 the island as is tobacco raising. The
 tobacco is believed to be equal, if not
 better, than the best Cuban variety. Pretty much all the visible supply has
 lately been bought up by New York dealers. All kinds of tropical and semi-tropfcal fruits grow wild, lemons, Hines, oranges, bananas, etc. The fruits are of the highest quality. Most vegetables flourish there, though tomatoes and cabbage do net.
 The climate is considerably warmer than that of the Salt River valley and the heat is more oppressive. On Christmas day Mir. Davenport said it was so warm that he could wear only light trousers and a thin undershirt, yet he never heard of a case of sun stroke CT prostration by heat But on the day of his return to New York be | suffered more than he had at any 1 time in Porto Rico and in walking i three blocks saw three persons stricken | down by the deadly heat.
 Cattle raising in the islands | is much more of an indus try than most people in this country suppose. The supply is much more than sufficient for the demand The beef is not of good quality. The cattle are either permitted to run ~1ld ana grow Old DeIOre they are killed. or if they are dCmesticated hey are used as oxen until they have become old and tough, when they are converted into beef. The horses are [ If small breed, smaller than Indian ponies. The mules are also smaller han those of this country.
 There is only one road in Porto Rico, but that is for the length of it he finest in the world, the great 1 road traversinS the island ( forth and south, from Ponce to San | uan. All the Spanish road building ( nergy of centuries was expended LpGn this thoroughfare All other ( faces than those two cities mentioned [ re reached by Dyways and mountain [ aths. The buggy trade of the island l therefore does not cut much figure. I here are, a great many public hacks onstantIy on the big road. Most Of 4 he American officers and high govern lent officials keep carriages, but side from these there are less than k fty private vehicles on the island. z
 MT. Davenport says he has seen al f Porto Rico he cares to look at jus1 ow, but he will return in the course I year if the American government i
 fully established by that time. f