The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-10-10
CUBAN MAHOGANY.

Hardwood importers of this country
are at present exceedingly interested in
the prospective development Of a trade
with Cuba in hardwood, and particular
ly mahogany, vast tracts OF which COW
er the mountains of the new American
possession. The interest comes of the
fact that TO the trade II has long been
known that the American source of
hardwood supply began long ago TO
wane, and before long the chief source
of supply must be by import from for
eign forests. For half century Ameti-
can walnut reigned supreme and sun
planted to a vast extent mahogany. To-
day this famous hardwood is passino
Where great forests OF the stanch tree
once spread, barren OF cultivated acres
extend. and year by year Che supply
which at one time seemed ineXhausuble
has less ned. until the end is in sight.
Manufacturers have of necessity turn
ed TO other woods. and the once fore
stalled mahogany now reisns as king Of
hardwoods in place of the walnut, says
the Baltimore American.
In the necessity Of abandoning the
American wood on account OF its costH-
ness,and the adoption Of the mahogany.
an important economic question has
arisen IN the tremendous cost of carry
ing this wood from the source TO the
market.
The west coast OF Africa Is today vir-
tuaily monopoAzing the worlds ma
hogany trade, and a tremendous in
duStry, still in a crude state of devel-
opment and method, Is destined to re-
suit. The African mahogany long a,o
entered the American market. and tire
mendous quantities are now being used.
through necessity. despite the many
Disadvantages of so remote "a source.
It is, therefore, q welcome prospect
that promises a speedy developmeli Of
the Cuban forests as a source OF supply
and with the nearness 20 this country
u is regarded as probable that the Gu
ban hardwood for a time at least, will
exclude from the American market thc
African wood. and as the island Is an
American possession. q is "A source OF
gratihcatiOn that the United States will
again assume the place among sources
OF the walnut
That this source ~ vast natural
wealth has passed or is rapidly passing
from This country is a matter OF wide
significance, as indicating tho extent
OF the NJOdman's attacks on American
forests and as indicative OF n flfo rn-
doubtcdly TO fall 10 other woods that
now aip apparently lneXhaustible.
There seemed no lintf 20 the extent OF
TINS magnificent vnod when the Tndi-
ana forests tlrst rgng with the axe. IL
was only hfteen years ago that The for
csts OF southwestern virginia wore
systematically attacked and yet today
there is hardly n walnut 20 be found.
except Tar back In the wilds where the
distance frQm railroads makes oDera-
ton virtually impossible though I'm
places logs are being hauled today
thirty milcs % tha railroad that one,
pierced dcnsa forests 81 the tree Whr1
cutting begun in virginia walnut raff
fences were frcuu ntly found put M hv
farmers who dld not know its value. so
euch condition VIII be found now
ThrouRh1ui all the former walnut fc~-
ritory but IN Insignificant uuautitv re-
mains 20 b. cut, and The axe viii un-
doubtcdly have the last tree down in
an unfortunately short while ana wrh
that tree VIII fall an industry which
has meant millions OF wealth 20 the