Evening star., 1899-03-15
center of the island, fifteen miles distant
over an excellent natural road.
Haths at Santa Fe

person who desires to take the baths, the
patient subsequently, paying 20 cents for
each bath. 1t is recommended that, this
forced medical consultation before taking
a tepd bath be done away with
Jucaro the port of Santa Fe, is on the
Santa Fe river. Steamers touch once
week. The only wheel vehicles are the
ancient volante and thezox cart. No schools
We're in operation when; the esisland was vis-
tied. The revenues having ceased, all gov
ernment functions were at standstfll
The taxes formerly collected al these
points by the Bank of Spain went to Ha-
vana. from whence ene-fourth was after
ward remtted to the inhabitants. The
only dues collectable directly by the au-
slaughtering cattle and selling beef. Even
these taxes no longer exist, there are
practically no cattle in the island
The civil expenses OF the government
formerly amounted to only about $1,000 per
annum, Of which S4M@ came from the
Bank of Spain and $1,000 were collected
directly on beef, or, rather, indirectly by
export dues of IL cents on each sack of
charcoal and 7 cents on cord of wood
Marble Found in the Mountains.
The only mineral product of importance
in the island is the marble. This marble
is found in the mountains east and west
of New Corona on the north coast Some
fifty years ago these marble quarries were
worked extensively, and there are evil
dences that much money was put into the
enterprise. For some reason or other it is
said that the Spanish government looked
with diSfavor upon the enterprise, and in
order to discourage it levied duty on the
sand used in saving, which was hauled
from the shore mile from the quarry.
This tax killed the enterprise.
About twelve years ago a few cargoes of
marble blocks were gotten out and shipped
to Havana to be sawed out and worked
there. Since then this particular industry
has been neglected The marble appears
to be of good quality, some of it being
white statuary marble, while other speci-
mems contain various shades of blue
grained stone as well as marble of a dark
gray color. There are also specimens con-
tanning a pinkish coloring None of these
samples are capable of a very brilliant
polish. With modern methods good results
might be obtained The work already done
in these quarries has only disturbed the
outer surface of the rock.
Captain FoltZ thinks that better material
than has already been disclosed may be
found deeper in the mountain. The old
works have a most advantageous lOca ton,
as the haul from the quarry to the old
pier is over a good road A good quality
of brick clay is also found in the island,
and the ruins of an extensive brickyard,
from which bricks. flooring and roofing
tiles were formerly shipped to Havana,
still exist at New Corona
Tobacco. Sugar and Coffee.
The tobacco grown in this region sells in
Havana at $40 per bale 1t is believed that
it passes later as Nuelta Abaio at higher
price. Were cigar factory established in
the island Capt. Foltz believes that it would
insure the recognition of the product under
its name, and that this would stimu-
late the growth of the staple and bring a
corresponding benefit to the island.
Tobacco growers are 0S the opinion that
the only difficulty thus far presented in
growing the weed arises from the newness
of the soil The latter has not been .uffi-
ciently worked and mixed to insure a Uni
form crop. Some plants grow and others
poorly.
The sugar cane at present raised in the
island is for home use only. The jnice is
extracted by a crude wooden mill ard
boiled down in large open kettle, making
dark, coarse sugar unfit for export
sugar plantation here would not probably
be able to compete with those in the rich
level lands of Havana province, as the soil
Is not strong as it is in the region named.
Coffee has only been raised in an expefi-
mental sense. The quality seems to be fair,
and Capt. FoltZ believes that if cultiv4tors
who understood the work should commence
operations in an attempt to raise the berry
good results might be obtained.
Cacao (chOcolate) is also used and only
eXperlmentaliy grown, but the fruit ap
pears to be fine. Rice grows well without
irrigation. luca, which Is commonly used
for starch, also grows well without irriga
ton, and usually yields we'll.
Malango, which is a species Of potato.
grows well without irrigation, yields well
and is of fine quality.
The sweet potato grown in the island pos
sesses particularly fine flavor, and with
reduced rates to Cuba would become
marketable product
The plaintain has sweeter flavor than
that grown in Cuba, and produces abunl-
antly. 1t is shipped to Cuba in small qudn
titles and in time will become an important
article of export.
Large Area of Pine Forest.
There are at present two small sawmills
tn fhn iS1c n,.1.. y
running order. There is a large area of
pine forest, but the logs large enough or
saving are found only in small stretches
west of the center of the island. These
small pines principally exported to be
used as railway ties, telegraph poles, poles
for the roofs of native Cuban huts and for
hanging tobacco during its curing. There
seems to be no available statistics from
which the amount and quality of the
hardwood In the southern part of the island
can be estimated.
Captain Foltz is Of the opinion that while
much fine wood might be found in the
southern portion of the island it would not
be found of sufficient size and in sufficient
quantity to warrant the expense of getting
it to the water over the difficult. rocky
ground in which it grows. The most acces-
sible localities have already been culled,
and it is feared that to take out the best
timber portable railways would have to be
used.
Poor and Small Horses.
The horses of the island are very small
and generally very poor. They are hardy
and travel with a comfortable and rapid
ambling gait. The pasturage is not such as
to favor growth, and the stock brought to
the island during the war is being rapidly
exported to Cuba. Cattle have almost dis
appeared from the island.
In a weeks riding not a hundred head
were seen. Beef is such a luxury that 1t is
not usually obtainable even in the towns
OF New Corona and Santa Fe. 1t being
rumored that the Spanish government was
to seize all the cattle the owners hurriedly
sold them and the purchasers Immediately
shipped the animals to Havana The island
is a paradise for pigs The vast variety of
wild fruits and seeds furnish him abundant
food. Parrots are found in large numbers,
and are yearly exported The shallow wa
ters about the island abound in an excel
lent quantity of fish and Holsters.
Agricultural Resources.
The agricultural resources of the island
are as follows: Rich land, 10 per cent; land
of doubtful agricultural value, 10 per cent;
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