The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-17
Che aaieita Tally gaale Sunday glora Anne IT. 1900

ting here. As people never follow advice
have always declined the responsibility
of giving it, but will say that no one
ought TO land here with less than $500
and give below some figures of actual
expense This estimate is based upon
farm of ten acres and will probably
seem large to anyone who has been in
terested in the colonization schemes
where everything has been minimized and
in most cases deliberately lied about. In
most OF their estimates mules have been
quoted al $40 while in reality good
mule can not be purchased for less than
$3.50 OF course there have been con-
demned government mules sold here as
low as SO. but they are al injured in
some way and are poor investments at
that. The following are actual necessary
expenses as given by practical men now
living here and learned from experience
They all agree that ten acres is enough
for one man unless he wishes TO engage
in stock raising.
Ten acres of land clear of incum
branceS .+.-....... ..........--.-----.S ~
House of four roms and front porch. 200
Plants for one acre of pines ......!.-- ~
Necessary expense in cultivating one
acre Of tobacco. including sheds
and plants ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 50
Wagon and harness .................... 100
Living one year OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 4ve
This brings the full total UP to nearly
$500. So reneat, do not come with less
than $500. There is no doubt that ten
acres of oranges and other citrus fruits
will, when in bearing, bring an income
of from $500 to 5000 per year. The pine
apples are no hindrance to the young
oranges and their cultivation includes the
cultivation of the oranges.
If a person had palm grove there Is
no doubt that money could be made
raising hogs.
AS to the time of year TO arrive I would
advise not later than June 1 if intending
to get in pineapples, or July for tobacco
planting, as time is rapidly consumed in
building house and getting settled and
it is very necessary to get in the crops
in the months stated. Tobacco is not set
out until October ard November, but it
is necessary to SOW the seed in August
and thus save fully $50 in plants. OF
course an economical man might cut
down several items below the figures
state above and a good housewife reduce
the living expenses fully one-fourth
These figures are all given for the red
land as that is the only place fruit can
be grown. On the other hand the black
land is good vegetable land, but is not
fruit land. l have spent the last several
months in the black land district and
have had my table supplied daily with as
fine cabbage. onions, tomatoes and Irish
potatoes as 1 ever saw anywhere. They
grow only during the winter season fit
for market, although enough for table use
can be secured all the year around in a
small piece of ground. They are planted
three feet by one and half so as to be
cultivated with a hoe. OF course hoeing
near the plants is also necessary. About
800 dozen are raised per acre and a ship
per in Matanzas told me he had never
paid less than 80 cents per dozen and
from that to 50 cents. These figures he
took from his books not trusting TO mem
Dry, and showed me figures on onions and
potatoes, the smallest price for these
being 60 cents per bushel. Local markets
>
that so that none can be had by the ship
per-
Any one thinking of coming here, by
thoughtful study of the above figures, can
decide for himself
One word in regard to buying land.
First be sure of the title and l would ad-
wise buying it of some american who has
bought large tract and is willing 10 di-
vide it. Do not buy ground that has been
used in cane culture. as it is greatly i'm
poverished. If buying red land get it
uncleared and thus secure virgin soil, as
it is only covered with brush the trees
having been used for lumber so long ago
| that the stumps are rotted out. The ex-
pense and labor of cutting off and burn
ing the brush is very light while the soil
| is so loose that mere scratching is all it
| needs in the way OF cultivation The
stones are no objection and will be found
| on all the red land of Cuba.
If wishing vegetable land buy only
cleared black land and if possible already
in cultivation. so as to be rid Of the grass
The grass grows to a height Of from
eight to ten feet and really has to be
grubbed out This soil resembles the
black waxy soil of Texas and can only
be turned by disc plow.
As all the land of the island is divided
| into classes and each class is the same
wherever 1t is found. 1 would not advise
anyone 10 expend much money looking
around, but decide which color he wants
and buy the first piece that can be Sc
cured cheap enough.
J. D RHOADES.
Matanzas, Cuba.