Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-05-07

CARRYING TOBACCO TO MARKET.
production occurred. the output was
valued at about S10.000.0O0. Under
the Spanish regime much of the coffee
was sent to that country and part of
the crop was exported to Italy and
France. For this reason Americans
did not get well acquainted With the
Porto Rlcan variety AS is well
known. climatic and soil conditions af-
feet coffee favors. American army Of
ficers and late tourists have come to
prefer the Porto Rican coffee. Ii Is GER
tain that the United States will receive
large consignments of coffee In the
near future. The new brands have
got to fight for public favor Coffee
dealers and brokers in the United
States oppose the coming of new
competitor. as they have certain grades
and brands of their own. Porto Rico
can produce over $30.000OO0 worth of
coffee each year. and when Americans
become accustomed to its flavor the
future of the industry will be assured.
| Sugar Is another important crop. The
| annual yield is about $5000,OO0. On
the sugar plantations expensive ma
chinery Is required, and this fact pre-
4 vents men of small means from en-
gaging In the business. Formerly large
profits were made. and this was in spite
of adverse conditions, Ii some of the
projected trolley lines are built, 1t will
be possible to secure electric power
for the sugar plantations.
| Another important source of wealth
is the tobacco industry. About 1000
acres are devoted to the culture of the
plant, and $3,000,000 Is a fair estimate
OF the value of the annual expectation.
The quality of the leaf Is declared by
many to be excellent. Land suitable
for raising the plant may be purchased
mt low figure. Labor Is PLENTIFUL but
Is asking for higher wages. One small
farm, costing its owner $1,000. yielded
In one year $4,000 cash money. 1t
was formerly the custom to export the
Porto Rican tobacco to Cuba. and there
1t was mixed with the products of the
latter island. We will get better
acquainted with the Porto Rlcan prod
uct IL the near future.
Porto Rico will in the near future
become winter resort. The climate is
delightful. and few Of the roads are
very gnc. The mountains are high.
and Number of locations for hotels
may bc found. Then. TOO the man
ners and customs Of the people are so
strange aud attractive that many
American tourists will wish 10 visit
the island This will bring money aud
stimulate trade
Porto Rico is capable OF producing
many kinds of tropical fruits, Oranges
and bananas grow here. and so do lem
ons. There Is great need here for veg.
etables. ana truck farms should be
very profitable.
The most lourshing OF all industries
in Porto Rico at the present time is
TINT OF cattle raising. The beef eaten
here Is all raised on the island. The
cattle are not milk producers. and 1t
follows that there is pronounced need
for dairy products. Chickens are like
wise In demand. as we'll as butter and
eggs,
The American occupation Of the is.
land has worked wonders. for Porte
Rico, 1t Is not necessary to dwell
upon the deplorable condition of affairs
existing In former days. Chaos has
given place, to order. The steamers
connecting The Island with American
ports bring hocks of men WHO come 10
invest money ON the return voyages
un increasingly large amount of prod
uce Is sent away from Porto Rico
After living in Porto Rico for nearly
a year am glad to testify to the salts
factory conditions which are present
here II Is certain that the natives have
seen enough OF American rule to appre-
ciate II, The future of Porto Rico from
a moral political aud industrial stand
point IL assured.
i d JAMES q. JOHNSON.