Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-06-30
FOREST CONDITIONS OF CUBA.
Observations OF a Tourist Through the Island During
the Past Month.


Cuba is much larger than Americans
ordinarily suppose After steaming at
a fairly rapid rate for forty-eight hours
along It's southern shore and riding IN
the cars for ten hours from Cienfuegoes
10 Havana one begins to appreciate It's
size and diversity deprecate the fact
that idleness has been forced upon It's
fertile soil. and wonder al It's posslbili-
ties, which are indeed limitless.
Now that the health and peace OF the
island are assured 1t is the proper time
TO consider its possibilities from an
agricultural and forest standpoint /
have been especially interested in It's
forest conditions in crossing the island
from Cienfuegos. IN cOasting along the
south shore OF the island and In short
excursions from Havana and frmn
Santiago. / have been surprised 10 find
50 much Of this island bare. Even In
the mountainous districts the forest APP
peared 10 me sparse ana thin. I'M
mense areas have been cleared in times
past for cane and tobacco plantations.
and almost everywhere on uncultivated
land fires have been set 10 improve the
pasturage. Cuba has always been a
great cattle country and this no doubt.
at least In part. accounts for the lack
OF luxuriant forests in comparison with
Jamaica and other tropical districts.
Owing 20 the lack Of proper means Of
communication there is a lack OF wood
In certain districts especially the CEN
tral portion. Wood and charcoal are
In great demand for fuel; fence material
Is scarce; and even small poles, which
are extensively used in drying tobacco
In the field, are expensive.
The planting OF forests in Cuba would
pay as WELL / believe, as elsewhere On
the western continent Communication
from one part of the island 10 another
Is so bad. however that the forest re-
sources Of large districts are at present
unavailable and will be for some time
TO come. one often hears the state
ment. in a half-joking way, that In GO
ing from Santiago to Havana 1t Is about
as easy TO 90 via New York as Il Is via
Cienfuegos.
In coastlng along the island one sees
many fires. usually set to improve the
pasturage In other cases there are
charcoal fires, and again burning cane
fields / was told by a sugar planter
here that canehelds ignite spontaneous
ly when very dry and dense from the
friction OF their leaves in the hot tropi-
cal sun.
Charcoal Is the fuel par excellence for
tropical peoples, II emlts no disagree
able smoke or gases and little heat and
can be used In braziers or small pots.
The use Of charcoal does not necessitate
the purchase Of a stove or the construc-
ton of a chimney. The establishment
OF plantations Of some quick growing
species Of tree for the production OF
charcoal would doubtless pay For this
purpose the Eucalyptus would be ex-
cellent. Ii is quite likely that the ex-
portation of charcoal 10 Cuba from our
Gulf coast would be profitable. the main |
hindrance being It's bulhness and the |
difficulty in Transporting II.
Chestnut and locust, in my opinion, !
would grow well in Cuba II Is peculiar !
that northern plants. such as.Irish pota- !
toes and other vegetables, grow well !
here by the side Of bananas. pineapples ]
and other tropical plants. What IS need
ed IS good fence material which can |
be sold IN small sizes 10 good advantage. |
There will probably be an increasing de- |
mand for fence materlal' especially /
posts. The fences as they exist today ]