Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-11-30

hC uDl'lOuth 10 WHY
splendid harbor, three miles in circum>
ference, deep water; on the left, foil
age covered land, waving palms and
banana trees, MORO Castle; to the
right, the city and Fort La Punta; the
harbor alive with shipping. The city
on low plain only u few feet above
the sea.
In Havana most of the streets are
very narrow, sidewalks only two feet
wide. EXceptions-three handsome
wide streets, one with villas on each
side and fine gardens; once a fashion
able shopping street. Ladies shop
without leaving their carriages. The
third is the Prado, fine promenade,
well lighted; celebrated botanical
gardens and avenues of cocoa palms
unsurpassed.
The stores in Havana are not num-
bered but have some fanciful names
such as The Pearl of Cuba, Sea Foam,
Things Precious.
Small horses laden with baskets of
fruit, sugarcane, etc, are frequently
seen on the streets; also long teams of
oxen yolled together by the horns.
Most of the better classes of houses
built of conglomerate of sea shell, very
white; one story high; upper half of
house white, lower dark blue, a deep
red or vivid yellow; outer doors al
ways open; windows without glass,
but barred the bars painted in bright
rplprS Mnst
or patios within with trees, flowers
and shrubs. The rooms ave arranged
around this court have no carpets
no chimneys; have Venetian blinds in
stead of glass in the windows.
Cuba equals in area the state of New
York. Is called Queen of the Islands,
Pearl of the Antilles. Surface of the
land diversified. Has n favorable
tropical climate. Two seasons, dry
and wet, the latter from May to Octo.
ber very damp as a whole, rain
brought by the trade winds. Coolest
month, January; warmest, August.
Rainfall generally in the afternoon.
Constant summer, no snow. The cold
est doy in Hanana about 80 degrees;
warmest, about 100 degrees. Winter
months delightful. Mosquitoes and
sandfiieS are common pests.
There are four types Of people, viz:
Spaniards, who emgrated from Spain;
Cubans, their descendants, who own
the land;negroes, one-third in number;
and Chinese, in small number. The
latter two races do the work
Cuban women are often handsome,
with dark compilations, big black eyes,
hair chestnut or blue black, and fine
teeth; are merry but not great work
ers. The men are thin, have thin
hands, sharp features, swarthy com
pleXions and intelligent eyes. Both
men and women like to dress well and
go to the opera. The Cubans are
called cruel from their harsh treat
ment of horses, oxen, dogs, fowls and
maniacs. Cock fighting is always
common on Sundays; money is always
bet on the results.
Humboldt says that the whole of Gu
ba was once a forest of palms, lines
and orange trees. The royal palm is
marvel of beauty and utility. 1t is
very common. Its leaves resemble a
cluster of enormous plumes. The Gu
ban obtains from it boards, food, salt,
plates, kettles, roofs, etc. Cocoa-nut
palms make a lovely grove with their
rich varied color.
There are large sugar plantations.
The sugar harvest begins late in Janu-
ary and ends in May. Cane is grown
from slips taken from the top of the
plant. Grows in six months to matu-
rity, is from six to 16 feet in height;
when ripe the canes are of pale
green color. The men cut the stalks,
the children pull off the leaves, the
women tie in bundles. 1t is carried
from the field to the rolling mill in
OK carts by narrow gauge railroads.
The mills in sugar time work day and
night.
Near the eastern end of Cuba is the
lovely harbor and city of Santiago.
The situation is beautiful MORO
Castle, where Hobsop was imprisoned
is picturesquely situated at the mouth
of the Santiago river. There are many
gardens in Santiago full of flowers,
whose perfume can be perceived from
the ships in the harbor. The water
in the harbor is often phosphorescent
The place will always be connected
with the surrender of the Spanish
army to the United States in July,
1898, and the destruction of Cervera's
fleet in the same month.-Teachers '
Monographs.
Tomato Jnsectici1e