The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-01-30
ISLE OF THE GATE OF GOLD

PosaibiIifies.-A Splendid Field for
Puerto Rico and its Products and
American Capital aud Enterprise-
The Exposition at Charleston Will
Afford Fine Opportunity for the
study Of Porto Riean Problems.
Among those islands known as the
West Indies, about which more curlos-
ity has been eXhibitd by Americans
during the past two years than at any
other period, there is perhaps none
more interesting than the little island
of Puerto Rico, which is now one OF
the possessions of the United States.
This island lies within the torrid zone,
between latitudes II degrees "a min
utes aud Is degrees 30 minutes, but as
il is far out to the eastward away from
The warm waters of the Gulf stream,
and its small surface il swept by the
trade winds from end to end, even in
the heat of summer, the temperature
never rises above 95 degrees Fahrenheit
on the seacoast, and the nights are
usually cool. In winter the limit of
mercury is about 50 degrees on the
coast and ten degrees less on the
mountains, dropping lowest in Jan
uary. The "rainy season" in Puerto
Rico is a long one, and there is never
a day in the year upon which shower
does not fall somewhere in the island,
but the difference is that while the
rain falls in steady downpour during
the rainy season, it fails in quick
showers, rapidly dried, and succeeded
by exquisite sunset effects during the
dry season. The deep, fast-fowing
rivers of Puerto Rico are remarkably
numerous, and much of the salubrious-
ness of the climate is ascribed to these
and to the innumerable smaller
streams which vivify the air and land
alike. Yellow fever has never taken
the form of an epidemic in Puerto
Rico, and while malarial fevers are
common, as i'm most tropical climates,
1t has on the whole the most healthful
climate of all the regions of the west
ern Hemisphere within the torrid zone
and as q place of babltation is prefer
able to any of the islands of the West
Indies. Though not impressive i'll
appearance as approached by sea,
Puerto Rico offers to the traveller.
once on the island, rare panorama of
artistic loveliness. Almost every foot
, of land is rolling, except upon the
coast and in some narrow valleys
where the earth is flat as q floor, from
the banks of the rivers tn the very foot
of the mountains, which rise abruptly
to sharp, curved crests thousand feet
above. All of this picture Is clothed IN
living green the entire year round.
"No more delightful place Of abode Ior
white men can be imagined; perfect
landscapes, q soil in which almost
everything under heaven will grow,
cool nights, bearable days and the
whole of this ideealistic conception set
off with a filagree work OF heavy
clouds, wonderful rainbOws overhang-
ing the green Of stately palms, wav-
ing, broad-leaved banana plantations,
food and fruit trees and jungle forests,
whose odd shapes and queer foliage
lend q never-tiring charm to the scene.
1t Is a tropical Eiysium and will be-
come the winter Mecca of America.
INDUSTRIAL POSSIBILITIES.
But it Is in regard to its industrial
possibilities, rather than to its charm
ing climate and its artistic effects, that
the average American citizen manifests
most curiosity. Mr., William Din
widdie, who was sent to Puerto Rico
by the Harper Brothers to study
conditions and spent two months there
immedia ely after the evacuation, ha'
shown many ways in which the
enterprising American may turn an
honest penny in the Isle of the Gate
ofGold," as he calls it.
While food is both dear and cheap
eggs being five to ten cents apiece,
butter ten cents for tiny pat, and
bananas two for q cent and five for
cent respectively, there will be for
some time to come an opening for
those who know how to cook aud
serve food after the American fashion.
Where g. man has capital to invest
there are many lines of business upon
which he may embark with fair
. assurance Of the return of his money
with interest.
COFFEE RAISING.
Coffee raising ranks first as an
Industry in Puerto Rico, and will open
the best avenue for investors of large
capital. Planted, rs it must needs be
in the higher attitudes of the pictures
quely rolling hills, it affords the plant
er O healthful, cool place of residence
and an uncontaminated water supply,
besides offering the advantages of an
occupation which may be conducted
through every stage either under the
shade of the thickly growing trees, or
under cover, and what is perhaps as
important an advantage as any, no
great technical training is required to
raise coffee successfully. Mr.. Din.
widdie estimates that the cost Of
purchasing 100 acres of coffee land
and converting it into paying invest
ment would be about $500, this
covering original cost of uncultivated;
land cost, of clearing preparing,
planting and cultivating; cost of
modern machinery necessary buildings
etc, and he estimates the net returns
at the end of four years as So, $50. For
the next year and after the net income
would be $4,000 year. About
$4,000, 900, pounds of coffe are annually
exported from Puerto Rico, but not
more than 100000 acres are under
cultivation and the methods in vogue
for handing the crop are very prlmi-
tive, so that it may be confidently said
that the coffee industry is yet in its in
fancy. The quality of Puerto Rican
coffee Is held III high esteem in France,
Germany, Italy, Austria and Spain:
SO far it has been sold only in small
quantities in the United States, as our
coffee buyers will not handle the
commodity at the high prices asked
and received abroad. In flavor 1t is as
fine as our best mixtures of old Cover.
ment Java and Mocha. 1t is stronger
than Java and has less of the pungent