The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-27

increasing, few American men or wo-
men are setting mp In business The Span
lard and the Cuban are both acute In
busines, but so conservative an method,
IL really seems a pity some up-to-date
Americans who have mastered Spanish
or al least the Spanish trade should not
give the cobwebs shake.
one million of an American popula tlon
In the shipping and trading Industries and
agriculture of Cuba would be her imme-
diate salvation. Their backbone is want
ed AS well as their skill and energy
How is this 10 be accomplished? Slow
ly at first. 1 have avoided all political
considerations I'm this summary, and shall
only mention them now 10 say that when
the status of the island Is definitely fixed
nothing should delay a vigorous immigra-
tion.
Instead OF the man with the tract OF
land 90 parcel out at absurd rates OF the
company with blind pool, there must
be organized examination Of suitable To-
calities for the different styles of farm
ing.
Information. Is 20 be had on the spot
and our government officials in cuba
should be uhie ~ add greatly. If any
number OF men with little means desire
10 settle I'm Cuba. they should combine
10 send trustworthy agent. who would
see the lands and conditions az first
hand. Before any parcel OF land IL pur-
chased strict examination of title should
take place
The hardshlps endured by the farming
pioneers of our great west would not be
encountered. but one should not expect 10
recline on bed or roses.
Farming i'm cuba is primitive, and II
not pursued by the natives with the pa
tient pertinacity that has built up tho
tremendous agricultural empire of the
United States. Life comes easy for them.
LAND PRICES STILL REASONABLE.
The average farm I'm cuba, according
TO the census Of 1899 was 143 acres. but
the average under cultivation was only 10
acres. Each farm sustaine.. an average
Of eighteen persons. But the Cuban farm
er aims at little more than sustaining life.
He has few wants and few civilized needs.
He has no ambitions for himself or his
children. No settler should be satisfied
with less than a cavalleria. II properly
managed. "A cavalleria could he secured
at present for the price asked by certain
concerns for five acres. But now Is the
time.
Land prices have gone mp within the
past year. but they are still reasonable.
Year after year the chances OF bargains
will grow less.
The damage done to American settle
ment i'm Cuba by the sharks of the land
companies Is very great but the truth
should he known Farming in Cuba,
whether in the staples or I'm fruits aud
fancy cultures, ia inviting
There is room for 1On.000 souls from
America on the smiling lands: that IL
10 say 1000 farms on lands that have
never keOwn an iron plow and much
land that has never been tiled by man
The virgin lands are of course, ihe
cheapest. and generally are richest, hut
unless there is transportation for pro
ducts the new settler should not seek
them In the province OF Matanzas Pine
ar del Rio and Haganna. despite their be-
ing the most settled. there arc many
lands that can be bought AT reasonable
figlreA g.. save
In Santa Clara Puerto Principe, and
Santiago are found the untouched lands.
particularly IN the two latter provinces.
Exccpt along tho coast. they are not,
however inviting AZ present
NV Anal word is; II YOU feel moved
20 farm in cuba. go rs a farmer; know
what YOU are golrg for. and he sure OF
what you arc paving for. Prosperity
there as elsewhere depends on the clear
head and the willing hand