The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-10-15
Farm Miscellany.
CUBA's AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.

The Island Of Cuba IS a g1gan6lc
farm of %, ZOO, 900 GRE of marvel
ously fertile soil. Thirteen million
acres remain as virgin forest. Her
present population is a little above
one and a half millions.
We're Cuba as densely populated
as Massachusetts,, her census would
show IL, ZOO, 900 inhabitants. An
equal density with that of England
would give her upward of %, 600, 900.
Her ability to support a population
per square mile equivalent to that
of England, 30 large a percentage of
which is dependent upon manufac-
turing interests, is somewhat doubt
full, from the fact that Cuba presents
little or no possibility of yer beoom-
ing a manufacturing center. In a
measure, the comparison with Mas
sachusetts is also faulty, for the
same reason. Yet, in the latter case,
the vastly greater fertility Of Cuban
soil would offset the manufacturing
features, and there is little doubt
that Cuba, along the line of her par
ticular Agricultural advantages, can
provide a comfortable and reason
ably profitable living for a popula-
ton of 10, ZOO, 900 of moderately in
dustrious citizens.
Ii is wholly probable that one of
Cuba's greatest industries, if not her
greatest, will be the production of
fruits and vegetable for the Ameri-
can market. Thirty or forty years
ago, the Havana orange was the
choice orange of the market. Amer
loan cultivation of the fruit, and the
energy with which the American
output has been pushed, have sent
the Cuban orange into the back
ground. But there is no question
ton that the proper cultivation, in
Cuba, of the Cuban stock will re-
suit in the production of an orange
which for juioiness, flavor, size, and
sweetness will be without d superior
in the world. The free-skinned man
darian oranges can be produced to
advantage, as can the kindred
fruits, the shaddook, the grape fruit,
the lime, and the lemon.
Cuba can raise all the bananas that
the United States can eat, and it is
probable that at no distant day those
concerns which now control the trade
in bananas and cocOanu6s and pine
apples will all look to nearby Cuba
for their supply of these fruits, Ieav-
ing Jamaica and Belize and San
Domingo to find new markets. Figs,
dates, guavas, nectarines, apricots,
and pOmegranates are all among the
ready possibilities for either canning
or shipment. The aguaoate is a
fruit which careful shipment might
we'll lay down in northern markets
to the great advantage of Northern
palates. To those who have eaten
mangoes in the Philippines and other
points in the far East, the Cuban
mango is a distinct failure. The
gUava jelly of Cuba is endlessly su-
perior to the product of India and
the far East, and a larger market
should be opened for it.
1t is quite probable that there are
several moderate fortunes waiting
for those who will go to Cuba and
grow Strawberries in a business
way. The same may be said of
melons. By proper cultivation,
Strawberries may be produced every
month in the year under natural
conditions, Specially selected sites
and artificial irrigation might be
necessary, but the sites and the
water are there for those who make
scientific study of a promising indus
try. Small watermelons of delicious
sweetness and flavor, and muskmel-
ons of excellent quality, make their
appearance in the market early in
the year. Pineapples are receiving
considerable attention, and there are
both promises and opening for wide
extension of their cultivation. Cuba
is a land of fruits and vegetables,
and the great markets of America
are open to her products. Many
vegetables will produce two crops
per year, and some are perennial.
New York may we'll eat Cuban peas
and tomatoes and strawberries, all
fresh from the vines, at reasonable
prices in midwinter. With capital,
cheap sugar, and intelligent direo-
ton, Cuban canned fruits and pre-