The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18
ADMIRAL LORD CHARLES BEREsFoRD.

tobacco plantations of Porto Rico may
seem insignificant, yet, when we see that
the crop of 1897, after having been partially
converted into cigars and cigarettes, was
exported and sold for 81, 1884, 0O, it cannot be
regarded as unimportant. From various
causes this export of tobacco, cigars and
cigarettes was reduced during the time of
the American military occupation. During
the first ten months of the present admin
istration ILL tons of tobacco, valued at
S403, 600, have been exported.
From the earliest times the raising of
live stock has been a favOrite pursuit in
the island. 1t is still of great Importance,
as all animals increase, thrive and fatten
on the luxuriant pastures, watered by the
clear running streams in every section.
The pasture lands of Porto Rico are SUI
perior to those of the ~neighboring islands,
and over a million acres are now devoted to
that purpose. The annual expectation Of
hides amounts to over $4,000. For the first
ten months Of civil administration the value
of animals exported was 1859, 900.
BIG PROFITS IN FRUITS.
One source of great potential wealth to
Porto Rico is it's rich possibilities in the
production of fruits and vegetable fbers.
doubtless the mdSueys WHICH Is HIIulSSuOuS
to the island, could be cultivated with con-
siderable profit. It's products are the pita,
or sisal, hemp, which is manufactured into
linen, ropes. nets and hammocks: also
pulque, an intoxicating liquor much used in
Mexico.
During the Spanish domination the ex-
portation of beeswaX amounted to con-
siderable proportions. This would indicate
that bee culture could be made a very
profitable industry here. With the Italian
bees and American hives added to the ac-
cessories of the business in use on the
continent, the flowers of the coffee plant
and the refuse of the sugar mills could be
laid under contribution, and combined with
the sweetness of the myriads of natural
owe which deck the landscape from the
peak of Yunque to Cape San Francisco tons
of the most delicious honey would be pro-
duced and yield a golden reward to the
industry of the bee and the skill of the bee
farmer.
1t is unnecessary to mention molasses and
rum, the incidental products of the sugar
cane, though they themselves are sufficient
to pay all expenses of the sugar planters
and leave the returns from his sugar as
clear gain. The so-called minor crops,
which embrace corn, rice, beans, potatoes
and the like, are raised solely for home
consumption. A large amount of rice, which
forms the principal food of the poorer peo-
pie, is imported every year. 1t is unneces-
sary to import a pound of rice, the island
being capable of producing more than
enough for the use of all its million of peo-
pie.
Very little attention has heretofore been
given to the culture of fruits. though ex-
cellent oragnes. bananas, plantains. man
goes. aguacates, guavas, grapes, lemons.
zapotes, manages, nisperos, cOcoanuts and
other tropical fruits grow wild in the great
est profusion. Proper culture would i'm
prove the quality and enlarge the yield,
and with cold-storage transportation the
markets Of New York and all the CONT
mental cities could be stocked with them
the year round. a ten-acre orange grove,
when once in bearing, gives a comfortable
income sufficient TO support a family in
the best country style Of Virginia or Ohio.
Oranges and grape fruit, set at seventy
trees per acre, will yield an average of five
or six boxes per year for each tree after
reaching maturity. Crops of ten and
twelve boxes per year are frequently re-
ported, and there are well-authenticated
cases of trees in Porto Rico which have
yielded over twenty boxes of fine, sweet
oranges.
a TRADE ADVANTAGE.
II is important TO note the fact that under
free trade. which Porto Rico enjoys with
the United States. there is a saving Of /
cent a pound. or 80 cents per box. upon
oranges exported from the island to the
States. as compared with those sent from
Jamaica, Cubs or any other foreign coun-