Evening star., 1902-03-22

<szE OF p>rN |
pearance here. Although south of Cuba it's
temperature is lower account Of the
winds which are always blowing. From all
parts. from Cupa as we'll as from the
United States, the sick come to be cured by
the pure air and beneficial waters of its
springs and creeks"
The inhabitants Of the island are Span
ish and colored and exhibit in their inter
course with strangers a dignifed and kind
ly spirit. The language is Spanish.
More Important Places.
The island has two towns and one port.
Nueva Corona New Gerona), the capital
and second town III size, is on the left bank
OF the Sierra de las Casas river, two miles
above it's mouth on the north coast. It Is
advantageously situated on a picturesque
plateau, between the Cabal1os and Casas
mountains at the base Of the latter about
thirty feet above the sea. 1t is we'll drained
and, exposed to the constant breezes from
the sea, free from malarial influence. Its
water comes from a magnetism spring, said
to be very beneficial in cases of stomach
trouble, and baths have been built into
which water from the same spring Is con-
Quoted. Population, 1000. Invalids arriv-
ing at this town proceed to Santa Fe, about
the center of the island, fifteen miles in 4
scGtheasterly direction, over an American
built road. 1t Is also an American post Of
fec.
Santa Fe is situated on the left bank of
the river of the same name fifteen miles
south southeast of Nueva Corona, and has
an American post office. The port of the
town Jucaro. is about seven miles distant.
Santa Fe is a place of 1O5O inhabitants
and has thermal baths and medicinal
springs of magnesia and iron. favoraby
known and patronized from Havana in the
summer.
Jucaro. the port Of Santa Fe at a dis
tance Of seven miles, is connected by a
fine road. steamer touches here once a
week. The means of communication with
Santa Fe is by the volante or OK cart.
There is also telephone to Santa Fe pro-
ject ed
In addition to these three important CEN
ters are twenty-siX villages and hacendas
scattered throughout the island. OF the
land lying north Of the Cieraga, the swamp
and low ground with mangroves is esti-
mated at % per cent: the savannas or
meadows covered with these mangroveS
and scrub palmetto at - per cent; land of
doubtful agricultural value. 10 per cent
rich land, 10 per cent; mountains and steep
hills per cent; pine lands unsuitable for
agriculture, % per cent.
Products of the Soil.
Of the land denominated rich, very
small percentage is actually under cultiva-
tion. but the nature of the growth upon it
shows the value of the soil.
AS an example Of the variety of product
fnca or farm of less than thirty-three
acres actual cultivation produces coffee
sugar. chocolate tcocoa), cocoanuts, plan
tains, bananas, boniatos (sweet pOtatoes)
rice, beans lettuce, tobacco, honey, fowls,
pigs and cattle
in 1899 about 5000 bales (of 100 pounds
each). selling in Havana at the highest
market rates. The cultivation of sugar in
1900 was confined to a single estate. 1t is
also reported that the island is adapted to
the growth of rubber.
Fine Marble.
The minerals are marble, kaolin, gold,
iron and salt The quality of the marble is
reported to be available for the finest stat
uary, the color being the purest white.
Other varieties of different hues are suita-
bic for ornamentation, as they take on
excellent polish. The stone Is free from
cracks and will furnish slabs Of any size,
the deposits varying from > to % feet in
thickness. They are also situated to meet
all requirements of convenient and econom-
ical transportation to points OF shipment
on the coast.
It's valuable trees are mahogany, lignum
vitae. coco-wood from which reed instru-
ments are made, cedrella odorata, used to
make cigar boxes, log wood, pine and royal
palm.
Fruits and nuts both cultivated and wild
are celebrated for their quality and abund-
ant varieties the principal being alligator
pear, banana, coCOanutS, guaVa, mangOeS,
oranges and pineappleS.
The mechanical industries are tobacco
manufacturing, quarrying, weaving for
home consumption, cutting and saving
lumber and working into poles and rail-
road ties. and charcoal burning; also forest
products. turpentine. pitch and tar.
Another industry is fishing. the shallow
adjacent waters abounding in fine marketa-
bic fish, Holsters and turtles.
At the close Of 1899 there were 4,164
horned cattle 1921 horses, IA mules and
1885 hogs and goats
Discovered by Columbus.
The island was discovered by Columbus
In 1894. who named it La Eyangelista."
In the administration OF Cuba it became a
dependency OF Havana, Of which province
it is municipality (districD. 1t constitutes
an ayuntamiento or municipal district Of
the judicial district Of Bejucal province of
Habana, instituted in 1850, with its seat at
NueVa Corona. 1t was ganized in July,
1889. under United States military control.
Among the various American enterprises
may be mentioned new hotel, an Ice
plant, dentists office, a grocery esta ablish-
ment, blacksmith shop, turpentine plant, and
orange growing and truck gardening for
United States markets. Prospectors inte er-
ested in other occupations are also looking
over the ground
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