New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19
WHAT PANAMA OFFERS TO THE FARMER.
FREE LAND AND RICH SOIL OF THE NEW STATE
DESCRIBED BY ONE WHO SPENT FOUR YEARS THERE

Is free and open may wander from place a
place as the spirit moves him Ths native planter
usually contents himself with a thatch hous,
material for which Is always at hand in forest
and should he decide to move somewhere else to
avoid military ssrvics. taxation or possibly arrsst
for some infringement OF the laws he Is nothing
out OF pocket except the time devoted to putting
up his shelter AS general rule he plants only
enough to supply himself and family with food
depending upon his rife or upon rubber or sarsa-
parta gathering for such money he needs
The mountain section OF the republic Is almost
unsettled It IS accessible only by trails bstor,
mentioned and only the adventurous visit II unIsss
compelled to do by necessity. At present n,
resources but little known. On thu lower
slopes OF the mountain practically IN the foothills
are rich deposits OF good coal There IL scarc.Iy
creek that does not show TO the prospector color
OF gold Manganese and quicksilver have been
found and will doubtless be mined axd exported
when the facilities for bringing them 20 the coast
are perfected. Stones resembling tho opal have
been found and there doubt othsr riches
not now discovered IN this region. Above the
ground are precious woods dyes and rare orchids
Vast savannas. afording acres OF pasturage and
suitable for every branch OF farming. are 20 20
found IN the plateau both the eastern and
western sides OF the higher Cordera- Near BoQusta
and David are coffee plantations-sman now BE-
cause Ot ths difficulty OF marketing the product.
but rich in promise. The climate OF this section
IS IDEAL Crops that ripen IN the ter; perats y0ns
in the summer and early fall may be successfully
grown for twelve months IN the year. The nights
are cool ana restcul. the days delightful
The Pacific slope Is more denseIy populated
than the eastern side Of the mountains Cattle
grazing IS the principal industry. although agrt-
culture IS extensively carried on
This southern portion OF the republic does not
approach the northern end IN either the height Of
the mountains It's sanitary conditions or the fer
fifty OF its soil The land TO the south OF ths
canal zone is swampy and malariaL Sons ba-
nanas ars produced in this section but the total
output IS small compared 10 the Chiriqui Lagoon
region.
The town OF Colon Is the most unhealthy city
IN the republic II IS almost one Of the most DESC
late looking places earth. The most
tractive features OF the place are the American
town. where the employees Of the Panama Railroad
have their homes. and the French canal town.
where the houses buIlt for the canal headquarters
stan cluster near the mansions built by the elder
De Lesseps and HIS son, and in front OF which
stands beautiful statue OF Christopher Columbus
leading Indian girl The writer one day was
admirins this work OF art when the jamaican
cabby who showing him the sights OF Colon
stepped I'd and said:
a. Dat was great man. sah.' pointing 70 shs
statue.
lis that Mr. De Lssssps" the writer .nnoosntly
asked
No. sab. was the reply. 'dars Mr. Christofer
Columbus. de man who discobered dis canal HIS
was the greatest man that was ever IN the DIS
coberin' business RE discOber jamaica
" Is he the same that discovered America
." I dunno. sab. never heard; but he dIscobered
Jamaica, and den he sails ODER here. and when he
about three miles out there pointing the blue
Caribbean. he dis place and he come in here
and land right where he Is now
Who IS the lady with hIn?'
All. OATS les lady what come out OF ths
bush ODER dere.' Indicating the mountains. when
he was discoberin' dis place and she go with him
and help him discober dat canal ober dere.'
fT1fv
a greater debt than imagine.
The bulk OF the labor OF the country IS done BY
jamaica negroes. and these constitute a very nu-
merous and undesirable element in the population
They ignorant. superstitious. and arrogant
willing to work only when the spirit moves them
and never under any circumstances to be depended
upon. They gained their fOOthold IN the isthmus
in the old canal days. and they remained there
waiting for the work on the great waterway TO
begin anew"