The National tribune., 1906-04-19

the southern plane is inclined seward
the torrents of rain disappear as rap
idly as they come. In short time all
Is dry again, and everything is greener
and fresher for the shower bath. Nor
do the inhabitants seem to mind a
drenching. There is no chill, and the
light clothing, consisting among the
poorer classes of a linen shirt and pair
Of trousers. dries quickly without any
great inconvenience.
Porto Rico, besides being one Of the
most beautiful, is one of the most
healthful spots in the world. With
proper care in the eating of tropical
fruits, and il care is taken not to sleep
In draught. no fear need be enter
tanned OF the diseases peculiar to this
latitude. To sleep in a draught, how
ever, seems TO be the source of most of
the ailments prevailing among the ma
tives. for colds and catarrh. consump-
ton and bronchitis are common and
often fatal.
The Porto Rican.
The Porto Rican excels in social life
He has the fine manner and spirit of
his Spanish ancestors, and adds to them
the lighter spirit and congeniality Of
the New WOrld-all this, however, sup
posing he belongs to the upper class,
for there seems to be sharp dividing
line between the very rich and the very
poor. But the spirit of hospitality per-
yades all classes, and the true Porto
Rican treats his guest like a veritable
returned prodigal son. 1t is not true
that this courtesy and hospitality are
mere affectations, or a series Of social
shams. They are not now and never
have been. They are the result of a
development of centuries, and your host
takes keen delight in administering
to the wants of his guest. When you
host tells you in pure Castilian that
the house is yours" it is not a mere
empty phrase, but comes from the bot
tom OF his heart. To cite my own ex-
perience: During the Spanish-Amer-
lean war ] was suffering from a severe
attack Of typhoid fever. A Porto Rican
gentleman. a wealthy planter on the
mand. came to the old Spanish fort
where my company was stationed, and
insisted that / should go to his house
where / could receive a woman's care
and have convenienceS which were nat
urally lacking in our camp equipment
As long as / have breath l shall not
forget the care I received from his
lovely gray-haired wife. nor their gen.
uine joy on my recovery. This is not
an isolated instance, but one of many
which came to my personal knowledge
Porto Rican cookery is at first grea,
The use of olive oil instead OF butter
the leaning toward onions. garlic and
chilies and the cooking OF fruit instead
OF serving 1t raw, are often unpleasant
to the newcomers. who Invariably raj
against the table, and insist upon roast
beef, steaks and the other dclicacies OF
home. Another custom which fails tc
please the average American is the
fashion Of serving breakfast in the
middle of the day. When one rises In
the morning there Is served coffee and
rolls or bread, with perhaps an egg OF
two. which is expected to last unit
noon when the breakfast, a very for.
NAL meal, usually in courses. is served
The fish OF the surrounding waters
though wonderful I'm coloring, are uni.
formly excellent. and the only disap.
pointment will be met with in the oys.
tiers. which present very small oasi.
OF oyster In a large desert of shell, an(
have coppery taste to which one mus
become accustomed.
Coffee Culture.
More than important to the island,
welfare is coffee culture. The tree /.
hardy and vigorous. and seems to thriy.
as we'll on rocky hillsides as in fertil,
valleys, though the planters seem t.
believe that it does best on slopint
hillside.
The tree grows WELL and at fou
years begins to bear fruit. In excep
tional cases this may occur at three
and. where the growth Is slow on ac
count of unfavorable conditions. ever
at five years. Between Is and Is 1
gradually becomes less prolific, and a
80 finally ceases to bear.
coffee plantation is a very prett,
sight. The regular rows OF small trees
the trim and graceful branches, tn,
lustrous. rich green leaf the aromati,
snow-white flowers, and the fruit, be
ginning green, passing then to pink ant
then to bright red. make altogether a.
lovely picture as agriculture can fur
nish. The berry ripens in Midwinter
and the picking season lasts severa
weeks. Although enormous quantities
are exported, 1t Is very seldom seer
under It's own name, as the poore