The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-30

IN the eary days Of Spanish discovery
and colonization the precious metals were
the only product of the earth for which
the pioneers displayed any desire. Two
ssssor more centuries elapsed before the
Spaniards awoke to full realization of
the much greater wealth securable from
the cultivation of the soil. One OF the
earliest industries of the island, and until.
recent years one Of the most important
was stock-raising. The wars Of independ-
ence, however, almost completely de-
stroyed this industry. At the outbreak
- OF the last rebellion under Spanish rule
-there were In the neighborhood OF 4,OOO,-
600 head OF cattle In the colony. During
the succeeding years Of strife the west
ern provinces were depleted of animal
life. and even IN Santa Clara and Puerto
Principe. the two great cattle regions of
Cuba, but an insignificant remnant of the
former herds existed at the time of
American Intervention. President Palma
has expressed the opinion that the cattle
industry Is the most natural and real
source OF the country's wealth, and that,
instead Of importing several hundred
thousand head of cattle every year Cuba
should supply its own needs and those of
1.-THE neighboring republics. The Cuban
Congress has passed laws looking to the
rehabilitation of this ancient industry,
and there arc promises of its gradual re-
pairment. Large fortunes have been made
In cattle In the past. and 1t is the belief
Of certain Americans who engaging
in the business here that few openings
in the island more promising. Stock
may be raised much more cheaply than
anywhere In the States, and 1t requires
less care. Only minor diseases are to be
contended with, and almost any kind of
cattle seems to thrive on the grass
lands of the central provinces. Good
grazing grounds cost from So to $40 per
acre, and 600 acres will support about
1000 head. Beef on the hoof fetches
8 or cents per pound In the local mar
ket. The Texas steer, which costs, say,
s35 to import and ship to the ranch, WILL.
after a years feeding. sell for $50 or
sthereabout in the nearest market. 1t Is
mot probable that any very considerable
export trade can be built up through the
grass-fed cattle Aof Cuba, which cannot
be cured like granted meat. but the de-
- ands OF the home market will offer
extensive field for capital and enterprise
= for many years to come. Americans
with $4,000 or more, and particularly
those who have had some experience IN
cattle countries, may find In the grass
region Of Cuba good opportunities for In
vestment in combination with pleasanl
conditions Of living.
Z The cultivation of coffee is another
form Of enterprise open to the small capt.
talist. The same may be said Of cacao,
which yields our matutinal cocoa These
two plants thrive well in Juxtaposition
and several reasons make It advisable to
cultivate them In combination. Cacao Is
q high-priced product. which yields large
profits and for which there Is a constant
. demand 1t is fair to state, however.
that 1t Is a somewhat delicate plant, and
the fruit pods are liable to be swept OF
by hurricane. The returns on marketed
beans will easily allow for the toral loss of
one crop in I'VE. but 1t is not advisable
that a planter Of moderate means should
put his entire dependence on a cacao |
grove.
Early IN the eighteenth century the |
coffee plant OF Arabia was introduced to |
Cuba, and its cultivation developed to |
such an extent that IN the middle of the |