Evening journal., 1906-10-03

In the early days OF Spanish discovery
and colonization the precious metals we're
the only product Of the earth FOR which
the pioneers displayed any desire Two
or more centuries elapsed before the
Spanlards awoke to a full realization Of
tho much greater wealth securnhle 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
uroyed this Industry. At the outbreak
Of the last rebellion under Spanish rule
there were 10 the nelghhorhood OF 4ooO.-
Oo0 head Of cattle 10 the colony. During
the succeeding years OF strife the west
] era provinces were depleted OF animal
Wife. and even In Santa Clara and rnerto
Principe, the two great cattle regions Of
Cuba. but no Insignificant remnant OF the
former herds existed at the time OF
American intervention President Palma
has expressed the opinion TINT the cattle
Industry IS the most natural and real
source OF the countrys wealth. and that.
instead Of importing several hundred
thousand head Of cattle every year Cuba
should supply It's own needs and those OF
the neighbcring republics. The Cuban
Congress has passed laws looking 10 the
rehabilitation % this ancient industry.
and there are promises Of its gradual re.
pairment. Large fortunes have been made
IN cattle IN the past. ana Il Is the belief
OF certain Americans who are engaging
IN the business here that few openings
IN the island are more promising. Stock
may be raised much more cheaply than
anywhere In the States. and Il requires
less care. Only minor diseases nre to be
contcnded with, and almost any kind OF
cattle seems to thrive on the rrnss.
lands Of the central provinces Good
grazing grounds cost from IS to SO per
acre. and 500 acres will support about
/ 200 head. Beef on the hoof fotchos
or cents per pound In the local mar.
ket The Texas steer, which costs. say.
ss5 10 import and ship 20 the ranch. WILL
after a years feeding, sell for $50 OF
thereabout 10 the nearest market II Is
not probable that any very considerable
export trade. can be built up through the
grass fed cattle OF Cuba. which cannot
be cured like granted meat. hut the de-
mands Of the home market will offer an
extensive Geld for capital aud enterprise
for many years to come. Americans
with $4,000 or more, and particularly
those who have had some experience 10
cattle countries, may nnd IN the grass
region OF Cuba good opportunities FOR 10.
vestment In combination with pleasant
conditions Of living
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 we'll IN iuxtaposltion
and several reasons make It advisable 70
cultivate them In combination. Cacao Ia
a high-nriced product. which Yields large
profits, aud for which there Is a constant
demand. Il Is fair 20 state, however.
that Il Is a somewhat delicate plant, and
the fruit pods are liable TO be swept on
BY a hurricane. The returns on marketed
beans win easily allow for The total loss OF
one crop IN eve. but Il Is not advisable
that 9 planter Of moderate means should
put his entire dependence on cacnc
grove.
Early IN the eighteenth century the
coffee plant OF Arahla was introduced [,
Cuba. and It's cultivation developed Z,
such an extent that iu the middle Of IN,