The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1907-12-20
MR.. DOUD TELLS OF HIS TRIP
Dear MIR. Wakeman:-

taken by Mr.. Downing and myself We
LETT Paw Paw on November q, going by
the way OF st. Louis and New Orleans,
thus having an opportunity to visit both
st. Louis and New Orleans en- route.
There are many interesting sights in
New Orleans, II space would permit CIV
ing them, but suffice il TO say that one
rs not struck very forcibly by the clean
illness of the city. 1t was very warm
while there, as warm IL not warmer than
we found IL in Cuba. We sailed from
New Orleans on the evening of Novem-
Der IL, Saturday, arriving In Havana,
Monday, at midnight, where we were
forced to undergo medical examina-
ton as well as an interview with the
immigration authorities, being forced to
satisfy them that We possessed at least
$25. We did not go ashore until Tues
day morning, which, like all the morn
ings after leaving Chicago, was bright
and sunny. 1t is said that no one says
good morning in Cuba. 1t is such a
we'll known fact that every morning is a
good morning that one considers 1t an
insult to be so informed.
We we're fortunate en- route to meet
Mr.. s. s. Thorpe of Detroit, known as
the land man from Cadillac Mr.. Thorpe
had the nerve some years ago to. pur-
chase several thousand acres OF land
around Cadillac, considered at that time
worthless but which has proven to be
the potato laud OF the state and is now
bringing fancy prices. Through his as
ISOLATION with Mr.. G. M. Johnson in
Cuban lands (who, by the way, is one of
the foremost men in Havana, having
gone there at the close Of the Spanish
war, and taking advantage OF the oppor-
tunities offered, has accumulated good
ly fortune), we were able to start right
in Havana in the way OF seeing things,
as Mr.. johnson was in position to and
did make it very pleasant for us during
our stay in that city, and through him
we we're able to get much valuable in
formation as to the country, and not
withstanding many OF the stories related
seemed like fairy tales, we investigated
sufficiently to satisfy ourselves that they
were correct We did not find a Garden
of Eden in Cuba although this is land
of milk and honey, but more honey than
milk, as most of the milk that we came
in contact with came from the States
in a condensed form, although there are
some diaries on the island that are prov
ing profitable investment. We learned
while there that some Michigan people
are arranging to start one soon with over
500 cows
The soil in most parts of Cuba is very
fertile aud under proper cultivation will
bring forth grand results, but it must
have this cultivation We of the North
do not realize the sweetening and loosen.
ing process our soil undeTgoes by freeZ
lug, while there the soil has been beaten
down by rains for centuries and has be
come sour and dead, but turn this soil
up to the sun for year or two and al
low the sun to do what the frost does
for us before planting your crop and the
growth is marvellous, causing one, In the
slang phrase, to sit up and take notice.
What is true of Cuba is true of the Isle
of Pines, an island 60 miles to the south.
as the soil of both islands is' practically
the same % a 40 acre tract one will
have a clay gravel soil red as brick,
white sandy LOAN and dark sandy loan
The gravel and light loan is preferred
by many for citrus fruits and the dark
loan for tobacco, vegetables, pine apples,
etc. My preference for lard has been
the Isle OF Pines from the fact that %
per cent Of the land rs owned by Amer
leans, making 1t one large American
colony. The land on this island is Gov
erred with long leaf ines and palms and
up to three years ago had not been
touched with the exception OF the two
towns of Santa Fe and Nuava. Corona
The latter is the capitol and was the
headquarters for great many years for
the political prisoners banished by Spain
to this island This is town OF about
LOGO Inhabitants The buildings are
typically Spanish, one story, brick plas-
tered and painted, and for the greater
part, tile rooted. Here, as we'll as at
Santa Fe, are located fine mineral springs
of magnesia water. The town lies at
the foot OF a mountain and is very
beautiful spot. This island is being
settled very rapidly by Americans. In
Cuba the Americans are settling largely
in colonies and are establishing their
own schools, churches, etc, and from
what we saw of the people in these col
onies they appear to be happy
Tobacco, sugar and pine apples have
been and ire now the main crop in Cuba
/ was informed by southern sugar
planter that in Louisiana it takes five
tons of cane to plant an acre and that
it must be planted every year, while IN
Cuba one aud one-hslf tous will plant
an acre and one planting will last for 10
or ID years Notwithstanding the duty
is nearly two cents per pound on raw
sugar, the profit is in favor of Cuba.
Tobacco is raised mostly by the ma ives,
as they thoroughly understand the bust
ness, although the Americans are pick
ing up the business very rapidly and
will be able soon to give the Cubans
pointers. 1t was along the tobacco line
that we heard some marvellous stories as
to fortunes made on single crops.
There are some rery large plantations
OF pineapples. The Cuban pines have
already been recognized in the States as
superior to the Florida fruit. The main
crop OF pineapples begins to mature in
July, bat there is about 20 per cent of
the crop that fails to head at that tine,
but comes on at later date, usually
about six months later, and the planter
as rule receives as much for this de
layed crop as he does for the original 80
per cent from the fact that the prices
are much higher.
The introduction OF citrus fruit rails
ing demons, lines, oranges, etc } is being
pushed by the Americans, and some of
the results obtained are astonishing.
From the fact that citrus fruits grow
wild throughout the island, as well as