The Florida agriculturist., 1908-03-01

few pines on the fields almost at
any time of the year, but this winter
the amount of ripe fruit has been ex-
traordinary. During the three months
mentioned the shipments have ex-
ceeded twenty thousand crates.
The prospects for the coming crop
are reported very bright. The highest
estimate puts the production at
will be exported. Inquiry at the Agri-
cultural Department puts the figure
only 100000 crates lower. General
opinion is that this year will at any
rate be a record 1t is impossible to
say how many acres there are under
pineapple cultivation, because of the
great additions made by American
colonists. The finest fruit, of course,
is produced off the red lands to the
west Of Havana and throughout the
Province of Pinar del Rio. Americans,
however, are growing pines by lib
eral use of fertilizer on the lighter
and sandy soils of the INTERIOR They
have got some very good fruit there,
too The question to be decided,
however, is whether the fields are as
rich as those of the Spaniards, and
whether they can by the aid of fertil-
fertilizers be made to produce after
four or five years, which is the al
lotted span of the Spanish and Cuban
field.
During the first weeks of January
heavy rains fell, doing much good
to the lesser fruits, although the su-
gar and tobacco harvests were ruined
for time. For the last month, how
ever, there has been no rain, and seri-
Gus fears are expressed of another
drought similar to that of last year.
Generan agriculture has received an
impetus by the formation of the Gag
rarian League" formed by the plant
ers to press certain necessary reforms
On the Provisional Government Their
principal work has been the recon-
mendation of loans and rebates of
duties. At their recommendation,
five million was loaned to the banks
for them to lend to planters in need
Of money. Unfortunately for the
planters, the financial stringency in
New York arose at the same moment
and the banks turned deaf ear to
their requests for loans. Practically
the whole of this amount was sent
to New York to assist in relieving
the situation there The League hav-
ing failed to get the first loan, has
now recommended another, but it re-
mains to be seen whether they will
get it from Governor Magoon.
1t must not be imagined that fruit
or vegetable growers have gained
any advantages from the establish
ment of the League. They are not
represented amongst the members and
their interests are not in evidence.
The Cuban National Horticultural
Society is the recognized authority
On fruits and vegetables and contains
an extensive membership, principally
ongst the American colonists
throughout the island. They held a
very successful exhibition in January,
not been fulfilled by later shipments.
In conjunction with the Department
of Agriculture they will hold second
show during the Carnival in March.
The president of the Society for the
current year is Colonel S. S. Harvey,
formerly of Pensacola, Fla.
The question of transportation in
the interior of the island is being
strenuously tackled by the govern
ment During 1908 no less a sum
than $I5,ooo,ooo will be expended on
public works, amongst which new
roads and bridges figure largely.
The construction Of new port for
Havana is also being considered by
the Government. Plans have ben pre-
pared for the building of modern
piers and wharfs properly equipped
with cranes and warehouses. This