Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-07
BEAUTY OF ISLE OF PINES
GLORIOUS CLIMATE, GOOD
ROADS, ABUNDANT FRUITS.
Pocket Edition Of the Tropics Is No
Larger Than the Average
County in the States.

1t is trite saying that the Americans
are developing into a nation of globe
trotters and are becoming far more ia
miliar with the scenic attractions of the
old world than with the beauties of their
own country. Thus many person who
has scaled Alpine heights or reveled in
the beauties of the Rhine may dwell In
absolute ignorance of the sublime mag
nificence of the Yosemite and the Yellow
stone or the grandeur of Niagara.
1t is small wonder. therefore. that right
at OUT very doors lies one of the most
famous beauty spots of the world, con-
corning which the general public has very
meager knowledge indeed. The Isle Of
Pines. while not one of Uncle Sans pos
sessions, is at least under his protectorate
during the present administration of af-
fairs in Cuba, and is entitled to more at
tention on the part of the American peo-
pie than 1t has received.
Size is not one of its claims to distinc
ton. AS matter Of fact, it is no larger
than the average county in the states.
1t is about thirty miles wide by forty
acres all told. To the man who is accus-
toned to the broad sweeps of country af-
forded by the Panhandle or the plains of
Wyoming it might appear to be merely
a pocket edition of the tropics. but a
closer examination would reveal the fact
that it is, indeed, a jewel with a superb
setting.
Discovered by Columbus.
History tells us that the Isle of Pines
was discovered by Columbus in 1494, hav-
ing been christened Evangelist Island
by that intrepid navigator. It's present
name, 'Isla de Pinos' or isle of Pines -
| to Of lot r;o{p oil ic nv
reason Of the large number Of beautiful
pine trees that are native to the island,
this being unusual for a semi-tropical
country.
A strip of salt water and a marsh di-
vide the island into two parts. The
acres, abounds in mahogany, ebony and
other precious woods, while the upper
section. some 100000 acres, affords in its
mountains, hills and valleys rare vistas
Of scenic beauty, even riValing the
Bahamas. The mountains and hills are
covered with forests. which include the
stately royal palm and magnificent pines.
the latter ranging from sixty to 100 feet
in height. In addition to these are great
masses of shrubbery, affording a riot of
color and luxuriance such as may be
found only in a tropical or semi-tropical
country. Flowers of rare beauty and
fragrance grow in boundless profusion
and form a veritable carpet of richest
coloring. The trees are filled with birds
Of the most brilliant plumage, adding
gayety to the scene. and forming a pic
ture which appeals with peculiar force to
the lover of nature.
Money Spent on Roads.
While the gospel of good roads is being
preached in this country with only indif-
ferent success, it may not be amiss to
call attention to the fact that down in
the Isle Of Pines it is not only preached.
but put in practice. The government has
constructed about fifty miles OF calzadas.
or government roads. which will compare
favorably with the average city boulevard
and the work is going steadily forward.
An appropriation of one-quarter million
dollars has been made by the Cuban gov
eminent for road building, sanitation and
public buildings since the Magoon admin
istration was inaugurated. and it Is ex-
pected that an additional appropriation OF
500, 600 will be made in the next budget.
These roads. which connect the two
more important towns and are tapped by
lintersecting roads reaching to all parts
of the island, appeal alike to the bicycle
rider the horseman and the automobilist.
They are in themselves an element OF
beauty as well as utility. and have con-
tributed no small part toward the favor
able impression made on visitors.
Variety Of Fruits as Well as Scenery
The diversity of island scenery found in
valley, on hill and mountainside has a
counterpart in the variety of fruit that
may be grown within small area. In
one private garden in the city of Santa
Fe. for instance, may be found forty
seven different kinds Of fruit. all grow
ing and ripening to perfection. affording
a continuous fruiting season OF twelve
months in the year. In other nearby gar
dens may be found rare plants trans
planted from Jamaica. the Bahamas and
other tropical and semi-tropical coun-
tries to adorn the grounds of the well-to-
do residents Of this little island and. Incl
dentally to charm the eye of the casual
visitor and impress him with the salubri-
Gus climate OF the place. Among the
trees used for ornamental purposes may
he mentioned the Spanish laurel. 1t
grows to an immense size. one specimen
which adorns the public park at Santa Fe
measuring 40 feet in diameter. Not a
few of the American residents have I'M
dertaken to rehabilitate the rich old Span
ish mansions.