Evening journal., 1910-04-12
CUBANS LIKE
NORTHERN APPLES
Eager Desire for the Fruit by
Uncle Sans New Wards

mo thank YOU" said the Cuban at din
nor. ''t don't care for a slice Of pineapple
or an orange But, II you don't mind, IN
take one OF those big Nova Scotia apples.
Il know you think I'm pining for the
fruit OF my native land. All my American
friends do, and go out Of their way to
procure them when / am invited to dinner.
But like every native Of tho tropics, 1
lcng for things that we cannot get at
home. ! like the delicate fiavors and slight
acidity Of the app'e, the peach or the april
cot. our fruits are too sweet and cloying.
Ono grows tired Of them, even when one
has nothing else to take their place.
For instance. II may surprise you to
know that very few bananas are eaten in
Cuba, although we produce millions every
year for shipment 10 the United States.
This is not because they are so plentiful
as to seem cheap and comon TO us You
In the north grow apples Just as abundant
ly, but no one ever thinks OF regarding tho
apple as anything but a staple The fact
is that the banana is too gross. its wearies
the palate.
I'm my native town OF Cienfeugos there
Is only one store that carries northern
fruits. The proprietor imports them direct
from New York. and has made a small
fortune out Of his venture. He charges Is
cents for an apple, 25 cents for a peach.
etc. but II he had to depend on the Amer
lean residents alone he would 80 broke.
Il is We Cubans who tumble all over
ourselves to buy his fruit as soon as Il
arrives-those OF us who can afford IT,
THE experience OF one OF my friends
however, viii give you an even better idea
Of our fondness for your fruits He has
a plantation in the mountains, where the
climate is comparatively temperate. Il had
always seemed to him that apples should
be able TO grow and bear fruit there, and
In the course OF several years he must
have painted thousands OF pips. A few
Of them would come up, struggle along for
a month or two, and die
AT last one hardy little sapling lived
through an entire year. II a northern
tree Is able to do that IN the tropics II is
certain TO continue growing. The absence
OF a winter season when it should be semi
dormant is what usually kills IT,, but few
do get acclimated.
This apple tree grew slowly for seven
years. but only attained 10 height OF
nine feet II would shed It's leaves in the
autumn and put out a few blossoms in the
early spring. The latter. however, would
always fall before fruit could be develop
ed.
MY friend was in despair until the
eighth year, when ne was delighted 10
notice six real apples on the stunted tree
do watched and tended them as though
they had been the most valuable thing IN
the world. lie built a wind guard 10 pre-
vent tho little fruit from being blown or
and watered the tree every morning when
the weather was dry.
In spite OF his care two OF the apples
withered and fell IN June: three Others
followed I'm July. and tho beginning OF
August found him with only one remain.
ing on the tree.
But he was not altogether disappointed
The last one actually riponed. Think Of It
An apple grown In the tropics, II wa.
small, wizened and sour, but the pluck
ing and eating Of It was made into a reanl
lar ceremony. All his friends were invited
and know that my share OF the frui
consisted OF piece about the size Of m,
! thumbnail. But It was Cuban apple an,
thought I had never tasted anythini
half so good. It went away ahead Of or
snges or any fruit like that."-New Yor
Times.