Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-05-30
OOOVOOO-

D3lDR erected lot bCuOOI puL pooCe' ~
having been built during the last year.
An enrolment of 1924 pupils in night
schools throughout the island. and
large proportion being adults employ
ed during the day, Is evidence OF the
general desire for education that now
prevails
business seems to be in healthy
condition and shows rapid growth
The last two years have shown sat
isfactory advances In the prices Tor
all local products. with the natural
result that hitherto unimproved lands
have been placed under cultivation.
producing large quantities Of tobacco.
sugar cane and fruits Of various kinds.
Production figures show the sugar
crop Of 1911 to have been 346, 78b tons.
all increase of about 25 per cent. over
the previous year. There was an out
put of 244,OO0,000 cigars and 100000
GOO cigarettes. large increase over
the previous year. and for all OF which
a satisfa Glory market was found.
The expectation Of coffee amounted
TO 100000 pounds, and this was an
increase in production over 1910. The
coffee industry In this island Ia one OF
great possibilities, and has not here
tofore received the attention II de-
serves, but the better prices now pie
vailing will certainly encourage in
creased production.
The fruit industry is enlarging. Last
year the declared value OF shipments
OF fruits reached the figure OF H.6"b..
ST. while the value of the home con-
supplemented was large-cannot
be ascertained.
New Capital Invested.
Much new capital is being invested
in the fruit, tobacco and sugar dis
tricts; virgin lands are being brought
under cultivation. and all these indus
tries will show important advances
from year to year There Is no bet
ter grapefruit than the Porto Rican
product. and the expectation, as we'll
as that of pineapples. cocoanuts. to-
bacco, coffee and sugar. will increase
in volume and value as the new lands
are brought under cultivation. There
are many kinds of fruits produced on
this island some Of which are too deli
cate to admit Of shipment
There has been wonderful In.
crease In the external commerce OF
Porto Rico within the last few years
During the last fiscal year the external
commerce of the island reached the
sum of $6S,595,0 74. representing an In.
crease of 40 per cent. over the exter-
nal trade OF 1901 and approximately Fl
per cent. over the year ending June
80, 1910 This trade consisted Of ex-
ports valued at $37960,2l9 and i'm.
ports at S3O,634 S55. the former being
larger by % per cent. and the latter
by Is per cent than during the previ-
Gus year. This indicates a greater in
crease in sales OF home products
abroad than In purchases Of supplies
from without, and shows balance OF
trade in favor OF the island to the
amount of $7.825,616,
This is a creditable showing when II
Is considered that agriculture is the
principal basis OF prosperity In the
island-that a large proportion OF the
available lands are as yet uncultivat-
ed, and that only a feeble attempt has
been made at intensive farming OF the
lands now being TILED.
The opportunities here for capable
and energetic men who have a knowl-
edge of and feel an interest In the
growing of fruits under favorable eli
matte conditions. are excellent, and
are likely to prove profitable Land
the strong virgin soil--can be had at
prices that are not excessive and with
a reasonable amount OF capital and an
abundance OF energy there can be
only a small chance OF failure for the
intelligent and persistent grower Of
fruits, tobacco and sugar cane Frost
Is unknown, and for this reason the
slogan of the island Is. winter Is al
ways summer" While this Is true. 1t
is equally as true that there Is no win.
ter in the summer.
The island Of Porto Rico Is a charm.
ing winter resort. In the middle OF
winter may be seen cocoa. orange.
lemon mango and almond trees, each
bearing fruit. Only a short distance
in other directions are fields of grape.
fruit and pineapples. while still farther
on are great plantations Of sugar cane
and tobacco. Many kinds of fruits,
the names OF which are unknown in
the states, grow here In wild profu
sion and without cultivation. 1t would
be possible to sustain life the year
through on what is found growing on
bush and vine and tree every month
in the year