Gilpin observer., 1912-03-07
= &

epoch of the islands history when 1t served
sort of 'slave-fattening" depot In the days
when the traders in BLACK ivory found the diff
cultes of their profession increasing in the ratio
Of prejudice against slave holding their profits
decreased in like ratio. They attempted to
rectfy this loss in measure by bringing more
valuable article to the available markets. The
negroes shipped from the Kongo often in
poor health and their condition became ptiable
before they reached their journeys end. Imagine
the effect Of sixweeks' voyage. crowded under
hatches in the Tropics. Contrast the Joy of these
unfortunates when turned loose to work in the
fields of beautiful land, with abundance of food.
after the horrors Of the oversee crossing.
1t is hard to index the islands many charms.
Perhaps 1t finds its greatest attraction a refuge
for the winter riven dweller in northern climes
in the wholesomeness of the climate. The win
ter climate of the Isle Of Pines is ideal. The air
has an indescribable quality that let's the tenn
perature defy the rigid markings of the ther-
mometer. The northern winds that play among
the pine trees are soft as the touch Of butter
flies wings. to borrow phrase from the poets.
and the sunshine seems to dist perfume from
the resin that truly sweetens the breezes 1t has
been said that the perfect is beyond description.
This is true of the winter climate Of this island
The only criticism that the most difficult to please
would dare offer In complaint might be that 1t
is monotonously good. The sheltered position of
the island protects 1t from the north while the
southwest trades blow fresh from the Caribbean
with steadiness that makes for such an equable
ton Of the globe This is not hyperbole but fact
The two old towns of first settlement, Nueva
Corona and Santa Fe, still hold much Of their
Spanish setting despite the invasion OF the hus-
ting American who indicates his presence by
the typical country store that caters to the uni
versal needs Of the colonsts and the busy bank
Nueva Corona which is the capital of the island
has been fortunate in having for It's mayor a ma
tive who combines all the courtesies OF his Span
ish ancestry with good business sense which has
n tha of fba elo opda
present progress to the advantage OF the little
town he loves 30 well. The many municipal i'm.
provements that have been carried out during his
term of ONCE serve as monuments to his industry
Santa Fe rivals the sister town in civic pride and
Its residents alert in the matter Of the i'm.
provement Of their pueblo.
The island is entirely owned by Americans
or the 100000 OF estimated surface the part
that remains In other titles is SO small as to be
negligible. The present owners have developed
the principal industry Of the isand-citrus-fruit
growing.
Many have confused the name of the island
connecting 1t In some way with the pineapple
AS already stated, the name Is derived from the
many pine trees growing there yet It were not
inappropriate that the title should come from the
fruit for the finest pineapples have ever seen
grown In its valleys. AS yet pineapple, cutl-
vation has not been made the business success
that II promises. number OF reasons have made
It difacult to market the fruit successfully.
Tobacco was grown with great profit on the
island In certain specially suited sections during
the Cuban war Of independence; but tobacco
growing is almost an esoteric art the secret Of
which is only known to the "colonistas" of the
Vuelto Abajo district in Cuba.
Besides these special agricultural products the
island blooms with all the tropical and semi
tropical vegetables and many Of the hardy tubers
from the temperate zone. he who seeks his
winter home on those inviting shores will plant
his kitchen garden when he sets his nurselings
out
Perhaps the most neglected. yet to the writer
the most potential gifts which nature has en-
dowed the Isle Of Pines are the thermal springs
These are beneficial beyond the mere figures Of
the analysis Of the curative properties they DOS
sess.