The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-08-29

noted that Cuba boasts of two Yumuri
rivers, the other one being found near
MatanZaS in the center of the island
has a width of about two hundred
yards at the mouth with, in all seasons
excepting the rainy season, n depth of
not over three feet. This lack of depth
is due to sand banks which form In the
mouth of the river, thanks 10 the heavy
swell which deposits large quantities
of cOrallne sand. Some short distance
from the mouth can be found a large
ferry which carries the traveller and
his horse to the other shore. There be-
ing no carriage roads between Baracoa
and Maisi, there Is of course no neces-
sity for n bridge or for ferry large
enough TO transport vehicles.
To all who have travelled In the
West Indies, the mouth of the Iumuri
river must forever llnger in their
memory as perhaps the most pictur'
esQue spot visited. With towering
banks on either side, the Yumuri
wends its peaceful course toward the
sea, protected as II were by the deeI
canyon II has cut for itself during un
told centuries. The very walls of thi:
canyon are covered with verdure, will
here and there a snow-white spot Of
limestone to show the underlying
foundation and TO relieve the greer
monotony.
On the Plateau.
The ferry once crossed, the path as
cends the tableland in a dizzy Zigzal
| which at times puts a great fear Int
the travellers heart, especially so l.
his horse should happen to be stumble
footed. The tableland is fully 300 fee
above the level of the sea and stretches
from the banks of the Yumuri east to
the shores of Cape Maisi. Perhaps
the first thing that will strike the new
conner is the cool nights on this pla-
teau. When Baracoa and the rest of
the Cuban republic are smothering I'M
der the heat of a tropical sun, this
tableland is invariably cool, and the
nights are such that blanket not only
is a comfort but an actual necessity.
The cold winds coming from the At
lantic through the Windward passage
between Cuba and Hayti are response
BILE for this phenomenon and are also
responsible for the destructive storms
which occasionally visit this region.
The entire tableland consists of
coraline limestone formation covered
with the typical red clay resulting
from the decomposing rock. The land,
while of course very rocky, is ideally
suited for the cultivation of bananas
and coffee, and the agriculture Of these
parts consists almost solely of these
two commodities. A limited number OF
horses and cattle are also raised
throughout this region and the horses
rank among the best that can be found
in Cuba. At certain times of the year
the roads and woods are fairly covered
with the ripe guava fruit, so much so,
In fact, that the odor OF the decOmpOs-
ing fruit becomes offensive. Alligator
pears also cease to be a luxury In a
land where every tenth tree in the
woods bears this fruit and where one
has to be careful, when the pears are
in season, not to slip on the ripe pears
which are scattered underfoot.
: From Sabana Grande to the east,
/ the tableland of Maisi is known as La
Gran TERRA de Maya (the great land
: of Maya), thus named after the Maya
: river which finds It's source here. II Is
: here that extensive plantations are
Y found, where coffee and bananas are
; raised, and II is here that In aboriginal
4 times the Indians must have had their
. favorable abode.
The inhabitants Of the Gran TERRA
Z de Maya live In a manner which can
only be compared to that Of the patri-
archs Of old. Each finca (farm) is self,
o supporting, and 1t is but seldom that
s the proprietor seeks the buster marts
a of Baracoa. Where a lavish nature
n provides palms, which supply not only
/. wood for the house but also roof Gov
l. ering, food and clothing, and calabash
It trees, which go far toward filling O
v want for kitchen utensils; where
l. guinea grass grows like weeds and fur
D. nishes a never-failing supply Of fodder
n for cattle and horses; where fruits are
n found In wild lavishness and the small
e. est cultivated patch will sustain {
J. large family and where, lastly. a hal
h acre of coffee bushes will keep |
n Cuban supplied with enough poke
# money to have funds to lose on tn
Is outcome of a cock fight-the favorit
d, outdoor sport of Cuba in general ant
ri Of this region in partlcular-it is n
IS wonder that the inhabitant OF tn
Gran TERRA de Maya dees not war
,e der far from his native heath.