The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-06-05
FESTIVAL OF AGRICULTURE.

FESTIVAL, OF AGRICULTURE.
 Down in Haiti, the black republic, on this day the turburlent natives annually pause in their national pas time of instruction in order to fit- tingly celebrate the Festival of Agri- culture. Endowed by nature with rich and fertile soil and warm beautiful climate, the little republic has much to be grateful for. AL though they profess Christianity the Haftians secretly attribute the measure of their prosperity to a cer- tain Goddess who they believe presides over farm, field and orchard
 Agriculture being the main indus try of the people, the favor of the Goddess is eagerly sought and curr1ed On this day of the festival in honor of the industry which provides them with a 1ivlihood, it was an old custom of the islanders-in the wild interior of the country to celebrate with voo- doc rites. At these rites children were often offered up as sacrifices to the exacting Goddess and other ba- baric practices indulged in.
 Today however the people are more civilized and the day of the fes- tival is observed in a saner and more 
 tAs only harm done is to the diges- tive organs of the participators. take the place of the former savage rites, and flowers instead fo human beings are offered up to the Goddess.
 The island, laved by the warm wa ters of the Caribbean Sea, upon which Haiti as well as her sister re- public Santo Domingo, is located has an area of about IS ,045, sq. miles and lot nf Fl tWo mil This island boasts a soil which is among the most fertile in the world.
 Sugar, tobacco, cotton, rice, cocoa and bananas can be produced with comparatively little cultivation. In the forests mahogany, satin-wood, cedar and other high grade and valuable timber abound. There are deposits, almost wholly neglected, of gold, iron. nickle, silver, mercury, tin, cobalt, and other metals, asbestos, phosphate rock, guano, petroleum and amber also exist. In truth Haiti is veriu- ble unexplored treasure trove of na- ture.
 It is fortunate for the natives thai crops can be grown with a minimum of labor for one of the national char acteristics of the Haitians is an ex- treme incidence and an indisposition to work. What energy the population
  time of revolution. The amuSements with which the sportive inhabitants beguile their ancient enemy ennui, is a. little game which may be termed as blindmans bluff. So different is this game from the one which bears the same name here that it merits a description. It is a played with file of soldiers, a, wall generally painted white, a handkerchief and a principal who afterwards becomes "it.' No particular imagination is required to divine the manner in which the game is played.
 Filibusters, soldiers of fortune and political intriguers find Haiti a well come field for their operations. Presi- dents of the republic have been plen- tiful but short lived. The climate of the land causes the people to crave variety and if president holds office more more than a month or so the population become bored and soon seek a change in rulers.
 Although the Haitians a whole are contented enough with their lots every now and then a man acquires the idea, that he would like to be- come President His campaign is usually conducted in this manner. He and proceeds to demonstrate his fit. ness for office by shooting up the camp of the present incumbent. If ht and his party shoot straight enough he attains his object. If not the littls game of Rlindman's Bluff described above is played and the aspirant tt the Presidency becomes .-it-''
 AssassinationS occur often in Haiti Bombs, bullets and poison are tn, favorite mediums through which tn, country is liberated from the heels 0 tyrants- In all fairness to the Hai tan people, however, it should b said that the people at large are no implicated in the various revolutions That they tolerate such frequen changes of government must b blamed upon the climate of the Ian of the lotus where ennui is the chic complaint of the natives and the on1 eficacous remedy for it seems to b in brewing revolt