Evening star., 1932-12-25
Bermuda, Americas Foster Island
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

The Bermuda Islands export, chiefly
to the United States, products valued
at about 81 ,Ooo0 900 annually. They i'm
port products valued at about $780,
900; These figures cover the tangible
declared imports and exports and re-
veal so unbalanced a trade that. at A
glance, the reader wonders what legerde-
main makes 1t possible for people to
continue to buy more than i've times
what they sell
The explanation lies In the fact that
the chief Bermudan import is intanR-
1ble and consists of American vacation
lists, honeymooners, tired business men
persons in search of health and sun
shine and OF the color Of the tropics
They spend between $4,000 900 and &c.
100000 year in hotel bills, and the
thousand incidental expenses OF having
good time. While the figures do not
appear in the trade statistics of Ber-
muda, huge additional sum goes TO
the steamers which, all the year round,
ply between American ports and the
magically beautiful islands. For so
equable Is Bermuda's climate that no
season is to be preferred over another,
save by contrast. The cold blasts of
an American Winter drive tens Of
season, while the tropic heats Of an
American Summer induce more thou
sands to seek the breeziness OF the
coral haven.
Even about the geological structure
OF the Islands, there is something ar
tif1ctal. Countless billions of coral
polyps began the tedious erection of
their limestone castles on the crest Of
submarine mountain peak cons ago
They raised the level above the sur
face Of the sea and now some $50 sep
arate ISLANDS comprise an archipelago,
encircled by an outer coral reef. the
whole the work Of microscopic crea-
lures. The larger islands are st.
Georges, Hamilton. st. Davids, Ire
land. BoaZ and Watford. and there
most Of the population lives. Many of
the lesser islands are not occupied at
all, although some have been bought
by persons desiring isolated homes,
easily reached from the larger islands
by motor or rowboat.
A Glorious Garden.
Only an inspired geo!ogist could be
sure how long ago soil was blown upon
the coral reefs which first protruded
and when vegetation first appeared
But the soil did accumulate and the
liOPASoi 6iONtAAo WiANlA oPi dllS 4il
creased and fertilized 1t until now the
flowers Of an Eden grow in colorful
p-ofusion. Since about the middle of
the last century, great care has been
taken in the growing Of fine vegetables
and now the Bermuda onion. Bermuda
potatoes, celery, beans, parsley and the
like are export delicacies, commanding
prices above those paid for the growths
of most mainlands. The citron. oranges.
lemons and lines grow wild. No longer
is tobacco, once the chief staple, grown
commercially.
The plant Of Burmuda most famous
In America is the Easter lily. Annually
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars worth
of Easter lilies are shipped to American
ports for distribution to florists within
wide radius. Potted plants. timed
to nicely as to the day Of their
blooming, are shipped to New York,
while thriving trade IS driven In the
bulbs OF lilies. Because the bulb grow
ers were accustomed to destroy thou
sands Of exquisite blossoms each year,
{. perfume industry was founded to
u-e the aromatic flowers,