€ QOOSOEElO IOLI & WWAMOLOULWL UA OLNOHOL 4 O ALISHSAINN _.. 4 See* TES SY RE Ye aT Rae caine lied AGRICULTURAL CUBA “« Condensed Facts Regarding the Products and Possibilities of Agricultural Development of the Republic. (A (A a wee" (\\ Including Statistics and Data of Reference et ats einer cereale ol ak AGRICULTURAL CUBA ee Cuban Department of Agriculture, Com- merce and Labor while under the direction of a member of the National Cabinet, is sub-divided into three distinct departments for purposes of efficiency. One section supervises the sugar and tobacco plantations, maintains an agronomic station and experimental farm and publishes an official bulletin along educational lines. This department has incharge agricultural colonization, the official cattle register and the meteorological service. The second section has in charge all matters pertaining to Mines, Forests, Banks, Mercantile Establishments and Corporations. The Copy- right, Trade-mark and Patent Offices, as well as the Bureau of Weights and Measures and the Bureau of Labor and Colonization and in short all matters relating to the promotion and regu- lation of Commerce and Industry come under the control of this section. A third section regulates hunting, fishing, the protection of birds and deals with the protection against pests. In this work we deal more particularly with agricultural products as they are known in the United States, instead of attempting to cover the varying duties of the Department as a whole. At first glance it would appear that this de- partment is too broad in its scope but when we realize that the Republic of Cuba in area is about the same size as our Pennsylvania, the reason for grouping these departments will be apparent. A gricultural Cuba 4 SUGAR THE LEADING CROP The production of canesugar represents seventy- seven per cent of the agriculture of Cuba. Climate and soil make Cuba the natural sugar growing country of the world and a reading of the following will demonstrate the importance of this crop in international commerce. AVERAGE PRODUCTIVITY An acre of ground in Cuba ordinarily produces about ten (10) sacks, but the average for the Island is about twelve sacks, since considerable of the new land will produce far more than the average. ‘'welve sacks per acre represents 3900 lbs. of sugar, each sack weighing thirteen arrobas of twenty-five pounds each, or a total of 325 pounds per sack. Thus, even under minimum conditions, a sack of sugar is worth approximately $8.50. If the grower plants on land belonging to the mill his share,is from forty-five to fifty per cent on the “first” sugar, that is, the first- grade sugar. This is about four and one-half or five per cent of the weight of the cane, and at twelve sacks to the acre will amount to from $45.90 to $51.00 per acre. If the owner plants on his own land, he receives from fifty-five to sixty per cent of the first-grade sugar, or approx- imately five and one-half to six per cent of the weight of his cane in sugar, which would amount to from $56.00 to $61.00 per acre; the remainder going to the mill. The mill receives the benefit of all second grade sugar, which is from one and one-half to two sacks of sugar to the acre. It also receives all of the molasses. chien 5 Agricultural Cuba Sugar cane is a crop to count upon and it is one that does not require the care and delicate attention necessary for the production of tobacco and other sensitive crops. To those of limited circumstances, cane offers great opportunities since the mills make liberal allowances in ad- vances to the growers, furnishing them with oxen, implements and provisions necessary to carry them through the (crop) season. The production of cane does not require a great amount of skill. The plowing for Spring planting is done in January, February and March, and planting in April and May. Fall planting is done in August and as late as September, sometimes. Agricultural Cuba 6 CUBA’S CANE SUGAR PRODUCTION According to Mr. H. A. Himely, Sugar Sta- tistician, Cuba has produced the greater portion of the world’s sugar supply since 1854, as shown by the following figures: Year Tons Year Tons 21 a aie 322,000 BOGGS tae 631,967 FEES Pas 374,000 FSG. Sos 731,723 eee 392,000 hy Ree 646,578 BORG eerie 3 348,000 tt Pane a 656,719 Sg Se 355,000 TRG. i's Gag 560,333 BURG ct 385,000 ot 2 ee ae 632,368 i, 1S amar ess 536,000 PeGR hres 819,760 PEO hy rs 447,000 SPOT Se Ae 976,789 | eee eae 466,000 8 eae ea 815,894 BMG ies cs. 525,000 BBG Se sty0 ks 1,054,214 <1 Sea eee 507,000 EGGS as, es 1,004,264 196455 f.2>. 575,000 bo NG any 225,221 Per es te 620,000 pty Miser dea ene 212,051 ee ten ea 612,000 oe elena eat 305,543 fr a ae ree 597,000 TOR by 345,260 THOS PY 2s 749,000 BOOS fa 308,543 TBGQ4 i Ss 726,000 Toot, Gs 635,856 POO ir, Sis 726,000 SOON i cee 850,181 ly | Ser ee 547,000 LGR et. s 998,878 sp alia tal 690,000 POO os 1,040,228 2 Ge eee 77 § 000 BO ee Star 1,163,258 6 oy F Coane Es 681,000 PONG. chee 1,198,749 nL San ee 718,000 LOOPS ares 1,427,673 TOPO Sa ies 590,000 LOGS os a 961,958 ti Soa aa ers 520,000 BQO. G's. Fase 1,513,582 Ay NR a 533,000 FGIO toes 1,804,349 BRIO fois 670,000 EGET Oe: 1,480,217 ROBY. sicisseiacss's 530,000 os SORE aes a 1,893,687 Peet: Vii es 493,764 GOR Yuki td 2,429,240 5. 2 Eas 595,837 1914 . 2,596,567 1 e Rae 460,397 1915 . 2,582,845 SOBA Sr stirs 553,987 1916 . 3,205,571 (Estimated) 7 Agricultural Cuba It will be noted that there has been a general increase in production since 1897, when 212,000 tons were produced, as against 3,000,000 tons, estimated, in 1916. : The value of Cuba’s sugar crop forms an accu- rate index to her commercial prosperity. }The average annual value for some years past has been in the neighborhood of $165,000,000.00. The first year of the European War raised this figure to $204,000,000.00, and with the increased acreage of cane, which high prices naturally brought forth, some 3,000,000 tons have been produced in 1916, at a value of over $250,- 000,000.00. In all Latin-American countries, there is no one industry that yields comparatively anything like this sum for export, and when one considers that the area of Cuba is but 47,000 square miles, and that her population is but 2,500,000, a clear conception can be formed of the importance of the sugar industry in Cuba. This industry alone produces an average of $100.00 for every man, woman and child in the Republic. | Every acre in cane in Cuba means $90.00 to $100.00 of wealth, and only about one-fifth of the available land is utilized for sugar growing. Many an estate, during the last year, has yielded a return that more than equals the full value of the property, including land and implements. Because of the careful method of handling, both by individual owners of plantations, and for the purpose of recording the shares of ‘‘Col- onas’ or tenant farmers, it is possible to definitely publish a table of costs which may be taken as authentic in sugar production: A gricul tural Cuba ESTIMATE OF THE COST _ Of converting one hundred acres of grass land into sugar cane together with the profits derived from same during a period of two years. FIRST YEAR Cost of plowing, planting and cultivating, first year..... $ 2,400 Cost of cutting 240,000 arrobas (25 pounds)........... 2,400 Coevot hauling tomill se 255 bc cisnes ks ve 2 0 1,200 Peccentals per 100 ACNea io Os a oo ee 1,200. Yield of cane per 100 acres, 240,000 arrobas. Amount of sugar received in exchange for said cane at the rate of 6 arrobas for each 100 arrobas of cane, 14,400 arrobas. 14,400 arrobas—360,000 pounds of sugar @ 4c......... $14,400. Expense of planting, cultivating and delivering same, BIRR FORE is yee Ue VE Osh eee es iN ee 7,200. PLORt Per 160 Berea. ss a 5 is ee ee $ 7,200 ross returns. of 1,GO0 GCres ek is, ek ee 144,000 Gross expenses 00 1,000 BORER S Sic as a ee eae 72,000 Net proht of 1,000 acres.) 6839453 ee $72,000 Net rétatns pet aches Sy oy ee ee ee 72 SECOND YEAR Cost of cleaning oo. ha Ss A wie te kg aa ee $ 1,200 Cost of cutting 100 acres of cane...........-......055 2,400 Cost of Hauling to anil 3 a ikea a ee 1,200 Incidentals: per 160 acres 0 eA ce oye eo 400 $ 5,200 GGross retuinsion 1,000 Acres Fie iy ck cas eee $144,000 Gross ‘expenses ‘On 1,000 acres. 05 oo. oe ee 52,000 Net profit on: 1,000 Acres’. 0.03 sis oy vane $ 92,000 Net returns per a6re.4 20 fice ks an ere 92 881888 88188818 8 8888 In the total profits, drawn at the conclusion, 1,000 acres are taken since the latter represent the usual size of a colona. 9 _ Agricultural Cuba THE WORLD’S DEMAND FOR SUGAR The world’s demand for sugar, since 1850, has been on the gradual increase, and bids fair to continue in even greater ratio than the past. In the fifties, the consumption for the average American family was two pounds per week. In the eighties the demand increased to five pounds per week. In 1900, six pounds per week were consumed by the American family. And today the consumption runs to between eight and nine pounds. This applies to the fine sugar purchased in the stores and not the sugar we eat in fruits, potatoes and other foods. Within two short generations, we have de- veloped a national demand for sugar equivalent to four times our former supply. No doubt much of this increased consumption is due to the prosperity of the United States, for while our average consumption, per family, in this country is, at the present time, between eight and nine pounds per week, the consumption in Bulgaria, Roumania and Italy amounts to but about one pound per week. The world’s demand for sugar is universal and depends primarily on the fact that sugar is one of the cheapest foods for the human economy. Prosperity naturally has a marked effect on the purchasing of sweets in which sugar plays such an important part. It is interesting to note the comparison per capita circulation of money and per capita sugar consumption as shown in the following table: A gricultural Cuba 10 Per Capita Per Capita Circulation Annual Sugar of Money Consumption United States (1914).. $35.18 84.29 lbs. Germany (1913)..... 19.29 45.13 Ibs. Austria (1913)....... 12.08 29.17 Ibs. Etaly (0913)...35 04k: 8.82 11.68 lbs. England, with a per capita circulation of money less than five-sevenths of our own, has an apparent consumption of 93.37 pounds of sugar per capita, as against our 84.29 pounds. Considerable of this increase may be accounted for in the immense production of jams, marma- lades and other preserves exported by England. Taking this fact into consideration, it is safe to estimate that England’s per capita consumption is not as high as our own. The per capita circulation of money in France is larger than in the United States, but the high cost of sugar and the cheapness of wine makes their sugar consumption considerably less than ours. Australia has a $47.18 per capita circulation and consumes one hundred pounds of sugar per capita annually. This condition is true both as to a comparison between nations and between sections of the same nation, as well as between different periods of a nation’s prosperity. The following table shows comparative con- sumption of sugar in the United States during three typical periods: Per Capita Per Capita Circulation Annual Sugar of Money Consumption 60 = REARING ral ah $19.41 39.46 lbs. pg.) a nn ere ge gO 5 26.93 58.91 lbs. $Olaeriacoen. aan 35.18 84.29 lbs. 11 Agricultural Cuba Sugar is one of the best elements for a balanced ration since it has a heat and energy-producing value as great as lean meat, and that the nitrogen retention of proteid food, such as meat, fish, eggs and milk, is increased twenty-five per cent when consumed with sugar. This fact is shown by the following table: Meat and Fish... . .87% Dairy Products... .93% ENE eee 89% Vegetables... 95% apes aati 90% ORME nhs oT fare ee 98% an 91% Sugar is no longer considered a luxury, and in proof of this our national candy bill exceeds $500,000,000.00 per year. In 1870 the total production of cane and beet sugar amounted to 2,750,000 tons. In 1914 the world’s production of sugar had risen to 18,773,486 tons—an increase of more than 600 per cent. The sugar production of the world is equiv- alent to three times the amount of gold mined each year. It is four times as great as the pro- duction of petroleum. It is three times as great as the production of tobacco and four times as great as the production of coffee. Six times as great as the production of rubber, and is larger than the entire cotton crop of the world. If the demand for sugar increases during the next fifty years, as it has increased during the past fifteen, we must increase our facilities of pro- duction to at least seven times their present capacity. On the other hand, if the demand should not increase at all, sugar has been established as a world’s food beyond any possibility of deterioration. Agricultural Cuba 12 SUGAR PRODUCING PLANTS There are two classes of sugar in nature, which may, for lucidity, be called single sugars and double sugars. Cane sugar, milk sugar, malt sugar, are some of the double sugars. Grape sugar, and fruit sugar are common single sugars. Single sugars are produced from double sugars by submitting them either to heat, acid or ferment. The double sugars are of no use as food while they remain in their double state. They cannot be assimilated in the human body for the formation of organic tissue and the pro- duction of heat and energy. Only the single sugars are available for this purpose. Cane sugar has two and one-half times the sweet- ening power of fruit sugar and more than two and one-half times the sweetening power of grape sugar. Sugar has been manufactured for centuries from different species of plants by the natives of India. The bamboo is a sugar-producing plant which was utilized by the people of Asia and is supposed to be the first plant from which sugar was extracted.. Sugar is manufactured from raisins in practically all of the countries of South- ern Europe and Western Asia. Indian Corn has been used experimentally in the manufacture of sugar, while sorghum, or Chinese cane, with a high sugar content, yields a large syrup crop, but for chemical reasons, little or no sugar. Sugar has been produced in the United States from watermelons. But for practical purposes, the commercial sugar of the world is produced from the juice of the cane or the beet. 13 Agricultural Cuba CANE VS. BEET The Bengalese of India are responsible for the discovery of cane sugar, which discovery was made in the third or fourth century, A. D. From the fifth century on, this discovery spread into Arabia, Egypt, Spain, Portugal, The Canary Islands, Brazil and Cuba, and thence around the world. The making of sugar from beets we owe to Napoleon Bonaparte. : In 1804-5 the business affairs of Europe were in much the same tangle as they are in war times of today. When Nelson destroyed the French fleet off Trafalgar and England became mistress of the seas, she shut off forever Napoleon’s intention of invading the British Isles. At that time Napoleon devised what was known as the “Con- tinental System” which dealt a disastrous blow to the cane sugar industry. He tried to isolate England by forbidding commercial communication between England and the entire continent of Europe, with the result that the importation of sugar was completely shut off. Meanwhile the lack of sugar became an im- portant war time problem which required vigor- ous action. He discovered that sugar could be produced from grapes and from beet roots, and also experimented with other fruits for the pro- duction of this national necessity. After a number of costly experiments had been directed toward the production of grape sugar, with poor results, Napoleon, in 1811, ordered A gricultural Cuba 14 —< 32,000 hectares—about 75,000 acres—to be planted with beet roots—distributed over the several provinces—and established four schools in which sugar manufacture was to be taught. Meanwhile he stifled what little competition cane sugar might still be offering, by forbidding all importation from the East and West Indies. In 1812, the number of sugar schools was in- creased and 100,000 hectares were planted— 247,100 acres—and 324 factories were in operation. Germany and Austria were quick to see the advantage and led out in the beet sugar industry. By 1830 the beet sugar industry had reached a high point of production. The rapid development of the beet sugar industry in Europe had an ill effect on the production of .cane sugar for obvious reasons. It was only produced by the most primitive methods and only in sufficient quantities to supply the declining demand. It was not until the eighties that the cane sugar planter began to realize the natural advantages of cane sugars over those of beet. He lived in tropical style, well up to his income and invested the least possible money in improvements. In the early ‘eighties capital, in moderate amounts, began to be available for sugar planters a the manufacture of cane sugar took on new life. By 1880 the beet sugar industry had climbed up to a point of production approximately equal to that of cane sugar. The following table illustrates the world’s production of sugar, both beet and cane, up to and including 1914: 15 Agricultural Cuba Years Cane Beet Total So lea Ee ee 1,850,000 900,000 2,750,000 OCALA Ae gan a 1,860,000 1,810,000 33670,000 TE Ee eae 2,580,000 2,780,000 53360,000 OD ANG ae eee 2,850,000 4,050,000 7,500,000 TS Ay eee ee 3,056,294 5,590,992 8,647,286 cs de Sg a ee 430795742 6,913,504 10,993,346 ia aoe ele ae eee 45,163,941 55756,720 9,920,661 CS OG TY Oe ania 452345203 6,089,468 10,323,631 POR ie he 455945782 4,918,480 9,513,262 Oe a) a ee 6,731,165 7,216,060 13,947,225 Br ie igepes nis abe’ 6 6 0 753295317 751435818 1454739135 nS Se ee ee ee 6,917,663 7,002,474 13,920,137 LS a ema 7,625,639 6,927,875 14,553,514 Se SSNS Reais ae a 8,327,069 6,597,506 14,914,575 Ooo 2 10) eee Gane tee ae 8,422,447 8,560,346 16,982,792 RGR MN din fie ew es rs 9,006,030 6,820,266 15,886,296 WOM Re ahs sees 932325543 8,976,271 18,208,814 PUSMN TS aoe eee t soe es 9,865,016 8,908,470 18,773,486 WEUEM vay s Cia coe 10,333,000 6,306,102 16,639,102 There is no difference between beet sugar and cane sugar, when refined. The chemical com- position, the quality of taste, and the commercial value are identical. It is just a question of which class of sugar can be produced and delivered to the customer at the least cost. Agricultural Cuba 16 CUBA A NATURAL CANE COUNTRY The climatic conditions required for the profit- able production of sugar beet are entirely different from those required for the production of sugarcane. The growing of cane began in the tropics and has never been successfully produced in other sections. It requires a full nine months’ growing season of hot days and will not withstand cold weather. It requires both moisture and sunshine and needs an annual rainfall of from fifty to sixty-five inches. In Cuba, where these natural conditions exist, It requires a minimum amount of labor. Land for the growing of sugar beet is worth from $40.00 to $200.00 per acre for other pur- poses, while cane grows best in the tropics where land is worth from $20.00 to $50.00 per acre and where the value of mahogany and cedar generally pays for the cost of clearing. The beet requires expensive irrigation, cul- tivation and care, including high priced tem- perate zone labor, whereas the cane requires no irrigation and practically no cultivation excepting that of harvesting. In the United States sugar beet produces a profit of from $15.00 to $40.00 per acre, on land costing from $40.00 to $200.00 per acre, while the average producer of cane sugar realizes an annual profit of from $40.00 to $90.00 per acre, on land costing from $20.00 to $50.00 per acre. There are many other causes which argue in favor of the production of cane sugar as against that of beet. The milling season is extremely short in beet producing countries, whereas in Cuba quite a few of the mills grind for as many as nine months during the year, the average being five to six months. 17 Agricultural Cuba SUGAR MILLS OF CUBA Following is a list of sugar centrales of Cuba at the end of the grinding season 1916: IgI5 1916 Name of Central Location Crop Crop Bmore... 435s. Quiebra Hacha......... 46,584 38,881 PratiMee 6.6. s. CRDRUME. Be ioe ks che 27,388 23,500 ja” CO a PICROME ecco. Ee 633959 64,890 a S. Juan y Martinez..... (Capacity 75,000 Grinds, 1917) a. AR ee rar ane Bahia Honds . 2s... 5,110 30386 Moerceditas. i)... .... CRURDAGss ooo eens - 92,297 7554.43 ONGEEOi oo obese eas CADRES evar 42,462 36,483 San Ramon......... PORNIGL: pocket ee 54,820 59,600 PRRAE cic eis cs e- ¥ coe Ee me eee re 175,250 260,000 Up pipes (ese ane i Beh ya leaner eet an 39,676 64,500 MOP ar ee es sh PUGOTRRR 06 et Sas 17,829 53,096 Gomez Mena........ DAT POOR sis. wees 260,550 355,000 AS eee Guira Melena: 0002... 8,221 34,679 Ee ae Hoyo Colorado......... 39,765 60,125 BRR Pio tins 5s DRM PusCONRS Li ces. 93563 104,279 pee eae BOG PMO. 6 i RL 82,115 98,576 WMA, TOR As Soe ess a BMCON gees es Ces 186,843 216,777 Dr ake sa oss aR ee ape St 19,597 25,788 Mercedita........... Melena del Sur......... 173,648 205,000 NLS. Carmen.) ..... Pe ea 29,632 47,039 Pileva Par. c eek Ae POE eae 85,540 116,639 Portugalete...... ops POSE Dapaa so. ess. 51,136 73,814 Providencia......... RoR nse F sie cas 5's 146,942 190,370 Meets tative. es FCA NG ey 8s 186,408 214,394 San Agustin........: CICELY he aes 64,408 943457 San Antonio......... ERIE has i Wesiee os 131,500 154,000 DAMP So gs bs 550 5) il tt 7 ee eee: 150,346 207,702 Agnedita. os. cee. Pe os FE Ree i pa ee es 59,486 63,017 PES Pee + a Vas a Banaguises. 02.0.2. 53 210,058 266,454 PRM Soe disc o's 6 oe ee ae ae ere Bee 63,000 64,000 PNM. oo 5 vs Gi 00 Bolondron............. 77,872 81,093 Maa. se es POTS gab 2 Ria es ge oar Pare 28,500 RPM 3). 05. ce abn via GOOK Ss oh ss a vale cme 72,000 81,000 ROOMGRIA ids. 5s Union de Reyes........ 292,661 323,742 SNE Oe ar Pedro Betancourt....... 206,820 200,025 EE ere a ae TOMOUENOS 6 science 725295 71,804 Woe Moses... s .': NMONDORRS 635055 022 9: arin 43,484 67,040 Dulce Nombre....... OL Daeg nen Sst per §0,295 61,118 A gricultural Cuba 18 IgI5§ 1916 Name of Central Location Crop Crop nT! TREADS Tale Ceiba Mocha.......... 19,116 14,155 BApAGR eae k Artemisal,s <:.25. 34en 158,009 161,636 Esperanza... yrtttee Caliete 52.6654. 5 ves 84,145 67,600 bY Raper eG coe Union de Reyes........ 145,438 141,181 PMOOR bss Rea ve aes Macurigues: 54:80 109,432 101,534 RECIDUZCOR 0° in.6 yk vies Hato Nuevo. iis ee 55,098 121,446 Poms Wiarias. 6 ove Benavides..... BFE Be 42,512 67,239 SOMEG SS als ahh ca BMONOE Sik ew oa ee 84,800 120,000 Luisa (Condesa)..... Dien ai 6 ooo ie Woke y ke 23,804 31,500 Daereetee Se. aies oe APRATOUAS Ss 60346). ol 301,835 308,219 Nueva Luisa........ Jovellanos..... (Supplying cane to Tinguaro) 9) 707°" a Osis eC Carlos Rojas. so ecu (Burned in 1914) Por Waderea 50466 04 33 RMMIMOLES 05) par ev eaten 66,085 70,000 Porvetiit.. ing ey.0% WC ah ae 20,000 19,000 PEGQTORO i cinisis os es CONtRIEB Soi. be eee 144,312 154,312 NARGIS Scare ol oars ADE i bs Sea ais 245143 23,750 ReCHtH 2. Scace vn ts ty Pn VU RMR Segre 96,666 = 100,577 San Cayentano...... CaO cry anchareiacanes 475133 45,086 San Ignacio......... Agramonte 5:03, Vikas 120,491 116,071 os Js Bautista... occas CONGO ie 546 4), 5 cakes 20,992 28,199 San Vicente? ...1.-¢:.. Jovellanos..... 3.63 5.55 975584 go,500 Santa Amalia........ oliseb yc actee nes 44,150 69,132 Sta. Gertrudis....... Bana giaines 6. . screws sh 204,687 202,319 Sar RICA 4 a BOGE ie Sakae oy ees 79,120 70,917 Sto. Domingo........ Union de Reyes........ 795537 79)232 SAPUCOOR Ss ck de es LARONBR. (3 5s Sees 54,938 43,655 DOCOMO. aay S acatennse Pearse: 5 isc seeps 338,700 338,069 Soledad res i535 £1 LOVORROOS. 62 auc ian 136,392 156,625 TADMUMEO ce Shc Oa eas PENCOHs sie eA aes 233,615 245,032 THB sons RAMONAES ki sa eae els 21,960 18,600 Triunvirato.<3 © cain AST e Tie Wer ae me Era U8 26,316 32,550 RithOM Lon phir iar Agramonté s:... xcs ask 188,079 172,150 Pabelaye os pics ak « Remedivg. . <6 os diares es 83,688 100,074 Alegre eis fades 2% PUNAC te es a 8 Ee 65,181 78,793 Andrettay. iiss icvsigss Crates 64. sie ee os 1775344 198,158 Cafacea craw ey eee as RAFAGAD 030i cas crete ees 199,902 159,629 Canidae iz Rancho Velozi3:.i. 6:26: 14,500 38,025 Carmita ys jsaa0e. 3% Vega Alta ccieiigescee. 9,246 13,000 Cieneguita.......... Abrens ccs cilia eens 93,866 98,079 COnstandia (ico his Constantia ns is %cauciyae 193,397 172,682 Constancia.......... Encracijaday:.ugaccaes 93,862 136,176 Corazon de Jesus... ..Sagua la Grande........ 48,057 65,783 Covadonga.......... Carrends oi. . cn daerean 154,603 149,400 19 Agricultural Cuba IgI5 1916 Name of Central Location Crop Crop Dos Hermanas....... a a ee agree rarer 953732 98,294 Dos Hermanos.(Acea).Palmira............... 34,092 36,419 Salvador El......... Quem. de Guines....... 27,990 325545 Pewee ares ste... Sulamantes: 20006005. 90,069 ~=—«-149,780 Fidencia..3.75.-.... Pincetag..': Oye Oo s 81,186 122,160 Hormiguero......... Mormigueroy oe i: 6063). 219,457 191,404 Funan Pe... Ss TOTEROR Gio. ess ets 555129 62,819 TANGER drks oes... Ss ‘aguayabon. <2 503).06s.'. 8,708 10,578 Eegeiio...2.°5...: Carramene. iss ees 161,500 175,120 Luisa y Antonia..... IRMIUAR Gh oo ie Se 21,530 6,500 Lutgardita.......... Carats... 8S Saas. $6,175 66,249 Macagua....25.6.... EME tS te atrk oe ates 375237 53,781 Manuelita........... Puma eet et et. 106,852 125,798 po aE Se SPUN, ie ior ee. 54,951 53,426 Maria Antonia....... Santo Domingo. .0800 05 <5. 26,000 Maria Victoria....... A. de Pasajeros......... 90,481 96,794 ot” St ke a FC Cope ape re 116,918 125,000 PUROVIGRG se. ie wes Sancti-Spiritus......... 22,347 31,927 Parque Alto.:.’....... Parque Alto i esis 779354 79,197 ce Ge ES ES D. ee de log Leras.. 54s. 635438 725133 fy ns Be ae a Encrucijadas so i050 100,593 —- 133,065 Perseverancia........ Real Campina.......... 192,072 130,374 Portugalete.......... ig Tin Peeper ae one III,31I 106,011 oe ee ae Calabdssroesss ib 2ic25 77,840 89,548 Ly eee ae Rancho Veloz.......... 52,950 69,845 RI Rag Catbdriesi. oe. 109,724 124,848 1s SM Oe erate Sea Manaen§.).'8 e065: 6,600 5,000 Resolucion.......... SET et Baa a Fer a 45,897 555151 PUNTA. ip his Sagua la Grande........ 76,622 104,251 ERIM a5 wks a Taguayabon........... 355144 48,209 Rosa Maria......... PARYOUOME S85 vac fee ts 6,945 38,354 San Agustin......... PRON oh cng Cea atn's 139,300 102,147 San Agustin......... Remediogs 3.060 74,651 141,299 San Antonio......... Santa Claray isc ice: 56,308 67,108 ENEE AIRLODM NG Ly op sRUDRDO's vce ies cee ee 20,769 18,000 San Francisco....... RC RUOER 5 oa cae a ey ees 82,000 89,604 San Francisco Asis. ..Carahatas............. 29,191 36,255 Semte ABEOTO, £ you Kies < wi Quem. de Guines....... 41,179 445994 MRP ws hsv ek c 0's ge a pea ED 84,631 124,351 PO EANOG Coase cs os ea eres Ba ee 64,662 87,292 UI | ge SMMC i ss kas ales 36,719 48,536 SSR WW OOLOs i 4 4 55 90> SOLS RD aed or 2 48,315 §1,515 Santa Catalina....... GCOS is ca. 3 eas 95,719 104,018 Agricultural Cuba Igl5 1916 Name of Central Location Crop Crop Sta. Lutgarda....... Rancho Veloz........ ve) 28 6Os 26,418 Sta. Lutgarda....... Mata. So ieee 72,093... 312,390 Santa Maria; . vc. Ranchuelow 36s es 92,945 101,355 Santa Rosa.......... Ranchuelo. 2. .s0ec5.45 118,849 133,000 manta Teresa: 0) 0. PRICED 14 bai can vie cies 137,703 182,921 Stma Trinidad....... sy Spite t. WRUMresay Fae y oe 635533 61,289 or so ARG eA at Crenhreros. oi onic isin 126,045 142,533 gs CS ag an Deinidad o 55 eos 96,727 85,877 POs es) ins cae 5 <5 EMO shes (Re 168,133 172,683 RIOR CS Ba oe Cifuentes 5 Cen 86,879 115,403 RIN al as Sons i Modtigosie: acs .teragkss 91,771 114,904 NORM A aoe ee SURTOR. 6 cc outaniaae cs 49,216 92,168 Magnet. on eli A. de Pasajer0s, 3.055 4.5 2 4 ee 74,000 PROM Gas sa ces bisa MOGUAIEY.. cnc laa 140,358 163,985 Washinvtons os. 4% PIGtey, oc cre eres 179,616 179,750 JP. AERP gconasi yey PIRCOCRS fs it 101,593 122,093 Asada ysch aes Near Meron: 5.5.0 6h s (Grinds in 1917) ABramonte 22754. 5 Florida. 0 bcc 6 ee ee 65,731 CRINGGNOY 6. va Piedrecitas. /. 0.559460 99286 105,95° Oa! = Sa ee a Cespedesia oi cai ae eee 30,071 Ciego de Avila....:..Ciego de Avila......... 112,716; Tat,teg Pe cr arc Oh arpa Gualinarons i ss Se Gee 24,295 PRR ee er oe fs PICMG Ries Oo esis eee 74,091 PPAHCICD SE ass Sta. Cruz del Sur....... 258,967 306,500 Fapaeyal oN. es Ciego de Avila. cis.0. 5. 225,900": 299.618 JRUVONICO: «ocd es Jatiboniee 2 (4 Soe tins 275,297 285,909 Lugareno, Eh... Toapereng cic. c eeoksioue 63,422 153,791 DIGS ae MORONS. . oS Sykes 175,542 170,263 at. aN ne ae Oe Moton: ii5 feces Mya ee 32,485 Punta Alegre, :..:. ..: Punta Alegress 3s ois (Grinds in 1917) Senge, Be oie SOHBMOs 6305 e Livy eee ae 131,340 238,664 Stewaltiis tunawcese SROWREE Wk taco 459,500 489,054 Femara oss aca, WENO is ot eave ee 40,123 70,000 OCW. «i 4 th es Des Caninos 055 ii4.c5 45,662 67,000 as botis son wees BONER ak ce ween iets 392,822 *453,000 Rape: Oroe fi iy vs Ensenada de Mora...... 99903. 126,515 CHADAINE SCs creo: Puerto Madre.......... 517,010 = 613,454 Caniientes suave Guantanamo........... sa,985 46,821 CODES ie cee kites « CODeF ine Cee hak ak eee 29,362 Deticiascos. bein ae. Puerto Padres... i... 311,012 = 430,168 Dos Amigos.)..):.:.- Campechuéla, 6035 e225 65,767 62,180 Bemite 5 eee 5s Bemitacy 0) Scirus paabuesa os ee 56,453 *Fstimated, still grinding on August 8, 1916. 21 Agricultural Cuba 1915 1916 Name of Central Location Crop Crop PMPCTANZA.. 6... . 6: Guantanamo........... 80,000 86,019 ES he eer Pte 65h ke etree 72,314 *80,000 OE a eee Cantandmo. 26 oy eee 65,591 555583 A” Ga aE pas Ravina: Media Lana ico .ii es 151,551 150,000 MMMM SS Nae ae o's 6 ROMRDO ein Cee teens 258,909 240,388 BAM OC RNOS.. . 6. sss Curentaname, 237... 61,883 72,000 WME is cu ees WARDENS, cet Sista comin 8 199,354. 279,000 WO se. PUMBEANARIO So ecw sie ciate poe 35384 ae Pier: Sry. Neier 168,585 176,546 SMEG free es Palma Soriano...... (Grinds in 1917 or 1918) PRM cd. oes. Palma Soriano......... BA ia 70,193 Peumerito. .2...:.-.. PRS io ee 46,280 45,200 hg OE ee PeeStn as ais LNs oS 344,450 *440,000 Pd CAMIOL i. ee ess Re Cate. ou ask 72,811 68,825 Oe ne Guantanamo........... 47,291 28,500 eIWMIOP. ooh. ck wk Manzanillo............ 42,446 72,176 San Antonio......... Guantanamo........... 535336 *70,000 San Manuel......... Chaparra...... (Supplying cane to Delecias) San Miguel.......... Guantanamo........... 32,886 28,000 San Ramon......... Manzanillo............ 76,650 993437 ante ANA. 2b. e: NLT Eda 2 Se be eyo 54,966 59,000 manta Cecilia... .:... Girantanamo si cs os. a8 60,111 51,354 pemte Latia. 22... Santa barcig. os os ss 3 340,065 *390,000 Santa Maria......... Guantenamid.. 6.655: 29,687 345356 SEA ee area MAA MAING So agg stiles as 325444 355170 Se are Guantanamo........... 113,902 104,467 eg ik ow 3 Ceiba Hueca........... 85,654 92,500 Tranquilidad........ Manzanillo............ 11,500 15,117 Oy Ee eS aa ee SONSEANAG C4 ee ares ss 51,500 63,880 *Estimated, still grinding on August 8th, 1916. A gricultural Cuba 22 THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY OF CUBA Up to the beginning of the present European War, the tobacco industry of Cuba ranged in importance, second only to that of sugar. The annual value of the crop in normal circumstances is about $32,000,000.00. | Since the beginning of hostilities in Europe, and the practical prohibition of tobacco and cigar imports on the part of England and France, and the cancelling of the customary orders, sent in from European countries, export of tobacco, especially finished cigars, has fallen off in the neighborhood of thirty per cent. With the restoration of peace, and the resump- tion of normal conditions, it is reasonable to suppose that tobacco culture will again assume its original importance in the agricultural indus- tries of the Republic; especially so, since Cuba has always been able to produce a grade of tobacco unequalled for its quality in any part of the world. Tobacco, unlike sugar cane, appears to be dependent for its superior qualities, largely upon particular chemical characteristics of the soil, not easily determined, hence it is that the production is localized. Certain sections are given over entirely to tobacco production and yield a product many times more valuable than the product grown only a few miles distant. The small selected areas, where the best tobacco is grown, are known as “‘vegas.” The acknowledged superior tobacco of the world, as to flavor and aroma, is grown within a comparatively short distance from the City of Pinar del Rio, in the Central Western section of 23 Agricultural Cuba the province of the same name. This tobacco is known as “Vuelta Abajo” which, together with the wrapper tobacco of the Tumbadero and Guayabal districts, brings the highest prices per acre of any crop in Cuba. It is not unusual for tobacco producers to earn as high as $500.00 per acre and often $1,000 per acre is the results of a year’s work in this industry. Tobacco known as “Semi Vuelta” and various other names, is grown throughout the province of Pinar del Rio, especially on the Guane plains, in the valley of Vinales, and in “sumideros’’ or basins scattered throughout the mountains, as well as in the level country. Unlike cane, tobacco is heavily fertilized, and owing to the value of the crop, is frequently grown under cheese cloth shade. As a result of the care necessary for the produc- tion of the best leaf, $400.00 and $500.00 per acre is often expended in the production of a crop. The planting is done in the Fall months‘ and the crop is gathered at the expiration of ninety days, after which follows the process ot curing, selecting and marketing. A gricultural Cuba 24 CUBA’S COFFEE INDUSTRY The growing of coffee offers the home-seeker of moderate means many inducements. Coffee is most successfully grown on rolling lands, or hill sides, where the air is pure and shade grateful, the water fine and drainage perfect. These conditions. are found to perfection on the north coast of the Island. The culture of coffee is not difficult, and by conforming to a few well known requirements, the industry can be carried on at small expense and with a limited amount of labor. The coffee plant is an evergreen shrub, with a soft gray bark and dark green laurel-like leaves. The bloom is white pettled star shaped, with yellow centers, and the berries are bright red, growing close to the stem, appearing much as do our cherries in the United States. The bloom is most fragrant. The shrub is seldom permitted to grow more than ten feet in height and begins to bear three or four years from planting. The berries ripen in about six months from time of blooming and each berry contains two seeds or coffee beans— the surrounding pulp shriveling up as the time approaches for picking. The berries are dried on floors or cloths and are ready for market. The unpolished, unselected beans, are worth about $20.00 per hundred weight, and there is -a continual demand at about this price, owing to the fact that Cuban coffee is particularly fine in quality. In the local market, roasted coffee sells for from 40c to 50c per pound. 25 Agricultural Cuba All of the six provinces of Cuba offer exceptional opportunities for the growing of coffee. Up to the abolition of slavery, in the year 1878, the growing of coffee was one of the chief industries of the Island, but with the increased cost of labor, the culture of coffee has rapidly diminished. Approximately 500 trees are planted to the acre in starting a coffee plantation, and this will yield, under favorable conditions, at the expira- tion of four years, about one-half pound to the tree—or 250 pounds to the acre, at a value of: about $50.00 per acre. The sixth year, the trees produce about one pound each, making the acre produce about $100.00. Two years later the trees will produce about $200.00 per acre, and the tenth year, about $300.00 per acre; the twelfth year, $400.00 per acre, and succeeding years at least $500.00 per acre. Coffee is a dependable crop, since it can always be stored in bonded warehouses and borrowed against to almost its entire value. Cuba is importing about 20,000,000 pounds of coffee per year, with an extensive demand for their own home product. There is a high protective tariff on imported coffees, which adds materially to the advantage of the coffee grower in Cuba. A gricul tural Cuba 26 THE CACAO INDUSTRY OF CUBA The cultivation of the Cacao Bean, from which chocolate is made, forms an important industry in the agricultural life of Cuba. It can be grown most successfully in connection with coffee, and while coffee thrives better on hillsides and mountain slopes, where fruit trees and palms furnish the necessary shade, the cacao is adapted to the rich deep soil found in the valleys and ravines that lie between these slopes. Cacao demands lands that are moist and well drained, with all the humus and natural fertilizing elements possible. The preparation of land for the growing of cacao includes first the removal of undergrowth and valueless timber, leaving only the royal palms and mangoes, together with a sufficient number of other large trees to warrant plenty of shade, since the cacao plant suffers during the first two or three years fe m long exposure to the direct rays of the sun. The large trees also serve as a wind-break, which is especially needed in the growing of this product. Two hundred to three hundred trees are planted to the acre. The young plants spring from the carefully selected beans and evaporation is pre- vented by mulching with dead leaves. The variety most commonly grown in Cuba is known as Theobroma, and begins to bear the fourth year, continuing in productivity for half a century. Each tree will produce from ten to twelve pounds, and the average market price is $9.00 27 Agricultural Cuba per hundred weight, which will yield about $100.00 per acre profit. The method of gathering the crop is as follows: The pods are removed from the trees in both Spring and Autumn. They are heaped in piles in order to hasten fermentation, which lasts four or five days. After this is completed, the beans are separated from the pods, washed in tanks and dried. The process is simple and rapid, requires no machinery and only a comparatively small amount of labor. A gricul tural Cuba 28 THE PINEAPPLE INDUSTRY Pineapples have been grown in Cuba for export since the beginning of the first intervention and to some extent prior to that time. In point of money value, the pineapple industry ranks high. At the present time most of the pineapples intended for export are grown within fifty miles of the City of Havana. Over a million crates are shipped annually to the United States. Pineapples may be grown on any rich soil and are considered one of the staple crops of Cuba. The slips, or off-shoots from the parent plant, are set out in long ridges, some four feet apart with intervening spaces averaging a foot. The plants produce fruit within one year of planting and from each original stalk an average of six or eight suckers may be taken for planting in new beds, so that with a very small start the acreage may be easily increased six or eight fold each year. About eight thousand plants are considered sufficient for an acre of ground, and the cost of these plants is about $30.00 per acre. The preparation of the land for pineapples will run considerably more. The returns under favorable conditions will vary from $100.00 to $150.00 per acre. The average net profits from pineapples grown near Artemisa and Campo Florida, is said to be about $50.00 per acre. The high price of sugar since the beginning of the European war has caused much of the former pineapple acreage to be converted into sugar lands. The profit derived from pineapple culture, as is the case with all fruits and vegetables of a 29 Agricultural Cuba perishable nature, depends largely upon the shipping facilities and the localities selected. A great opportunity is open for the canning of pineapples in Cuba, thus solving the question of transportation and increasing the price of the product, as has been done in the Hawaiian Islands. The daily freight service between Havana and Key West has been most beneficial to pineapple shippers, and it is stated, on good authority, that a forty per cent increase in price has been made’ possible by this system. A gricul tural Cuba 30 res THE CULTURE OF CITRUS FRUIT Cuba is a natural citrus fruit country, since the sour and bitter orange trees are found wild in almost every forest of the Island. The lime, growing in its natural state, is found in abundance scattered over the rocky hillsides. Almost everywhere in Cuba are found a few cultivated orange trees, the fruit of which are used for home consumption, but only since American industry took hold in Cuba has citrus fruit been undertaken as a commercial possibility. Within a comparatively small radius of Havana are many beautiful groves producing excellent revenues. In the local markets, home grown oranges bring from $6.00 to $15.00 per thousand. The gradually increasing demand for this fruit in the United States should prove an incentive to any one interested in this class of horticulture. There are more than 20,000 acres already planted in citrus fruit in Cuba. The total value of estates in this. enterprise is about $1 §,000,000.00. - 31 Agricultural Cuba MANGOS One of the most abundant and delicious fruits in Cuba is the Mango, which grows wild in the forest and will be found along every roadway and in the meadows of the Island. Both tree and fruit resemble the peach in many respects, although the Mango tree grows much larger, frequently attaining a height of fifty or sixty feet. The leaves are long, dark and glossy. The fruit is slightly pear shaped, smooth of skin and varying in tints of yellow, red and russet brown. It is peculiarly refreshing in flavor. The Mango is an exceedingly delicate fruit and for this reason export shipments have not taken place to any extent. The fruit comes into bearing in the month of April and continues into September. The higher qualities grown on grafted trees from India and China sell for from twenty-five to fifty cents each. Agricultural Cuba 32 HENEQUEN IN CUBA Owing to the chaotic conditions which have prevailed in Mexico, the home of Henequen, for the past three or four years, the manufacture of sisal is today practically at a standstill in that Republic. Many of the large estates have been confiscated by the various political chiefs and thus the owners are seeking investments in other parts of the world. Cuba, lying, as it does, in the same latitude as the Yucatan Peninsula, offers a most exceptional opportunity for the growing of this valuable product. The Cuban Republic gives absolute protection to the industries of the Island and climate and soil are infinitely better adapted there to the growing of Henequen than 1s the country in which it first won its fame as a money maker. Henequen produces a strong fiber only where the soil covers a soft limestone rock, from which the roots apparently secure those elements going to make fiber strong. Cuba has this advantage, and in addition to this, the abundant rainfall gives a more rapid growth so that a Henequen sucker planted in Cuba will produce, in five years, a yield that could not be attained in less than ten or twelve years in Yucatan. As a result of the discovery of better Henequen growing conditions in Cuba, the demand tor Henequen lands is rapidly advancing. Within the past year, land suitable for Henequen growing, has advanced from fifty cents to fifteen dollars per acre. Within the past six months, Mexican Henequen growers have purchased approximately 50,000 acres of these lands. The high prices, and growing demand for the 33 Agricultural Cuba fiber throughout the world, makes this industry a most exceptional opportunity on the Island. The crop is abundantly sure, if planted on the right soil. Lack of rain or long draughts are matters of no importance and the plant will continue to thrive and grow without deterioration in the quality of the fiber. In Cuba the Henequen plant grows at an average of one inch on each leaf per month. The Henequen plant has absolutely no enemies. Even fire fails to injure it; cattle will not eat it, and the crop is never stolen as it could never be sold in small quantities. It is grown on hillsides unsuitable for other cultivation, and the crop may be cut and conveyed to the decortication plants at any season of the ear. The life of the Henequen plant is from fifteen to twenty years, and the average yield in Cuba is about seventy pounds of fiber to 1,000 leaves, while in Yucatan the yield seldom exceeds fifty pounds. The fiber is indispensable in manufacturing the world’s supply of rope, cordage, binding twine, bagging and other rough fabrics. Estimate of the cost, Growing Henequen and Producing Sisal, or Fiber from same in the Republic of Cuba. 100 acres is used as the unit of measure. Cost of 75,000 plants at $12.00 per 1,000.............. $ g00.00 er POOTIDO AGNI: i snd s ate ee ke shai) vy wsin as 770 .0O Cost of planting at $5.00 per 1,000................... 375.00 Cost of caring for and cultivating during 4 years....... 1,350.00 Cost of cutting 5,250,000 leaves at Soc per 1,000.’...... 2,625.00 Cost of conveying to mill at 20c per 1,000............. 1,050.00 Cost of decortication at 1244c per 1,000............... 654.00 Cost of baling 920 bales at 30c per bale............... 276.00 $ 8,000.00 Agricultural Cuba 34 Returns from first cutting 4 years from planting 75,000 plants at 70 pencas (leaves to the plant), 5,250,000 pencas. 5,250,000 leaves will yield 70 lbs. of fiber to the 1,000 leaves or pencas or 367,500 Ibs. at 7c per Ib......... $25,725.00 ast OF productions 6 ics vase nies presi de ye eee 8,000 .00 Net profit per 100 acres’... 6a... iva oe $17,725.00 Net ‘profit per sere. ys) er i cy ck Rae 177.25 ANNUAL EXPENSE AFTER THE FIRST CUTTING Cost of cutting 3,000,000 pencas (40 pencas to the plant) RESO PEP. TL OO0 8 eee oe pehn es ee ag et ue $ 1,500.00 Cost of carting same to the mill at 20c per I,000....... 600.00 Cost of decortication at 1234c per 1,000 .............. 375.00 Coat of baling at’ 30c per bale.c i. Sy ee 157.00 $ 2,632.00 RETURNS FROM EACH SUCCESSIVE CUTTING AFTER THE FIRST 75,000 plants, 40 leaves to the plant—3,000,000. 70 lbs. of fiber to every 1,000 leaves, 210,000 lbs. of fiber POPE Ee Ris eens reese eee Cate an $14,700.00 Cast of production: .). oan 6 yl oas aa ae 2,632.00 Net profit per toe acres co) lad ola ee $12,068 .00 Net profit: per atte. 3 er i a 120.68 35 Agricultural Cuba VALUABLE HARDWOOD OF CUBA The virgin forests of Cuba abound in valuable hardwoods, such as mahogany, Spanish cedar, rosewood, ebony, lignum-vitae and others. So abundant, in fact, are the hardwoods in these forests, that such valuable woods as mahogany, ebony and lignum-vitae, are used as railroad ties, while in the United States they are sold by the pound. The constant demand for cedar and mahogany has caused these two woods to be culled out of every forest bordering on the seashore, as far back as the price of the wood on the coast would cover the cost of cutting, trimming, and hauling to deep water. This practice has been carried on for one hundred or more years, and has caused most of the coast land forests to be denuded of the best known woods, large enough for com- mercial purposes. With the completion of the Van Horn railroad, which connects Havana, in the West, with Santiago, in the East, another area of cedar and mahogany was opened up and has been worked quite extensively during the past twelve years. There are still large amounts of cedar, mahog- any and other fine woods scattered throughout the mountain districts, but they are unavailable until more modern methods of transportation are secured, than those furnished by the ox-cart. These sections will remain as an unavailable asset in the country’s national wealth until enterprise finds a way of transporting the product. There are three hundred and sixty-six different woods registered and described in detail in the A gricultural Cuba 36 = archives of the Department of Agriculture, most of which are absolutely unknown outside of the Republic. Most of these are extremely useful, not only for general construction purposes, but as railroad ties that will not rot, handles for tools, implements, etc., ship building, carving, and such other purposes for which hardwoods are always in demand. 37 Agricultural Cuba STOCK RAISING IN CUBA Cuba, as a whole, offers in abundance, the essential conditions necessary to successful stock raising—nutritious grasses, good drinking water, a climate devoid of extremes in temperature and a steady market always accessible. There are hundreds of thousands of acres. of well watered and well drained lands that possess all of these qualities. Much of the territory formerly devoted to grazing has been recently planted in sugar cane, owing to the high price of sugar, but there still remain large tracts in all of the six provinces, that are not only available for stock raising, but which would produce, under proper management, returns quite as satisfactory as those derived from the sugar industry. The two grasses best suited for milk or fattening purposes, were imported into Cuba many years ago and are known as the “Parana,” brought from the Argentine and best suited to the level lands; and the “Guinea” grass, which was brought from the west coast of Africa and is particularly suited for the mountain sides and crests, up to an altitude of 2,000 feet. One hundred acres in either one of these grasses, under favorable conditions, will maintain from fifty to seventy head of cattle in good condition throughout the year. In Cuba there are several varieties of native grasses that spring up in the valleys or whenever the undergrowth is removed from forest lands. There is every reason to believe that alfalfa will prove as well adapted to Cuba as it has to some parts of the United States, although up to Agricultural Cuba 38 the present time but few experiments have been made with it. On President Menocal’s farm, some eight miles from Havana, a splendid stand of this grass has been made and several crops cut the first year. Inocculation of the soil seems to be the only requirement to make this excellent forage thrive on the Island. The Government experimental station, at San- tiago de las Vegas, has succeeded in introducing several new grasses on the heavy clay soils of that neighborhood. Water is available in almost any part of the Island, in the rivers and small streams. Wells may be sunk and made to produce excellent water at depths varying from twenty to two hundred feet, and in the mountains, never-failing springs are found in abundance. The province of Camaguey has always been noted for its fine ‘“Potreros”’ or meadows since a large part of that middle belt has always been comparatively free from forest and devoted to stock raising. In Havana and Matanzas provinces, good lands command such prices that they are rather pro- hibitive for stock raising purposes, but in Pinar del Rio, there are still extensive tracts in the level sections and in the foothills which furnish ideal grazing lands and which, if not absorbed by sugar cane planters will eventually become one of the most successful stock raising districts in the Republic. These lands may be secured at the present time, in large tracts, at prices ranging from $20.00 to $40.00 per acre, and should produce a 39 Agricultural Cuba yield of from 20 per cent to 40 per cent on the investment. At the beginning of the War of Independence, in 1895, over three million head of native cattle were registered in the Island of Cuba. The four years of continual struggle between Spain and the people of Cuba almost exterminated this stock. At the beginning of the first intervention cattle were rushed into Cuba from all nearby countries, including Texas, Florida, Venezuela and Mexico. During the past few years quite a number of high grade animals have been intro- duced for breeding purposes, and the condition of present herds are rapidly improving. Cuba is quite as well adapted for the raising ot horses and mules as any part of the United States. The abundance of food found throughout the year, the lack of sleet or snow, or cold, wet rains, assure conditions ideal for the growth of young animals up to the point of maturity. A great many American horses were brought to Cuba by the army of occupation, and it is a notable fact that the losses by disease were less than were experienced in their native country. The native Cuban horses are of the Arabian stock, introduced in Cuba by the first Spanish conquerors. They are hardy, gentle, good breed- ers, and of marvelous endurance. When crossed with good Kentucky, Missouri, or Montana stock, they prove excellent service animals. The breeding of mules, for which there is a great demand in Cuba, would prove a most profitable enterprise, particularly since it will be but a short time when the slow going ox-cart must give way to more rapid methods of trans- portation in the sugar districts. Agricultural Cuba 40 SMALL STOCK RAISING HOGS—SHEEP—GOATS Cuba, at the present time, is importing approxi- mately ten million dollars’ worth of pork and pork products annually, notwithstanding the fact that the Island, owing to especial conditions for raising hogs economically, should not only supply the local demand, but can and will, ultimately be exporting pork products to all of the nearby countries bordering on the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The royal palm, which covers many of the hill- sides and slopes of the long mountain chains, running parallel with the coast, produces a small nut called “‘palmiche” that furnishes a never- failing food which helps the stockman in raising hogs. The “‘palmiche,” picked up by the animals at the base of the palms, if in sufficient quantity, will keep these animals in fairly good condition throughout the year. Shoats, intended for market, as soon as weaned, should be turned into a field planted with sugar cane, sweet pota- toes, peanuts, yuca, corn, cow peas, “calabaza’’ or any of those food crops of which hogs are fond and which produce flesh rapidly. ‘“‘Palmiche” fed pork is considered a greater . delicacy than turkey or chicken. The native or domestic hog of the Island is, as might be expected, a common or scrub product, that, while healthy and prolific, puts on flesh slowly, and is fitted only for fresh pork. This pork, however, with its nutty flavor of the “palmiche”’ is excellent eating, and when cooked, retails during the holidays at 75 cents per pound. 41 3 Agricultural Cuba The population of the Republic is two and a half millions, increasing at the rate of seventy-five thousand per year. The demand for fresh pork in Havana is constant at from 8% cents to 9 cents per pound, gold, on the hoof. Hams, at whole- sale, sell at 26 cents per pound, and other pork products in proportion. Hogs breed twice a year in Cuba, and the climate, free from extreme heat or cold, enables probably a larger percentage of the young to be brought to maturity, with less care and less risk, than in any section of the United States. Science, today, has rendered it possible to eliminate the danger from contagious diseases to pork, hence it is that the raising of “‘small stock,” especially hogs, under supervision of intelligent manage- ment, will prove to be one of the most remunera- tive industries of the Republic. SHEEP. Owing to the genial climate, sheep, lacking the necessity for wool with which to retain warmth, very naturally lose it within a comparatively few years. Mutton, however, always commands a good price in the local markets, hence it is that the raising of sheep for food, especially by those small farmers who are close to large markets, will always yield a satis- factory return. Up to the present time, little discrimination has been used in introducing those breeds of sheep that are best adapted for the production of mutton. That which they have is usually tender, and of excellent flavor, and if the small farmers would take the trouble to import good rams from desirable breeds in the United States, the raising of mutton, even as a side issue, would A gricultural Cuba : . 42 add greatly to the revenue of those farms that are located near large consuming centers. | GOATS. The Republic of Mexico, for many years past, has derived a very large revenue from the sale of goat skins, most of which were purchased by the New England shoe factories, while the by-products in the form of salted and sun-dried meat, fat, and other materials, always command a market. The recent wars of devasta- tion have practically annihilated all of the great herds of goats in Mexico. During the past three or four years they have been furnishing food to the roving bands of different contestants in that unfortunate country. If the men interested in the industry would take pains to look into this matter, the advantages which Cuba offers would be manifest. The hills and mountain sides of the Republic are clothed to their summits, with underbrush whose tender young shoots furnish excellent feed for animals that browse, and yet the raising of goats has never been considered commercially. Under the management of men who are familiar with the raising of goats for their hides, and above mentioned by-products, there is no reason why this industry should not assume importance in Cuba, especially since these animals are invalu- able for the purpose of cleaning out undergrowth, economically and effectively. 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