CHAPTER XVII 



TRANSPOKTATION, AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, AND COMMERCE 



Harbors. Railways. Highways. Telegraph. Diversified nature of the 

 agriculture. Large number of small farms. Sugar-estates. Coffee- 

 culture. Menores. Importance of the cattle industry. Commerce 

 and trade. Bad condition of the currency. 



THE harbors of Porto Rico are inferior to those of 

 Cuba, but, locally considered, are good except for a part 

 of the year. In November, December, and January, those 

 of the north coast, with the exception of San Juan, are 

 dangerous on account of the north winds. On the other 

 hand, during the months from June to November, strong 

 southerly winds cause the sea to break with great violence 

 over the anchorage on the southern coast. 



The principal ports of the island are San Juan, on the 

 north ; Fajardo and Ensenada Honda, on the east ; Ponce 

 and Guanica, on the south ; and Puerto Real de Cabo Rojo, 

 on the west. Playa, near Ponce, is the largest and best 

 port on the island. There are various other small ports of 

 more or less importance, which need not be mentioned in 

 detail at present. 



Of late years, some attempts have been made to improve 

 the harbor of San Juan. Dredging was begun in 1889, and 

 reported to be carried on as fast as material would permit. 

 The entrance to the channel has been widened and deep- 

 ened to twenty-nine and one half feet, and now there is 

 over twenty-two feet of water along the wharves. This 



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