THE CUBA REVIEW -1 



ficial water supply. They also rcquiro nearly as much fertilizer as do the lighter 

 sandy soils of western Cuba. In central and eastern Cuba vast bodies Of timber land 

 formerly existed, and these were chosen by many of the flrsl comers to plant their 

 groves. The foresl trees were cut down and burned, and the orange trees set. out in 

 holes dug among the stumps and cultivation was carried on almosl entirely with the 

 hoe or native "machete." Later on when the stumps began to rot, these were pulled 

 and burned, permitting cultivation with plows and teams. Nearly all of the lands 

 thus employed were of the heavy clay varieties and have shown excellenl productive 

 capacity, but are sticky and hard to work, and are furthermore in regions where ac- 

 cess is difficult and where the besl commercial results cannol be obtained, though the 

 continued extension of Cuba's sugar interest towards the east may produce the 

 same results in many of the localities where Large acreages of citrus -roves are 

 found as have been produced at Ceballos above mentioned. 



The preparation of the soil for the planting of a citrus grove admits of wide 

 variation. In the early days of planting in the old cleared lands of the west', in many 

 instances furrows were plowed covering a space live or six feet wide, in the center 

 of which holes were dug and the trees planted. Later on. as the trees grew older, 

 the unplowed area between the tree rows was plowed until the whole area was 

 under cultivation. This, of course, tended towards economy, hiu is not the best 

 method. This would be, naturally, the deep plowing of the whole area before trees 

 are planted and the cultivation thereafter of the whole field, using, of course, cover 

 crops to keep down the weeds and to render necessary as few cultivations as possible. 

 A system has come into considerable favor by which the whole area of the grove 

 after the trees have reached considerable size is allowed to become covered with 

 grass, and this is mowed at intervals and the cut grass is piled as a mulch under- 

 neath the trees. When fertilizing is necessary, the mulch is removed, the fertilizer 

 scattered over the area under the trees, and lightly hoed in, after which the mulch 

 is replaced. Excellent results have been secured in connection with irrigation with 

 this system. In the eastern forest lands, of course, the great expense which would 

 be entailed by the removal of the stumps and roots from the soil prevents this being 

 done, and practically compels the digging of holes and the planting of trees in these, 

 as indicated in the preceding paragraph. 



The varieties of citrus fruits that have come into favor in Cuba as the result of 

 the experience of years is small in number. Among grapefruit the Duncan, the Wal- 

 ters and the Marsh Seedless, have given good accounts of themselves, producing 

 abundantly fruit of good quality and of the sizes required by the northern market. 

 Only the Marsh Seedless has a tendency at times to produce small fruit, but other- 

 wise it is an excellent variety, and its lack of seeds recommends it highly. Among 

 oranges we have, of course, indicated that varieties should be selected that mature 

 either very early or very late. Among these are the Washington Navel, the Valencia 

 Late and Hart's Late. The Washington Navel becomes sweet before any variety, 

 even preceding some of our earliest native seedlings. Great care, however, must be 

 used in selecting the stock for planting, as so-called improved strains of this variety 

 have proved absolutely worthless in Cuba, producing a large orange filled with fiber 

 and entirely lacking in juice. Strains, however, of the original Washington Navel 

 can be secured which have year after year produced the heaviest and juiciest of 

 fruit here, and the producl of these trees is universally sought by the consumer. The 

 Valencia Late and Hart's Late begin maturing in March, hut will hang on the tree 

 without deterioration for two or three months, and, therefore, their sale can be de- 

 layed until that period when practically all our native citrus fruits are out of the 

 market, thus commanding excellent prices. For a mid season fruit coming into com- 

 petition with the native product, but a very abundant and regular bearer, the Pine- 

 apple Orange can be recommended, as very favorable results have been secured 

 with them. Our consuming public also appreciates the oranges of the Kid Glove 

 varieties, and to supply this demand the planting of the varieties King, Mandarin 



