24 THECUBAREVIEW 



pine cones, but they are cylindrical in shape. The seeds are small and winged and are easily 

 wafted about by the slightest breeze. 



The tree grows very well on a great variety of soils, provided they are not too poorly 

 drained. It does not thrive in a swampy soil, but it appears that the conditions necessary for 

 its best development are moisture just below the surface, plenty of sunlight, and unobstructed 

 sweep of the wind. Yet in Florida it may be noted that some of the finest specimens may be 

 seen gi'owing on the beach with some of their roots permanently immersed in sea water. The 

 best soil when properly drained is the sandy loam found along rivers and coasts. While it can- 

 not be said to be a dweller of the beach, it is very often found growing spontaneously on the 

 ocean sand close to the sea. In fact, soro.e closely allied species have been planted extensively 

 on sand dunes in India to prevent theii' shifting farther inland. 



The wood of this important tree is very hard, heavy (from 55 to 63 pounds per cubic foot)^ 

 strong, tough and difficult to split and work. The bulk of the wood is straight-grained though 

 it is sometunes cross-grained or twisted. It is very durable both in and out of the water, and 

 has been found saitable for cross ties. It is said to be more diu-able than the best oak for this 

 ipurpose. The heat value of ironwood is very high and is said to be splendid for fuel, leaving 

 little ashes and yielding great heat. While its greatest value at presnt is that for fuel, the wood 

 i possesses qualities which place it in the class of structural and cabinet timbers. Selected sticks of 

 I this wood possess beautiful figure and s\ich wood is highly esteemed for making furniture. The 

 i wood, which is at first red but later dark brown, takes high polish, which it retains. 



The wood of a tree that is so widely distributed over the earth naturally has a great many 

 uses. The Australian pine is not an exception. Bougler in his work entitled "Wood" states 

 that the wood is used for fencing and shingles, and largely for fuel, for which it is excellent. 

 When a wood possesses properties which render it suitable for sliingles it can be used for a 

 great variety of purposes. The fact that it is durable and is hard makes it a good wood for 

 cross ties and for nearly all classes of construction timbers. In India, it is used for making 

 farming implements, posts, poles and piles. Unfortunately, the trees do not occur in great 

 abundance in regions where timbers of any kind are generally exploited, and for this reason the 

 wood has not been brought to any great extent on the American markets. 



As a tree for commercial planting in Cuba and the West Indies the AustraUan pine can 

 hardly be surpassed. Of all the species of economical timber trees introduced into Cuba from 

 various parts of the tropics, the Australian pine gives by far the best and quickest results. The 

 object of a forest plantation must not be sunply a desire to produce wood of any kind without 

 regard to kind and quality, for there is now and always will be an abundance of wood in Cuba. 

 The kinds that have a value in the markets and possess valuable properties suitable for specific 

 uses should receive attention first by those who can afford to establish a plantation. The wood 

 of the Australian pine is highly esteemed for a great variety of uses, and plantations of this species 

 will increase yearly in value and will yield merchantable logs within 30 years after planting. 



C. H. PEARSON. 



NEW PRISON ^^ ^j^g suggestion that the prison be erected 



The Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Civil by the convicts themselves, and used in 



and .Mihtary WorlvS, Havana, .Mr. Enrique Pa^s as soon as these are completed. The 



Martinez, has submitted a • plan for the capacity of the new prison is to be 1187, of 



erection of a modern prison in a 100,000 this number 720 being in the jail proper, and 



metre track in Marianao, Province of Havana, the remainder being housed in penal agricul- 



n the plan is approved by the Government, ^ural farms, contiguous with the prison itself 



Havana will have one of the most modern and under prison control. 



and progessive penal institutions in Latin . . 



America. The prison proposed follows the 



Auburn plan, the convicts assembling during 



the day at the various workshops, although President Wliigham of the Cuba Railroad 



not being allowed to commimicate with Company has announced to stocldiolders that 



one another, the guards remaining constantly the directors have decided to postpone action 



with the men to see that this rule is carried on the preferred dividend which would have 



out. Engineer Martinez's plan is unique ordinarily been paid Aug. 1. 



CUBA RAILROAD CO. 



