xiinltT c'ortaiii circumstances. AiiotluT (the Quilirn Imclia, or IJreak-Axe), is of 

 so hard a texture that the best axe yiehls Iiofore it can make an impression. This 

 is tlie hardest wood in tlic world, and nii^Hit he made very useful in the arts. The 

 Vomitel {Cordia spcciosit) l)ears a thick, leathery leaf, which is found invaluable for 

 ])olishini? turtle-shell — an extensive produce of the southern p<irtion of the island. 



There are several species of Cinchona in Cuba, but the true bark fcir extracting; 

 the ([uinine is not found. The best oranges, in the interior, where transportation 

 is yet ditlicult, are sold for one dollar the thousand. 



Cocoa-nuts, where the same impediment exists, are i)lenty, at one cent each. 

 Castor-oil is a valuable article of commerce, and the plant is cultivated exten- 

 sively. 



The coffee-tree bears about half a pound to a pound to each tree, and may 

 average six hundred pounds to an acre. It begins to produce the third year, and 

 the fourth is profitable. It ripens its pretty berries in September, but has some 

 fruit on .at all seasons, even when in full bloom ; this period is its most beautiful 

 one. The plant resembles a myrtle, and its wliite 1)lossora is su])erb. It re- 

 quires shade, and every other hill is a banana or plantain, the two latter repaying 

 all the culture necessary. The Cuban coffee is most esteemed in Spain ; its ])re- 

 sent price is a1)out sixteen cents. The best is produced in the red earth with which 

 the country so abounds. The coffee lands vary much in price, from ten dollars 

 the acre to one hundred and eighty ; for thirty, good land can now be purchased. 

 The coffee estates, having more shade around, are much more ornamental than 

 those devoted to sugar. 



With a little care, the grape would produce profusely ; and all the better kinds, 

 grown with so much attention in our graperies, might be had, as has been proved 

 on a small scale, for the planting, but for the sloth and ignorance of the people. 

 They import peach and strawberry preserves in quantities, though both fruits will 

 succeed, as will the apple. Our pears do not grow well. The Alligator Pear {Lau- 

 riis gralissima) is a celebrated production. It has a trunk as large as our apple- 

 tree ; the bark is smooth, and of an ash color ; branches, succulent and soft, set 

 with large, oblong, smooth leaves, like those of a laurel, of a deep-green color. 

 The fruit is the size and shape of one of our largest pears, the pulp covered with 

 a tough, skinny coat, and contains a large, rugged seed, wrapped in membranous 

 covers. It is held in high estimation. The pulp is of a pretty firm consistence, 

 and has a delicate, rich flavor; it gains upon the palate of most persons, and 

 becomes soon agreeable to those who cannot like it at first ; Ijut it is so rich and 

 mild, that most persons make use of some spice or pungent substance, to give it 

 a poignancy ; and for this purpose, some make use of wine, some of sugar, others 

 of lime-juice, but most of pepper and salt. This fruit is equally agreeable to the 

 horse, the cow, the dog, and the cat, as well as all sorts of birds ; when plentiful, 

 it makes a great part of the delicacies of the negroes. 



The exported orange is not indigenous, there being no native sweet Orange in 

 Cuba. The " Sour Sweet" is native, and is a tolerably good fruit, of the 

 same appearance as the best kind. Not being in demand, and the tree a very 

 handsome one, it is cultivated for its beautiful bearing, and represents the true 

 article when that has become scarce. Its juice is employed extensively to clean 

 harness, and to wash the pet volante, to which it gives a great shine. It also 

 cleans shoes, and wipes up the floors, which receive great freshness from its appli- 

 cation. Our coachmen, we observed, generally contrived to conceal under the 

 seats a peck or two of these beautiful but almost valueless golden fruits. The 

 orange they call Xaranjo de San Jose. The Limoncella is a small lemon, of 

 size of a sixpence, of a reddish color, and is the Limonia trifoUuta. 



