AMERICAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION. 



181 



In the tropics agriculture and forestry 

 blend. Shelter trees are necessary. In 

 several instances the planter strives to 

 grow his crops under forest conditions. 

 Chocolate, coffee, pimento, etc., grow 

 better in the shade of other trees. Often 

 such crops are planted in the virgin foi'est 

 from which the underbrush has been cut. 

 Shelter trees are necessary to protect ten- 

 der crops from the fierceness of the sun, 

 the gales and heavy down-pours of rain. 

 They protect and enrich the soil and pro- 

 duce the forest condition such as these 

 trees enjoy in their wild state. When 

 northern crops are grown in Cuba they 

 must be sheltered, and almost all 

 northern species when brought 

 to the South, although they may 

 need all the sunshine they can get 

 in the North, grow well in the 

 shade. 



Perhaps the best system of gen- 

 eral culture for Cuba would be 

 the kind in use in Italv. Although 



./ O 



a very small portion of Italy is 

 forested it appears covered with 

 trees, except in the mountainous 

 districts where they are most 

 needed. There are no broad 

 fields. All cultivation is done be- 

 tween rows of trees which serve 

 for shelter and at the same time 

 yield nuts, fruits, olives, willow- 

 withes, fodder, props for vines, 

 fuel and boards. 



The tropical forest is very un- 

 like the northern woods. It is 

 in fact often disappointing. It is 

 more irregular in form and the 

 light is a dazzling reflected kind 

 quite unlike the mild transmitted 

 light of northern woods. This is, 

 however, not always so. There is a 

 sharper struggle for light and space, and 

 weeds are more vigorous and pestiferous. 

 There is enormous vegetative activity. 

 There is a lack of periodicity of leaf-fall 

 and a lack of protective adaptations 

 against cold. 



Owing to the lack of proper means of 

 communication in Cuba there is a lack of 

 wood in certain districts especially in the 

 tobacco and sugar regions. It is not my 



intention in this connection to more than 

 mention the possibilities in the line of 

 rubber, gums, dyes, medicines, choco- 

 late, precious woods, spices and other 

 forest products. It is my intention simply 

 to emphasize the demand for fuel wood, 

 charcoal, tobacco poles and fence ma- 

 terials, and to express the opinion that 

 they may be planted with profit in Cuba. 

 Wood is used to a certain extent by the 

 locomotives and industrial establishments 

 in Cuba, but charcoal, the fuel par excel- 

 lence for tropical countries, is most in de- 

 mand for house use. It does not necessi- 

 tate the use of a stove or the construction 



A FOREST SCENE IN CUBA. 



of chimneys. A brazier is all that is neces- 

 sary. Were it not so bulky in proportion 

 to its weight and fuel value it would no 

 doubt pay to export it. 



I am convinced that certain species of 

 Eucalyptus will grow with magical rapid- 

 ity in Cuba and in a surprisingly short 

 time produce poles which will be fit for 

 charcoal and for racks on which to cure 

 tobacco. Another great good may at the 

 same time be accomplished by planting 



