PORTO filCO 



larly the orange and other citrous fruits, ami the pine- 

 apple. Tlie growth of the trade in tropical fruits from 

 the British West Indies, chiefly Jamaica, without any 

 help from tariff legislation, would show what can be 

 done in Porto Rico under present circumstances. In 

 18U5 these islands shipped us fruits and nuts to the 

 amount of $1,816,751, and in 1899 to the amount of 



PORTO RICO 



1413 



in the Yearbook of the Department or Agriculture for 

 1895, that "The best pineapple regions in the world 

 have a mean temperature of from 75 to 80°," which la 

 that of Porto Kico. Fig. 1923. The varieties grown are 

 the Pan de Azucar, Sugar Loaf, a very sweet yellow- 

 fleshed variety, and the Cabezona, Porto Rico, the 

 large and vigorous sort which originated near Lajaz. 



1920. Outhne map o( t 



$:i,783,488. Costa Rica in the same interval increased 

 her trade with us in these products from $362,915 to 

 $972,098, and Santo Domingo from $16,084 to $l.^j2,535. 

 The increase in the value of oranges shipped by the 

 British West Indies, chiefly Jamaica, was from $173,390 

 in 1895 to $.iri3,7.'il in 1899, and this in spite of the 

 increase of the adverse tariff, raised to a cent a pound 

 in 1897. It is a significant fact tliat this great business 

 in tropical fruits, scarcily nn)re tlnin begun twenty years 

 li'.ui^ :iiiil under stable Brit- 

 >|i:iiii-li Antilles. 



in tliL- same quantity, as the 

 iiir been as assiduous as the 



itilc fruits in their colouies. 



• ■ of well-ventilated banana 

 steamers \v:i : in Jamaica when the great 



Fli>riila fn ' , i-i, i \ r her an opportunity in the 



orangH bn~ip I n-i n ions are now all favorable 



in I'Drto Kh ■ ih of citrous fruits in their 



perfeclion. Ki.iii.l .i-iructive freezes in Florida 

 have ruined the liopcs, once entertained, for that state 

 as a sure orange-producing section. Floridians are re- 



now that Porto Rico is sure of a just, progressive gov- 

 ernment and a stable market. 



Two lines of steamers furnish excellent weekly 

 communications in both directions, between San Juan 

 and New York. Better transportation facilities between 

 the seaports and the interior are required before the 

 fruit industry can prosper there. The highways build- 

 ing and to l)e built and the extensive system of trolley 

 railroads now projected, will supply this missing condi- 

 tion as fast as tlio fruit can be pro.iuced. 



Oranges thrive in ;dl sections of Porto Rico, a shelter 

 from the pn-vaititii: winds ;md a wcji-drained soil being 

 the favrin- con.lition-. Tlic-y ar.- most plentiful in the 



tli'is'busiuess near'Bavamon.'aml also in the vicinitv of 

 Toa Alta, Fajardo, Humacao. Jobos Bay, Panuelas, and 

 in other sections with encouraging prospects, and a 

 considerable acreage will be planted in 1901. 



Pineapples. — I'oTto Rico is justly famed for the ex- 

 cellence and size of its pineapples. Webber writes, 

 in "Pineapple Industry in the United States," published 



e island of Porto Rico. 



Grown upon virgin soil on the rich but stony hillsides 

 of its native habitat, the last pineapple is a revelation 

 to the eye and delight to the palate. 



Some difficulty has been experienced in carrying pine- 

 apples from Porto Rico to New York. This is due to 

 rough handling, carting over infamous roads, poor 

 packing and inadequate ventilation on ship. More 

 carefully handled shipments made during the past year 

 turned out well. 



Bananas and /Vnii^aijis. -This noble race of tropical 

 fruits grows upon the isl.and in great variety and lux- 

 uriance. Among the forms seen are the Apple, the Fig, 

 the Date, the large red, and our coiumon yellow banana 

 known as the Aspinwall or Johnson, as well as the large 

 plantains, which are chiefly used for cooking as vege- 

 tables. There is no strong prohaliility of a large export 

 trade in bananas being developed in Porto Rico in the 

 near future, as they are admitted to the United States 

 free of duty. The best banana lands must be compara- 

 tively close to the coast, and such lands are likely to pay 

 better in sugar cane. Some of the rarer sweet varieties 

 may be handled to advantage, particularly the Fig and 

 Apple varieties. In connection with coffee-growing, if 

 the grower is close to a good market, the sale of ba- 

 nanas might be made the source of a good revenue. 



The Caenannt Palm. T!ii • -nu; f;\ nnd valuable tree 

 grows abundantly alnii^- ti I- ■ . i: i! ^eacoast. The 

 ripe nuts are exported lo : ' i : >i,i, Cocoanutoil, 



cocoauut butter and .1. , ;, .iit are valuable 



products easily prepared. I lum ilp iner paper brushes 

 and mattresses are made. Tlie wnoil, after hardening, 

 makes excellent canes. From the half -ripened fruit the 

 "coco de agua," or water-cocoanut, a clear drink, is 

 obtained, which taken direct from the shell is a health- 

 ful and refreshing beverage. 



Other Fruils. — Tbeie are numerous tropical fruits of 

 greater or less value, some of which will ultimately be- 

 come articles of wide consumption by the fruit-lovers 

 of the North. Mangoes, pomegranates, aguacate or alli- 

 gator pears, are already sold in the fruit stores of our 

 large cities. The luscious "anones" (Jiioiia squamosa 

 and A. murieala), the pink-and-white-fleshed star ap- 

 ple, and the large "corazones" (Anona reticulata) are 

 delicious fruits, especially with a touch of lime or lemon 

 juice to give them life. Somewhat similar in taste, but 



