12 THECUBAREVIEW 



logs now cut goes to England, Germany, France and the United .States. Practically all of 

 the green ebony cut in Jamaica goes to England, averaging about 300 tons annuall}^ This 

 timber is plentiful in Jamaica, and there is no probability that the forest producing it will 

 he destroyed for many years to ('ome. Moreover, the Jamaican green ebony is considered 

 inferior to that from otlier parts of its natural range of growth, and it is believed that this 

 woocl can be procured in Jamaica after the supply is exhausted in Cuba, Haiti and Mexico, 

 where the best material is now being obtained. The Cubtui growth is the best and brings from 

 $20 to $30 per ton in the New York markets. The annual imports and consumption of this 

 wood amount to about 500 tons, which is likely to increase rather than to decrease in the near 

 future. There is a good demand for the Cuban wood in the American markets. 



Green ebony has a good many uses, both in this country and in Europe. It is particularly 

 valuable for inlaying and for making musical instruments on account of this dark-greenish 

 color, beautiful veining, strength and elasticity. It was formerly used in England in par- 

 quetry, but the wood is now considered too expensive for that purpose and latterly has been 

 employed for that purpose only in fine residences. The waste in converting the logs into 

 parquetry blocks is very great. It is used at present to a certain extent as a substitute for 

 cocobola and true ebony. When the wood is particularly well marked, it is one of the most 

 attractive kinds used for making backs of hair brashes, tool and knife handles, rulers, jewelry 

 boxes, walking sticks, umbrella handles, riding whips, pin trays and small articles of furniture. 

 It is much used for turnery of all kinds and for flutes. It is excellent for eccentric turning, 

 and, in that respect is next to the African black wood. During the days when wooden ships 

 were used more than at the present time, green ebony was preferred for tree nails and pins 

 in all parts of the ship. It also served for purposes similar to lignum vitae, to which it bears 

 some resemblance, only it is more handsomely colored. 



What boxwood is to engravers, green ebony is to musical instrument makers, at least to 

 the makers of wind instruments, such as flutes, clarinets, etc. No good substitute has yet 

 been found for green ebony, the fine close grain and the metallic ring being as yet undiscovered 

 in any other wood. Green ebony has been used as a substitute for the common boxwood, 

 but for this it has several bad points; its dark-brown color is bad, both for drawing and engraving, 

 as its deep oUve brown color makes it difficult to see the lines of the drawing, and even to know 

 when the lines are cut. Moreover, the surface of the block always feels greasy or resinous 

 and this makes its preparation somewhat difficult for drawing. The resinous substances in 

 the wood also resists glue, so that the wood preparers cannot conveniently make it up, and 

 when made up, the glue is not apt to hold. The blocks are also more liable to split in the 

 press than those of boxwood. 



Note. — This article was WTitten by an expert who was formerly in the employ of the Forestry Department of 

 the United States Government. In our June issue there will be another article entitled "The Timber Resources of 

 Cuba," and we expect to have further articles in regard to the timbers of Cuba which will appear from time to time. 



UNITED STATES AND CUBA 



An Englishman, wdio knew the facts, re- maintain the good sanitary conditions created 



marked to an American, not long ago, that the by the medical experts of the United States 



history of the world failed to record any other army; (2) the Cubans must govern themselves 



example of altruism on the part of one people as a republic by orderly processes, and mu.st 



towards another, so splendid in its effects and so not indulge in chaotic and destructive civil 



consistent in its freedom from sinister acts, violence; (3) the Cubans must show financial 



as the reconstruction of Cuba by the United efficiency and good faith in deaUng with 



States. foreign bondholders and creditors, so as to give 



Havana was one of the pest-holes of the no outside nation excuse for intervention, 

 world. Yellow fever and many other dread ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ conditions are of the utmost ad- 

 diseases were always there, most of the men- ^^^^ ^o the people of Cuba who care for 

 demic and some of them freqiiently and ^j^^-^. ^^^^.^^ ^^^^^^^ .^^^^^ ^^.^^ ^^ ^^^-^ marvelous 

 flagrantly epidemic . And the other towns -^j^^^^^j ^j^^^.^ .^^.^ j^.^^^^ ^^ ^^^ American pub- 

 and villages of Cuba were little, if any better. ^-^ j-^^ ^,^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^. ^^^ j^^^ ^^ ^^ 

 To-day Havana is one of the healthiest cities ^^^^ ^^,^^ ^^,^ ^^^^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^^^ -^ ^^^ business of 

 in the entire world, and Cuba as a whole is ^^grning ourselves. We note many in- 

 counted in the very foremost of communities ^^^^^^^ -^ inefficiency, extravagance, politi- 

 and nations in the matter of a low death rate. ^^^ corruption, the use of public power for 

 In helping Cuba we have helped ourselves, in- private ends 

 asmuch as New Orleans and our southern ^ 



cities are now safe from yellow fever, Asiatic It helps, however, to clarify our views and 



cholera, and other infections. to revive our courage, when we consider cer- 



Keeping all its quaintness and character as tain positive achievements such as this recent 

 an old Spanish town, Havana is rapidly grow- carrying through of the great opium agree- 

 ing as a beautiful and well-kept modern city. ment, the sanitary and educational progress of 

 The Government of the United States made a Porto Rico and the Philijjpines under our aus- 

 covenant with the Government and people of pices, and the firm foundations we have laid 

 Cuba as regards several matters, three of for the welfare and prosperity of Cuba. — -Mer- 

 which were as follows: (1) The Cubans must iden (Conn.) Journai. 



