28 THECUBAREVIEW 



In ;ul(iition, some ships from liabana, operating in the waters of the noilh coast and southern 

 Cuban coast trade, call at Los Indios at Siquenea Bay, thus enabling a new route. 



In the various towns there are said to be 28 American stores dealing in a general line of 

 merchandise. There are also bakeries operated by Americans, sawmills, planing mills, an 

 ice plant, printing houses, three cigar factories, and various other institutions. While a great 

 number of stores are also owned or operated by Cubans or Spaniards, it is undoubtedly true 

 that the business of the island is jiassing into the hands of Americans and that it w^ill develop 

 more along that line in the future. 



The Isle of Pines is peculiarly well adapted to the cultivation of the various kinds of citrus 

 fruit and other tropical fruits of the latitude. After the Spanish-American War serious 

 attention was turnetl to citrus fruit culture as a business, and this was the result of American 

 investigation. The Spaniard in Cuba, like the native, does not indulge in citrus fruit culture, 

 thinking that the business involves a large element of risk, and that it is not highly remunera- 

 tive. Furthermore, the Latin people of this part of the world have never had any fondness 

 for the grapefruit, and could not understand how it could be adapted for a table fruit. As a 

 result over 90 per cent, of all the property in the island is said to be owned by Americans. 

 This has been acquiretl from land companies in small tracts from 10 to 40 acres, and in some 

 instances large areas have been planted by individuals. Such land with grapefruit, orange, 

 lemon or lime trees, brought to a state of full maturity, which would mean the care and main- 

 tenance of probably nine years' time is worth $700 an acre. 



It was state about January 1, 1914, that the acreage planted to citrus fruit was about 

 4,870, and of this 4,358 was devoted to grapefruit, 469 to oranges, and 43 to lemons and limes. 

 This acreage was distributed as follows: 



Vicinity of Nueva Gerona. — 497' 2 acres (grapefruit 337^2> oranges 120, and lemons and limes, 40). .Son Francisco 

 Heights. — 752 acres of grapefruit. Santa Ana. — 245 acres of grapefruit. Los Indios. — 2981-2 acres, of which 

 287 are grapefruit. Santa Fe District. — 1,684 acres, of which 1,480 are grapefruit. Santa Rosalia Tract. — 187 

 acres, of which 152}-^ are grapefruit. Vivijagua District. — 19 1^ acres equally divided between grapefruit and 

 oranges. San Pedro District. — 956>^ acres, all grapefruit. Santa Maria del Bobo. — 203 acres, about equally 

 divided between grapefruit and oranges. Total. — 4,870 acres, of which 4,358M are devoted to grapefruit, 4683^ 

 to oranges, and 43 to lemons and limes. 



In June, 1914, it was stated that the combined citrus fruit acreage was a Httle over 7,000> 

 of which 6,369 acres were devoted to grapefruit. In addition there was reported on June 1 

 to be 236 acres devoted to vegetable growing, 56 acres to alligator pear trees, 250 to pineapples, 

 75 acres to finer grades of mangoes, and 375 acres to minor crops of a varied character. The 

 acreage of the island supposed to be susceptible to cultivation has been estimated at 256,000 

 acres, and the cultivation now reported being 8,040 acres, it can be seen that the agriculturaj 

 endeavor now uses a little more than 3 per cent, of the available area. To show the produc 

 of this agricultural exploitation of the Isle of Pines under American auspices, it can be state t 

 that during the calendar year of 1913 there were exported in crates as follows: Pineapplesd 

 14,362; lemons and limes, 2,379; alligator pears, 122; grapefruit, 44,386; oranges, 7,849;, 

 vegetables, 54^812. 



In addition, it is known that at the port of Los Indios there was an exportation of about 

 4,000 crates, which would raise the total exportation in crates of fruit and vegetables from 

 the Isle of Pines during 1913 to a total of 127,910 crates. It is estimated that the exportation 

 of the coming year will reach at least 300,000 boxes. 



Growers are now organizing for mutual protection of their product and have in operation 

 five packing houses which are of the standard type. With the coming great increase in 

 citrus fruit production, which is inevitable under the acreage planted, it will be necessary 

 to amplify the facilities for packing and for handhng, consequently the transportation facilities 

 afforded at Nueva Gerona and at Los Indios where a new and capacious dock and warehouse 

 have been completed, will have to keep pace, and that will mean the improvement of harbors 

 and better steamship service. — Report of United States Consul-General James L. Rogers, 

 Havana. 



Later news, that of June 24th, was to the effect that the island is to have long needed 

 improvements at the Jucaro landing. A proper warehouse is to be built and docks also, 

 thanks to special orders which President Menocal has issued to Secretary of PubUe Works 

 Villalon. The dock is to be 100 feet long, and the warehouse is to be 34 by 60 feet. 



The two bridges started long ago and left uncompleted at Cayo Bonito and Mai Pais will 

 be built immediately by the government. It is promised that the work will be completed 

 probably this month. This is important because the Isle of Pines fruit crop begins the first 

 week in August. 



In the Consul's most interesting report, the two bright newspapers of the island are not 

 mentioned among the other American activities. 



Everyone who has noted the phenomenal growth of the island, and the magnificent results 

 achieved by the Americans who made the island then- home, will willingly give all praise to 

 the herculean "boosting" labors of Messrs. Willis and Varty, editors of the Isle of Pines Appeal, 

 and F. J. Reed, editor of the Isle of Pines Neios. No record will be complete which does 

 not include the work of these publications and their directors. 



The island is also to have an American hospital. According to the Isle of Pines Appeal, 

 over $1,700 have akeady been raised for the purpose by popular subscription. 



