8 



THE CUBA REX'IEW And Bulk-tin. 



soon. On the softer, sandier lands, however, moisture conditions are much better, 

 and plants set long after the last rains are still growing and will probably mature a 

 fair crop without rain. The quality of the crop produced is very fine. Tomatoes 

 especially, though not quite so large, arc very firm and will ship well. Late planted 

 tobacco seems to be suffering fully as much as the late vegetables. In fact, the 

 moisture requirements of tobacco, tomatoes, egg plants and peppers seems to be 

 about the same. Orange trees on these lands can not be said to have suffered at all. 

 Where well cultivated they are even continuing to put on new growth, but most 

 orchards arc in a half dormant condition. 



While these soils have again demonstrated their great droutli-rcsisting i)roi)erties, 

 the fact remains that both tobacco and vegetable growers vvould have profited enor- 

 mously by irrigation. Since this entire region is crossed at intervals of three or four 

 miles by "fine running streams from the mountains the greater part of it could be 

 cheaply'brought under ditch irrigation. The ability even in a season of normal rain- 

 fall to turn on water at pleasure and thus be entirely independent of the weather as to 

 time of jilanting gives such a great advantage in growing crops that it seems certain 

 that these stream-- which now run to waste will soon be utilized for irrigation 

 puri)Oses. 



Jan. I, 1907. 



One of the old blockhouses of Cuba. The Govornment intends to preserve many of these picturesque 



landmarks. 



