THE CUBA REVIEW And Bulletin. 23 



THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SITUATION IN SAN CRISTOBAL. 



Thorough Cultivation Necessary in Citrus Fruit Groves in Times of Drouth. 



Fertilizer Keeps Trees Thriving. Interesting Experiments with 



Different Systems of Pineapple Planting and Results. 



BY F. S. EARLE. 



San Cristobal, on the Western Railway, and the present western terminus of the 

 government turnpike or "colzada," over which the Cuban automobile races are run, is 

 the center of a considerable x'Vmerican settlement. Citrus fruits, pineapples and vege- 

 tables are here the principal interests. Most of the citrus groves here, as well as else- 

 where in Cuba, are showing the effects of the prolonged drouth. This locality has had 

 no rain for over three months. This would be a hard strain on young trees under any 

 circumstance.s, but this winter it is especially severe, since the October storm loosened 

 the trees in 'the ground, and in some cases even breaking and twisting the roots. All 

 fresh tender growth was whipped off by the wind, and much of the foliage was in- 

 jured. The trees were, therefore, not in a condition to' stand drouth well. They have 

 made no winter growth and the leaves look yellow. In some cases the leaves are 

 falling badly, but this is usual where the roots have been further injured by grubs — 

 the larvae of the green orange beetle. It is probable that this injury will only be 

 temporary, but groves everywhere should receive abundant applications of fertilizer 

 and good cultivation in order to get them over this setback as promptly as possible. 

 It is to be noted that groves where winter vegetables have been planted and which 

 have consequently received an extra amount of fertilizer and cultivation, are in distinctly 

 better condition than those that have not received this extra attention. The oldest 

 groves bore a few fruits this year, as in only too many cases among the earlier plant- 

 ings in Cuba the tmreliable nurseryman has gotten in his work and varieties are not 

 all true to name. One block of thirty acres was noted, that was planted for Dancy 

 Tangerine, but which proved to be a particularly worthless little seedling of the 

 Mandarin type. It will all have to rebudded. 



The very dry winter has been hard for the vegetable growers, as very few of 

 them are equipped for irrigation. The lands in this region are mostly rather high 

 and well drained and they do not seem to stand drouth. Those who got their tomatoes 

 in early have shipped fairly good crops at satisfactory prices. 



The well drained character of these lands, which in this year of exceptional 

 drouth has made them a little difficult for citrus fruits and vegetables seem to fit 

 them admirably for pineapples. Although no fertilizer has been used, the plants have 

 made a larger, thriftier growth than is usual on the red lands of the pineapple district 

 near Havana. They are blooming freely and promise an abundant crop of fine pines. 

 Some interesting experiments have been tried here with different systems of planting. 

 Some of the earlier plantings were made with nine closly planted rows on wide beds, 

 according to a system sometimes followed m Florida. The results have not been sat- 

 isfactory. The plants have not grown as well as when given more room and the 

 fruit has not carried as well. The middle row has been cut out from most of these 

 beds, which has helped to some extent, but it is still unsatisfactory. Most of the plant- 

 ing has been made with double rows on narrow beds. This system has given good 

 satisfaction. It has been noted, however, that the pines grown an single rows average 

 slightly larger and carry rather better than those on double rows. As the single row 

 can be cultivated cheaper than the double row it will, on the whole, be found more 

 satisfactory, though, of course, there are a less number of plants per acre. Plantings 

 of pines are being considerably increased here, and it promises to become an im- 

 portant center for this industry. 



. ' CUBAN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 



Specially written for THE CUBA REVIEAV by the URNER-BARRY COMPANY. 



■Vegetables have been arriving very freely from Cuba during the past month, but 

 a material increase in the arrivals of Florida and other southern vegetables has ruled 

 lower prices for all varieties. Cuban receipts are expected to continue liberal through- 

 out the balance of March ' and probably during the early part of April, but prices 

 will doubtless rule materially lower than the high figures obtained during the winter 

 months. Some vegetables from Cuba are showing less attractive quality, especially 

 tomatoes, and the quality is not good enough to attract best trade. At present fancy 

 are selling from $2 to $2.50 per carrier, with choice $1 to $1.50. Peppers have been 



