180 



CUBAN TOBACCO. 



"The best tobacco in Cuba is grown in the district known as " Yuelta 

 Abajo" in the province of Pinar del Rio, and in parts of the province 



Havana, and a fair class is also raised in the province of Santa Clara^ 

 Almost ell the above is exported through the port of Havana. An in- 

 ferior grade of tobacco conies from the eastern provinces, and is ex- 

 ported through the ports of Gibara on the north, and Santiago on the 

 south side of the island. 



Tobacco plantatioBs on a large scale are quite the exception, as no 

 machinery is required, and the success of the crop depends very large^ 

 ly on the personal attention and care bestowed npon it by the cultiva- 

 tor, for which reason the industry is specially suited to the small far- 

 mer class. The only capital required, outside the value of the land is, 

 for agricultural implements, working bullocks, and materials for drying 

 and curing sheds, which are usually of the most primitive description, 

 and respectable men who know the business can always obtain these 

 locally on credit, the more so as the crop comes to maturity in a com- 

 paratively short time. 



Great activity bas been shown in the this direction in the past year 

 and employment has thus been foutd for many people who had been 

 ruined by the war, with the result that the crop of 1900, will pro- 

 bably be exceptionally large. An estimate published by the Secretary 

 of the Agricultural Commission of Pinar del Pio in M arch of this year, 

 puts the probable yield of that province at 500,000 bales, averaging 

 between 90 and 10 lbs. each, and the extent of land under cultivation 

 at 38,700 acres, equivalent to a yield of about 1,230 lbs. per acre. As 

 this would be nearly double an average year's crop, I am inclined to 

 think that the estimate is perhaps a little too sanguine." — Mr. Consul 

 General Carden^ in Foreign Office Report^ Jidy^ lyOO. 



TO PROTECT STEMS OF TREES AGAINST AT- 

 TACKS BY ANTS AND SCALE INSECTS. 



A mixture prepared as follows is recommended to prevent Ants and 

 Scale Id sects attacking trees or plants : — 



White Lime (slaked) ... 6 quarts 



Kerosene oil ... \ pint 



Turpentine ... 1 wine-glass 



Soft Soap ... 5 lbs. 



Cow-dung ... 3 quarts 



Water ... 16 quarts 



Mix the whole thoroughly together, and apply freely with a paint 

 brush, or white-wash brush to the trunks of trees, or stems of plants 

 requiring protection It is also a good remedy in case of trees already 

 afiected by pests, killing scale insects, &c., immediately. 



