LOOKING ACROSS THE HOUSE-TOPS OF SAN JOSe 
THE STATELY CATHEDRAL 
SAN JOSE 
21 
nourished children; the Gota de Leche (“Drop of Milk”) for 
the distribution of free milk to the babies of the poor, and the 
free kitchens for providing meals to other children. 
One of the wonders of Costa Rica is its flora. Flowers of 
every variety are found in profusion everywhere; almost every 
home, whether it be that of a rich coffee planter or of the 
humblest peon on his estate, has a wealth of flowers in its 
garden. Costa Rica has several hundred varieties of orchids, 
including some of the rarest known to man, and the orchid 
lover prepared to spend a few weeks in the country will find 
much to interest him. But not only tropical flowers grow in 
Costa Rica. Roses, lilies, and all the flowers of the Temperate 
Zone thrive in its mild climate. Strawberries, blackberries, 
mangoes, bananas, pineapples, alligator pears, papaws or 
papayas, melons, oranges, limes, lemons, and other rich and 
luscious fruits all grow side by side practically the year round 
in this country of perpetual spring. Full advantage of the 
natural floral wealth is taken for weddings, which may truth¬ 
fully be described as pageants of beauty and flowers. 
The police force of San Jose comprises a small but well 
trained body of men. Costa Ricans are among the most law- 
abiding people of the world, and serious crime is the exception; 
rarely does one hear of murder or holdups. Owing to the 
population's respect for law and order the anmy of the country 
is small and this fact is widely heralded. Costa Rica proudly 
boasts that there are more school teachers than soldiers— 
actually more schools. What other country can make a 
similar statement? 
