anaheim-gazette 1909-06-03

TALES OF TWO TRAVELERS Excerpts from the Diary of One of Them—Across Costa Rica Atlantic to the Pacific May 9. The "Corinto" appears to be a very small vessel on which to risk one's precious life on a 1400-mile voyage. But as for the past four years it has been constantly employed in the trade without the loss of a banana, our fears are somewhat allayed, especially as Capt. Gunderson tells us that the ship is ours to do as we pleased with. Taking him at his word Mr. Royer assumed full command; and it will unquestionably be due to his skill as a navigator and all-round seaman if we reach port without mishap. The fact that the hurricane signals are flying and that the pilot brings aboard a warning of a coming storm does not disturb us much, as we are told that the weather bureau is no better guesser in Louisiana than in California. May 11. A placid sea and no signs of a hurricane. We would almost welcome one to relieve the monotony. "Monotony" is scarcely the proper word to use, as our brevet captain sees to it that in the intervals of eating and sleeping he time does not hang heavy. If there is any place on earth Mr. Royer has not been, I have failed to find it on the map. He is not one of your "Cook's tour" tourists, but has been a traveler on all the by-ways as well as the highways of the earth. Moreover, he is keenly observant of all matters of interest, and he affords pleasure as well as instruction to the four passengers by his talks on deck until midnight and sometimes after. His descriptions of foreign lands took 100 feet of the steamer, more perspiring, noisy blasting the fruit from the with a single bunch on and carrying it to an enable platform operated by er's donkey engine, while its burden at the hatchw steamer, where it is recever blacks and stored in er's hold. By this system to which carries 18,000 stches, can be loaded hours. At 10:30 a.m. we take San Jose, the capital oca, distant 102 miles, and at 5:15 p.m. A most pick interesting ride. For the miles the road traversesuous banana plantation mile or so is a small pla side the track on which deposited, to be picked the banana trains;and divi the main track are numerous roads traversing all parts nana belt. On these roads inutive locomotives, haul diminutive cars, specially the transportation of ban have for a fellow-traveled formed Costa Rican who some interesting informa pears that from this bay there is shipped every day of about 30,000 bunch. Last year twelve mill were exported. The cost tion is fourteen cents al liv.ered at the railroad, a ted Fruit Company which been, I have failed to find it on the map. He is not one of your "Cook's tour" tourists, but has been a traveler on all the by-ways as well as the highways of the earth. Moreover, he is keenly observant of all matters of interest, and he affords pleasure as well as instruction to the four passengers by his talks on deck until midnight and sometimes after. His descriptions of foreign lands tonight were particularly interesting and instructive; and it is a pity he spoiled all the effect by insisting in singing songs in six languages. We all went sorrowfully to bed (on deck) and passed a sleepless night, gazing at the "Southern Cross" which appeared to us in the sky tonight for the first time. May 12. A tragedy happened last night. A fireman (Russian) jumped overboard about midnight. Had been threatening to hang himself yesterday. Was called to work at midnight and appeared for a few minutes and then disappeared. After an hour had elapsed Captain Gunderson instituted a thorough search of the ship, without result. A rope over the side seemed to indicate that the suicide had slid down the rope and into the dark waters of the Gulf. Passed Swan Island at 11 a.m. They are two islands, about 5 miles long and a mile wide, situate about 100 miles from the Honduras Coast, and are owned by one of the numerous Adams family of Boston. One of the islands is thickly covered with coconut trees, planted by the owner; the other furnishes unlimited quantities of guano. As we pass we find blue streaks of water so clear that the bottom of the sea is clearly discernible; though the water is 15 fathoms deep. At 9 p.m. the light of brush fires on the coast of Spanish Honduras are plainly seen, and a little later the lights of a town on Cape Gracia can be discerned. May 14. Arrived at Port Limon at 4 a.m. and got first view of a truly tropical coast. It is a charming picture from the steamer's deck. Down to the water's edge, all along the shore is a dense growth of coconut trees and banana plants and the transportation of bananas have for a fellow-traveler formed Costa Rican where some interesting information pears that from this bay there is shipped every day age of about 30,000 bunches. Last year twelve million were exported. The costation is fourteen cents and liv. ered at the railroad, ad ted Fruit Company, which total monopoly of the trade producer 31 cents per bus company is said to own per cent of all the banana lions in Costa Rica. It oi steamers engaged in their owns the railroad from Lim Jose, and employs over in Limon and the tributa Land suitable for bananas chased from the governm gold, per hectare, about This land is covered with brush; but cleared land, p bananas, can be purchased per hectare. About 50 miles from Lima nana plantations begin to and coffee plantations place. Costa Rica coffee grade and its production be very profitable.' There coco and cola plantations reds of varieties of other with unpronounceable nan edible. The whole coun- ered with dense vegetation bearing masses of native the lower lands and plant ed with parra grass, which the Johnston grass of Ca is a highly nutritious food There are also numerous to be seen, and the primi of the country and people sized by the method of co two bullocks drawing a wooden plow. The grass rank vegetation in the pla cut about every three m the peons with machetes, feet long which every nat carries. The plantations plowed, and are well and ly fertilized by the trees tation, which is cut down rots in the moist and hot At 9 p.m. the light of brush fires on the coast of Spanish Honduras are plainly seen, and a little later the lights of a town on Cape Gracias can be discerned. May 14. Arrived at Port Limon at 4 a.m. and got first view of a truly tropical coast. It is a charming picture from the steamer's deck. Down to the water's edge, all along the shore is a dense growth of cocoanut trees and banana plants and the mountains in the background are thickly covered with native trees. At 7 o'clock the doctor comes aboard, takes our pedigree and to show his friendliness, vaccinates each of us with tender care and a "point" of Parke-Davis matter. Find on going ashore that this (Friday) is market day. The water front is swarming with Jamaica negroes who are vending all sorts of fruits, curious to the untutored eye, which are being unloaded from schooners which have arrived during the night. Many of the fruits and vegetables we fail to recognize; but we note among other things the following: Bananas, plantains, cocoanuts, pine apples, papayas, mangoes, oranges, sugarcane, melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, yams and onions. These black men and women are keen, vigorous and business-like and the turmoil and antics of the crowd serve to distract attention from the intense heat which prevails. Two steamers, one for Manchester and one for Boston, are at the wharf being loaded with bananas. The railroad cars are run to within about sized by the method of carriage two bullocks drawing a wooden plow. The grass rank vegetation in the plant cut about every three months the peons with machetes, feet long which every natural carries. The plantations plowed, and are well and fertilized by the trees station, which is cut down rots in the moist and hot Along the road, the train numerous small towns, the one being Cartago, the focal of the country. It is work has just begun on the Peace Congress building, Carnegie has given $100,000. There is a very marked change in the climate as the car reached. From sweltering roads takes you to an eleven over 5000 feet, and the refreshing. San Jose is at an altitude of 3700 feet, and the climate warm, is not at all depressed. The Gulf coast, the rainy gins in December. On the side the rainy season is due to December. A tropical something to be remembered measured by the foot instillation inch. Railroading in try is, as a consequence, native to dividends to stockholm winter the floods carried number of bridges on the Jose road and it was out of for about three months, end loss to banana growers est. about four million dollars. TRAVELERS Across Costa Rica from the Pacific Set of the steamer, and 500 or herspiring, noisy black men are the fruit from the cars, each a single bunch on his shoulder, carrying it to an endless movatform operated by the steammonkey engine, which deposits gold at the hatchway of the river, where it is received by othcks and stored in the steamhold. By this system the Corinch carries 18,000 stems, or buncan be loaded within five 9:30 a.m. we take the train for ose, the capital of Costa Rica, rient 102 miles, and arrive there p.m. A most picturesque and sting ride. For the first fifty the road traverses one continubanana plantation. Every half so is a small platform alongthe track on which the fruit is ed, to be picked up later by banana trains; and diverging from the track are numerous branch traversing all parts of the baelt. On these roads are dimlocomotives, hauling equally live cars, specially adapted to transportation of bananas. We for a fellow-traveler a well-inCosta Rican who gives us interesting information. It aphat from this banana belt is shipped every day an averabout 30,000 bunches. A year twelve million bunches exported. The cost of producfourteen cents a bunch, deat the railroad, and the Unilit Company, which has a winning unable to get the fruit to marke. A great steel bridge was carriéd by the torrent sixty miles down the river. San Jose has a population of about 35,000. There is nothing particularly impressive about the place. Streets are narrow—about 30 feet—including the sidewalks which are from 3 to 5 feet wide. There is an electric car system, the rails being laid on one side of the street. The theater, built and maintained by the government, is a marvel, and is said to be the third best in the world, the others being in Paris and Vienna. It cost over three million dollars in gold and it took seven years to build it. The exterior is not particularly imposing, but the interior is indescribably grand. May 16. Drove about the city and out into the country to get closer view of coffee plantations. Our way led us past the commons, a level pasture of about a thousand acres on which the poor people can pasture their stock, and which is also used as a public playground. Football, baseball and golf was being played at various places. Visited a plantation owned by an American who had a unique garden annex in which he had collected and was growing almost every variety of fruit—apples, peaches, pears, almonds, as well as all the fruits peculiar to this region. We learn that land suitable for growing coffee costs about $175 per acre. Laborers, regularly employed as foremen on the plantations, get $40 per month, peons about ten reales or $1.25 per day. This is in the money of the country, called“Colonnes;” one dollar of American money being worth $2.15 in Costa Rica currency. May 17. Went on government railroad from San Jose to Orotina, a distance of 66 kilometers. This road far as possible to Concemeters from Orotina, mules were being sawn came down the road wipeone. Mr. Royer openings with them which is more than they earn in a month, they us at once on the car to get the train for San Jof the trip is all right, horrible heat. Arrive and find two engines of train is at Escobal further on, and we at car and walk the remnial Walking is good. Did cold, and fortunately ee with icebergs. Arrive 6 p.m., and wired Casketing him to hold his could get to Limon to-may 20. Find the “courteous captain wa Limon, and sailed for 6 p.m. The group of mines in Royer are named Los Rafael, La Mineta, La San Miguel. They are in the Aguacate mountain miles from the Pacific clear day that ocean, a sels anchored at Punta plainly seen. These mistering history. In Irish Bishop, Garcia, Bisi gua and Costa Rica, in the Aguacate mountain Cartago, then capita accompanied by a deputen men as an escort served the outcropping remented upon the probab gold and silver veins with his conviction were party that they gathered ples of ore under his them tested, and found gold. Shortly afterwa party (one of whom president of the Costa Transportation of bananas. We for a fellow-traveler a well-informed Costa Rican who gives us interesting information. It appends from this banana belt is shipped every day an aver-about 30,000 bunches. A year twelve million bunches exported. The cost of produc- tion fourteen cents a bunch, de- sent at the railroad, and the Uni- itit Company, which has a vir- monopoly of the trade, pays the merchant 31 cents per bunch. This day is said to own about sixty percent of all the banana plantat- tions in Costa Rica. It owns all the trees engaged in the trade, and the railroad from Limon to San Juan employs over 11,000 men on and the tributary country. Suitable for bananas can be pur- fied from the government for $8 per hectare, about 2 1-2 acres. And is covered with timber and but cleared land, planted with can be purchased for $200 matte. 50 miles from Limon the banantations begin to disappear. Coffee plantations take their Costa Rica coffee is of a high and its production is said to be profitable. There are also cola plantations, and hund- varieties of other fruits pronounceable names, but all of the whole country is cov- teth dense vegetation, the hills are masses of native trees and other lands and plantations coat-parra grass, which resembles inston grass of California,and highly nutritious food for stock. Are also numerous corn fields seen, and the primitive nature country and people is empha- the method of cultivation—blocks drawing a one-handed plow. The grass and other vegetation in the plantations is cut every three months by mules with machetes, a knife 3 inches which every native always uses. The plantations are never land are well and sufficientized by the trees and vegetation which is cut down and soon the moist and hot climate. growing coffee costs about $175 per acre. Laborers, regularly employed as foremen on the plantations, get $40 per month, peons about ten reales or $1.25 per day. This is in the money of the country, called "Colonnes;" one dollar of American money being worth $2.15 in Costa Rica currency. May 17. Went on government railroad from San Jose to Orotina, a distance of 66 kilometers. This road will eventually be extended to Punta Arenas on the Pacific coast. Orotina is the present terminus. Arrived at 12:45; engaged peon guide and two mules for ride of eleven miles up perpendicular mountain trail to inspect gold mine. Sun beaming welcome, somewhere about 200 degrees. Began ascent amid "vivas" from assembled population. May 18. As I stand up (notice the phrase) writing these notes, I am inclined to agree with Solomon, the Wise, when he wrote that all men are liars. Instead of this mine being 11 miles from Orotina, as everybody told us, it is 110. It is true, we only consumed three hours in making the trip, and that for about three-fourths of the way the mules walked, but I still maintain that the distance is 100 miles, straight up. I admit that the fact of my not having been astride an animal for twenty years may have something to do with my estimate of distance. The so-called road is little more than a trail; and it became evident very early in the game that the mules knew more about climbing Costa Rica mountains than we did, and so we let go the helm and let them have their own sweet way. An hour after starting it began to rain, and for another hour the heavens poured out water to an unbelievable degree. The tragedy of the situation was somewhat relieved, to me at least, by the beautiful, and humorous, spectacle, of the stately Mr. Royer astride of a mule not as big as himself, carrying an umbrella in a vain attempt to keep off the water that was pouring on him. The humorous part of the situation was all mine, of course, because I cut a better figure on mule-back, and bore myself with becoming Cartago, the then capital accompanied by a deputyinent men as an escort served the outcropping mented upon the probab- gold and silver veins. With his conviction went party that they gathered ples of ore under his them tested, and found gold. Shortly afterward party (one of whom w president of the Costa Rica denounced the mine un- "Sacra Familia," wh mine is at present owned corporation, which ex-sums in its development mines, Oreamunos, S Los Castros, were discorde the San Miguel in 1826, in 1832. These mines w the primitive fashion tha only the "pockets" and most easily worked on out, and from the gold first Costa Rican coo Up to the year 1835 there tro took from the mines their name over two worth of gold, and fro group over five million been taken. There are two tunnels visited, 400 and 600 feet spectively. Entering thar far as the foul air would Mr. Royer took therefore ore from various veins, suit of the assays of tha depend whether he wilthe purchase of the mino option has been obtained I have somewhere remotted jottings that Mr. Royer traveled man. His is a sonality, a mind that acc quick—and correctly as life shows. There is no about him—physically, or any other way. Intense and dislikes, he is not be expressing either, but heim has a loyal friend. praises from the Atlantic cific, and though he has three years he has a fun tion concerning the resoubilities of this locality only be expected from a booster for Anaheim chamber of commerce in the method of cultivation—blocks drawing a one-handed plow. The grass and other vegetation in the plantations is but every three months by mules with machetes, a knife 3 long which every native always uses. The plantations are never sand and are well and sufficient-sized by the trees and vegetation which is cut down and soon the moist and hot climate. On the road, the train stops at its small towns, the principal big Cartago, the former capiine country. It is here that it has just begun on the National congress building, for which it has given $100,000. This is a very marked difference in climate as the capital is from sweltering Limon the fires you to an elevation of 200 feet, and the result is re- San Jose is at an altitude of 50 feet, and the climate, while not at all depressing. On the coast, the rainy season be- December. On the Pacific rainy season is from May to November. A tropical rain is going to be remembered. It is by the foot instead of by Railroading in this coun- a consequence, not conduc- dividends to stockholders. Last one floods carried away a bridge on the Limon-San Jose and it was out of business for three months, entailing a banana growers estimated at four million dollars, they be- tragedy of the situation was somewhat relieved, to me at least, by the beautiful, and humorous, spectacle, of the stately Mr. Royer astride of a mule not as big as himself, carrying an umbrella in a vain attempt to keep off the water that was pouring on him. The humorous part of the situation was all mine, of course, because I cut a better figure on mule-back, and bore myself with becoming dignity. The inspection of the mine, which was the object of the trip, was accomplished by Mr. Royer late yesterday evening, and about 6 o'clock this morning we began the descent to Orotina. We slid down into the town at 10 o'clock, expecting to take the train for San Jose at 12:45; but the rain of the previous day had done its work, and seven washouts on the railroad were reported. This is a serious matter to us, as it is necessary to get to San Jose on Wednesday to catch the steamer for New Orleans; otherwise we will be delayed eight or ten days. After exasperating delays and much telegraphing we learn that the road is all right to within sixteen kilometers of Orotina, and the suggestion is made that we ride on mules about half that distance along the railroad (there are no roads) and walk the balance of the way. An offer of $500 by Mr. Royer for a special train is declined, the officials saying that it is impossible to get a train through, and that it may be several weeks before the road is passable. May 19. Ordered mules to take us as SMYRNA Successful Culture by ing at Fres Washington, May 28 Department of Agriculture ed the question of growing na fig in Fresno county heart of the San Joaquil was accomplished by peculiar kind of wasp, flies the figs from Smyrna. George C. Roeding, on settlers of the San Joaquil began experimenting wetic fig some time ago, failed to mature. After it was found that there a necessary factor. The government sent Asia, who brought back little capri figs contain sects. The bugs were p Capri fig trees in the Hard and carefully protect the winter. With the c many colonies of the wa and the crop of Smyrn been a success. was possible to Concepcion, 16 kilometers from Orotina, and just as the trains were being saddled a hand car down the road with mail and four horses. Mr. Royer opens financial negotiations with them, and for a price which is more than they can ordinarily earn in a month, they agree to propel it once on the car to where we can get the train for San Jose. This part of the trip is all right, except for the terrible heat. Arrive at the washout find two engines off the track. Our man is at Escobal, four kilometers further on, and we abandon the hand-rail walk the remaining distance. Walking is good. Did not suffer from rain, and fortunately escaped collision on icebergs. Arrived at San Jose at 9 a.m., and wired Capt. Gunderson, taking him to hold his boat until we had get to Limon to-morrow. May 20. Find the "Corinto" and its curious captain waiting for us at Limon, and sailed for New Orleans at 7 a.m. The group of mines inspected by Mr. Royer are named Los Oreamunos, San Israel, La Mineta, Los Castros and La Miguel. They are situate high up the Aguacate mountains, about 25 miles from the Pacific Coast, and on a clear day that ocean, and even the vespenechored at Punta Arenas, may be only seen. These mines have an interesting history. In 1816, the Spanish Bishop, Garcia, Bishop of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, passed through Aguacate mountains on his way to Santiago, the then capital of Costa Rica, accompanied by a deputation of prominent men as an escort. He alone obeyed the outcropping mineraland computed upon the probability of finding silver veins. So impressed with his conviction were some of the men that they gathered several samplings of ore under his direction, had been tested, and found them rich in silver. Shortly afterwards, two of the men (one of whom was the second Mago, the then capital of Costa Rica, companyed by a deputation of prominent men as an escort. He alone obeyed the outcropping mineral and computed upon the probability of finding gold and silver veins. So impressed was his conviction were some of the many that they gathered several samples of ore under his direction, had been tested, and found them rich in gold. Shortly afterwards, two of the may (one of whom was the second president of the Costa Rica republic) announced the mine under the name of Cerra Familia," which particular site is at present owned by a Boston corporation, which is expanding large areas in its development. The adjacent sites, Oreamunos, San Rafael and Castros, were discovered in 1822, San Miguel in 1826, and La Mineta in 1832. These mines were worked in primitive fashion then prevailing, with the "pockets" and the richest and easily worked ore being taken and from the gold thus obtained. First Costa Rican coins were made. To the year 1835 the brothers Casco took from the mine which bears the name over two million dollars worth of gold, and from the entire crop over five million dollars have been taken. There are two tunnels in the mines used, 400 and 600 feet in length respectively. Entering these tunnels as is the foul air would safely permit, Royer took therefrom samples of various veins, and on the re-roof of the assays of these samples will find whether he will consummate purchase of the mines, on which an annex has been obtained. Have somewhere remarked in these reports that Mr. Royer is a much-talked man. His is a masterful perch, a mind that acts and decides—and correctly as his success in shows. There is nothing small at him—physically, mentally, or in other way. Intense in his likes mislikes, he is not backward about pressing either, but in him, Ana-has a loyal friend. He sang its songs from the Atlantic to the Pacific and though he has been here only for years he has a fund of information concerning the resources and positions of this locality which could be expected from a pioneer. As a merger for Anaheim he is a whole member of commerce in himself. The novice in gardening is pretty sure to set his shrubs or plants in the ground and then to supply the water with a daily sprinkling thereafter. In hot weather this may answer, but there is danger of the roots rotting before the rootlets take hold and the plants begin to grow. In either case the soil is not properly prepared for best results. In transplanting tomatoes and like things first dig holes some three feet or more apart, eighteen inches in depth and about the same across; put three or four inches of godo manure in the bottom; mix the earth thrown out with sand if the soil is heavy and work out all clods. Now pour one or more buckets of water, according to offices in the larger cities of the Middle West also. C. W. Pendleton, collector of the port, has been made counsel for the company. "We expect to demonstrate what can be done in eucalyptus growing in Southern California under the best conditions," said Mr. Curtis, when asked about the company's plan. "We have secured comprehensive information from Australia and New Zealand about conditions which are best for the most rapid growth of the eucalyptus, and we have made a study of the methods of eucalyptus culture promulgated by our state and national forestry officials. "We will plant and care for our trees in accordance with the most approved and successful methods. The land which we will plant is of a much finer quality than that usually devoted to growing eucalyptus,and we expect our trees to attain a growth of 22 to 25 feet in the first year. "We will plant trees eight feet apart, making 680 to the acre. "To purchasers of land we will guarantee 500 healthy well-grown trees at the end of two years. "We will care for all the trees on the tract for a period of two years, after which time no further attention or culture will be needed." IN THE HOME GARDEN The novice in gardening is pretty sure to set his shrubs or plants in the ground and then to supply the water with a daily sprinkling thereafter. In hot weather this may answer, but there is danger of the roots rotting before the rootlets take hold and the plants begin to grow. In either case the soil is not properly prepared for best results. In transplanting tomatoes and like things first dig holes some three feet or more apart, eighteen inches in depth and about the same across; put three or four inches of godo manure in the bottom; mix the earth thrown out with sand if the soil is heavy and work out all clods. Now pour one or more buckets of water, according to SMYRNA FIG Successful Culture by George Roeding at Fresno Washington, May 28.—The U. S. Department of Agriculture has solved the question of growing the Smyrna fig in Fresno county, Cal., in the San Joaquin valley. This accomplishment by importing a clear kind of wasp, which fructifies the figs from Smyrna. George C. Roeding, one of the early years of the San Joaquin Valley, experimented with the Asia-g some time ago, but the fruit did not mature. After much study it was found that the insects were necessary factor. The government sent an expert to who brought back a number of capri figs containing the in-fig trees in the Roeding orchard carefully protected during winter. With the coming spring colonies of the wasps appeared the crop of Smyrna figs has been success. In either case the soil is not properly prepared for best results. In transplanting tomatoes and like things first dig holes some three feet or more apart, eighteen inches in depth and about the same across; put three or four inches of godo manure in the bottom; mix the earth thrown out with sand if the soil is heavy and work out all clods. Now pour one or more buckets of water, according to the dryness of the soil, into the hole; as soon as the water begins to settle fill in the prepared earth. With a small stick make a hole in the center, insert the roots and holding the plant straight with one hand with the other pull the earth about the plant and press firmly; level the ground, which will be thoroughly wet by the water from beneath, and cover this wet surface with a dry mulch of fine dust. This prevents the drying out of the soil and the baking of the surface. No further watering should be given until the plant puts on a thrifty growth. With good cultivation the tomato requires little more water, as it has a reserve in the well-prepared ground which is kept from evaporating by the dry mulch. Too much water makes the tomato run to foliage and delays the ripening of the fruit. If very dry give the earth about the roots a moderate soaking, but do not spray the plant. We have had complaints about the blossoms falling. The first blooms are always abortive; the later ones will “set.” In the home garden a low trellis for the vines to rest upon will improve the fruit.