Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1909 — WILLIAM B. AUSTIN WRITES FROM BERMUDA [ARTICLE]

WILLIAM B. AUSTIN WRITES FROM BERMUDA

Describes Country and Customs on the Isles Where Famous Bermuda Onions Flourish.

Hamilton, Bermuda Islands.O • — — - '.. March 6, 'O9 j To The Republican: These islands are about 900 miles southeast of New York and 600 miles east of Charlestown, S. C. I came here from New York, being three days on the Atlantic Ocean. The islands have belonged to Great Britain for 300 years and are used by that government principally as a coaling; station. There are 300 of them, the two ones being Hamilton and St George, which are connected by bridges. Hamlltonj Island is 24 by 4 miles wide. The climate varies from 65 in winter to 80 degrees in summer and on this account is an ideal wintering placa Today it is 7j5 degrees in the shade, and everyone wears straw hat and light summer clothing.. The oldest inhabitant cannot remember when the temperature was below 65 degrees and frost is unknown, on accuont of the nearness of the gulf stream. Banana trees flourish on all the islands, but the principal exports are onions, potatoes and Easter llllies. Many of your subscribers have tested the delicious Bermuda onion and have seen the beautiful Bermuda lilies. The latter are cultivated or rather grown on a wholesale scale. The bulbs are shipped to New York and there ripen, and after that so many lilies grow that they literally mow them down. It is interesting to observe 150 acres of these beautiful flowers. The population of all the islands Is 20,000, two-thirds being colored, and females far exceed males. The largest town (Hamilton) only cotains 700 permanent residents, al-

though it has a transit population of 5,000. The King keeps here 2,500 to garrison his many forts, and there are generally 3 to 6 war vessels. The houses are all built of coral blocks cemented together, and the streets and highways' are made of coral, making splendid driveways for any vehicle, although no automobiles or trolley cars are allowed here, but open victories are plentiful. The newspapers are characteristic of the English. I desired to know something regarding the inaugurationof President Taft and purchase? a copy of the leading paper here and found 251 lines devoted to the whole subject, the rest of the space being taken up by cricket, tennis and the long dry proceedings of the local legislature. The governor is appointed .by the English} Crown, but, otherwise, the islands are self-governed. Our money is good here except for stamps and customs. The streets and highways will average twelve feet wide. As a health resort during; the winter Bermuda is unexcelled, but on account of the moisture of the atmosphere it is not a place for consumptives. The vegetation is sustained by heavy dews, whichj drips from the leaves after sunset. Water to drink is rain water. There are many interesting things to be sebn here, but space forbids their enumeration^ In conclusion I give it as my wish that our country should own these islands, hut I presume this wish will never be gratified. Very truly,

WILLIAM B. AUSTIN.