s, was shown a
collective exhibit of the wondrous and little known country of Honduras,
Central America. Upon all sides the visitor was confronted by most
curious and interesting samples of its varied resources. Crowds were
constantly gathered about the rubber tree with its white, milk-like sap,
and everyone seemed interested in the great bales of dried raw rubber,
while questions, opinions, and discussions were many regarding this
little known raw product. Even the great scarlet and blue macaw, from
his high perch overhead, joined in with wild screeches when the crowds
got too noisy.

Curious bales of sarsaparilla wrapped in white cowhide, great clusters
of cocoanuts in their thick hulls, long tables with hundreds of
specimens of dug plants and medicinal barks and roots, attracted curious
crowds. The banana bulbs and stalks, 20 feet high, eleven months'
growth, with the fruit which they had produced, gave the visitor an idea
of what is possible by systematic culture, as a banana plantation with
the proper care will produce fifty-two crops a year, which means a
cutting every week. The consumption of the banana has increased with
greater rapidity than any other fruit, and it occupies a position second
to none as a food and fruit. The sarsaparilla in its original packing
case was unique, and it represented its share in the country's
exportations. Honduras sarsaparilla has taken the highest award at the
last five expositions.

The cocoanut in its fibrous hull was a surprise to many, as the market
shows them only clear of the hull. It is said that each cocoanut tree in
Honduras averages about 365 nuts a year, or a nut each day. Brazil nuts
were shown, with their hard outside shell, in which some 15 to 20 of the
nuts are closely packed.

Of the 400 specimens of cabinet woods which were displayed, only about
100 are known to commercial uses; the rest are awaiting development. In
this exhibit were the woods which neither burn nor float. Lignum-vitae,
which is one of the heaviest woods known to science, and used
extensively in the manufacture of mallets, etc., was displayed; also the
San Juan wood, which has lately been discovered, and is found
extensively on the coast. This wood is practically non-combustible, and
is said to be the coming wood for car building, furniture, and interior
finishing, being susceptible of a high polish. The mahogany, for which
Honduras is noted, was shown in many varieties, as were rosewood,
red