The mode of cutting and preparing Mahogany for shipment in the Island of Cuba is as follows:

The trees are generally purchased from the owners of the land, at prices varying from one to four dollars per tree, according to size; but Wood of large dimensions is now very scarce, except at such a distance from any port of embarkation as to make it improbable that any great quantity could be procured. Mahogany of 14 inches square, and 27 feet and upwards in length, fit for shipbuilding, is obtainable; but Logs of forty to fifty feet are scarce. The tree is rarely met with to give a larger square than 24 to 26 inches, although occasionally trees of very large dimensions are seen.

The quality of the wood is very much better in the open Savana or Prairie, the land of which is dry and stony, but it grows to greater lengths where the forests are dense. The hewers of the wood are principally white men, and are remarkably sober, but they are idle, and are not much to be depended upon in other respects. The rum of the country is their sovereign remedy for all bruises, wounds, &c. Instead of drinking spirits, they use coffee as strong as it is possible to make it, and the kettle is never off the fire. Their implements, tackle, &c., are very simple, consisting of an axe and a cutlass: trucks and carts are not wanted until after the wood is hauled by oxen.

The cutters proceed to fell the trees in the wane of the moon; for, however strange, it is a fact well known to every woodsman in the island that the Mahogany is then freer from sap, sounder, and of a richer colour than when felled before the full. It is cut throughout the year, but more particularly from October to June, which is the dry season. When the Logs have been prepared, they are drawn by oxen to the edge of the forest by "Arrastro," which means by dragging them upon the ground, or "snigging." When a sufficient quantity are hauled together,

the logs are then loaded upon carts, and conveyed to the port of embarkation or to the river, as the case may be. Sometimes six or seven, or even ten yoke of oxen are required, according to the size of the log, (see the annexed sketch,) which shews a loaded cart, and the mode of yoking the oxen by the head. To the rope extending from the pole-bar is attached a hooked stick, which is for the second yoke of oxen, and the third pair, and succeeding ones have rope traces of about eighteen feet long; so that when yoked they are in advance of those in their rear about twelve feet; the idea of this is to enable the leading oxen to pass through any bad place in the road, and pull on firm ground when the cart and other oxen are in a deep mud hole.

The Logs are sent down the rivers tied together in threes; but at the rapids they are separated, and passed one by one (see Sketch No. 2): after clearing them they are collected in rafts, and are ready for sale or shipment.

The basis of the measurement of Timber in Cuba is the Spanish Vara of three feet of twelve inches each; being equal to thirty-three English inches to the Spanish Vara. On the south side of the island Mahogany is sold by the 1000 feet superficial measure Spanish; and on the north side it is sold by the "Vara of dimension," which means half a vara wide by half a vara deep, and one vara long; this measure, therefore, contains 5 2-10ths. cubic feet or 62 4-10ths. superficial feet English.

It is more profitable to purchase large than small wood, for when its size exceeds that of the "Vara of dimension,” there is an advantage in the mode of estimating the contents of the excess, which gives one per cent. nearly in favour of the buyer upon the total of his purchase.