The National tribune., 1892-05-19

II /~SSAS@f1A ana industry tue MoiAo
- = IygI has yet seen. Within
o. SS-gAl M its extensive area Will
N be found an epitome
of the industrial progress of four centuries
In its catalogs and other records, in It's
reports and in the learned dissertations OF
the science congresses which will be held
during the time it is open, will be found the
materials for history of the material progress
of man kind; of the manner in which the great
discoveries of modern science have contributed
to the prosperity of nations aud TO the comfort
and happiness of the people Time and MS
tory and progress are continuous, but we may
divide them into periods. We now approach
the end of the first great period Of intelligent
advancement. Ont Of the Ignorance and super
stitions of past ages have grown the sure knoWI-
edge of this closing century.
So the wisdom of to-day may possibly be the
foolishness of centuries TO come. But think
we build now on more solid ground. The tour
centuries that have passed have recorded their
full share of ignorance, surviving from past
ages and the great advances upon which we
pride ourselves are, searcel " without exception,
less than hundred years old. Therefore, the
coming celebration appropriately marks point
IN the history of civilization from which we
may GHe a new era OF even more rapid dis
eovery and advancement.
The genius of the American people, fostered
By the new conditions of life and the stern me-
tributed much to the comfort and prosperity OF
the civilized world But. apart from this, the
discovery of the American Continent has had
greater influence upon the world at large
than most people imagine. The indigenous
products Of the soil alone have proved of i'm
mense value to the people of every cline, and
In at least one instance have provided what ls
row the staple food of distant country.
It may be questioned whether the introduc-
ion of the potato into Ireland has been an un-
mixed blessing to the Irish people, but there
IAN be no question as 10 its popularity among
chem. The =" Irish potato" however, is really
be American potato When America was dis
covered, the S0lGnum tWberOSam under cuti-
walton IN South America from Chile 10 New
Grenada. The Virginia potato came from Peru
Or Chile. In 1855, 'S6 Thomas Herriott,
companion Of Sir Walter Raleigh. carried the
potato from Virginia TO Ireland. 1t was intro
duced into Europe by the Spaniards in 1885.
The sweet potato now such an important pro-
ductior in Japan and China. is supposed to have
originated in South America In the year 1910
the batata, by which name il is known to the
Malays and Portuguese reached China from
LuZOD. From here il was introduced into the
Linkin Islands, and thence, in $685. the King
OF those islands sent q bssketful to the Daimio
of Satsuma, who caused them to be planted on
Taruga-shima. Thus the culture was estab-
lished in Japan. where the familiar name Sat
The history of the many varieties Of beans
grown in the far East IS scarcely known. The
common haricot bean now found almost every
where the lima bean and the sugar bean, are
all of American origin. The haricot bean is Of
very ancient growth. 1t was used by the
PeruYians in prehistoric times. Specimens
have been found preserved in their ancient
graves. More recently DIR. Wittmarck, of Ber-
lin, identified this bean among some specimens
obtained from prehistoric tombs in Alaska
specimens which the writer Of these lines saw
in DIR. Wittmarck's hands while the investiga-
tiOn was in progress.
Indian corn is another product for which the
Old World is indebted to the New. The Oldest
specimen OF corn known was discovered by
Darwin, in the soil of the Peruvian coast, at
an elevation OF 50 feet above the level of the
sea How old that is may be q matter OF mere
speculation. 1t was preserved in the dry soil
for ages.
The tomato is also native Of Peru.
Tapicca is obtained from the starchy manioc
shrub, indigenous TO Brazil and the West
Indies. The -four, known cassava meal, had
long been ID use before the coming Of the Span
jsh and Portuguese. The true West Indian
arroBro0t had also been long under cultivation
IN Tropical America at that time.
The squash and pumpkin also appear TO be
strictly American productions.
The cacaO tree, which furnishes cocoa and
chocolate, was highly priced By the natives
when America was discovered 1t was under
most careful cultivation, aud already natural
lied IN Central America and Yucatan II was
probably introduced from New Granada The
Spaniards found the custom Of drinking choco-
late quite general in those countries. When
the seeds were sent 10 the Mexican highlands
the people valued them greatly that they
used them as money. The cocoa and chocolate
production Of Central America and Mexico is
now OF great commercial importance. The
L
macy because 1t never becomes rancid, is OBJ
tanned from the seeds, being partly removed in
the preparation OF cocoa.
One might extend this list Of food products
10 include many others. principally productions
OF tropical regions, which arc not SO commonly
known There are numerous nuts and fruits
which arc delicious either fresh or preserved
The guays is one Of these; bat there are more
important products to be mentioned. Coffee
ls not distinctlyeiy an American product bat
two-thircs Of the worlds supply comes from
South ans Central America and the Nest In
dies.
Caoutchouc, or India rubber, was first dis
covered In South America Some specimens
wee taken 10 Europe about the beginning OF
The 18th century, where its valuable qualities
were soon recognized; but for q long time the
secret OF It's origin was not revealed. South
America still furnishes one-half tie worlds
supply, The greater part OF the remaining half
coming from Java.
The coca or cuca Of Peru is most valuable
tonic, known and used very largely in Europe
and America. it is said that the natives chew
the cuca leaves 10 give them strength aud en-
durauce. They can then perform long journeys
without food or rest.
The benefits derived by the world from the
alkeloids Of cinchona or Peruvian bark can
scarcely be overestmated. What would we do
without GUNNER We buy it in quarter-ounce
bottles. bat IL is manufactured by the ton. The
clncbona bark was FIRST brought from South
America in 1879.
America has been q large contributor to the
commerce Of tile world in other productions
not peculiarly her own. There are numerous
forests which yield an inexhaustible supply OF
valuable timber there Is cochineal and other
dyes, vanilla beans, and innumeGable bananas,
pineappies, oranges, and other fruits The fine
long staple cotton of the sea islands. which
fringe the coast OF Carolina and Georgia is pro-
oueed nowhere else in equal perfection. The
hrst bale OF that cotton was shipped 10 Eng
land from st. Simons Island in 1888
The resources Of South and Tropical America
IN textile hbeTs are by no means developed
Pits and heneqGen arc produced i'm Mexico,
sissi IN Aucatan, and nobody can tell what i'm
portance these aud other fbrous products from
the great variety of agaves-a type of which
g the common century plant-may soon attain
Tie West Indies furnish enormous quantities
OF textile hbeTs-more than can be at present
utilized. South America is rich in possibiii-
ties Of the same kind. Some of its IA I'm fihers