The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-10-14
RESOURCES OF PHILIPPINES.
There Is Vast Wealth in the Is.
lands Awaiting Gull
tivntiOn.


tivation.
The most important agricultural
product is what is known to commerce
as Manila hemp. Thousands of tons of
this fiber is raised annually on the
Pacific slopes of the southern islands,
where 1t also grows wild. That this
Is the leading product of the Philip
pines Is due to the fact that it's cul-
tivation requires the least effort. With
only careless attention it is possible to
raise many tons to the acre. The
fiber is obtained from a species of
plantain called abaca, q tree which
grows to the height of from Is to 20
feet and Is from s to 12 inches in
diameter. The trunk may be as eos
lily separated as stalk of celery. An
ordinary knife only is required to
cut down the tree, and q rude instru-
ment Is used TO press out the juice
and shred the fiber. After a little
drying in the sun, and packing 1t into
bales of 240 pounds each, it is ready
for shipment. The United States and
England take almost the entire crop.
Hemp of this kind is grown nowhere
else in the world. 1t is said that a
fortune awaits one who can invent
machine which will accelerate the
process of pressing out the juice and
pulp, leaving only the fiber. A rude
knife and lever for holding it strong
ly in position are the instruments now
in use.
Next in the order of Importance as
product of the soil Is sugar. The
poorest sugar in the world is produced
in the Philippines, and yet the islands
are capable of producing the best.
The reason for the poor quality lies
in the method of manufacturing, and
not In any disadvantage of soil, climate
or character of the cane, which Is
superior in saccharine. The methods
of sugar manufacture which prevailed
in the fifteenth century are still In
vogue in the Philippines.
The third product of the Philippines
in the order Of Importance is tobacco.
While the United States furnishes
market for the hemp and sugar of
Manila, scarcely any of its tobacco
or cigars is brought to this country,
except now and then upon sailing ves-
sells engaged In eastern trade. But
the crop is an important one, and to-
bacco and cigars have long held the
same reputation In the east that the
Havana product holds in the west.
Lately the industry has shown a ten
dency to expand, owing to the fact
that the Spanish government, realiz-
ing, in one instance at least, the effects
of an evil policy, has abandoned its
monopoly of the trade.
There dre few other products Of ag-
riculture to be mentioned. Fruit Is
not cultivated, but grows wild in
abundance and variety characteristic
Of q tropical country, Bananas of de-
licious flavor, oranges of poor quality,
mangos, guavas, and many other ma
tive fruits grow wild. There are no
olives or figs, and there Is no vine
culture. Dairy farming has not yet
been established In the islands, al
though there Is said to be great op-
portunity In that direction. Butter Is
imported from London In bottles, and,
naturally, is held at very high price.
Throughout all the islands of the
archipelago agriculture Is yet in an
undeveloped state. Vast opportunities
may be found for exploiting modern
methods of farming. There is not a
farm in any of the islands which will
compare favorably with even the
worst on the American continent.
Flowing is done with. a sharpened
stick, and nothing Is known of agri-
cultural labcr-saying implements such
as are used in the United States and
other civilized countries. Only the
most primitive methods are en-
ployed.
The mineral resources Of the islands
have never been developed, although
they are known to be conside rable.
There Is coal In abundance In Cebu and
Negros. Gold Is found In the alluvial
deposits along the streams, and at the
mouths of rivers, particularly In Luzon
and Mindanao. Copper exists In the
central districts of Luzon, and lead Is
plentiful in Cebu. Immense deposits
of sulphur are found in the craters of
extinct volcanoes, and in some of the
islands there is found a good quality Of
iron ore.-Hon. Frank A. Vanderlip, In
Century.