The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-10-04

x'hese y Vast we1Sh IN the II.
lands AWAITING Cul-
tlvnttOn.

The most important agriculture,
I product is what Is known to commerce
as Manila hemp. Thousands OF tons Of
this fber Is raisad 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 its cul-
tivation requires the least effort. With
only careless attentionit is possible to
raise many tons to the acre. The
fiber is obtained from species Of
plantain called abaca, tree which
grows to the height of from is to 20
feet and Is from 8 to ~ inches in
| diameter. The trunk may lie at cas-
! ily separated as stalk of ce1epg. An
| ordinary knife only Is required to
cut down the tree, and rude instru-
ment is used to press out the juice
and shred the fiber. After 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 a
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
a 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
I In the fifteenth century are still in
vogue in the Philippines.
The third product Of tho philippines
in the order Of importannW Al tobacco.
While the United States 6Ixnish4S III
market for the hemp An6 Sugar ofI
Manila, scarcely any ~ itswspbasca
or cigars is brought to lfAts sconnsr.g,
except now and then upon SAILING ves-
sells engaged in eastern Nnrads Bug
the crop Is an important one. and 'tes
bacco and cigars have long held tiss,
same reputation in the east that the
Havana product holds in the west,
Lately the industry has shown 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 are 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, gnayas, and many other ma
tive fruits grow Mid. There are no
olives or Aga and there is no vine
culture. Dairy farming has not yes
been established in the islands; 81.
though there * said TO be great op.
portundty In that direction. Butter ia
imported from London In bottles, and
naturally, Is held at a very high price.
Throughout all the islands OF the
archipelago agriculture is ret 10 an
undeveloped state. Vast opp} rtunities
may be found for exploiting modern
.,nexhodc "A farrninv Tshara IL NOT