The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-11-26
PHILIPPINE RESOURCES.
VAST WEALTH OF THE ISLANDS
AWAITING CULTIVATION.

Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury Van
sources and How They May Be I'm
proved-Hemp an Important Product.
Hon. Frank A. Vanderlip, Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury, contributes
to the Century an article entitled
"Facts About the Philippines, With
Discussion of Pending Problems.
Mr.. Vanderlip says:
The most important agricultural
product is what is known to commerce
as Manila hemp. Thousands of tons
of this fiber are raised annually on the
Pacific slopes of the southern islands,
where it also grows wild. That this is
the leading product of the Philippines
is due to the fact that its cultivation
requires the least effort. With only
careless attention, it is possible to
raise many tons to the acre. The fiber
is obtained from species OF plantain
called abaca, a tree which grows to
the height of from fifteen to twenty
feet and is from eight to twelve inches
in diameter. The trunk may be as
easily 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 little drying
in the sun, and packing it iuto bales
of two hundred and forty 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. It
is said that fortune awaits one who
can invent machine which will ac-
celerate the process of pressing ont
the juice and pulp, leaving only the
fiber. A rude knife aud lever for
holding it strongly 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 manufacture, and not
in any disadvantage of soil, climate or
character of the cane, which is SUI
perior 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 Philip
pines 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 vessels engagedin the Eastern
trade. But the crop is au important
one, and Manila tobacco apd cigars
have long held the same reputation in
the East that the Havana product
holds in the West. Lately the indus
try has shown tendency to expand,
owing to the fact that the Spanish
Government, realizing, in one in
stance at least, the effects of an evil
policy, has abandoned its monopoly of
the trade.
There are few other products of
agriculture to be mentioned. Fruit is
net cultivated, but grows wild in
abundance and variety characteristic
of a tropical country. Bananas of
delicious flavor, oranges of poor
quality, mangos, guavas and many
other native 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.
although 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 q sharpened
stick, and nothing is known of agri-
cultural labor-saving implements such
as are in use in the United States and
other civilized countries. Only the
most primitive methods are employed.
The mineral resources of the islands
have never been developed, although
they are known to be considerable.
There is coal in abundance in Cebu
and Negroes. Gold Is found in the
alluvial deposits along the streams,
and ct the mouths of rivers, particu-
larly in Luzon and Mindanao. Copper
exists in the central districts Of Luzon,
and lead is plentiful in Cebu. I'm
mense deposits of sulphur are found
in the craters of extinct volcanoes,
and in some of the islands there is
found good quantity of iron ore.