The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-22
SHORTAGE OF FOOD PRODUCTS
SUPPLY IN THE PHILIPPINES Is
LESS THAN THE DEMAND.

Rice. the staple Food of the Natives,
Grows in the Greatest Abundance
hat the Crop Is Smaller Than the
Requirements of the PeOpIe-Inize
and Tubers Come Next 10 Rice-Su-
rnr Is the largest Export Crop
Made.
Washington. May CA report on the
plant products OF the Philippine Islands,
lust received by the agricultural depart
ment. is authority for the statement that
the Philippines. although an agricultural
country. do not produce enough food for
the consumption of their inhabitants.
In order to supply the deficiency it is the
custom TO draw upon other reproducing
countries. notably the French colony of
Cochin-China. No explanation of this con-
dition is offered the report dealing exclu-
sively with the agricultural resources of
the island as they now exist.
The report shows that of the area of the
Philippine Islands. one ninth, or about g.,
100000 acres, is devoted TO agriculture.
Taking into account the natural fertility
of the soil and the vast portion OF these
rich lands not yet unoer cultivation, it
can safety be assumed, it adds, that with
better methods of exploitation the total
agricultural production of the islands
could be increased TO ten or fifteen times
its present amount
Importance of Rice.
One of the most important food products
of the island is rice which forms the
staple food of not only the native popu-
lation. but also of the numerous Chinese
inhabitants. More than 100 varieties are
grown. and by planting alternately an
early and a late variety two crops
year can be secured. The ordinary price
of rice in the husk is from 90 cents TO Go
cents per bushel, while sheled rice brings
from 80 cents to 80 cents per bushei
The annual production of this commod-
itv is about 100000 bushels, amount
far below the actual requirements of the
population, even when supplemented by
the maize, sweet potatoes, bananas ana
other native fruits and tubers. In some
years the quantity of rice imported into
Manila from Saigon has exceeded 100000
bushels, with value of nearly 5000, 900.
Maize and Tubers.
Maize, next to rice. is the most impor-
tant of the grain products of the Philip
pines. the report stating that in several
provinces 1t is the chief subsistence Of the
natives
Tuberous roots also constitute valua-
BILE source of food. Among these the
sweet potato occupies first rank, with an
annual production of about 9S.00000O
pounds. The common or white potato, al
though a rather inferior quality comes
next in importance. Then follows the
90 haV nj n1qnfhOt
There are also a large number of other
roots and vegetables, the list including
most of the more common kinds that are
grown in this country.
Fruits grow in great abundance, bananas
heading the list, while other varieties are
the mango, pineapple orange, Demon
plums, breadfruit and pawpaw
Large Export of Sugar.
The Philippine plants cultivated for in
dustriaI purposes are quite numerous.
Among sacchariferous plants cane is the
only one that is at present employed for
the manufacture of sugar A species of
sorghum, called batad, is grown, but IL
does not appear to be used for sugar-mak- |
ing Owing to crude methods of manu-. |
facture, the sugar made in the Philippines |
is inferior in quality and consequently |
brings a low price About 500, 900, 900 pounds |
year are exported, exceeding in import |
ance all other exports except those of Ma
Mia hemp, of which nearly the entire crop |
is marketed abroad. The average yearly |
shipments amount to nearly 10000 long |
tons.
Cotton has recently lost much of it's for |
mer Importance. partly because of excess
sive taxation, but principally because of |
the successful competition of British IA |
brio.