The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-05-24
Doesn't Feed Her People.

WASHINGTON, May a1.-A report Oh
the plant products Of the Philippine
Islands Just received by the agricul-
tural departments is authority for the
statement that the Philippines, al
though an agricultural country, do not
produce enough food for the consump-
ton of its inhabitants. In order to
supply the deficiency it is the custom
to draw upon other rice producing
countries, notably the French colony
of Cochin China. No explanation OF
this condition is offered, the report
dealing exclusively with agricultural
resources OF the island as they now
exist.
The report shows that Of the lrea OF
the Philippine Islands oneninth, or
about 100000 acres, is devoted to ag-
riculture. Taking into account the
natural fertility Of the soil and the
vast portion Of these rich lands not yet
under cultivation, it can safely be as
sumed, it added, that with better
methods of exploitation the total agri-
cultural production Of the islands could
be increased to ten or fifteen times its
present amount.
One Of the most important food pro
ducts of the island is rice, which forms
the staple food OF not only the native
population, but also Of the numerous
Chinese inhabitants. More than 100
varieties are grown, and by planting
alternately an early and late variety
two crops year can be secured. The
ordinary price Of rice in the husk is
from sixty cents to sixty-tive cents per
bushel, while shelled rice brings from
ninety cents to ninety-fye cents per
bushel. The annual production Of this
commodity is about $4,000, 900 bushels,
an amount far below the actual re-
quirements of the population, even
when supplemented by maize, sweet
potatoes, bananas and other native
fruits and tubers. In some years the
quantity of rice imported into Manila
from Saigon has exceeded 100000
bushels, with a value Of nearly $1,000
900.
Maize, next to rice, is the most i'm
portant Of the grain products OF the
Philippines, the report stating that in
several provinces it is the chief subsis-
tence Of the natives.
Tuberous roots also constitute val
liable source Of food. Among these the
sweet potato occupies first rank, with
an annual production of about 9S, ,0OO,-
900 pounds. The common white pota-
to, although rather inferior quality,
comes next in importance. Then fol-.
lows the camatengcahoy or manihot.
There are also a large number OF
other roots and vegetables, the list in
Guiding most of the more common
kinds that are grown in this country.
Fruits grow in great abundance, ba-
nanas heading the list, while other va
rieties are the mango, pineapple, or
ange, lemon, plums, bread fruit and
pawpaw.
The Philippine plants cultivated for
industrial purposes are quite numerous.
Among saccharriferous plants cane is
the only one that is at present employ
ed for the manufacture of sugar. A
species of sorghum called batad is
grown, but does not appear to be used
for sugar making. Owing to crude
methods Of manufacture the sugar
made in the Philippines is inferior in
quality and consequently brings a low
price. About 100000 pounds year are
exported, exceeding in Importance all
other exports except those Of Manila
hemp, OF which nearly the entire crop
is marketed abroad. The average
yearly shipments amount to nearly
100000 long tons.
Cotton has recently lost much of it's
former importance, partly because of
excessive taxation, but principally be-
cause of the successful competition of
British fabrics.