Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-08-14
LETTER FROM JUDGE wIIrIEY,
Possibilities Unlimited in Aerieu,tu,.
Great Reward Awaitinga
Little Industry.

From the st. Louis Globe.Demoera,
a valuable account OF the a0rIcu,.
turai and forest resources OF the Phil
ippines has been received by Paul
Brown, Chairman Of the Worlds Fair
committee on agriculture, from Judge
L. K. Whitley, formerly Of Mexico.
Mo-, and at present Acknowledgement
OF the islands. The letter discloses
the possibility Of an exhibit Of unlIm-
TIED educational power from the Amer
lea OF the Orient. After pointing out
the fact that the arts and trades have
never been encouraged there, he saws
that the wealth concealed in the soil
Is inexhaustible, and the riches TO be
attained there By the application Of
modern methods and machinery viii
outstrip any flight Of the imagination.
In the agricultural aspects Of the
islands Judge Wiley divides the sub
Ject into two groups, the staples OF
the export trade and the vegetables or
perishable products. The former are
OF more interest to the people Of this
country, because they are a material
part OF the world commerce OF thenew
possessions while the latter articles
can at the best have but a limited
distribution, and at the present time,
for a variety Of reasons, must be num-
bered among the possible as distin-
guished from the actual products OF
the Philippines. The eindolent character
of the people has confined their efforts
to the cultivation Of rice alone among
the vegetables, although the soil will
permit the raising Of almost every
commodity of that kind with which
we are familiar.
Tobacco is given the foremost place
among the staples, not because it is
most largely exported, but because
there are large areas Of land capable Of
producing tobacco with a pronounc-
ed individuality. There is no reason
why distinctively Philippine tobac-
co can not be put on the market
which will find as much favor among
connoisseurs as any Havana or Suma-
ira leaf. 1t has the flavor, richness
and body, and shows traces OF an
aroma which needs only care to make
1t admirable. The method OF grow
ing now in use is more primitive, and
the richness OF the earth is best proved
by its fertility, Notwithstanding the
lack OF care given IL. The great tobac-
CO region of the Philippines is the
Cagayan valley, In the north OF Luzon.
All the northern and eastern coast Of
Luzon produces good tobacco and the
southern islands are also successful in
this line, although they are used for
raising other staples. The tobacco
region, II properly. used, Is capable OF
supplying largely increased demand
for Philippine tobacco.
Sugar is the second staple Of prom
lnence, its home being In the Vlscayan
islands. The advantages for the cul-
ture Of sugar can not be oyerestimatr
ed. Crops mature In twelve months,
whereas IL requires fifteen months to
attain the same results In Hawaii.
The planters make money out OF the
sugar, notwithstanding processes
most primitive and neglect, and waste
most shameful.
The third great staple is the abaca,
or what is called hemp in the markets.
or it Judge Wiley says; Hemp is
the most comfortable thing in the
islands to go in for. You can get the
plants wild in many places, and all
you have to do is set them out. Five
to seven years are required before they
get into full working order, and then
there is nothing to do but cut them
once a year. Year after year, regard
less of wet or dry seasons, the faithful
old roots send up new shoots while the
owner smokes in the shade. He isn't
even bothered by his conscience, for
hemp doesn't seem to care bit
whether you cultivate it or not. All
Of which makes 1t an ideal plant for
the Filipino" The province Of Alba
ny, in the southeastern part OF Luzon,
is the great hemp center, the average
yield there being $4,000 tons. Hemp
is also raised in Cebu and the islands
OF Leyte and Martinique.
Coffee and cacao are mentioned as
the most important staples OF the
future In the islands.
The 10000, 900 acres Of public forest
lands, and most Of 1t virgin forest,
are a very important part OF the
Philippines. The forest and tree
products, such as fruits, nuts, flbers,
leaves, barks and saps, are valuable In
themselves as distinguished from the
timber. Almost all the possessions Of
the natives are obtained from the
trees. There are over 665 species OF
trees and timber listed. There are
woods of every possible kind, suited
for every use and capable Of being
made into the most wonderfully beau
tIful furniture. An abundance Of
beautiful tropical flowers are found II
the forests, including the so-called fire
tree. which in the winter months i
covered with masses OF intensely rec
blossoms.
The mere word-paintings OF the at
tractiye conditions Of the Islands a
: sources of wealth are 50 interesting
that the actual exhibit at the World
Fair can not but be one Of the grea
I sights at the exposition. 1t will prot
ably afford che first opportunity 10
the most of our citizens to estimat
the value of the islands to the farmer
and merchants OF this country.
Burglars Frightened Away
I. Rurolars attempted to enter IN