Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-05-27
PHILIPPINE FARMING.
A PROBLEM TO MAKE TROPICAL
AGRICULTURE PROFITABLE.


Island Archipelago Is Taking Des-
perate Chances-Where to Study,
The farming community in the older
eastern and southern portions of the
United States constitutes, if l may be
pardoned the use of a seeming para
dox, a conservative-progressive ele-
ment of our people, whose corserva-
tism finds expression in clinging to the
old farm and it's associations, and
whose progressiveness takes form in
adopting with alacrity every scientific
or practical device that facilitates
farm operations.
He has, and perhaps truly, been
charged as of laggard intuitions, and
of slow. even dense, perceptions but
none gainsay that he is very sure and
apt to arrive at very correct conclu-
sions whether his mental processes be
of the hare or tortoise order. ms
sound sense and very good Judgment
are emphasized by the fact that he,
better than any one else, knows his own
limitations in his own craft. He
knows that the underlying principles
in agriculture are governed by the
same laws on the equator as at the
poles. Having mastered those princi-
pies, he also knows that in fair field,
and without fear or favor. his pros
poets of success in a new and untried
field of tropical agriculture would be
far brighter than those Of any layman
however Industrious and energetic.
But this American farmer has not
yet arrived in the Philippines, and,
worse luck for US, there is little dan
ger that he will be conspicuous here
for many years to come-except by his
absence.
No; he is not here, nor will he be
here in our generation, and the simple
explanation may be found in that carl
lier tribute to his average good sense
and that profound knowledge of this
own limitations; to the knowledge
that tells him that Notwithstanding the
advantages that his training and expert
ence would give him, the successful
practice Of tropical agriculture would
impose upon him the acquisition of
new and almost distinct profession.
In time and as he learns upon credi-
BILE sources of information of the pros
ecution Of large and successful farm
ing enterprises in these parts, he will
cautiously send out his sons. not as
farmers, but as apprentices or labor
erS, upon these estates where they
may round out and perfect the initial
training they have had in agricultural
schools or upon the old homestead.
Meanwhile, while we lack, and will
continue to lack the American farmer,
We have a very considerable number
of Americans. who propose ito enter"
tropical agriculture with the same in
souciant unconcern and easy aplomb
with which they would saunter into a
dining room or through an open gate
way.
These same people ar shocked
sometimes distinctly offended-if
asked why they do not "enter" the
ministry, or, equally unframed, do not
"enter" as special counsel in litiga-
ton involving millions, or into hos.
pital to perform an operation in
tony or obstetrics.
Inquiry develops the fact that few,
very few OF these candidates for
graduation in and the practice of trop-
farm. and perhaps done farm chores
till IL or Is years OF age. For thesefew
there is a fighting chance of success,
as they realize that they are coping
with a mans task and childs equip
ment for the undertaking.
But what can be said of the chances
of the large remainder? of the 80 per-
cent, made up of discharged soldiers,
miners, adventurers,
whatnots, or anybody except farmers
who could with equal hope of success
undertake the construction of a twin
screw battleship as the equally COM
plex problems of tropical agriculture?
The truly pitiable feature of this
phase of the case is that many of this
class are not only sincerely in earnest
but by frugality and industry have ac-
cumulated a few hundred or q few
thousand dollars that they now seek
to invest in tropical agriculture, and
seek either information or advice as
to the best civilizations to undertage
which, between the lines should be
read to say, the easiest channels in
which to lose their hard-earned saw
ings.
Where advice alone is asked, and
the adviser knows his business, and is
conscientious, he can have but one I'M
aeviating reply to make:
GO to Java, the Federated Malay
States, or Ceylon, and hire out as an
or farm hand for two or
three years on some of the very many
large and well-managed farm estates,
your day labor with very
night study, and then you may return
fairly well equipped to undertake trop-
ical farming in the Philippines without
incurring the almost certain disaster
that must otherwise oyertake you."