Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-02-10
Farmers in the Philippines.

Agriculture in the Philippine archipel-
ago bids fair to make mighty advance
in the next few years, 1t is along these
lines that its true wealth lies. Ninety
two per cent of the commerce of the is
lands results from it, even in its present
undeveloped state, and its possibilities
for the future are almost beyond compu-
tation. There are now millions of acres
of land, of highest degree of fertility,
lying fallow, or upon which yet undis-
turbed forests or jungles stand. These
with favorable labor laws and the i'm
provements that follow in the trend of
modern advancement, are capable of pro-
ducing wealth undreamed of, even by the
most sanguine. Embracing in their
scope every soil and condition of humidi-
ty necessary to the growth of the most
valuable PRODUCTS of the tropics, the
opportunities for the skilled agricultur-
ist are limitless. From the fields may
be taken rice, hemp, tobacco, sugar.
copra, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, indigo, and
the valuable fibre of many plants; from
the orchards all of the tropical fruits
known to the Occident and many pecu-
liar to these islands; from the garden, all
kinds of domestic animals. From the
forests can be taken numerous valuable
woods and gums, among the latter india
rubber and gutta percha of the finest
quality.
1t cannot be hoped that the develop
ment of the above named agricultural
and forest possibilities will be accom-
plshed by Caucasian labor, as was the
case in the United States, for this is
both physically and climatically impos-
sible. But with American implements,
and American intelligence to guide the
hands of the natives who desire to work,
and of the labor which it is to be hoped
the government will allow imported for
the purpose, the realization will be a
certainty.
The Filipino people are at the parting
of the ways, the time has come when II
is necessary to lay aside the antiquated
methods and ideas of the past and to
join in the march of progress. The time
is propitious, for now is the period OF
1t is the history of all
countries ravaged by war that the first
work done after the dawn of peace is
the rebuilding of homes and the restora-
tion of the devastated farms. This prob
lem is now before the Filipinos tand
there could be no better season for laying
aside the old methods and taking up the
new To induce them tn do this is the
purpose of The Civil Government.
This is the work that the Bureau of
Agriculture has in hand, and in which
Governor Taft and the commission are
cooperating. 1t is realized
that there can be no permanent prosper
ity in the Philippines until the fields are
restored to at least their former produc-
tiveness and that every step beyond that
will be in advance. To this end expert
mental stations will be established at
various points, where the natives can be
taught the nse of American implements
and the adoption of labor saving meth
ods. Many large planters will be induc
ed to introduce modern methods on their
plantations and it is hoped that the ex-
ample of these will be followed by 9th
erS.
The task will be more difficult than
would be supposed, for in many
cases there is not only ignorance of mod
ern methods, but prejudice against them
to combat; to overcome this will require
patience and persistence; but in the end
ignorance must go down before intelli-
gence, for this is the inevitable rule. 1t
is proper that the restoration and i'm
prOvement of the farms, and develop |
ment of the latent resources of the Phil |
ippines, should go hand and hand with
the reorganization of the institutions
and the revision of the laws.
The work that our country is doing in
that land is noble one and already |
more has been accomplished than dur.
ing the centuries of Spanish rule and oc-
cupation. This archipelago is bound to
become one of the brightest stars in our
national diadem.-Lewiston Journal.