Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-23
THE PHILIPPINES.
x.-Products of the
Islands.
By Frederic j. Haskin.
By Frederic j. Haskin.

Copra, hemp. sugar and tobacco are
the principal products of the Philippines.
Inc Islands also possess tremendous tim
Der and mineral resources. but lack of
transportatio continues to hamper the
development of the lumber and mineral
industries. Rice Is a leading product but
for a great many years the people have
not raised enough for their own con-
sumption The camote. tropical sweet
potato. is found in every poor mans gar
den, which also is true of corn, potatoes,
small vegetables and grains Coffee once
was an important article of export, but
bugs so devastated this crop a decade
before American occupation that it never
has regained it's former status. Many
tropical fruits, including the mango, the
taste of which is as near heaven as the
average human being will get: the orange
banana. chico, papaya and lansone are
found everywhere.
The soil of the islands consists mainly
or volcanic rocks enriched with organic
matter. A little irrigation induces lux
urlant tropical or subtropcal growths
either indigenous exotic. The range
of products Is very wide. including those
previously mentioned and about 800 fiber
plants of either commercial or local value
variety of nuts is grown, the most
important ot which are the cocoanut and
the betelnut. The dried kernels of the
cocoanut make copra. The betelnut is
the common mans and womans "chaw
of tObaccer. Spices such as pepper. Gin
namon and cloves grow in many parts
of the islands, and with proper cultiva-
ton and knowledge of marketing are
bound to form valuable industry.
Pineapples do we'll in the islands even
in sthe wild state.
The Hawaiian pineapple is famous
the world over, but the Philippine
variety could
Cocoanut Plantation easily rival it
Offers Steady Profit. it tn D ana o uua,
tity. Efforts to commemorative the
product were begun less than two
years ago. when a company was formed
in Manila to produce pineapples on
large scale.
The cocoanut palm constitutes a
highly important factor in the domes
tic economy and welfare of the islands.
There is scarcely a part Of the archi-
pelago in which it does not thrive. AL
though the greater part Of the cocoa
nut trees are religiously neglected.
they insist upon giving their owners
a steady profit year after year.
Whenever a cOcoanut plantation is
given proper care it yields a large and
sure income. One of the prettiest
parts of the islands is the cocoanut re-
gion around San Pablo, Laguna pro-
vince. within a few hours of Manila.
The cocoanut palm has many uses.
The milk of the cocoanut is a refresh
ing drink and the meat makes good
eating. The sap of the tree is the basis
of native wine called tuba.
Copra. which became the leading ex-
port of the island in 1912. is the meat
of the cocoanut which has been dried
by sun or fire. Oil is also extracted
and this is exceedingly profitable.
Only a few years ago the meat of the
cocoanut was supposed to be useful
only to soap boilers and confectioners
but it is now known that it produces
many food products
A cocoanut oil factory is being built
in Manila. but the bulk of the product
goes to arseille. where it is drawn
into dietetic compounds.
Philippine tobacco produces the ia
nous Manila cigars which are becom-
inO