New-York tribune., 1918-07-14

veals the resources of a country and their
influence upon the inhabitants; the latter
te!lS OF possibilities OF trade and traces
the influences Of the exchange Of ptoducts
upon the progress of humanity Without
such knowledge gained somewhere no man
can hope 10 become an efficient foreign
business agent.
Just now the United States is alive to
the possibilities Of trade with South Amer
lcan countries. To establish that trade men
must hrst be sent into the field Suppose
consul goes to Brazil He must be able
to appreciate the habits and customs OF
the people IN order TO inform American
merchants what classes OF goods can be
marketed best. He must understand the
influences of climatic factors uoon crops
people and trade. He must be able to ad-
vase as to The best forms Of packing and
the pest routes for sh Qments HIS ac-
qualntance with the natural resources such
as the forests, iron ore, copper. rubber
coffee, rice. sugar, FISH, fruits and hosts
OF other products, real and potential must
be thorough and exact. His ability 10 gain
all THIS desirable information and % cor
relate It will depend upon his training IN
geography 1t matters not how. when or
where acquired.
mot only should more qooqrapby be
taught in our schools but II should be
VI'aIzed and given practical application.
ouhE men and women viii then become
oet1er htted to enter the realm OF national
and international trade Not long ago a
c-ass was studying the Sahara. The date
pa IN was noted as one of IT'S plants Of
nome importance. The date PAIN is ghly
valuable not alone for It's nutritious, fruits
Dot also for It's fibre and oils It IS one Of
'"e worlds most useful Of trees 1t is
saio an Arab VIII refuse $4,000 in gold
ior an acre Of date garden One bright
STUDENT, recalling the Southwest American
peseI'' with its great possibilities, won
oefed whether dates could be grown thsrs
also. Inquiries developed the fact int ex-
peF'menfs with the date palm are already
ia progress Who knows bus that this alert,
speculative student may some dav engage
III some research work himself. develop
successful date palm in our desert waste
anu changc the whole wor d's trade in thai
single item, making the United States the
largest and best source of supply
The school museum. under the guidance
OF tne instructor in geography. has large
possibilities as a means for preparing boys
and girls to meet their destinies m the
business world with their eyes open Stu
dehts collect and study minerals sgr-
'"i 1ui al pIouuctS, manufactured go0d>'
photographs Of processes or perhaps models
OF processes These exhibits may expand
to include similar materials from other
parts Of the nation ana other countries OF
the earth. Comparative studies VIII reveal
the progress of the respective nations. the
things they have and the things they have
not the products can send them anu
nose they can send US The working mn-
scum opens up beautiful vista before each
student. The romantic stories of the reap
er' the fountain pen. the cotton boil. the
building of the ship. the making Of har-
bor and thousand and one other incl
dents In the evolution of the worlds com
merce and industry must fire every youth
with the ambition to utilize some phase
Of this learning in such manner as 70
assure him a niche in the hall OF fame
This IS the sort of work that makes ioi
better citizenship, for better traders fof
more genuine business men. for stronger
international leaders,"
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