Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-22
COTTON IN AMAZON
 VALLEY IS LONG IN
 STAPLE, GOOD GRADE
Business Conditions in Great River Territory Are Boom,
 Associated Press Finds.

Para, Mouth of Amazon River, Nov. 20.-Business conditions in the Amazon Valley are beginning to re- cover from the disturbance of com merce caused by the war Rubber estate owners, and business men gen erally, realize that the competition of Oriental plantation" rubber which has forced the market price of that article down to about the actual cost of gathering wild" Amazon rubber Is really a blessing in disguise, since it is bringing about the development of the other natural resources left untouched so long as rubber monop- oliZed all attention in the valley. Foodstuffs that used to be importel from abroad, or from other parts of Brazil, are now being raised locally.
 A party headed by Henry S. Elem ing, of New York, which has been in- vestigating the commercial possibili- ties of the Amazon Valley has re- turned to this city after two month tour of the Amazon and some of it's principal afflucnts, nearly 5000 miles of rivers being covered in the course of the trip. MT. Fleming is receiver of an American company with exten- SiNS NoNRihSs anu tion property at Para.
 Produce FOOdstuffs.
 The main river was ascended for over 2,500 miles, as far as Iquitos, Peru, and also the Javary, Purus, Ne other rivers for varying distances A vast amount of valuable informa- tion and data has been gathered as a result, which is being placed free of charge, at the disposal of Ameri- can manufacturers, importers. ex- porters and others interested in the development of the Amazon Valley. Many inquiries have recently been made by Americans seeking informa- tion regarding lands available for cattle raising. grain growing, and minerals, which indicates an awaken ing interest in the United States in regard to the Amazon country. ! According to Mr. Fleming the most encouraging sign noted on the trip was the increase in the production of food d-stuffs of all kinds. Mandioca corn, sugar-cane, rice, beans, bana mas, melons, fruits of many species, and occasionally tobacco and cotton. have been planted in small patches along the river banks near the towns and settlements. Before the war practically all food-stuffs had to be imported as the wages paid rubber gatherers was so high as to make la- bor unavailable for agricultural work. MoMst of this planting is done on the low-lying banks of rivers, and at least two crops of corn, beans, man. dioca, etc are gathered between the floods.
 One of the staple products most affected by the rubber boom was Ca cao. When labor was attracted by the lure of high wages, most of the large Cacao plantations had to be abandoned: today they are being cleaned and restored and new trees are being planted
 Local cotton men are optimistic as to the future of Amazon cotton. which is said to be of excellent quail ity and long staple. There are large immense areas of the Amazon Val ley suitable for cotton growing, and in many places, notably 1quitos (Pc- ru), Santtarem. Monte Alegre, this is now being produced in increasing quantities. Last year was the first that any concerted effort was made to grow cotton, but the idea seems to have taken on with many land owners.
 U. s. Advertising.
 The Amazon Valley is said to be the greatest undeveloped region in the world today, on every side there are natural resources. of immense value, with commercial possibilities, which are as yet untouched. The soil is said to be extraordinarily fer