UNITS OF MEASURE. 139 
The measurements of weight and capacity are those formerly used 
in the Philippines. They are gradually being replaced by the metric 
system. Iam indebted to Mr. Louis A. Fischer, of the United States 
Bureau of Standards, for correcting the following tables. 
Linear measure. 
lbraza = 1.672 meters = 2varas  =65.82 inches. 
l vara  =836.00 millimeters= 3 pies =32.9 inches. 
1 pie =278.70 millimeters=12 pulgadas=10.97 inches. 
1 pulgada= 23.22 millimeters=12 Ifneas = «91 inch. 
Measures of capacity. 
DRY MEASURE. 
1 kaban or cavan=25 gantas ==99.90 liters=2.75 U.S. bushels=11 _ pecks. 
1 ganta = 8chupas = 3.99 liters= 44U.S.peck = = 38.52 quarts. 
1 chupa = 4apatanes=  .499 liter = 44 U.S. quart = .88 pint. 
Liquid measure. 
1 tinaha=16 gantas =63.84  liters=14.02 gallons. 
lganta = 8 chupas= 3.99 liters= 3.52 quarts. 
Lchupa = 3copas = .499 liter = .88 pint. 
Measures of weight. 
1 quintal = 4 arrobas =46.012 kilograms=101.44 pounds. 
larroba =25 libras =11,.503 kilograms= 25.36 pounds. 
1 libra — 2mareos = .460 kilogram = 16.23 ounces. 
lmareco = 8 onzas = ,.230 kilogram = 8,12 ounces. 
1 onza =16 adarmes =28.758 grams = 1.02 ounces. 
Lpicul = =10 chinantas=62.550 kilograms=137.9 pounds. 
1 chinanta=10 cates = 6.255 kilograms= 13.79 pounds. 
leatty =16 taels = .626 kilogram = 1.38 pounds. 
1 tael = =39.094 grams = 1,388 ounces. 
A kaban of cacao weighs 38.6 kilograms. 
A kaban of rice weighs 60.272 kilograms. 
AGRICULTURE OF THE ISLAND. 
SOILS. @ 
THE STRAND.—The beaches are composed of fine coral sand and are 
especially well adapted to coconut plantations. Specimens of this 
soil examined by the Bureau of Soils, United States Department of 
Agriculture, were found to contain considerable organic matter, though 
not of such a nature as to be readily decomposed, and for this reason 
it might be well to apply manure to it. Considerable organic matter 
is constantly being added to the stretches of beach in the form of 
decaying vegetation and animal matter from fragments of fresh coral 
and shellfish cast up by the sea and dispersed by the wind. From 
prehistoric times extensive coconut groves have been continuously 
growing along the west coast of the island without apparent exhaus- 
a1 am indebted to Mr. Milton Whitney, chief of the Bureau of ‘oils, for much of 
the following information. 
