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POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



settlers than formerly, and among those who show an inclination to 

 permanence, the standard of living is improving, in imitation of their 

 English, Irish and American neighbors. 



Portuguese immigration in 1903 amounted to over eight thousand 

 souls. They have the highest proportion of illiterates of any Euro- 

 pean race, their percentage of illiteracy being about 70 per cent. They 

 also bring less money per capita than most other races. In spite of 

 these facts, a study of Portuguese immigration reveals many excellent 

 qualities, and chief among these are their permanency, peaceable dis- 

 position, thrift and skill in fruit growing and truck farming. The 

 behavior of Portuguese immigrants undergoing inspection at Ellis 

 Island is characterized by extreme gravity and almost absolute silence. 

 They present a striking contrast to the animated vivacious Frenchman 

 or jabbering Italian, and after landing make quiet, law-abiding citi- 

 zens. About 38 per cent, of the number landed last year were fe- 

 males, and nearly 25 per cent, were children, indicating the large 

 number of families and their evident intention to settle permanently. 

 Their distribution here is peculiar, and 93 per cent, of the total landed 

 last year went to three states, Massachusetts, California and Ehode 

 Island. They are practically the only race from southern, central or 

 eastern Europe which does not send the majority of its immigrants to 

 New York or Pennsylvania. The following table indicates the number 

 and geographical distribution of Portuguese landed in 1903 : 



The Portuguese in Massachusetts and Ehode Island are engaged in 

 fishing, market-gardening and fruit growing. They have taken up 

 abandoned farms in those states, particularly in the Cape Cod district, 

 and have been successful in agriculture where others have been dis- 

 couraged. In California they have been very successful as fruit and 

 vine growers. Their skill in intensive farming enables them to estab- 

 lish themselves upon tracts of land which are unproductive to ordinary 

 agricultural crops and methods, and by truck farming and fruit grow- 

 ing they make a living upon farms neglected by native farmers. 



Physically they are undersized, but are remarkably free from dis- 

 ease and physical defects. Seventy per cent, of the males are unskilled 

 laborers, and their natural trend, unlike other southern Europeans, 

 is toward the agricultural districts. Even the Portuguese fishermen 



