CHINA. 25 



-a\ that this tax is arousing a great deal of animosity toward foreign- 

 ers, and that one of the results of the war, it is believed, will be to 

 change the ideas of the upper-class Chinaman regarding Western 

 methods and make him more willing to accept them. 



The common people in the coast and river ports have been most 

 unfavorably impressed by reports of alleged brutality of foreign 

 troops, and. I am told, their opinion of the white man has been 

 decidedly lowered. Foreigners come in for a share in the war tax, 

 and already pay about ."> per cent ad valorem ditty on practically 

 everything imported. 



Already American Hour is being imported in large quantities into 

 China, and is sold cheaper there than the native wheat can he grown 

 and ground. 



The growth of our agricultural as well as other exports to China 

 will. 1 believe, he a phenomenal one. and will include many classes of 

 canned and dried goods from our orchards, and preserved meats and 

 dairy products from our farms and ranches. 



There are. aside from these purely American products, many 

 strictly Chinese things as yet unknown to our cultivators, which might 

 probably he grown profitably for export into the Orient, such as the 

 red watermelon seeds, of which the consumption must be enormous; 

 the "Chinese olives." of equal importance; the wood oil tree, the 

 product of which is used for all classes of painter's work; ginger, 

 water chestnuts, dried persimmons, and a host of other products. 

 The discovery of such new industries can only he made by the pres- 

 ence of trained observers who are not stationed so long in the regions 

 as to lose touch with American conditions, but remain long enough 

 to thoroushlv master the methods of cultivation of the crops and 

 secure the necessary seeds and plants for introduction. 



I can give no adequate idea of the impression of wealth as a field 

 for plant introduction work which this short visit to Canton has given 

 me. It is worthy of all the attention which has been given to it in 

 the past, and will amply reward any efforts which may he made in the 

 future. 



The great interest, however, of a visit to Canton is in the attempt 

 one is continually and almost involuntarily making to forecast the 

 probable development of the Chinese race. 



From the close contact with the peasant classes of the various 

 countries they visit into which your agricultural explorers are forced, 

 they are placed, perhaps, in positions peculiarly advantageous for com- 

 parisons of the relative intelligence, industry, and endurance of the 

 different races. The value of comparisons regarding the capacity of 

 different races does not generally depend so much on long acquaintance 

 with the customs of a single nationality as on a comparative knowledge 

 of the inhabitants of many different countries. 



