EDITORIAL. 637 



chief forage for cattle and horses in the cities and towns is grass cut 

 fresh each day, and sold by local dealers to supply the dail}^ needs. 

 The most conniion kind of grass grown for this purpose, called zacate, 

 is extensively cultivated in the vicinity of Manila, being grown in 

 shallow water in paddies very similar to those prepared for rice cul- 

 ture. Nowhere in the Philippines is an}" attempt made to produce 

 hay, although it is thought that hay farms in the vicinity of Manila 

 would be both successful and profitable. 



Teosinte has proved very productive and prorttable as a forage crop, 

 and is thought to give great promise for that countr3^ From experi- 

 ments at the Malate Station it is estimated that on well-fertilized land 

 with frequent irrigation, ten cuttings could be obtained in a year, 

 yielding over 100 tons of green fodder or approximately 30 tons of 

 dr}' fodder per acre. The crops grown by the bureau were sold green 

 in Manila at $10 (gol^) per ton. Where the seed was allowed to 

 mature an abundant crop was produced, yielding at the rate of 800 

 pounds of cleaned seed per acre during a dry season; and it is thought 

 that two and probably three crops of seed could be grown annuall}^ 

 which would give a return for seed alone of over |1,4:00 an acre. 



Several varieties of Indian corn have been grown in the islands for 

 man}^ years, but little attention is paid to its culture and care, and the 

 returns are light. It is used mostly as a human food, but nothing is 

 known of the many methods of preparing it for food in the United 

 States. American varieties have shown a tendenc}^ to dwarf and ear 

 out close to the ground. Promising results, however, have been 

 secured from the second generation of seed in Batangas, the crop 

 being in considerable contrast to that grown from native seed. The 

 indications are that the use of acclimated American seed will increase 

 the jaeld one-fourth or more, and that proper cultivation will bring 

 about an increase of an additional one-fourth, thus adding full}' 50 per 

 cent to the present output without increase of either acreage or farm 

 labor. 



The consumption of rice — the staple article of food for the Fili- 

 pinos — is estimated at approximately 5,000 tons a day, which is far in 

 excess of the amount produced in the islands. Last year ten million 

 dollars' worth were imported. The Bureau of Agriculture believes 

 that with more extensive culture of rice and the use of modern 

 methods of cultivation the islands are capable of producing not only 

 their own supply but a large surplus for exportation. Steps were 

 taken during the year to secure land and establish a rice farm for the 

 introduction of machiner}^ and better methods. The farm is located at 

 Murcia, Tarlac Province, on the line of the Manila and Dagupan rail- 

 road, and embraces about 1,800 acres. About 1,000 acres were put 

 in shape for planting and for irrigation, and were seeded with an 

 American drill. The crop was cut with a reaper and binder, similar to 

 the methods followed in Louisiana and Texas, and was thrashed out 



