INTRODUCTION 15 
“20 per cent of the volume of the commercial forests of the 
Philippines. 
Among cultivated species there are several which seem to 
offer promising prospects for the establishment of considerable 
industries. Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), which is used in the 
Philippines only for ornamental purposes, grows very well and 
is apparently not attacked by insects or fungi. In Africa this 
plant is grown very extensively for the oil derived from the 
seeds. Large plantations are also being started in Sumatra. 
Peanuts are raised in considerable quantities, but very little 
oil is extracted. In many countries, peanut oil is a commercial 
»product of great importance. Sesame, which is grown in India 
and other countries on a huge scale for the production of ses- 
ame oil, grows well in the Philippines, but is cultivated only to 
a limited extent, and the oil is extracted merely for local pur- 
poses. Palm, peanut, and sesame oils are used extensively for 
edible purposes and for the manufacture of soap. Achras sapota 
(chico) is cultivated in the Philippines for its edible fruit. This 
species is grown extensively in Mexico for the production of 
gum chicle, the principal material employed in the manufacture 
of chewing-gum. 
From the above discussion of oils, resins, and gums, it will 
be seen that there are promising prospects for the development 
eof industries which already exist and for the establishment of 
a number of new ones. 
