17 



It is obvious to the reader that for a period extending over nearly 

 twenty years the sugar industry in these Islands has existed in a very 

 precarious state and that it requires a complete reformation if it is 

 to permanently occupy a position of importance among the economic 

 forces of the country. It can be modernized only by persistent effort 

 directed toward improved methods of cultivation and substitution of 

 modern centrals for the present antiquated plantation mills that are 

 so wasteful and inefficient. The time in which this can be accomplished 

 will vary in length with the political influences affecting the Philippines, 

 the readiness with which the investment of capital in this industry 

 can be secured, and the measure in which a thorough spirit of coope- 

 ration among the Filipino people may be brought about. 



104939 2 



