21 



SOIL. 



Next in importance to favorable climatic conditions is the selection of 

 ^suitable soil. The appropriateness of any particular soil must depend in 

 a degree on the relative conditions of climate and location. For instance, 

 in a district having a very heavy rainfall and where the land is low and 

 flat a soil of certain consistency would become oversaturated, while the 

 same soil, if the land were sloping and the rainfall less heavy, might be 

 sufficiently well drained. The qualities to be selected are a rich, mellow 

 loam of lasting fertility, cool and moist, but at the same time well drained, 

 containing a large amount of decayed vegetable matter, and preferably of 

 volcanic origin. 



Throughout the important abaca districts of southern Luzon we find 

 nearly all of the large plantations situated on the lower slopes of old 

 volcanoes. The soils in these locations are deep and fertile, well drained, 

 and in every way very desirable. As abaca is grown on the same land 

 without replanting, fertilizing, or rotation for a period of at least twelve 

 or fifteen years, the soil must be of lasting fertility in order to stand 

 this long drain on its resources. The demand of the plant for a constant 

 supply of moisture, and its equal dislike for oversaturation, require a 

 condition of medium consistency, a soil that will retain moisture without 

 becoming wet. 



There are three kinds of soil in which abaca flourishes and gives 

 remunerative results. These are, in order of superiority, the alluvial 

 plains subject to ovei^flow by rivers or mountain streams, the moist mellow 

 loams formed by the disintegration of volcanic rocks, or by the deposit 

 of volcanic ashes, and the moist and well-drained loams. One or more 

 of these three kinds of soil are found in every district where abaca is 

 successfully cultivated. Dry sandy soil, such as is found along the sea 

 beach, stiff clay loams, and rocky limestone soils should be avoided. 

 An attempt to transform these inferior soils into proper condition either 

 by plowing, irrigating, draining, or fertilizing them, as the case may 

 require, usually entails so much expense and labor that such operations 

 are not practicable. On superior soils, however, these methods of soil 

 treatment often can be used to advantage. 



THE PLANTATION. 



The prospective planter must consider three things : The selection of 

 a location, the preliminary work of establishment and organization, and 

 the system and method by which the plantation is to be developed. 



The location should be, if possible, in some district where abaca is 

 already grown. Tliis will be the surest way of determining that soil and 

 climatic conditions are suitable, and will also guarantee a supply of 

 suckers or "seed'^ for starting the new plantation. The supply and 

 quality of available labor; the condition of roads and the facilities for 



