4 TORREYA 



it now runs around 90%. From published reports. Dr. Morrison's office has 

 grown to date 225,000 seedlings which were shipped to the American tropics 

 as follows: Costa Rica 90.000; Peru 50.000; Ecuador 50,000; Mexico 14,000; 

 Brazil 8,500; Salvador 5.000; Puerto Rico 5,000; Nicaragua 2,000; Colombia 

 1.000. 



The results of the development of quinine in the Philippines have led to the 

 development of virgin areas through lumbering, mining and agriculture, by 

 keeping the incidence of malaria down, and have made labor available for 

 jungle work. We were able to produce totaquina at 14 cents per 250-grain 

 treatment, and made a minimum of ten days additional labor per man per year 

 available at an infinitesimal cost in malarial districts. This also led to a greater 

 interest in the development of drug plants as well as useful jungle produce. 

 South and Centra America have hardly been tapped for useful plants for the 

 sinews of our industry. 



We have a large field in the development and production of repellents, such 

 as derris and pyrethrum which now appear to be equal in category with quinine 

 in malaria control. The botanist has a wide virgin field in the American tropics 

 in gathering information and knowledge ; and the application of this knowledge 

 to the development of plantation crops, to make this hemisphere as self-sufficient 

 as possible, is a challenge which must be met. 



Our greatest failing as Americans, as I said at Rutgers University, is "Let 

 George do it." As long as ease of procurement through brokers or import firms 

 has been prevalent our individual manufacturers and industries have not both- 

 ered themselves very much with lack of supply, and this is one of the reasons 

 for the rise of syndicates and cartels in primary products. With much waste 

 arid land in the south and west idle, why haven't we developed a tannin and 

 firewood industry with Australian Black Whattle? We are now dependent on 

 foreign sources for our vegetable tannins, our rubbers, guttas, gums, oils, 

 resins, fibres, and medicinal plants, listing just a few of the plants furnishing 

 the sources of many industries. Looking into the future. I predict that a great 

 portion of our edible oils, starches, fibres, tannins and cellulose will be pro- 

 duced in plantation industries in the tropics where a long growing season pre- 

 vails. Why not prepare for it now ? 



Another point which deserves consideration is the apparent reluctance of 

 our country to invest government funds in lands or developments in foreign 

 nations. This policy prevents the United States from owning plantations where 

 continued experimentation and research work can be carried on for our own 

 good, as well as for the good of the country where such work is being con- 

 ducted. Could not some formula be developed whereby non-profit institutions 

 such as universities and foundations could acquire tropical lands either perma- 

 nently or for extended periods ? This proposition might also apply to profes- 

 sional associations, either in combination, or acting as separate entities. This 



