244 RICHMOND. 



attractive figure of 2.50 pesos, as compared with about 30 pesos, as the 

 present cost of 2 cords of pulp wood, the amount required to make a ton 

 of wood pulp. 



In order to determine if there is a sufficient area of bamboo in the 

 Philippines favorably located with respect to fuel and other manufactur- 

 ing facilities to meet the demands of a pulp mill of moderate capacity, I 

 traversed nearly 100 kilometers of the forest patrol trails of Bataan 

 Province in October, 1909, and I can state positively that there are a 

 number of areas of bamboo of uniform stand within 5 kilometers of 

 the seacoast, any one of which would supply a pulp mill of 20 tons 

 daily capacity indefinitely. In every case a stream of good, clear water 

 is close at hand and wood for fuel is both cheap and abundant. 



An area of 1,000 hectares of bamboo would supply a pulp mill of 20 

 tons daily capacity for three years of 300 working days each, not taking 

 into account the growth of the bamboo during this period ; or, working on 

 a three-year rotation, which is entirely feasible, such an area would supply 

 a mill of this capacity indefinitely. Since air area of 2 kilometers radius 

 contains over 1,200 hectares, it is seen that the question of transportation 

 of the material to a given point, so far as the distance of the hauling is 

 concerned, is not a serious one. 



t'OST OF MANUFACTURE. 



The cost of pulp production, exclusive of that of the raw material, 

 may conveniently be divided into the following items: 



(1) labor; (2) fuel, power, etc.; (3) chemicals and supplies; (4) repairs, 

 renewals, depreciation; (5) taxes, insurance, interest. 



These items of cost will be discussed in some detail in order to show 

 the effect of existing local conditions and to indicate wherein, if any, 

 advantages exist in favor of pulp manufacture in the Philippines. 



LABOR. 



I believe a distinct advantage will eventually result in this item in 

 favor of the Philippines, although this will be slight in the initial stages 

 of the industry. 



Pulp manufacture requires skilled 1-abor in its numerous departments, 

 for the quality of the finished product calls for close attention to details 

 from the time the raw material is landed in the mill yard until the 

 finished product is packed and baled for shipment. Certain phases of 

 the work, such as cooking the material and attending to the machinery, 

 will always demand the services of operatives brought up in the industry. 

 The preparation of the raw material, the washing and screening of the 

 stock and the making of the liquor can no doubt eventually be conducted 



