34 TROPICAL AGRICULTURE 



is about 30 per cent, of the tropical land area, and is probably 

 too high an estimate. In the United States mainland the total 

 improved land equals 25 per cent, of the total area, being 49 

 per cent, in the North, 27 per cent, in the South, and 5 per 

 cent, in the West. In tropical countries, there are about 86,- 

 300,000 acres in rice, 4,000,000 acres in sugar cane, 3,500,000 

 acres in coconuts, 2,000,000 acres in tea, 2,000,000 acres in 

 tobacco, 3,000,000 acres in jute, 1,500,000 acres in rubber, 

 3,300,000 acres in coffee in Brazil alone, and 40,000,000 acres 

 in millet. In addition to these areas devoted to tropical crops 

 large areas are utilized for the production of agricultural crops 

 which are grown also in temperate climates. For example, 

 India exports 260,000,000 bushels of wheat annually, and corn 

 is a crop of great importance in many strictly tropical countries. 

 The English and Dutch and, more recently, the French and 

 Belgians have made great progress with their tropical colonies. 

 This progress is solidly based on a careful consideration of 

 the natural resources of their colonies, the needs, rights, and 

 welfare of the native races in these colonies, and the possibili- 

 ties of commercial development in response to the demand of 

 modem markets. The combined trade of England and the 

 United States with tropical countries is estimated at $3,000,- 

 000,000 yearly. The Tropics have one-half the arable land 

 surface of the earth and this land is capable of continuous 

 uninterrupted production the year round. The native tropical 

 races are capable under proper treatment and guidance of 

 making very effective farmers. Moreover, we should not for- 

 get the opportunities for white farmers in tropical countries. 

 Colonies of American farmers are giving a good account of 

 themselves in Cuba and Porto Rico. The possession of the 

 Philippines, Porto Rico, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and 

 the Panama Canal Zone makes it necessary for the United 

 States to show an active interest in the tropical problem in 

 all its phases. 



