THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 



269 



NATIVE AGRICULTURE OF PHILIPPINE ISLANDS — PLOWING 



By courtesy of Leslie's Weekly 



is sown broadcast on the hill lands after plowing and harrowing 

 the soil. It matures in about three to four months and is har- 

 vested ear by ear. The water rice is sown later in the year, after 

 the rains have commenced and the low land has become thor- 

 oughly water-soaked. The seed is sown in the mud and water, 

 and in about six weeks the young plants are transplanted to the 

 rice fields, which are kept thoroughly irrigated. 



The cacao bean, Theobroma cacao, was introduced into the 

 islands from Mexico by the Spaniards. It found a congenial 

 home, as it grows luxuriantly and produces good crops, from 

 which excellent chocolate is made, but principally for home con- 

 sumption. 



Corn, which was also brought to these islands from the West- 

 ern hemisphere, is grown to some extent, as are also cotton, va- 

 nilla, cassia, ginger, and pepper. Coffee of excellent quality has 

 also been produced, but of late years the crops have not been 

 very successful, in consequence of disease among the trees. 



All fruits suitable to the climate are plentiful, including the 

 orange, tamarind, guava, and pineapple. 



The mango grown in the Philippines is considered of very 

 fine quality. The tree, Mangifera, indica, is large and thickly 

 branching, with bright green leaves. The fruit before it ripens 

 is so acid that it forms a good pickle by merely preserving it in 



