40 THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES 



The archipelago is very rich in timber," notwithstanding that 

 the exploitation for building purposes has been going on for 

 over 300 years, and exportation was once very large ; nor have 

 new plantations ever been thought of. Sapan-wood for dyeing 

 purposes is also a product of the islands, and there is a regular, 

 though small, export trade done in it. 



That the Philippines are among the most fertile colonies on 

 the face of the earth is well known and has been frequently 

 commented upon. It is less generally known that they are also 

 among the most neglected colonies in the world. According to 

 the Spanish authorities themselves, only one-tenth of the avail- 

 able arable land is under cultivation; as a matter of fact the 

 amount is much less. What might not be made of this beau- 

 tiful country were this mismanagement to be brought to an end. 



Cattle-breeding has been carried on by some mestizos for many 

 years, evidently with success or the business would have died out. 

 Of late it has been found more profitable to import the extremely 

 cheap Queensland cattle. But the fact that cattle thrive almost 

 everywhere is a proof that cattle-breeding on an extensive scale 

 is possible. A small number of sheep are imported from China 



STKKET IN BINONDO, WITH BUFFALO CARTS 



