MANILLA. 309 



Of cotton they raise a considerable quantity, which is of a fine 

 quality, and principally of the yellow nankeen. In the province of 

 Ylocos it is cultivated most extensively. The mode of cleaning it of 

 its seed is very rude, by means of a hand-mill, and the expense of 

 cleaning a picul (one hundred and forty pounds) is from five to seven 

 dollars. There, have, as far as I have understood, been no endeavours 

 to introduce any cotton-gins from our country. 



It will be merely necessary to give the prices at which labourers 

 are paid, to show how low the compensation is, in comparison with 

 those in our own country. In the vicinity of Manilla, twelve and a 

 half cents per day is the usual wages ; this in the provinces falls to 

 nine and six cents. A man with two buffaloes is paid about thirty 

 cents. The amount of labour performed by the latter in a day would 

 be the ploughing of a soane, about two-tenths of an acre. The most 

 profitable way of employing labourers is by the task, when, it is said, 

 the natives work well, and are industrious. 



The manner in which the sugar and other produce is brought to 

 market at Manilla is peculiar, and deserves to be mentioned. In 

 some of the villages, the chief men unite to build a vessel, generally 

 a pirogue, in which they embark their produce, under the conduct of 

 a few persons, who go to navigate it, and dispose of the cargo. In due 

 time they make their voyage, and when the accounts are settled, the 

 returns are distributed to each according to his share. Festivities 

 are then held, the saints thanked for their kindness, and blessings 

 invoked for another year. After this is over, the vessel is taken care- 

 fully to pieces, and distributed among the owners, to be preserved for 

 the next season. 



The profits in the crops, according to estimates, vary from sixty to 

 one hundred per cent. ; but it was thought, as a general average, 

 that this was, notwithstanding the great productiveness of the soil, 

 far beyond the usual profits accruing from agricultural operations. 

 In some provinces this estimate would hold good, and probably be 

 exceeded. 



Indigo would probably be a lucrative crop, for that raised here is 

 said to be of a quality equal to the best, and the crop is not subject to 

 so many uncertainties as in India : the capital and attention required 

 in vats, &c, prevent it from being raised in any quantities. Among 

 the productions, the bamboo and rattan ought to claim a particular 

 notice, from their great utility : they enter into almost every thing. 

 Of the former their houses are built, including frames, floors, sides, 



vol. v. 78 



