MANILLA. 289 



thousand two hundred and eighty piculs, and in 1841, only sixty-two 

 thousand seven hundred piculs; its value in Manilla is about three 

 hundred thousand dollars. Twenty thousand piculs go to Europe. 

 There are no duties on its exportation. 



That which is brought to the United States is principally manufac- 

 tured in or near Boston, and is the cordage known as " white rope." 

 The cordage manufactured at Manilla is, however, very superior to 

 the rope made with us, although the hemp is of the inferior kind. A 

 large quantity is also manufactured into mats. 



In the opinion of our botanist, it is not probable that the plant could 

 be introduced with success into our country, for in the Philippines it is 

 not found north of latitude 14° N. 



The coffee-plant is well adapted to these islands. A few plants were 

 introduced into the gardens of Manilla, about fifty years ago, since 

 which time it has been spread all over the island, as is supposed by the 

 civet-cats, which, after swallowing the seeds, carry them to a distance 

 before they are voided. 



The coffee of commerce is obtained here from the wild plant, and is 

 of an excellent quality. Upwards of three thousand five hundred piculs 

 are now exported, of which one-sixth goes to the United States. 



The sugar-cane thrives well here. It is planted after the French 

 fashion, by sticking the piece diagonally into the ground. Some, finding 

 the cane has suffered in times of drought, have adopted other modes. It 

 comes to perfection in a year, and they seldom have two crops from the 

 same piece of land, unless the season is very favourable. 



There are many kinds of cane cultivated, but that grown in the 

 valley of Pampanga is thought to be the best. It is a small red variety, 

 from four to five feet high, and not thicker than the thumb. The manu- 

 facture of the sugar is rudely conducted ; and the whole business, I was 

 told, was in the hands of a few capitalists, who, by making advances, 

 secure the whole crop from those who are employed to bring it to 

 market. It is generally brought in moulds, of the usual conical shape, 

 called pilones, which are delivered to the purchaser from November to 

 June, and contain each about one hundred and fifty pounds. On their 

 receipt, they are placed in large storehouses, where the familiar opera- 

 tion of claying is performed. The estimate for the quantity of sugar 

 from these pilones after this process is about one hundred pounds ; it 

 depends upon the care taken in the process. 



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 



vol. v. Z 37 



