841 
inches of rain falls, practically all of which comes in 
five months, two to four inches more being scattered over 
a few inconsequential showers during the remaining seven 
months. Even in the few years where the rainfall in the 
dry season exceeds this amount, it is at best, absolutely 
a negligible quantity, for the reason that the prevailing 
hot dry winds and unclouded sun will remove every appreci- 
able trace of moisture from the soil a few hours after a 
fall of from a quarter to half an inch. On the other hand 
I lost a row of about two dozen three year old seedlings 
of 'tobug' growing in the undrained land which was nearly, 
but not quite inundated during a ten day storm in which we 
had nearly two feet of water fall. At the same time adja- 
cent rows of Mexican limes, and sweet oranges in variety 
were hardly Injured. Some of the water logged 'tobug' 
which I had dug up, had, for their size, an extraordinary 
root system, and in porous land, I am of the opinion would 
penetrate to a surprising depth. Such land uncontrolled 
by water, is still found in southern California in large 
areas and I think that If 'tobug' could be tested on such 
lands and found' to thrive on only the normal ten inch 
rainfall, and responding freely to grafting, that there 
would be a possible opening for those rainbow chasers 
whose idea of the sum of all happiness Is to end their 
days on an orange grove in southern California, and who 
are now deterred by the fabulous prices asked for orange 
lands which are commanded by water. Of course, being an 
ultra tropical species, there would be the factor of cold 
to be reckoned with; but if budded low, the stock, the 
susceptible part, would practically be under ground and 
likely to escape serious injury. 
"Of relatively new fruits, I now have the 'berlba' 
Rollinicu sp., received from Mr. Fischer some five years ago, 
now in full flower. It probably makes a much larger tree 
than most of its congeners, my plant now being some twenty 
feet tall and with trunks six inches In diameter. 
"Canarium sp. t the 'pili' nut of commerce, I have now, 
at six years from the seed fruiting with a first but light 
crop. The Filipino has already nearly killed the demand 
for this most excellent dessert nut by husking it in boil- 
ing water. This method quickly kills the seed and turns 
the meat rancid. The average buyer of an expensive food 
likes to get more than a dozen good nuts in each hundred 
he pays for. In consequence the shipments of 100,000 
bushels of two or three _ years ago have dwindled down to 
four or five thousand, and will probably drop to zero. 
The Filipino may be ready for self government but he has 
plenty to learn about making the most of 'his best food 
products. " 
