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A 485687
RUBaBER- GROWVING INDUSTRY
OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
COST OF PRODUCTION
and PROFITS
BUREUAU OF INSULAR? AFFAIRS, WAR DEPARTMENT
'WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE




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RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
ON BOARD STEAMSHIP MANCHURIA,
Off Formosa, November 9, 1910.
SIR: Referring to your letter requesting information relative to
the rubber-growing industry in these islands, I have the honor to
inform you that copies of it were forwarded to the Director of the
Bureau of Science, the Director of the Bureau of Agriculture, and
the Director of the Bureau of Forestry, and that each of those officials was requested to furnish such information as was in his power
to give.
The Director of the Bureau of Agriculture sent out thirty-two
letters to rubber planters in the Moro Province, requesting information based on their practical experience. Up to July 7 but one reply
was received and so far as I am aware no others have since come in.
My own absence on my long annual inspection trips prevented me
replying sooner to your inquiry. As you are aware, I addressed a
letter to you under date of July 7, 1910, embodying all the information which I had been able to gather up to that date, but as it seemed
probable that I might obtain more reliable information relative to
the cost of clearing the land and planting it, and relative to the
returns which might be received from catch crops, I have delayed
forwarding this letter until the present time.
I knew that I could obtain especially reliable information relative
to the cost of bringing land under cultivation from Mr. C. H. Lamb,
Superintendent of the Iwahig Penal Colony. As you know, the land
under cultivation by the convicts at this Colony has for the most part
been made available by clearing away the virgin forest and as a
strict account of all labor used is kept, Mr. Lamb's figures should be
rather trustworthy. They were received just prior to my departure
from Manila.
LAND LAWS.
As you yourself are doubtless aware, no corporation authorized to
engage in agriculture may own or control more than 2,500 acres of
land. There is no restriction as to the amount of land which an individual may lawfully own, but there is a restriction on the amount
of public land which he may purchase, which may not exceed 40
acres. A corporation may purchase not to exceed 2,500 acres of
public land. The minimum price which may be charged for such
87294 —11  1




2


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


land is P10 per hectare, and where the land in question is wild and
uncultivated it is our custom to charge this minimum price. The
provisions of existing law relative to the rental of public lands are
more liberal than are those relative to their sale. Either an individual or a corporation may rent not to exceed 2,500 acres. Leases
run for 25 years with the privilege of renewal at the end of this
period for an additional 25 years. The rental price can not be less
than 50 centavos per hectare (approximately 10 cents, gold, per acre)
(luring the first 25-year period, nor more than P1.50 (approximately 30
cents, gold, per acre) per hectare during the second 25-yoar period. It is
our custom to charge the minimum price when wild land is taken up
as we are very desirous of seeing some part of the enormous area of
rich agricultural public lands in the islands brought under cultivation.
If the product from 2,500 acres would not be sufficient, several individuals could rent 2,500 acres each and make such arrangement relative to the sale of their products as might seem advantageous to them.
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN ISLANDS.
All informed persons seem to be agreed that it is highly desirable to
establish rubber plantations in the southern part of the Philippines
outside of the typhoon belt, owing to the fact that the rubber producing trees ordinarily planted are somewhat brittle and are liable
to suffer injury as the result of a heavy wind storm.
There are very extensive areas of public land suitable in every way
for rubber planting in Mindanao, Basilan, Tawi Tawi, and Palawan,
and, as you doubtless know, these regions are almost entirely free
from very violent wind storms.
Land in the Agusan River Valley is especially well suited to rubber
growing. Land in the vicinity of the river itself has the advantage
of uninterrupted communication with the sea by water. The population of this valley is sparse, and public lands may be rented there in
large tracts. According to the best information which I have been
able to obtain, drought is absolutely unknown in this region. While
it appears to be heavily forested, much of the vegetation is in the
form of comparatively small trees, vines, etc., which can be cleared
away at small expense, leaving a few very large trees which may be
allowed to stand without interference with the growth of any plants
not harmed by a moderate amount of shade.
In the subprovince of Bukidnon there are immense grassy plains
covered not with cogon, but with pasture grass, which is not ordinarily more than knee high, or waist high at the outside. These
lands are very readily brought under cultivation, and no preliminary
clearing whatever is necessary. They lie at an altitude of from 900




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


3


to 3,000 feet above sea level, and the climate is cool and healthful.
During a period of some three years since this subprovince was established as a political division, it has, I believe rained every month.
The people, however, state that once in five or six years a drought is
likely to occur. Any more or less remote danger from this source
can be avoided by arranging for irrigation.  This country also is
sparsely inhabited, and the people are pacific. The nearest port is
Cagayan de Misamis, where there is a pier alongside of which coast
guard boats can lie. A good trail, which will soon be converted into
a cart road, affords communication with the coast on the east side of
the bay, from which communication may be had with Cagayan de
Misamis by water, or around the bay over a fine automobile road.
However, on the east side of the bay there is a sheltered cove where
a pier, alongside which interisland steamers could lie, could be
readily constructed.
I have seen Ceara rubber growing both in the Agusan Valley and
in the subprovince of Bukidnon. In both instances young plants
were extraordinarily robust.
CEARA RUBBER TREE.
As the rubber planting industry is so new in these islands, and as
the variety of rubber producing trees which may be planted is considerable, it is not easy to make a reliable statement as to the returns
which may be expected. Undoubtedly the tree which gives the
quickest return is the so-called Ceara rubber tree. As previously
stated, it grows with extraordinary luxuriousness in the Agusan
River Valley and Bukidnon. There seems every reason to believe
that it would produce as abundantly here as anywhere on earth. I
have shown samples of Philippine Ceara rubber to persons claiming
to be experts, and they pronounce them to be. of the best quality.
You can obtain samples of Ceara rubber of excellent quality by showing this letter to the Director of the Bureau of Science and informing him that I have requested that you be furnished such samples
from the supply of Ceara rubber which I recently gave him for a
commercial exhibit in the museum on Calle Anloague.
The following information relative to Ceara rubber is taken from
a Bureau of Agriculture circular on rubber:
In British and German East Africa Ceara rubber is looked upon very favorably. Considerable tracts of land have been planted with it during the past
few years, and others are being planted. The practice there is to plant the
seedlings in rows 12 feet apart and 6 feet apart in the row on lands that have,been cleared of stumps and underbrush at the beginning of the rainy season.
Every other tree in the row is "bled" to death while still young, leaving the
permanent trees at distances of 12 x 12 feet.
The tree thrives best in a good friable loamy soil of fair depth, and where
the'temperature and humidity are high, such as exists at many parts of the




4


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


coast and other similar districts; but the elevation must not exceed 3,000 feet,
as grown above this height it has been proved to contain too much rosin to be
of sufficient commercial value.
Propagation is usually effected by seeds, planted in seed beds, though they
are sometimes planted "at stake"; but plants may be grown from cuttings.
Seeds for planting should be at least a year old from the time they fall from
trees, and the latter should be from three to four years old, as seed collected
from younger trees does not produce vigorous plants. If fresh seed is planted,
i. e., seed newly collected, germination is very poor, if at all, whereas seed one
or two years old germinates readily and well, and gives good results.
Ceara trees come into bearing at about 3 years of age, and produce well until the tenth year, after which producing is not profitable.
Twelve thousand Ceara rubber trees planted in Siasi produced
seed at a little more than 1 year of age.
The following information on Ceara rubber in general, and especially in the Philippines, is taken from a report on the cultivation
of rubber by Dr. J. W. Strong, the same having been furnished me
by the Bureau of Forestry.
Ceara rubber, so called from the province of that name in Brazil where it
has its habitat, is known botanically as Manihot glaziovii, natural order EuphorbiaceEe, to which also belongs our common casava plant (Manihot utilissima), better known as "camote cahoy."
The Provinces of Ceara and Clara, Brazil, are the so-called dry provinces.
Quoting from the report of Robert Cross, a noted botanist to the Indian Government in 1877, he describes the locality as possessing " a very dry, arid climate
for a considerable part of the year. The locality traversed by me nowhere
seemed to be elevated more than 200 feet above the sea. The soil was in places
a sort of soft sandstone or gravel which was bound up in the most extraordinary manner." In other places he " came on a large tract of land covered with
immense masses of gray granite. Many good sized rubber trees were growing
in the spaces between these granite masses."
The Ceara tree is of moderate size, from 30 to 50 feet high, and 8 to 24
inches in diameter. The leaves are palmate, deeply cut into three, five, or seven
oblong ovate lobes, smooth on both surfaces, thin in texture, deep bluish green
above, and light beneath. Some of the young plants show a pink petiole. The
flowers are large, unisexual and very numerous. The fruit is a round capsule
less than 1 inch in diameter, containing three highly polished seeds variously
mottled in color. The seeds have an extremely hard coat, and if kept dry, retain their fertility for years. When the seed capsule becomes dry, it bursts
with considerable force, throwing the seed several yards away from the tree.
I have foun'd plants growing 50 feet from the nearest tree.
Ceara rubber is gathered in Brazil and shipped as " Ceara scrap." Only the
simplest, crudest method is used. The collector, before beginning work, sweeps
the sticks and stones from about the tree, and after stripping off the thin outer
bark, he hacks and cuts the tree from the base to as high as he can reach,
letting the latex or milk trickle down the tree to the ground. The latex
coagulates very rapidly when left to itself, and collected in this manner is loaded
with all' sorts of impurities. To quote from Brant's India Rubber, GuttaPercha, and Balota: " Ceara rubber has a beautiful amber color and is nearly
transparent, a property which, according to Marellet, is not possessed by any
other rubber. The latex of Manihot is at least equal to, and perhaps superior
to that of Hevea (Para), as it contains fewer nitrogenous substances which




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.                          5
produce fermentation, and considerably less water. Instead of allowing the
milky juice to trickle down the tree, it might be caught in cups and immediately
mixed with alkaline water. In this manner the latex would be kept liquid for
some time. In Ceara experiments have been made of this kind with excellent
results, but unfortunately the native will not listen to anything new."
Ceara being such a quick grower it has been found impracticable to plant any
catch crop between it after the first year. Hemp was tried in this province, and,
while it did not affect the growth of the rubber, after two years the hemp was
either dead or so stunted that it was of no further use.
In selecting land for planting Ceara two things must be considered. The
land must be well drained, and should be protected from very high winds.
Close planting will to a great extent protect from the high winds, but a wind
brake of forest trees left standing would be valuable.
While Ceara will grow on most any soil, well drained, the soil and climatic
conditions have great influence on the amount of latex produced, and consequently the amount of rubber contained therein. The richness of the soil, rainfall, season, and humidity of the atmosphere all play important parts in the
yield of rubber, not only of Ceara, but other varieties; but of this more later on.
Ceara is readily propagated by seeds or cuttings, and stands transplanting
well as far as living is concerned, but transplanting I have found often results
in crooked, stunted trees, branching very low down. My experiments from
cuttings have been very successful, so far as the cuttings taking root and
growing, and the young trees seem to have plenty of latex. Those examined
after one year have well developed root systems and the scar at end of cutting
above ground entirely healed over.
In making a planting from cuttings, only smooth, straight branches from
the best grown, highest yielding trees should be selected, and should not exceed
1 inch in diameter. The terminal ends of branches may be used with good!
results if planted at once, care being taken not to injure the tender bark. The
larger cuttings should be about 12 inches in length, the top cut should be made
sloping about 1 inch or more above a bud or leaf scar, and painted over with
white lead; this will prevent decay and probably a hollow trunk. The bottom
cut should be smooth, and just below a bud. The cutting can be kept in a
cool shady place for a day or two without apparent harm. In planting the
cuttings care should be taken to get them in the ground straight up, so as to
get a straight trunk, and a hole must be made for the cutting, as shoving the
cutting into the ground will very often result in slipping the bark and destroying the bud below ground, causing loss of plant or greatly delayed growth.
If it is decided to plant from seed, which no doubt is the easiest and best way,
the land should be cleared and burned, and then laid off by line with stakes,
perfectly square at the interval decided on for planting. The seed coat, being
very hard and dense, should be filed on one side at the caruncle end, care
being taken not to file too deeply, in which case there will be a loss of 100 per
cent as ants and other small insects are very fond of the kernel, and will eat
it up before germination starts. After the seed starts to germinate insects do
not bother it.
The ground should be loosened for at least 6 or 8 inches deep at spot where
seed is to be planted, and from three to five seed planted at each stake. If
seed are planted in April or May the plants will be 2 feet high within a few
weeks, and a catch crop of corn or palay, preferably the latter, should be planted
to shade the ground and prevent it from washing, and more especially is this
needed if the ground is rolling. The resulting crop of palay or corn will, as a
rule, more than pay all expenses for the first year, and the ground will be comparatively free from weeds. About two weedings are all that will be required
during the second year, and after that very few weeds will be found to grow.




RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


After the tree is once started it should not be disturbed, as hoeing or digging about the roots of the young tree seems to cause crooked growth with low
forking. Trees planted in Basilan in well plowed land, which were afterwards
cultivated, while making good growth practically all branched low down, few
reaching as high as 5 feet before branching; while trees not disturbed, planted
in the hard ground from same seed, at the same time, made as good growth,
with smooth, straight trunks from 6 to 10 feet before branching.
The tendency of Ceara is to make tall, straight trunks, if not disturbed, and
as tapping will rarely or ever be done higher than 8 feet, the young tree may
be thumbnail pruned at that height, by pinching out the terminal and causing
the tree to branch. This will give a uniform appearance to the grove, and will
give an increased circumference to the tree. In rich soil the tree makes a
very heavy top, and it is a good idea to prune it back rather severely. In localities of heavy wind small branches may be brought across from one fork to the
other, the bark removed from one side and on a large fork, the two surfaces
brought together and tied in place will unite in a very short time and will act as
a brace or truss, preventing the tree splitting.
The question of distance depends greatly on soil and locality. The richer
the soil, the greater distance the trees should be planted apart, up to 25 by 25
feet; but it is thought that about 14 by 14 feet is a good distance to plant, and
even more closely if high winds prevail. Planted at 14 by 14 feet, the branches
will be touching in three years. The tree may be planted anywhere from sea
level to 4,000 feet altitude.
Very little experimental work has been done with Ceara rubber, except in
the last two or three years, and the yield per tree is given at various amounts.
Herbert Wright, perhaps the greatest authority on rubber, places the yield
of a mature Ceara rubber tree at 1 pound per year; this for Ceylon. Other
observers place the yield as high as 10 pounds per tree per annum.
TAPPING IN THE MORO PROVINCE.
On August 20, 1908, the writer decided to start a series of experimental
tappings of young Ceara trees grown from seeds, the trees being just 3 years
old on that day. Two hundred trees were taken for the experiment and numbered from 1 to 200 as they ran. The average circumference was 22.1 inches,
and the average length of tapping surface was 32.5 inches.
At this time the trees were leafed and in full bloom. It was decided to make
the series of tappings 7 days each for 21 days, with a rest of 2 weeks between
each 7 days.
The full "herringbone" system was used, with laterals out 8 inches apart.
Small zinc drip-cups, with hooks to fasten to bark, were fixed at top of perpendicular. Each cup had a small round hole in bottom, next to tree, in
which a wick was passed to permit a constant flow of ammoniated water down
the cut. At the bottom of the perpendicular a piece of curved tin was inserted
into the bark, conducting the latex to a cup at the base of the tree.
It was found that one-half of 1 per cent ammonia water in water placed
in the drip cups would keep the latex fluid for days, and each collector carried a large bottle of the ammoniated water, a small amount of which he
poured into the drip cup before tapping. Each collector also carried a squirt
can of the same solution, and after all laterals were tapped a few drops were
allowed to flow down the cut. This seemed to promote the flow greatly,
and there was scarcely any scrap left in cuts. In fact there was so little
that no inconvenience was caused to tappers in reopening the cuts each
morning, and no effort was made to collect the scrap.




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


7


During the first seven days trees No. 1 to 100 were tapped every day, tapping was done from about 6 a. m. to 8.30, and resulted in 5,100 grams of dry
rubber, or about 1I ounces per tree.
The second seven days, Nos. 101 to 200 were tapped on alternate days for
seven tappings, and resulted in 4,500 grams.
After resting two weeks the third tapping was begun and beginning with
No. 2, alternate trees, all even numbers, were tapped for seven days, but
tapping was done in the evening from 4 o'clock to about 6. It was noticed
that the trees tapped latest in the evening gave the most latex.
This tapping resulted in 3,600 grams of dry rubber, making a total yield
of 13 kilos 200 grams for the entire tapping, almost 4~ ounces per tree for 21
tappings.
Grams.
First 7 tappings_______     _____       _ --- —-------------— __ - 5,100
Second 7 tappings______________ --- —--------- 4,500
Third 7 tappings (evenings) ___________-____ --- —------- 3, 600
Total —_______ --- — ----— _ --- —— _                        13, 200
Average per tree, 132 grams.
Average per tree per tapping, 6.29 grams.
Greatest amount from a single tree was from tree No. 197, which gave
224 grams of dry rubber during the seven tappings (second series, and is
included in the general average). After a rest of two weeks this tree was
tapped again every day for seven days, tapping being done in the evening,
and yielded 180 grams of dry rubber. After another period of rest for two
weeks it was tapped again every day for seven days, mornings, and yielded
104 grams of dry rubber. During this tapping it was noticed that laterals
on left side of perpendicular ran well, but only top and bottom laterals
on right side gave any latex. Some three days before the last series of tappings there was a severe wind storm and this tree was split down the main
fork for nearly 2 feet, which may account for its behavior. The size of this
tree 3 feet from the ground is 36i inches circumference, and 54 inches the
length of perpendicular of tapping surface. Total amount of rubber from
this tree, 508 grams, or a little more than 1 pound. The last two tappings
from this tree are not included in the general average, as it was tapped singly.
There was a marked difference in the yield of the trees. Quite a number
were noted giving from 15 to 20 grams of dry rubber per tapping, while others
gave scarcely any. One fine large tree in particular would only run a gram or
so of amber colored latex, which would coagulate in spite of the ammonia.
Two trees in the test had been broken off by the wind some two months
before, and the tops were entirely cut away, leaving bare stumps about 4 feet
high, but each gave plenty of latex at each tapping.
Two trees staiding near where some hemp strippers had been working about
five months before were tapped alone, and gave almost double the amount of
latex that other trees of same size gave remote from them. This is believed to
be due to the large amount of refuse hemp waste, which was surrounding these
two trees, and which had thoroughly decayed.
The men used for tapping were a Tagalog, a Yacan Moro, and a Tiruray.
The tapping knife used was a modified Ceara rubber knife used in Ceylon.
All of these men quickly learned to handle the knife so as not to cut the wood,
and in a few days were quite expert tappers.
After the latex had ceased to flow in the morning or evening, it was brought
in and after straining through brass wire gauze was poured into tin basins for
coagulating.




8


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


Acetic acid was used to coagulate the latex, just sufficient being used to
render the solution slightly acid. When the rubber had all coagulated, leaving
the water clear, which was in about two or three hours, the spongy mass was
pressed with the hands to expel the water, and afterwards passed through the
rolls of an ordinary clothes wringer, which squeezed out most of the water and
reduced the cake of rubber to about one-eighth inch in thickness. These wet
cakes, or "biscuits," were then placed on galvanized wire racks under sheds
to dry.
There was invariably a small amount of scrap each morning or evening due
to ants getting into the cups, in which case a small mass of coagulated rubber
formed about them, due probably to the formic acid which they contain;
formic acid being one of the most powerful coagulants of latex.
One man can tap and collect very easily from 100 trees per day, beginning at
5.30 and working until 8.30 a. m., at which time tapping should be discontinued,
unless it is cloudy; in such case tapping can go on for an hour longer. If tapping is done in the evening also a larger number of trees can of course be
handled.
So far no fungus or insect pests have attacked Ceara rubber. Wild pigs,
however, are very fond of the starchy roots and will do great damage if not
fenced out or kept away by hunters.
Other rubber producing trees which may be planted are the following:
INDIA RUBBER TREE.
Ficus elastica.-This tree has been grown to some extent on a commercial basis in India.
Markham states that the trees may be tapped at the age of 25 years.
From  that time until the trees are 50 years of age the yield is estimated to be about 40 pounds per tree every three or four years.
Only about 40 trees of this species can advantageously be planted on
an acre of land and on this basis the yield of rubber per acre might
be estimated at about 500 pounds per year. My information is that
Ficus elastica is no longer grown as a rubber producer, even in its
native habitat where other rubber producing trees have proved more
profitable.
PARA RUBBER TREES.
Para rubber.-A large number of seeds have been distributed by
the Bureau of Forestry. The growth of young trees in the Moro
Province has been very rapid. The quality of the rubber actually
produced will not be known for a year or two more when trees are
large enough for tapping. The tapping of undersized Para rubber
trees gives a latex which has too large a proportion of resin. The
trees should be six years old when tapped.
The following information relative to Para rubber is taken from a
report on the cultivation of rubber by Dr. J. W. Strong:
In November, 1905, 20,000 Para seedlings were secured by the government of
the Moro Province from the Forestry Bureau in Manila and were distributed,




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


9


gratis, to American and native planters, and to the Farm at San Ramon.
Para did not do well at San Ramon on account of soil conditions, but in many
other parts of the Province, notably Basilan, Davao, and the foothills back of
Zamboanga-it has made remarkable growth.
Para rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is also being planted quite extensively in
this Province, and is making fine growth. This rubber is propagated from seed
entirely, and usually the seed are laid down in a nursery and transplanted
when the plants have reached a proper size.
The Para seed does not retain its fertility very long (from 30 to 60 days),
and no time should be lost in getting seed planted when received. No filing of
seed is necessary and ants do not bother them.
Para is a very deep feeder and its early habit of growth seems to make it an
ideal plant for planting through hemp. Planted through hemp 18 by 24 feet,
at same time or soon after planting the hemp, it would in no way interfere
for at least five years. After that time it would shade the ground considerably,
but as it would be of tappable size in the sixth or seventh year at most, the
hemp could be entirely removed, having paid all expenses and a good dividend
in the meantime.
There is no doubt that the yield from mature Para trees is, as a rule, greater
than from Ceara, and where the soil and rainfall are right Para is the rubber
to plant.
Para is tapped, and the latex treated, in about the same manner as Ceara, the
latex flowing more freely and not being so prone to coagulate spontaneously.
The following information on Para rubber is taken from a report
of W. I. Hutchinson, of the Bureau of Forestry:
During a recent trip to the San Ramon Farm, made at the request of the
Superintendent, in order to investigate the illegal clearing of lands in the
vicinity of the Farm, measurements were taken of the Para rubber seedlings
in the seed beds.
Seventy-five of the seedlings, raised from seed planted by the Forester on
November 15, 1905, measured August 13, 1906, age 9 months, had an average
height of 4 feet 2 inches, with a maximum height of 5 feet and 5 inches.
Measurements of the seedlings obtained by the government of the Moro
Province from the Bureau of Agriculture at Manila, and transplanted into seed
beds at the Farm, gave the following results:
Date of planting in boxes at the Lamao Forest Reserve, Bataan Province,
Luzon, November 13, 1905 (?).
Date of transplanting into seed beds at the San Ramon Farm, January 5 to
10, 1906.
Date seedlings were measured, August 13, 1906.
Age of plants, 9 months. Number of plants measured, 75.
Average height, 3 feet 8 inches. Maximum height, 4 feet 7 inches.
The Superintendent of the Farm informed me that fully 1,000 of the 4,725
plants obtained from the Bureau of Agriculture failed to grow, after transplanting, on account of crooked tap-roots, caused by planting the seed in boxes
containing but a shallow layer of soil.
In box planting, where it is expected to ship the seedlings, 6 or 8 inches of soil
should be placed in the bottom of the box. This will give the tap root a chance
to develop and will not cause it to curl up in a spiral form.
Not more than 50 plants should be placed in a box 18 by 24 inches. The
boxes received from the Bureau of Agriculture averaged 175 plants, and in many
% 




10


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


cases the roots and stem formed such a tangled mass that it was difficult to
separate the plants without injury.
As an experiment, 18 Para seedlings and 14 Ceara seed were planted at the
Farm on May 28, 1906, in the sandy soil 150 feet from the beach, where the
underground water is more or less brackish. Only four of the Para plants are
living at the present time (August 15, 1906), the remainder having wilted and,died. A few of the Ceara seed sprouted, but the plants, after growing a few
inches in height, gradually became less and less vigorous and finally died. This
would seem to prove that Ceara and Para are not suited to land containing an
excess of salt, or where the water is at all brackish.
During the writer's stay at the Farm, 300 seedlings of Para were set in a
permanent plantation.
The land used for the plantation was cleared by the Spaniards many years
ago. In 1904 it was plowed, but allowed to grow up to weeds again. In the
spring of this year (1906) the Superintendent had the plot cross-plowed with a
10 and 6-inch plow, and several weeks ago replowed the area with a 6-inch
plow, and harrowed and disked it.
The planted area is situated about a half mile from the shore. The soil is a
rich clay-loam, fairly porous, and containing but a few scattered boulders.
The seedlings were brought from the nursery to a shady spot near the planting area in large baskets, the roots being covered with earth. A " puddle" of
clay and water was made in a bucket, and the plants, as needed, taken from the
baskets, the roots placed in the bucket, which was carried to the hole where
the plants were to be set. By using this method, the roots of the seedlings
Were protected from the drying influence of the air.
As the plants have been in nursery beds for nine months, it was almost impossible, on account of the length of the roots, to dig them out without injuring
the tap root to some extent, and a number of failures will probably result from
this cause.
Rows 18 feet apart were marked off, and the plants set every 18 feet in the
row. It is intended that abaca shall be planted in between the rows of rubber.
As neither the Superintendent of the Farm nor the Forester knew how large
seedlings should be treated when planted, it was decided to try the following
methods:
First three rows (66 plants) cut back to 18 inches and all leaves removed.
Fourth to sixth rows, inclusive (66 plants), cut back a foot, but lower leaves
not removed.
Remaining 8 rows (176 plants), new growth, formed during the last few
weeks only, removed.
It is hoped that by trying these different methods, and watching the growth
of the plants, some clew as to the proper treatment of large seedlings may be
obtained.
The seedlings which were sold, on account of their large size, were placed in
a box 18 by 24 inches, with the tops projecting over the end, the roots being
covered with earth. A hood of abaca leaves was placed over the box, and instructions to water the plants during transit once a day, in the evening, tacked
on the side. All the seedlings treated in this manner stood a several days'
journey successfully.
Para rubber trees are usually tapped first when 6 or 7 years old,
and continue to yield rubber indefinitely.




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


11


CASTILLOA RUBBER TREES.
Castilloa elastica.-These trees are usually tapped first when 6
or 7 years of age, and continue to yield rubber indefinitely.
The following information on Castilloa rubber is taken from a report on the cultivation of rubber by Dr. J. W. Strong:
The first Castilloa brought into the islands was introduced by the San Rafael
Plantation Co., of Basilan, in 1905, and has made phenomenal growth; some of
the trees measuring 32 inches in circumference 1 yard from the ground, with a
corresponding height and crown. Castilloa is perhaps the most handsome of
the three rubbers now growing in the Province.
This rubber has not been planted so extensively as either of the other two,
Davao District and Basilan having a few thousand. It is making wonderful
growth in both localities, and will probably be more extensively planted. Castilloa has not been a general favorite in the East, as it does not come into bearing until 8 or 10 years of age and its rubber is hardly up to the standard of
either Para or Ceara. It is propagated from seed, and stands transplanting
better than either Para or Ceara. It nay be propagated by cuttings but this is
hardly practicable.
The tapping and coagulating of Castilloa latex is different from Ceara or
Para, and need not be commented on.
CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN ISLANDS.
Referring now specifically to the questions of your correspondent,
rubber plantations might be located on the Agusan River, in the subprovince of Butuan, in the subprovince of Bukidnon, in the Moro
Province, and anywhere in the southern half of Palawan without
serious danger from heavy wind storms, and with all other conditions
of climate and soil favorable. The elevation above sea level would be
so slight as to be negligible, except in the subprovince of Bukidnon,
where the maximum elevation available would be 3,000 feet, this
being the height above which it is not deemed desirable to plant
Ceara rubber.
The largest number of acres which a corporation which is authorized
to engage in agriculture can control would be 2,500, and this amount of
land could be purchased outright or leased. If purchased, the cost
would be not less than P10 per hectare, which would probably be
the actual cost price if wild land was taken.
Payments for land purchased from the Government may be made
as follows: Twenty-five per centum at the time bid is submitted, and
the balance may be paid in full upon the making of the award, or
may be paid in one installment at the expiration of five years from
the date of the award. All sums remaining unpaid after the date of
the award bear 6 per centum interest per annum from such date until
paid. The purchase can be completed only after five years of occupation and cultivation.




12


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


The annual taxes would be one-half of 1 per centum of the value
of the property.
If land is rented, the cost of a 2,500-acre tract would be approximately as follows: Survey by Bureau of Lands, P300 to P600,
depending upon the difficulty of clearing the land. In the subprovince
of Bukidnon, the cost of a survey should not exceed ~:150, as little
or no brushing out would be required. The rental on a 2,500-acre
tract would be approximately P530 per year, payable in advance.
There would be no taxes on the land.
Transportation in the subprovince of Butuan would be by the
Agusan River to the town of Butuan; thence by local steamer to
Cebu. The Agusan River has, for a distance of more than 100 miles
from its mouth, a minimum depth in dry weather of 3 feet, and any
concern owning a rubber plantation on the river would, of course,
need to operate its own launch.
It may interest you to know that the Province operates a 30-foot
launch on this river. It is capable of carrying 50 sacks of rice on a
20-inch draught. It has a 7~-horsepower Mietz and Weiss petroleum
engine; has a speed of 10 miles per hour, and costs to operate approximately P8 per day of 10 hours, including salary of native
engineer.
The cost of freight from Butuan to Cebu, and from Cebu to the
world's markets, is doubtless better known to the Manila Merchants'
Association than to me, and at all events can readily be ascertained.
The soil in the Agusan River Valley is a rich loam made up from
the wash of the immense forests through which the river flows.
The following report by Mr. C. B. Robinson, Economic Botanist
of the Bureau of Science, embodies the latest information which I
have been able to obtain relative to rubber-growing in the Moro
Province:
RUBBER INVESTIGATIONS IN MORO PROVINCE, JUNE, JULY, 1910.
The writer was detailed from this Bureau to accompany Mr. C. A.
Littler, representing a firm of British capitalists, who contemplated
establishing a rubber plantation at some point in the islands that
should prove suitable, where also there would be accessible a good
supply of rubber and gutta-percha, obtained from wild plants. Mr.
Frank E. Bost, a rubber specialist and the manager of the proposed
plantation was also of the party, to which was added at Zamboanga,
Mariano, the Forestry Ranger for the District. Great assistance
was given by the officials of the Moro Province, and of the District
of Cotabato.




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


13


It was therefore the aim of the expedition to see as much as possible of the places where the planting of rubber had hitherto been
attempted, and to inspect localities which from extended inquiries
seemed likely to prove suitable for a plantation.
Leaving Manila late on the afternoon of June 3, with stops at
Dumaguete and Cebu, Zamboanga was reached on the 9th; San
Ramon was visited on the 10th, and a more extended trip to Basilan
was made on the 15th, with stops at Margosatubig, and Malabang,
and a change of boat and overnight stop at Parang on the 16th-17th.
Cotabato was reached at noon on the 17th and finally left on July 2,
the trips in the mountains extending as far up the valley as Fort
Pikit, and through the Liguasan March from Cabacsalan to Cotabato.
The return steamer was taken on July 2 at Parang, and followed
through her route to Zamboanga, Jolo, Port Banga, Dumaguete,
and Cebu; Manila being reached before noon on the 10th.
The general results arrived at were that a site for the proposed
plantation was found near Reina Regente, Cotabato; that all the
three kinds of rubber-yielding trees which have been planted, Ceara
(Manihot glaziovii Muell.-Arg.), Para (Hevea brasiliensis Muell.Arg.), and Castilloa (C. elastica Cerv.), were found to make very
satisfactory growth, but the first is so subject to injury, that its
planting is being abandoned by those who have tried it most extensively; that a fairly large quantity of rubber (chiefly gutta-percha,
the true rubber not being distinguished locally) is brought down the
Cotabato Valley, though at present the supply is erratic, owing to the
uncertainty of a market; several species of Ficus were found which
upon rough testing proved to yield a certain amount of rubber. More
extended observations follow:
SAN RAMON.
Near the buildings at San Ramon, there are young seedlings of
Para, perhaps 200 in number, about 1 meter in height. The older
trees are few in number, about 1 kilometer from the station in an
easterly direction, near the Sax River; no cultivation has been given
them, the tallest is about 6 meters, and nearly all have been more or
less injured.
BASILAN, DR. J. W. STRONG'S PLANTATION.
This is situated a little over 1.5 kilometers from Isabela, and is by
far the most extensive rubber plantation seen, and to the best of our
information equally the most extensive existing in the islands. A
rough plan is appended.
Originally, Ceara was almost exclusively planted followed quickly
by Para and Castilloa. While the first has grown well and many




14


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


of the trees have reached a size suitable for tapping, it is so liable to
injury from wild hogs, deer, and termites, that it is being superseded
by the other species.
Measurements made at- Dr. Strong's gave the following results.
All are the circumference in inches, 3 feet above the surface of the
ground. The growth of the Castilloa is especially remarkable.
Para, 4 years 6 months, 23, 23.5, and 22.
Para, 3 years 6 months, 16, 15, 11, 12.5, 13, 15.5, 12, 15.5, 13.5, 10, 16, and
15.5.
Castilloa, 3 years 10 months, 34, 35.5.
Castilloa, 2 years 10 months, 27, 22, 24.5, 25.5, 24, and 24.5.  (There are 35
trees of this age, all bearing seed.)
* Ceara, 2 years from cutting, 18.5.
Both the climate and the situation of Basilan are suited to rubber
growing. Drawbacks exist in the wild hogs and deer; these can be
kept out by suitable fencing.
Experimental tappings of rubber have already been made, with
satisfactory results.
SAN RAFAEL PLANTATION, BASILAN.
This is situated about 3 kilometers west of Dr. Strong's, with which
it is connected by a trail.  The hacienda contains about 300 hectares.
A number of the older trees are planted near the house. Measurements made of these gave the following figures:
Ceara, 5 years, 32, 39, 33, 33, 31.
Castilloa, 3 years 10 months, 28, 22.5, 26 (200 of this age).
There are said to be on the place 900 to 1,000 Ceara trees, 3 years
old, and 100 to 200 Para, all small, 3 years old. There has been no
cultivation, and injury has been experienced from hogs. None of
the trees have been tapped, although some of them are quite of sufficient size.
MABGOSATUBIG.
There are two small plots of Ceara on opposite sides of the road
in the place, about 3 years old, making good growth, one man having
25 trees.
BULUAN. (DATTO INUK.)
Beside the house of Datto Inuk at Buluan, there are some 35 Ceara
trees, about 2.5 years old, planted very closely, about 1.5 meters by
1.5 meters. These are entirely free of weeds. Measurements same
units as before; 16.5, 16, 12, 13.5, 17.5, 13.25, 15, 17.5, and 17.25.  In
addition, there are about 1,000 Ceara trees, 10 months old, in the hills
at some distance, planted about 2.7 meters by 2.7.




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


15


PORT BANGA.
Mr. Redding of the firm of Williamson & Redding stated that at
the head of the bay they had planted a considerable number of
trees; that these had been planted and left without cultivation, and
were a total failure. They are now planting and cultivating, but
this has only recently been undertaken.
OTHER PLACES IN THE ZAMBOANGA DISTRICT.
Several other planters have rubber trees; the work has apparently
not included cultivation, and the results attained are meagre. None
of these were visited.
WILD RUBBER.
The chief supply of this comes from the Cotabato Valley, either
from the head waters of the Rio Grande, or from the hills along one
of its branches, the Dansalan, where three Indians of whom Bombay
is the chief, gather an amount practically limited by their financial
resources. It is chiefly obtained by the hill tribes, and comes out
through Cotabato; some also is said to be exported through
Sarangani.
Datto Piang's estimates of the quantity he could procure ranged
from 400 to 500 piculs every three months; he formerly got 700.
A small quantity comes from the Buluan country; the rest is divided
between the Dansalan, and the headwaters of the Rio Grande, as
stated above. Bombay gets about half of the Dansalan output,
but at present little or none, owing to the uncertainty of payment.
Prices there range from 12 to 30 pesos per picul (137.5 pounds).
A fairly large lot was seen at Cotabato, whence it is exported to
Jolo; the dealer there was also seen, and it appears that no cleaning
is done except washing, first in hot water, and then working with
the feet in cold water; it is then sent to Singapore where there is a
machine. The export from Cotabato for the 11 months of the then
current fiscal year (ending May 31, 1910) was nearly 87,000
kilograms.
Small quantities are exported from Margosatubig to Zamboanga,
one dealer sending about 5, and another 2.5 piculs per month. This
is obtained from the Camaralang River.
No distinction is made between gutta-percha and vine rubber, but
the great bulk from description and the samples seen is of the
former. The vine rubber does, however, form a part of the export,
but it is more difficult to obtain, and has brought no higher prices.
SITES FOR RUBBER PLANTATIONS.
With this is involved the labor problem.
Along the banks of the Rio Grande, the land is too low and too
wet for rubber planting, except in a few places. The best of these
seemed to be in the vicinity of Reina Regente, where the south side




RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


of the river is approached by rolling hills, well-wooded attaining
elevations of 60 to 100 meters. The town of Dalauan (Datto Piang)
is a few miles below, and the prospects of obtaining a sufficient supply of labor through his cooperation seem to be good. Good land is
said to be available above Pikit, but the transportation problem so
far up the river would be too great, and the supply of labor insufficient for work upon an extended scale. A limited amount of
good land could be found on the southern arm of the river, hardly
sufficient for the purposes desired.
C. B. ROBINSON,
Economic Botanist.
ESTIMATES OF EXPENSE AND PROFIT.
Practically all available land is now covered with timber. This
of course at once raises the amount of the cost of clearing. The difficulty involved in obtaining really reliable information relative to
the cost of clearing land, the cost of planting, and the returns derived
from catch crops affords the true explanation of my long delay in
replying to your letter.
The following is an estimate furnished me by the Director of the
Bureau of Agriculture:
Cost of clearing land.-The cost of clearing heavy jungle is estimated to be
about P20 per acre, this includes the slashing, cutting of trees, burning and
disposal of the larger trunks.
The cost of clearing average jungle is estimated at P16 per acre.
The cost of clearing open jungle is estimated at P12 per acre. (Estimated
by hemp growers.)
Cost of planting three principal kinds of rubber per acre.-An idea can be
had of this by giving the estimated cost for Para rubber in the Malay Peninsula,
as estimated by R. G. Watson:
Estimate for 1,000 acres; 250 acres to be opened each year.
First year:
Premium   ----------------------------------               P3, 000
Survey fees --- —-----------   ------------   --              1, 000
Rent_ --- —----------------             --------- 1,000
Clearing, felling, and burning 250 acres (p15 per acre) -_ --- —---  3,750
Lining, holing, and planting 250 acres (t per acre) --- —-----  1, 500
Plants__                                                      800
Plants -------------------------------                        800
Roads and drains (t6 per acre) --- —---     ----------------  1,500
Houses for laborers___ --- —-  ---------------   --           2,000
Lines --------------------------    _   -   ------      -    1,500
Medical-Hospital, medicines, etc --- —-----------------       2,000
Labor-Advances, immigration, etc --- —---    --------------   1,500
Superintendence ----— __ -------- -------     --------      3,600
Tools and sundries -, --- —----------    ----------------     1,000
Total -__ --- —-      ------------------------------- 24,150




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


17


Second year:
Rent — __-______________ --- —- ----— _-______1____, 000
Clearing, felling, and burning 250 acres_ ----  3. 750
Lining, holing, and planting 250 acres__ --- —---— ___-_  1,5C(0
Plants _ _ _ _ --- —--------------- -  _ --- —----— _   o800
Roads and drains. --- —- --- ----  — 1. 500
Medical-_  ___ --- —------— __ — _ - -------  1,000
Labor ___ --- —— __________ — -____-__ _ --- —--- -  1,000
Superintendence ---- — ______ — ___ --- —--— _  4, 000
Tools and sundries_ -_-___.-___ _ 7_ —      50
Weeding 250 acres -------— __ --- — ----- -_ __ --- —— __2,500
Supplying _____ --- —---- — ____ --- —— _    10 (
TotaL_ __- ________ --- —----------------- 17, 900
Third year:
Rent __ --- —------ ----- ---  ------------ 00()
Clearing, felling, and burning 250 acres ----________-____- _ 3, 750
Lining, holing, and planting 250 acres____ --- --— ___ ___   1, 500
Plants ----___-_____ --- —---------          8____S_00
Lines --------------------------------- 1,500
Roads and drains  ------------------------ 1, 500
Medical  ---------------------------— __1, 00(
Labor        ----------------------------- 1.000
Superintendence_ ----—. --- —-------— __-_-_ 4, 000
Tools and sundries ------- ----------- __ ---- 1,000
Weeding 500 acres___ --- —----- -------------  6.000
Supplying -------------    -----------     100
Total__ --- —-------------------         23. 150
Fourth year:
Rent --- —----------------------- 1.00
Clearing, felling, and burning 250 acres__ ------------ 3, 750)
Lining, holing, and planting 250 acres ------------   1, 50(
Plants    --------------------------------- 800
Roads and drains, --- —----------------— 1. 500
Medical -..... -----------   -------— 1, Oto
Labor    ---------------------------      1, 000
Superintendence ---------------— _  ------- 4. 000
Tools and sundries__ -----------------------— 1,000
Weeding 750 acres - ---------------------- 12,000
Supplying ----------— ___ ---------— _     100
Total       -------------------------— 27, 650
Fifth year:
Rent --------------- -—. ---------       1,000
Roads and'drains  ---------------- --------  800
Medical -------------------------         1,000
Labor       -----------------------------— 1.000
Superintendence_ ---------------------------- 4,000
Tools and sundries --  --------------------  1,000
Weeding 1,000 acres ----------------------- 15,000
Total -_.     --------------------------- 23, 800
87294-11 -2




18                  RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.
Sixth year:
Rent                           -, 000
ent -----------------------------------------               PI 000
Roads and drains_ __-__-__ --- —--------                        800
Labor__-__                                                   1,000
Labor --- —----------------------------------        -----  1,000
Medical.1, 000
Medical --------------------------------------------—,,000
Superintendence -..______________ --- —---— _           4,000
Tools and sundries ----_ --- —---              _______ --- —-    1,000
Weeding 1,000 acres        __________ --- —-------------- -   17,000
Total          _________        ______ --- —--------------  25, 800
Seventh year:
Rent -------— __     --------------------------------- 4 000
Roads and drains — __        ____ --- —--------------           800
Medical --------— ___  ---— ___________ --- —----             1,000
Labor_ ---____________ --- —------— ___ _ --- —-----        - 1, 000
Superintendence —__        ___ --------- _     __ __ --- —-    4,000
Tools and sundries ----— _____   ________ --- —---             1,000
Weeding 1,000 acres —.. —__   ___ ____      _________ --- —   17,000
Total ----------— __ --- —----— _ __ --- —-------        28, 800
Eighth and following years as seventh year -- __ --- ——.______-  28, 800
The cost of weeding gradually decreases till in the eleventh year it is practically nil.
Profits.
Seventh year:
250 acres, planted 150 trees per acre at 1 pound rubber per tree,
sold at 3s. per pound -------— _________ _____ __ --- —-_ p48,214
250 acres, planted 150 trees per acre, at 1~ pounds rubber per tree__ 72, 321
Total income   ____ --- —--— ___ _____ —___-_-. —_   - 120,535
Less cost of production, shipping, etc., of 93,750 pounds ht Is. 6d.
per pound ---, --- —-             __....-... --  ------      60, 268
Net profit --- —— _  ____ --- —— __ ___0___ —_____           60,267
Eighth year:
250 acres at 1 pound per tree and 3s. per pound__________ _ 48, 214
250 acres at 1j pounds per tree and 3s. per pound___ --- —---- 72, 321
250 acres at 2 pounds per tree and 3s. per pound _ --- —--------  96, 428
Total income _______ --- —--------— __ _______             216, 963
Less cost of production, etc., 253,125 pounds at Is. 6d. per pound__ 108, 482
Net profit      _ ------------------------- 103, 481
Ninth year:
250 acres at 1 pound per tree and 3s. per pound --- —------------- 48, 214
250 acres at 1~ pounds per tree and 3s. per pound --- —--- - 72, 321
500 acres at 2 pounds per tree and 3s. per pound --- —-— _ - - 192,856
Total income _ --- ____ --- —--— _____ --- —---- 313, 391
Cost of production, etc., 243,750 pounds at Is. 6d. per pound ----- 156, 696
Net profit-___ --- —-— 1__ --- —------------ 56,695




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


19


Tenth year:
250 acres at 1l pounds per tree and 3s. per pound —___ —___ _ p72, 321
750 acres at 2 pounds per tree and 3s. per pound — ____ --- —- 289, 280
Total income_ _-____________ --- —---------                361,601
Less cost of production, etc., 262,500 pounds at Is. 6d. per pound__ 180,800
Net profit ---_ ---   __-_-_ --- —--    -___ --- —----------- _ 180,801
Eleventh year:
1,000 acres at 2 pounds per tree and 3s. per pound-__.. ---_ - _ 385, 710
Cost of production, etc., of 300,000 pounds at Is. 6d. per pound  _ 192, 857
Net profit__ ---_______-_ --- —-----     --— ___-_           192,853
And so on each year, annual profit p192,853, with a probability of still increased yield.
This estimate would apply to Castilloa and Ceara, as there would be very
little difference in the cost of seed or young plants.
Cost of going over once with bolo, cutting weeds and brush, 14 per acre.
Returns from catch crops.-The amount of these crops, such as corn, sweet
potatoes, casava, etc., that can be grown per acre will depend somewhat on
the way the trees are set out. Some planters advise that the rubber trees be
originally planted 15 feet apart, the object of this being to cover the ground
with shade as soon as possible to prevent the growth of weeds and underbrush.
Three or four tappings can be made on these trees before they crowd to such
an extent that it will be necessary to take out the surplus trees. leaving the
trees in the permanent grove 30 feet apart. In case the trees are planted 15
feet apart, only a very small portion of the land could be planted to catch
crops, as in cultivating it will be necessary to leave a strip 6 feet wide along
each row of trees to prevent injury to the trees in cultivating. If the trees,
however, are set out originally 30 feet apart, the intervening spaces may be
occupied by catch crops, provided there are markets for such crops as are grown.
Only about 85 per cent of the total area should be considered available for
catch crops.
Corn should yield about 30 bushels per acre, worth in Manila P1.10 per bushel.
Sweet potatoes should yield from 100 to 200 bushels per acre, depending upon
the character of the soil and the kind of cultivation. This crop is more or
less perishable, but large quantities could be used for feeding laborers. Some
hemp planters have claimed that they have grown a sufficient quantity of sweet
potatoes between the rows of hemp to pay for the cost of weeding the hemp
each year. Casava will yield from 20 to 30 tons of roots per acre. Up to the
present time it has not been found profitable to grow casava, owing to the
fact that suitable market can not be found in the Philippine Islands for the
starch and when shipped to New York the cost of manufacture and transportation about equals the price obtained.
Cost of clearing, plowing, and harrowing.-Cost of plowing loose sandy soil
covered with cogon once, P3 per acre. Cost of harrowing, P1 per acre.
A person who has a coconut plantation in northern Mindanao on cogon land
claims that it is necessary to plow the land each year and harrow at least once
a month in order to keep down the cogon, unless some crop is grown between
the trees, in which case the cultivation of the crop should be sufficient to keep
down the weeds and vines. It was suggested to this person that he plant the
intervening spaces in velvet beans and keep the velvet beans from destroying
the young trees by having a man go over the ground at least every two weeks




20


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


and chop off all vines approaching the trees. The cost of this need not exceed
)0.20 per acre for each time.
Cost of seed.-Ceara rubber seed should not cost over P2 per 1,000 in large
quantities. Allowing 250 seeds per hectare, the cost for seed would be P0.50.
The following estimate of the cost of clearing land and planting it
in coconuts, and of the profits derivable from the sale of forestry
products and from catch crops has been furnished me by Mr. C. II.
Lamb, Superintendent of the Iwahig Penal Colony. So far as concerns the cost of clearing for coconut planting and the profits derivable from catch crops, these figures will answer as well for rubber as
for coconuts. It should, of course, be remembered that mangrove
land is not suitable for rubber production.
The island of Palawan differs geologically and geographically from other
islands in the Philippine group.
It is different in its fauna and flora, and in its rainfall, and to quite an
extent in its seasons.
Peculiarly, good hemp will not grow in many localities, nor will some other
plants which thrive on other islands, due probably to the topography of the
country.
The soil is varied, and in fact, over the greater portion of the island the
soil which is feasible of cultivation differs in character, even in small areas
which can be described by the word patchy.
There are two crops, however, which thrive well on the island of Palawan,
where the land is at all susceptible of cultivation; same are rice and coconuts.
The same statement can almost be made as regards corn. (The average corn
yield is as good as the writer has seen anywhere, with the exception, that
frequently patches of soil are found on which corn does not thrive, but peculiarly the same soil will grow good rice. and it will also grow good coconuts.)
The expense of preparing land for cultivation must always depend to a
certain extent upon the manner or method, and particularly upon the location.
The following figures can be accepted as a safe guide:
Felling trees will cost from nothing to P20 per hectare.
Cutting and burning will cost from P10 to P80 per hectare.
Stumping will cost from O10 to P150 per hectare.
The first plowing will cost from P3 to P10 per hectare.
Three plowings will cost from P5 to P20 per hectare.
Planting in either corn or rice will cost from P4 to t10 per hectare.
Taking into consideration all classes of. land found; the level, rich, short
grass land, free from timber and brush, which has only to be plowed, and
which may be called first-class land. Second, the small valleys along the
streams and in the mountain coves, almost always covered with forest more
or less heavy, and which may be called second-class land. Third, the same
kind of land covered with " bojo," or small brush, which may be termed thirdclass land. Fourth, particularly unfavorable locations, which may be termed
fourth-class land.
Classification is made, considering that the best, which can be planted at the
least expense.-It has been found by actual experience that the minimum average for planting the first crop of rice or corn is P32 per hectare.
The general average is P85 per hectare. This is a safe and conservative
estimate, and will be found sufficient, taking into consideration all conditions.




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


21


The expense of P85 is divided as follows:
(a) Felling trees, P5.
(b) Cutting and burning, P20.
(c) Digging stumps, P40.
(d) For plowing, P14.
(e) Planting, P6.
If misfortune and unfortunate incidents come this average will still be found
ample. However, to cover same, an additional allowance of P15 per hectare
is made, which would make a maximum total of P100 per hectare.
Ordinarily through the island of Palawan, if forest land is cleared and
planted, from 10 to 100 "trozos" can be had from 1 hectare of land. Same
will average from 200 to 2,000 cubic feet, which will net from P40 to P400.
A safe and conservative amount as a return from 1 hectare of land is P110.
The minimum return from 1 hectare of land in rice harvest is 20 cavans, and
the average maximum is 50, although 70 is not uncommon.
The average value of this rice or palay is P2.50 per cavan.
Therefore, the return from the rice crop from 1 hectare of land will average
P40 to P125.
Forty-one pesos is assured, therefore 1 hectare of land cleared of ordinary
timber and planted in rice will yield the first year P151, i. e., P110 in timber
and P41 in rice or corn.
This same hectare of land, according to above figures, has been planted at
a maximum cost of P100, thereby giving us a margin of P51 per hectare.
Regarding mangrove swamp, what I carefully compiled from actual experience
shows that the firewood and tanbark therefrom can invariably be depended to
pay the cost of clearing the land and planting.
*         *         *         *         *         *         *
The foregoing data are thle basis upon which the writer works, or in other
words, it can be assumed that throughout the island of Palawan the first quick
return crop will pay for the clearing of the land, and on at least 50 per cent
of the locations will also pay for the planting of the land in coconuts. The
planting of the nuts will cost from P6.25 to P12.50, or 224 cents per tree, or a
maximum cost of P22.50 per hectare.  However, it is usually done for less,
and this is the maximum average. Also the quick return crop which has been
planted on the land will produce a profit over the clearing of P22.50 per hectare,
sufficient to pay the expenses of planting the coconuts. which are usually
planted at about the same time the rice is planted.
The same land will produce two more quick return crops. that is, three quick
return crops in all, without interference with the coconuts.
The best crops, according to the writer's experience. are, first, a crop of corn,
subsequently two crops of mountain rice, by which time the coconuts will be
too large to permit any further cultivation of rice or corn, but camotes and so
forth may be planted.  However, the latter are not considered a profitable
crop. If the first quick return crop does not produce sufficient revenue to pay
the expense of planting the coconuts, the planter has a maximum expense of
22j cents per tree. There will be no additional expense for the next two years
of the tree's life if quick return crops are planted; on the contrary there is
usually a profit. However, if the second and third quick return crops are only
sufficient to pay the expenses of keeping the land clean, there are really only
three years to care for the trees before they begin to bear.  Experience has
shown that this expense will average 10 cents per year per tree, provided not
less than 2 hectares are planted, actual data was based in one instance on 5
hectares, and in another on 10.




22


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


This results in a cost of 30 centavos per tree in addition to the original investment, or expense of 22J cents per tree, making a total of 52A cents per tree
from the date of planting to the bearing age.
This is the maximum average, and unless caused by ignorance or mismanagement, should not be greater; in 50 per cent of the locations it will be less.
However, it is not safe to figure on less for any location along the foot of the
mountain ranges where jungle and forest must be coped with.
Cost data taken from actual experience, and handled in a different manner,
have given the writer practically the same results, and in different parts of the
Philippine Islands has ranged from 60 cents to T1.85 per tree, -brought to the
bearing age.
The most favorable conditions which the writer has ever encountered on
Luzon show that coconuts have been grown, that is, brought to the bearing
age, which there is 7 and 8 years, for 60 cents per tree.
However, in that particular place the conditions were absolutely favorable,
and the low cost was due to the clever and economic administration of the
planiter. Adjoining planters expended on an average of from 11 to 1.50 per
tree, to bring the trees to the bearing age.
These same remarks will apply to the island of Mindanao. The maximum
reliable statement is p1.85 per tree; however, the estimate provided for a most
expensive administration.
The writer's cost data are all based upon 50 cents per day for labor, and do
not include road construction, except trails and earth roads for carts, " kangas,"
and so forth. This is due to the fact that coconut planting has been done
either on the coast or in the vicinity of navigable rivers, of which Palawan has
many.
The conclusion reached, from the writer's experience, is that coconut planting
for a permanent crop and investment can not be equaled by any other known
permanent crop, not even rubber. It is superior to rubber in the island of
Palawan. The usual argument advanced to the contrary places great value
upon the fact that Palawan does not have typhoons which would damage the
rubber crop-the same fact is almost of equal value to the coconut.
The attached notes regarding this feature are taken from general conditions,
and not from especially favored localities.
AGUSAN RIVER VALLEY.
Comparatively little labor is to be had in the Agusan River Valley, and it would probably be necessary to bring most of that required from Iloilo. If no catch crops were planted. the land after
being cleared should be gone over with bolos twice each year. It
should be remembered that where Ceara rubber is planted it is
nearly useless to put in a catch crop, as the rubber itself promptly
occupies the ground. If Para or Castilloa is planted, such crops
as corn, camotes. peanuts, or sesamum can be put in. It is impossible
to state definitely the returns which would be derived, so much
depends upon proper cultivation methods and good management.
I am frank to say, however, that if I were to plant rubber in the
Philippines, I should. in the light of my present knowledge, plant
Ceara rubber, and make it that and nothing else on the ground




PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.


23


planted with rubber, devoting other ground to the growing of crops
which give quick returns.
It should be stated that much of the land in the Agusan River
Valley is apparently admirably adapted to the growing of tobacco
and that there is every theoretical reason to believe that excellent
tobacco might be produced there, but tobacco, like Ceara rubber, is
a voracious feeder, which quickly impoverishes the soil.
BUKIDNON.
In the subprovince of Bukidnon the cost of transportation would,
of course, be the ordinary cost of overland transportation by cart,
and would depend directly on the distance, which might be anything from 10 miles to 120 miles, depending on the location which the
planter chose to select. The products would need to be taken across
the bay to Cagayan de Misamis, and be shipped thence to Cebu,
although a pier might be built on the east coast of the bay, and the
small cost of transportation across the bay saved.
Character of soil: Good, rich loam, in some places sandy, and in
others clayey. Practically nothing but grass is at present on the
land and there would be no cost for clearing, as the grass could be
burned during the comparatively dry part of the year. The cost of
planting would be very small, as the land would require only plowing
and harrowing. The expense of maintenance, which would consist
of occasional replowing and harrowing, would also be small.
Probably the best catch crop to grow on this land would be upland
rice, as the country does not now produce enough rice to feed its
people, owing to the scarcity of draught animals. The land should
produce 30 cavans of unhusked rice per acre, worth P3 per cavan.
The additional cost involved in putting in this rice would be practically nil, as the land would need to be plowed in any event, and the
rice could be drilled in.
SOUTH PALAWIAN.
The conditions as to land are the same as in Agusan.
Transportation facilities: A small steamer every three weeks from
Puerto Princesa to Manila. Land might be had in the immediate
vicinity of Puerto Princesa, and communication with that town
maintained by launch, as the land selected would naturally be adjacent to the sea shore. The soil in south Palawan is perhaps the
richest in the Islands, with the exception of that in Mindanao and
Mindoro. Land can be selected which is now covered with grass, or
with a comparatively light growth of bushes. This land is very
suitable for raising upland rice, corn. camotes or sesamum.




24


RUBBER-GROWING INDUSTRY.


MORO PROVINCE.
I am not myself sufficiently familiar with conditions in the Moro
Province to give any reliable information, but such information can
doubtless be had from the Provincial Secretary or from the officers
of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce. They are progressive
people down there and I am sure they will be glad to help out in any
way they can.
With a few more years of experience it is to be hoped and anticipated that much more detailed information relative to rubber growing in the Philippines may be obtainable. At present we must fall
back upon the fundamental proposition that conditions as regards
climate and soil are ideal and that labor is to be had in a reasonable
amount, and that the ultimate result will depend here, as elsewhere,
on the character of the management.
Very respectfully,               DEAN C. WORCESTER,
Secretary of the Interior.
Mr. M1LTO:N E. SPRINGER.
Secretary Manila Merchants' Association,
Manila, P. I.
0
GLOSSARY.
Picul   =137.9 pounds avoirdupois.
Cavan   =16 gallons 3 quarts 1 pint.
Meter   =39.37 inches.
Kilometer=0.62137 mile.
Kilogram =2.2046 pounds avoirdupois.
Hectare =2.471 acres.
Abaca is manila hemp.
The peso (P), Philippine currency, is equivalent to 50 cents United States
currency, and the centavo is equal to /2 dent. Except where gold is specified,
the amount is expressed in Philippine currency.




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FIG. 22.-CHINESE TRADING BOAT COLLECTING GUTTA-PERCHA AT PARANG PARANG.
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FIG. 15-READY TO FELL A LARGE GUTTA-PERCHA TREE FOR EXPERIMENTAL PURPOSES,
DISTRICT OF ZAMBOANGA, MINDANAO.




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FIG *4 -PAT O   OF GUT-PRH   TRE   PLQIMGTA F VRIOU   AGS, BUTNOG JAVA.




FIG. 17. -TAPPING A GUTTA-PERCHA TREE SO THAT ALL THE MILK IS COLLECTED IN SHELLS BENEATH. DONE BY
MOROS IN TAWI TAWI_




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FIG, 27.-A TREE OF PALAQUIUM GUTTA JUST TAPPED, TJIPITtRi JAVA.




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FIG. 31-A RUB3ER VINE (PARAMERIS PHILIPPINENSIS RADLK)I WESTERN MINDORO.




FIG. 38.-PLANTATION OF INDIA-RUBBER TREES (FICUS ELASTICA), BUITENZORGG JAVA.




FIGK a9.-EXHIBIT OF PARA RUBBERS SHOWING YIELD OF TREES AND METHODS OF PREPARING FOR MARKET, PERAK
PROVINCE, FEDERATED MALAY STATES.




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FIG. 41. —PLANTA+OltON   OF PARA RUBBER TREES, PRODUCING SEED, BOTANICAL GARDEN,
SINGAPPORE.




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FIG. A.METHOD OF TAPPING~ A PARA RARRER TREE THIRD DAY AFTER TAPPING,
AXPERIMENTAL GARDEN, BDITENYORGA JAVA.
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F[G~ 36.1sitnETH-OD OF T-APPING;  A PARA RIUBBERE TREIE THIRD DAYI AFTER TAP"PING,
EXPERi/EN\T-AL,  GA\RDENt BUitrENZORG, JAVAI




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FIG~ 421 --- —CEARA RUf38ER PLANI%, EXPERIMENT STATIOI"I1 MALATEI




FIG. 1.-MORO SAILBOATS,  VNTAS.'




FIR, 35 —PIECE OF DRY RARE FROM RRRRFR VINE,
SHOWING THE IMMENSE NUMBER OF RURRER




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