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The production of sugar, although really an agricultural industry, has been included under manufactures. It is proportionately of much importance in the Philippines. The number of establishments whose products amounted in value to at least 1,000 pesos each was 1,075, and the total value of the product was 6,603,006 pesos. There were in addition many hundred small sugar mills that produced low-grade sugar but were too primitive and unimportant to be included in the census schedules; the aggregate of such establishments, however, would be considerable. Negros Occidental is the most important sugar province, and in it are located 291 out of a total of 528 steam-power sugar plants in the archipelago. The value of sugar exported in 1902 was $3,342,473, or 12 per cent of the value of all exports. Including sugar, the total number of manufacturing plants in the archipelago is 3,259, and the total value of products is 41,700,215 pesos. In commercial importance tobacco is the third agricultural product, the value of the manufactured article being a little more than half of the total value of all the tobacco exported, which amounted to nearly $2,000,000 in 1902. Measured by value of product, tobacco outranks all other products of the Philippine Islands, and the output of 113 establishments for 1902 was valued at $8,740,516, which is about 25 per cent of the total value of manufactures for that year. The products of liquor and tobacco constituted 37.4 per cent of the value of the insular manufactures as compared with 4.8 per cent for the United States. Sixty-seven per cent of the total value of manufactures, exclusive of sugar, is reported by the city of Manila. The capital invested in manufactures in the Philippine Islands exceeds 50,000,000 pesos. Philippine trade was opened to the world in 1834. An examination of the customs records since that date indicates a decided though frequently interrupted growth of commerce. The value of imports for 1902 was $33,342,166; of exports, $28,671,904. Commerce with foreign countries is carried on mostly in vessels bearing the British and German flags. The number of ports and subports open to commerce has trebled since the American occupation began.

An interesting report has recently been made by United States Minister BEAUPRÉ from Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic, on a recent attempt to introduce American live stock into the Republic. He states that 14 blooded heifers, together with a few other animals, were brought to the Argentine Republic, and that 12 heifers were sold at public auction on September 6 last. Conditions for the sale were not promising, as pasture had been scarce, while the number of Shorthorns imported had been greater than in any previous year. In spite of this and the evident lack of interest in the sale, all the heifers entered were sold at prices ranging from $1,785 to $467 in American gold, the average price being $686.75. The blood of these heifers, as shown by their pedigrees given in full in the catalogue published for

the sales, was identical with or even purer than that so much admired by Argentine breeders in English pedigrees. While these animals went far below their worth, yet ultimate success in introducing American animals is believed certain. These animals were criticised as of too light a shade of red for the warm climate of the Argentine Republic, and their horns were thought to be too dark. Some of the breeders, who are not accustomed to so compact or short legged an animal as the American, thought them too small. Several things will count against the development of the demand for American cattle in the Republic, such as British competition--as English importers are not disposed to sit by and see a portion of their business fall to the United States; opposition from Argentine breeders, who either think that the country has reached the point where it can dispense with foreign contributions or else desire to keep the market to themselves from selfish motives; prejudice against any new article, especially against anything coming from the United States; and, lastly, resentment on account of the embargo put on Argentine wool in the United States by the tariff laws. The minister concludes that it is certain that there will some day be a market in the Argentine Republic for American cattle, but that the market is far from being safely opened as yet.

Farmers' Bulletin No. 216, just published by the United States Department of Agriculture, treats of the control of the boll weevil, and was prepared by Dr. W. D. HUNTER, of the Bureau of Entomology, a special agent in charge of cotton-boll weevil investigations. The bulletin starts with "Recommendations," a summary of the conclusions arrived at relative to means for control of the boll weevil. Owing to the fact that experimental use was made of the Guatemalan ant in stamping out this cotton pest it is interesting to note that the bulletin contained the statement that the work of the Bureau of Entomology for several years has indicated that there is not even a remote probability that the boll weevil will ever be exterminated. As a matter of fact no injurious insect has ever been exterminated. Some species, like the Rocky Mountain locust in this country, have died out more or less on account of climatic influences, and reasonably effective methods of combating others, like the Phylloxera in France, have been perfected. Although the very large yields of cotton of former times may no longer be possible in the region now infested by the boll weevil, it is entirely feasible to produce cotton at a margin of profit that will compare favorably with that resulting from the production of most of the staple crops of the United States by following what has become generally known as the cultural method. This method consists of changes and modifications of the system of cotton raising, made necessary by the boll weevil. It was originally suggested by a careful study of the life history and habits of the pest, and naturally any improvements

that may eventually be made will be the result of a continuation of that study. It has now been tested successfully on a large scale by the Bureau of Entomology, as well as by many planters, during three seasons. Of greatest advantage is the reducing the numbers of the weevils by the destruction of the plants in the fall. The advantage thus gained is followed up by bending every effort toward procuring an early crop the next season.

The report of FRANCISCO VALDES VERGARA, collector of customs at the port of Valparaiso, Chile, said to be one of the most competent statisticians in the Republic, makes an estimate of the probable life of the nitrate product in Chile. Señor VERGARA'S calculation is based upon the original estimate of the supply and the production and exportation since 1840. The nitrate producers fixed the quota for exportation for the year ended March 31, 1904, at 32,500,000 Spanish quintals (1,529,311 tons). It is calculated that the shipments to December 31, 1903, were, in the aggregate, 31,000,000 quintals (1,426,000 tons). Señor VERGARA makes a somewhat extended statement, tending to show the probable rate of production in future years, and concludes somewhat as follows: "At the end of twenty years, when 35,000,000 tons have been extracted, it will be seen that the exhaustion of the nitrate deposits will be near at hand. The nitrate industry contributes to-day 76.4 per cent of our exports, and its operation involves the expenditure of nearly 30,000,000 pesos ($10,950,000) for agricultural products and merchandise. It pays the Government directly 48,500,000 pesos ($17,702,500) for export duties and no less than 10,000,000 pesos ($3,560,000) indirectly in import duties. It would be useless to make any comments on the grave consequences which would result from anything that would compromise the prosperity of the nitrate industry in Chile."

A volume of more than ordinary interest recently received by the Columbus Memorial Library is a Spanish version, newly translated, of the account of an expedition to the Rio de la Plata region and a twenty years' residence covering the period 1534-1554. The author, ULRICH SCHMIDEL, was the first historian of the Rio de la Plata, the original edition of his work, published in 1567, being written in German, and subsequent editions in Latin, Spanish, and English have at various times been issued. The present issue, under the title "Viaje al Rio de la Plata (1534-1554) "was published in 1903 by CABAUT & Co., Librería del Colegio, in Buenos Ayres, the translation, introduction, and annotations being the work of SAMUEL A. LAFONE QUEVADO, with bibliographical and biographical notes by BARTOLOMÉ MITRE. Attention is called to the fact that the errors in former translation have been avoided as much as possible by referring to the latest German text as authority, while footnotes throughout the volume modify many points

in dispute as regards chronology and geography. The expedition under the command of ADELANTADO DON PEDRO DE MENDOZA, of which SCHMIDEL formed a part, sailed from San Lucar (Spain) in 1534, arriving in the waters of the La Plata in 1535, the establishment of a colony at Buenos Ayres being one of the first works of the explorers. The various minor expeditions from this central point, and the life and conditions of the New World are detailed by the author in quaint and attractive language, while the plates and maps, many of which are reproduced from the Latin edition of LAVINO HULSIO, add interest and value to the work.

For more than a quarter of a century Mexico has enjoyed absolute peace, which has enabled it to develop its immense sources of wealth. It has taken an important and honorable part in the universal expositions of 1889 and 1900, and it was after the closing of this last one that Mr. SÉBASTIEN DE MIER, Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of this American Republic in Paris, conceived the idea of preparing a table of its progress since the pacification and of making an inventory of the resources of Mexico, which resulted in the valuable and interesting book recently received by the Columbus Memorial Library, entitled "Le Mexique au début du XXe siècle" (Mexico at the beginning of the twentieth century), published in two volumes. The collaborators are all men of learning and distinction, who need no introduction to the literary and scientific world. The first volume of this work, which opens with a general introduction by E. LEVASSEUR, contains the following chapters: "Geographical Outline," by ELISÉE RECLUS; "Population and Colonization," Prince ROLAND BONAPARTE; "Political, Judicial, and Administrative Institutions," LEON BOURGEOIS; "Agriculture," HIPPOLYTE GOMOT; "Mines and Mining Industries," L. de LAUNAY; "Industry, Commerce, and Navigation," ALFRED PICART. The second volume treats of the following subjects: "Railroads and Public Works," C. KRANTZ; "Posts and Telegraphs," M. LAGRAVE; "Moneys, Exchange, and Banks," A. DE FOVILLE; "Finance," P. LEROY BEAULIEU; "Public Instruction," O. GRÉARD; "Sciences," A. HALLER; "Art and Literature," J. CLARETIE; "Army and Navy,' General NIOX; "Foreign Relations," D'ESTOURNELLES DE Constant; "General Conclusion," E. LEVASSEUR.

"La Revista Azucarera" (Sugar Crop Report), published by El Hacendado Mexicano, apartado 2010, City of Mexico, 1904–5, has just been issued, and as it contains the latest data in regard to the sugar industry in the Mexican Republic, its importance is evident. Not only does the report cover existing conditions in Mexico, but it includes a list of cane planters and sugar manufacturers of Mexico, Central America, Porto Rico, Cuba, the Argentine Republic, Peru, Hawaii, and

Java, completely revised and corrected, containing the amount of sugar and molasses made during the grinding season of 1903-4, besides several maps and some interesting articles on the sugar industry. It is further stated that if the reigning prices continue, Mexico will have seen the greatest boom in the history of her sugar industry, and what was thought last year to be a poorly productive business will have proven to be a source of wealth to many. The quantity of sugar made in Mexico during the season of 1903-4 is stated as 107,547 tons, and the estimated production for 1904-5 is given as 115,000 tons. Further details of the sugar industry of Mexico as reproduced from this valuable publication will be found in the present issue of the "Bulletin," classified with other Mexican data.

ence.

Two bulletins of the Corps of Mining Engineers of Peru, treating respectively of the Carboniferous deposits of the Checras district (Yacimientos carboniferos del distrito de Checras) and the Mineral Resources of the Province of Cajabamba (La Provincia de Cajabamba y sus asientos minerales) have been received by the Columbus Memorial Library, being exhaustive expert treatment of the subjects in referThe Checras coal beds, in the Province of Chancay, are among the most extensive in Peru, the coal being of the best grade of anthracite, and with suitable means of communication for opening up the section, enough coal would be produced not only to supply native needs, but also for export purposes. The future of the Province of Cajabamba is, according to the report, destined to the greatest prosperity, by reason of the fertility of its soil, the abundance of irrigating streams, the diversity of its products, the salubrity of its climate, and the wealth of its mineral resources.

The establishment of an industry for the manufacture of sulphuric acid in Peru and its possibilities of practical realization form the subject of a pamphlet received by the Columbus Memorial Library. This paper, by Señor Don PEDRO E. PAULET, was published as Bulletin No. 5 of the Peruvian Department of Promotion and is devoted to a consideration of the question under three main heads, namely: The utility of a sulphuric-acid factory, which he states to be of great importance in the creation of new industries whose exploitation is at present impossible by reason of the high price of sulphuric acid; (2) the various processes employed in the manufacture of this article, divided into the leaden-chamber process and the contact process, and (3) the conditions of an installation which would be practical in Peru for the satisfaction of immediate necessities and for future needs.

An instructive and interesting article on "Cinchona in the past and the present," appears in the issue for March 27, 1905, of the "AmeriDruggist and Pharmaceutical Record," by P. VAN DER WIELEN.

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