ted in seeing the shrubs in bearing.

The Philippines are about the only place I have found since leaving
home where the people are not trying to grow cotton. In California, in
the Hawaiian Islands, in Japan, in Korea, and even in Manchuria as far
north as Philadelphia, I have found the plants, and of course in China
proper. But I should add just here, that in Southern China, about
Canton, I did not find cotton. As for the industry in the Philippines,
a Southern man, now connected with the Agricultural Department in
Manila, said to me: "Cotton acts funny here. It runs to weed. I
planted some and it opened five or six bolls a stalk and then quit:
died down." He showed me some "tree cotton," about twenty feet high,
and also some of the Caravonica cotton from Australia, which is itself
much like a small tree.

When it comes to the lumber industry, not even Col. Mulberry Sellers
would be likely to overestimate the possibilities the Philippines
offer. There are literally millions in it. The government is leasing
immense areas on a stumpage royalty of about 1 per cent., and as
railways are built the industry will expand. Fortunately, there are
strict regulations to prevent the destruction of the forests. They
must be used, not wasted. The authorities realize that while timber is
a crop like other crops, it differs from the other crops in that the
harvesting must {167} never be complete. The cutting of trees below a
certain minimum size is forbidden.

And now a word as to the activities of the American Government in the
islands and the agencies through which these activities are conducted.
The supreme governing body is known as the Philippine Commission,
consisting of the Governor-General, who is ex-officio president, and
seven other members (four Americans, three Filipinos) appointed by the
President of the United States. Four of these commissioners (three of
these are Americans) are heads of departments, having duties somewhat
like those of Cabinet officers in America. This commission is not only
charged with the executive duties, but it acts as the Upper House or
Senate of the Philippine Congress. That is to say, the voters elect an
Assembly corresponding to our House of Representatives, but no
legislation can become effective unless approved by the Philippine
Commission acting as the Upper House. In the first two elections,
those of 1907 and 1909, the advocates of early independence, opponents
of continued American supr