Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

EDUCATIONAL SECTION

201

properties and manufacture for national defense is also of great
importance. The chemical warfare is considered the most effective and at the same time the least costly for national defense.
Then there is the engineering side which also must not be overlooked. The use of the airplane, submarine and the utilization
of artillery guns make us realize the many scientific problems
Which an independent nation must face in order that it may
survive.
The Philippines is fortunate in being endowed by nature
with potential wealth in agriculture, forestry and mines. The
agricultural wealth of the country is the dominant element in
our national economic structures. But in order that agriculture
can be developed profitably on a permanent basis science must
be called to service. Our great export crops of sugar, coconut,
abaca, tobacco, together with other minor crops, and that of
rice which is the food of the nation, must be developed along
scientific lines to increase or maintain the present high production. These crops must also be protected from the ravages
of plant pests and diseases. Our sad experience with the once
profitable coffee industry of Lipa and the present menace of
the leaf miner on the vast coconut plantations of central Luzon
should give us ample cause for reflection. Scientific investigations to counteract serious destruction by plant pests on our
money crops are imperative. Systematic experimentation should
also be carried out for the principal crops with a view to study
the method of cultivation, plant breeding and fertilization in
order that profitable crop can be assured to the farmer. It is
necessary that scientific work must be undertaken hand in hand
with the growth and development of our agriculture.
The proper utilization of our agricultural products as well
as those of our natural resources would require the establishment of technical industries. No nation can go very far in
economic prosperity and general progress by being contented to
produce raw materials for export. The modern tendency
among progressive peoples is to utilize the raw agricultural
products and materials from natural resources and elaborate
them as much as possible into finished products for export
abroad. In this manner better prices are obtained and at the