demands of the commissaries and hotels which were established for the benefit of the employees could not be met, and no reliance could be placed on them, consequently the large bulk of the foodstuffs had to be shipped from the United States and European markets. Of course the complaints were not long in reaching the ears of the authorities at Washington and investigations were the order of the day. The result was always the same criticism of existing conditions and recommendations that means be taken to supply the people of the Zone with the fruit and fresh vegetables to which they had been accustomed at home. It was difficult to carry out the recommendations until ample shipping facilities equipped for the transportation of such supplies were provided, but every effort was made to improve the conditions. An agriculturist was employed and vegetable gardens started, seeds were procured and distributed among the natives, with the hope of getting them interested, an agricultural survey was begun, and the matter was brought to the attention of Congress which passed a law permitting the leasing of lands for agricultural purposes, all with the hope that something might be done toward securing a supply of suitable vegetables. For the truck gardens the most suitable lands in the vicinity of the largest settlements of canal workers were selected, and cultivated for two years, when they were abandoned. The excessive rains during eight to nine months of the year, followed by three or four months of drought, gave too much water during the greater part of the year and too little for the rest. Ants and other insects played havoc with the crops that had not rotted. The expense incurred was prohibitive, and as the cost of the canal had been fixed by the bond issue and there was a desire to complete it within the estimates, agriculture had to be abandoned. The natives had been induced to plant the seeds distributed among them, but even in the rare cases in which the patches were looked after the crops were failures so far as securing any supply was concerned. The agricultural survey was not encouraging except in so far as showing that certain tropical fruits could be produced; and no hopes were offered which could be used as an inducement to the American farmer to take up lands, for no assurance could be given that he would be able to make a living. The survey did show, however, that if Congress would appropriate eight to ten thousand dollars per annum for experimentation in treatment of the soil, special varieties of temperate zone vegetables might be grown eventually, but that it |