OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 805 



desirable ones are being grown at the station and the seed is dis- 

 tributed for growing among cane, orchard, and other crops. An at- 

 tempt is being made to induce the laborers on plantations to plant 

 some of the quick-growing varieties of beans for the food obtained, 

 while the planter at the same time receives the benefit of the cover 

 crop and the nitrogen which has been taken from the air. 



The experiments on the supposed deterioration of vegetables 

 grown from northern seed have been in progress for six years, and 

 no deterioration due to environment has been observed in beans, 

 tomatoes, okra, peppers, and lettuce. The coffee varieties under in- 

 vestigation have been extended to include Guillon, Bourbon, robusta, 

 and several selected strains of individual plants. The seed of the 

 best of these is being distributed to planters. A study on the 

 adaptability of certain types of soils to coffee production has been 

 completed within the year, and the results of the investigation are 

 being compiled for publication. Some interest has been manifest in 

 vanilla production, and the station has sent out cuttings to planters 

 who will undertake the growing of this crop. The mango collection 

 has been extended to include about 60 varieties, and several thousand 

 trees of the better varieties have been distributed. With the accessi- 

 bility of good markets the growing of this and other tropical fruits 

 for export should become an important industry. Other important 

 horticultural work includes selection and fertilizer experiments with 

 coconuts, methods for growing root crops, the introduction, testing, 

 and distribution of economic plants, etc. 



The entomological work for the past year has included a study of 

 coffee insects, the life history of the changa or mole cricket, insect 

 pests of vegetables, and beekeeping. In connection with the latter 

 there has been an extensive distribution of honey-yielding plants to 

 regions where they are not already abundant. 



The work on the introduction and breeding of live stock has been 

 continued along the original lines, and the station has built up a 

 valuable herd of dairy cattle, containing Guernsey, Jersey, and 

 Shorthorn breeds. 



There is an urgent need in Porto Eico for demonstration and ex- 

 tension Avork among the people of the island. The station has a 

 large amount of data concerning agricultural and horticultural prac- 

 tices that would be of value if more generally adopted. There are 

 at present no adequate means for disseminating this information, and 

 one of the most pressing needs is for more funds, so that this work 

 can be taken up by the station in a thorough, systematic manner. 



GUAM STATION. 



During the past year considerable attention has been given to pre- 

 paring the newly acquired land at Cotot for experimental purposes. 

 A large amount of fencing has been completed and arrangements 

 have been made for caring for most of the live stock at this place, 

 the central station not having enough land for pasture and forage 

 production in addition to the area devoted to experimental purposes. 

 A number of minor improvements and repairs were made to the 

 station buildings. A new water supply was secured through the dig- 

 ging of a large well, which at the end of the dry season yielded 9,000 



22814°— AGB 1915 20 



