PORTO EICO. 189 



coffee diseases, insect pests, coffee improvement, and other phases of 

 the coffee industry. The introduction of the higher priced coffees 

 was continued and some of the Java varieties came into bearing. 

 Some 3-year-old trees bore at the rate of 800 pounds merchantable 

 coffee per acre, while the average of the island is only about 200 

 pounds per acre. Experiments were in progress in transplanting 

 coffee trees and studies were made on the vitality of coffee seeds, the 

 most economical and effective means of improving the productivity of 

 coffee plantations, diseases and insect pests, and other problems of a 

 similar nature. Among the coffee diseases, a root disease, a leaf spot, 

 and a spotting of the fruit received most attention. A number of 

 minor coffee diseases, together with some of the fungus and other 

 troubles of cacao, coconuts, and bananas were also investigated, and a 

 bud rot of coconut trees found at various places on the island was 

 studied to determine the causative organism. Other work of the 

 pathologist included the study of citrus diseases, especially gummosis, 

 and of the nodules on the roots of the royal palm to determine some 

 facts regarding their origin and function. 



The station was active in interesting the people of the island in 

 apiculture not only for the production of honey but also for the 

 greater fertilization of flowers in citrus orchards and coffee planta- 

 tions brought about by the bee visitors. Further attention was given 

 to the insects affecting citrus fruits, although less injuiy was reported 

 than formerly. A number of pests of the mango was investigated 

 with a view to controlling them, and studies were also made of the 

 coffee ant. insect pests of guavas, and of mosquito breeding. The 

 entomologist found that mosquitoes did not breed in the mangrove 

 swamps near San Juan. 



The horticultural work was considerably extended and the study of 

 stocks, fertilizers, and cover crops for citrus fruits was continued. 

 Attention was given to varieties of citrus fruits adapted to Porto 

 Rico, and data were collected to determine the causes of their great 

 variation in productivity, character of fruit, and other features. Ex- 

 periments were conducted on the introduction and propagation of the 

 better varieties of mangoes, and definite consideration was given to 

 the question of shade and leguminous cover crops in pineapple cul- 

 ture. The station had 27 varieties of pineapples under observation, 

 and carried on experiments on the fumigation of pineapple slips be- 

 fore planting for the destruction of mealy bugs. The banana planta- 

 tion was moved to more suitable ground, and of a large number of 

 varieties 25 were selected for further study. 



Work was underway on the improvement of yams, yautias, sweet 

 potatoes, pigeon peas, beans, and other commonly grown crops. The 

 work with vegetables was continued to determine the cause of rapid 



