190 KEPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



deterioration in quality. Some attention was given to ornamental 

 trees and shrubs and hardwood and nut-bearing trees. 



The chemical department made decided progress during the year, 

 a large amount of analytical Avork was completed, and a number of 

 important lines of investigation was continued. These included 

 studies on soil disinfection, the availability of nitrogen, and phos- 

 phoric acid in the native bat guanos, the effect of strongly calcare- 

 ous soils on the groAvth and composition of plants, the action of lime 

 in inducing chlorosis of plants, and the effect of various ratios of 

 lime and magnesia on tlie growth of plants. In the study of the 

 cause of chlorosis of pineapples it was found that the trouble was 

 brought about by too much carbonate of lime in the soil, 2 or more 

 per cent of this substance proving detrimental. 



The work in animal husbandry Avas considerably broadened and it 

 now includes horse breeding to improve size and conformation, breed- 

 ing for work oxen, breeding of dairy cattle as well as the introduction 

 and breeding of hogs, sheep, and poultry. Investigations on the min- 

 eral nutrition of pigs indicated that calcium chlorid can profitably be 

 used Avith rations deficient in lime. The Avork begun in dairying 

 was confined to the more sanitary handling of milk. Some pre- 

 liminary Avork in the production of forage crops Avas begun and a 

 variety of sorghum introduced from Barbados gaA^e heaA-y yields on 

 dry hilly lands. AVork in maldng and feeding silage Avas continued 

 and apparently the production of good silage offers fcAver obstacles 

 than in a temperate climate. 



The cooperative work with planters and orchardists was extended 

 in many parts of the island and experiments on various types of soil, 

 the effect of climatic conditions, and other factors Avere included. 

 During the past year a number of planters spent several Aveeks at the 

 station studying improA'ed methods of agricultural practice. 



An association of the sugar planters of the island established 

 durijig the past year an experiment station to take up the study of 

 the peculiar problems relative to the production and manufactui-e of 

 sugar. This movement Avill relieve the Federal station of much 

 work with this crop. Some cane breeding and a fcAv cooperative 

 studies begun some years ago Avill be continued, but otherAvise inves- 

 tigations on this crop Avill be concluded. 



The publications received from this station during the year Avere 

 as folloAvs: liulletins 9 (Spanish edition). Sugar Cane in Porto Kico; 

 and 10, Insects Injurious to Citrus Fruits and Methods for Com- 

 bating Them. 



The income of the station during the past fiscal jeAr Avas as follows : 



United States appropriation $28,000.00 



Sales and other funds 2,382.81 



Total 30, 382. 81 



