434 KKl'OKT OK OFFIPK oV EXTKllTMKNT STATIONS. 



Arrowroot {Mnrfnif(( HnnuUnacea) is t"rc((U(Mjtly loiiiid o-i-<)win<;- wild 

 about tlH> ])ljmtiiti()iis; it rcsjjonds readily to cultivation, but requires 

 a fairly rich soil to produce a profitable yield. 



The sword or horse ])v\\n {('(UKinil la (jldtVniiii) has j>;iven good results 

 as a .soiliiiii" crop. 



Cowitch {Mii<'unaj>r)irl< nx) produces a heavy g-rowth of vine, but can 

 not be utilized as a soilini;- crop on account of tlu^ poisonous bristles 

 on the pods in place of the '* velvet'' of the velvet bean. 



Two plats of sweet g-ing-er {Zirujihe)' offichKilc) made a good growth 

 in sandy soil at Rio Piedras; the seed roots, however, remained some 

 four months in the ground ])efore sprouting. In clay loam at Maya- 

 guez the crop has proved a failure. 



A plat of Iledionda [Cansia oecideyitalu) did not respond to cultiva- 

 tion in the tests at Rio Piedras. The seeds of this plant are commonly- 

 mixed with coti'ee by the ])ooi-er classes, ])oth for its reputed niedicinal 

 (piulities and as an adulterant. 



liUI.KS, 



The following varieties of bul})s were received from a wholesale 

 ilori.st in Hoboken, N. J., for testing at Rio Piedras: 



Lilium longijlormn^ L. long Iflor ion giganteum, L. longijloruin 

 eximimn^ L. harrhll^ Fretma refracta nVxi^ ''White Roman" hya- 

 cinth, and "Paper White" narcissus. 



Although the bulbs of the Easter lily (Z. JtHrrisU) were so badl}' 

 affected with a fungus disease prevalent in Bermuda that about 25 per 

 cent were destroyed upon arrival, fully 75 per cent of those planted 

 reached a height of 12 to 18 inches and ))ore one or two (rareh^ three) 

 good-sized flowers each. Practically all tlie plants showed traces of 

 the fungus disease wdiich has caused such I'avages in the Bermuda 

 fields during the last few 3'ears. Many plants, however, ripened seed, 

 and about 85 per cent of the builds dug in August were apparently 

 almost free from the disease. The average number of the "seed" 

 bulbs produced on the stem above the old bulb was three to five; these 

 appeared much more healthy than the old ])ulbs. 



It is quite possible that the Bernmda or Easter lily can be success- 

 fulh' grown in the island, and at the present price (about $8 per 

 thousand) the business should l»e fairh' profitable. When planted in 

 November a crop ma}^ be harvested in July or August, in time for the 

 September trade. 



According to our exp(>riments, a light but rich sandy loam is pre- 

 ferred. Shade i)ro\'ed deleterious. The change did practically no 

 damage to this crop. Neither of the two fei-tilized plats responded 

 appreciaV)ly. 



Of the Longiflorum varieties the Gigantium produced more flowers; 

 both of these varieties were somewhat later in flowering than the Har- 

 risii, and both showed serious traces of fungus disease. 



