PORTO RICO EXPERIMENT STATION. 455 



why they could not be grown there proHtuhly for the United States 

 market. At present tlie subject seems to be receiving- no attention. 

 To successfully develop this, or in fact any other branch of the fruit 

 business, better transportation facilities will be necessary. The present 

 steamer service is poorly adapted for the transportation of perishable 

 fruits. 



Pineapples thrive in many parts of the island. The finest ones 

 seen were in the neighborhood of Lajas, southeast of Majaguez. A 

 juunbcr of acres arc grown here for the Mayaguez and Ponce 

 markets. Some have been shipped to the States, but usually with 

 unsatisfactor}' results, and the impression prevails that Porto Kican 

 pines do not ship well. This is not remarkable when we remember 

 that they are hauled in hulk often 15 miles in ox carts over a very 

 rough road l)efore being packed for shipment. Under these condi- 

 tions it would be indeed astonishing if any arrive in good condition. 

 The completion of' the railroad now building between Mavaguez and 

 Yauco will make it possihle to deliver these at the seaboard in good 

 condition, when their shii)ping qualities can be fairly tested. There is 

 now a considera])le connnercial ])lanting of pines in the neighborhood 

 of San Juan. Some shipments from this region are reported as prov- 

 ing satisfactory and as carrying w(^ll. 1 see no reason why the grow- 

 ing of pin(»s should not l)ecom»» a large and profitable industry. A 

 small (aiming factory has been esUiblished at Mayaguez, which, if suc- 

 ce.-«sful, will lead to a largely increased home market. Pineapples 

 seem verv healthy in Porto Rico. No diseases or serious insect pests 

 were observed. 



Many thousands of orange trees have been planted during the past 

 two years, and the indications arc that these plantings will be largely 

 increased in the near future. The prospects for developing a success- 

 full oranw industrv seem verv fiattering. There is an altundance of 

 suitable land at reasonalile prices. The quality of the fruit is good. 

 Cheap labor, cheap freight rates, and the a])sence of tjirifi' charges will 

 make it possible to place Porto Kican oranges on the American market 

 in competition with those grown in other countries. The climate is 

 favora))le, and so far no diseases or insect pests have been observed that 

 are not to be encountered elsewhere with equal severity. Numerous 

 kinds of scale inse(;ts occur, any one of which would be capable of doing 

 great harm, but, as will l)e shown later, each seems to be held in check 

 >)y one or more natural enemies. The Inisiness is still in its infancy, 

 none of the recently jjlanted groves having reached bearing age, and 

 unforeseen troubles may, of course, develop; but the occurrence of old, 

 healthy, and j)roductive sweet seedling trees in all parts of the island 

 argues well for the future success of the industry. Many other trop- 

 ical fruits occur in Porto Rico. \\'ith the development of transporta- 

 tion facilities, especially when refrigerator transportation can be 



