INSULAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 31 



Guam that are ordinarily grown as annuals elsewhere. Among the 

 grasses, Paspalum dilatatmn, a native of Brazil that has become 

 established quite extensively elsewhere, gives promise of the greatest 

 value. Guinea grass, that was introduced from Hawaii, is also 

 promising and it is believed that under more favorable circum- 

 stances it will yield heavily. Johnson grass, which was introduced 

 into Guam some years ago under the name Samoa grass, Avas planted 

 at the station, but it has thus far shown no superiority over the two 

 other species mentioned. On account of its tendency to spread and 

 to hold the ground, even against cultivation, it will not be distributed 

 for general planting until its habits in Guam are better known. 



The experiments with leguminous plants proved quite successful, 

 so far as growing the plants was concerned. Cowpeas and velvet 

 beans were found to grow readily and yield a large amount of for- 

 age, but where it was desired to enrich the soil by plowing them 

 under the native plows would not answer the purpose. A variety 

 of bush Lima beans w^as secured that produced an immense amount 

 of leaves on fairly good soil and it was more easily plowed under. 

 The soil of the station, although formerly in cultivation, has, through 

 the common methods of cultivation, been depleted of much of its 

 fertility. It is, however, typical of much of the farm land of Guam, 

 and offers a good opportunity of demonstrating methods of enriching 

 the soil through the use of leguminous crops, etc. 



Some attention was given to corn culture and methods for improv- 

 ing it. Considerable corn is grown in Guam and it forms a staple 

 article of diet, being largely used in the form of corn cakes. The 

 special agent in charge introduced a small hand mill for grinding 

 corn to take the place of the usual laborious method, and he is ex- 

 perimenting with the ground seed of Kafir corn as a substitute for 

 maize meal. An experiment is in progress to determine a practicable 

 method of storing corn and other grains. Great losses are occa- 

 sioned by weevils and rots due to the excessive humidity, and as a 

 result only limited quantities are commonly stored. A method of 

 kiln drying and sealing in tanks was successfully tried as a means 

 of preventing loss and providing a supply for future use. 



A number of the fruits and vegetables introduced by the station are 

 giving excellent results. Pineapples and avocados introduced through 

 the Hawaii Experiment Station are thriving, the first avocados pro- 

 duced on the island being from seed sent to Guam from Honolulu 

 for planting in the governor's garden some four or five years ago. 

 Several varieties of sweet potatoes were introduced from Hawaii 

 and they proved superior to anything previously grown in Guam. 

 Experiments are in progress with a large number of other field 

 crops and vegetables, and with some considerable success has been 

 attained. 



