230 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



The plant pathologist is studying the diseases of a number of 

 economic plants, among them coffee, cacao, pineapples, citrus fruits, 

 and bananas. Experiments on soil disinfection for the prevention 

 of the Fusarium disease on pineapples were so successful that treat- 

 ment on a field scale was made during the past year. Spraying 

 experiments with Bordeaux mixture for the control of citrus scab in 

 Porto Eico have been carried on, but the results indicate that under 

 present conditions the disease can not be controlled in this manner. 

 A study was begun on tlie fungi causing root injuries to sugar cane, 

 and a number of species have been identified. 



The Avork with coffee has been continued and extended, experi- 

 ments being made on the renovation of old plantations and the estab- 

 lishment of new ones. A number of foreign coffees have been intro- 

 duced and some of them are now of a bearing age. In addition to 

 the introduction of new varieties, methods of transplanting, fertiliza- 

 tion, and cultivation are being considered. 



Plantings have been made of a large number of tropical economic 

 plants, including vanilla, rubber-yielding plants, cacao, etc., and 

 some investigations looking to the reforestation of portions of the 

 island have been begun. The horticulturist is carrying on a special 

 study on the reasons for the rapid deterioration of vegetables when 

 grown from northern seed, a large number of varieties being experi- 

 mented with. 



The work in improving the live stock of the island is progressing 

 favorably, and the station has introduced six more horses during the 

 year. The woolless sheep introduced from Barbados have proved 

 well adapted to their surroundings, but there is need of some im- 

 provement in their meat-yielding qualities. The experiments with 

 pigs and poultry have been quite successful and the surplus is in 

 great demand by planters and breeders. 



The publications of the station for 1010 consisted of the Annual 

 Report; Bulletin 9, Sugar Cane in Porto Rico; Circulars 11, Soil 

 Disinfection in Agriculture ; and 12, On the " Sick " Soils of Porto 

 Rico. 



The income of the station during the past fiscal year was as 

 follows : 



United States appropriation $28, 000. 00 



Sales and otlier funds 5,814.93 



Total 33, 814. 9: 



The relation of the station and its work to the people of Porto 

 Rico is growing closer with each succeeding year. This is evidenced 

 by the increasing number of visitors seeking information, the growth 

 of the correspondence, and the numerous requests for assistance that 

 involve a personal visit of some member of the station staff. 



