702 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



nutrition of pigs, begun last year, have been concluded, and the re- 

 sults indicate that calcium chlorid can profitably be used with rations 

 deficient in lime. 



Some preliminary investigations in the production of forage crops 

 have been begun and a variety of sorghum introduced from Barbados 

 has given heavy yields on dry, hilly lands. The work in making and 

 feeding silage has been continued, and it appears that the production 

 of good silage offers fewer obstacles than in a temj^erate climate. 



The study of the cause of chlorosis in pineapples has been con- 

 cluded and the results have l^een presented for publication. It was 

 found that the condition for chlorosis was too much carbonate of lime 

 in the soil. Two or more per cent of calcium carbonate in soils was 

 found detrimental to pineapple growing, and a survey of soils is 

 recommended before planting to this crop. The effect of strongly 

 calcareous soils, as well as those deficient in lime, in causing physi- 

 ological derangements of plants is receiving attention. Investiga- 

 tions on the lime and magnesium ratio for the proper nutrition of 

 plants and animals are in progress, the studies being made with rice 

 and pigs. Further work is being done on the disinfection of Porto 

 Ivican soils which have become unproductive through the presence 

 of various organisms, but a greater range of experiments are neces- 

 sary before definite conclusions can be drawn. 



During the past year an association of the sugar planters of the 

 island established an experiment station, placing a tonnage tax on 

 their product for its maintenance. This station will study the pecu- 

 liar problems relative to the production and manufacture of sugar 

 and the Federal station will be relieved of much work it l-id been 

 imjDelled to carry on with this crop. Some cane breeding and a few 

 cooperative experiments that were begun some years ago will be con- 

 cluded, but otherwise investigations on this crop will be discontinued. 



The efforts of the station to secure diversification are meeting with 

 success, and intensive farming is assuming its proper place in the 

 agriculture of Porto Rico. 



GUAM STATION. 



Much work has been done at the Guam Station in the construction 

 of new buildings, building roads, clearing and draining lands, etc. 

 The new office building was completed and occupied in the fall of 

 1910, and the use of the rented quarters was discontinued. A store- 

 house in which to keep the farm implements was completed during 

 the year, as was a stock barn 30 by 40 feet in extent. This gives 

 ample space for 12 head of stock, with the necessar}^ feed and storage 

 room for a large amount of hay or other forage. The road system 

 has been extended by the construction of about 1,000 feet of cascajo 

 road, and walks have been made about the new office building. A 

 lawn of Bermuda grass has been established, and ornamental and 

 hedge plants set out. These are kept clean and in order as examples 

 of neatness and cleanliness, w^hich are generally lacking about the 

 native home. Upon the occupanc}^ of the new quarters it was possi- 

 ble to inaugurate a system of records that a lack of suitable office 

 space made impossible. Considerable additions were made to the 

 office equipment, and the beginning has been made of a station 

 library. 



