REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 105 



visual evidence of the results of scientific investigations carried on 

 elsewhere. These demonstration farms, in conjunction with an effort 

 in marketing carried on by tlie Territor}^, it is believed, will aid very 

 materially in diversifying the agriculture of the islands. 



POBTO BICO STATION. 



The work of the Porto Rico Station has been continued along the 

 original lines looking to the proper diversification of the agriculture 

 of that island. The fiuit industry is rapidly increasing in impor- 

 tance, the exports having increased in value from $100,000 in 1901 to 

 over $2,350,000 in 1911. This rapid development has resulted in part 

 at least from the horticultural investigations of the station, which 

 have demonstrated the importance of windbreaks, choice of soils, 

 proper handling of fruit, orchard management, etc. The introduction 

 and propagation of improved varieties of tropical fruits is rec^eiving 

 much attention. Some of these new varieties have fruited and their 

 superiority is plainly shown. Cover crops for orchards are being 

 investigated with pronounced success. The introduction and plant- 

 ing of Eucalyptus trees is being continued, and varieties have been 

 found that are making good growth on the higher and drier lands. 

 The chemical work continues to be largely a study of soil problems. 

 The effect of strongly calcareous soils in inducing chlorosis of pine- 

 apples, rice, and other plants has been demonstrated. The fertilizer 

 requirements of the red-clay soils are being investigated, and the 

 causes that result in the so-called " sick " soils are being sought with 

 a view to their probable correction. The plant pathologist and the 

 entomologist are devoting much of their time to coffee pests. The 

 definite causes of several diseases have been worked out and means 

 for their control are being sought. The entomologist is propagating 

 and distributing beneficial fungi and insects for the destruction of 

 certain insect pests. The experiments in the introduction of forage 

 plants are being continued, and among the most promising new 

 plants for this purpose are molasses grass, Rhodes grass, and 

 Pasfdlurrv dilatahim. Some of these appear drought resistant, and 

 it is thought they will prove valuable for pasture purposes. 



The work in improving the live stock is making satisfactory 

 progress. The station added a saddle-bred stallion and a young 

 Morgan stallion to its equipment of stock during the year. The latter 

 animal was secured by transfer from the Bureau of Animal Industry 

 of this dejiartment. The number of cross-bred cattle is increasing 

 steadily, and the station has begun the establishment of a daiiy herd. 

 At present the only experiment is the production of milk under proper 

 sanitary conditions. 'Ihe progeny of the half-bred Zebu bulls of the 

 station are in great demand, as the calves are larger, hardier, and 

 make more rapid growth than native-bred calves. The work with 



