REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 219 



The investigations thus far conducted in Alaska have shown that 

 a considerable amount of agriculture is possible in that country; 

 within limits it is possible to recommend varieties of all the better 

 known vegetables for cultivation in the different regions of the 

 Territory, and the possibilities of cattle raising have been fully 

 demonstrated. 



HAWAII. 



In Hawaii the diversification of agricultural industries has been 

 the main problem of the station. Through its efforts a number of 

 new industries have been established and others aided in their devel- 

 opment. Investigations showed the possibility of tobacco growing 

 in Hawaii, and several companies and individuals have engaged in 

 it on a commercial scale. One company expects to plant 200 acres 

 of tobacco in 1913. 



The rapid development of the pineapple industry in Hjvwaii owes 

 not a little to the station, and this crop has become secontT'in impor- 

 tance among the agricultural industries of the islands, the estimated 

 pack of canned pineapples of one of the largest companies being 

 360,000 cases for 1912. 



The station has assisted materially in developing a rubber indus- 

 try in Hawaii, and has shown the possibility of growing cotton on a 

 commercial scale. In this work sea-island and Caravonica cotton 

 are successfully grown as perennial crops, the plants being pruned 

 each year to get the best results. 



A very extensive study of the rice crop has been made, and new 

 varieties of better yielding character have been bred and distributed. 

 The method of fertilizing rice was found faulty, and instead of 

 nitrate of soda being used at an actual loss the crop may be doubled 

 by the use of sulphate of ammonia applied when the crop is sown. 

 Next in efficiency is bean-cake meal. Practical methods for the 

 propagation of choice varieties of tropical fruits have been worked 

 out that are being put in practice not only in Hawaii but elsewhere. 



The peculiarities of the Hawaiian soils are being studied, and the 

 effects of some of the more unusual soil constituents are being tested. 

 A considerable number of forage plants and other plants of eco- 

 nomic importance have been introduced and are receiving wide 

 attention. Insect pests are being studied, and methods for the control 

 of some have been discovered. 



POETO RICO. 



In Porto Rico the problems of diversification of agriculture have 

 been about the same as in Hawaii, where sugar production is the 

 leading industry. The station early took up the problems of citrus- 

 fruit and pineapple production, and the exports of these fruits have 



