OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 835 



vestigations in bud variation, comparison of improved varieties, and 

 the testing of various stocks. The conditions for marketing oranges 

 have been given some attention, and the value of care in handling in 

 picking and in transit has been demonstrated. The mango plant- 

 ings of the station have been increased by importations from a num- 

 ber of countries. Methods of propagation, testing of seedlings of 

 different varieties, cultural methods, and investigations on handling 

 and shipping of fruit have been continued. Ten of the superior im- 

 ported varieties fruited at the station during the past year, and all 

 the fruits were of good quality. 



Testing of cover crops for coconut groves and a cooperative ex- 

 periment on the fertilization of coconut groves, which experiment 

 occupies 8 acres, have been begim, and in addition the subjects of 

 cultivation, selection, nursery propagation, etc., are being given atten- 

 tion. Variety testing, experiments in fertilization, planting, cultiva- 

 tion, etc., are being carried on with yams, yautias, dasheens, and sweet 

 potatoes. The sweet potato thus far has proved only fairly prolific, 

 though the tubers have been of good quality. The other crops men- 

 tioned are very thrifty and heavy yielders. An experiment in plant- 

 ing various species of Eucalyptus has been begun, duplicating the 

 varieties which during the previous years were set on low, poorly 

 drained land. These varieties have now been planted on higher 

 ground, and while the growth has not been as vigorous as on the low 

 land many varieties which almost failed to grow in the first situation 

 have made good growth on the higher lands. 



The chemical work has not included any new problems, but definite 

 progress is reported on all the investigations under way. These in- 

 clude studies on the bat guanos of Porto Rico, the eilect of strongly 

 calcareous soils on the growth and composition of various plants, the 

 action of lime in inducing chlorosis in rice, field plat work in con- 

 nection with a study of chlorosis of the sugar cane, and plat work 

 to determine the fertilizer requirements of red clay soils, and on a 

 nmnber of the investigations the publication of some of the results 

 is promised. 



The work in animal husbandry is making encouraging progress. 

 The horses taken down several years ago have attracted a great deal 

 of attention among breeders, and their service is in strong demand. 

 A Morgan yearling colt w\as obtained during the year by transfer 

 from the Bureau of Animal Industry of this department, and a three- 

 year-old saddle-bred horse was purchased by the station. The num- 

 ber of cross-bred animals in the station herd of cattle is ^adually in- 

 creasing and taking the place of native stock. These include half- 

 bred Shorthorns, Guernseys, and Jerseys, and will form a nucleus of 

 a dairy herd. Owing to the lack of equipment and funds it has been 

 impossible to carry on experimental work in dairy development, and 

 the investigations thus far have been confined to the handling of 

 milk in a sanitary manner. About 100 calves have been obtained dur- 

 ing the year from the half-bred 2^bu bulls, and there is a strong de- 

 mand for them. These calves are much larger, hardier, and make 

 more rapid growth than pure native-bred calves. The station's work 

 with hogs was interrupted by the complete destruction of the herd by 

 an infectious disease during the year. The work with poultry has 

 been continued with satisfaction. In connection with live-stock de- 

 velopment the introduction of a larger variety of forage crops is con- 



