REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF STATES RELATIONS SERVICE. 311 



available nitrogenous fertilizers when the plants are in flower re- 

 sults in increased yields of marketable coffee. 



The plant pathologist is making a study of the diseases of the 

 banana and it is believed that the cause of one of the most destructive 

 has been identified and promising methods for its control have been 

 found. The entomologist has about concluded life history studies of 

 the changa or mole cricket, a most serious pest to many crops. He 

 is also working on cattle ticks to determine if possible a method of 

 eradication applicable to Porto Rican conditions. Cooperative work 

 for the control of coffee insects has been arranged with a number of 

 growers in the worst affected districts. 



The work in the improvement of cattle was continued and experi- 

 ments in butter making m the Tropics under modern sanitary meth- 

 ods were begun. 



It has long been felt that the results of the station's investigations 

 were not reaching man} r who were in need of the information. Many 

 of the people of Porto Rico are remotely situated and know the 

 Spanish language only, and while the publications of the station that 

 are of general interest are issued in that language they do not seem 

 to achieve their full mission. Some demonstration work has been 

 done on a small scale, but it is planned to engage actively in a cam- 

 paign for the visual instruction of the people. 



The station is handicapped in its work with fruits of many kinds 

 by its location. The soil at Mayaguez is a heavy clay and is not 

 adapted to growing citrus fruits, avocadoes, and many other tropical 

 fruits. A branch station on the northern side of the island where the 

 fruit-raising industry is extensively developed is urgently needed so 

 that the problems of varieties, methods of cultivation, packing, 

 shipping, diseases, insect pests, etc., could be given attention. 



Guam Station. 



The construction work completed during the past fiscal year per- 

 mitted the proper housing of the live stock and the protection of the 

 tools and implements from the weather. An adequate sewer system 

 has been planned and its construction was begun near the close of 

 the year. The number of visitors to the station was more than three 

 times that of any previous year, indicating a largely increased in- 

 terest in the work. The station continued to be in charge of A. C. 

 Hartenbower as agronomist. 



The work with the live stock was continued along the lines that 

 have been previously described. In December, 1915, 2 Toggenburg 

 buck goats, 2 Berkshire boars, and 14 cockerels, representing the 

 Brown Leghorn, Barred Plymouth Rock, and Rhode Island Red 

 breeds, were added to the breeding stock of the station. These were 

 the first additions to the pure-bred stock of the station since the 

 initial shipment in 1911, a lack of transportation having made it im- 

 possible to add to the herds and flocks as soon as was desired. The 

 added stock was received in good condition, although the trip by 

 schooner from San Francisco required 43 days. As a result of the 

 previous shipment numerous grade animals were available for further 

 experiments when the new stock arrived, and work was begun to 

 determine the comparative effects of different amounts of pure blood 

 on development, disease resistance, etc., in the progeny. 



