rVT EEPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion of Hawaiian foods and feeding material all should be given atten- 

 tion. Investigations should be made as the occasion requires of other 

 agricultural products which may lead to the establishment of local 

 industries, such as fiber plants, tans, dyestuffs, rubber, vanilla, coffee, 

 tobacco, silk, fruits, and vegetables. 



Considering the numerous agricultural problems requiring investi- 

 gation in the Territory of Hawaii, the experiment station there should 

 have added to the station force a chemist; the apparatus and other equip- 

 ment should also be increased, and provision made for the Drinting and 

 distribution of station publications. 



Porto Rico Experiment Station. 



The agricultural experiment station in Porto Rico is now established 

 on a permanent basis. This result has been secured through the coop- 

 eration of the insular government and legislature. A bill aj^pro- 

 priating $15,000 for the purchase of a suitable tract of land for the sta- 

 tion was passed in Februaiy, 1902. Under this law bids were called 

 for which were closed the 12th of May. The result of these negotia- 

 tions was the purchase of approximately 230 acres of land adjacent to 

 the city of Mayaguez. The land is varied in character and well located 

 with reference to the city. It gives promise of making a very desir- 

 able site on which to carry out the objects of the experiment station. 



On this tract it is proposed to begin field tests of leguminous crops, 

 grasses, corn, rice, beans, and vegetables. A nursery and orchard of 

 tropical fruits, including those grown on the island, and promising 

 varieties from other countries will be established for experimental 

 purposes. With • the temporary experiments undertaken last year 

 much useful information has been obtained regarding soil and climatic 

 conditions as related to the growth of crops in the island. An important 

 study has also been made of the Changa, a mole cricket, which is the 

 most injurious insect of the island, and a bulletin regarding this insect 

 will soon be published in both Spanish and English for distribution in 

 Porto Rico. Experiments looking toward the improvement of coffee, 

 now grown so largel}^ in the island, have already been well begun, 

 and it is proposed to extend them materially during the coming year. 



It is important that the Porto Rico station should undertake experi- 

 ments with live stock, but it will not be possible to do much in this 

 direction unless the resources of the station are increased. Additional 

 funds will be required for the emplo3^ment of a competent live-stock 

 expert, the purchase of animals, and the general expenses of feeding 

 experiments. In order to effectively conduct experiments with fruits 

 a horticulturist should be added to the station staff. 



Now that the Porto Rico station is permanently located, it should, 

 in my judgment, receive the same financial support from the National 

 Treasury as is given to the stations organized under the act of Con- 



