REPORT ON AGRICULTURAI. 1\\T:ST1GATI0NS IN 

 PORTO RICO, 1905. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The work of an a<j;ri{'iiltural experiment station in the Tropics is in 

 many ways quite different from tliat of stations in the Tenii)erate 

 Zone. This seems pecuhar, as it would appear at first glance that 

 methods which are successful in the Temperate Zone would prove 

 feasi})le in the Torrid Zone, but the conditions are so different that 

 presupposed considerations are often in error. The growing season 

 extends throughout the twelve months of the year, but there is 

 quite a variation caused largely by rainfall and perhaps other causes 

 that are not now kno\ra. Ex])erimental work in the Tropics is 

 almost altogether ])ioneer work, for in obtaining results methods 

 worked out in other regions are of no avail and sometimes apt to 

 prove misleading. 



With the present knowledge of the methods of dissemination and 

 control of yellow and malarial fevers there is destined to be at an early 

 date a great forward movement in the production and resultant pros- 

 perity of the Tropics. Already there is a distinct immigration of 

 northern peoples into this zone, and the returns from capital invested 

 are becoming more and more remunerative. In furthering the inter- 

 ests of this region of the earth, bringing into it increased prosperity, 

 there is no factor capable of doing so much good as agricultural experi- 

 ment stations. The problems facing these stations are manifold ; the 

 questions before the investigator being so many and so varied he ap- 

 pears almost overwhelmed at the beginning of the work. With so 

 many questions for solution it is readily apparent that the men and 

 means available are wholly inadequate to the work in hand . In view of 

 this condition the policy of the Porto Rico Experiment Station is to 

 confme its efforts to a few lines and carry them to a successful issue 

 before taking up others. In selecting lines of work it has sought to 

 develop those productions and methods that with quick results will 

 redound to the greatest good of the inhabitants of the island. It is 

 necessary, therefore, that the first experiments be of a practical na- 

 ture, leaving the more obscure problems for later consideration. 



During the past year there has been a decided improvement in the 

 agricultural conditions of the island. Some crops that have been 



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