22 



Roots of ramie (B(ehmeria nivea) were set in a moist location near 

 the propaj^atintj house, where they rapidly attained a considerable 

 height. The plat of cadillo ( Urena lohata) attained 12 feet m height, 

 and the plants were almost branchless on account of the thick stand 

 which was allowed to grow from volunteers. Samples of this fiber were 

 prepared both by retting and by the dry stripping process; though the 

 strength is great, the interlacing of the separate fibers is prohibitive 

 to their successful combing by machinery. The Bahama sisal and 

 the native maguey plants continue to make a good growth, while the 

 plants of the "Cocuisa" do not show a satisfactory growth. 



On account of the large number of seeds and plants received in 

 exchange from botanical stations in the West Indies and other tropical 

 countries, it was decided to lay out a small botanic garden for the 

 reception of those plants which did not properly belong either in the 

 forest plat or in the fruit orchard. About fifty species of more or less 

 economic importance were set in permanent positions in the coffee 

 grove north of the station office; coffee trees were left for shade. 



Experiments in the manufacture of starches and flours from various 

 native roots and fruits were continued throughout the greater part of 

 the year. Samples of these products were sent to the Bureau of Chem- 

 istry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and to several food 

 experts. Some of the results were decidedly promising. Work with 

 the banana coffees was also begun, but not completed; the varie- 

 ties of plantain gave the best results both for a well-flavored flour and 

 for a coffee substitute. Several varieties of cassava, especially those 

 having bright yellow roots, appear to be particularly adapted to the 

 manufacture of a flour which can be used for nearly any purpose to 

 wliich wheat flour is adapted. The distinctive flavors are fairly well 

 retained if the sliced roots are dried at a low temperature. Several 

 varieties of yautias, particularly those having pink or purplish tubers, 

 produce attractive looking flours which retain the highly nutritious 

 and delicately flavored properties of the fresh tubers. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY. 



A second parasite of the cofl'ee leaf-miner (Leucoptera cofeella Stain.) 

 was discovered working in the same leaf mines with the common 

 (Jhrysocharis livida Ashm. This rare parasite, which seems to be 

 strictly primary, has been determined by Dr. William H. Ashmead as 

 Zagrammosoma multilineata, and was first described by him from the 

 locust leaf Tineid (Lithocolletis ornatella Chambers) of Kansas. 

 Samples of infested coffee leaves were requested to be sent in to the 

 station from all sections of the island, and, contrary to expectations, 

 the parasite Chrysocharis livida proved to be distributed throughout 

 the island; hence the breeding experiments were discontinued. The 

 action of the latter parasite at the experiment station grounds has 



