46 



Acre Xo. 2, containinji: l,09o trees, was fertilized December 8, 1903, 

 with 950 pounds Porto Rico hat guano, and produced 350 pounds, as 

 against 206 pounds in 1903, or an increase of 144 pounds. 



Acre No. 3, whicli is situated on the slope immediately below acre 

 No. 2, produced 325 pounds, as against 243 pounds in 1903, an increase 

 of 82 pounds. 



These are the only acre plats that, notwithstanding the unfavorable 

 weather conditions, showed an increase of production, which might be 

 attributed to the application of the bat guano in acre No. 2 and the 

 supplying of plajit food from tlie same to the lower lying No. 3 by rain- 

 water. Bat guano can be had nearly all over the island. 



Harvesting began October 13, 1904, and lasted until February 28, 

 1905, during which time eight pickings at different intervals had to be 

 made. 



Contrary to expectations, the two shoots remaining on each stump, 

 and which have now developed into fair-sized trees, did not blossom 

 to any extent this year. 



The aspects of the two plats, Nos. 9 and 10, have now changed — 

 that is, while before the shoots in No. 9 without shade grew quicker 

 than those in No. 10 where the shade was left, it is now exactly the 

 contrary, and in No. 10 the shoots look much better than in No. 9. 



Plat No. 14, replanted with 164 coffee seedlings and the existing old 

 shade left, is doing very well and the trees are growing nicely. 



Plat No. 16, replanted with 190 coffee seedlings and all shade 

 removed, is not doing so well; some of the seedlings have slowly 

 developed, but others do not seem to prosper in the full sun. 



Both these plats are situated at the lowest altitude of the grounds, 

 and several hundred feet lower than No. 2. 



Plat No. 15, planted to alfalfa, was reseeded with inoculated alfalfa 

 seed, which came up well, but since does not continue to grow. Inspec- 

 tion of the roots did not show -any root tubercles, and as a whole the 

 plat does not look so promising as last year. 



DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS. 



Scale (Saissetia hemisphxrica Targ.) is not so abundant as in 

 former years, which may be due to various parasites. 



Leaf weevils have done considerable damage, eating the leaves 

 and young twigs and in some instances even ruining the young trees. 

 It was noticed that in the neighborhood of Higuerillo trees the weevi's 

 were most abundant. Hand picking in the adult stage was resorted 

 to with apparent success. In some places in the old plantations the 

 weevils also attacked the small green coffee berries, but apparently 

 to no great extent. 



Leaf miners {Leucoptera cofeella Stain.) have increased enormously, 

 and especially in the young coffee up to about 4 feet high. In many 



