PORTO RICO STATION. 25 



Tlio liorticiiltnrist is giving particular attention to the subject of 

 shipping and marketing tropical fruits. Avocados have been suc- 

 cessfully shipped from Honolulu to Xew York City, Guam, and 

 Manila. Following these experimental shipments, arrangements 

 were made for trial shipments of pineapples, papayas, bananas, and 

 avocados to San Francisco and other cities on the Pacific coast. 

 These were accompanied by the horticulturist, in order that the 

 methods of packing and handling in transit and at the destination 

 could be studied. The tests w^ere highl}^ successful, and it is believed 

 that enlarged markets for these fruits are assured whenever regular 

 supplies can be obtained. The collections of citrus fruits are being 

 extended, and attempts are being made to awaken an interest in the 

 production of more and better varieties of these and other kinds of 

 tropical and subtropical fruits. 



PORTO RICO STATION. 



The progress of agriculture in Porto Rico wdth which the ex- 

 periment station has been connected has been decidedly marked dur- 

 ing the past year. An increase in the interest regarding the work 

 of the station can be noticed, and there is a growing desire for the 

 published reports and frequent inquiries regarding the work itself. 

 Sugar planting is being rapidly extended, and modern " centrals '' 

 are taking the place of numerous small mills. The greatest advance 

 during the year has been in the consideration given to the growing 

 and curing of tobacco. Many acres in the interior valleys have been 

 planted to tobacco, and lands suited to this crop have increased enor- 

 mously in value. Numerous large companies have been organized 

 which not only plant extensively, but also purchase the crop of small 

 planters, curing the tobacco themselves. This practice results in a 

 better and more uniform product, and through the adoption of more 

 scientihc methods of curing and fermentation tobacco growing in 

 Porto Rico should become a profitable industry. Large factories 

 have been established at San Juan, Bayamon, and Caguas which em- 

 ploy many people. 



The station is giving especial attention to the planting of citrus 

 fruits and pineapples. Both of these industries have been rapidly 

 extended the jiast few years, and some of the purely local problems 

 regarding them are being given consideration. The station has im- 

 portant collections of citrus fruits and pineapples, and improved 

 methods of propagation, fertilizing, and marketing fruits are being- 

 studied. About 100 varieties of citrus fruits are under observation, 

 and in addition to introduced varieties some native seedlings have 

 been discovered that appear of great promise. Two of these are 

 worthy of special mention. One is a seedless orange, which was 



