1918.] EDITORIAL. 607 



The Guam Station, which was established to aid in restoring the 

 agriculture of the island to its former importance, has had satisfac- 

 tory success in its efforts. In 1911, Morgan horses, Ayrshire cattle, 

 Berkshire pigs, and several breeds of poultry were received for use in 

 breeding up the deteriorated live stock then found on the island. 

 Since that time, other pure-bred animals, including Toggenburg 

 goats, Berkshire pigs, and poultry, have been added to the equipment 

 of the station; and although there have been losses due to various 

 causes among the cattle, pigs, and goats, on the whole the experiment 

 in improving the animals of the island has proved a valuable one, 

 several hybrid races having been established which combine the 

 hardiness of the native stock with the larger size and other desirable 

 qualities of the pure-bred stock. 



Some experiments have been carried on with locally produced feeds 

 from which it has been found that within certain limits, breadfruit, 

 crushed coconuts, coconut meal, etc., can be substituted for imported 

 or locally grown grain in feeding horses, cattle, pigs, and poultry. 

 Preliminary to making the live-stock introductions, attention was 

 given the question of forage production, and a number of grains, 

 grasses, and leguminous plants were secured from other countries and 

 sent to the station. Some of these have succeeded remarkably, 

 among them Para and Paspalum grasses, pastures and meadows of 

 which have been established, not only at the station but on many 

 native ranches. Sorghums for grain and forage have proved well 

 adapted to the local conditions, and Sudan grass, a recent introduc- 

 tion, has given indications of great value as a forage plant. Velvet 

 beans, cowpeas, jack beans, soy beans, peanuts, etc., are all being tested 

 to determine their value for forage and as green manure and cover 

 crops. 



The station has introduced upland. Sea Island, and Egyptian 

 cottons, and from several years' tests it seems probable that the grow- 

 ing of certain types can be made very profitable. Attention is also be- 

 ing given to problems connected with raising tobacco, the question 

 of insect control appearing to be the limiting factor in successful 

 tobacco production. As rice growing, once a large industry, has be- 

 come of minor importance, the station has undertaken experiments 

 on all phases of rice production in order, if possible, to restore it 

 to its former place. 



An attempt has been begun to improve the corn grown on the 

 island. This crop furnishes the staple food of the people of Guam, 

 being about the only cultivated crop that is extensively produced. 

 In comparative tests with many varieties from other tropical coun- 

 tries, the native strains of corn appeared to offer more promise of 

 successful improvement. Selection experiments were undertaken 



