1414 



PORTO RICO 



PORTO RICO 



smaller, is the "nispero" or sapodillo, which, with its 

 brown skin, resembles a rusty colored pear. The 

 "lechoza," or tropical pawpaw, is a valuable fruit. The 

 tree has a straight trunk, surmounted by a crown of 

 enormous spreading leaves, under which the good-sized 

 fruit is borne in a cluster. 



The "guayaba" or guava, which grows abundantly 

 throughout the island, is used for making jelly and paste. 

 The business of jelly-making and of preserving, canning 

 and drying fruits will be developed. The "naranja," or 

 sour orange, is particularly valuable for marmalade. 



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1921. Porto Rican plantation or farm. 



Preserved ginger, so largely imported into the United 

 States, could be profitably prepared, as the root is now 

 raised and exported. 



Vegetables. — That vegetables can be grown in Porto 

 Rico in the winter or "dry season" and sold in New York 

 at remunerative prices was demonstrated last season. 

 The writer had charge of an experimental garden in 

 which a third of an acre each was devoted to growing 

 tomatoes and eggplants. Although the seed was not 

 sown until December, three montlis too late for a full 

 season, satisfactory shipments were made in April and 

 May which brought the full market price. There are 

 aphids, caterpillars and mites to be fought, so that the 

 grower must be prepared with insecticides. 



The soils of Porto Rico average richer than those of 

 our Atlantic seaboard, but for the production of vege- 

 tables of high quality, intensive culture is required. 

 The stimulating character of the climate is such that 

 there is a tendency for vegetables to branch unduly, so 

 that unless high fertilization, frequent cultivation and 

 severe pruning are employed the quality and size of the 

 fruit soon deteriorates and is worthless for shipments. 

 The heavy rainfalls of spring and fall interfere with the 

 setting of fruit, so that the season for marketing vege- 

 tables in the north must be from about December 15 to 

 May 15. Absolute immunity from frost or even a check 

 from cool nights is the great vantage ground for winter 

 gardening on the island. Vegetables must be shielded 

 from the drying effects of the stiff northeast trade-winds, 

 and it is probable that a shade will be required for suc- 

 cess in melon and cucumber culture. A skilful gar- 

 dener, acquainted with the climate, may expect to pro- 

 duce $500 to $1,000 worth of tomatoes or eggplants per 

 acre. Pig. 1924. 



At the present time San Juan is the only port with 

 good shipping facilities for perishable products such as 

 vegetal)les. Beans, melons of every kind, cucumbers, 

 peppers, okra, sweet potatoes, peanuts, etc., thrive in 

 this genial clime. The more hardy vegetables, such as 

 Irish potatoes, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, beets, and 

 peas succeed in the fall and winter, especially in the 

 hill country. 



Native Ker/c/atiZe.s. — Besides the several varieties of 

 "batatas," or sweet potatoes, largely used in Porto 

 Rico, there are several kinds of the larger tropical 

 yams. The dark green foliage of these plants has a 

 rich beauty, trailing from their pole supports. The 

 roots of the broad-leaved "yautias,"or colocasias, pop- 

 ularly called elephant's ears, are also extensively used 

 by the peones for food. The cassava, both the sweet 

 and bitter varieties, flourish in Porto Rico. The former 

 is a valuable food for both man a!id beast. Tlie roots 

 are excellent baked. There is no better source for 



producing starch than cassava, which is now manufac-^ 

 tured in a crude way in some sections of the island and 

 exported to a limited extent. 



Other Possible lie sources. — The cacao, or cocoa tree, 

 is grown in Porto Rico and the product manufactured and 

 exported, but only to a limited extent. Our imports of 

 this product from the British West Indies have increased 

 from $1,202,191 in 1895 to $2,107,150 in 1899, which indi- 

 cates the possibilities of expanding the trade. Another 

 possibility of profit for the island lies in utilizing cer- 

 tain steep, dry chalk ridges, now of little value, for the 

 cultivation of the "mag- 

 uey," the agave from which 

 the sisal is obtained. The 

 importation of this flber- 

 from the British West In- 

 dies has increased from 

 $2,734,909 to $4,771,989. 

 Arnatto or "achote" finds 

 a congenial home in Porto 

 Rico, and should be made 

 to yield a profit. The cas- 

 tor oil plant bears abun- 

 dantly, and its bean is ex- 

 ported. The bean of a 

 valuable leguminous 

 plant, "hedionda," is used 

 by the natives as a substi- 

 tute for coffee and also to 

 mix with it. This plant 

 seems to have a secondary value in improving the soil 

 as a gatherer of nitrogen. The caniv>Hor, the rubber, 

 the nutmeg, allspice or pimento, and other spice-pro- 

 ducing trees, and the vanilla may all be grown perhapa. 

 with profit on the island. 



Economic Considerations. — Under the Porto Rican 

 law of May 1, 1900, all merchandise coming into the 

 United States from Porto Rico, and coming into Porto 

 Rico from the United States, shall pay 15 per cent of 

 the duties required to be paid upon like articles im- 

 ported from foreign countries. All the duties men- 

 tioned above are to cease March 1, 1902, or at an earlier 

 date by certain action of the Legislature of Porto Rico. 

 The present duties are so insignificant compared with 

 those of other countries and their tenure so brief and 

 uncertain that for our purpose of a business forecast, 

 we may properly assume free trade as established. 



The grower of oranges and other citrous fruits has 

 the advantage of one cent per pound over the foreign 

 grower, which, on a crop of 300 boxes per acre, would 

 amount to about $200. On pineapples crated, the duty 

 is 7 cents per cubic ft., or 35 cents for a standard crate, 

 or a gain of at least $50 per acre for a fair crop. Ou 

 pineapples in bulk the duty is $7 per 1,000, a gain of 

 $30 to $50 an acre. 



The duty on vegetables is 25 per cent on their listed 

 valuation. This is an advantage of from $40 to $75 aa 

 acre on tomatoes or eggplants. 



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1922. Characteristic rural scene in Porto Rico. 



Foreign tobacco wrappers pay, if unstenimed, $1.85 

 per pound, and if stemmed, $2.50 per pound, and fillers 

 35 cents if unstemmed and 50 cents if stemmed. 



Palms, orchids, bulbs and all greenhouse plants pay 

 25 per cent, seeds 30 per cent, (Iried fruits, desiccated 

 cocoanut, etc., pay 2 cents per pound ; manufactured 



