8 GUAM AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



PERSONNEL. 



Mr. p. Nelson was appointed agent, effective May 1, 1911, his duties 

 being tliat of a general assistant to the special agent. The station 

 is fortunate in securing in ]\Ir. Nelson a man who is well qualified to 

 perform work on various lines. Much of his time has been occupied 

 in clerical work and in supervising the construction of buildings and 

 the installation of the water system and other machinery. 



By direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. David T. Fulla- 

 way, ejitomologist of the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station 

 was detailed late in the year for duty at this station. Between the 

 date of his arrival (May 27) and the close of the fiscal year he was 

 employed in making general investigations of an entomological 

 nature, including the collection for identification of the insects of the 

 island. This work when completed will be of special interest and 

 value, constituting, as it will, the most thorough account of the insects 

 in the Guam fauna. A partial report of his investigations is ap- 

 pended. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



The new office building which at the end of the last fiscal year was 

 in course of construction and was mentioned in the last annual report 

 has been completed and occupied since October 1, 1010, when rental 

 on the quarters previously occupied was discontinued. (PI. I, fig. 1.) 



A storehouse for the shelter of farm tools was completed early in 

 the year and since then has supplied a much needed improvement. 

 Here in a tropical climate where wet periods covering several months 

 regularly obtain, and with an ever-high atmospheric humidity, de- 

 terioration of agricultural implements rapidly results. A constant 

 salt-laden sea breeze also plays an important part in accelerating the 

 usual process of oxidation of steel and iron tools. These conditions 

 existing in Guam tend to make necessar}^ complete shelter for all farm 

 tools and machinery. The building erected during the year includes, 

 in addition to a large closed shed for housing the more bulky equip- 

 ment, a power room and workshop, in which the pump and kerosene 

 engine are installed. 



A frame barn was erected durin[>; the months of April and May to 

 provide shelter for the live stock which at that time was expected to 

 arrive from the United States in June. The building is 30 by 40 

 feet in dimensions, with stall room for 12 head of stock, a feed and 

 harness room, and a large storage floor for hay and grain above. 

 The material used in the structure is largely Oregon pine and Cali- 

 fornia redwood, with Japanese corrugated zinc for roofing. In its 

 construction, convenience, utility, economy, comfort to animals, and 

 neatness of appearance have all been considered ; and it is believed 

 that considering the material and labor involved, the final cost, which 

 will not exceed $800, is unusually low. (PL I, fig. 2.) 



