GUAM AGRICULTUBAL EXPERIMENT STATION, 19 



The Egyptian and Columbia cotton seed obtained from Hawaii 

 was planted on December 10. 1914, while the seed of the remaining 

 varieties was planted January 8, 1915. Thus, except for the Ha- 

 waiian seed, the late planting in a measure, it is believed, accounts 

 for the low yields obtained per acre. It is also well to note that 

 Caravonica cotton, obtained from Hawaii and planted December 8, 

 1914, had produced very few bolls up to June 30, 1915. 



The dry season in Guam is about ideal for the maturing and har- 

 vesting of cotton. ^Miere the crop is planted about December 1 the 

 rains of the latter part of the wet season produce the crop, and the 

 maturing season comes at a time when there is little rain or wind. 

 This insures cotton of high market grade, because, except for a small 

 amount of leaf obtained in harvesting, no penalties, unless perhaps 

 on luster and color, can be given. Furthermore, there seems to be 

 little danger of price reductions on any grade because of tinges and 

 stains. 



In this connection Lieut. Eobert Henderson, of the United States 

 Navy, commanding the U. S. S. Supply, sent a sample of Guam Sea 

 Island cotton to Shanghai, China, and the cotton was reported to be 

 of excellent quality, commanding a high market price. The firm to 

 which the sample was sent wrote expressing a desire to handle the 

 cotton produced in Guam. 



There are many acres of land in Guam that can be converted into 

 cotton fields, and if the yield of the Egyptian Yuma during the past 

 season is dui:)licated upon further trial the possibility of growing 

 that cotton profitably here would be assured. (PI. Ill, fig. 2.) 



On June 22 and 23, 1915. new plantings of the different varieties 

 were made in order to study the effects of the wet season on growth 

 and production. Furthermore, on June 8, 1915, old plants of the 

 Egyptian and other cotton types on small areas were cut down to 

 the ground in order to observe the gi'owth and production of crops 

 obtained from ratooning. 



FORAGE-CROP STUDIES. 



PAEA GRASS (Patiiciim moUe). 



The past dry season has again emphasized the value of Para grass 

 as a soiling crop for Guam. Practically all of the station pastures 

 failed during the latter part of April and the month of May, while 

 all were useless through June, 2^ acres of Para grass alone holding 

 out through the season. Under the exceptionally dry conditions the 

 grass grew about 3 feet high and was fairly thick, although it was 

 cut about once every 5 weeks during that period. It has been noted, 

 however, in examining the fields that the stand is gradually becom- 

 ing thinner and that the native inferior grasses are occuxjying the 



