382 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



tins, and all other expenses essential to the maintenance of said 

 station." 



Though this appropriation did not become available until July 1, 

 1901, the writer, then assistant in the Division of Soils of this Depart- 

 ment, was transferred to the Office of Experiment Stations April 15, 

 1901, and was appointed to take charge of the agricultural investiga- 

 tions in Porto Rico. After spending some time in such preliminary 

 preparations as could best be conducted in Washington and vicinity, 

 he proceeded to Porto Rico, arriving in San Juan about the middle of 

 May. The remaining portion of the fiscal year he spent mostly in trav- 

 eling about the island to familiarize himself with its people and the con- 

 ditions and needs of agriculture, with special reference to the location 

 of the experiment station and the character of experiments most desira- 

 ble to undertake. During a portion of this time he was accompanied 

 by Messrs. O. F. Cook and G. N. Collins, of the Division of Botany, of 

 this Department, who had been temporarily assigned to this Office 

 and sent to Porto Rico to aid in preliminary studies with reference to 

 the determination of the best lines of work for the proposed experi- 

 ment station. 



As regards the location of the experiment station, more difficulty 

 was experienced in obtaining suitable land than was anticipated. 

 Replies to a circular letter sent to the different municipalities in the 

 island, setting forth some of the advantages of an agricultural experi- 

 ment station, and asking how^ much land they would donate for the 

 purpose of establishing an experimental farm in their vicinity, as 

 a rule, stated that the municipalities possessed no lands that in kind 

 and amount would be suited for the purpose, and that their very poor 

 financial condition would not allow them to purchase. Three munici- 

 palities, however, made offers of land, but on examination it was found 

 to be either not suitable for experimental purposes or too inaccessible. 



When it became apparent that the station could not be permanently 

 located without considerable delay, arrangements were made for con- 

 ducting experiments on a temporary basis. Thirty acres of land adja- 

 cent to the town of Rio Piedras has been leased, together with a large 

 frame house which serves as a residence and office for the special agent, 

 and also furnishes accommodations for laboratories and library. In 

 addition to this, the local normal school has donated temporarily the use 

 of 40 acres of land for experimental purposes. The necessary horses, 

 mules, and oxen have been secured and a stable constructed for their 

 shelter. A farm wagon, an ox cart, and several plows and harrows, 

 together with garden and horticultural tools, have been secured. A 

 portion of the land has been cleared of weeds, banana stumps, etc., 

 and plowed. The experiments include tests of various kinds of plants, 

 and experiments regarding the time and manner of planting, the use 

 of fertilizers, etc. A cooperative experiment has been commenced on 



