PORTO RICO EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Areas cultivated in principal crops in acres — from the census of 1899. 



397 



These figures differ quite materially from those of Mr. Rodriguez 

 in the above table, but it must be borne in mind that the census was 

 taken in November and December, 1899, while Mr. Rodriguez's figures 

 are probably for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1900. The marked 

 difference in acreage of tobacco, for example, is probably due to the 

 fact that at the time the census was taken the tobacco for the fiscal 

 year had not been planted, and the acreage as reported was probably 

 for the crop that had been harvested several months earlier. 



COFFEE. 



Coffee is by far the most important crop of the island, and as an 

 article of export has exceeded in value that of all other exports com- 

 bined. The cultivation of coffee was introduced into Porto Rico by 

 emigrants from the island of Haiti. In 1768 the King issued a royal 

 cedula giving to Porto Rico a monopoly of the cultivation of coffee, 

 and relieving or exempting the growers from the payment of any 

 taxes for a period of five years. In 1770 the island produced 7,280 

 pounds, and in 1776, 11,262 pounds. In 1850, or three-fourths of a 

 century later, the yield had increased a hundredfold, or to 11,783,684 

 pounds. The lack of suitable market and the time required for coffee 

 to come into full bearing offered very little inducement for planters 

 to extend its cultivation, and progress was consequently slow. In 1876 

 the United States opened its ports to free coffee. This proved a 

 marked stimulus to the Porto Rican grower, and for a short time 

 large shipments were made to the States. Very little attention was 

 paid to quality, and as the island could not compete with Brazil in 

 price, the market remained for the latter and Porto Rico found a 

 better market in southern Europe. 



Quantity and value of coffee exported from Porto Rico during each calendar year from 1887 



to 1896, inclusive. 



