PORTO RICO EXPERIMENT STATION. 401 



new fields without practically all perishing. Such a radical change 

 would result disastrously to the plants. 



In reference to new plantations the first step should be the selection 

 of seed with reference to the improvement of the trees. Seed should 

 be selected from the vigorous, best-formed and most productive trees. 

 It should then be planted in suitable seed beds provided with artificial 

 shade which can be removed by degrees. As the young trees grow, 

 the shade should be gradually removed as they seem able to adapt 

 themselves to the sunlight. If the shade can be all removed without 

 injury to the young trees they can certainly be transferred to the 

 fields without great loss and will probably continue growing without 

 shade. Only the vigorous and well-formed plants should be planted, 

 and all should be planted on soils well adapted to the production of 

 coffee. Planting should be made in conformity to some system. The 

 trees should be set in rows, at least one way, and at a uniform dis- 

 tance of about 7 feet apart. If the land is steep a small terrace should 

 be made about the tree. As good and thorough cultivation should be 

 given as is consistent with the slope of the ground and the character 

 of the rainfall. A high state of cultivation might permit washing of 

 the soil and consequent damage by loss of fertility and would be worse 

 than no cultivation. The trees should be pruned to some system in 

 conformity to its nature of growth and the convenience of gathering 

 the coffee. If there is a tendency to grow too tall they should be 

 topped. 



Such a system should not only make a much finer appearing planta- 

 tion than the old haphazard way of doing, but the superior trees 

 should reach a bearing age earlier and produce far more than under 

 the old method. On the above basis an acre would contain 889 trees, 

 which at the low estimated yield of li pounds of coffee for each, 

 would give 1,111 pounds per acre. Such a yield in comparison with 

 the present one of 200 pounds per acre would certainly be very satis- 

 factory and justify the additional expenses involved by the improved 

 method. 



The above method is being tested by Mr. J. W. Van Leenhoff, of 

 Isalina, in cooperation with the agricultural experiment station. 

 While the indications are thus far good, no definite assertions can be 

 made as to the success or failure of the method until the trees approach 

 a bearing age. 



If the ground needs a covering in order to prevent its washing, it 

 is the purpose to sow some low-growing leguminous crop, keeping it 

 cut away from the immediate vicinity of the young trees and using 

 the cuttings for market. If the crop can not be economically used 

 for forage it should be allowed to decay on the ground, thus increasing 

 its fertility. 



H. Doc. 334 26 



