408 REPOET OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



plantations, and are given no particular attention. They are seedlings, 

 and in the case of oranges represent all grades and conditions from 

 the small sour fruits with many seeds and an abundance of rag to 

 the large sweet fruit with little rag and few seeds. The range is from 

 worthless fruit to that which is of excellent quality, but the latter 

 occurs in very limited quantity. As a rule the oranges contain too 

 much rag and too many seeds, and it is difficult to get together a uni- 

 form lot of any considerable quantity for shipment. 



Two kinds of oranges are grown, the sour and the sweet. The 

 experience thus far gained by those who are starting in the orange- 

 growing business is that the sour one forms the best stock on which 

 to graft improved varieties. 



The growing of oranges in Porto Rico by improved methods is in 

 the experimental stage, and it will require several years of systematic 

 investigation to ascertain just what are the best varieties to use in 

 planting, what are the best stocks on which to graft, how and when 

 is the best time and methods to graft, what type of soil is best adapted 

 to growing oranges, and many other allied questions. 



If possible to do so, it would seem desirable to.grow an orange that 

 will mature earlier than do those of Florida and California, thus get- 

 ting them into the early market when the price is good. Better trans- 

 portation facilities are needed, but such will undoubtedly be supplied 

 when the demand is sufficient to justify it. 



There are several fungus diseases and scale insects which attack the 

 orange trees, and it will be advisable for all that are importing stock 

 for whatever purpose to guard against the introduction of diseases or 

 insects not already on the island. Probably a law should be enacted 

 providing for the inspection of all nursery stock introduced into the 

 island, and requiring all infected material to be thoroughly fumigated. 

 In the Tropics, where the breeding seasons are not checked by cold 

 weather, both diseases and insect pests take on the most virulent form 

 and especial care is required to keep them in check. 



THE AGUACATE, OR ALLIGATOR PEAR. 



This valuable fruit occurs in all parts of the island and is quite an 

 important fruit for home consumption. During its season it can be 

 bought in the markets at from 1 to 3 cents each while in the States it 

 often sells at 50 to 75 cents per fruit. The trees are large and in a 

 general way resemble the pear trees of the States. They occur scat- 

 tered about here and there, growing in almost a wild state with no 

 cultivation, pruning, or care. The fruits are large and pear-shaped, 

 usually weighing from a pound to a pound and a half. When ripe 

 the green skin, about one-eighth inch in thickness, separates freely 

 from the fleshy pulp, which is the edible part. A large nut or seed 





