AGBICULTUEAL RESOURCES, ETC., OE PORTO RICO. 23 



PINEAPPLES. 



Pineapples are produced in all parts of Porto Rico with great suc- 

 cess at a trifling cost of labor. Eight to ten thousand plants are set 

 on an acre, and after the sets are well established no further care is 

 taken. As a rule, after the plants are set they are neither hoed nor 

 shaded, as in Florida. The ripe fruit weighs from 2 to 16 pounds per 

 plant, and may be averaged at 6 pounds. At 3 cents apiece the pine- 

 apple crop is very profitable. It is one of the most luscious of fruits 

 when ripe, and if sold at reasonable rates the United States will prove 

 an unlimited market for it. In time pineapples should become as 

 abundant and as cheap as apples in our market. At Fajardo, San 

 Juan, and Mayaguez small farmers are prepared to make large con- 

 tracts for delivery to anyone establishing a cannery. 



GUAVA. 



The variety cultivated for the fruit is a small tree from 9 to 15 feet 

 high, with angular branches and an abundance of pointed, elliptical 

 leaves. The fruit is about 1 inch in diameter, apple or pear-shaped, 

 yellow, very fragrant, and filled with a yellowish or reddish pulp, sub- 

 acid in flavor. It is an abundant bearer, and furnishes one of the best 

 fruits known for the manufacture of jelly. 



PEACHES, PEARS, PIGS, AND GRAPES. 



These fruits have not yet been produced to any extent. Sample 

 trees of the peach, of the Leconte and Keiffer pear, planted near Baya- 

 mon, show excellent growth and vigor. There is apparently no rea- 

 son why they should not become staple products. Figs are yet on 

 trial. They do fairly well in some parts of the island. It is a ques- 

 tion whether they have been given a fair trial. 



Few grapes are produced. Under Spanish rule grape culture was 

 discouraged, because it might interfere with the wine industry of 

 Spain. Wine is commonly used as a table drink in Porto Rico. In 

 1897 the import of common wine was 4,314,473 liters (a liter is about 

 a quart), at a cost of about 52 cents per liter. Mr. George Bird, of 

 Fajardo, stated to me that his father, on his return from Spain some 

 years since, brought from Malaga a few of the best varieties of grapes 

 produced there, and on trial they did better in Porto Rico than in 

 Spain. By pruning he had produced in some years four crops. 



List of fruits and nuts produced in Porto Rico. 



Alligator pear. Grosella. Orange. 



Almond. ' Grape fruit. Pajuil. 



Bread fruit. Grapes. Pineapple. 



Banana. Guava. Plantain. 



Cactus pear. Ivory nut. Raspberry. 



Cocoanut. Lemon. Rose apple. 



Cherry (tropical). Lime. Russet fruit. 



Cocoa plum. Mamee sapota. Shaddock. 



Chocolate bean. Mango. Soursap. 



Cayoll (palm fruit). Mangosteen. Strawberry (wild). 



Coffee. Mulberry. Tamarind fruit. 



Custard apple. Nutmeg (spice) . 



Fruits and nuts that may safely be introduced. 



Blactberry. Strawberry. Japanese persimmon. 



J apanese plum. Keiffer pear. Leconte pear. 



Olives. Pecan nut. Walnut. 



