AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES, ETC., OF PORTO RICO. 31 



with a wider range of investigation and application than is usually 

 given to such institutions. 



First. Such a station should give immediate attention to the pro- 

 duction of larger and better crops of coffee, sugar, and tobacco, at a 

 less cost than at present. 



Second. It should encourage the production of food products to 

 the extent of home consumption. 



Third. It should promote the establishment of small farms for fruit 

 and vegetables. 



Fourth. As soon as practicable it should prosecute investigations 

 that will lead to the improvement of farm stock with special reference 

 to the requirements of the farms for work animals and of the markets 

 for beef and dairy products. There is no good reason why Porto Rico 

 should import 743,560 pounds of cheese annually at a cost of 16.4 

 cents per pound when there is an abundant supply of sweet grasses 

 and rich milk on the island. 



Fifth. The station should diligently prosecute investigations in for- 

 estry to reestablish the woodlands. 



Sixth. It should be especially empowered and charged to introduce 

 minor industries for the betterment of the families of farm laborers. 



Seventh. An important part of the station work should be the 

 introduction of new varieties of seeds, plants, trees, and animals 

 which are adapted to the climate and conditions found in Porto Rico ; 

 also to see that the best seeds and fertilizers are sold to farmers. For 

 any country to fail to keep a watchful eye on the progress of other 

 countries and take advantage of their natural resources and the 

 i mprovements they have made in the products of the soil is to fall 

 behind in the race of life and publicly acknowledge a lack of enter- 

 prise. 



OBJECT LESSONS. 



It will be necessary to place the work of the station mainly in the 

 form of object lessons and on a sufficient scale to show economic 

 results. This will reqiiire more land than would be sufficient to 

 establish theories or principles in agriculture. 



To carry out the plan of the station the earnest cooperation of the 

 farmers should be secured by local associations and otherwise. The 

 station should issue bvilletins at regular periods, and the officers of 

 the station should meet the local association for discussion of agricul- 

 tural topics at least once a year. At the same time schools for women 

 could be held, giving instruction in various home industries suited to 

 their condition. 



DESIRABILITY OF SECURING THE COOPERATION OF POKTO RICAN 

 FARMERS IN EXPERIMENT WORK. 



It is highly important to secure the active cooperation of the farmers 

 in investigations of the station and in the dissemination of information. 

 The best plan is to organize local associations of farmers in every im- 

 portant rural center in the island who will cooperate in testing seeds, 

 plants, and methods of cultivation and aid in distributing bulletins, 

 pamphlets, etc. In nearly every community can be found planters 

 of liberal education and travel. Some were educated in the United 

 States and can speak English. As far as consulted, all planters were 

 enthusiastically in sympathy with the proposed work of the station. 



