47° The National Geographic Magazine 



for capital are in the undertaking of direct- 

 production enterprises 



Mr Granger asked if there were any 

 national banks on the island. Mr Willoughby 

 replied that one had just recently been organ- 

 ized, 



Dr A. C. True stated that the U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture was actively at work in 

 several directions. The Bureau of Laud In- 

 dustry had collected much valuable informa- 

 tion about the plants of Porto Rico The 

 Bureau of Soils had made a survey of a strip 

 of land stretching across the island. The 

 Bureau of Forestry had also made considerable 

 investigations. A permanent experiment s'a- 

 tion had been established. The experiment 

 station had received aid from the insular gov- 

 ernment, with which 2co acres of land for the 

 headquarters had been purchased at Mayaguez. 

 The experiment work at this station would be 

 pushed as rapidly as possible. Mr Willoughby 

 said the island was greatly delighted at the 

 work of the Department of Agriculture and 

 was expecting many valuable returns from the 

 work. 



Mr H. S. Williams directed attention to the 

 fact that the Weather Bureau maintained an 

 efficient climate and crop service iu Porto 

 Rico, which was investigating ihe influence of 

 the climate on the crops there 



Mr Granger inquired as to the ranching 

 facilities on the island. Mr Willoughby re- 

 plied that this industry was very flourishing, 



though it had to compete somewhat with the 

 sugar industiy, as the land which is suitable 

 for ranches is also adapted for cane. Cuba 

 was sending to Porto Rico for many cattle, 

 which fatten on the native Porto Ricau grass 

 without being fed on grain. The Porto Rican 

 oxen make splendid draft animals. The cattle 

 industry is very flourishing, and will con- 

 tinue so. 



Mr Henry Farquhar inquired whether the 

 Porto Rican cattle made good beef. Mr Wil- 

 loughby replied that the}* made such very good 

 beef that there was a considerable demand for 

 the exportation of the cattle for meat. 



Mr Farquhar wished to know if the island 

 was not too densely populated for cattle-rais- 

 ing, as the density ot the population was over 

 200 per square mile. Mr Willoughby said that 

 he did not think so ; that the density of popu- 

 lation in Porto Rico does not impress one. 



Mr Granger asked what was the esti- 

 mated value of good cane land. Mr Wil- 

 loughb}- replied that good cane lands brought 

 from $100 to $150 an acre, and that the best 

 land cost more than that, the price depending 

 on irrigation. 



Acting President McGee, in conclusion, 

 stated that all present greatly appreciated Mr 

 Willoughby's address and the supplementary 

 information he had given in answer to ques- 

 tions. All present were to be congratulated 

 on obtaining this clear and most instructive 

 picture of our new island. 



G. H. G. 



*£ 



^ 



«£ 



