LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, 



Mayaguez, P. R. , December 5, 190 Jf. 



Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript by J. van 

 Leenhoff, jr., on the results of tobacco investigations in Porto Rico 

 during the fiscal year 1903-4, conducted under the direction of F. D. 

 Gardner, former special agent in charge. 



These results show that there is great need of improving the methods 

 of growing and curing tobacco, and point out a number of changes 

 which may be found advisable to adopt. By the introduction of up- 

 to-date methods of growing and curing tobacco in Porto Rico it is 

 believed that the business will be commercially successful where eon- 

 fined to suitable soil and climatic conditions. The area suitable for 

 the enterprise is somewhat limited, but capable of considerable exten- 

 sion beyond that now cultivated to this crop. 



Last year about 200 acres of tobacco was grown under cloth shade. 

 The crop contained a high percentage of 'fine-appearing wrapper 

 leaves, and the fact that the area will be extended to 300 or 350 

 acres during the next year indicates a belief that the enterprise will 

 prove a financial success. 



I respectfully recommend that this manuscript be translated into 

 Spanish and published in both English and Spanish as Bulletin No. 5 

 of this station. 



Respectfully, D. W. May, 



Special Agent in Charge. 



Dr. A. C. True, 



Director Office of Experiment Stations, 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 



Recommended for publication. 

 A. C. True, Director. 



Publication authorized. 

 James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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