PORTO RICO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 
[Under the supervision of A. C. True, Director of the States Relations Service, United States Department 
of Agriculture.] 
E. W. Allen, Chief of Office of Experiment Stations. 
Walter H. Evans, Chief of Division of Insular Stations, Office of Experiment Stations. 
STATION STAFF. 
D. W. May, Agronomist in Charge. 
T. B. McClelland, Horticulturist. 
W. V. Tower, Entomologist. 
F. E. Kempton, Plant Pathologist. 
L. G. Willis, Chemist. 
H. C. Henricksen, Specialist in Farm Management. 
W. A. Mace, Agricultural Technologist. 
J. 0. Carrero, Assistant Chemist. 
W. P. Snyder, Assistant in Plant Breeding. 
C. Alemar, Jr., Clerk. 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
Porto Rico Agricultural Experiment Station, 
Mayaguez, P. R., September 10, 1918. 
Sir: I submit herewith a manuscript on vanilla growing in Porto Rico. This 
embodies the results of several years' experience, the rather extended investigation 
having been necessitated by the fact that very little had been done in the scientific 
study of this exotic. Though its value depends upon the careful treatment of the 
bean in the curing process, so much is frequently left to chance that great variation 
often results in the product found on the market. As shown herein, vanilla is a very 
promising introduction into Porto Rico, as it may be employed by the coffee growers 
of the island to diversify without in any way injuring their main crop and it will 
furnish employment for the women and children of the rural population. 
I recommend that the manuscript be published as Bulletin No. 26 of this station. 
Respectfully, 
D. W. May, 
Agronomist in Charge. 
Dr. A. C. True, 
Director States Relations Service, 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 
Publication recommended. 
A. C. True, Director. 
Publication authorized. 
D. F. Houston, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
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