COFFEE VARIETIES IN PORTO RICO. 15 
eighths of an inch for the laterals. The leaves are elliptical, rather 
flat and small, representative specimens ranging from 1 inch to 3 J 
inches in length by one-fourth inch to 1 T 7 F inches in breadth. 
In September, 1910, 50 plants of Murta, from seed planted in the 
previous winter, were set in the field together with 13 plants of the 
Arabian type springing from Murta. Three years later trees of the 
Arabian type were bearing very well, while the Murta trees bore too 
light a crop to pick. In 1914, 11 of the 12 surviving Arabian type 
trees were fruiting, and only 10 of the 47 Murta trees. Of these 10, 
the most productive bore less than 0.5 of a liter of cherries, the 
second only about 0.2 of a liter, and the others only 1 or 2 cherries. 
The Murta yields in subsequent years are given in Table 6. The 
individual production was small. 
The ripening season for Murta is about the same as for the native 
coffee. Both cherry and bean of the two coffees are indistinguish- 
able in size and appearance. Murta is good in cup quality. Late- 
ness in coming into bearing and low yields are disadvantages, but 
ease of picking, due to the small size of the tree, is in favor of this 
variety. A planting distance of 4 by 6 feet is recommended for 
Murta in order that through close planting the acre yield may be 
increased sufficiently for the variety to compare favorably with other 
varieties. 
LIBERIAN GROUP. 
Generally, Liberian coffee is considered inferior in quality to 
Arabian, and the demand for it is limited. In growth this group 
is larger than the Arabian, the plants assuming the proportions and 
appearance of trees rather than of shrubs. Harvesting is rather 
difficult owing to the height attained by the trees. Liberian coffee 
can be grown with' or without shade in regions where Arabian coffee 
requires shade. The leaves are large and stiff, and due presumably 
to their rather leathery texture, are less susceptible to attacks of the 
leaf miner than are coffees of the other two groups. 26 In all species 
of the Liberian group, Excelsa excepted, the fruit is large and the 
pulp thick and firm, features which make removal of the seed 
difficult. 
LlBEEICA. 
Of coffee in Liberia, Graham 27 writes as follows: 
Coffee grown in this country, known as Coffea liberica, is cultivated very 
successfully in hot, moist lowlands or on hills of no great altitude. * • * * 
The trees in a wild state often attain a height of from 30 to 40 feet. The berry 
is * * * from 30 to 40 per cent stronger in flavor, hence it is used to a 
large extent in blending with mild coffees. 
Cramer 28 observes that — 
Well-developed trees may measure 50 feet in height. * * * It is better 
suited to lower altitudes; regions near sea level are the best. * * * The 
fruit is large, the largest known in coffee. * * * The produce is esteemed 
for the strength of its taste, having little flavor but much " body," and it is 
therefore used for blends with highly flavored qualities but lacking body. * * * 
Liberian coffee has been practically given up here [Java]. 
28 The leaf miner causes large losses in certain sections of the island. 
27 Coffee : Production, trade, and consumption, by countries. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. Sta- 
tistics Bui. 79, p. 99. 
28 Coffees of the Dutch East Indies. Dr. P. J. S. Cramer. Tea and Coffee Trade Jour., 
vol. 36, No. 1, p. 23, 24. (1919.) 
