Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-25
AN EXPERIMENT STATION
DEPARTMENT TO
HAVE ONE IN PORTO RICO.
Frank ID. Gardner to Establish It
What He Says About
His Plans.

The United States Department of Agri-
culture through the office of experiment
stations. is about to establish an agricul-
tUral experiment station in our new prov
ince of Porto Rico This has been brought
about by the transfer of Mr. Frank d.
Gardner from the division of soils to the
Office of special agent in charge of the
Porto Rico agricultural experiment station,
which appointment took effect on April Is.
This movement on the part of the depart
ment shows the progressive spirit of Sec
rotary Wilson and the desire Of the gov
eminent to have its influence and assist
ance felt at once by the natives of this
new possession There was at one time a
government experimental farm not far from
San Juan, when the island under
Spanish rule but very little seems to have
been accomplished by this institution judg
lnS from It's impression on agriculture. A
few scattered buildings remain to indicate
the situation of this farm. The establish
ment of an experiment station by the De-
partment of Agriculture is anticipated to
mark new impetus in agriculture which
will be followed by the introduction of
modern machinery. of improved cultural
methods and possibly of new crops.
A Talk With Mr.. Gardner
II an interview with Mr.. Gardner on his
new field of work he said:
AS YET IL Is almost Impossible TO fOrmli-
late any definite plan, as many matters
may shape themselves differently from our
present views when l arrive at Porto Rico
l shall Jeave here early in May and make
M headquarters for the present at San
Juan. My first step will be to get the peo-
pie interested in the station and to look
over the island for suitable location on
typical area of about 200 acres Exactly
where this farm shall be situated or how
IL shall be acquired cannot be determined
upon at present. BY the issuing Of circu-
lars explaining the proposed work of the
experiment station. and by intercourse
with the people through lectures and con-
veIsatfon l hope to so interest the Porto
Rlcans in this new institute that some,
perhaps a great deal assistance NAV he
received from the natives for the estab-
ilshment of this station. 1t may be possi-
ole that some old estate may be given for
Its use. If, however. no aid can be OBJ
tanned from the islanders the department
Is ready TO purchase the farm for this i'm
portant project. AS 1t will require several
months in which to disseminate this idea
ana 10 take calm and tudicious view of
the situation. no definite step toward the
location of the experiment station will he
taken until fall.
study the Soils, Crops, &C.
The work will be similar to that done
In the state experiment stations of this
country, but exactly how it shall be begun
VIII uepend upon the present needs Of the
people. 1t is my intention to study the
SOILS, crops and cultural methods Of the
isiand with View of improving them Ex-
perlments will be made along these lines
ana "hen successful results have been ob-
laiifed changes Will be suggested and tried
desire to assist the agriculturist directly
ana the wealth of the island Indirectly
mere Is wide field for the Introduction
OF modern machinery and implements on
the farm, but this must be approached
gradually and cautiously.
for the present shall depend greatly
upon the assistance of the Department OF
Agriculture, with which l shall co-operata
through its various bureaus and divisions
AS al agent of the office of experiment sta
TONS L shall always be in close touch with
the department, but during the embryo
period Of the Porto Rico station l shall need
much aid from the experiences Of those al
the head of special agricultural branches
at Washington. As Porto Rico presents q
new field for the investigation of scientists
It is hoped that the bureaus and divisions
here Will extend their work into this re-
cent acquisition of our country. Already
Prof whitney. chief of the division of
soils. is planning to make a soil survey on
the island next year, and it is probable he
Will conduct tobacco Investigations there
also.
Il fully appreciate that an going to a
new country, where the climatic conditions
the people and. in many cases the customs
are different from those which exist here
There is some feeling Of regret at ieaying |
puI tile opportunities lNat are offered ana |
the wider fields that are opened have gov
erned my acceptance of the office. [ shall |
at all times endeayor to fulfill nv duties to |
the credit of the government and to the
highest expectations OF the trust which has
been placed in me-"
A Practical AgrfcuIturfst
Mr. Gardner is a practical and scientific |
agriculturist, having been engaged In this |
work for the past ten years. He was grad
uated from the University Of Illinois in
1891, after which he was assistant agricuI- |
turist for four years at that institute |
he became a member Of the division OF |
soils In 1889, since which time he has done |
valuable work in the Investigation of the |
soils of the United States. For the past |
two years he has conducted field parties in !
I he alkaN thD anil l,aS |