The Washington times., 1903-03-27
EXPERIMENT STATION
AMONG PORTO RIGANS
Bulletin Just Issued Shows
Good Work Being Done.
PLANTERS HELP SCIENTISTS
Special Attention Paid to Coffee Plant
With a View to Improving It's
Quality and Quantity.

The Department OF Agriculture has
iust issued the first bulletin from it's
experiment. station in Porto Rico Work
on the station was begun in the sumner
Of 1891 and has now advanced so far that
useful conclusions will soon be drawn
for the benefit of Porto Rican agricul-
turists.
The experiment farm Is located near
the city OF Mayaguez. which provided a
portion OF the money for its purchase
II consists of thirty-fye acres Of river
land OF excellent character. and some
higher land not yet under cultivation.
In addition TO this property the station
has been granted the use OF twenty five
acres Of virgin forest belonging TO q
private individual and viii take charge
OF the Improvement Of an old coffee
plantation. II is expected that the treat
ment of the plantation will be a valuable
practical lesson and the success of the
experts IN their rejuvenation o. the en-
terprise Is being watched with great
Interest.
Fruits aud vegetables viii be raised at
the station according to the most
modern methods in order TO demonstrate
20 the natives how they may improve
the quality and quantity OF their crops.
Foreign varieties Of the fruits now on
-1he isIond viii be imported from other
tropical countries in an effort to better
the grade and introduce the Porto
Bicans 10 specimens superior to those
they have been raising.
Plants not grown on the island viii
be secured and given thorough tests on
the governments grounds. and should
they thrive leading agriculturists viii
DE furnished enough TO try for CONNER
cial purposes.
Coffee viii receive especial attention.
Hundreds OF plants have been set out
and are doing well. Government agents
have obtained seeds from all the coun-
fries in which the berry is found and
each viii be studied with the view Of
possibly discovering a variety which
viii be more valuable than. the native
stock
Hearty cooperation has been extend
ed By many Of the most advanced plant
ers on the island. who appreciate the
value Of the Governments work among
them. They are giving the use OF their
land and number have agreed 10 grow
experimental fruits under The superyis-
ion OF Frank D. Gardner who is IN
charge OF the station. AS fast as de-
sirable seeds or cuttings are raised those
not needed by the station viii be dis
tributed free among the farmers. The
station has already given away hundreds
Of packages Of seeds which were re-
ceiyed from the Agricultural Depart
ment The distribution OF seeds cannot
Be delayed for a long period, as IL has
been found that the Porto Rico climate
causes them to lose their vitality in a
few months
A valuable feature or the station 9
work will be a soil survey which will
eventually take in all the agricultural
portion OF the island. start has been
made by surveying a strip OF land ten
miles wide and thirty-six miles long
between Arecibo and Ponce The roads
trails. and streams were first carefully
charted. aud then specimens OF the soil
were gathered at short intervals. ADaly-
ses OF these soil specimens, combined
with observation OF the vegetation and
methods Of farming pursued. have en-
abIed the scientists TO make helpful
suggestions 70 the tiIlers on the means
or improving their crops. This FIRST sur
vey has now been completed ana is ready
for the printer