Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-31
AGRICULTURAL WORK.
Efforts to Improve Conditions in Porto
Rico.

Rico.
Special Correspondence of The Star.
SAN JUAN, P. r., October 24.-Gov. Win
throp and Treasurer Willoughby, recognize
ing the fact that agriculture is the back
bone of the island and that Porto Ricos fu-
ture prosperity Is dependent entirely on
agricultural advancement, have for some
time been working on a scheme to establish
a bureau Of agriculture. The proposed bu-
reau will probably be instituted within
few months. In the meantime the various
department heads are feeling the way ana
doing all preliminary work possible.
At the University Of Porto Rico there
Is a 1O0-acre farm belonging to the instl-
tuition. 1t is the intention OF the trustees
of the university to turn this into modef
farm There Is a class Of twenty-eight boys
who are receiving practical instruction IN
agriculture and they are being taught now
to run a farm along modern lines. one
of the features that will be installed there
in the near future will be a model dairy.
There are twelve cows on the farm, ana
within few weeks this herd VIII pc
doubled. The institution Is now selling milk
to the people In the neighborhood It Is
the intention to build modern sanitary sta
bles and equip the place as model up-to-
date dairy. The milk will be put up IN
glass jars and sold at an advanced price.
A blooded bull win be imported from the
United States and every effort will be made
to improve the quality Of the stock.
This will be but a start, as 1t Is plan
ned to purchase number OF nne QuaHty
swine and experiment with the Dreeolng
Of those animals. There are number OF
Americans on the island who have had
great success with stock raising. and the
government will be glad to cooperate with
private citizens who are anxious to I'M
prove their stock.
The governor has had considerable corre-
spondence with the congressional bureau
Of insular affairs and finds that great sue
cess has resulted from the Introduction into
the Philippines of American stations. II
Is planned to bring down about three OF
these animals soon as possible and nave
them quartered at different points-one at
the university, one at the agricultural ex-
pertinent station at Mayaguez and one az
some convenient point on the south side OF
to 81, 600 each, and a careful record will be
kept and an effort be made to improve the
breed of Porto Rico horses.
The last assembly appropriated $1OOOO as
an initiative in improving agricultural con-
dition and these purchases will be made
from that fund. Director May Of the agri-
cultural stations Is expected to come to
San Juan next week to assist In the selec-
ton of the new cows which are to be pur-
chased for me university farm and to make
other suggestions for other improvements.
The federal government will lend the island
considerable assistance in promoting agri-
cultural improvement, and there Will be
good start along this line at an early date:
Slips sufficient for the planting OF 1OO
acres Of sisal will arrive within a short
time and will be distributed to persons who
are willing to experiment with the grow
Ing of the fiber plant which has been such
a success in Yucatan and in some parts
of the Philippines 1t is believed that the
soil and climate of Porto Rico are pecu-
liarly adapted to the successful culture OF
this plant