The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1914-07-17
Porto Rican Crop Wanted Abroad
But Not in United States.
Grapefruit INK Cocoanuts Offer Bio
Opportunities for Investment, A..
though Sugar and Tobacco Still
Lead ~ Exports.

Washfngtor. D. C.-The coffee raised
In u island possession, Porto Rico.
Is In great demand abroad and the for
eign market places 1t at the top of the
price list Of coffees from all over the
world. according to experts at the
United States department Of agricul-
lures Porto Rican experiment station.
However. the people Of the United
States have developed a taste for a
different kind Of coffee, and the pref
erence Of q great many people will
have to be changed in order to obtain
a larger market for Porto Rican cot.
fee In this country. The cost Of
changing the acquired taste OF the
American seems too great to Justify
the attempt SO long as such excellent
prices are obtained elsewhere for the
product.
During the past year. says the new
ly-issued annual report of the depart
ment's station in Porto Rico. the
value OF the exports OF coffee amount
ed to a great deal more than they
ever have since the American occu-
osAo DOSSCI SuAIAV0lAOA A6AA0
prices have enabled the coffee indus
try to show great progress, and plant
ers are nov following better prac-
tfses In the selection OF their seed for
planting. The departments station Is
introducing the so-called Java" and
other cof1ees which are yielding bet
ter than native coffee and giving a
higher percentage Of large and uni
form grains. The coffee is grown for
distribution to planters on the island
and has been resulting In greater
yields as we'll as in better prices for
the planters.
OF the coffee exported during the
past year. $s,37S,346 worth went to
foreign countries. while only $132.970
worth went to the United States. Al
though today there exists a benefit OF
tariff. the coffee Is still following the
old lines OF trade established by tarin
laws during the Spanish regime. 1t
Is q marked indication of the truth
that trade established upon preference
Of taste for a certain product Is a
most difficult one to change. How.
ever. associations and individuals are
still striving to extend the market and
to gain even Il higher reputation for
the coffee OF Porto Rico.
The grapefruit industry which start
ed from nothing ten years e is now
thriving In Porto Rico and promises
good returns to the mar with perse-
verance, industry, and personal super
vision. Porto Rico Is safe from frosts
that threaten the industry on the
mainland and at the open door Of the
best market In the world-New York
and the eastern seaboard. The grape
fruit industry represents the highest
type Of intensive farming. and is sure
to increase to q much greater extent
In Porto Rico as the trees which are
already planted come into bearing.
The value Of the exports Of grape
fruit last year ($72e. 687) wal exceeded
by the exports OF two other fresh-fruit
industries which have been estab-
lished for q much greater period In
the island. Oranges were exported to
the value OF $4,000. and ~pineapples
to the value Of $1.142,007: $151.6S1
worth Of canned pineapples was also
exported.
There is considerable planting Of
cocoanu:A in Porto Rico and there
are extensive areas yet where these
rec may be probably set out. 4
cocoanut grove. properly cared for.
ields a sure and steady income. Bet.
er cultivation. the growing Of vegetar