Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-07-22
Porto Rican Crop Wanted Abroad
But Not in United States.
Grapefruit and Cocoanuts Offer Big
Opportunities for Investment, Al
though Sugar and Tobacco Still
Lead as Exports.

Washington, D. C.-The coffee raised
in our island posses sion, Porto Rico,
is in great demand abroad and the for
eign market places it 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 great many people will
have to be changed in order to obtain
larger market for Porto Rican cof-
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-
patton. Better cultivation and higher
prices have enabled the coffee indus
try to show great progress, and plant
ers are now following better prac-
tises in the selection of their seed for
planting. The departments station is
introducing the so-calfed Java" and
other coffees 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 well 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 $132,97O
worth went to the United States. Al
though today there exists benefit OF
tariff. the coffee is still following the
cid lines of trade estab ished by tariff
laws during the Spanish regime. II
is a marked indication Of the truth
that trade established upon preference
of taste for a certain product Is
most difficult one to change. How
ever. associations and individuals are
still striving to extend the market and
to gain even higher reputation 1or
the coffee of Porto Rico.
The grapefruit industry which start
ed from nothing ten years ago is now
thriving in Porto Rico and promises
good returns to the man with perse-
yerance. 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
hest 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 a 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 ($726,687) was exceeded
hy the exports of two other fresh-frult
industries which have been estab-
nshed for a much greater period In
the island. Oranges were exported to
the value of $740,010. and pineapples
20 the value of s1.142.007; $151,6S1
worth of canned pineapples was also
exported.
There Is considerable planting OF
cocoanuts in Porto Rico and there
are extensive areas yet where these
trees may be proftably set out. A
cocoanut grove, properly cared for,
Yields a sure and steady income. Bet
ter cultivation. the growing OF vegeta-