Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1882-06-24
SATURDAY PRESS.
OUR FADING FORESTS.
JUNE "a, 1882

Among the items in tho Appropriation Bill
that our curious Legislative Assembly has
thought fit TO slight was one relating to the
"Caro of forests, nurseries, improvements Of
lands and public places" 1t is unfortunate
that so laudablo an object was not deemed
worthy of encouragement and assistance by
body who are so ready to squandor thousands
of dollars of the peoples money on the main
tcnanco of a so-called army, the expenses of
coronation and many other useless and foolish
purposes. The good Of tho country is lost
sight of in the desire to administer to the in
satiable appetite of fcw, a rery fs,r, who live
at the public crib. A kindred item of $4,000
for the Encouragement of Agriculture" was
also slighted on the same day. We doubt if
any appropriation has been asked for from
which more could be expected to result for the
public good The agricultural portion Of our
people devote their attention almost entirely
to the cultivation of two or three staples.
There are many pieces of land suitable for
small farmers on which other prodIcts could
and should be grown, but it is necessary for
some one to lead the way in this, as in all
other things, and the Government should take
enough interest in the future welfare Of the
people to consider their interests little, and
in theirs its own.
The "Care of forests" is a matter of great
importance, and in older countries 10 made q
careful study. The decadence Of forests 10
always followed by numerous and great evils,
and the character Of the country thus dsnuded
of timber often becomes transformed from
| fertile state unto sterile and barron waste.
The change Of climate is great aud is often
noticeable as soon as the forests begin to dis
! appear Already large tracts in those Islands
are Invested Of their forest trees, and the in
fuence Of the change is becoming noticeable
We were informed by kamaaina recently
that the rainfall had decreased percep,ibly in
| pl ces where the trees had been destroyed by
natural forests should be protected and the
growing of timber on treeless lands encour-
aged. With the diversity Of climate encount-
cred between tho sea shore and the limit OF
vegetation Oh our mountains, many varieties
oi valuable timber could be grown. 1t was
not many years ago that the plains in the
vicinity Of Honolulu wero dry and verdureless
i'll the summer months, but tho algaroba tree
was found TO be peculiarly adapted to such
lands, aud now the town and suburbs are
clothed in green aud many OF the trees ar.
large and valuable tor timber. In many place,
oh Maui aud Hawaii valuable foreign tree,
have been tried and found to grow we'll where
Al. AZ. r~-~
excellent trees indigenous tu the Islands thx
would yield handsomely in q few years i
care were taken to encourage thoir grswth
Much could be written on tins subject, and W,
hvpe the Legislature will ye, revive the mat
Ter, one Of the most important that has boo,
brought up before the present session, an'
pass reasonable appropriation and give II
fair trial and fair trial We are satisfied will
result in u continuance Of tho work.
In this connection word might 10 said o
tho willow, Of which treo there are se-sra
varieties. There are near Honolulu and Wal
kiki and many places on Oahu and o,he
islands swamp lands unit for the cultivation
OF rice or taro and which at present 10 scarcel,
worth the taxes paid on it. II slips of tn
wild willows Of California were distribute
about in these moist places, aud also along tn
beds Of streams, in very short time valu
able growth Of timber would DO ready for th
AK. Some species grow to very great siz
aud are used for many purposes. The baske
willow, for which there 10 always msrks
when well cultivated, will yield . net incom
Of $3.50 year to the acre. Tho white willow
makes good fuel, is used for the plsnking Q
vessels, for making furniture, brake blocks
shoe lasts, etc. The cottonwood tree grow
much larger than the willow. fully a. rspidl.
in the same moist localities and would ipcrsss
tho value of large area that 10 now wort