The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-03-04

by all intelligent nations. Forests
increase the rainfall and distribute
moisture more evenly. The climate
of California, in what was the arid or
dry belt of the San Joaquin, is being
very rapidly modified by the planting
and cultivation of vines, orchards
and shade trees, and in a few years
from now there will be very little
need of irrigation, although it was at
one time deemed essential to any
permanent vegetable growth there.
There are many precipitous and ex-
posed localities in these islands, now
bare of vegetation, which might be
covered with timber trees in a few
years, thus identifying the scenery
and adding to the natural wealth of
the country. The trees act as con-
densers of floating vapor, and dis
tribute it in streams to fertilize the
valleys beneath. We sincerely hope
that this experiment of the Govern
ment will be followed up on larger
scale, and that the Assembly next
session will make a sufficiently lib
investment nothing could pay better
than tree planting, care being taken
to select varieties having commercial
value. The Australian black waffle
is especially valuable for its bark,
which is used for tanning purposes.
New South Wales has prohibited the
export of waffle bark, and made a
liberal appropriation for renewing
the natural forests which have been
des trOyed by fires and the reckless
greed of bark gatherers. Victoria
and South Australia are likewise pay
ing attention to tree planting, and
New Zealand is intent on forest pre-
servation and the acclimatization
of useful trees, the waffle among
them. Indeed, one of the largest
landowners in Auckland, Mr.. J.
@. Firth, has planted several hun
| dred acres of pine trees on his
Matamata estate, and colonists in
other sections of the country are fol.
lowing his example with decided adj
vantage to themselves.
In some of the States arbor day u
is as scrupulously observed as the
Fourth of July. Its general obserY.
ance is covering Iowa with timber
1t has similarly aneliorated the eli.
mate of southwestern Kansas in the
| 10 OF hoo
of grain where, up to a recent period
it was impossible to mature wheat Of
corn, the scorching heat usually dry
ing up vegetation soon after the frs
rain ceased. The vast treeless prairie:
of Nebraska are likewise being GOV
cred with timber belts, the Governor
proclaiming a holiday each year
during which every citizen is expected
to plant at least one tree. OF course
wealthy landowners are planting ex
tensive belts of timber for their owl
profit, but the tree planting on arbO
day in Nebraska, as in Iowa, woulC
in time insure sufficient shade anC
forest trees, creating living streams
where none formerly existed.
This experience in the States shOulC
stimulate tree planting in these
islands, and, as already suggested, thu
preference should be given to quicl
growing varieties, whose timber anC
bark are of commercial value. 1t ha
been demonstrated conclusively alsC
that pine trees attract more moisture
than any other kind of timber; blu
it is not we'll to run to one variety o
tree, and in taking a wide range o
choice at the experimental station
the Government has acted with in
telligent foresight and prudence.