The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-04-23

Do forests increase rainfalls? This
question is affirmatively believed by
q large part of our intelligent citizens
who may perhaps be willing to assist
and thoroughly test this question in &
manner never before tested, and thus
by putting work with their faith, ac'
qulre knowledge. If tested as here
suggested, 1t will be a creditable anC
profitable improvement, as we'll as
settle the above question, and open
our eyes as to what we should further
do about forests. We believe that
skeptics will willingly assist with
means in it's demonstration for the
good it may do, and the Government
will surely assist If q plain, practical
course is pointed out, which we Will
endeavor to do.
The idea is TO grow forest. The
land to work upon is on Hawaii in the
vicinity of Mahukona and Kowaihae.
Here are 100, 900 acres, more or less, of
fertile land, warm and free from wind
the same kind of formation appar-
emily as that upon which the forest of
Olaa now stands. Yet it is compare
lively barren and almost valueless as
it now exists.
Such is the land proposed to be COW
cred with an algerOba forest. If there
Is any other forest tree as valuable
and as rapid growing on such des-
ert as is the algeroba, it should also
have place. There is no doubt about
the algeroba growing and fiourishing
upon these lands, as it is already
growing there on it's lower border
tending itself up the slope year by
year, without the aid of man.
The algerOba beans are to be had
quite cheaply from Honolulu, Lahai-
ma and other places. They should be
planted one pod in place, twenty or
more feet apart, and covered in the
soil two inches deep, during the rainy
season or just before its commence
ment. This would cost but few
cents per acre, and after the tree is
once properly started nature will do
the rest, even thieken up the forest to
any density required.
This important work should be in
the hands of the Government, and
under the supervision of the forest
commission-should the Legislature
deem it wise to create such a commits
sion-and vigorously prosecuted from
year to year until this whole worth
less district is covered with forest of
the useful algerobas.
Then, should this large forest cause
an extra rainfall upon itself and sur
rounding country what blessing 1t
would prove to the stOckmen and
plantations of KOhala as well as to
the western Waimea plains. If it
does not increase the rainfall, it will
surely conserve what did fall and no
doubt temper the climate to more
equabie one by its grateful shade. Be-
sides this, the money would be we'll
invested as the wood of this tree is
valuable for fuel and the algeroba
bean is relished as food by all kinds
of domestic animals, and judging
from what we see in Honolulu and
Lahaina the valuable menunia grass
fiOurishes under and near the tree.
The grass does not in ure the tree and
the tree seems to protect the grass,
and we see no reason why this whole
region should not be alike blessed,
and thousands of stock raised and
marketed from it yearly. The guam
tity of fuel that could be yearly taken
from this forest after a few years
without injuring it, would surprise
one unacquainted with this prolific
tree.
AS above stated the growing of the
tree upon the land indicated is not of
doubtful utility as in the vicinity of
Lahaina, West Maui, upon a similar
formation, similar climate, like dry
desert district, this tree has been
growing for some years on its lower
border and Mr.. HOrner has been eX-
tending it up the slope by planting
the bean as above suggested until
now, some 400 acres more or less are
covered by this valuable tree. In ex-
tending it, Mr.. Horner did not aim at
a change of climate or a greater rain
fall, but to produce more fuel, more
and better food for his stock. If he
eventually tempers the climate and
produces greater rainfall he will be
so much ahead.
IL is well perhaps to stale that stock
Will not destroy or even in ure for
est of this kind, and it seems better
adapted to dry region than wet
one.
1t would seem that tempering the
climate of this torrid district by the
forest above indicated would go with
out saying, as experts tell us the tenn
perature of live wood seldom rises
above 81 degrees. Thus, the differ
ence in temperature between the sun
shining on dense foliage of large
algeroba forest and shining upon the
earth and rocks devoid of shade and
which in consequence get hot enough
to burn ones hands, must be great in
deed; so much so, one would think a
large forest in that particular district
would check the violence of the wind
that now rushes through Kohala and
Wainea to cool the torrid heat in this
roo,;oo AnPTrTTT