The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-11-17

1917
This increase is partly accounted for
by the extension of the sugar industry,
which has taken place last year, nearly
all plantations having increased their
acreage and cultivation.
The committee abstain from giving
any statistics of the laboring popula-
ton now living on these islands, as the
Government census for this year VIII
be published in a few days.
(Signed) c. BOLTE,
J. F. HACKFELD,
E. ID. TENNEY.
Alexander Young from the committee
on machinery then read a report of the
advance made by numerous plantations
by the addition of new machinery.
This report was also placed on file.
DR.. Maxwell stated that as his re-
ports were printed in full in the pam
phIet. it would not be necessary for
him to read them in full. He had some
extracts prepared, which he would
read. and as there were matters of
greater Importance to be attended to-,
the reading of his reports could be de-
Iayed until tomorrow. DR.. Maxwell
then read the following:
Laboratory.-In addition to the eX-
animation of fertilizers, sugars and
sugar house products, and other ma
terials concerning which information
is required, the study Of our soils Will
be continued. So far, the work on soils
has been confined to estimations OF
the total phosphoric acid, nitrogen,
lime and potash. During the present
year special attention will be given to
the nitrogen and phosphoric acid in
our soils, with the purpose of determ-
lining the forms in which these bodies
are present, and the measure of their
availability. This work is of imme-
diate practical Importance because OF
its bearing upon the kind and guam
titles of fertilizers which it may be adj
Visable to use.
Experiment Field.-The land re-
quired for field experimentation has
been secured. The field has been en-
closed by high and strOng-railed
fence. An old cottage already upon the
land. has been put into order for use
of the Iaborers. A new building has
been erected. which includes accom-
mediation for the foreman in charge of
labor. a room for cane analysis, with
a small room for storage, etc.
The field has been broken up and
the buried butts of trees gotten out,
and the land cleared and leveled. This
Dreparatory work has been done in
order to bring the land into the most
perfect state of hOmogenousness, with
out which strictly comparative expert
ments, side by side, are not possible.
Also. on account of the bad mechanical
state into which parts of the land has
been brought through excessive irri-
cation by Cinnamon growing truck,
the land has been plowed and cross
plowed to a depth of Is inches, and
thoroughly exposed to the sun and
air
During the next few weeks, trees
oyershadowing the land will be re-
moved. the borders of the land put in
shape. roads laid out, the fence and
houses protected against the weather,
and piping for irrigation laid in.
Observation-Disclosures will be con-
fined at the beginning to the leading
varieties now growing on the Islands.
The seed cane will be obtained from
plantations for the first years expert
ments, and for the growing of seed
cane for the second years planting of
experimental plots.
Fertilizing trials will be made to
observe the action of potash, phos-
phoric acid, and nitrogen individually,
and also to note the action of these
bodies in different combinations.
Further. the action of nitrogen as nit
rate of soda. sulphate of ammonia, and
in organic forms will be determined.
These trials will be made with Lahaina
and bamboo canes, in order to note
the behavior of these canes in rela-
ton to fertilizers. and to determine
the exhauSting effects of the varitieS
comparatively upon the soil. These
comparisons will require most exact
weighings to be made of the cane, and
all leaves and trash, and the determ-
ination of the mineral matter in all
the parts of the whole crop; and this
will show the exact amount of min
eral matter taken from the soil by a
ton of cane, and thus by crop of so
tons of cane, and will furnish a ra-
tional and exact basis for the supply
of fertiliZing elements, in order to make
good what the crop, small or great,
has removed, and for the maintaining
of the fertility of the soil.
Green-fertilizing with different legu-
minous plants will be practiced in pre-
pairing the land for cane experiments.
These. and other more detailed OBJ
servations, will engage the efforts of
the laboratory and the field during the
current year.