The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-12-21
Fortunate Selection Of an Expert
on Forestry.
PROF. FURNOW'S HIGH RANK
Well Equipped to Give Advice on a
Proper Beginning-Comes by
Courtesy of United States.

Prof. E. r. Furnow chief of the
Forestry Bureau of the United States
Department of agriculture is soon to
come to the Islands on the invitation
of the Government and the Planters
Association. This was mentioned in
the Advertiser a few days ago. 1t was
also noted that the final arrangement
committee Of the Planters organiZa-
ton consisting of w. NJ Giffard, j. F.
Hackfeld and Doctor Walter Maxwell
with the Cabinet. President Dole has
taken a sharp personal interest in the
matter. Messrs. Hackfeld and Giffard
have devoted much time to the study
of forestry conditions and needs
throughout the group.
1t is due to Doctor Walter Maxwell
to say that he is the father of this
movement that promises to be so far
reaching and beneficial and that places
Hawaii in equal rank with much older
communities. Doctor Maxwell, as
chemist for the Planters and director
of the experiment station, has by spe-
cial request and in connection with his
regular work, given not a little atten-
ton to forestry here. He maintained
from the first, however, that the entire
matter should be initiated by expert
fr;o irrl,f Ia
satisfied with his efforts in the prem
ises, but he himself believed in having
SO important a subject consigned to one
whose life work was warrant that he
would be thorough and absolutely cor
rect. 1t was at the request of Presi-
dent Dole that Doctor Maxwell made a
memorandum report and recommends
tions on forestry.
Professor Furnow is a Prussian of
80 who has been with the United States
Government as an expert for many
years. Doctor Maxwell, when ex
pert chemist for the department of
Agriculture of the United States was
intimately associated with Professor
FurnOw for four years and is positive
he is the man needed in Hawaii. Pro-
fessor Furnow has been permitted by
the Government to do some work for
various States In each instance he
has been highly successful. His work
here will be by courtesy of the Ameri-
can Government. 1t was only after
considerable urging from his old friend
here that Professor Furnow agreed to
secure a leave of absence, journey to
the Islands, make an expert and Ella
borate survey or examination and then
submit a report that will practically
be a guide. This plan is the one pro-
posed by Doctor Maxwell for the
reason that he believes the forestry re-
form or movement should be a nation
al one. He says it is the duty of in
dividuals and corporations to assist,
but that the Government should have
the matter we'll in hand, with it's COM
plete and undisputed authority and
with a capable expert to furnish advice
and counsel.
In response to one of Doctor Max
wells letters, Professor Furnow made
the following, among other state
ments:
1T is with greatest interest that
have read your communication received
and 1 congratulate you On having been
instrumental in bringing the necessity
of rational treatment of your forest
cover to the attention of your Govern
ment.
Anything I can do in the way of
furnishing argument and advice to
strengthen your hand and that of your
Government towards establishing a
conviction that the interests of agri-
culture require timely attention to the
treatment of forest cover will be cheer
fully given.
You will see that not merely a
forester a man skilled in the technique
| of forest growing, but a man of judg-
| ment should be entrusted with such
a mission. Perhaps it might be we'll
and expedite the survey to associate
| with the examiner resident geologist
and perhaps the Surveyor General,
when the three would not only more
rapidly get over the ground, but a dis
cussion between them might lead to a
more mature Judgment as to what re-
commentators should be made.
"After such an examination and re-
port is made, which may be accom-
| plished with an expenditure Of less
| than 5000, it will be time to formulate
| further measures of permanent char
acter. 1t may then be found desirable
to employ permanent officer, whose
business it is to look after the forestry