The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-11-23
THE PLANTERS.

Few Points In Regard to the
Donudation Of the Forest Lands
Something Alb ut the Labor
supply.
The PLANTERS met again this morn
ing, j. B. Anterior, the newly elect
cd President presiding. The Finan-
cial report was considered aud
adopted but the publication Of the
very interesting figures was pro.
hibited.
1t may be OF interest, however,
for few to learn that the tax on
fertilizers is not to be imposed on
lime unmixed, or wool dust.
An interesting and technical re-
port full Of encouraging data on
machinery, Mr.. Morrison chairman
OF the committee, was read by DR..
Maxwell. 1t showed the advantage
of extra pressure and reviewed
several notable experiments which
were illustrated by samples exhibit
ed. The report analysed the reasons
Of the degradation of sugar ia tran
sit or long storage and spoke OF GER
tain analyses which in the instances
cited the absence OF lime was the
prime cause, The proper prepare
ton Of sugar will be indispensable
in view of large shipments in future
around the Horn. Naturally the
Bacteria Of sugar was discussed and
fermentation traced down to its
foundation whether from too much
moisture, too low alkalinity or other
imperfection. A suggestion was made
to eradicate the superhuous mois-
ture from sugar by simple draft
machine which would also cool the
the sugar before sacking.
Brief discussion participated in
by Mr.. Morrison, who advocated the
drying blast suggested by DR.. Max
we'll. 1t was important to have the
sugar dried.
Mr., It. a. Davies stated that he
found when in New York that Ha-
waiian sugar would have to be pre-.
pared better for the New York re-
fineries than for San Francisco. he
regretted that the Planters and
practical makers Of sugar were not
better represented to discuss prac.
teal matters OF such immense i'm
portance TO them.
After remarks by Messrs. Baldwin,
Rsnton and Hackfeld the report
took the usual course.
The Report on cane diseases was
read aud dealt with.
w. M. GIffard, chairman OF the
Forestry Committee, presented re-
port of the committee, printed. 1t
was an elaborate one and full of es.
pecial interest for the country. The
following extracts are taken from
that portion contributed by DR.
Maxwell:
The mode, however, in which for.
est surfaces operate in taking mois.
ture from the air passing over them
is not SO generally we'll known; and
it is in place to explain that while
forests and other attitudes do affect
and possibly draw, atmospheric cur
rents that bear moisture, the main
value of the forest is in presenting
cool surface to the molsture-la laden
air passing over, and thus causing
the cooled air to give up a part OF
its moisture as rain, By way OF illus
tration 1 may add that 1 made some
readings OF the temperature OF the
air, the surface soil to a depth o.
six inches, and of the inside of the
trunk OF trees about nine inches ir
diameter, and four feet from the
ground, when | was in the Hamakul
District. The air temperature wal
85 degrees, the soil 81 degrees, ant
the temperature of trees, however
depends upon their size or mass
and the smaller the tree or bush tn,
nearer its temperature comes to tina
of the air. This example is given il
order to guard US against the ide'
that any vegetable covering will