The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-12-20
AT GOVT. NURSERY
Seeds from Prof Koebele
ALL Planted.
Some of Things Seen-Soap Tree,
koIa Nut, kauri, Hau and
Eucalyptus

The whole of the seeds and plants
sent by Prof. koebele TO the Bureau of
Agriculture have been planted ana
the pots carefully labeled with the
names OF their contents. An immense
number of plants entirely new 20 the
Islands, as we'll as many we'll known
varieties, have from time TO time
been collected by Prof. Koekele and
sent to Mr. Haughs with as fun
description Of each as could be obtain
ed.
From Fiji, no less than nine different
kinds of taro and three varieties of
edible vans were obtained. and all are
showing up in good style at the Gov
eminent Nursery. A very handsome
palm, especially suited TO house decor
alton, is named the Kentia; the plant
has a most delicate appearance and its
leaves are colored a very clear green.
Fruit trees, many kinds of climbing
and ground vines, ornamental trees
which, although in many cases they
bear a close resemblance to familiar
plants on the islands, are yet different
III many respects.
Specimens of the Castilloa Elastica,
considered the best rubber plant
known, are docking exceedingly well,
as may be said of the Kola Nut and
Camphor trees planted some time ago.
Another year should bring along with
il the fruit of the seven Mexican Ba-
mana trees introduced some time ago
The Sapodela Plum tree whose fruit
is very like the Mammea or Mummy
Apple, but smaller also is far adj
vanced.
In shade trees are the famous Hau,
from whose wood the highly priced
calabashes are made, the Logwood
tree, from which is obtained the dye
named after it. and the Queensland
Hazel, which bears an exceedingly
hard shelled nut with a very sweet
kernel. whose flavor closely resembles
the young cocCanut. There is also the
famous Kauri Pine OF New Zealand,
which takes the place there of North
Western Pine in America and the
Baltic Pine in Europe, and whose gum
IS highly priced and shipped in large
quantities to Europe together with the
valuable Teak and the Mangosten, or
cultivated Mango. whose fruit is con-
siGered delicacy.
The Sapindus or Soap tree, which
marble, from which an excellent vege-
table soap is extracted is one Of the
curiosities of the Nursery. There are
also the Star Apple, Cinnamon and
Allspice trees, and last but by 40
means least, several varieties Of the
Australian Mia-mia or Eucalyptus tree,
an6 also many specimens from Calf
ornia of the same invaluable plant. OF
this latter tree, hundreds have been
planted on the Government forest res
ervations and efforts to promote its |
general introduction throughout the |
islands are being made.
Among the aboriginal inhabitants Of |
Australia the bruised leaves of the |
MAMMA are used for a variety Of pur- |
poses. They are pointed thoroughly and |
placed over open wounds, being fire. |
qUently renewed, and the result of this |
primitive treatment is astonishlngly |
successful. For colds in the head and |
chest, bruised leaves are stepped in |
boiling water, and the fumes inhaled; |
70: throat and stomachic troubles, the |
leaves are chewed up and the juice |
and so great is the value |
placed upon it as a destroyer of mala- |
rial germs that throughout the Colo |
MES and elsewhere its Introduction is |
general.
AS a shade tree, however, it is of lit |
tie value, as a popularity of the tree
is that it saps all moisture from the |
land in its vicinity, so that grass will |
not grow near it, and when felled, the |
t!unk is always full of clear water but |
o. course impregnated with the scent |
and favor of the wood.