The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-12-11


WASHINGTON. ID. e.. November 2S
The annual report which has been
submitted tO the President Boy Secretary
of Agriculture Wilson contains an In
teresung account of the establishment
Of the Agricultural Experiment station
in Hawaii The report says
with view To determining the con-
ditions existing in Hawaii with refer
ence 10 experimental Investigations as
related To the needs Of the agriculture
Of that Territory and the location of an
experiment station. DR.. W G. Stubbs
director of the Louisiana Agricultural
Experiment stations was sent TO Ha-
wall. as stated in my previous report
where he made a careful investigation
with special reference 10 the organiza-
ton and work Of an experiment station.
His report was transmitted 10 Congress
and published. Besides much valuable
information regarding the agriculture
Of Hawaii this report contained de-
finite recommendations regarding the
location, equipment organization, ana
lines Of work Of the proposed expert
ment station in that territory. II was
recommended that station be estab-
lished under the direct control Of this
Department and independent Of exist
ing local institutions. As the station
already maintained by the Hawaiian
Sugar Planters Association will con-
tinue its work on problems relating to
the sugar industry, il was recommended
that the station to be established by
this Department give its attention to
other agricultural interests.
1t was pointed out that among the
subjects to which the station should
give special attention were the culture
Of fruit vegetables, rice, forage crops,
stock raising, daiTying, coffee growing,
-. .
quarters for the station, IL was recon-
mended that the reservation which the
Hawaiian Government had surveyed
and mapped i'm 1893 for an experimental
and forestry station be secured. This is
tract of 222 acres near Honolulu,
known as KewalOuka. with an elevation
ranging from 80 to 1000 feet and con-
tanning cleared and forest land. On the
basis Of this report a second appropria-
ton Of $4,000 was made for the main
tenance Of an experiment station i'm
Hawaii during the current fiscal year
Immediately on the passage of the Con-
gressional appropriation act | took
measures for the establishment Of an
experiment station in Hawaii on a per
manent basis
About 80 acres Of land have been
cleared and half Of this area has been
pIoWed I'd narrowed. This includes 1872
acres Of forest land on the upper portion
Of the reservation. where there is suiti-
Gent rainfall to make il possible to
carry on experiments without irriga-
ton. This will be devoted to hOrticul-
tural plantations, and in this way VIII
be covered with trees again. water
system has been provided ~ the cree
ton Of several large tanks, which are
connected with the city water system
and operated with the aid of a gasoline
engine and pump. The following build
ings are in process Of erection Resi-
dence for the special agent in charge
office and laboratory, one frame cottage
and two grass huts for laborers, one
stable, and one covered manure pit.
paintings of taro the principal food
ulant of the islands. have already been
begun with the special object of study
ing a disease which plays havoc with
that crop. This is an important matter,
as probably 80 per cent Of the working
population in these islands depend on
taro for their daily food, and within the
last decade the price of taro has in
creased 800 per cent because Of the
losses from this disease and the attend
ant deterioration in quality and yield
~ crop. There are many other fungus
diseases of fruits and vegetables pre-
valent on the islands in Hawaii which
should be STUDIED. Some poultry eX
periments have also been inaugurated,
with a view especially to finding a way
Of raising healthy barnyard fowls i'm
these islands, where hitherto the sunuly
Of poultry has kept below the demand
because of the losses from the raVages
of diseases. 1t is reported that live
chickens sell in Honolulu markets for
SIS a dozen, and eggs at from 40 to so
cents dozen. Owing largely to the in
sufficient supply of forage, pork produc-
ton is very expensive, the ruling price
for hogs in the Honolulu markets being
from 10 to II cents pound on the hoOf.
To remedy this difficulty experiments
with various tubers and roots and with
the common Papaya as feed for swine
VIII be undertaken at an early day, and
as soon as possibl~ Investigations in
dairy husbandry will be inaugurated.
Plans are also being made for expert
ments in horticulture, including both
fruits and vegetables. and coffee cul-
ture.
Among other subjects needing the
attention of the station are investiga-
tions on methods of cultivation, use of
fertilizers, drainage. irrigation and for
estry. Considering the variety OF sub
jects for investigation, the annual APP
preparation for the maintenance of the
Hawaii experiment station should be
not less than $4,000. To properly equip
1t with buildings, apparatus, imple-
ments, live stock etc, a special fund Of
$4,000 is very much needed. Now that
Hawaii Is organized as Territory Of
the United States, I see no good reason
why i'm the matter of an agricultural
experiment station IL should receive diff
ferent treatment from that accorded
other Territories-that is, il should re-
gulaTly receive the same appropriation
ar is given the other Teritoies under
the act of Congress OF March 2, 1887.
The further needs of the experiment
station, especially as regards land,
buildings, and equipment should be
acting through thier Territorial legis-
lature."