The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-12-17
.LANTANA
BLIGHT.
Parasite Killing
Scourge Over
Maui.

Raymond of Kahikinui ranch, Is of
opinion that the lantana blight is max
ing great headway on the island of
Maui. ana that the parasite does not
attack valuable trees or shrubs or even
weeds. Going further, DR.. Raymond
believes the lantana has a certain per-
od of life and that in many sections
of his home island the scourge s dying
practically for want of sustenance.
While 1t is too early to decide just
what will be accomplished by the Ian
tana blight" said DR.. Raymond, from
the experience of the Kahikinui ranch
am of opinion that within few years
the lantana will be dead upon the 5000
or more acres of the ranch which now
are covered by the scourge. There is
now systematic endeavor to spread
the blight, as no one believes II will at
tack valuable or forest trees. employ
one man who does nothing else but
spread the blight.
I'm Wailuku l saw a hedge of Ian
tana which had been killed by the
blight. In the midst Of the hedge was a
rose bush, which was in the very best
shape, the leaves being excellent and
the blossoms bright and plenty. was
told that when the blight attacked the
hedge II encountered the rose bush and
went on over 1t to the rest OF the Ian
tana. 1t was noticed that the parasite
was on the leaves and stem of the rose
but it did not take hold and have any
effect at all.
when I removed to Ulupalakua the
premises had been somewhat neglected.
I began to clean up and found that on a
lantana hedge within % feet of some of
the most valuable trees was the blight
in force ] had the hedge taken out in
the course of my improvements, but I
could not find that the blight had at
tackled a single valuable tree or plant.
Then, too, / have watched some weeds
which grow close to the Ian
tana have seen the blight upon
the leaves but have not been
able to see that particlei of dam
age was ever done by the parasite to
any of the plants.
"Of course, as said, it is too soon t.
say absolutely what blight will do. In
one place in a period of six months the
blight spread over an area fifty times
that of the spot where it was noticed
originally. l should say that the blight
once well spread over plant, would
destroy 1t within a month. Once the
blight Is introduced 1t will propagatf
and spread all over a plant until it car
be found on every branch. Then tn,
: leaves fail and the wood blackens anC
splits and dies. You can break tn,
branch or stem with the slightest pres
| sire. In spreading the blight hav,
my man take branches of the lantanf
; containing the blight and spread then
about among the healthy plants. Thes'
spread in turn and thus new cente
is created from which new infected
; branches may be secured to start tn,
blight at another point
once the lantana is blackened ant
} killed the sun and rain get through tt
: the ground beneath and then the gras:
begins to grow The spread has no
been sufficient to permit Of judging OF
the effect of the disease, but 1t is my
opinion that once the iantana is dead
unless the growth has been very great
the cattle will force their way ir
among the growth and break down the
plants to get at the tender grass. II
case the growth Is too long il will be
cut down. The spread of the blight Is
slow owing to the fast that the thicketS
often are quite impenetrable and the
parasite can be introduced only about
the edges. Should the blight continue tc
do all | expect IL will my plan win be
To cut trails through these thickets Sc
as to spread the blight right among tn.
bushes and insure it getting n good
start.
II am convinced that lantana, like
all other plants, has its period of life
in a certain soil. and is not like a forest
tree for instance. Thus when | have
been riding over the hills a native 70,
instance would tell me that an area oi
lantana which shows II is declining
was, ten years past a most thriving
forest Many places you will see the
: Ilont seemingly diving. The flowers are
: dull and few, the plant is scrubby and
has no element or life at all. I have
seen many acres of this kind OF plant
which I believe In five years will have
worn itself out completely. The ma
tives believe this will result and say
that the kolu had a similar life history
Il am carrying on my fight against
the young lantana just as II there was
no blight, but am hopeful that in five
or ten years l will have some IcN0 OF
; 5000 acres cleared entirely OF the Ian
tana, through the blight"