The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-08-05

The reforesting of the upper Nuuanu
valley is going on at the rate of planJ-
ing 10000 trees a year. Since 1898 when
the work began there have been planted
about 250000 trees in that valley. These
trees are of almost innumerable species
The world is being searched for varie-
ties which are suitable for the condi-
tions that prevail there. Already the
change from the barren condition that
prevailed there a few years ago is APP
parent, and Expert Forester Grifiths
who was here some time ago and made
a report on forest conditions of Hawaii
speaks of the work done and being done
in terms of the highest praise.
The work is being done under the inn
mediate direction of Forester Haughs.
He has a force of nine men who are
kept constantly at work. The seeds
are first planted in propagating frames.
When they have terminated and grown
up a few inches they are placed in
small pots" made of ii leaf. When
they have grown large enough in these
to be planted where they are expected
to grow they are planted ii pot and
all, the ii leaf soon rotting away and
adding it's substance to the fertility of
the soil.
On days like yesterday when the rain
prevents work out of doors, the force
of men is employed in the propagating
house making the ii leaf pots and plac-
ing the little seeding trees in them.
The work of making 10000 of these lit
tie pots" in the course of a year is in
itself not inconsiderable.
OF the varieties of trees planted, many
of course are of purely experimental
nature, as it cannot be foretold with
certainty which will thrive and which
will not. Experiments are being made
among other varieties, with the sandal
wood tree, which in the early part OF
the century was the chief export of the
Islands. So far the experiments with
this tree have only been fairly success
full. A sort of pseudo sandal wood,
very pretty tree, has been found to
thrive much better. A tree known as
Koa MelanOXylon, or foreign kOa has
been found to thrive excellently. The
| Ironwood tree does well. 1t grows
straight up Notwithstanding the terrlf-
fic winds which blow through the pass
in the Pail and affect nearly every other
| tree. Cork oak trees are doing fairly
WELL and a tree known as the silk oak
is being experimental with. The Eu-
calyptus in a number of varieties is be-
ing planted and thrives.
Experiments are being made with all
the Indigenous trees from the other ISL
ands which are thought to be Of value.
Among these are the Ohia, the Kou and
the Kukui The Kou does not thrive
very well, being peculiarly liable to the
attacks Of insects. The experience
with the Kou is thought by some to be
added proof of the theory that the Kou
is a tree which has seen its days as a
species and is becoming extinct in the
natural process of evolution.
A tree of which considerable is anti
| cipated is called the turpentine tree.
In addition to prOpagating and plant
! ing trees, the fOresters force have to
| look after the growing trees, straight
ening them up where the wind bends
! them down, loosenng the soil about
their roots, and generally giving them
such culture as will secure the best re-
suits Another line of work is keeping
down the lantana on the government
| reserves. The upper valley is now
| practically clear Of lantana and is kept
/ clear by a rule which directs all en-
, ployes to cut down and burn every
! sprig and bush of the pest they find.
| Experiments with Panicum and other
| grasses are being carried on. The pa
nicum is found to be able to kill out the
Hilo grass and there is constant and
/ growing demand for the grass by the
! public to plant for forage.
| The government reserves extend gen
orally speaking from the reservoirs up
to the pail, and the general aim is to
made it a forest that will conserve the
rainfall of the region making the water
sunply for the city, constant and peren-