Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-05-23
Cane Importations Must
BE CAREFULLY GUARDED
Protect Hawaii From Pests

Director Eckart of the Planters Ex-
pertinent Station is sending out the fol-
lowing report which contains vital sug-
gestions to all those engaged in the
sugar industry:
Honolulu, II. T., May 9, 1902.
To the Trustees OF the Hawaiian Sugar
Planters Association.
Conference.-The planting and prop.
agation of new varieties of cane Cor ex.
perimental purposes. with the object OF
comparing their productive value with
that of varieties already established
constitute a line of investigation OF
considerable Importance where such
radical climatic and soil differences
exist as we find on these Islands.
The sensibility of various canes tn
drought and excessive moisture. their
respective adaptabilities to different
elevations and exposures. and the
draughts made by the same upon the
plant foods of the soil, form question
the solutions Of which may prove OF
material advantage to the Hawaiian SUI
gar industry.
Cane variety experiments have been
pursued for a number of years ut your
Experiment Station and much time and
labor have been expended in the pro.
curing and tabulation of data respect
ing the different tests. Seed from the
more promising canes has been distri
buted among the plantations for trial
under diversified conditions and VIC he
lieve that results may be looked for Of
great economic value.
There is danger, however. that unless
n proper precaution is observed in thu
importation OF these new varieties. the
objects OF such experiments may be de-
feated by the introduction OF noxious
insects and plant diseases from Which
these Islands are now peculiarly fee.
BY a rigid examination of all consiSn-
ments OF cane, and with the thorough
fumigation or destruction of suspicious
samples, the cane fields of this country
will be protected in large measure from
the serious pests common in ether cane
producing countries.
Shipments of cane received at Homo.
lulu are carefully examined, before
leaving the wharf, either by Prof
Koebele, or in his absence by his rep
resentative. Mr. Perkins. Otner ports
of these Islands. however, car not tGks
the same protective steps and stand
liable to nullify all precautionary
measures observed in Honolulu.
Experiment Station Samples.
We would therefore suggest chat
plantations DESTROYS OF experimenting
with new varieties of cane. obtain tbs
same when possible from the Expert
ment Station, and in event of procur.
ing samples from foreign sources, that
such samples be imported through tbs
care of the Experiment Station and
carefully examined by your entomolo'
gist and passed or condemned as the
case may be. II Is only by the exercise
of such rigid measures that freedom
from further insect troubles may be as
sured.
In the absence OF Prof. Koebcle, Mr.
r. c. l.. Perkins has at our request
kindly submitted report on the insect
enemies of cane on these Islands, and
his observations and knowledge Of the
habits of Hawaiian fauna make his re-
port OF great value in the consideration
of this matter, and but emphasizes the
necessity of proper control Of cane i'm
portations. Mr.. Perkins report we
give in full:
Honolulu, II. T., May S, 1902.
Mr.. c. +. ECkart.
Dear Sir:-In answer to your letter
of May 5 will reply to your questions
in the order in which you have stated
them in that letter.
~. What are the insects of an in
furious nature already existing in thest
Islands?
The insects positively more or les,
injurious to cane together with one o.
%. M u II :, :. II II I. II u II II II F.. .