The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-01-18

| types OF forest IN the Hawaiian Islands
One type occurs near sea-level III ths
drier portions OF the islands and ].
valuable on account OF the timber and
other products which II yields. Tht
other type IS found on the mountain
| slopes at elevations OF 1000 10 5000 feet
where there Is rainfall of 50 TO zoo OF
more inches per year It has little com
H1ercial but high protective value. In nc
case do the two forests intermingle OF
meet,
THE ALGAROBA FOREST.
The forest which occurs near sea
level consists OF single species, and
this introduced, It IS the Mesquite OF
the Southwestern Pains and is called
Algaroba (Prosopis juliaora-)
The first AlgaToba tree sprang from
a seed planted IN 1887 by Father Bache-
lot, founder OF the Roman Catholic mis-
sion. This tree, which is the progenitor
OF forests OF fully $1,000 acres IN extent,
yet stands IN thrifty condition IN Homo
lulu 1t Is about feet IN diameter and
so feet tall
On the Island OF Oahu the Algaroba
forest. covering about 10000 acres, ex-
tends II narrow but almost continuous
belt from the southeastern point. along
the south and west coasts, which are pro-
tected by the trade winds to the north
western point. On the other islands II
occupies the same relative position.
reaching up the low, dr.. slopes for sew
eTal hundred feet, often on ground so
stony and sterile as TO be utterly waste
Tor other purposes Everywhere 1t IS
an aggressive forest and is fast gaining
ground
In Hawaii the species grows IN much
denser stand. and both taller and
straighter than m the United States.
Where fully established It shades the
ground SO thoroughly as 10 keep ont all
councillors. The trees become 80 TO
90 feet high.
Situated as they are, the Algaroba
forests are much more accessible than
the mountain forests The wood has
high fuel value and when used as fence
posts lasts well IN the ground It
scarcely needs saying that these prod
ucts are IN great demand and thA there
IS extensive cutting IN these forests
Alter cutting, the growth renews itself
rapidly by both seedlings and sprouts.
SO that within three or four years II has
as complete possession OF the ground as
before
4 very important feature OF the Alga-
roba forest, and one interesting alike 10
the forester and the sfockman, IS that
fhe pods borne by the tree IN great abt1T-
dance are nutritious food for stock The
pods Tipen during the summer months
and fall to the ground. where they are
either eaten direct BY the cattle, horses,
and pFCs, or are picked mp to be fed.
Forming, with the exception OF grasses.
the most important animal food IN the
islands, they are a boon TO stockmen,
who fatten cattle on them during July
and August, when the pastures are usu-
ally dry.
Stock do no injury in the A1garoba
forests. either to standing trees or re-
production In eating the pods they
which pass on through the alinentary
system. where they are well prepared
for termination. Stock are solely re-
sponsible for the rapid and wide extern
sion OF this tree.
The AIgaroba forests are a valuable
asset for Hawaii. They have no enc
mics, they have tremendous powers OF
and extension. and best
OF ali, they are so highly appreciated
for their situation and products that
they viii be cared for by the individual
without special action on the part Of
the government
THE MOUNTAIN FORESTS
These forests are irreguiarly distrib-
uated at elevations between 1000 and
1000 feet Their quality, growth and
even presence are strongly influenced
7v the northeast trade winds. which
turing the greater parT OF the year keep .
he windward mountain slopes satu- /
-ated by frequent rains. Where the RAIN /,
fall IS heaviest the forests are densest-
Sugar cane. the all-Irnportant crop III
Hawaii. occupies the land from 3 few
.eet above sea-Ievel TO 1000 feef eleva-
ION and Is present wherever there :
,t1ltivable land IN considerable bodies
md an accessible supply OF water. Al
most without exception. where there
vas forest under these conditions II has
zen cleared and the land devoted to
ane. Above the cane fields the plains
nd gentle slopes are often desirable
.razing lands, and are commonly used
or that purpose, SO that much OF the
and between the elevations named IS
lot fo7ested Al all
The islands OF Hawaii and Mani are
he only ones having elevations above
he tiT11ber-Iirle. which Is sharply defined
/ from 6.ooo 10 5000 feet This Is
low, considering the excel
INT conditions OF soil and moisture
-flich prevail at that altitude N Hawaii.
he sufficient reason seems 70 be that
he species composing the native forests
re all representatives OF the torr7d zone.
nd IN these Islands. which lie right At
he edge OF the tropics find their limit
: the low altitude named.
CHARACTER OF THE FOREST.
The purely tropical character O. The
,rest ! impressive None q the Ia