The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-17

Each person who receives plants from
the Nursery is supposed to keep a record
of how they grow, and to submit re-
ports from time to time in regard to
them A few reports have been re-
ceived and are on file, but as a general
thing this regulation where 1t IS not
actually a dead letter amounts to but
little more. as the reports received are
/ so general as to be of practically no
/ value.
However necessary the free distribu-
| ton of ornamental plants and fruit trees
may have been in the past-and believe
| that in former years it was highly de-
| sirable, If not necessary, that such work
| be done-it seems to me that the neces-
! sity does not now exist, and that the
| Government could better eXpend in
other ways the money now devoted for
this purpose.
There is another objection to the free
distribution of ornamental plants and
fruit trees. The free distribution of
such plants makes it practically impossi-
bic for a nurseryrilan in Honolulu to
deal in these species. This limits their
activity strictly to floral plants and prob
ably it prevents a larger number from
engaging in this business. | believe that
conditions in this Territory are now
such that those persons who really de-
sire ornamental plants for their grounds
are able to pay for them, and it does
not seem to me wise that the Govern
ment should keep out so desirable a
class of business men as the nursery
men as rule are.
The free distribution of fruit trees is
open to the same objection. This also
is a class of trees which the nursery
men would probably find it profitable to
handle. Experiments with varieties new
to these islands should be continued,
either by this Board or by the Federal
Experiment Station, but after a tree has
been found to do well here, it should
be turned over to the nurserymen.
In the matter of forest trees it would
be wise to keep on hand for the present
enough of the more common kinds to
supply those who wish only few trees
Persons desiring to plant extensively
should be encouraged to grow their own
trees. To this end the Division of For
estry stands ready to assist private
owners, as far as time and appropria-
tons permit, by advice and suggestion.
This assistance will be given by letter
or in person as the case may warrant,
and will, l believe, result in much |
SiCdlCI SOOu lIldll lIlC SGilOlIlR Out Oh
trees from the Nursery.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
For these reasons l recommend that |
the gratuitous distribution of ornamental |
plants and fruit trees be discontinued; |
that hereafter only forest trees be given |
out; and that a price covering the cost |
be affixed to each tree or plant, to be
paid in cash
In disposing of the stock on hand 1 |
recommend that, beginning at once all |
the plants now in the Nursery be put |
on sale for a period of two months, at
prices covering their cost, and if any
remain at the expiration of that time,
that the Superintendent of Forestry be
authorized to dispose OF them in the
manner i'll his judgment most advisable
L further recommend that hereafter
the Nursery be used primarily as an ex-
perimental ground where shall be tried
such trees and shrubs as seem likely to
prove of economic importance to the
Territory, being especially used for
purposes.
| desire also that considerable quaint
ties of seed be collected, both that of
the native trees and of the commercially
important introduced varieties The
Division should, [ think, have on hand
seed to furnish, at a price covering cost,
to private owners, who desire to estab-
lish plantations, as we'll as for its own
planting. 1t will be some time before
the nurserymen will be in position to
furnish seed, while that obtained from
the coast is expensive and not always
The location of the Nursery makes it
of only small portion of
the islands. 1t would therefore be well
to establish sub-stations on the several
islands, at varying elevations and under
different conditions Systematic and
careful experimenting carried on under
the direction of men who take an interest
in the work, acting under Instructions
received from this office, would I be-
leve prove of great value There are
in almost every district gentlemen who
would take an interest in such work and
who would see that it was carried on
Seeds and plants should
De supplied to these sub-stations from
he Nursery and arrangements made
whereby definite record would be kept
II all work done.
NURSERY GROUNDS.
The Nursery grounds are at present in
IN unsatisfactory condition Many COM
non trees of small importance or value
IRE crowding rare and valuable ones.
AS soon as possible this condition will
DC remedled, the unimportant things will | ;
De removed and the valuable trees given
he advantage of light and space. Labels
bearing the common and scientific name
viii be affixed to each tree and in this
way start will be made toward an
Arboretum. Some time | hope to see
n the vicinity of Honolulu a good
Arboretum of the native trees, together
With such exotic trees as have been ;
ound to do we'll here
NUUANU VALLEY.
Having carefully examined the plan g
ations which have been made near the t
lead OF Nuuanu valley and inspected
he work now in progress l believe that I
I would be wise to discontinue for
the fc-eSFotip-, ~ (.