The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-03
FOREST LAND WANTED
BY PEOPLE Of HAWAII
Two Applications for Leases Discussed by the
Board of Agriculture.--One Lease Sold a
Year too Soon.--Setters Coming.

Grifiths and Hall had been of that opin-
ion, and it had been found that grasses
did not help
Mr.. Hosmer suggested that if forests
were wanted, then all the conditions that
went with forests must be kept
Mr. Thurston said that one of the
greatest problems before the board
would be to find the point of difference
between. the forest and homestead line
, The section in the neighborhood of the
proposed lease was all lava and the
trees were growing in rocks. In this in
dividuai case he believed the homesteads
should be given the preference over the
forests, although not to be taken as
precedent.
Forester Hosmer said that often home
steads were of as great benefit to the
community as forests. The lower edge
of the forest was where the homesteads
could best be located, the only difficulty
being in the means of transportation to
the farms. If produce could nos be TAX
en- to market, then homesteads would not
be a success, and it would tend to dis
courage the homestead movement en-
tirely
Mr. Thurston said that there was a
lack of soil in this district but that fruit
trees might flourish. AS general prin-
ciple he believed that the underground
was needed for the preservation of the
forests, although there were exceptions.
He related one exception, where w. H.
Shipman had cleared the underbrush
from fifteen acres of land near the Vol
cano House, and the lehua trees had
grown better than before. Peter Lee,
in the same district had cleared about
I2o acres and planted grass, which had
come up luxuriantly. The lehua trees
also did better Both instances he said
were contrary to generally accepted
rules
Mr. Hosmer also related a similar in !,
stance on Kapapala Ranch where
young ohia forest was coming up finely. !
Mr. Giffard said that he didn't wish to /,
act on the matter until he could do /
so intelligently He believed that the !
forester should make all inspection in all I
such cases.
COMMERCIAL WOOD.
Mr.. HoSmer said that point to be
considered also was the commercial value
of the forest The trees in this section /
were tall ohia and could be utilized for
ties. The commercial standpoint, he be-
Iieved should be kept in mind as we'll as !,
the protective feature.
Mr. Giffard said he didn't see much
hope for the forests from a commercial
point of view When Kapiolani Park
was cleared an effort was made to dis
pose of the iron wood trees for piles and
as railroad ties, but without success. A
part had been sold for fence posts and
he remainder for fire wood.
Mr.. Thurston said that the Oahu Rail
way had imported redwood ties at less
,ost than the native woods could be
supplied to them. The Hilo Railway
1ad had the same experience, until re-
Gently men had obtained experience IN
Tearing land and had learned how to
ye- ct the trees. so that now ties were
brushed the Hilo railway from the Tor
SIS rear there at half the former cost.
SECOND LAND DEAL.
A second letter was received from
land Commissioner Pratt in regard TO
|. proposed lease of land at Honuaula,
Hawaii This is a piece of 3o44 acres,