The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1906-08-03

AZ for the algaroba, II II much the
, commonest tree on the islands and
much the most useful But II is not a
native. and the mother tree OF all the
countless brood can still be seen-with
, suitable label--on one OF the principal
streets OF Honolulu The tree IL sug-
sestive OF the pepper In appearance,
but not as large, averaging about the
size OF our apple trees. 1t was brought
to the island In 1897. from Australia,
by Roman Catholic priest. who in
that act did as much for the people OF
the Hawaiian Misunderstanding In a
material sense-as perhaps any man
who ever went there. The bean is good
for cattle and so liked by them that
one may see pastures" without a
blade of grass and looking like
! orchards, and the tree is invaluable
as fire wood. 1t has shallow roots, so
that one can never tell when a strong
wind may lay it low; but 1t is rapid
grower, and already woods all the is
lands, while a man need not have a
/ great many trees in his back yard to
supply his rather frugal fire needs
throughout the year, and yet at the
years end have as good trees as he
had at its beginning
The wonderful towering vines are
the Bougainvillea and the Bignonia
venusta-the latter a mass of orange
colored bloom-throwing its royal
mantle of Holland clear over the roofs
of houses, and the former an equally
wonderful mass of cerise, or much more
rarely of scarlet, flowers. The Bou-
gainvillea is a great favorite, as it
well may be, but it's commoner color
SO fights with the color of every other
i flower in the garden that If one is
particular about effect one must plan
to set it In plain green. But it is suf-
ficiently beautiful in itself; and when,
in walking or driving about Honolulu,
one comes on the great splashes Of one
or the other of these vines-as one
very frequently does-any lack of flow
ers as compared with California is for
gotten.
The most familiar hedge is the hi
discus, which is found in all parts of
the city. Almost all the time 1t Is
thickly covered with large flowers of
bright red, like very wide open red
tulips. These lie on the top and sides
of the hedge. showing strongly against
the green, as IL they were pinned there
for temporary effect. This also adds
much to the floral show of the island.
On the stone walls, of which there are
a considerable number, the night
blooming cereus is a common hedge or
cover. 1t is said that in front of Oahu
College the flowers of the plants num-
Der some thousands at a time. In the
gardens the most common decorative
plant Is the croton, which comes in
many varieties.
There is little good landscape work.
The gospel of the open lawn with
massed border planting seemed hardly
to be known. In a few cases tropical
jungle had been attempted; in many
more there was an unhealthfully thick
planting that was without beauty, or
seeming purpose, while in most there
were lawns badly spotted" with palms
and other plants. AS to the thick
planting, the story was that things
were put in when small and that when
they grew. large, as everything soon
does there, the owners could not bear
to pull them up-which Is probable
explanation, but a poor excuse.
There are two squares" which
ought to be ornamental. and of which
pretations be called so; and there is
large park that in most respects is
worse than any OF the private gar
dens. But the superintendent is now
doing what he can for 1t, with meager
appropriations. and the people are
aroused, have ideals and
give promise of so nearly realizing
them that the conditions / have de-
nrth nod H. III 1f
which the truth has passed
In fact, I do not know that / have
aver been In a community more thor
,ughly saturated with Improvement"
zeal, and alive with Improvement"
Effort. There are multitudes of neigh
,orhood clubs - unfortunately more
han one, sometimes. on a single street;
here is a Central Improvement Com
nittee, which is designated to bring
he activity Of the various societies
nto association and harmory-and
whose suggestion It was that the gov
rnment should secure from me a gen.
raj plan. for which and on which all
night work for a better and lovelier
honolulu; and there is an Advisory
ommittee, made up of local experts
n gardening, horticulture and for
stry. TO whom the technical questions
re supposed to be referred. Thus is
he movement not only far reaching,
ut well organized, and 1t has the sup
ort of all classes of citizens and of the
overnment, local and territorial. The
cry vacant lots. in case after case,
ave well kept lawns. Honolulu, in
ne once far-away Sandwich Islands.
light give points to most American
,wns even today In Its manifestation
the spirit of town Improvement.
Little by little, as one stays on the
land-even though ones thoughts be
usy with other matters-the charm
the place, its tranquility, its beauty.
cave spell upon one. With little
lat Is awe-inspiring or grand, and
othing that is colossal. peace and
veliness dwell there. pervade all that
lie sees.