The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-08-18
Insect Problem In Oahu
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Editor Advertiser: There is a sad
state of things existing from an agricul-
tural standpoint, due mainly to the
presence of destructive insects that
people generally do not appear to recog
| nize,, or at least do not make any ade-
quateN effort to COMBAT.
If we consider the useful things that
could be grown here (were grown be-
fore the advent of the Japanese beetle
and melon fiy), it will serve to measure
the necessity of controlling them now.
One item, melons, would supply a very
desirable article of food, especially for
this climate, but owing to the fact that
we have climate that would enable us
to ship to the mainland when the mar
ket was bare and prices good there
would be remunerative work for intel
ligent men.
This is not imagination-it is bust
ness! There is money and pleasure in
it but it is stern necessity to control
the insects. AT the present time we
desire to invite the white settler, the
home builder; we want a refined, intel
ligent individual who will be success.
We cannot afford to attempt to mental
science facts; no Juggling with humbug
can hide the bug in the garden.
do not believe in painting the trag-
edy of life with charcoal, but in all the
bright radiance that opportunity af-
fords.
There is no evil that cannot be over.
come or any vermin that cannot be eX-
terminated. If ordinary methods fail,
we must use the heroic and resort to
new ways. If there is no trail, we can
make one. Had some one proposed to
exterminate the mosquitoes in the Canal
zone decade or two ago, most rational
people would have said or thought
insane. 1t needed the man who could
think and do. This little mosquito slew
an army of industrial soldiers; with
song and poisoned lance it stopped q
French invasion and converted theiI
ditch into grave.
Phyloxera, San Jose scale, apple
| worm, potato beetle and others, have
all appeared as difficult as those con
| fronting us now and for each one VIZ
have had to fight with special weapons
The men who waged this warfare hat
special fitness, possessing earnestness
mental as well as physical, microscopic
and telescope sight, with mountain
peak views of the conflicts of the Fate
and Furies. They gave special orde
to politicians and lawmakers that the,
dared not disobey, the wonder working
chemist, skilled entomOlogist, the trick
of the inventor were called into service
ancient individual rights with mucl
other rubbish of neglected and unwhole
some trees were consumed with fire o
cleansed with sulphurous mist.
The golden stream of oranges an
other California fruits that brighten AM
bless the world; the apples from Hoo,
River and Wenatchie; the berries fron
Puyallup and all places where fruit i
grown, are monuments to the men VIII
have controlled the insects. These frui
products of the soil are the best bless
ings the world has produced, pictures t
the eye, music TO the taste. nourishing {
the normal, restoring health to the sicl
and have made possible the splendi
civilization that is dawning on tn
American farmer, converting his hom
from one of drudgery and poverty I
one of pleasure, refinement and pros
: reritv. The islands are at present
discord in the economic scheme. The
need our sugar to sweeten their prod
uets, our pineapples, bananas and mul
tiform fruits, floN ers and vegetables [
grace their tables ald give glOwin
touch of pleasure to their long winter
We have not enough produce to foe