The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-11-19

graphs. Your COmmlttee deemed it
necessary that these cuts should be
published, thereby greatly enchancing
he value of the report. and made an
arrangement with the Board of Agri-
culture to pay one-third of the cost
of publication with the condition that
a certain portion of the issue be set
aside for the use and benefit of this
Association. This report is now be-
fore you and we trust you will find
therein much interesting data ana
comment and also derive therefrom,
comfort in the fact that taken as a
whole, the growth of the rubber trees
in Hawaii compares very favorablyi
with that of other countries where
rubber is now grown on a highly pro-
fitable basis.
We have also this year, through the
good offices of DR.. Wilcox and Mr..
r. A. Hosmer, been able to secure as
sistance from the Federal and Terri
torial Stations to conduct a series OF
practical experiments, relative to tap
ping of trees and coagulation of latex
ried on at Nahiku by Mr.. Bradford
under the direction of the above named
two gentlemen. They will, doubtless,
be further explained later in the meet
ing and some statistics relative thereto
may be given out To-day. The figures
derived from these experiments will
have very important bearing on the
future of the rubber industry of Ha-
waii and we hope that when they are
completed a bulletin will be publish
ed for the benefit of our members.
DR.. Wilcox has also assured us that
the staff of the Chemical Laboratory
of the United States Experiment Sta
tion will make any necessary analyses
and help us in every possible way to
solve the problems that are sure to
arise within the next year or two.
Such assistance will be invaluable to
us and we ought to express our thanks
to DR.. Wilcox and Mr.. Hosmer for the
kindly interest they have taken in,
and the help they have given to, this
infant industry.
During the last year, the price of
commercial rubber reached the lowest
point it has touched for many years.
This was due mainly to the depres-
sion in the United States; the de-
mand failing to keep pace with the
supply. For the last few months, how
ever, the price has been steadily rising
and there seems to be very little cause
for serious apprehension from that
source
The labor situation in the Islands is
one that must necessarily be given
consideration by this Association in
the future. At present the rubber in
dustry requires comparatively few
laborers, but when the present plan
tations reach the productive stage,
quite a number will be required and
it will only be just and equable that
this industry should work in harmony
with the others who are expending
large sums in securing an adequate
labor supply
The next few years will be the most
important and critical ones in the de-
velopment of this industry and would
suggest to the members of this Asso-
citation that they see to it that the
very best men possible be placed on
the Executive Committee of this or
ganization as that Committee will me-
cessarily be an important factor in
bringing to a successful issue one OF
the most promising of the diversified
industries of Hawaii.
Respectfully submitted.
d. C. LINDSAY,
President of the Hawaiian Rubber
Growers Association.
1t was voted that committee on
nominations of officers for the ensuing
year be named by the chair. This the
president stated would be done later
Ralph s. Hosmer. the Territorial
Forester, read a technical report on
experiments that had been made in
tapping rubber trees in these islands
He was applauded. There was no res
ponse to the announcement that Mr.
Hosmer would answer any questions
on details
Rubber: Its Cultivation in Ceylon,
Malaga and Java" was the title of a
report in pamphlet form of observa-
tions made by Fred T. P. WaHrhouse.