Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-06-27

ON BIG ISLAND
BEXTENSIVE
Forester Hosmer States Great
Importance of Forests
in kona -. ,

Tree planting on the island of Ha.
wall forms the most interesting topic
of the report for May Of r. s. Hos
mer, superintendent of forestry. Fol-
lowing are his remarks thereon.
II was glad while in Kona to find
a. newly awakened interest in tree
planting among several OF the large
land owners. On the lands of the
Greenwich estate considerable tree
Planting is contemplated In the near
future. On the Capt Cook Coffee
Company holdings very promising
plantation Of sugi fcryptomeria ia
ponieal has recently been established.
and at Huehue. Mr.: j. A. Maguire's
ranch house, a plot OF a number Of
species Of eucalyptus is doing Well,
In the vicinity of Hnehue the silk oak
(Grevillea robusta1 has become we'll
established and is reproducing itself
vigorously from self-sown seedlings.
Tree planting in Kona is of par.
tieulars Importance because OF the
rapid deterioration of the native Ha
waiian forest over large stretches OF
the upper lands. Especially in the
koa belt the change from the former
heavy forest to an open stand of rap
idly dying trees has been marked
within the last few years. This con-
ditiGn Is most noticeable on privately
owned lands in the center of the dis
trict that are used for grazing. II is
not too late to redeem sections Of
this native forest IL it were protected
at once, but there is no time to lose
H., 4 q
gliepe, and so recommended so sey.
eral of the owners, that, at least sur
rounding the water holes and swan
by places, blocks of forest ought ia
be permanently maintained, sufficient
in size to insure the continuance of
both trees and underground in heal
thy condition.
~Kona is Of best but very deficient
in water supply. Every source is I'M
pertant., 1t i'll hehooyes amy land
owner to let slip any opportunitg,
through protecting the native forest
and through tree planting, to con.
serve what sources Of supply there
are, and there is no question that tho
time for such action is now. =
2 Tree planting is also going on sue
Hcessfully on the other side OF Hawaii
As atfesult of my visit in April to
the Kukafau ranch in Hamakua, ]
drew up early in May a statistical re-
port on that project, for the informal
ton of the board and for future ref
erenee a.
= Il am glad, in this connection Of
tree, planting, to call attention to sew
eral good sized orders for seeding
trees that have recently been placed
with the division of forestry by sugar
plantation companies. ~.
In the remainder Of his report the
territorial forester tells of N"oFk in
looking after the fencing of forest re-
serves and the administration of for
est reserves. Gonsignments of tree
seeds from foreign countries, as re-
suit of visits paid by J. F. G. Rock to
oriental botanic gardens last winter.
continue to arrive and are being pro-
pagated at the nursery g.. <et.
David laughs, nNrseryman; reports
the distribution of 9171 plants in May
to the general public, and 21,250 to
plantation and other companies; also
the receipt of an order under tae lat
ter head for $4,000 eucalyptus seed
lings for delivery before the. end Of
the year. Planting of koa and kukui
trees, on the Honolulu watershed re-