The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-10-30
FIRST SUCCESSFUL
EXPERIMENT
WITH TARO SEEDS
Method Is Worked Out BY Local
Man'Who Makes the improve
ment of the KaIo His Hobby
(By aERRIT p. wILDER)

The early Hawaiians recognized
some $50 varieties Of the kalo-- (aram
esculentum) more commonly known MS
taro. OF this number, some were in
digenous, while others were introduced
from the various islands of Polynesia,
although nowhere does il attain its
perfection found here, where il has al
ways been the chief article of the
native diet. The Hawaiians possess
great skill in the cultivation of the
kalo; a skill which in fact, has never
been excelled, for it is still cultivated
in the ancient manner.
The kslo has always been propagated
by planting the tops of the corms, call.
ed the hulis. These are planted when
quite green or fresh as they are cut
from the tuber, aud quickly strike
root, either in the soft mud of the
taro patch, or in the dry earth in To-
calities where there is sufficient mois-
ture. ,r-,t.
The question has often occurred to
me as to just in what manner the many
varieties of the kalo were produced, as,
so far as, 1. have been able to ascer-
tain, they seem incapable Of self.polle-
nation. g. -. 1919
Taro Collected ~.
For number of years / have made
a close study of the kalo and have en-
deavoTed to COLLECT and preserve the
different varieties as they occur on the
various islands of our group. IL has
been an interesting work, in which /
have been greatly assisted by the many
old-time Hawaiians whom 1 have met
in the out of-the,way country districts.
/ have now valuable collection Of
some sixty varieties, together with
considerable data in regard to their
native names and habits.
ia From, close observation Of these spec
linens in my collection, became con
vinced that by means of artificial cross
,polIenation, Seeding taros could be
raised: and by so doing, doubtless elm
mate, in measure, the diseases which
are now constantly perpetuated through
the planting Of infected hulis. My .ex-
periments along this line have proven
successful, and at this time of writing,
Il have about $50 seeding kalo plants
which 1 have produced by means Of
artificial cross-pollenation.
First From Seed a 4ha,- nv,
iThesey 90 far rs I am aware, are the
first kalO plants to be grown from
seeds. .f' ,+..T N-@ra tp+, yti
The accompanying cut shows the kalo
blossom and it's seed development I'M.
der artificial pollenation.
Figure l. shows the young bud.
| Ill The greenish yellow fragrant
LII, The flower as il appears after
having been emasculated, its own pol
| len femoVed. and now randy IN he
cross fertiiized. srn@ aft.g.. .rs az A5t
~. Shows a section of a blossom
with its pollen. grains. E,.r
| ". Shows the seed-capsule, with
their fully developed seeds, as n re-.
suit of artificial Decentralization. .
vi. The flower as il appears when
left alone, withered and dried up.
Ralo seeds, which are about the size
of grains of fine beach sand, are arr
ranged in groups Of from 8 70 5 along
| the stem. bH~E 'hEfFfs f#Skl NT
These / carefully removed, and plant.
ed in shallow pots filed with moist
| eOeoanut dust. 'tH ~ ~EJsFk
! / am indebted to Mr.. westgate and
the TX =. Experimental Station for al
lowing me the use of their ant.proof
fproPagating space for this stage Of my
wOrk. y III W#t III MftsE B
~ Kalo natures all the way from s to
IS months, depending on the variety.
] hope to produce some strong, yigOr-
Gus plants, that win prove 10 be re-
sistant TO the kalO rot diseases and
also to help to increase the production
Of one Ofiour most palatable and nour-
ishing native foods t iUr W. 6
Il A d. q