Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-03
MANY PLANTATIONS SUFFER FROM
INROADS OF LEAF. HOPPER PEST

! parasite has been found to be estab
lished on two plantations. On thu
whole, however, Mr.. Muir considers
that the showing made by these For
mosan species is disappointing.
THE Chinese Dryinid, a parasite
related to the we'll known Fairchilt
parasite of the cane leaf-hopper, intro
duced by Mr.. Muir in 1907, was first
found established last year, and III
this year reported by Mr. Swezey IL
most of the infested plantations. The
adult resembles a large black ant;
the parasitized leaf-hopper appears tc
have a large black wart beneath the
wings.
"Mr. Swezey finds that in most
claces fairly close balance is main
tanned between the borer and til
Tachinid parasite. Where rats occur
they facilitate the work of the borel
and more damage results.
Some more colonies of the Tachi
mid were sent to the Hutchin
son Sugar Plantation company, where
they are not yet known to be estab
lished. One search was made since
these colonies were liberated, but to
no effect.
yellow Stripe Disease
During: the past year this disease
has appeared in epidemic form in
many fields of Striped Zip cane on
Hawaii, extending over far greater
areas and running larger percenta-
age of the stools than in any former
epidemic on record. The disease, &C,
cording to DR.. Lyon, did not occur in
isolated patches of small extent, but
was generally distributed throughout
the fields, attacking from so to 80 per
cent of. the stools.
After examining certain fields of
the Hamakua coast, DR.. Lyon estimat-
ed that the Yellow Stripe disease
would be responsible for the loss of
thousands Of tons of sugar independ-
emily of any other adverse factors
which might affect these fields.
This goes to show that the expert.
ment station was fully justified in
recommending the gradual Substitil.
ton of other varieties for one sus-
ceptible to the Yellow Stripe disease.
Refining Properties
This subject has occupied the prin-
cipal attention of DR.. Norris and his
assistants during the year. AS author.
lied by the trustees of the association
Dr. Norris made a trip to the main.
land, to visit refineries in California
and in the East, to obtain more pre-
else information in regard to the re-
filming qualities of Hawaiian sugar. A
short trip was also made to Cuba to
investigate methods of raw sugar
manufacture there. The results of DR..
Norris findings have been covered n
separate reports.
las a tentative standard for the
past season it has been assumed that
a desirable sugar should not have
over 5 per cent by weight of grain of
less than three-quarters of MILNE
ter square. Having now on hand
about four hundred samples of Cuban
sugars of 1917, DR.. Norris purposes to
determine the size of grain in a large
number of them, thus securing data
upon which a permanent standard
can be based. Messrs Burgess, Nc
Allep. Brodie and Reynolds have tax.
en- part in the examination of sugars
during the year.
at is the intention to continue the
tests on raw sugars during next sea-
son. Aside from the tests mentioned
above certain research investigations,
on raw sugars are in progress for the
purpose of getting information that
will be of assistance in improving
their refining value.
Of Exhausted MoIasses
THE large amount Of work required