Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-17

That much progress has been, made
along the lines to which the United
States experiment station has de-
voted its chief attention during the
past year-that of making the Ha-
'waiian islands selfsufficing as far
as possible-and that the individual
and organized. response to the efforts
of the station are gratifying, b the
statement of i'm. Westgate, direc-
tor of the station, In his annual re-
port which Is now being completed.
The isolated position OF the Ha.
waiian islands combined with the
world food shortage has revealed
more clearly than ever the depends
ence OF the islands on, distant sec
tons for its food supply" states Mr..
Westgate In the introduction to his
report. "The focusing Of attention
on the vital necessity Of the local pro-
duction and utilization OF q much
greater proportion of the locally
raised food products has led to q
gratifying response on the part Of
numerous local organisations and in
diyiduals. It has been fully realized
that In making serious efforts to feed
herself, Hawaii Is doing Q real service
both to herself and to the country at
large and that every pound of food
produced here releases just that much
for use elsewhere as well as provid-
ing the best form Of insurance against
the possible consequence Of complete
isolation from the mainland" s.s.aes-s
Cooperation with the military posts
and with the Cashier station In par.
ticular has been q feature of the
years work that promises still further
development. Under the direction Of
the station over 100 acres of, sod and
guaya land have been cleared and
broken up and the larger part f. al
ready planted to cassava and sweet
potatoes. Originally It was the tinten-
ion Of the station to experiment with
'orage crops for the horses of the
;avalry and toward that end definite
steps were taken q year ago. Now
! combination stable and barn has
,een erected and place for fore
nan and the work has also become
me Of raising food crops for the sol.
iiers.
Pineapple Seedlings = |
Work with pineapple seedlings has
been an important part Of the fhorti-
cultural investigation of the year.
Two new varieties OF pfneapples have
been introduced, one Of these sup
'osedly being immune to the black
heart" disease. - :
The potential value Of small homs
vineyards led to the establishment
of cooperative vineyard Of about an
acre in extent where various fertili-
Ter, variety and cultural experiments
re In progress. The principal work
With ayacados has been In connection
with the development Of q winter RI
1ening type with the rind sufficiently
hard and tough to furnish protection
rom the fruit fly as well as to add
% its shipping qualities. Work was
lone with the mango in crossing sew.
sral Varieties. A new hybrid tomato
which Is immune to the melon fly,
he greatest enemy of the tomato In
he islands, has been striyel for.
Five Demonstration Farms *.
Five demonstration farms have
1een maintained comparatively with |
he owners Of the farms In the sex-
ension work Of the station. Other
for the Improvement or
agricultural conditions have been
lone through field trips and pubiicity
through the press and other mediums.