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Kekaha.-Surveyed the school lot and additional area, being privately owned land which the Territory proposes to acquire; checked and verified on the ground the church lot which is to be conveyed to the Waimea Congregational Church by the Territory.

LAND COURT PETITIONS AND FILE PLANS.

In connection with the usual routine office work, 82 land-court petitions were examined, checked and reported on to the land court, of which 66 were examined and checked on the ground, and 32 title reports on petitions were submitted to the attorney general. A number of these petitions were referred back to this office for amendment and corrections, as ordered by the land court. Eleven file plans referred to this department by the bureau of conveyances, were checked and approved in accordance with the law.

OFFICE WORK.

A large part of the office work consists of compiling descriptions of surveys, furnishing sketch plans of homestead subdivisions and miscellaneous surveys, and examining, checking, and verifying private surveys used in connection with public transactions. The department has just received from the press, group maps of the Hawaiian Islands, as follows:

1,000 maps, lithographed and mounted, on a scale of 1 in.=40,000 feet.
1,500 maps, lithographed, on a scale of 1 in. 60,000 feet.

Complimentary maps were distributed to the Federal, Territorial, and municipal department officials, as well as to members of the legislature, civic bodies, and local public organizations.

AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY.

Forestry.-Forest protection and forest extension constituted the main activities of the division of forestry. A few minor changes in forest reserve boundaries were made. The area of the Lihue-Koloa Reserve on Kauai was reduced by 658 acres and the Kealia Reserve on the same island was reduced by 885 acres. One acre along the Volcano Road was added to the Olaa Forest Park Reserve and from the Olaa Forest Reserve 83 acres of agricultural land were withdrawn to be leased. The total area included in the 47 forest reserves throughout the Territory now amounts to 817,114 acres, or about 20 per cent of the total land area of the 8 main islands in the group. Of the area in forest reserves 557,344 acres, or 68 per cent, is land belonging to the Territory. Eleven forest and grass fires, none of them very extensive, have been reported during the year, a surprisingly low number in view of the very dry condition which has prevailed. Wild stock, doing damage in forest reserves, to the total number of 584, were killed or removed during the year. These comprised 309 wild goats, 46 wild cattle, and 229 wild pigs. The field force has been increased from 8 to 11 forest rangers, whose chief duty it is to carry out forest-protection measures by building and repairing boundary fences, but who also are at times engaged in tree planting and general administrative duties. The 8 forest nurseries of this division on the 4

main islands propagated or distributed a total of 292,081 trees during the calendar year for general planting throughout the Territory. Large numbers of shade trees and ornamental plants and vines were supplied to the military posts on Oahu for the beautification of quarters. Tree-plantng operations on forest reserves in need of reforestation for the conservation of water were extended and consisted mainly in the planting of koa trees on well-drained soil. A large variety of other trees, not used before in extensive planting, were also set out in various situations to test their adaptability. In this manner 32,648 trees were planted out on the forest reserves.

Entomology. The aim of the division of entomology has been to meet the demand for relief from insect depredations. The propagation and distribution of beneficial insects, particularly the fruit fly, horn fly, and corn-leaf hopper parasites has been continued throughout the year. Also an attempt has been made to acclimatize and establish in the islands Pteromalus puparum, a pupal parasite of one of the destructive cabbage insects, Pieris rape (cabbage worm, imported cabbage butterfly). A small shipment was received through the cooperation of the California State Horticultural Commission in June, 1919, and thousands of individuals have been reared and liberated. An investigation was begun early in the year of the natural control of the dungflies in Hawaii, with the purpose in mind of securing additional agents, if conditions warranted it, and so improving the control. Considerable time also is being given to the study of the termites, or white ants, which are becoming severely and alarmingly destructive with the increase and spread of two lately immigrant species. In September, 1919, an infestation of the forest ferns by the Australian fern weevil, Syagrius fulvitarsis, was discovered 29 miles from Hilo on the Hilo-Kau Road. On account of the wealth of fern growth in this region and the importance of the ferns as part of the ground cover in the Hamakua Forest Reserve, it was decided to attempt to control the outbreak and prevent the spread of the weevil beyond the confines of the small area in which it was determined to be present. This necessitated the destruction of all ferns in the area as far as possible, which were cut and burned; thereafter the ground cover was either fired or poisoned as far as possible to destroy crawling weevils which might have escaped the initial treatment, and every vestige of fern plant on which the beetle could subsist; and an artificial barrier of crude oil was laid to contain the insect. At the same time an investigation was made of the weevil's history, habits, cyclical development, etc., which had not previously been done, although the weevil has been known in the islands 15 years.

Plant inspection.-There arrived at Honolulu, Hilo, and Kahului, the only ports in the Territory where fruit or vegetables enter directly and at which places local inspectors are stationed, 884 vessels. Of these, 356 carried vegetable matter consisting of 254,502 packages of fruit and vegetables and 7,560 packages of plants and seeds. Of this amount, 463 packages were fumigated on account of infestation of various kinds or as a precaution; 880 packages were burned on account of infestation or being contraband; and 517 packages were returned to the orignal shipper as contraband and unmailable. A material increase was noted in the importations of fruits and vege

tables. Following are some of the larger staples imported of which the Territory does not as yet supply sufficient for home consumption:

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Several important changes have been made in the rules and regulations, also a new regulation pertaining to potato and apple shipments from the Pacific coast ports has been promulgated which will do much to improve the grade and quality. Inspection of plant produce from Honolulu to ports on the other islands has continued. During the fiscal year 693 steamers were attended to and 48,343 packages of plants, fruits, and vegetables were inspected. Of this number, 254 packages were seized and refused shipment on account of infestation or having undesirable soil attached to the roots. Particular attention is paid to all sugar-cane seed shipments from Oahu to plantations on the other islands. All these shipments go through the experiment station of the H. S. P. A., and no sugar cane is permitted to go by individuals unless first submitted for examination by them. In this way all risks of introducing some new pest or disease of this large industry is avoided.

cent.

Animal industry.-The eradication of bovine tuberculosis has been continued as in the preceding years and a marked improvement has been noted. Starting with 31.25 per cent of disease among the dairy herds the present fiscal period shows at its end less than 1 per By means of very liberal indemnification laws, all objection to the test on the part of cattle owners has been eliminated and the work greatly facilitated. No cases of glanders or epizootic lymphangitis or hog cholera have been reported from any part of the Territory. A few small outbreaks of hemorrhagic septicemia in swine (swine plague) have been reported, but all have been promptly checked by vaccine. No cases of anthrax have been recorded. Semiannual vaccination is being practiced, and it is confidently expected that the Territory can soon be declared free from this disease. Contagious abortion has recently made its appearance among several herds on Oahu and in at least one herd on Maui. This is the first time it has been definitely recorded from this Territory, but has for some time been expected to make its appearance, due to the increasing number of importations of dairy cattle. The serum and vaccine treatment of exposed and affected cattle is being undertaken. During the latter part of the year an extensive outbreak of bovine hemorrhagic septicemia occurred on Hawaii. The immediate administration of serum and vaccine confined the loss, which otherwise would have been extensive, to less than 200. Importations of live stock have slightly increased during the year. Practically all classes were represented, including some of the highest-class breeding stock ever brought to this Territory. The Territory is self-supporting as far as the production of pork is concerned. For a number of years all hogs imported from the mainland have been strictly breeding stock. Large importations of frozen beef, mutton, and poultry still continue, showing that the demand is greatly in excess of the supply. The next few years should see such importa

tions considerably reduced through the influence of such high class breeding stock as just referred to.

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION.

Introduction.-During the fiscal year just closed the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station has endeavored to foster in every possible way the development of diversified agricultural industries. As in the past, special attention has been given to the production and preservation of food products. Emphasis has been laid upon the importance of this line of activities, owing to the fact that the isolated position of the islands would make their condition as regards, food supply very precarious in event of a blockade or other interruption of outside shipping, upon which at present the islands depend to a large extent for their food supply. It is inevitable that the numerous nationalities making their home in Hawaii will continue, during normal times, to import their favorite articles of foodstuffs from their home countries. For this reason it appears to be necessary to plan for the production of foodstuffs which in normal times can be exported, thus providing money crops for the producers, but which in event of emergencies could be diverted to feed the local population until the restoration of normal conditions. It is felt that the islands would be showing excellent foresight were they to foster those industries whose products would be useful during a siege or blockade rather than those whose local utility would be limited. This is true also of other industries than food production.

Maui County agricultural fair.-The Maui County Fair and Racing Association held its second annual fair at its new grounds at Kahului, island of Maui, on October 8 to 11, 1919. Permanent buildings had been constructed and the grounds newly graded and filled. The fair was generally considered as being very successful, especially as regards the exhibits of agricultural products and live stock.

Horticultural investigations.-The work of the horticultural division has been directed principally along the lines of the extension of the improved varieties of fruits, which it is felt will constitute decided additions to the resources of the islands. The solution of the more important problems connected with the pineapple industry has enabled it to develop until it is second in importance in the islands only to sugar. This has made it seem practicable for the station to direct to other crops a considerable portion of its energies formerly directed along pineapple lines. It has continued, however, to work in cooperation with the scientific staffs of the pineapple companies, who are financing rather comprehensive sets of experiments looking to the solution of some of the problems which have arisen as the manufacturing end of the business has become more highly developed. The avocado is felt to be potentially a very important crop of Hawaii and capable of great expansion provided proper precautions are taken and suitable methods of commercial utilization of the fruit are perfected. The avocado fruit contains approximately 25 per cent of fat in its composition. This makes it highly desirable that there be an extended planting of avocados, which in normal times can be canned, made into paste, or otherwise preserved and which in event of a blockade can be automatically diverted to feed the local popula

tion and thus supply the necessary fats ordinarily available for the purpose.

The work with mangoes has been limited largely to the extension of two varieties, namely, the Pirie, a mango introduced from India, and the Victoria, a scarlet-colored mango of obscure origin but of striking appearance.

The papaya is becoming more and more popular as better flavored strains are being developed. The station has three types of delicately flavored papayas, seeds and seedlings of which it has distributed to the public on its semiweekly distribution days during almost the entire year.

Chemical investigations.-A rotation experiment combined with a fertility experiment was inaugurated on the island of Maui, one set of plots being located near Haiku and the other at the Haleakala demonstration farm, some 1,800 feet higher than the Haiku location. The Haiku series is made up of a rotation of pineapples, pigeon peas, and sugar cane. The Haleakala series calls for a three-year rotation of corn, beans, and potatoes.

During the year an experiment to determine, if possible, some remedy for the pineapple wilt was inaugurated, the primary object of the experiment being to find some toxic substance able to kill the fungus and at the same time not injure the tissues of the pineapple plant.

The importance of the drying and preserving of locally grown vegetables and fruits led to the continuation of the experiments along these lines. In this work the station has cooperated with local canning and preserving interests.

Agronomic investigations. The agronomy division has continued its variety testing work growing various introductions from different parts of the world in comparison with the improved locally grown varieties of field and forage crops. It has been found that many varieties adapted to the mainland portion of the United States are not at all suitable for growth at many of the available altitudes throughout the islands. This is especially true of the corn grown at the lower altitudes, where it is found that the standard corn-belt varieties brought in from the mainland are almost total failures, whereas corn especially bred for tropical conditions will give a yield of nearly 50 bushels of shelled corn per acre at or near sea level, while as high as 100 bushels per acre have been produced at 600 feet elevation where the conditions are better adapted to the production of such crops as corn.

Two cooperative variety tests with the best seven varieties of sweet potatoes were inaugurated during the year. The station's work with forage crops has been principally along the line of obtaining the most suitable grasses for soiling purposes since it is the practice throughout Hawaii to feed forage crops cut green as soilage rather than in the cured condition, as these crops can be harvested practically every day in the year.

A new cowpea variety of special promise was discovered during the year. This appears to be a hybrid of unknown origin. The crop produced from the station's first crop of seed weighed 4.3 tons of green feed per acre when 2 months old. A crop of well-matured pods was produced from the second growth of the beans after the first cutting.

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