Report of the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry of the Territory of Hawaii for the Period

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ... in which new and rare plants started at the propagating houses at the Government Nursery can be planted out, kept under observation and eventually distributed. Tree planting by private corporations has increased considerably during 1908, practically half a million trees having been planted by sugar plantation companies and stock ranches. More tree planting would doubtless be done if the Division of Forestiy could give more attention to the work. To meet this need the Superintendent of Forestry has recommended that an additional technically trained assistant be employed. This recommendation is approved by the Board, for the increasing calls on the Division of Forestry are not confined to Forest Extension alone. The growing importance of the lumber industry on the Island of Hawaii makes it highly desirable that the Government should undertake a thorough examination of its forests of the commercial class. The appointment of another assistant would enable the Division of Forestry to undertake this work. The widespread interest in the conservation of natural resources has found expression in Hawaii in the appointment by the Governor of a Territorial Conservation Commission, of which the Superintendent of Forestry has been designated as chairman. The findings of this Commission bear so intimate a relation to the work of this Board that its report is reprinted as an appendix to the report of the Division of Forestry. Notwithstanding the severe drought in many parts of the Territory the year 1908 has been remarkably free from damage by forest fire. This is probably due, in part at least, to the better public sentiment in regard to forest fires that has resulted from the Forest Fire Law enacted in 1905. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. The late Superintendent of this Divisi...