64 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



is also tostin^ varieties of sorghum juid Kafir corn, fi))er plants, 

 green nuiniire crops, cotton, papayas, and vegetables. Two tracts, 

 at the uj)per part of the station grounds, are planted to numerous 

 tropical and Temperate Zone crops, special attention being given to 

 garden vegetables and tropical fruits. The possibility of vegetable 

 growing at this elevation has been demonstrated, and splendid trees 

 of alligator pears, mangoes, papayas, coffee, etc., are growing there. 

 The entomologist has carried on some work with silkworms and bees, 

 and it seems probable that the culture of these important insects will 

 be feasible and profitable in parts of the Hawaiian Islands. He con- 

 tinues to act in an advisory capacity to the committee of the board 

 of health having in charge the mosquito problem. The chemist has 

 been making a study of Hawaiian-grown fodders and feeding stuffs, 

 and is continuing his soil studies with special reference to pyridin 

 compounds. He is also studying nitrification, soil acidity, methods 

 of applying fertilizers to prevent loss, and is giving some attention 

 to dietary studies. 



During the year experiments were carried on by the station at 

 Hamakua, on the island of Hawaii, in growing tobacco. A suitable 

 tract of land was secured, a number of varieties of tobacco were 

 seeded, and the first systematic attempt was made to grow tobacco in 

 a scientific way. The success attained with some types has led to 

 the repetition of the experiment this year on a wider scale, and as the 

 successes obtained last yenv were repeated, a new industry is added 

 to Hawaii's agriculture. The cooperative experiments at Hilo with 

 bananas from Central America and with cacao are flourishing. The 

 number of banana plants has been considerably extended by propaga- 

 tion, and there are now about 500 plants under observation. It should 

 be possible soon to make a small trial shipment of some of these fruits 

 to compare them with those now marketed. 



The Hawaii Station has about passed through its pioneer period 

 and its work is beginning to be considered as of practical value. 

 The station, as a source of information on general agriculture, is 

 growing in importance, as appears from its correspondence. The 

 success with forage crops and tobacco has been so marked that new 

 possibilities in the agriculture of Hawaii are shown. The former 

 local opposition to the station's policy seems to be giving way, and its 

 influence in developing diversified agriculture is being recognized by 

 fair-minded people. Its sphere of influence could be rapidly ex- 

 tended were more funds available. 



LINES OF WORK. 



The principal lines of work conducted at the Hawaii Station dur- 

 ing the past. year were as follows: Field experiments — varieties of 

 cotton, tobacco, hemp, sorghum, potatoes, taro, cultural experiments, 



