INSULAE EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 23 



and shape of papaya fruits is almost unlimited. The station has 

 found it possible to propagate papayas by the use of monoecious trees 

 without the help of sterile male trees. If it should prove a practical 

 matter to secure the desired flavor and other qualities by this method 

 alone, it will thereby become possible to avoid the loss of space inci- 

 dent to the growing of a large number of male trees and the lack of 

 uniformit}' which has hitherto occurred when dependence was placed 

 on the fertilization of the pistils of one form of dicecious trees Avith 

 the pollen of another form. Spraying experiments have shown that 

 the rusty blight of avocado leaves can be controlled with Bordeaux 

 mixture. A wide interest in banana culture has been aroused and the 

 station is assisting it in the distribution of suckers of the Bluefields 

 banana and in cultural experiments. From the latter it seems evident 

 that a wider spacing in planting should be adopted, as the plants 

 when given plenty of room are more robust and better withstand the 

 strong winds. 



A number of miscellaneous investigations are in progress, among 

 them experiments with broom corn, and it has been found that a 

 good quality of brush can be produced in Hawaii, somewhat superior 

 to that grown in California and nearly equal to that obtained in the 

 Central States. Extensive experiments with leguminous crops for a 

 variet}^ of purposes, including forage, are in progress, and the station 

 is testing all leguminous plants which can be considered as suitable 

 for Hawaii at various locations on the different islands. The results 

 of these experiments are being quickly adopted by the planters and 

 farmers. The possibility of weed destruction with arsenite of soda 

 used as a spr;iy solution has been thoroughly demonstrated, and during 

 the past year about 2,000 acres of land were rid of shrubby and herba- 

 ceous weeds. The station has other experiments in progress, among 

 them the utilization of the pulp from sisal mills, fiber in banana 

 stalks and pineapple leaves, the production of oil from kukui nuts, etc. 



During the past year, under Territorial funds, the station has estab- 

 lished three demonstration farms, one on Kauai and two on Hawaii. 

 The problems at these different farms are essentially peculiar, but the 

 results obtained will apply to a considerable area. The work will 

 include the introduction of improved varieties, studies on better meth- 

 ods of handling the soil, agriculture in districts where the rainfall is 

 very high, etc. In addition to the Territorial support, a number of 

 private individuals and companies are assisting in cariying on these 

 experiments. 



Arrangements have been made with private individuals and com- 

 panies for cooperative experiments with fertilizers for different crops, 

 the growing of sweet potatoes, cotton culture, and other forms of 

 diversified agriculture. 



