272 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



Hawaiian Islands. These islands are almost wholly without large 

 rivers or natural surface reservoirs, and the rapid slope from the moun- 

 tains to the sea makes the construction of artificial reservoirs imprac- 

 ticable except in a few favored localities. The rainfall of different 

 parts of the islands depends upon the elevation of the land and its 

 relative position, so that nearly every island has a distinct wet and 

 dry area. On the Avet side of the islands cane and other crops are 

 grown to a considerable extent, but the most productive sugar-cane 

 areas are on the so-called dry sides. This greater production is due 

 to the greater fertility of the soils and to the utilization of the exten- 

 sive stores of underground water through the medium of pumps. 

 The pumping of water for irrigation purposes has in all probability 

 reached its highest development in the Hawaiian Islands, and immense 

 irrigation systems have been constructed and maintained, the water 

 for which is pumped from considerable depths. A study was made 

 of a number of these irrigation plants and a detailed report was made 

 to the chief of the irrigation investigations of this Office giving the cost 

 of construction, maintenance, capacity, height of lift, acreage irri- 

 gated, etc. 



The first farmers' institute ever held in the islands was held at the 

 Wahiawa colony, on Oaliu, January 25, 1902, under the auspices of 

 the officers of the experiment station. The attendance at this meet- 

 ing was small, but a beginning was made, and since that time a number 

 of similar institutes have been held in other parts of the islands with 

 constantly increasing interest and attendance. A regular organization 

 has been effected and a successful start has been made in the educa- 

 tion of the Hawaiian farmers through the medium of the farmers' 

 institutes. 



A bulletin entitled "Chickens and their Diseases in Hawaii," by 

 T. F. Sedgwick, was issued as Bulletin No. 1 of the station during the 

 year. A bulletin on taro culture, with special reference to the rot 

 affecting this plant, has been prepared. Other bulletins are in course 

 of preparation. 



A card catalogue mailing list was begun during the year and more 

 than 500 names have already been listed for publications. 



The present organization of the station consists of the special agent 

 in charge, Jared G. Smith, who has general oversight of all matters 

 relating to the station and who acts as special disbursing agent; 

 T. F. Sedgwick, agriculturist; D. L. Van Dine, entomologist, who is 

 making a study of the injurious insects of the islands, especially of 

 the Japanese beetle, cutworms, cane borers, etc. ; and F. E. Confer, 

 who acts as farm manager and who has given considerable attention 

 to the subject of fiber plants. Laborers are hired as required. 



The station was seriously embarrassed during the year by a short- 

 age of funds. Owing to the heav}' drain on the income of the station 

 for permanent improvements and equipment, it was found impossible 

 to complete or in some cases to continue lines of investigation which 

 were believed to be of great imj)ortance. Work was practically at a 

 standstill for several weeks. The appropriation from the Federal 

 Treasury was not sufficient to carry through the work as planned, and 

 a bill providing for the appropriation of $5,000 by the Territorial legis- 

 lature failed of passage. 



There is a wide field for investigations in tropical or rather insular 

 agriculture in this Territory. The problems there are very different 

 from those on the mainland because of the. extreme localization. 

 There are scarcely two places on any of the islands which are identi- 



