22 



These districts are in almost all cases quite near the ocean. They 

 are located near Hana, Maui; in certain localities on the island of 

 Niihau; in Konaand Kohala, on Hawaii, and in the vicinity of Waimea, 

 on Kauai. Tobacco cultivation was also at one time a considerable 

 industry among the native Hawaiians in the district around Naalehi, in 

 Kau. The best grades of these Hawaiian tobaccos are sold to natives 

 and Chinese at the rate of 25 cents for twenty-two leaves, or at about 

 50 cents per pound. 



The outlook for the tobacco industry in Hawaii is very good. While 

 to a certain extent a market must be created before the production of 

 tiller types of tobacco is undertaken on a large scale, there is sutficient 

 demand for wrapper leaf of the better qualities to make the cultivation 

 of these types of tobacco a sure success, even though the crop must 

 be marketed in open competition with leaf imported into the United 

 States from Cuba and Sumatra. 



RUBBER CULTIVATION. 



The cultivation of rubber-producing plants is engrossing attention 

 in all tropical lands, and recently many inquiries have been received 

 at the station as to the species most liable to prove a successful intro- 

 duction into Hawaii. To supply this information the special agent 

 in charge prepared a press bulletin based upon observations on speci- 

 men trees growing in various parts of the islands and upon recent 

 articles in journals devoted to tropical agriculture. Hawaii, with its 

 subtropical rather than thoroughly tropical climate, is probably lim- 

 ited to a few species of rubber-producing plants. Of the better 

 known species two have been shown to be adapted to Hawaiian condi- 

 tions, the Ceara vuhhev {Mmi hot glaziovii) and the Assam or common 

 i-ubber tree of gardens {Ficus dastlca). In favorable situations the 

 Ceara rubber trees will make a rapid growth in Hawaii, apparently 

 thriving from sea level to 2,500 feet elevation, both on the wet and 

 dry sides of the islands. There are a number of trees of this variety 

 growing on the station grounds that were planted in 1893. One of 

 the best specimens stands in a clearing near the Tantalus road, where 

 it received some spasmodic attention. This tree is now -iO feet high, 

 with a trunk 10 inches in diameter. Others planted at the same time, 

 but totally neglected and overrun by lantana and shaded by eucalyp- 

 tus, are only 10 to 15 feet in height and an inch or two in diameter. 

 The Assam rubber is somewhat slower of growth in Hawaii, but it is 

 believed to be one of the most promising rubber trees for plantation 

 culture in such districts as Hilo, Puna, Olaa, and Nahiku. This spe- 

 cies will withstand low temperatures, that are extremely detrimental 

 to Para and Central American rubl)er trees. 



From what is known regarding the adaptability of rubber trees in 



