22 REPORT OK OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



HAWAII STATION. 



The Iliiwiiii Stalion l);i.s coiil iiiiicd llic i)()lic3' of dcvotiiiij: its 

 energies to llic (liNcrsilicalion of agi-icnllurc in the Hawaiian Islands, 

 and there appears to l>e a decided change in the sentiment on the 

 part of many persons regarding the possibility of the devehipment 

 of other agi'icnltin :il industries than those connected witli the pro- 

 duction of sugar. During the six years since the organization of the 

 station a number of industries have been successfully estal)lished 

 or extended in Hawaii, among them ])ineapple growing, sisal pro- 

 duction, tobacco raising, etc. During the past 3^ear considerable 

 work has been done in bringing more of the station land under culti- 

 vation in anticipation of the new water system provided for by Con- 

 gress. In lliis way about 10 acres were prepared for cultivation. 

 Considerable additions were made to the library by ])urchase, ex- 

 change, etc., so that the station now possesses the best collection of 

 reference books in Hawaii treating of economic agricultiii'e in its 

 various branches. 



Amonir the field investigations at the station mention mav be made 

 of an experiment with j^otatoes in Avhich it was shown to be possible 

 to produce new j)otatoes for the local market at a very I'emunerative 

 price. Tlie ],lants were severely attacked by potato rot and the yield 

 considerably reduced, so that probably the liability to the occurrence 

 of this disease \\ ill have to be considered. 



During the past year seven varieties of cotton were grown and 

 samples of the fiber submitted to experts for examination. The 

 upland varieties on the whole Avere not very ])romising, but the sea- 

 island tyi)e was reported as of good length, excellent strength, and 

 unusual fineness. One sample of upland was very vai'iable in its lint, 

 some portions being quite ordinary, while others Imd a length and 

 fineness of fiber e(iualing sea island. This sann)le seems to afi'ord an 

 excellent opjiortunity for improvement by selection in i-ase the grow- 

 ing of cotton should be undertaken on a connnercial scale. 



The orchard ]>lantings of tro])ical fruits Innc been considerabh' 

 extended and now include such fruits as the mango, avocado, bread 

 fruit. chei-inu)ya. lilchi. longan, saj)odilla, wi. custard apple, and 

 others, '^riiese ai'e Ix'ing proj)agate(l as ra|)idly as possible. A citrus 

 orchard has been established, which, in addition to i)r()viding for the 

 testing of Aai'ieties, will also su])ply stock for budding ami grafting. 

 The Bluefields bananas secui-ed through the station have been dis- 

 (ril)uted among about fifty growers, and favorable reports regarding 

 them ha\e been receix'ed. Ovov r»()() suckers and large corms were 

 distributed, with the understanding that the growth, production, etc.. 

 should be re|)oi'ted (o tlu' station from lime to time. The shipping 

 (|nalities of Ihis \ariely are belie\'ed to be superiui' (o 11h)M' now mar- 



