24 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



of grasses and other forage plants. During 190G large quantities 

 of seeds of forage plants were procured fi-oivi Xew Mexico, Australia. 

 France, and elsewhere, and many of the more \aluable grasses and 

 forage plants are well established on some of the island ranches. 



The entomological woik during the past year has been along the 

 lines of the control of insect depredations, investigations in silk cul- 

 ture and beekeeping, and studies on mosquitoes and their control. 

 Field woi'k in connection with the entomological iuvestii>:ations has 

 taken a considerable amount of time, and experiments are being con- 

 ducted to control some of the more serious insect pests of economic 

 plants other than sugar cane. Particular attention is being given to 

 the insects attacking pineapples, tobacco, coffee, sisal, and forest trees. 

 In the silk-culture investigations a quantity of silkworms of a Chi- 

 nese race, known as the Oro silkworms, was secured and bred for 

 comparison with EurojDean varieties previously grown. The results 

 obtained are very encouraging, and it is thought that silk ^^I'oduc- 

 tion as a family industry can be made profitable. In connection with 

 the station chenust, the entomologist has been carrying on studies 

 on HaAvaiian hone}^ and the sources from which it is made. Two 

 new races of bees have been introduced during the year, and one 

 gives i^romise of being better adapted to Hawaiian conditions than 

 the Italian bees. The entomologist has continued to act with the 

 connnittee having in view the reduction of mosquitoes, and through 

 his initiative top-feeding minnows have been successfulh' introduced 

 to feed upon mosquito larvae in taro ponds, fish ponds, rice fields, and 

 other places where drainage and spraj'ing are impracticable. 



The chemical investigations have been divided between the usual 

 lines of routine work and research investigations. One of the uiost 

 important lines of Avork has been the analysis of Hawaiian-grown 

 fodders and feeding stuffs. As the result of this investigation it is 

 shown tiiat in general there is a marked deficiency in the lime con- 

 t(>7it of Hawaiian grasses and fodders. The effect of this deficiency 

 on the strength and develo])ment of aniuials is shown not oidy l)y 

 the station investigations, but by those of the veterinarian of (he 

 Territorial board of agriculture, and the importance of lime as a 

 factor in feeding rations is being nn-ognized by all. Studies were 

 made of a number of j)roducts as sources of alcohol, ])articnhu' aiU'U- 

 tion being i)aid to the waste proihicls from pineapple canneries. 

 The I'esearch work has been confined \-erv lai'<relv to soil studies to 

 determine some of (he phenomena connected wilh Ihe nilrogt'ii con- 

 tent of Hawaiian soils. In\-estigations have also been cari'ied on 

 regarding the high magnesiinn content of Hawaiian soils and its 

 significance. 



