22 REPORT OF OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 



iidvantage in the control of insects is obtained. Tii the progress of 

 these experiments etTorts were made to obtain pure strains of the 

 cotton, and it was found possible to grow cotton by cutting, budding, 

 or grafting. This is of especial value for the rajiid production of 

 desirable strains and the elimination of the possibilities of cross- 

 fertilization. The area planted to cotton in Hawaii during 1909 was 

 about 100 acres, and as a result of the past year's work there will 

 probably be several thousand acres planted in 1910. All of the com- 

 mercial ventures thus far undertaken in planting cotton have proved 

 very encouraging. The yield and quality of the lint have been 

 remarkable, and it seems probable that a new industry for Hawaii 

 is assured, which is adapted to regions where either by reason of 

 elevation or lack of rainfall there is not sufficient moisture for cane 

 growing. 



The work with forage crops has assumed considerable importance, 

 and these crops are being recognized in systems of rotation. The 

 acreage of alfalfa, sorghum, Para grass, and other forage crops is 

 increasing rapidh\ 



The work with the Chinese and Japanese matting rushes has been 

 continued and a number of cooperative plantings made that show the 

 economic possibilities of growing these plants. It is apparent that 

 they can be readily produced in Hawaii, the only drawback being the 

 problems relating to their manufacture. 



The horticultural investigations have been largely confined to 

 methods of propagating citrus fruits and mangoes, although other 

 tropical fruits are receiving attention. The horticulturist has found 

 that the mango can be successfully and rapidly propagated by means 

 of budding. This is best secured by the application of the shield 

 method of budding in the form of an inverted T, using only well- 

 matured w^ood and cutting the T and the shield very long, the former 

 6 or 7 inches and the latter 3 or 4 inches in length. These quickly 

 form a union, and the method is believed to be less troublesome and 

 more rapid than inarching. In connection with the budding ex- 

 periments it was found necessary to give attention to some of the 

 insect pests, such as scale insects and aphids, and in cooperation with 

 the entomologist, fumigating with hydrocyanic-acid gas was found 

 satisfactory. The use of cover crops in orchards is being given at- 

 tention, as during the winter season on the hillsides there is excessive 

 washing of the soil. To prevent this erosion cowpeas and jack beans 

 have given the best results. A series of experiments with a number of 

 vegetables is in progress and considerable work is being done to 

 secure better and more resistant varieties of horticultural crops. 



The chemical department has given most attention to a study of 

 pineapple soils, although in cooperation wdth the agronomist some 

 experiments on the fertilization of rice and cotton are being carried 



