30 



misleading terms. One advertisement states that orris root is 

 worth 40 cents per pound, is protected hv a duty of 25 per cent, 

 and meets with an annual demand equaling $2,000,000. On this 

 basis, an offer of roots for cultivation is made at an excessive 

 price. As a matter of fact, the average price of dried orris root 

 of commercial grade varied between 3.8 and 9.6 cents per pound 

 during the period from 1897 to 1904, inclusive. There is no duty 

 on orris root. The total importation averages about $20,000 

 annually. During the last two years the orris business in Italy 

 has been in a somewhat dubious state, due to the low price 

 realized and the lack of profit to the grower. Owing to such 

 deceiving statements as above cited, there is a great likelihood 

 that many people will be misled to their financial loss. Some 

 advertisers claim to have the indorsement of the Department of 

 Agriculture, whereas the Department has in no way suggested 

 the culture of orris except on a small scale in a purely experi- 

 mental way. It is of the opinion that the outlook for building up 

 the orris industry in the United States is at present not good. 

 Although a limited demand may arise for roots for purposes of 

 cultivation, one should not fail to remember that an orris industry 

 can be built up only on the basis of the utilization of the root in a 

 commercial way. 



THE HAWAIIAN STOCKBREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. 



The Hawaiian Stockbreeders' Association held a session on 

 December 18, for the purpose of hearing special reports and 

 electing officers for the ensuing year. 



A-^ report was read by Dr. Victor Norgard, Territorial 

 Veterinarian, on animal diseases. IVIr. Kotinsky, entomologi- 

 cal division of the Hawaiian Board of Agriculture and For- 

 estry, made an address on horn-fly insects and lantana. Mr. Jared 

 Smith, director of the Federal Experiment Station, read an 

 address on imported grasses. 



The election of officers resulted as follows : A. F. Judd, 

 president; A. W. Carter, vice-president; A. M. Brown, secre- 

 tary; R. W. Shingle, treasurer; E. P. Low, representative from 

 Hawaii ; L. von Tempsky, from Maui ; J. F. Brown, from Molo- 

 kai ; Eric Knudsen, from Kauai, and H. M. von Holt, from 

 Oahu. 



