I do not need to call the attention of the Board to the very 

 unsatisfactory condition in which we arc placed. With no appro- 

 priation to fight forest fires our hands are practically tied, for as 

 conditions now stand there is little which this Board can do to 

 assist in the work. I would suggest, however, that if it is pos- 

 sible to reach, through the Police Department, any of the persons 

 whose carelessness or negligence is responsible for these recent 

 fires, that such a request be made to the Sheriff of Hawaii by 



the Board. 



Very respectfully, 



Ralph S. Hosmer^ 



Superintendent of Forestry. 



REPORT OF APRIL J, IpO(5. 



Board of Commissioners of 



Agriculture and Forestry, 

 Honolulu. 



Gentlemen : — I have the honor to submit herewith the regular 

 report of the Division of Forestry for the period from March 

 23rd to date. 



During this time I personally have been principally occupied 

 in completing for publication the Annual Report of the Division 

 of Forestry for 1905, and in reading proof for the same, with 

 the preparation of reports dealing with the proposed forest re- 

 serves in the Districts of Kau, Hawaii, Hana, Maui, and Waia- 

 nae, Oahu, together with other matters in connection with forest 

 reserve work. 



In accordance with the instructions of the Board given me at 

 the last meeting, I have prepared and sent out to each of the 

 District Fire Wardens a circular letter calling their attention to 

 the enforcement of the forest fire law, and to the fact that owing 

 to the lack of a specific appropriation the Board could not be re- 

 sponsible for the payment of any bills incurred in fighting forest 

 fires. 



The routine work at the Nursery and in Xuuanu Valley- has 

 gone on as usual. This being the seed season for a good many 

 trees a considerable quantity of seed is now being collected. 



Important accessions to the Board Library received during this 

 period by the Library are: Bulletin No. 3 of the Massachusetts 

 State Forester's Ofiice, on "Laws Relative to the Taxation of 



