3i8 



sider that the people of the mainland not only consumed $105,000,- 

 000 worth of home grown fruit, but paid an additional $35,000,000 

 for tropical and sub-tropical fruits, the often repeated prediction 

 that Hawaii is liable to glut the market if production continues un- 

 checked, becomes almost an absurdity. I will lay it down as a law, 

 that good fruit, and especially good tropical fruit, can always be 

 sold in the American markets at good prices, if laid down at the 

 point of consumption in first-class condition. The mainland con- 

 sumption is increasing at the rate of $20,000,000 a year, and as 

 stated above bears no relation to mere increase in population. 

 The Pacific coast market is nearer to Hawaii than the London 

 market is to Jamaica, and yet the fruit trade of Jamaica has in- 

 creased during the last ten years to such an extent that it is now 

 the principal hidustry of that island. I believe that the fresh fruit 

 trade of the Pacific North West coast is capable of almost in- 

 definite expansion, and belongs more justly in, so far as bananas, 

 pineapples and alligator pears are concerned to Hawaii, than to 

 lower California, Mexico and Central A,merica, which countries 

 are already reaching out for this trade. Whether Hawaii can 

 take and keep the Pacific Coast market for tropical fruits de- 

 pends very largely on the push and enterprise of Hawaiian fruit- 

 g^rowers. 



After some interesting discussion upon Mr. Smith's paper, the 

 reader announced that the success which had been achieved by 

 Mr. Higgins upon his visit to the mainland to investigate the con- 

 ditions upon the Coast for marketing Hawaiian fruit and giving 

 them publicity, had been so encouraging, that although the present 

 would ordinarily terminate the Institute's meetings for the year, 

 in view of the importance of the subject, with the consent of 

 those present a special meeting would be held in order to allow 

 Mr. Higgins to report upon what he had achieved. This proposi- 

 tion met with general agreement and it was determined to hold 

 another meeting in about two months, when Mr. Higgins will 

 have completed his work and will have returned. As the hour 

 was late, upon motion of the chair it was decided in view of the 

 absence of the author to defer the paper upon insects afifecting 

 the fruit industry until the special meeting. Mr. D. L. Van Dine 

 had prepared a number of mounted specimens for exhibition and 

 it was felt that more justice could be done to this important sub- 

 ject when it could be presented by the iauthor. The meeting then 

 adjourned. 



