38i 



it yields carbonic gas and thus directly furnishes one of the 

 most important elements of plant food. It is found that in pot 

 plants a m.ixture of two-thirds fir or pine cliarcoal and one- 

 third of vec^etable mold has a marked stimulus on growth, and 

 results in healthy stems and foliage and a greater profusion 

 of blossoms. Plants in pots containing much charcoal require 

 more regular watering than others, as the charcoal allows the 

 water to percolate freely, and admits air, which drives the 

 soil rapidly. The use of a little charcoal in water has a won- 

 derful effect in preserving the life of cut flowers. In this in- 

 stance the benefit of the charcoal is probably chiefly due to its 

 preservative effect and its capability of allowing the water to 

 remain clear and odorless. 



The success of the Wahia^va pineapple growers is now as- 

 sured, and once more it is determined that Hawaiian products 

 rank secou-d to none in the open market. It is invidious, how- 

 ever, to assume that the Wahiawa fruit is the best in the is- 

 lands. Equally fine pines are grown on the other islands, those 

 from Haiku and Kona being probably the best knowm. In fact 

 when such a high standard of excellence is attained as has been 

 achieved with Hav/atian pineapples, such differences of flavor, 

 aroma, color and texture are due largely to individual taste and 

 to particular varietal qualities, rather than to the inherent 

 merits of special localities. 



The straw hat industry in Curacoa is proving remunerative 

 under the assisl.an.ce of the local government and the Society 

 for the Promotion of Agriculture. Skilful hat weavers have 

 been engaged to instruct the people in the manufacture of 

 fine hats. The sale of hats is effected through the society men- 

 tioned above, and the prices obtained in the American and 

 European market have ranged from about one to two dollars 

 each. The hats are made from an imported straw and some- 

 what resemble ''panamas." The export of hats from Curacoa 

 in 1904 amounted to 46,503 dozen of a total value of over sixty 

 thousand dollars. The hat industry is one that would well re- 

 pay the investment of capital in Hawaii. With our many 

 beautiful local materials, and the deft fingers of the natives 

 who are proverbially good hat weavers, there is no reason why 

 Hawaiian made hats should not find a ready sale on the coast 



