428 



CULTURAL METHODS. 



• It is best to plant the seeds in boxes or seed-beds about the 

 last of February or the first of March in Honolulu and trans- 

 plant to the open field when the plants have attained a height 

 of six or eight inches. From the experience of the last two 

 years at the Station, there appears to be nothing gained by 

 planting seed earlier than February. Seed planted before this 

 date has produced plants which have borne prematurely and 

 have not produced the main crop any earlier than those from 

 seed planted later. The plants should stand about three to 

 four feet apart in the row and the rows from four to six feet 

 apart. If the soil is good and moisture abundant, four by 

 six feet will not be too great a distance. 



The soil for the Roselle need not, however, be the richest, 

 but good soil will yield correspondingly good results. The 

 harvest comes on about November and December in Honolulu. 

 It is quite possible that in other parts of the Islands, other 

 seasons for planting may be found preferable and the crop may 

 mature earlier or later. 



The after cultivation will consist only in keeping the soil 

 well tilled and supplied with moisture. 



The yields per acre in the experiments conducted at the 

 Station would average from six thousand to seven thousand 

 pounds per acre witli a very moderate use of water. The cost 

 of picking these fruits would be from a half-cent to three- 

 quarters of a cent a pound. At four cents per pound net to 

 the grower, these fruits could be placed on the market at a 

 price very much lower than cranberries. Allowing three- 

 quarters of a cent per pound for the cost of gathering, a 

 quarter of a cent for packing materials, there would remain 

 three cents per pound as the value of the fruit on the plants. 

 These at six thousand pounds per acre would represent a 

 value of $180.00 per acre for the crop in the field. 



THE BOTANY OF THE ROSELLE. 



The Roselle is known botanically as Hibiscus sabdariffa, and 

 belongs to the family "Malvaceae." The home of this plant 

 is thought to be in the Tropics of the Old World. It is now 

 cultivated in many parts of the Tropics. 



THE MANGOSTEEN. 



While at press, we have received, too late for publication, a 

 communication from Mr. Gerrit P. Wilder, relative to a Mango- 

 steen tree growing at Lihue. Mr. Wilder's letter will appear in 

 the Februarv issue. 



