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be prevented. The question of the removal of the tops depends 

 largely upon how much of the tree can be got out and sold. 

 Where a large top must be left in the woods it is advisable, in 

 order to lesson the danger from fire and to get rid of the slash 

 obstructing the young growth, that it be so cut that all the main 

 limbs be brought in contact with the ground. Just how far it is 

 feasible to enforce such a regulation, without w'orking hardship 

 on the contractor can only be told after an examination of each 

 tract. 



With regard to the Hilo District my feeling is that except for 

 the koa on the Kaumana and Ponahawai lots back of Hilo 

 town — which I see no objection to lumbering under an arrange- 

 ment generally similar to that recommended for Kona — lumbering 

 operations should not be undertaken until a careful study of the 

 district with this special object in view^ has been made. There 

 are doubtless certain places which could be logged under proper 

 restrictions without detriment to the general welfare of the dis- 

 trict, but in other situations, such for instance as the portion of 

 Piihonua, from which comes the w^ater supply of Hilo town, the 

 forest should only be opened up, if at all, after « careful study 

 has been made on the ground. 



Very respectfully, 



Ralph S. Hosmer, 

 Siiperintendent of Forestry. 



