342 



within easy reach I attended the Rubber Growers' meeting at Na- 

 hiku on October 12th, visiting some additional groves that I had 

 not seen on my earHer trip and taking a part in the estabhshment 

 of the Hawaiian Rubber Growers' Association. On the several 

 questions investigated on Maui I shall in due course submit de- 

 tailed reports to the Board. 



ROUTINE MATTERS. 



During the past three months the most important routine work 

 in the Division of Forestry has been the exchange of seed with 

 botanical gardens and other corporations and individuals in vari- 

 ous parts of the world. Seed of many valuable trees and plants, 

 new to the islands, have been received and are now being propa- 

 gated in the Nursery. 



Perhaps of the greatest present interest are two new species 

 of rubber trees from Brazil, sent from Germany. They both be- 

 long to the genus Maiiihot, of which the Ceara rubber, so well 

 known locally, has heretofore been considered' the only rubber- 

 producing species. Plants have been started at the Nursery and 

 sent to Nahiku for trial. As is usual at this season of the year 

 many trees and plants have recently been furnished to the schools 

 for Arbor Day planting. 



Xiirscry Grounds. 



Thanks to the Superintendent of Public Works the work of 

 improving the Government Nursery grounds is progressing 

 favorably. Over 900 yards of earth have been hauled in to fill up 

 the low lying part of the grounds and additional lots are daily 

 being added. When the present improvements are completed the 

 grounds will be in a more satisfactory condition than at any 

 time in their history. 



The new laboratory of the Division of Animal Industry was 

 completed in September, and is now ready for occupancy. 



■ Meetings. 



The library room of the Board continues to be used for even- 

 ing meetings of various organizations. Since July 29th the list 

 is as follows : 



Hawaiian Entomological Societv, August 8th. 



Hawaiian Poultry Association, September loth. 



Kaimuki-Palolo Improvement Club, October 25th. 



Hawaiian Entomological Society, October 3rd. 



YQVy respectfully, 



RALPH S. HOSMER, 

 Superintendent of Forestry. 



