149 



This is slightly less than during the previous two years, when 

 the trees planted totaled 878,328 in 1915 and 925,400 in 1916. 



A quantity of seed of the gum arabic tree, Acacia arabica, is 

 being secured and seedlings will be raised for experimental plant- 

 ing in the forest reserve on the dry west slope of the Waianae 

 mountains. This is a tree which readily reproduces itself from 

 seed and root-shoots and will do well on dry, impoverished soil. 

 The wood is excellent for fuel and is very suitable for posts and 

 ties on account of its durability. Seed of the khair, Acacia 

 catechu, another valuable tree of India, has also been secured 

 locally and seedlings will be raised and planted at the same place. 



FOREST FENCING. 



The forest fence at Piha, in the Hilo forest reserve, Hawaii, 

 where the work has been delayed by the heavy rains, is nearing 

 completion and will now be finished probably by the middle of 

 May. The total length of the new fences in this region which 

 have recently been built in cooperation with the Kukaiau Ranch 

 to keep cattle from getting onto government lands in this re- 

 serve is 6.20 miles. 



. A visit to Hauula, Oahu, on April 5, disclosed the fact that 

 0.63 mile of fence had been built by the homesteaders on the 

 new forest reserve boundary under the understanding made by 

 the former Land Commissioner, and a promise was secured from 

 them that the remaining 0.25 mile of fence would be completed 

 at the earliest practicable date. 



For repairing the fence along the Waimea side of the Pupukea 

 forest reserve, Oahu, in cooperation with the ranch department 

 of the O. R. & L. Co., 12 coils of wire and 20 pounds of staples 

 were supplied by this Division on April 18. 



In the new lease of the upper grazing land of Piihonua, Ha- 

 waii, above the mauka boundary of the Hilo forest reserve, 

 which was recently sold to Mr. W. H. Shipman, the Commis- 

 sioner of Public Lands, at the suggestion of this office, included 

 the following clauses for the protection of forest interests in this 

 region : 



"Unless otherwise directed by the Commissioner of Public 

 Lands, the lessee shall, at his own cost and expense, maintain 

 during the term of this lease in good stock-proof condition the 

 present fence along the eastern boundary of the land, herein de- 

 mised, shall make every endeavor to keep stock from getting 

 through such fence onto the land to the east of such fence, and 

 shall remove or exterminate at once any stock which may get 

 through such fence onto the land to the east of said fence. 



'Tf any land is withdrawn from this lease for the public pur- 

 post of forest protection along the eastern boundary of the land, 

 herein demised, the rent shall be reduced on a basis which, in 

 the opinion of the Commissioner of Public Lands, is equitable, 

 and the lessee shall within one year from the date of such with- 



