78 



It is gratifying to note a fresh triumph of the new pohcy of 

 marketing superintendency under the direction of Mr. Starrett. 

 This is the development of an enthusiastic and productive interest 

 in the growing of the Bermuda onion on the. Island of Kau-ai. 

 Some samples of the bulbs exhibited in town were a revelation to 

 those seeing them. While the plans were all laid for making the 

 Kauai output a new article of export to San Francisco for the ofif 

 season in California, local dealers rose in arms so to speak and 

 put a price on the onions for the local market which could not be 

 rejected. So, while the home consumption keeps up with the 

 supply, the growers are saved the ocean freight and all other at- 

 tendant export risks upon their product. 



Contributors, of whom the number is increasing in gratifying 

 manner, may be implored to limit the length of their papers for 

 this magazine. Its pages are restricted in number to fit the cost 

 appropriation, and anyhow an article running beyond three or 

 four pages must be interesting indeed not to be tedious to the 

 average reader. It should also be known that the official matter, 

 including that semi-officially requested insertion, nearly every 

 month requires a large proportion of the available space. Since, 

 too, the cause of agriculture in the schools has had the Forester 

 made its organ, a problem of every month put up to the editor to 

 solve is the due apportionment of space to the various subjects 

 now germane to these pages. With the assistance of the presi- 

 dent of the Board of Agriculture, however, it is hoped to effect a 

 proper balance of all things before long. The growing impor- 

 tance of the Forester and Agriculturist, resulting from its 

 widened scope, makes the necessity of its enlargement appear 

 imminent. In the meantime the faculty of condensation should 

 be exercised by all its contributors. 



ROSELLE. 



The roselle (Hibiscus subdaviffa) which was introduced and 

 distributed to a limited extent this spring by the Bureau, is mak- 

 ing a most satisfactory growth at the experiment stations, and 

 a good yield of fruit and seed for future distribution is ex])cctc(l. 



The roselle is an annual related to the cotton and okra, and 

 is probably the only plant in the world whose calyces are utilizeil 

 for food. The plant flowers in October and the rapidly develop- 

 ing fleshy calyces are picked and used in making sauces, jellies, 

 or jams, very similar in flavor to those made from the cranberry. 

 A good wine is also made from the cal\ces. A very agreeable 

 cooling drink may be made from the leaves and tender twigs, 

 steeped in boiling walcr. In India the roselle is grown princi- 

 ]>ally for its fiber. 



The many useful (jualilies of the roselle and the ease with which' 

 it may be cultivated are sure to make it a favorite among all 

 classes as soon as it becomes known in the I'liilippines. — /'///7/7>- 

 p'lnc Agricultural Review. 



