116 



good deal more can be accomplished than heretofore in putting 

 the road into shape and keeping it so. 



Experiments zvith A^ezo Rubber Trees. 



Through the courtesy of Dr. A. Marques, the French consul, 

 there was received in February a small consignment of the seed 

 of Ficus Schlechterii, a tree from New Caledonia supposed to be 

 of value as a rubber producer. Samples of this seed were sent 

 to the managers of the several rubber companies and to the sub- 

 nurseries of the board for trial. 



From Puuwaawaa, Hawaii, Mr. J. F. Rock, consulting botan- 

 ist, has recently sent in samples of the latex of a native Hawaiian 

 tree, Euphorbia lorifolia, that appears to have possibilities as a 

 rubber producer. The Hawaii agricultural experiment station is 

 now making analyses of the latex of this tree. As yet there is 

 nothing tangible to report. Mr. Rock writes that there are several 

 thousand acres covered with this tree in North Kona. 



Botanical Exploration. 



Mr. Rock is now on Maui, having gone over from Kona on 

 the last steamer. He reports having secured much interesting 

 material from that district. Incidentally, he made an ascent of 

 Mauna Loa from one of the dairy stations on the Greenwell ranch, 

 establishing a new record as to time, in that he started at 4 a. m., 

 reached the summit crater, Mokuaweoweo, and got back to a 

 temporary camp in the edge of the forest the same night ; from 

 his account a somewhat strenuous excursion. 



Mr. Rock is now collecting on the slopes of Mt. Haleakala. 

 He expects to return to Honolulu about Alarch 20. 



Repairs to Office Building. 



During the latter part of February the roofs of the main office 

 building at the Government nursery and of the recent addition 

 to the stables were painted with "Elastikote" paint. This ought 

 to add considerably to their durability. 



Report of the Forest Nurseryman. 



As usual there is transmitted hcrewilli the re])ort of the forest 

 nurseryman, covering the work of the montli that comes under 

 his direct charge. 



\^cry res]:)ectfully, 



JvALl'll .S. I 1().S.M|-.U. 



Superintendent of lM)restry. 



