167 



other hand an uninterrupted progression of cycles produces 

 myriads of flies. It is not unusual to find in one dropping over a 

 thousand immature flies. The effect of the perpetual irritation 

 and annoyance of these flies on the cattle is undoubtedly felt in 

 reduced weight or lower milk production. The reduction and 

 control of the dung-flies therefore constitute one of our most 

 pressing entomological problems, but while considerable attention 

 and study has been given to it hardly any improvement of the 

 situation has resulted. The consensus of opinion among local 

 entomologists seems to be that no improvement can be expected 

 until some means is found of disposing of the manure in w^hich 

 the flies develop so as in some measure to render it unsuited to 

 that purpose. Natural agencies would be most applicable here, 

 particularly on account of the peculiar circumstances of insect 

 propagation in these islands, and of range-cattle conditions, 

 where artificial methods of dung disposal would be beyond con- 

 sideration. The introduction is proposed of onthophagous or 

 dung- feeding beetles (tumble-bugs, etc.), which have never been 

 successfully tried here, and some with greater temerity have fa- 

 vored bird introduction. The ideas advanced and the proposi- 

 tions emanating from them are supported by facts which can 

 daily be confirmed by very casual observation. It is undeniably 

 true that Honolulu is relatively verv free of the house-fly. Con- 

 nect this circumstance with the relative scarcity of horse-manure, 

 in which it develops, and the rapidity with which horse-manure 

 dries out here, also the activity of the common English sparrow 

 in scattering the droppings. The inference is obvious. It is con- 

 fidently believed that patient search would at length reveal the 

 agents suited to our needs, and that the desired improvement in 

 the fly situation with respect to our live stock industry only waits 

 on governmental activity. 



The Kauri Pine 



By C. S. Judd, Siiperinfeiident of Forestry. 



The most premising and widely useful tree for planting in the 

 Hawaiian Islands for the purpose of producing lumber is confi- 

 dently believed to be the Kauri pine, Agatliis ausfralis, which 

 although represented here at present only in small numbers, flour- 

 ishes and grows most satisfactorily. This tree is the monarch 

 of the New Zealand forests and, although it does not rival the 

 giant Sequoias in its extreme height and circumference, it excels 

 them in the intrinsic value of its timber, which possesses a larger 

 number of good qualities than any other pine known to commerce. 



The Kauri pine belongs to the cone-bearing family but, unlike the 



