278 



that the plan proposed by the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Ex- 

 periment Station to investigate the role of the chalcid flies com- 

 monly known as fig wasps in the fertilization of the seed of 

 certain species of Ficiis with the intent of introducing one or 

 more species of the said fig wasps into the Hawaiian Islands is, 

 after due consideration of the views and opinions of the various 

 naturalists consulted and heard from, approved, and the Chief 

 Plant Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to permit the 

 introduction of said insects under the usual guarantees as to 

 safety from harmful consequences." 



RFPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF 

 FORESTRY, SEPTEMBER, 1920. 



Superintendent of Forestry, 

 Honolulu, T. H. 



October 14, 1920. 



Sii-. — The following statement of my activities during the month of 

 September is respectfully submitted: 



The first week was spent in the office at Honolulu, and the remainder 

 of the month on an extended inspection of the forest reserves on the 

 island of Maui. 



On September 11, in company with Mr. Atkinson, Eanger James 

 Lindsay and Mr. Sam Baldwin, Manager of Haleakala Eaneh, a trip 

 was made into the Makawao Eeserve to examine the site of a small 

 water development project, for which permission is requested by the 

 Haleakala Eanch. It is proposed to run a short tunnel under the 

 waterfall of Pali-o-ka-Moa and pipe the water down from that point. 

 From the standpoint of forestry no harm will be done by this project 

 and the Division of Forestry has no objection to its execution. Juris- 

 diction over water rights, is held by the Commission of Public Lands 

 and Mr. Baldwin was referred to that office for further action. 



In company with Eanger Lindsay, a general tour of Maui was then 

 begun. The upper portion of the Makawao forest was first examined 

 and found to be in very satisfactory condition. Thrifty young koa and 

 ohia trees are growing abundantly among the old dead trees and the 

 general cover of shrubs and ferns is vigorous and complete. 



A five day trip was made around Haleakala following a route through 

 the 'crater, out through Kaupo Gap, and over the Ditch Trail. On the 

 climb to the Eest House a detour was made to examine the experimental 

 plantation of temperate zone conifers. The trail, after leaving Kaupo, 

 gave a good opportunity to see something of the Kipahulu, Hana and 

 Koolau Eeserves. Wliile the Koolau forest is adequately protected by 

 the Ditch company, the same is not true of the other two reserves, 

 and there is urgent need of stock-proof fences along their makai boun- 

 daries. Under present conditions cattle may run at will into these 

 forests from the guava-covered pastures immediately below. Before 

 the onslaught of cattle and guava the forest is gradually retreating. 

 The construction of fences along this boundary is among the most im- 

 portant forestry needs on Maui. 



Along the Ditch Trail much young ohia is coming up among the dead 

 trees, giving every promise of restoring this once luxuriant forest. 

 Examination showed the young trees to be starting either upon the 

 fallen trunks of tree ferns or from the bases of other dead trees. In 

 the opinion of Dr. Lyon this means that the promising young forest is 



