99 



New Domestic Industry Indicated 



Wicker furniture made in Hawaii has been exhibited in Hono- 

 kihi within the past few months, indicating the possibiHty of a 

 new industry for this Territory. It was manufactured from 

 willow rods grown at the Alakiki experiment garden of the Board 

 of Agriculture and Forestry. The particular species is the yellow 

 willow, Sali.i' vitcUina, and it was brought to Honolulu in 1909 

 by Dr. L. R. Caspar from his old home in Funchal. Madeira. 

 Joe Rosa, a Portuguese laborer for the Board, was the artisan, 

 who came to these islands eight years ago from Madeira, where 

 he used to make wicker furniture and baskets. 



Some specimens of the furniture were placed on exhibition for 



a few days in a furniture store by the Board, and later the 

 editor of the Forester was invited to view several pieces at Gon- 

 salves & Co.'s store, where they were offered for sale. Mr. Gon- 

 salves said that he used to import the same kind of furniture 

 from the Azores many years ago. Besides its capabilities of ar- 

 tistic design, of which the pieces seen bore good evidence, the 

 furniture is substantial and readily cleanable. A settee of this 

 wickerwork is shown in the accompanying illustration. 



To anyone inclined to grow this willow for the making of 

 wicker articles, the Board of Agriculture and Forestry will be 

 glad to furnish cuttings. 



