46 



carbohydrate content, from which some doubt arises as to its 

 economic vahie as a fertihzer, even though it produced 90 pounds 

 more poi than the check plat. The mixture used in plat No. 4, 

 namely, ammonium sulphate, superphosphate and sulphate of 

 potash, while it produced an increased yield of 350 pounds poi 

 more than the check plat, does not produce an abnormal growth 

 of the plant as in plat No. 2. This is shown by the fact that 

 there is only 0.1 per cent, difference in the percentage of poi in 

 taro obtained from this plat and the check plat, which indicates 

 the normal development of carbohydrates in the root bulb, which 

 results are to be desired in all fertilizer applications. 



"The fact that taro is grown under soil conditions similar to 

 those in which rice is grown suggests the possibility of these 

 plants having the property of assimilating nitrogen in a somewhat 

 similar form. It has been shown* that rice is unable to properly 

 assimilate nitrogen when added in the form of nitrates, while, on 

 the other hand, ammonium sulphate supplies the nitrogen in a 

 form which produces a considerable increase in yields of both 

 straw and grain. However, in the case of taro the nitrate pro- 

 duces a slightly larger root than the sulphate of ammonia, but 

 less starch. 



"Plats 6 and 7 showed practically no difference in yield, indi- 

 cating that no difference results from delaying the application of 

 the fertilizer for two months. Also, the yield of these plats was 

 practically the same as that from plat No. 4." 



PLANTING. 



Before planting, the water is run off, leaving a soft muddy sur- 

 face. Sometimes, after the bottom of the kalo patches has been 

 pounded, soft, loose dirt is spread over the surface, preparatory 

 to planting. This is called inaJichi. 



The Jiuli are llie cuttings that are used for the ])ropagation of 

 the tarn. They are of three types — hnli makiia. hiili olid, and 

 /;/(// pii'u. Hull is a generic term for those portions of the kalo 

 that are used in propagation. 



The hull makua is made by slicing off the top of a mature conn, 

 the slice bearing with it the crown of leaves. The petioles are cut 

 .some eight or twelve inches from the slice, leaving these long 

 .stubs {laupae) of the petioles attached to the slice. In the midst 

 of these petioles arc the young leaves, so that this type of huli is 

 really a large terminal bud, with a portion of the starchy stem or 

 corm attached. To insure growth, tin- ////// >lioulil be cut with a 

 tbin slice of the corm attached. If it is cut off without this ])re- 

 raution, the liuli rots in the groimd and will not grow kalo. .Suclt 

 a carelesslv-cut k;ilo lop is railed liuli uniii'oiiiu'o. .and is a re- 



Ilnwftii .Stu. Mill. 'Jt. 



