IRRIGATION IN HAWAII. 



(Continued from last issue.) 



The power of this soil to take up water is 48.5 per cent. The cli- 

 matic conditions have already been amply discussed, since the data 

 contained in the earlier paragraphs of this work bearing upon the 

 evaporation of moisture from water and soil surfaces and the trans- 

 piration of water by the sugar cane were all observed and recorded at 

 this station. 



By the mode of applying water in use at the experiment station 

 every gallon of water that goes onto each experimental plat is meas- 

 ured and recorded. This exactness is absolutely necessary not only in 

 order to note the action of the water, but also that of other factors 

 upon the development and results of the crop. Consequently the 

 records of rainfall and the measurement of the water applied furnish 

 the total water at the disposal of the crop in the course of its growth. 



Two crops of cane have already been grown upon the experiment 

 station grounds by the aid of irrigation. The first crop was planted 

 in July, 1897, and harvested 20 months later. The second crop was 

 planted in June, 1898. and is now being taken off (March, 1900.) The 

 period of irrigation, however, extended from the time of planting 

 until November of the following year, making some 17 months during 

 which water was applied. Unless the weather is extremely dry, the 

 cane does not receive water several weeks previous to its being cut, 

 in order to induce a more thorough ripening. Excess of moisture 

 operates to keep the cane immature and induces new shoots to appear 

 and grow, thus injuring the crop. 



In the followihg table are recorded the amounts of water the crop* 

 received during the years specified as rainfall and by irrigation: 



AMOUNTS OF WATER RECEIVED BY CROPS AT HAWAIIAN EXPERIMENT STATION. 



