40 



The only effective way of securing such desirable introductions 

 is through systematic experimenting the introduction and trial 

 under varying local conditions of promising species. This is 

 work that properly belongs to the Government. In trying out 

 new plants there must necessarily be many failures. Private cor- 

 porations, and still less individuals, as a rule do not care to plant 

 trees unless there is at least a reasonable certainty that they will 

 do well. But such investigation is essentially work that ought 

 to be done, particularly in a country like Hawaii. Unless, how- 

 ever plant introduction is carried on carefully and in a highly sys- 

 tematic way much of it goes for nothing. It is work, too, that 

 must be managed by technically trained men, for there is always 

 the possibility that some plants may be introduced which it is not 

 wise to permit to grow here, Therefore the experimental intro- 

 duction of exotic trees and shrubs is one of the important investi- 

 gations that lies before the Division of Forestry. 



During the past two years progress has been made in this 

 direction by the better equipment of the Experimental Garden 

 in Makiki Valley and by improvements in the seed testing houses 

 at the Government Nursery. These changes will facilitate later 

 work. 



The Territory has been fortunate in receiving at the hands of 

 Mr. Gerrit P. Wilder, a former member of the Board of Com- 

 missioners of Agriculture and Forestry, seeds of a great variety 

 of trees and shrubs, which he has secured during an extended 

 tour around the world. These plants are now being propagated 

 at the Nursery and the Makiki Station. Other consignments of 

 exotic seed are constantly being received in a small way from 

 various sources. The importance of this work is such that it 

 justifies the making of ample provision for carrying it on. It is 

 to be hoped that it can be expanded during the coming period. 



Federal Experimental Planting. 



Mention may properly be made here of the continuation of the 

 experimental planting of temperate zone trees on the upper slopes 

 of Mauna Kea and Haleakala, begun in 1908 under the auspices 

 and at the expense of the Forest Service of the U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture. Three consignments of seedling trees pines, 

 spruces and firs have been obtained from forest nurseries on the 

 American mainland and planted out in the fenced experimental 

 plots on these mountains. While there have been severe losses, 

 as was to be expected, the latest examination made showed that 

 a fair percentage of the little trees were alive and apparently 

 established. 



During the spring and summer of 1910 seed of some forty odd 

 kinds of temperate zone trees, both conifers and broadleaf species, 

 was sown in seed spots in the experimental plots. It is too soon 



