65 



A good deal of the time of the men at the Garden has been 

 taken up in assisting in the raising of trees for general distribu- 

 tion, also for Arbor Day. The additions to the buildings and 

 other improvements which have been done has also taken up 

 much time. No more additions or improvements are necessary 

 at present, so that the men can now devote all their time to the 

 care of the plants and getting the trial grounds ready for plant- 

 ing. 



TANTALUS FOREST. 



During the summer of 1909, which was exceptionally dry, the 

 danger of fires starting in the forest became apparent and steps 

 had to be taken to eliminate the danger. The floor of the forest 

 was covered in most places with a dense tangle of dead and 

 dying lantana, which might have been ignited by people passing 

 through the forest. 



To protect the forest from this danger all the laborers em- 

 ployed by the Division of Forestry at the Nursery and Makiki 

 Garden were taken up to the forest one day each week to beat 

 and cut down the lantana and lay it as flat on the ground as pos- 

 sible. This work continued for from three to four months. After 

 it was done the forest was practically safe from fire, for should 

 a fire have got started after the lantana was beaten and trampled 

 dowft flat it would have burned slowly and been easily put out. 

 The forest now is safe from fires, the ground being covered in 

 most parts by honohono (Coinmelina nudiflora) and air plant 

 (Bryophyllnm calycimim'). The lantana has disappeared with the 

 exception of a few shoots that have come up here and there from 

 the old roots. 



The dead wood has been cut down and carted away. About 

 50 Eucalyptus trees have been cut down for testing purposes and 

 for making volume tables. The forest is now in good condition, 

 very few dead trees are to be found. 



The Ranger, David Kapihi, has done good work in keeping 

 the trails through the forest in good shape; also the trails run- 

 ning along the bottom of Makiki Valley and over to the oppo- 

 site ridge. Other work which he has to attend to, is to look out 

 for people who sneak into the forest every now and again and 

 cut and cart away grass and sometimes trees. He is also sup- 

 posed to be on the ground when people have dry grass or weeds, 

 etc., to burn off. 



During the year 1909, twenty-two permits w'ere issued to 

 people desiring to burn dry grass, brush, etc. The number of 

 permits issued for same purpose during 1910 was seventeen. 



5 B. A. 



