50 



on the slopes of the mountains whence come the streams that feed 

 the irrigation ditches. On the continuance in good condition of 

 large tracts of forest depend the prosperity and well being of 

 many people, for a body of forest reacts favorably on the region 

 adjacent to it in many ways. 



In our present state of knowledge we may not know just how 

 this influence is exerted, nor how far reaching are its effects, as 

 for example on local climate and on health. But it is the experi- 

 ence of mankind that a body of forest is a valuable asset, a heri- 

 tage which ought not to be jeopardized through neglect or mis- 

 management. 



The droughts of the past season bring home the vital connec- 

 tion that exists between water and the yield of the sugar planta- 

 tions. How much more would serious deterioration of the forest 

 spell a general diminution of prosperity. And yet that is just 

 what is happening all over the Territory, in all the windward dis- 

 tricts where the native wet forest is not being protected from 

 trespass and kept free from injury by man, wild stock and the 

 rank-growing introduced grasses and other weeds. 



With the outlook for the future what it is in this Territory to- 

 day, the time has unquestionably arrived when greater care must 

 be given the forests. Fencing, the extermination of wild cattle 

 and goats, the extension of the native forest cover, are all things 

 that urgently call for prompt and energetic attention. 



There has been enough and to spare of talk. What is demand- 

 ed now is the means to carry into effect the plans which the 

 Board of Agriculture has worked out for meeting the present 

 needs. These plans have been developed in conjunction with the 

 Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association and will receive the sup- 

 port of that organization, but it is not enough for the corpora- 

 tions only to take a hand in this matter. The protection and right 

 use of the native Hawaian forest is an issue that concerns all the 

 people of the Territory, large interests and small landholders 

 alike, for everybody uses water. The need for water is a com- 

 mon need. A well kept forest cover on the watersheds is essen- 

 tial to an assured supply. 



The means for doing what is required can be had by devoting 

 to forest purposes, especially to forest protection, a portion of the 

 revenues now derived from the water right leases and licenses 

 in the existing forest reserves. Upwards of $67,000 per annum 

 is now received by the Territory from this source- A part of 

 this money ought to be reinvested in the forest as a revolving 

 fund, which in the end would pay back the amount so invested, 

 with good interest. I earnestly recommend that this matter be 

 given serious consideration by the Commissioners. 



During the past two years a large share of attention has been 

 paid by the Division of Forestry to interesting corporations and 



