Samoa in 1913 443 



and is only to be found in isolated places. 

 The best fodder is the native grass known as 

 " Vaofalli," but this will not withstand the 

 encroachments of the stronger Vailima, or the 

 mimosa known as the " Sensitive Plant." This 

 latter was formerly regarded as a scourge, but 

 is now generally considered one of the best 

 grazing grasses in the islands. Being covered 

 with sharp spikes it has some disadvantages, 

 making it difficult for the labourers to get 

 about in it wherever it is allowed to grow 

 rankly ; but if the plantations are well stocked 

 with animals the grass is kept down, and the 

 labourers manage to get along all right. 

 Couch grass is also an excellent fodder, but is 



O 



not strong enough to fight against other grasses 

 and weeds. 



The natives, when clearing new land on 

 which to plant the required number of coco- 

 nuts, invariably plant taros, kava, and other 

 supplies, all of which are of high value to 

 them ; and there is no reason in the world why 

 the foreign planter should not set out taro, 

 yams, bananas, pines, and other plants to help 

 him through the lean years until the palms 

 commence to bear or his cattle begin to return 

 him an appreciable increase. 



Taros and yams are saleable ; kava occa- 

 sionally produces satisfactory returns ; bananas 

 are useful and sometimes saleable ; and pines, 

 which might be grown by the million, could 

 be canned and exported or crushed for their 



