I04 Memoirs Bcrnicc P. Bishop Muscmii 



tioncd is a variable species, which is found in other forms, under various condi- 

 tions, from the moist spray of Rainl)o\v Falls to the upper slopes of Mauna Kea. 



AGRICULTURAL GRASSES. 



The most important grass grown in the Hawaiian islands is the sugar cane, 

 Sacclianiiii officinaniiii. Corn, Zca mays, is grown in considerable quantity on the 

 Parker Ranch, Hawaii. Rice, Orysa sati^'a, is a commercial prodtict of importance. 

 The small grains, wheat, oats, barley, and rye, have been grown l)y the United 

 States Agricultural Experiment Station but are not commercially established. 



Next to sugar, the most important industry on the Hawaiian Islands is 

 stock-raising. This is carried on chieflv on the islands of Hawaii, Molokai (see 

 PI. XXXin, B), IMaui, and Lanai, and more particularly on the dry lee side of the 

 islands. The growing of forage grasses has interested the planters here in recent 

 years, for the native forage has become depleted to such an extent that it is neces- 

 sary to consider supplementary cultivated forage. 



Several of the meadow grasses of Europe and the United States have been 

 tried on the ranches, and at medium altitudes give promise of success. Specimens 

 of the following were found growing at altitudes of 3000 to 6000 feet on the 

 Ivukaiau Ranch and I^arker Ranch on Hawaii, the Molokai Ranch on INIolokai, the 

 Haleakala Ranch on East Maui, and the Lanai Ranch: orchard grass (Dacfylis 

 ghmcrafa) ; rescue grass (Broiiius iniioloidcs) ; blue grass (Poa pratcnsis) ; Italian 

 rye grass {Loliuin iiiultifloniin ) \ velvet grass (Xotliolciis lanafits); tall oat grass 

 {Arrltciiafhcntm clafiiis) ; redtop (Agrostis sfoloiifcra ) ; sweet vernal grass (An- 

 flio.vaiitlntni odoratum). 



Of these the orchard grass, rescue grass, and the rve grass are most likely 

 to prove satisfactory. 



Paspahiiu dilatatum is becoming established in the same region. Mr. G. C. 

 Munro, manager of the Lanai Ranch, states that this is the most satisfactory 

 pasture grass he has tried. He takes pains to scatter the seed from mature plants 

 whenever he has the opportunity. There was a fine field of this at the L'uited 

 States Agricultural Substation at Haiku, Maui (Plate XXXIV, A). 



Two tropical forage grasses may give satisfactory results at the lower alti- 

 tudes. These are Para grass (Paniciuii barbiuodc) and Cniinea grass {P. iiiaxi- 

 ininii). They would not thrive at the higher altitudes, as thev are strictly troincal 

 and will not withstand frost. Para grass requires plenty of moisture and would 

 not thrive in the dry areas. 



The two grasses that ha\-e pro\'ed satisfactory for hay in the dry regions arc 

 Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and Natal grass, or Natal redtop (Tricliolacna 

 rosea). There is a fine field of the first on the ranch of Mr. Robert Hind at Puu 

 Waawaa, and of the second on the Molokai Ranch at Mr. George Cooke's place. 



Bermuda grass is common throughout the Islands in dry open ground. It is 

 an excellent pasture grass and also the best lawn grass for the region. 



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