10 FORESTS OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 



In Hawaii the species ^tows mach denser, as well as both taller and 

 straighter, than in the United States. Where fully established it 

 shades the ground so perfectly as to keep out all competitors, and 

 attains a height of from 50 to 60 feet. While there are no records to 

 support the opinion, it is believed by some that the districts covered 

 by algaroba receive more local showers than formerly. 



Situated as they are, the algaroba forests are more accessible than 

 the other forests of the islands. Indeed, there are hundreds of cases 

 where the forest has taken possession of old feed lots and pastures on 

 farms and sugar plantations, and even on vacant lots in towns. Some 

 of the suburbs of Honolulu are thickly grown up with algaroba. The 

 wood, which is valuable for fuel, sells at the plantations and in Hono- 

 lulu for 19 to $10 per cord. It lasts well in the ground when used as 

 a fence post. Both fuel and fence posts are in such great demand 

 that there is extensive cutting in these forests. 



Clean cutting is the method generally employed, and is entirely con- 

 servative, since the growth renews itself rapidly by both seeds and 

 sprouts. Within three or four years from the time of cutting the trees 

 again take complete possession of the ground, and attain a height of 20 

 to 25 feet. 



An important feature of the algaroba is the value of its pods as food 

 for stock. Pods are borne with great regularit}^ and in abundance 

 after the trees are 3 years old. The}^ ripen during the summer months 

 and fall to the ground, where the}" are either eaten by cattle, horses, 

 and pigs, or are picked up to be fed. In eating the pods stock do not 

 crush the small, horny seeds, which pass on through the alimentary 

 system and are prepared for quick germination by the action of the 

 digestive fluids. Stock are, therefore, solely responsible for the rapid 

 and wide spread of this tree. Nor can it be said that their presence 

 in the algaroba forests is noticeal^lv injurious either to standing trees 

 or to reproduction. No doubt they do to some extent browse on 

 young seedlings, but in the abundance of reproduction this has no 

 perceptible efiect upon the stand. 



Forming, with the exception of grasses, the most important animal 

 food in the islands, the pods are a boon to stockmen, who fatten cattle 

 on them during July and August, when pastures are usuall}" dr}"; to 

 liverymen, who feed them mixed with corn meal or bran during a 

 large part of the year; and in fact to all who have to supply feed for 

 horses, cattle, or hogs. 



The algaroba forests are a valuable asset for Hawaii; they have no 

 destructive enemies; they have tremendous powers of reproduction 

 and extension; and, best of all, they are so highly appreciated because 

 of the character of the ground which they cover and the pi'oducts 

 which the}^ yield that they will be cared for by the individual without 

 special action on the part of the government. 



