34 



The species found on Haleakala is said to be different and less val- 

 uable than the one on Parker ranch and is probably E. cicutarium. 



Alfilaria is an annual weed that conies up on unsodded areas, mak- 

 ing a good growth of leaves during or following the rains and furnish- 

 ing feed for cattle, and especially for sheep, for some time after the 

 dry season opens. 



Alfilaria grows and seeds at a lower level but does not seem t© 

 spread. 



Field burnet is similar in habit to the alfilaria but, at lower levels, 

 makes a greater growth of leaves and should be more valuable. In 

 two trials at the experiment station it has produced no seed. It- 

 should be tried out at higher elevations. 



The malvaceous plants, Malvastrum tricuspidatum, Sida spp., and 

 Gossypium tomentosum, are excellent drought-resisting plants and 

 furnish considerable forage. The ilima is very common upon Lanai 

 and Molokai and is closely grazed by sheep. Another species of 

 Sida, known as kukailio, is valued also for its oily seeds, which art 

 well liked by cattle. 



In wet regions one of the most valuable feeds is honohono. Among 

 the dairymen at Glenwood, Hawaii, honohono is considered their 

 most valuable " grass. " They rely chiefly on this and Para grass for 

 roughage. 



Black or narrow-leaved plantain was introduced as "rib grass" 

 from Australia. It has some forage value for sheep. It is considered 

 undesirable in most places, and even Australia has now put it in the 

 Est of obnoxious weeds. 



The saltbushes. There are many species of saltbushes, nearly all 

 of which furnish forage. They are tolerant of alkali and resistant to 

 drought, and are held in high favor by ranchmen in CaUlornia, 

 Arizona, and in Australia. Several species have been tried out in 

 Hawaii. The half-berried saltbush fully covers a small field near 

 Mokuleia, Oahu. This field, however, has not been grazed for several 

 years. In adjoining paddocks only occasional plants are found, but 

 these were closely grazed by the cattle. On Molokai the same 

 species and also some of the Arizona species were tried. When 

 protected from stock the plants did well, but the cattle when in the 

 kiawe became so ravenous for other feed that they eradicated the 

 saltbushes. 



It may prove feasible in attempting to establish saltbushes to obtain 

 seed enough for a larger area and then protect it until the plants are 

 well rooted. A few isolated plants in early stages of growth stand 

 little chance against the grazing of a large herd. 



Batis maritima and Sesuvium portiilacastrum, both known as aku- 

 likuli and both grown in salt marshes, are not ordinarily eaten by 

 afcock, but during kiawe season they are readily consumed. 



