3 
most any other community in this world, but we have in a large 
measure been living upon our capital and not upon the interest 
thereof. 
The large industries of this country have, and are, recogniz- 
ing the importance of the preservation of our natural resources, 
and their extension, and have devoted a great deal of attention to 
forestry. This work has been individual, however, rather than 
on a larger or broader scheme of cooperation. 
I have made a study of the costs of replanting deforested areas 
within the present and possible future forest reserves, and am 
much perturbed to discover the enormous amount of labor and 
expense it will require, and the long period of years over which 
the work will have to extend, if the deforested areas are re- 
planted. The work would, of necessity, progress so slowly that 
its protection against land wastes by erosion due to wind and 
water would be very little. 
If we limit our efforts to the commercial side of forestry, we 
will attain the great end of conserving our several mtural re- 
sources which are dependent upon forest cover. Our great 
need is in forest cover whether it be forest planted for com- 
mercial ends, or cover which will preserve the land against 
erosion. 
I oft'er the question of forest cover or commercial forest as 
one for discussion, and call your attention to the algaroba for- 
ests which cover large areas on our Islands, and which, with- 
out the aid of man, have extended over thousands of acres of 
good and waste lands, and made these areas profitable in many 
ways. 
It is possible with slight expense to extend the algaroba for- 
est cover within a few years, over tremendous areas which are 
now practically waste lands. At present, we leave it entirely 
to nature and the cattle to extend it. We are particularly fortu- 
note in having this tree as it is prolific with seed and sets forth 
every effort to reproduce. 
A few years ago, it was thought that the algaroba would 
grow only a few feet above sea level. On the Island of Hawaii, 
in the dry district above Kawaihae, I have found it growing at 
an elevation of 2,000 feet, and seeding. Why not make a con- 
certed effort to cover our waste slopes, so far as possible, with 
this hardy, ready-growing tree, which in itself is an ideal forest, 
and not depend entirely upon nature and cattle for the distribu- 
tion of its seed? 
To plant an area equal to that of the algaroba forest with 
trees of commercial value, would be beyond the resources of the 
Territorial Government or of any corporation. The trees planted 
in what may be called our commercial forest areas take 
years before they seed and reproduce, while the algaroba grows 
with great rapidity and seeds within a short period. 
