178 
calcium chloride and manganese dioxide. As an example a case 
at Wahiawa may be cited when a heavy dose of burnt lime was 
applied to the field. After the application of Hme the plants 
practically ceased to grow, turned nearly white in color and had 
to be taken up. 
Ordinarily an application of lime would be considered beneficial 
but in the case of the manganese soil we find it highly injurious. 
This action would seem to point to some combination between the 
lime and manganese with the production of a toxic compound. 
We know that manganese oxides are soluble in dilute acid solu- 
tions, that manganese is taken up by the plant in comparatively 
large quantit}/ along with lime and chlorine, that calcium man- 
ganite is poisonous to the plant and that we have the necessary 
materials at hand in or around the plant for its formation. Why 
then may we not assunie, until more data is at hand or a better 
y explanation is forthcoming, that the toxic efifects observed'^ upon 
the pineapples on the manganese soil at Wahiawa is due to the 
action of calcium manganite primarily, and to the secondary action 
of other salts and acids upon the calcium manganite ? 
Carlton C. James. 
Chemical Laboratory, The Pacific Guano & Fertilizer Co. 
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. 
Meetings of the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and 
Forestry were held in Honolulu on April 5 and 27 ; May 10, 20, 
22 and 23, 1911. The more important business taken up at these 
meetings was as follows : 
MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1911. 
Forestry. — The following appointments were made : ^Ir. 
George O. Cooper, District Forester for Hana, Maui, to succeed 
Mr. C. J. Austin, resigned. Mr. Alex. C. Dowsett, District Fire 
Warden in and for the District of Honuaula and Kahikinui, Maui. 
Letter of Thanks. — Voted that an official letter of thanks be 
sent to Sherifi^ Jarrett and Deputy Sheriff Rose for their assist- 
ance at the Manoa Valley forest fire on the night of April 1, 1911. 
MEETING OF APRIL 27, 1911. 
Routine Reports. — The routine reports of the Forest Nursery- 
man were submitted, approved and ordered placed on file, as was 
also the report of the Superintendent of Entomology for the 
month of March. 
MEETING OF MAY 10, 1911. 
Forestry. — The routine reports of the Superintendent of For- 
estry for March and April were submitted. Action on them was 
deferred until the next meeting. 
