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forest land, starting on a flat topped ridge between the Helemanu 
and Opaeula gulches and burning down a little way into the 
forested gulches on either side. From the evidence obtainable the 
fire had apparently been started from a lighted match or cigarette 
stub thrown thoughtlessly into the dry grass by one of a squad 
of cavalrymen, who were making a reconnoissance survey. The 
fire started near a camp of a detachment of the Engineer Corps. 
These men turned out and fought the fire, checking its spread 
on the ridge. A heavy dew at night fortunately prevented its 
further advance, the fire stopping just at the edge of the heavy 
woods in the gulch. A good maiiy young trees on the flat were 
killed by the fire in the grass. A number of logs were finally 
extinguished on the 25th by laborers sent up from the Waialua 
plantation. 
Since the 25th three more grass fires have been reported from 
Wahiawa, all apparently caused by the carelessness of smokers 
in dropping fire into a bed of dry grass. It is the opinion of the 
men on the ground that soldiers are to blame for most of these 
recent fires. 
On July 26, smoke from a fire for burning brush at the moun- 
tain house of Mrs. Edward Damon caused an alarm to be given 
that a forest fire had started on the ridge above Moanalua. After 
considerable telephoning and a trip to Moanalua it was found out 
that no danger was to be apprehended. 
PROSPECTIVE TREE PLANTING. 
From a number of sources come reports that arrangements are 
being made on the part of plantation and ranch interests to do 
extensive tree planting during the winter months of 1911-12. At 
the government nursery considerable lots of ironwoods have been 
started to supply the probable demand later in the year. A little 
later a good supply of eucalyptus seedlings will also be got 
ready. But persons or corporations desiring to obtain trees from 
the government nursery in large numbers would do well to file 
their applications at once. 
Very truly yours, 
Ralph S. Hosmer, 
Superintendent of Forestry. 
