92 
is  much  more  land  which  should  be  reclaimed.  Fortunately, 
on  the  windward  slopes  of  the  mountains  are  streams  which 
can  supply  water  for  this  purpose  if  they  are  properly  handled. 
But  the  slopes  are  short  and  steep  and  the  catchment  areas 
small.  It  is  necessary  that  the  water  sheds  be  protected  by  a 
cover  of  vegetation.  The  Hawaiian  forest  is  the  best  possible 
cover  for  this  purpose.  But  as  the  forest  is  easily  injured  it 
is  necessary  that  it  be  carefully  protected.  For  this  reason 
forest  reserves  have  been  made  and  will  continue  to  be  set 
apart.  There  have  now  been  created  sixteen  forest  reserves 
with  a total  area  of  444,116  acres.  Eventually,  about  three- 
quarters  of  a million  acres  will  be  included  within  the  reserve 
limits. 
Wherever  there  is  water  to  be  protected  this  value  of  the 
Hawaiian  forest  takes  precedence  over  all  others,  but  in  the 
leeward  districts  on  the  Island  of  Hawaii  are  areas  where  the 
question  of  stream  production  does  not  figure.  Here  the 
forests  are  of  value  because  of  the  wood  and  timber  that  can 
be  got  from  them  and  it  is  right  and  proper  that  they  should 
be  so  used.  But  it  should  be  clearly  understood  that  the  prime 
and  essential  value  of  the  Hawaiian  forest  is  because  it  pro- 
tects the  water  sheds  of  the  streams  that  can  be  used  for 
irrigation. 
The  especial  need  now  is  for  a careful  study  of  the  water 
resources  of  Hawaii,  as  a preliminary  step  to  the  extension 
to  Hawaii  of  the  benefits  of  the  Reclamation  Service.  The 
Federal  Government  is  willing  to  cooperate,  but  the  initial 
move  must  be  made  by  the  Territory.  For  this  reason  it  is 
particularly  important  that  there  be  a strong  public  sentiment 
which  shall  make  evident  to  the  Legislature  the  necessity  for 
an  appropriation  to  get  this  work  started.  In  no  other  way 
can  Hawaii  be  so  developed  as  through  the  intelligent  applica- 
tion of  the  principles  of  Conservation. 
THE  HON.  G.  R.  CARTER'S  ADDRESS. 
The  Hon.  G.  R.  Carter  emphasized  the  importance  of  securing 
an  appropriation  for  a hydrographic  survey  of  the  islands,  and 
urged  every  lady  present  to  do  all  she  could,  both  collectively  by 
petition  and  individually  by  the  exercise  of  personal  influence,  to 
obtain  a sum  requisite  for  this  purpose  from  the  Legislature.  A 
thorough  survey  of  our  waters  lies  at  the  basis  of  our  local  con- 
servation policy  and  must  be  the  first  step  to  that  end.  Its  im- 
portance cannot  be  exaggerated,  for  until  it  is  made  the  islands 
are  without  an  inventory  of  their  potential  resources.  Until  a 
hydrographic  survey  is  made,  who  can  say,  with  regard  to  our 
artesian  system,  whether  we  are  living  within  our  income  or  be- 
