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development  of  the  Hawaiian  Islands,  and  for  conserving  the 
water  supply  by  protecting  the  forests.  Your  coming  has 
brought  the  women  of  the  Islands  into  closer  contact  with  the 
women  of  the  mainland,  and  that  is  one  of  its  best  results. 
Sincerely  yours, 
THEODORE  ROOSEVELT. 
Mrs.  Augustus  F.  Knudsen, 
Kekaha,  Kauai, 
Hawaiian  Islands. 
POTATO  OPPORTUNITY. 
In  consequence  of  floods  in  the  Sacramento  valley,  the  garden 
crops  of  California  have  fallen  greatly  below  the  quantity  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  supply.  The  shortage  of  potatoes  is  particu- 
larly noticeable,  only  about  400,000  sacks  being  available  for  a 
demand  of  a million  and  a quarter.  The  prospect  of  advanced 
prices  of  potatoes  in  Hawaii  should  lead  to  extensive  plantings 
throughout  the  islands.  Our  greatly  enlarging  white  popula- 
tion will  double  the  local  demand  for  this  necessary  food,  and 
with  the  coast  supplies  eliminated  good  prices  for  all  that  can 
be  produced  here  are  assured.  The  quantity  of  Hawaiian  grown 
potatoes  is  very  much  below  what  it  should  be,  and  indeed, 
in  many  quarters  the  idea  is  prevalent  that  the  islands  are  un- 
suited to  their  growth.  The  day  when  Hawaii  supplied  the 
Californian  market  with  this  crop  need  only  be  alluded  to  in 
order  to  remove  this  misunderstanding.  Dwellers  within  reach 
of  the  Portuguese  gardeners  who  have  established  themselves 
on  the  slopes  of  Punchbowl  and  Round  Top,  also  can  testify 
to  the  excellence  of  our  local  “Irish”  potatoes.  Indeed  when 
one  considers  the  universal  use  of  this  crop,  the  prevailing  local 
prices,  its  ready  growth  in  suitable  localities,  and  the  extreme 
delicacy  of  the  fresh  potato  compared  with  the  imported  vari- 
eties, one  is  constrained  to  wonder  why  its  cultivation  is  not 
only  general  among  those  who  possess  small  vegetable  plots, 
but  also  is  not  entered  upon  on  a large  scale  to  supply  the 
local  market. 
The  vigorous  advertising  campaign  pursued  in  the  interests  of 
the  Hawaiian  pineapple,  has  already  been  productive  of  substan- 
tial response  during  the  past  month.  Meanwhile  the  anticipated 
crop  returns  continue  favorable  and  there  is  every  promise  of  a 
very  heavy  production. 
