336 
many thousand acres. It would appear that much of it is sus- 
ceptible of reclamation for some more intensive form of agricul- 
ture. Here again the present need is for a thorough and careful 
study by experts. It should first be ascertained how much of this 
class of land can be brought under irrigation and second for what 
purposes it is best adapted if an adequate water supply were once 
assured. This indicates that along with a hydrographic survey 
there should also be a soil survey and a systematic classification 
of the land according to the uses to which it is best adapted. 
Such investigations pave the way for the incoming of the man 
who can successfully establish a home and build up a self-sustain- 
ing industry. 
In addition to the lands that can be reclaimed through irriga- 
tion there are in Hawaii large tracts of waste land, such for exam- 
ple as areas covered by comparatively recent lava flows. Much of 
this class of land must always remain as waste land but portions 
of it are probably susceptible of being turned to useful account. 
A systematic classification of all lands would be a long step in 
this direction. 
ORGANIZATION AND WORK OF THE COMMISSION. 
The Territorial Conservation Commission of Hawaii was ap- 
pointed by Governor Frear on July 23rd, 1908. Upon the or- 
ganization of the Commission at a meeting held on July 31st, 1908, 
it was decided to take up the investigation through committees, 
as follows : 
Forests : Messrs. Hosmer and Gartlev. 
Waters : Messrs. Gartley and W. O. Smith. 
Lands and Soils: Messrs. J. G. Smith and Dillingham. 
The several committees at once set about getting statistics and 
other information. Some of these data are submitted herewith in 
the form of appendices. Other data are not as yet in shape to be 
given out but will form the subject of a later report. The state- 
ments made in the appendices, while accurate as far as they go 
are therefore to be considered as preliminary only and subject to 
amplification. 
It is perhaps not surprising that it has taken longer to collect 
accurate information concerning the natural resources of the Ter- 
ritory and their present condition than was at first anticipated. 
Many of the figures essential to such a compilation were found 
not to be available or only obtainable after extended inquiry. 
This condition has brought home to the Commission the extreme 
desirability of having in Hawaii some Territorial official charged 
with the duty of compiling statistics. On almost all the lines of 
inquiry before the Commission it should be possible to get facts 
and figures but as it is now the desired data are only to be had 
from individuals and corporations. There is no impropriety in 
the making public of the greater part of these data, nor are the 
