Leguminosae. 89 
for honey-making. The pods, in addition, are eaten by all kinds of 
grazing animals, and so great has been the demand for pods as fodder 
that there was formed in Hawaii the Algaroba Feed Co., and 
machinery was invented to macerate the pod. It can safely be said 
that the Algaroba is now indispensable in Hawaii, and that it is one 
of the greatest blessings that were bestowed on this Territory. The 
history of the introduction of this valuable tree was published by 
Father Reginald Yzendoorn of the Catholic Mission, in 1911, and 
for a detailed account the writer wishes to refer anyone interested, 
to Father Reginald's paper in the Eighteenth Annual Report of the 
Hawaiian Historical Society. The progenitor of all the Hawaiian 
Algarobas is still alive and can be seen on the premises of the Catho- 
lic Mission on Fort Street. The inscription reads: "First Algaroba 
Tree of the Hawaiian Islands, imported and planted in 1837 by 
Father Bachelot, founder of the Catholic Mission. Later evidences 
unearthed by Father Reginald, however, seem to prove that the tree 
was not planted in 1837, but earlier. For the following quotations 
and remarks the writer is greatly indebted to Father Reginald, who, 
in a letter, says (he refers first to his article and then continues): 
"I may add to this article two quotations from the journal of 
Brother Melchior, who remained here during the exile of the priests 
in California. I had not seen that diary when I wrote the above- 
mentioned paper. 
" 'January 12, 1832. — The old chief ess passed by our house to 
go and see the governess ; she sent her husband to ask me for some 
branches of our tree at the end of the yard'. 
" 'August 15, 1832. — The tree at the end of the yard bears fruit. 
Mr. Pablo (a Spaniard then living at the Mission) calls it in 
Spanish "Algarroba." He knows it; the fruit is principally eaten in 
times of famine. They grow in the provinces of Malaga and Valence, 
but this one is of a more delicate and less sweet species'."* 
Father Reginald concludes : "These quotations show that the 
legend of the picture ( an illustration published with Father Regi- 
nald's article. — The author.), saying that the tree was planted in 
1828 is true, as four years later it bore pods, evidently for the first 
time. Notice also the interest the natives were taking in the tree, 
and how they tried to propagate it by planting cuttings, naturally, as 
they had no seeds as yet." 
* The writer would say that Mr. Pablo evidently had the St. John's Bread, Cera- 
tonia siliqua, in mind, and when he says "more delicate" he evidently referred to the 
less robust habit and much finer leaves. The pods of St. John's Bread are very sweet 
and quite palatable. 
