6 BULLETIN 57, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 
In chemical composition (Table 4) the soils of the district differ 
markedly from most of the other soils of the islands. They are lower 
in iron, unusually high in lime, and generally high in phosphoric acid. 
Soil No. 474 from the Homestead tract is well supplied with potash 
also. Soil No. 76 from Waikii is low in potash, phosphoric acid, and 
nitrogen, yet it is said to produce excellent crops. 
The differences between the soils of Waimea and the heavy types 
of the islands can be attributed largely to their origin and location. 
The heavy soils are largely the decomposition products of lava flows, 
partly residual and partly sedimentary, resulting from erosion of 
higher areas. The properties of the soils of Waimea are due to the 
surface deposits of volcanic ash and dust. Moreover, since the annual 
precipitation at Waimea is much less than at the lower levels the 
soil has been less subjected to excessive leaching and erosion, as is 
indicated by its comparatively high content of lime. The loose, deep 
soil permits ample root development and greatly aids the growth of a 
crop. Probably the plant-food elements which are tenaciously held 
by the heavy soils are readily available in the light soils, as is shown 
in the excellent fertility of soil No. 76, which is very low in potash, 
phosphoric acid, and nitrogen. 
Mechanical and chemical analyses of the soils of the Waimea dis- 
trict are too few to justify specific conclusions concerning the fertil- 
ity of the soils as a whole. No general survey has been made, and 
estimates of the fertility of the uncultivated areas must be based 
largely on the range grasses growing on them. Present indications 
are that the soils of nearly all the homesteads and a large portion of 
the adjoining Government lands of the Puukapu district are adapted 
to edible canna. 
AGRICULTURAL RETROSPECT 
The first series of homesteads included lots Nos. 1 to 84, with an 
average of 10 acres per homestead, and was opened in 1897. The 
second series included lots Nos. 85 to 141, with an average of 40 acres 
per homestead, and was opened in 1913. This area extends from the 
village of Kamuela eastward along the foothills of the Kohala Range, 
and comprises some of the best land in the district. 
The district was thought promising as an agricultural center be- 
cause of the high fertility of its soil and the variety of crops doing 
well there. Many kinds of vegetables, especially potatoes and cab- 
bage, were apparently well adapted to the region. Of the field crops, 
corn did exceptionally well, yielding 3,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre. 
Livestock thrived and with a plentiful supply of corn and nutritious 
pasturage for feeding formed the nucleus of a well-established diver- 
sified agriculture. Later, however, it was found that protracted 
periods of cold, wet weather, and strong winds, prevented the corn 
from maturing, and that blight attacked the potato crop. High 
freight rates and the long haul to the Honolulu market prevented 
vegetable growing from becoming an economic success. 
Wheat was next tried but, like corn, could not be depended upon 
to mature. Alfalfa made slow growth and required constant care and 
cultivation to keep down weeds. Finally, the high cost of importing 
grains and concentrated feeds prohibited the profitable raising of pigs 
and poultry. Although some Japanese truck gardeners are still rais- 
ing cabbage and potatoes for market, and in places corn is grown as 
a feed, and small gardens are maintained to supply the family with 
