IN HONOLULU.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 April 1927, Page 2

IN HONOLULU.

DAIRYING AND RESEARCH

SOME OF THE SPORTS PLAYED

The work of research in dairying and general farming matters in America is known to be very complete, and that this is so in Honolulu also was proved recently by Mr. A. J. G las son, of the Agricultural Department, staff in Hawcra, Mr. Glasson, while on a trip to the Islands recently, was enabled, through the courtesy of the officials, to see gome of the great work being done there. He has returned most enthusiastic in his admiration for the thoroughness, the extent and the enterprise displayed by the Department ot Agriculture in that great centre; and, withal, delighted with the men connected with the administration of the Department whom lie met; also.- wuli the most cordial reception given to turn. He was enabled to. Team everytiling possible about the methods employed and the administration. It is worth mention, too, that Mr. Glasson carried no letters of introduction, but just presented himself at the Central Office of the Agriculture, saying that he was from New Zealand, and wished to find out something of the work of the department. He was taken by a Japanese clerk to the chief veterinarian, Dr. Browning, head of the Veterinary Department, who, after an interesting talk, arranged to take nim to a, university, where lie met Dr. Krauss, and a large number of other varsity men, all of whom showed a. remarkable cordiality, and desire to give information. Then lie was introduced to Dr. Westgate, by whom he was taken to inspect a huge model Certified dairy, where between two and three hundred cows were milked to supply the municipality. The station where these cows were kept, said Mr Glasson, was a wonderful place. it was as near perfection as could be imagined, and far ahead of anything he had ever seen in any other country. There were two exceedingly well appointed sheds, scrupulously clean in every detail. In one the cows were ■first taken by attendants, and carefully washed down and fed, before being taken into the second where the milking took place. Nothing better or more hygienic could be imagined. PASTURES UNKNOWN.

Then the preparation for the bottles in which the milk was to be sent to town was most thorough. They were all put through warm, hot. and cold water before the milk was put into them. It was most hygienic. Mr Glasson found that pastures, as they are known in Taranaki, were practically unknown in the Islands. When he made inquiry, he learnt that the cattle were all fed on alfalfa (lucerne), of which by intense irrigation a large amount was grown. In addition huge quantities—up %to 100 tons per week—were imported in a green state from the States, at a. cost of £9 per ton. It is a huge expense, but apparently is fully warranted. This explained how it was that the large herd kept at this Certified da in could be kept on a very small area. Lucerne was able to he grown on part of the farm, because of the excellent system of irrigation carried out by the authorities, necessary because the rainfall was very small. Naturally, in view of these expenses, the cost of milk in the city was much higher that in this country. Concentrates wore also largely used, and of these a large quantity was made from the waste secured in the pineapple and sugar industries—not one particle was wasted. The system of testing cows for tuberculosis troubles was all over the islands very thorough They were tested every three- months, and if they re-acted to the best they were put out at once. In addition no one was allowed to take part in the milking unless they were medically fit, and they, too, were periodically examined. No risk in any way was taken.

The milk supplied to the community also had to be up to a. high (standard, and to ensure uniformity the high testing Guernsey milk was mixed with the low testing Friesian. SUGAR AND PINEAPPLES. The visits to the sugar refinery and die pineapple works were interesting. Pile expert in charge, Dr. Muir, of tne laboratory, called for him and took lxim by car to tne works, passing huge plantations en route. Tremendous qualities of pineapples and sugar are exported from the Islands, and tiie processes through which the raw material go> through are very thorough. All this work, or nearly all. is done by Japanese, who are in general employment all over the Islands. There is no waste at all, and everything is done 011 the most hygienic principles. When he was about to leave on his return, Mr. Giasson went to say goodbye to the officials, who had been so friendly and helpful, and when he had expressed his thanks, Dr. Browning said that they did not go much on letters of introduction, for he added: “I guess we are good pickers” suggesting that they went rather on looks and personality. The American told Mr. Giasson an experience of a man from the States, who came armed with voluminous letters, which availed him nothing. “Besides,” added the doctor, “we wanted to learn all possible about your little country,” so that it was a, mutual arrangement. Mr. Giasson came away with a profound admiration for the work done in Honolulu ; work which in his estimation must .stand in the forefront in the field of investigational research, and the practical operations of dairy-

Being a keen golfer, lie was pleased indeed to receive a letter giving him the privilege of the course at the Country Club, in the Manoa Valley. Unfortunately his arrangements would not permit of his playing, but he had a look over the course mentioned, and found it one of the finest and best- appointed he had ever seen. This comparison included many of the leading courses in England and Scotland. The club house was a mansion, and every detail was well nigh perfect. He saw no bowls played nor croquet, but was interested to see several matches of the famous national game, baseball, and he enjoyed these. Altogether the three weeks spent in the Islands was all too short, and were packed fail of incident, interest and amusement, making it one of the best holidays he has ever had.