The Sugar-Cane Insects of Hawaii (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911. Excerpt: ... THE SUGAR-CANE INSECTS OF HAWAII. LOCATION AND CLIMATE OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. The mid-Pacific Territory of Hawaii (see Plate I) is situated 2,100 miles to the southwest from San Francisco, the California coast being the nearest continental area. The islands are separated by channels varying from 20 to 58 miles in width. The 8 inhabitable islands, Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Niihau, lie between 18 54' and 22 15' north latitude; that is, the northern limit of the islands is just within the Tropics. The climate of the entire group is, however, only subtropical, due largely to the prevailing northeasterly trade winds, the cool ocean currents from the north, and the relatively low humidity. The temperature varies according to the altitude and the location of the land as regards the higher mountains. The formation of the islands is of recent volcanic nature, with the exception of the low-lying coastal plains, which are of coral origin. The annual maximum temperature ranges from 88 to 90 F., while the annual minimum temperature recorded ranges from 52 to 58 F. A temperature of 29 F. has been recorded at an altitude of 6,685 feet, and freezing temperatures are of frequent occurrence at these high altitudes. The rainfall varies in amount with the locality. Places within a few miles of each other are known to differ more than 100 inches in average annual rainfall. The sides of the islands exposed to the northeast trade winds have abundant rains, while the opposite sides have little and some localities hardly any. The soils of the islands are exceedingly fertile and when properly cultivated yield abundant crops. THE SUGAR INDUSTRY IN HAWAII. The production of sugar is the leading industry in the Hawaiian Islands. Sugar cane is ...