The Polynesian., 1841-07-10


sonaries first resided upon the islands, 20
years since. The trees which had been so
hourishng withered under its influence, and
at the same time a species OF aphldes, or
wood louise. much like the chiffon shell IN APP
pearance, attached itself to them, speedily
covering every limb and leaf upon them.-
What juices were left by the drought were
soon exhausted by those parasites, and the
trees became liieless and leailess. The crops
of worms which had commenced feed
inc by hundreds Of thousands, were obliged
to be thrown away, and thus seasons Ia
Dor was lost while a heavy expense was IN
cured In addition to this, species of spI-
der, of plump, many colored body, of the
size of chestnut, added their ravages to the
other destroyers, by attaching themselves by
millions to the young trees, by means OF a
firm, hard web, through which it was quite
difficult to make one S way How far these
latter are the result of the drought, it is I'M
possible to say, but it is not at all improba-
| BILE, if favorable season should set IN that
they will be destroyed. The strong trade
winds also did damage by whipping the
leaves, and during the winter season, when
kona " or southery gale blew, the fields
and vegetation generally were as much al
| tected as if they had been touched with frost.
Leaves, fowe and blossoms wilted and tell
from their parent stalks, crusted apparently
with coating of salt However, these cas-
ualtes which affected mulberry trees to So
disastrous en- extent, extended their ravages
to most other plants, and though the lice or
spiders did not affect the sugar cane yet the
drought diminished the crop at least one
half
| This last spring, the propretors, unable
to bear any further expenses in prosecuting a
business against so many obstacles, deter
mined to put most of the land to sugar, from
WHICH more moderate but more certain in
come is to be derived than from the culture
of silk, while portion OF the soil still remains
stocked with the Morus Muticaulis, which
can easily be propagated should the season
warrant it. Another plantation adjoining
this, has been obliged to adopt the same
course The failure Of these, after every
prospect Of success, both from the climate
and rapid growth of the trees, is the result
of the following causes:
Ast, A far too great expenditure of capital,
resulting from too sangune hopes, and a
want Of proper economy in pursuing the bust
ness.
End, Money and time lost in securing the
necessary experience and knowledge re-
CURED for prosecuting new and untred
business.
3rd, The unexpected ravages of drough,
and insects.
Let no one Judge from this that the culture
of silk viii never become an important bust
ness at these islands. 1t is evident to any
one that the present examples vii, teach 9TH
ers to avoid the first mentioned cause, the
second is already secured, and for the third,
il is Il casualty perhaps only local, or tempo
rary, aud not liable to rccur often. know
now OF one plantation, that has been but two
years IN operation, of not more than Il third
of the extent of the first named one, that is
now III full course of successful operation,
and unless some unforeseen accident shall
nccur will rpal,,p the mast canun,no bo,o,