Polynesian., 1844-06-08

Sandwich Islands is represented to be of re-
markable fertility, yielding with comparative
" little labor sugar, coffee, indigo, cotton,
and nearly all the tropical products. Ebony
wood is abundant; and wheat, sown upon
the heights of Maui, is said to yield rich
harvests. The country is well stocked with
cattle.
Between three and four thousand tons of
sugar are annually exported from the Sand
wich Islands. Upwards of a thousand coffee
trees have been planted there, which will
soon be in Il condition to yield. The estima-
ted burden of the vessels which entered the
port Of Honolulu during the year ending Ju-
ly /, l842, was three hundred thousand tons;
the value of their cargoes was So, 10000.
The merchandise discharged there amounted
to Sj72, 900, a large portion of which,
$3.50, 900 in value, was r~e-exported to Next
co, through the vessels engaged in that navi-
CATION. The favorable situation of this port
renders it a very suitable entrepot for goods
destined for California and Mexico, as well
as a convenient shelter and refreshing place
for vessels bound from the western coast Of
this continent to the China seas.
Certain articles of French manufacture
are said to be preferred in these islands to
that otany other nation, especially unbleach-
ed linen and printed and white c%alicocs.
The reports recommend the sending there of
assorted cargoes, composed chiefly of wines,
brandies, fruits of Provence, light woolens,
linens of Jouy, silks, perfumery, women's
shoes, and fancy articles, all of which are
sure to find a ready sale, provided the mar
ket be not glutted. The return cargo may
.1,,.t - ..., --Ho ,-o>I.
hides, mother of pearl, and shell.
"The Paumatu Archipelago and that of
the Gambler Islands are capable of furnish
ing an abundant fishery of mother of pearl.
Coasting vessels equipped at small expense
are best calculated for this business; and it
is expected that the Marquesas colony will
soon see mother of pearl and pearls brought
in decked launches or small schooners in
rich profusion to its markets. The course
pursued by the American %schooners, which
from time to time try their fortunes in these
fisheries, is thus described: they commonly
visit the Society Islands, where, among the
southernmost of the group, they hire some of
the natives to embark with them as divers.
Thence they repair to Gambler or the Pau
matu Islands, where they establish them
selves in the fishery, and at the same time
purchase of the natives there, with cloths
and hardware, the mother of pearl and pearls
which the latter have gathered on the reefs.
These vessels are often extremely fortunate,
according to the missionaries of Gambler,
Notwithstanding they are subjected to heavy
charges, which, it is alleged, the proximity
of the French establishments will greatly d.
minish, and in regard to some of them alto
gether annul.
"The information which these vessels
have in regard to the localities richest in
pearls is very imperfect. Great advantages
over them are expected to result to the French
coasters, from the knowledge to be obtained
through the operations of their Government
marine, which it is proposed to employ in
sounding all the coral banks, and in ascer-
tanning the channels admitting ofentrance for
the coasters into the lagoons, where the fish
cry can be prosecuted without exposure to
the sea, and the position of the reefs which
promise to be most profitable to explore.
"Ihe reports propose to render the Mar
quesas islands the mart for mother of pearl,
pearls, tortoise shell, and sandal wood, for
which the demand is always great in China;
so that vessels despatched from home ports
for the South seas, after having disposed Of
their cargoes so far as desirable in Peru and
Chill, and obtained a sufficient quantity of
Peruvian copper, an article highly priced by
the Chinese, may complete their lading at
the Marquesas for the China market"
"A FACT WORTH THE ATTENTION OF II
coMMUNITy.-The New England Farmer
states that straw saturated with white-wash
or a strong solution of lime, is incombustible.
Living as we do amid so many matched