Polynesian., 1844-11-23

pest OF TINS land IS among trees OF consider
able size the Maze, the Mamani, and the
Pua, all timber of excellent quality, though
many of them nave been destroyed by the
action Of fire. The trees are curtained to
the very tops with the p%alunu, a very lux
uriant vine, which greatly abounds on this
tract of land, covering the entire surface
where not destroyed by cultivation, and
which seems to revel in the fatness of the
soil. This soil is a black loom, easily wrought
and which repays, in large increase, the Ia
bors Of the cultivator. The native popula-
ton, not only of Kula, but of other parts of
Maui, seem aware of the value of this land.
Considerably large portions of it are already
planted with the Irish potatoe, and some of
the people arc beginning to build in the Vi
cinity.
EQUALITY OF THE SoIL?"-So far as can
judge by a slight inspection when passing
through the land, and seeing the productions
of different places, l should say there is con-
siderable variety in the soil. The entire
country is undoubtedly of v~alcanic forma-
ton. This no one can doubt who ascends
the mountain above, a height of nearly 49,
600 feet, the sides of which are covered with
lava of every variety of shape and decompo-
sitiOn and who finds himself standing on
the brink of a tremendous crater, say from
l2 to Is miles in diameter, and some 1000
feet deep ; and who looks down upon the
yawning mouths of more than a dozen era
tiers below or who descends into this fear
full abyss, and is astounded on perceiving
that these craters below are mountains of no
inconsiderable height. The fires of this
volcano are extinguished; or they are sleep
ing till He who once caused them to roll their
burning waves over the plains below, carry
ing dismay and desolation in their train,
shall bid them wake. Such being the foun-
dation Of the island, the soil is, of course,
decomposed lava, scorie, ashes, &c., and is
rich or sterile according to the state of de-
composition. On the upper belt, near the
base of Haleakala, the land is covered with
- AONAS NouAoO Z ! oSoS OiCIO OuSilCS duu SlCuW@
berry vines. Now and then may be seen a
tree of considerable size, and clumps Of
young koa are frequently met with but on
the whole there is a restitution of timber
How wheat would grow here remains to be
seen. Ofthe land where the Irish potatoe
grows so abundantly, have already spoken.
If spared, | design to nave a small field cul-
tivated there the present season. Below this
among the habitations Of the people, the lava
is less decomposed than higher up the noun
tain in many places the land is exceeding
ly stony and rough. Still, in the valleys the
soil is quite rich, and even among the half
decomposed lava sweet potatoes, %contrive to
grow to quite a respectable size. Here as l
have already remarked, the Kula wheat has
hitherto been raised.
"OF ITS PRoDUcrs."-The few individu-
ais who have cultivated wheat have selected
the richest spots in their neighborhoods.-
The patches that l have seen, " few and far
between" have generally been in valleys,
not deep, but of sufficient depth to afford
shelter from the occasional strong winds.
These valleys Of course are richer than the
hills above them, or than the plains, as they
have been the channel, from time immemo-
rial, for the rains from the mountain to the
plains below. The process of decomposition
has been more rapid here than elsewhere
The products Of wheat have therefore been
g%reat--I would say p~rodigious, did it not seem