Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-10-26
For the Polynesian.

embarrassment SO general among US, arising
from the scarcity of native laborers, of the
causes of this state of things, and of remedi-
al measures, allow me to suggest, as one of
the causes, the disposition of land holders to
obtain large possess ions, and multiply un-
duly their acres of cultivated lands
! design in due time, if spared, to give you
my thoughts on land monopoly, the curse of
Europe, and of the world. can only allude
to it, however, in this connection. Still see
indications of approaching danger in the de-
sire of many among US to purchase large
tracts of land, and to increase their acres of
sugar-cane. In saying this, l do not mean
to intimate that this desire of our Hawaiian
planters is peculiar to them, or is indeed thus
far, excessive. 1t is mistake well nigh uni
versally prevalent, Sour farmers" says a
writer in the New Englander, "expend their
efforts too generally, it is believed, upon too
large a surface" To my certain knowledge
this was once lamentably true. 1t was a
common saying of many farmer in our
neighborhood, she wants all the lands that
adjoins him." These men seemed to regard
the prophetic words of Isaiah as literally ap-
plicable, and of binding force. "EnIarge
the place of thy tent, and let them stretch
forth the curtains of thine habitations, spare
not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy
stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the
right hand and on the left" When seeing
the efforts of such meE one is reminded of
the sententious saying of Hugo de AEima,
(" The heart is small thing, but desireth
great matters. 1t is not sufficient for kites
dinner, yet the whole world is not sufficient
for it," Need say that in multtudes of
cases, half-cultivated fields, dilapidated fen
ces, scanty crops, and neighborhood bicker-
ings, are the fruits of this policy? "The
Englander, leads to more thorough cul-
tivation, so that production is thereby in
creased, and the whole face of the country
improved" Nothing can be more common
sense than this Let the thrift, and plenty,
and happiness of New England township
be contrasted with the slovenly method of
doing business, the poverty and misery of
Southern plantations, where thousands of
acres are owned by single individual, and
there could be no doubt of the infinite supe-
riority of small and well cultivated farms or
plantations, to large ones necessarily but half
cultivated.
This holds good in relation to sugar-cane
no less than to wheat, corn, and other New
England agricultural productions. And am
happy iii believing that Hawaiian planters
are already feeling that they have expended
their strength on too large surface, have
planted too many acres Of sugar-cane. |
have heard more than one speak on this point.
One who has the reputation of practical
cane-grower, and sugar-manufacturer, who
has spent some time in the West Indies,
assured me that more profit could be realized
from few acres well tended, than are now
obtained from many acres on which good
deal of labor is bestowed, but bestowed to
little purpose.
David Turnbull, Esq, a philanthropic
Englishman, on his return from Jamaica,
communicated some facts in regard to the
results of emancipation, in the West Indies,
which illustrate the correctness Of the above
remarks. In lS49, the little island of Barba-
does, produced 81, 900 tons of sugar, while
Jamica produced only 35, 900. This he ex-
plains satisfactorily by stating that s'in Bar
BADGES, with l3O, 600 inhabitants, there are
but I2O, 900 acres of land; while in jana
lea, with 400, 900 inhabitants, there are 900
900 acres of land" OF course the lands in
Barbados must be well cultivated, and they
amply repay all the toll bestowed. "Cane
is a generous plant" said one who is turn
ing his attention of late to its cultivation !;
that is. as l understood him, it well repays
all the care and attention bestowed upon it.
This am sure is true, for many acres in my
own neighborhood, cry out loudly Of gross
neglect. Nothing could be poorer economy
nothing more ruinous. 'Tis rank injustice to
the soil of Hawaii, which, if l am not mis-
taken, will amply repay the capital bestowed
upon it, in the shape of labor and care. The
land may as well lie fallow as to be partially
titled.
But it may be asked what has all this to
do with the question, of obtaining Hawaiian
laborers to do the work on our plantations
reply, it has much to do with it.
Large plantations require many hands, of
course, to keep them clean. and to perform
other necessary work. But the larger the
number required, the greater the difficulty
of obtaining Hawaiian laborers, especially
faithful ones There is something discour-
aging in looking into field of hundred
acres of cane, where the thistle and weed
have grown up with the plant SO long that
they seem prepared to contest their right to
the soil. 'Tis not in human nature to work
as we'll in these premises, as in small field
or fields of thrifty cane, which though invlt-
ing attention, do not appall one with the fear
of being lost in wilderness of brambles.
Besides large gangs will not work proper
tionally well with small ones. "Two boys
are half boy; three boys. no boy at all;" is
an old adage, but worthy of Mrs Partington.
have often thought Of it when l have seen
some forty or fifty Hawarans together
seemingly vieing with each other on the
question, (Which of them shall do the least
work." / am much mistaken if this evil is
not inseparable from large plantations, and
multiplied acres of sugar-cane. Another
thing my experience in the business OF en-
ploying Hawaiians has taught me; that it is
poor policy to manifest great earnestness to
obtain laborers. The people are not far
enough advanced in knowledgd to be treated
in ali respects like foreign laborers, and even
a. oIo 1.ro, of yvhQ Y