Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1851-11-08

Concluded from our last.
The plow is useful in the cultivation of the
coffee tree at all stages of its growth while
young, and during the time that there is n large
surface Of the land to he kept clean it does its
work well AMI expediiiously, and when the tree
has obtained its full growth, il not only keeps the
land clean Of weeds but by occasionally severing
the firous roots of the plant, il stimulates it to
make fresh exer,ions and to throw OUT a large
number offeeders in every direction whrh easily
penetrate the loosenei soil and cause the tree to
thrive wonderfully.
A single horse plow kept constantly going,
sill, when the weeds are not too high, do as
much work rs ten men.
Weeds should never he drawn away from the
trees and left to decay in the middle of the space
between The rows should such plan I've adop-
ted and persisted in, the trees would soon he left
in a sort of trench ,y the repeated withdrawal of
The earth from their roots, about which in rainy
seasons the wafer would collect in pools, and
very soon destroy the plants.
At the expiration of tpo years from the time
of transportation the trees will generally bear
few berries, and at the endOf the third year the
quantity Of fruit borne will generally repay the
expense Of collecting it. The tree is now an oh
ject Of remarkable beauty and symmetry, it is of
conical form with a rather broad base and about
six feet high its foliage is of beautiful dark
glossy green, and if the land has been well lined
and proper care taken to keep it clear of weeds
know Of no more pleasing object IN nature than
plantation of these trees it will, besides, for
long series of years, under proper management,
return fifiy-lolI TO the planter for The and ex
pense he has bestowed upon it during the first
few years of its commencement. Should there
lie OIL the plantation good sprinkling of willows,
orange, and bread fruit trees, and about the
streams and pools of wafer bamboos growing,
The pleasing effect will lie increased and the value
Of the plantation enhanced, and Oh lands destined
for coffee plantations where these plants not
already found growing, would recommend that
one Of the first steps the occupation of the
land should he the planting of them in suitable
places. They are all ornamental bamboo is
useful in erecting stages for the curing of the cof
fee and for many other purposes, willow in max
ing baskets for its carriage, und breaaIfruit is a
nutritious and pleasant article of food for every
person resident on the plantation during severnl
months in the year, and all when once established
need very little further attention from the planter.
Ii is about this time, namely three years after
transportation that the operation called topping
is performed; this is noIhng more than the cut
ling off with sharp knife the few inches of
growth that form the crown or top of the tree,
and it should not undergo this operation till it is
fully six feet high the point to he cut at is the
junction of the ripe or grey wood with The green;
this will leave the tree from FIVE to five and "a
half feet in height, and at this height the tree III
future is to lie kept. Simple is the operation
of topping it is productive of a wonderful effect
upon the tree which in the course of twelve
months quite changes its appearance. The stem
rhicken$, lateral branches shoot out from the
aud suckers spring from each Joint OF
the stem, but more especially from the head
these latter should lie carefully removed every
month or two as they are of no service to the
plant and rob it Of the juices which should go to
the support of The benring wood and fruit.
'Che utility of pruning is questioned by some
planters, hut ! think all reasoning both from cir
.uu,stance and by analogy will shew the benefit
that ensues from n proper use Of the pruning
knife. II we consider that the caffre tree natu-
rally eighteen or twenty feet high, is by artificial
means ,Iwarf-d to the height Of five and a half
feet, and that the roots of The plant are in nc
tive operation aud great vitality as though the
pnce discover that greater supply of nourish-
ment is appropriated hy the tree than it can con-
srlme in its redured state: il continually makes
efforts TO increase its height but they continu-
nIly rendered abortve Ivy The crops of suckers be-
ing destroyed as fast as they make their appear
ance. No alternative remains then for the tree but
to increase in width which it does TO extraortli-
nary degree that under favorable circun'stan-
res unless prevented iy cutting, in the course Of
a very few years, it becomes completely matted
and clogged with foliage, and although upon n
superficial view it presents beautiful and uppa-
rently healthy appearance, being large and of a
rich deep green color, is entirely useless being
quite barren the branches when examined will
he discovered to be weak and spindly and inca
pae Of hearing. Some Of the causes of this barr
-enness are the want Of free circulation of light
and air which is prevented hy the excessive iuxu-
rance Of the foliage, and the harborins of nox-
ious vapors in wet weather, from the same cause
also the continual accumulation Of wood which
having done It's work and not bein2 removed rols
the tree of the support whicbshouId BE- bestowed
on the young bearing wood and fruit. To remedy
this diseased state the pruning knife i absolutely
necessnrv =