Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-07-10

and mangel wurzel in the highest cultivation.
Science and system, with practical know
ledge must have been exercised in producing
: such results on an impoverished estate. Gen.
Washington was one of the best farmers we
ever had in our country, and as you visit the
Beautiful Mount Vernon, On the fertile banks
of the Potomac, you will see the vestiges Of
his taste and industry. History has found
many of It's noblest subjects, who preferred
the field of culture to the field Of battle, al
though the bravest and ablest when there.
1t has been considered great desideratum
in our country from the days of Gen. WASH
ington to the present, to have home de-
partment of agriculture" established and
sustained by the government, and the head
of it to be one of the Cabinet. His views on
this subject were characterized by the same
enlightened liberality and forecaste, as upon
every other subject to which his mind was
applied ''Among the MEANS" said he,
which have been employed to this end,
none have been attended with greater sue
cess than the establishment of boards, COM
posed Of proper characters, charged with col
lecting and diffusing, and enabled by pre-
miums and small pecuniary aid, to encourage
and assist spirit of discovery and improve
ment, by stimulating to enterprise and ex-
pertinent, and by drawing to a common cen
ire the results every where, of individual
skill and observation, and by spreading them
thence over the whole nation. Experience
has accordingly shown that they are very
cheap instruments of immense national bene-
ft." This Society, in some degree at least,
will accomplish the same purpose. Indeed
if all the suggestions incorporated in The
several reports are analysed and judiciously
practised upon, have no doubt there will be
pre-eminent success in the different branches
of agriculture. And trust the same gentle
men will continue to give their views from
year to year, and induce every new conner to
do the same. This will distribute through
out the group many valuable suggestions of
practice This is the more requisite from
the fact that there are few agricultural pub
locations suited to the soil, climate, and cul-
ture of the products here. In the application
of science to the arts you must be your own
teachers for the present, with less aids than
in older countries.
i think | have noticed in some minds a
doubt about the success of planting here
That you have suffered BY the drought in
some sections is nothing more than what all
planters in all countries have done. Cotton,
corn, and potatoes are sometimes severely
injured, but it is not cause of discouI age
ment.
! Louisiana suffers by frost, so that there is
a necessity tor planting every year. An IN
telligent writer, and practical sugar grower
| in that state says =" Thorough draining
and subsoil ploughing is being rapidly intro
n duced into TIE British West Indies, and 1t
has proved as beneficial there as in Eu-
rope, so much so that by the present mode OF
cultivation the average of ratoOns and plants
} is seldom two thousand pounds per acre. 1t
| is confidently believed that in lands thorough
ly drained and subsoiled the average will be
r 5000 lbs. per acre. | have no doubt Of it,
and when that system is introduced here, The
/ produce of depth Of sixteen inches of dry
aluvial soil cannot but be productive. No
body knows 10 what size cane can be made
r to grow, and how much sugar it can yield y
Fl PIoughing has not generally been TO great
er depth than six inches and they have yield
ed ''disintegrated alkaiies" sufficient for cane
crops for years why will not the next six
Il inches afford as good production if brought
TO the air, and well cultivated. The history
of subsoi ploughing most fully shows its
value in all situations, but when it requires
drainage it is frequently too expensive. But
here you are not under this necessity which
is the great expense and drawback in Louis
lana That your crop may be made larger
BY this process there can be no doubt.
i In reference to the market, experience has
shown that there will always be time in the
twelve months. when your products will COM
mand remunerating price. You can sup
ply California quicker-than any other coun-
/ try. and this is material point You have
cheap labor, cheap land, and genial eli
mate. You want more capital, which could
be induced here, only convince the people
abroad that it would be safe. You cannot
expect men to come here and establish per-
manent business, who have large means at
home. The older portions Of the country
have too many attractions; so in order to Sc
cure the enterprisng man, you must offer
him inducements. To the planter, Temporal
ry loans are important in securing and ex-
changing his crop, and he should not be sub
ject to the usurer. A well regulated bank,
based on the precious metals would furnish
all the facilities wanted here.
i This subject has been under the consider
alton of an able committee, the chairman Of
which is high officer in government, one
who has been distinguished for his ability,
and industry in business affairs, and whose
whole powers are devoted to the prosperity
and honor of this kingdom, and who, am
informed has gwen an able report, otherwise
| might detain you with few practical re-
marks on this subject.
i do not believe in hot-bed principle, but
/ do believe in having all the necessary ma
chinery with all the modern improvements,
for the success Of any business. You must
demonstrate that gold, or its equivalent, can
be gathered from these mountains and vallies
and you will at least have more of the uni
yersal Yankee nation Still the appearance
Of affairs is. at this moment stupid indeed,