Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-06-19
Intimately connected with this subject is
that Of raising sheep, which l would re-

Intimately connected with this subject is
that Of raising sheep, which l would re-
commend to the earnest attention Of the So
ciety as worthy of particular encouragement.
1t is said by those competent to Judge that it
can be made a profitable business in the high
waste lands of the islands, and the report of
last year on sheep will well repay perusal to
all interested in this subject. Our mutton is
superior, as all who have tasted it can testify,
and yet it is the dearest and scarcest meat
the market affords. OF our wool know
nothing except that little or none is export
ed, and learn that not fleece is clipped on
this island, though it numbers some 5000
sheep.
In reference to our horsesI take pleasure
in remarking that great Improvements are
taking place in our mongrel breeds, by the
impOrtations of stations and mares from the
United States and Sydney, and much credit
is due to our. valuable committee on horses
for their effort in this line. The suggestions
Of this committee respecting inferior stall
lions is now receiving the consideration of
the legislature, and trust their recommen-
dation will soon become law, and these va
grant nags be rendered harmless
In the way of obtaining new plants and
seeds little has been accomplished by the So
ciety since our last meeting beyond writing
for them to Oregon, Sydney and other quar-
ters, from which we have as yet received
no returns; but individual enterprise has ad-
ded quite stock to our fruit trees, and it
is hoped that to many of them our soil and
climate will prove congenal. Among these
new corners may name the plum, pear, ap-
pie, ounce, cherry, currant, gooseberry, and
new variety Of fig. l am sorry to report
that we have not as yet been able to locate
the land granted to the Society for public
nursery, owing to the delay in settling the
native claims therein, but we hope to be
able to do so before our next annual meeting
A new enterprise has been recently un-
dertaken in the systematic cultivation Of the
tobacco plant, and for IFS encouragement the
Society has offered premiums. During the
year.lS5l there were imported into the King
dom, through the Custom House of Homo
lulu alone, upwards of three millions of ci-
gars, which have been mostly consumed
here, say at the average price to the smoker
of ten dollars per thousand, which makes
the neat sum of thirty thousand dollars paid
for cigars alone, to say nothing of the
II
is said by these experienced in the cultiva-
ton of this plant, that our soil and climate are
well adapted to its growth, and that we are
not here as elsewhere subjected to the raw
ages of the tobacco worm. If thisbe true,
why should we not save the thirty thousand
| dollars annually expended for cigars, and
moreover, as heard gentleman remark a
day or two since, export half million s
worth every year. l know this plant is abb
horred by many as digusting and poison
Gus drug, and volume after volume has been
written, sermon upon sermon, and lecture
upon lecture delivered, by monarchs, doc
tors and divines, to exterminate it from So
ciety, but all to no avail, for in spite of this
general crusade: it has not only held its
ground but eaten its way into the ranks OF
its btterest enemies, andt smoked them out
Of their strongest citadels. There can be
little doubt that this deIectable weed is on
the whole injurious, but not so much so as to
induce men to iorego its use and Judging
from the past, the hope of diminishing its
consumption is an idle one. DR.. Venner in
work published in London as early rs
1868. denounced it in the following terms ::
:" Ii drieth the brain, ,dimmeth the sight, Wit
troyeth the concoction, disturbeth the hu-
mors and spirits, corrupteth the breath, exsi-
cateth the wndpipe, lungs and liver, annoy
eth the milt, scorcheth the heart, and caus-
eth the blood to be adjusted" But while
learned doctors have condemned, scholars
and poets have extolled it. as the soo,her
Of trouble, the collector Of thoughts, the
looser of tongues the wings of Imagination
the warmer of hearts, "the gift Of Heaven
and the ornament Of the Earth" Without
stopping to discuss the merits Of these
contrary opinions, will simply say that |
trust the Society will give a cheering word
to those engaged in its cultivation. MIR.
Opitz, and Messrs. Bucboltz and Wunden-
burg, Of Kauai, are devoting considerable
attention to the growth of this plant. and |
learn that the former gentleman is now ready
to manufacture 200, 900 of the best Hawai-
ian cigars.
On the subject Of wheat, oats, and Indian
corn, must refer you to the report OF the
able committee on those grains, but / cannot
forbear to meniion the delight | recently ex-
perienced as | cast my eve over the waving
fields of wheat and oats at Makawao, so
pleasantly recalling the dearly cherished
memories of harvest and home. Mr.. Green,
whose specimens eIiciled such general admir-
alton at our last exhibition, has some forty ac-
res Of beautiful wheat now ready for the
sickle, and can testify to the excellence OF
his grain, from having eaten many savory
loaf made Of it during the last few months.
Makawao now has the honor Of owning the
only threshing-machne and flour-mill on the
islands.
The committee appointed to procure the
Honey Bee has taken the necessary steps to
obtain them from Australia, and l hope we
may soon have these busy little workers
humming in our gardens, and gathering their
now wasted sweets. Mr.. H. A. Peirce,
one of our life members residing in Boston,
L. ~