Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1853-06-18

OtuCi uouo W VIC HUI uuu, t0dI III Inc CCu0s
tries where civilization and refinement have
most progressed, agriculture is fostered and
cherished as the most agreeable pastime,
as we'll as. the most direct and certain means
OF national advancement and prosperity, OH
which the welfare of the commercial, mone-
tary, manufacturing and all other important
interests mainly depend. Is it not the hon.
es. and honorable boast of Great Britain,
that however vast is her commerce, ramify-
ing and diffusing its treasures over all civil
lied and semi-barbarous lands, and however
marvellous and gigantic her manufactures.
OF which specimens are to be found in any
part Of the Globe, her agriculture is the
great foundation, the firm and unAinching
support of all her other varied resources;
the fulcrum on which they all rest; and sad
experience has Of late years proved that a
serious failure, in even one comparatively
unimportant crop, in a portion of that
Kingdom, (endeared to me as the land of
my birth, and the home Of my YOUTH, pro-
duced shock by which all other interests
were for time partially paralyzed, and
which was seriously felt abroad, in the dis
turbance Of the exchanges of other nations.
Again, what has elevated the United
States, to their exalted position in the scale
of nations, attained with a rapidity and
steadiness of progress, wholly unparalleled
in history, but her agricultural enterprise,
carried out by the indomhable energy and
perseverance of her sons. 1t would be an
easy task to multiply illustrations, but ap-
prehend the propositions have laid down,
cannot be cOntroverted.
Is it not then Of the most vital Importance
to us, and is it possible to exaggerate, by
any force of language the necessity we are
under, isolated, as we are, and suffering as
we do, from want of capital, to use all our
energies to explore and bring to light the
vast amount of wealth, which lies hidden in
the rich soil which abounds in many parts of
these Islands.
But there are other aspects, besides Pc
cuniary and fiscal one, in which the culture
Of the soil presents itself in an attractive
form. From the earliest records of all coun-
tries, some of the best and greatest of men
have been ardent and jealous cultivators Of
the soil. In England, practical agriculture
has ever been the favorite occupation of the
best and worthiest of her aristocracy, and
her present Majesty and her Consort are
among the most Jealous and successful far
mers in Great Britain. The immortal patri-
OF who led his countrymen, in achieving the
independence Of the United States, was as
conspicuous and stands out, in almost as bold
relief in history, in the capacity Of a practi-
cal farmer as Of citizen soldier. If we take
a review of the mercantile, manufacturing and
professional communities of all countries, to
what Goal do we find our Merchant Princes,
and Millionaires all striving! Do We not
invariably find them retiring to the tangibli-
ty Of country residence, and closing their
career in the active cultivation of those
acres, in the purchase Of which they have
invested the earnings of their years of toll.
and settling down on the peaceful and invig-
Grating enjoyment of rural pursuits, as the
final end, and ultimate recompense for their
anxious days of successful speculation and
adventure.
It is, think, much to be regretted that
more attention has not been paid and more
encouragement given to the cultivation of
the many ard various valuable and important
crops, and trust, through the instrumental
ity and assistance Of our Society, will, ere
long, be produced on our hitherto waste lands.
When we reflect that in this group we can
command every climate ranging from that in
which the " Bee banquets as in whole year
of flowers" to the eternal snow of Mauna
Loa, it does seem strange that so few of the
many products, whic hmight be proitably pro-
duced in so extensive range OF climate
have been cultivated amongst US. The great
value and importance Of the culture OF the
SOIL were as / learn, known to, and appre-
ciated by the great Kamehameha l, the AL
fred of the Kined, IN, who devoted much at
tention and afforded much encouragement to
the natives of his day to cultivate such crops
as his limited amount of information ena-
bled him to recommend by precept and ex-
ample. He rewarded the Industrious and
punished the indolent, and the fish-ponds
and other still extant traces of his laudable
eyertons, attest the value of bis enterprise
and energy II is not for me to say why
those into whose hands have since fallen the
control and government Of the country, have
net appreciated the Importance of the exam
ole set them. and It was not without regret
tina, have listened to eulogies pronounced
in our Society, on some whose claims nave
no COMPARISON TO his as encouragerS and pro-
moters Of agriculture, whilst his higher mer-
its have been entirely overlooked.
In later days, so far as | can ascertains
the culture OF the soil Of these islands has
been little attended to, or encouraged, and
If am rightly informed. impediments have
actually been thrown in the way OF those
who have sought to turn the land to good
account whilst on the other hand, large im-
portations of merchandise have been made,
without any attempt to produce. from the
only available source, the necessary articles
Of export wherewith TO pay for the goods I'M
ported, and the natural and inevitable result
has followed, in the heavy and oppressive
balance Of trade against us. which. till moro
sagacious measures shall be adopted, must
60 on gripping our means and increasing
the nanition under which the National Ex-