The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-04-30

II u AaAASs N
CorroN cannot properly be treated as a prodb& of
these islands, although the plant has been growing
here for many years and may be considered as accli-
mated. 1t is to be found wild on the five principal
islands, and though several attempts to cultivate it
have been made in former years, it has never yet re-
ceived that attention which it demands. 1t appears
to have been introduced about twenty-eight years
since. In the year 1885. an attempt was made to
manufacture cotton cloth at the Wailuku Seminary
on Maui, and about ninety yards were then made,
but the imported article was so much superior and
cheaper, that it's manufacture was given up. About
that time or soon after, a foreigner, by the name of
Smith, commenced q cotton plantation on the same
island, but for want of means to carry it on, was
forced to give it up. The trial was not considered a
fair one. The only notice we can now find of this
enterprise is in the Hawaiian Spectator, Vol. I, page
81, where it is stated, GA cotton plantation has been
commenced at Haiku, Maui, by Charles R. Smith,
an American gentleman. About ffty-fve acres have
been planted.
The climate and soil of these islands are most ad-
mirably adapted to the cultivation of this plant, and
it is the opinion of those familiar with the subject,
that there is no drawback to it's successful cultivation,
except the want of capital and experience. To per-
sons thoroughly acquainted with its culture, and with
ample means to commence and carry on q plantation
for twoo or three years with the best machinery, there
can be no. question that a good field is open. No at
tempt at manufacture ought to be made here at pres
ent. What is necessary is to commence a plantation,
and depend on the United States or England for a
market. Samples of Sandwich Islands cotton, sent to
the United States in 1856, have been pronounced to
be fully equal to the South Sea Island cotton, and
worth thirty cents per pound, which is about the
present price OF the latter article.
CHARAcTER.-The cotton plant is described by
botanists, under the generic name of GoSsypiuna, and
which Linneus divides into five species, viz: l, q
herbaceum 2, @. Grboreum 3, G. hirsutum; 4
G.. reLigiosum; 5, G.. bar6edenses;-bu it is now
more generally divided, according to its cardinal dis
tinctions, into three groups-the herbaceous, the
shrubby and the arboraceous.
The herbaceous is a single species, with many vari
cites, which present but little difference to the eye o
the botanist, but one of considerable Importance, IL
point of commercial value. 1t grows to a height o
two to six feet, and is cultivated in the southern par
of the United States, British India and China. 1t i
described by some botanists as a biennial. 1t L
known, however, that the seed of the cotton, ~cultivate'
in the Southern States as an annual, is obtained iron
all three of the species, which in the West Indies
South America, and other tropical countries grow
into a tree, and is perennial.
VI SnruDDy cOtUOn, CneTe III SeNeIal aiA0I
but like the herbaeeous, of different commercial value
1t grows from ten to fifteen feet in height, and is GU
tivated in South America, Barbados and the Isle
France. 1t is said to be of superior quality in res
pect to the length a of fibre and fneness, but to be III
profitable on accounted the comparatively small quar-
tty of its yield.
The arboraceous grows to a height of fifteen
twenty feet, and is indigenous in Hindostan, Chinl
, Egypt, and some parts of South America, and Gel
trail Africa. The celebrated American Sea Island co
ton is said to be derived from this species.
!, CuLr1vAr1oN.-From a communication by Mr..
: A.. Qudinot, published in the Agricultural Society