Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1861-07-13
No. IL.

inIo the so1e mud OF q rice held, one plant at
place. IN rows ten or twelve inches apart and from
to apart in the row.
Now, in regard to the four different modes have
pursued, would observe that of all, the broadcast
sowing is preferable where much land is cultivated
as the cheapest and the mode of transplanting,
for those who only work small quantity of land
and do their own labor Q have mainly reference
to the native population, is undoubtedly the most
remunerative, because it requires not only less
seed, but on account of evenness or it may be the
plant loves transplanting like many vegetables. it
yields by far more than any other manner Of raising
rice-at least such has been my experience.
In regard to bringing the dried kalo patches un-
der culture, l pursued the following method
First, cut the grass, and when dry laid it over
the ground and set it on fire. Then I plOwed the
ground with oxen and turned the furrows from
six to seven inches deep, and as broad as l could
conveniently cut them evenly and very particularly,
one exactly joining the other. Had l possessed
heavy roller, should have rolled them, to press
the edges down smooth. 1 then run over it with q
heavy harrow, to loosen the ground without tearing
the sod turned underneath, and my land was pre-
pared, with the addition Of having the sod turned
under for good manuring Where the mud was
too deep for oxen to work. followed the manner
OF the natives in preparing their kalo land. In
regard to the watering the rice, different methods
are pursued. In Carolina the water is withdrawn
when the rice begins to swell, about the fourth or
",
| or four inches high. In Piedmont the reverse
method is pursued. have tried both ways, and
am convinced that the process of letting the water
on and off only produces crop of weeds, and there
fore the water should be let on at and kept on
| to the end. At first l or l IL inch will do.
Through this the rice will work its way. Although
at first when sprouted the sprouts lay fiat on the
mud, they gradually take an erect position. After
| wards increase the water with the growth OF the
rice 1t greatly to strengthen the plant and
keep it from swaying when the wind blows; it also
prevents weeds from growing except aquatic plants,
| among which what the natives call wild rice is
prominent. Such weeds are easily pulled out, and
one wedding is sufficient for crop. When the
rice begins to rpen and half the ears are quite ripe
let off the water to dry the ground. Cut with
sickle when ripe and handle carefully, because rice
| sits very loose.
Rice ripens unequally. have harvested, some
1l2 days after sowing, some four MONTHS and some
| four and half months. Rice which was sown in
several instances two weeks earlier than that IN
adjoining kalo land was reaped later L do not
know how to account for it, except 1t Is the nhu-
ence of the wind or the different degrees of warmth
impaired to the mud. When caterpillars or cut
worms visit the rice. which they are likely to do
when the plant is tender, one hours flooding or
two, and suddenly opening the tailrate will sweep
them off, Horses and cattle never disturb rice, ex-
cept the grain is ripe, when granted horses are
fond of the ear.
The threshing may be performed by the old fash
ioned fail, when 6t floor or large sail is at hand
/ have threshed all my rice in box. large
packing box, such as is used for shipping saddles,
is very fit. Nail four posts in the corners, and
fasen round it some cloth or mating, leaving one
side open. The cloth should hang down on the in
side of the box, so that the grain which strikes it
falls in the box. The open side of the box should
also be low enough to permit the thresher to strike
conveniently. Resting on this open edge extending
to the opposite low corner of the box, is placed
ladder, on which the thresher strikes the rice.
Four strokes are sufficient to thresh out the grain
clean from a good handful of rice. One man can
thresh as fast as two good reapers can cut and the
box is conveniently transported TO where the reap
ers are engaged. The most difficulty exists in hull
ing Our -four mill has tried it, but alas it wont
answer. On the Mississippi negroes stamp the
husk off in a mortar in South Carolina stamping
mills are used. The grain is whitened by pro-
cess of polishing-how, don't know.
II once quantity of rice is raised on these is
lands, it may be supposed that mill also will find
a place here. You ask the meaning Of half and
whole crop. l have put down half crop at two
thousand pounds per acre, and whole crop at four
thousand. That the latter can be raised am GER
tain of, because have had places in my field where
the yield to the square yard wasthree quarters of
pound to pound and over but l believe there
are at present very few kalO lands which would
yield whole crop, and this will be the case with
all kalo lands-very lucky favorable seasons ex-
cepted-as long as they not completely shelter
ed from the wind. Wind is the only drawback
and the only hndrance to prevent each of kalo
land from yielding its four thousand pounds of rice
and over. When the rice is in bloom fine white
flower, the pollen, hangs on each grain. The wind
blows this away, and the grain is blasted. Some
ears ripen in advance of others; the grain when
ripe sits loose on the stalk, heavy blast scours
the field, and the grain falls in the mud. Wind is
the principal enemy to rice culture, and to shelter
your rice field against this enemy should be the un
ceasing care of the planter. Plant anything, sugar
cane, willows bananas, high and low trees till the
field is guarded that not breath of air can stir
a hahn, and whole crop is sure to be the reward.
| have set down the average cost of q crop of
rice at SIS per acre. In this estimate l certainly
did not include the first cost of clearing wild kalo
patch but had reference to such as are either clean
under the operation of raising kslo, or prepared.
Three good hands should weed an acre in day,
and the cutting and threshing could be performed
by seven hands in another days work. where the
rice is transplanted, there would be heavier out
lay incurred; but, as above observed, | think il
cheaper to SOW rice broadcast where much land 10
under rice culture. The kuaaunas have made me
the most difficulty. When well cleaned at the
start they can easily be kept clean with the hoe,
and would advise those who prepare rice land to
at once clean these kuaaunas thoroughly it will
save much after labor. With regard to the grain
ITSELF would remark that believe that rice will
adapt itself to the climate. The rice which I
planted last year was imported China rice, very
small grain and find marked difference in the
product of this year, as the grain is larger and
fuller, and would not be surprised TO find it still
better in another crop. The hulled rice is by far
darker than the original grain. This may either
be accounted for because it is very fresh and badly
hulled, or perhaps on account of its composition.
South Carolina contains according to Bousingoult,
S9.5 of starch and only 3.o Of gluten, albumen,
etc. Perhaps the quantity of gluten in rice is
larger and influences the color. Should the latter
be the case, it would make the rice so much more
valuable. There is no doubt that it is very pal