The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-11-26
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
Rural Sketches
of the 5arraiian cgslands.
a Trip to Kauai.
By HoLsTEIy.


For ten years I had never been at distance Of
than FIVE miles from Honolulu A trip to
Kauai IS therefore epoch TO be slightly esteem
ed Shall commit my observations to paper' VIII
they be acceptable to your readers, Perhaps they
will help to fill space in the columns of your paper
should warlike and " calamities Dire arrive
before you go to press.
Here go, then, near the sombre hour of
twilight" on board the good ship Ercei l. Mt the
Hawaiian Lloyds. and give our travelling bag in
charge Of accommodating q" jim A gentle breeze
sweeps US gracefully out Of the harbor, the shore
receies. and with pleasure take long gaze at the
beautiful panorama Of Honolulu and the valley till
night spreads its veil gently, over the lovely
picture. At midnight the dark mountains Of waia-
loom up on our starboard bow the wind dies
away, and there lie in proximity of the barren
shore for the half Of the next day. We whistle for
q breeze, and whistle with energy. bracng trade
wind rises, and before next mornings grey dawn
drop anchor in the roadstead Of Hanalei. Grand
and dark the mountains their solid fronts above
the inlet Of the valley, casting their gloomy
shadows the that leap in ceaseless monoto-
ny upon tie sandy beach, sending their sver-spray
in htful mood like bright stars land-in ward. Day
breaks in the east; and shadows Ait away from
mountain hooks and valleys like unholy spirits in
fear Of the chariot wheels of the sunny god the air
around the mountain tops becomes clearer every line
OF scenery moro distinct in the azure blue of the
young morning, and before is unfolded a lovely
Of woodland mountain sides precipices valley,
river, and the residence of the Hon. Il. C. Wyllie,
embowered in trees, looking down from highest
tain crest valley, over ocean, over the lowing
teams and busy hands that work the fertile soil.
The proprietor of this splendid valley. perhaps the
richest among the group in fertility Of soil and gor-
geous scenery, could choose pleasanter spot for
residence. Free from the copious showers that in
the interior Of the valley fall with much fire.
quency be always pleasing the spot chosen s free
from damp. a pleasant breeze sweeps through the
verands, and every passing cloud and every 80 bit Of
sunshine" that lights up mountain spurs detached
spots Of the luxurant vegetation Of the valley,
throws n silver tinge upon the clear waters Of the
winding river. lends the enchantment of a kaledo-
scope the scenery We ascend the steep mountain
side by broad road cut in the solid clay, in zigzag
lines. and a ascend. pant, and as We stop to
rest we admire. We arrive at the residence, where
We pay respects to His Excellency and have the
pleasure to meet with n generous welcome such as
gentleman Of the good old " olden time knows so
we'll to accord to the humblest of his visitors.
The River and Plantations
Instead Of taking the road to the plantation
advised take the pleasanter route by way Of the
river. We descend, step into n boat. and glide along
the transparent waters Of the placid river, whose
CLASSY surface not ripple dsturbs and whose
msanders through the valley from plantation to PLAN
tstion We observe plenty of the fnny tribe glide
under the bow OF the bos, dart away before the
stroke Of the oar. On right the field Of
Captain White stretches elonZ the rivers baIk. L
believe that about rs acres will be ready for the mill
-
very hne, as Hanaei generally does, and the
work shows the and attention of the planter.
On the opposite side lie the lands owned by Mr..
KelIet, whore Mr.. Hiram is at work a clear
ing Of some 25 or 30 acres nearly ready for plant
ing The soil is rich, and loosened enough by
admixture Of sand to be what should judge genial
soil for cane An impenetrable jungle Of hau trees
occupies the richest part of the land the river bot
tom land. The clearing of this will he hard task,
but there eau be doubt that Mr. Hiram possesses
the right stuff fight with the luxurant jungle for
the possession of the luxurant soil.
As we pass little farther the right side, the
broad road shaded by stately kukui trees, leading
the formerly occupied BY Chas. Titcomb. Esq,
and now annexed TO the broad domain Of Hon. r c.
willie the old mill houses and in the back ground
the mansion IN its snowy coat Of white paint. meet
view, aud crossing the river IN scow, the tall
ore gner with broad sombrero- is the identical per-
sugar planter. Fronting the river lies fine clear
ing Of from 30 to 35 acres. and the great piles Of
brushwood and the hundred Of stumps rooted from
the ground the energy and Of the
new planter. The soil is Iich deep and friable
brow clay, rich in organic substances and from the
large Of silica that sparkled in a lump OF
clay that I picked up. the cane will undoubtedly
grow strong. tall and not liable to bend lodge.
was pleased observe the fne condition of the work
oxen after the hard labor Of breaking up so much
ground; and the care that Capt. Morse personally
besows upon his animals warrants success to his
terprise Ok flesh is the corner stone OF farm
plantation. In my opinion, no farmer or planter
can pay too much care to his working animals; and
where rich pasture land is at hand, even where
it is, good field of sorghum. oats or barley,
should always be planted, sufficient TO give TO the
working oxen bite at noon and q good feed at sun
down before they turned loose into the pasture
The advantages Of having your animals In fine con-
dition incslculsble. Oxen that are GlcGys IN
good order are not only ready for any work at sll
times, perform not only more work and better work,
IS concerns deep or good poughng, but save much
expense to the planter in drivers and the lat
ter large amount Of halloong and screaming.
The ground of Capt. Morse is by this time | should
judge from the beginning, planted Further up the
river. the right, the Rev. Mr. johnson has a fine
hed Of cane and some ground planted in coffee, and
from there deep into the farther recesses of the valley
extends the large plantation Of Hon. r. c. Wyllie.
The Mil and Sugar House.
We land st the mill aud meet with the most kind
and cordial reception from the offers, and although