The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1875-03-03

produced q Tar superior article TO Ceylon. The
opinion of this gentleman is probably based on q
correct estimate of the commercial value of our
Kona coffee as compared with that grown else
where.
We lately published au article on this subject,
in which abundant facts were given to show that
if ee0ated locations are selected coffee trees will
be more likely to escape the diseases and insects
which have troubled them in lower and warmer
districts. The writer says that an elevation of
some 1900 to 1000 feet above the sea is proved
to be the best, while some plantations are located
as high as 5000 feet. In Costa Rica and Guate-
mala Central America) where the production of
coffee is rapidly increasing, the finest plantations
are found on the table lands elevated FIVE thou
sand feet above the sea. In the East Indies, the
most favorable elevation is 5000 feet which is
about the height that should be selected in this
group. Some writer's claim that the higher the
plant is grown, the choicer the coffee is. As re-
CARDS soil, the writer referred to says: "In a
word, dark chocolate coored soil, mixed with
small stones, under lodges of rock, and bestrewn
with boulders, is the best" The quantity of cof
fee yielded to the tree varies very much, from two
to five pounds; Thousand full grown and well
kept trees rarely producing over five thousand.
The yield for the third year after planting in
Brazil is about 21ls pounds to the tree.
There is no product that promises so well for
this group as coffee, provided elevated localities
are chosen for it. 1t is stated that on Hawaii
the trees which are grown in the woods and at a
certain height are not attacked with blight, but
are found every year loaded with berries. If this
be so, it goes to prove that we have not yet
learned how to conduct the cultivation of this
valuable product, and only when we do learn, will
we reap the sure reward which cultivators in
other countries receive. There are tracts in Ku-
Ia and Hamakua, East Maui, where sufficient ele-
vation is obtained, and which may be found to be
the proper location. So too in Kona Kau Ha-
makua and Hilo, on Hawai-there are many
good localities possessing sufficient moisture and
well protected from the winds, where coffee plan
tations may be proftably located.
What is now needed to develop the coffee in-
terest here is the formation of companies, with
capital to establish the business on paying basis.
AT least twenty-five thousand dollars would be
required to start plantation Of sufficient extent
to produce annually one hundred thousand
pounds of merchantable coffee, which yield can
not be expected under three and perhaps four or
five years after the enterprise has been com
menced, as the trees do not bear much till after
the third year. Cooperative assistance will
give an impulse to what ought TO become q lead
ing industry of this Kingdom. There is abun-
dance of land on each of our islands, supposed to
be adapted to coffee, and nothing remains to give
an impetus to this pursuit, but the men to take |
. lead, with the required capital, land and labor |
Rice
The exports of this article for 1874 including |
lulled and unhulled, show total of l,627,l43 |
pounds, to which should be added the local con-
sumption, which cannot be less than four or five |
hundred thousand pounds annually. The crop
has exceeded two million pounds, and is steadily |
increasing. Hawaiian rice has justly maintained a |
stand over every other kind in the San Francisco
market excepting only Carolina, which it closely
But the high tariff to which the arti-
lie is subjected in America has operated against
is cultivation here, shipments to that country
lavng rarely proved satisfactory. Much of the
arc land in these islands can be put into rice,
md would be, were the duty on it in America re-
moved, so as to give encouragement to cultiya-
.ors. Those engaged in rice culture should take
,ains to import the best of foreign seed for
which purpose there is none superior to Carolina
,addy. In the Hilo district Chinese are engaged
q raising upland rice, which, like upland taro,
depends entirely on the rains for moisture. The
'ast year these rice growers have been very sue
essful in this new industry, and have found
peal demand for all they could raise.
Wool.
About 100000 pounds of wool have been ex-
orted during the past year, chiefly to the United
states and Germany. The number of sheep on
be Islands has been estimated at 100000, most
: in large bands of from 10000 to 6O,OOO. The
stands Of Niihau, KahoOawe Lanai and the
estern half Of Molokai are devoted almost
holly to sheep grazing, and these four ranches
lclude considerably over half of the entire num-
er on the group. The wool grades mostly as
medium quality, though two or three of the
lnds comprise high bred stock.
An effort has been made during the past two
ears to introduce aud raise the Angora goat
at so far success has not attended the venture.
is possible that the introduction of this valu-
Die breed may result in improving the native
ock. OF these there are at least two hundred
lOusand on Hawaii, of which 10000 are
lnually killed for their skins and tallow.
Pulu.
The foreign demand for this article continues
eady, and the quantity exported during 1874
mounts to 41s,OO0 lbs. This is a product of
e tree-fern aud is classed as moss, its use being
r upholstery, in which it has been found to give
especially in colder climates. The
ee-fern, which produces it, grows luxuriantly on
e highlands of Hawaii, frequently stretching to
hight Of forty and fifty feet. Although the tera
ows abundantly on every island in the Pacific
,ean, in no other group has it been found to
Oduce the excellent product it yields here.
1lu is silky substance of brownish color,
iich envelopes the young fronds of the plant.
hen dried it possesses a softness and easti-
y that well adapt it for mattresses, pillows,
:, for which it has been used by the natives