The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-02-24
CULTIVATE THE LAND.

The L0hui Hd,Uoii, native newspaper, of this
week, has an editorial under the above heading,
from which We translate as follows
agriculture is the foundation of prosperity {:
by it man is fed, and by the sale of its products
wealth is created. 1t was the primary occupation
of man on earth, at his creation in the garden of
Eden. In all enlightened countries, it is greatly
cherished and priced, and neglected only by those
nations who are uncivilized and nomadic.
Wherever civilization is the highest, there the
greatest attention is paid to the cultivation of
the soil.
alt is evident that the Hawaiians in former
times, when the people we're numerous, were in
dustrious cultivators of the soil. We see the
signs of this to-day in the remains of extensive
patches, stone enclosures, aud water-courses.
Why is it that the Hawaiians of to-day are so
different from their forefathers in this respect?
1t is because of the prevalent desire to get
wealth in a hurry, and a contempt for the slow
and moderate results Of agriculture. There is
nothing wrong in getting rich speedily, if it is
done honestly but it is not often that this
occurs. Most of the good things of this life are
obtained by slow, careful painstaking, and by
giving heed to the small things.
"The cultivation of the soil is an occupation
that is open to all who have o will to work. But
few can succeed in the professions many of the
trades are filled but it is not so with farming,
in which the field is ample. A vast amount of
wealth lies concealed in the soil of our country,
waiting to be brought to light by our farmers.
"We have previously spoken of this subject,
and the thought of the great benefits to the Haw-
allan people which are hidden beneath their soil
awaiting only the exercise of their industry, in
duces us to again call upon the nation to arouse
to the importance of agriculture. The time is
rapidly passing, and it is Hawaii opportunity.
People from other lands are coming here and en-
| gaging in the cultivation of sugar, rice, coffee,
etc. That is we'll. We do not object to the
foreigners, if they are people of the right sort.
But we earnestly desire to see the Hawaiians,-
the original occupants of these islands-them-
selves cultivating their heritage, the land Of their
fathers, rather than for the sake of a few dollars
in hand, which is quickly spent. turning it over
into the possession of others. Bananas, rice,
peanuts, sugar cane in some localities all these
can be grown with profit by the Hawaiians.
:" Therefore we say-cultivate your lands, o
Hawaiians, and your wealth will increase. But
if you will not, be sure that the foreigners will.
For the waste places, and the rich lands where
the cattle run, and the water courses running to
waste, are calling for hands to come and plant
and reap the rich harvest. Cultivate then your
lands, people of Hawaii, and the earth shall feed
and clothe you"
Mr.. EDWARD mcdonnell, who arrived on the
bark Mary Belle Roberts from San Francisco. on
the 10th instant, is now engaged in the editorial
department of this journal. An article from his
pen appears in our editorial columns. giving the
Grst impressions of a stranger on landing on the
shores of Hawaii nsi. Mr.. MscDonnell was until
recently editor of the Panama Star and Herald
formerly attached to the staff Of General Lord
Napier Of Magdala, as special correspondent of
the Bombay Gasette. with the Abyssinian Expedi-
ton in Is67-s aud was for several years connec-
ted with the press in India, Australia. New Yea
land, South Africa, South America, the West
Indies, North America. Great Britain, the Levant.
and the continent of Europe. He left Honolulu
per steamer KilaneG on the goth inst, for the
island OF Hawaii, where he had arranged to join
at Mahnkona, as special correspondent of the
one e~nps-PACIFIC COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER the
Commissioners appointed under the Act. ITO De-
velope the Resources of the Kingdom -Their
Excellencies Messrs. Carter and Kapena and Capt,
Jane Makee- accompanied by Major Wodehouse, II.
B. Ms Commissioner and Consul General. The two
former gentlemen, with Major Wodebouse, left
Honolulu, as We previously announced, on Tues
day the goth inst, on the British war steamer
Fantome. Capt. Long, for Ulupalakua, to take on
board Capt. Makee, and thence proceed to MANU-
kona for the purpose of landing the Commits
sioners.