The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-09-10
Hawaiian SMEAR.

Hawaiian sugar has hitherto been sold on the
Cuban basis The late depressed condition of the
sugar market has made the growth and manufac-
ture of this staple product barely profitable We
are therefore pleased to learn that the Hawaiians
have better outlook for their next crop, a new
contract having been entered into between them
and the California Sugar Refinery on the Manila
basis. ms means at existing rates an average of
a half cent ponnd more to the planter There
ID the usual rate of One-eighth of cent off or on
for every degree above or below 81 degrees, and
Hawaiian sugar polarizes, an average, at 90 de-
grees. The sugar can be shipped by any line of
steamers or sailing vessels, freights remaining at
existing rates. This new agreement which comes
into force on january lst 1885, is for the period
of one year. The Californian market will not be
affected by the change, and we IN conjunction
with the Hawaiians can afford to rejoice at the es-
tabllshment of contract, satisfactory to all
cerned, which will restore confidence in the Ha-
waiian market, and tend to further develop their
trade with California.
Having experienced a reverse in the tide of their
prosperity, it behooves Hawaiians to be careful in
guarding against the effects of a depression in
their trade in the future. They can do this ma
terlally in their cultivation fertilization and in
the extraction of the juice from the cane with less
waste. Sugar-cane, like other products of the
SOIL IN order to reach perfection, must have plenty
OF air and light. This Is sometimes unattainable
IN the Hawaiian system of planting, where the
cane Is often planted too closely together to re-
celye the necessary light and sustenance. Hither-
~ NAS SuobOL has Dttu BtutTdll 10 plant as much
cane as possible to the acre, hoping thereby to OBJ
tain larger yield. A smaller proportion of cane
Will give a better yield by attaining greater ma
turlty and consequent increased richness of the
Juice. The subject Of fertilization has not been
successfully handled in Hawaii. Some have ex-
perimented, and with good results. Others have
failed and have not persisted in their experiments
Constant cultivation is another most essential
point TO ensure success. Weeds must be contin-
ually hoed down and not allowed to attain height
of II inches or more; and the soil must be loos-
ened and not permitted to cake or harden in the
tropical climate. Each year produces new machin-
cry and more economical and careful methods in
extracting the Juice A ton of cane contains from
go to 26O pounds of sugar. Why is it not all ex-
tracted? We know of but one plantation on the
island of Maui where the sugar averages 30
pounds TO the ton of cane. There should be con-
slant care against leakage, and care that all the
Juice is extracted from the cane in crushing That
this is not done we know, and many planters will
readily admit it. The mill and the fields are to-
tally distinct; and there are but few good anricu
turlsts who understand and are competent to man
age the mechanism of a mill. Not the details that
are superintendent by ordinary engineer but
those more important points where waste can be
prevented, where judicious care can be exercised.
and where opportunities for experimenting in i'm
proVements are afforded and can be taken adyan-
tage of.
In dull times and times of low prices, the first
cry is always for cheap labor The Hawaiian
planters will soon have good and cheap Japanese
HiDOE. Dul tulS alone VIII be lHSuitlCent to make
their business profitable If sugar continues at I'M
usually low rates Cheap labor should be sup
ported by economy in other things and an endeav-
or to obtain larger yield of sugar. This can be
done TO certain extent in the manner we have
pointed out-by greater attention to cultivation,
more care in the extraction of the Juice the use
of fertilizers and constant experimenting for i'm
proyements both III the field and in the mill The
interchange of ideas tends greatly to success and
this is achieved in measure through the Planter,
Monthly, most useful and necessary Hawaiian
publication. Better results would follow from
more frequent meetings of the planters themselves.
They might meet together every two or three
months on their several islands, publishing full
reports of their proceedings i'll addition to their
general annual meeting. 1t would prove a most
ludicious expenditure of money TO send thorough
ly practical and capable man, acquainted weh
their requirements, to visit the principal sugar
producing countries of the world. He could See
the various methods of manufacture, readily oh.
serve any improvements in labor or Juice saving
machinery and methods, and probably return ten
fold the cost of the expense of his peregrinations
IN the value or the information he would acquire.