Daily Honolulu press., 1885-11-24

y
the mill. This fact may interest those
who are unfamiliar with the manufac
ture of sugar, but will be matter Of
no surprise to those in business. The
growth of the cane on this plantation is
entirely dependent upon the rainfall as
there is at present no water supply
sufficient for irrigation. Over twelve
miles Of flume have been erected for
the purpose of taking the cane to the
mill, seventy-fve per cent of the entire
crop being transported in this way.
BY the most rugged economy in very
dry weather from the meager water
supply afforded by springs, found in
the mountains at distance of five to
six miles, sufficient amount is stored
each night to "hume' the required
cane during the following day. A de-
wise for saving and utilizing large
quantity of water averaging, it is esti-
mated about 10000 gallons per day,
which must otherwise run to waste is
probably new idea at least in this
country. 1t seems to us worthy Of
more than passing notice.
Two iron tanks connected at the
bottom by an iron pipe, with capacity
of 20, gallons each, are placed near
the mill, sufficiently elevated to draw
from them the water to be used in the
vacuum pumps. Over one of these
tanks is built scaffold about 36xS4
feet, forming hollow square, the top of
which is elevated about 10 feet above
the tanks. Around this hollow square,
upon the frame, is built three shelves
on trays, beginning at the top; each is
placed two feet below the other and
made eight feet wide, and deep enough
to carry five inches Of water. All the
water which passes through the mill is
into anceipticle in heated state, from
which it is forced up into the top tray
or cooler above described. These trays
are built on an incline plain around
which the water runs until within foot
of the starting point it passes through
and aperture and falls upon the tray be-
low, the incline of which is reversed,
and the water passes around the square
again, and pours through another
opening into the third tray, which again
reverses the action carrying the water
around the square the third time until
it finds its way into the tank below at a
great reduced temperature, ready to be
used over again.
CULTIVATION.
In making tour through the cane
fields, one is impressed with the thou
rough cultivation which was noticeable
on every acre of ground With loose
earth and perfect freedom from weeds
or grass, the full strength of the soil is
given to nourish and foster the growth
of the cane. Threading way through
nearly four miles of cane in all stages
of advancement, the beautiful valley oi
Moa-ula is reached and at an elevation
Of 1000 feet, we came upon field Of
"new plant cane" covering an area ol
ago acres. Here the cultivated land is
shut in by surrounding mountains Zone
of which rejoices in the poetical namt
of "Claud's res.'9, which give pto
lection from the prevailing winds. The
soil is rich and deep the rain fall in
the locality is guarantee agains,
drought, and "every prospect pleases.
l venture to suggest the possibility and
even probability Of "sIx-ton crop" and
am perfectly delighted to be sustained
in my opinion, by authority lin my
judgemenD not to be questioned. But
just as one feels the mercury of self
esteem rising to hundred degrees ol
more, at the satisfaction one finds ir
superior judgement, am politely re
quested to say nothing about "six-tor
crops" as such statements are always re
ceived with broad margin of doubt
appreciate the feelings of the "Rulinl
| Spirit" who is a man of deeds, and ha,
no time for idle words, and with the
understanding that my ganiiy shall bt
gratifed, / await the results, which are
in due time, TO be reported, in the
meanwhile ] will make no extravagan
AS we approach the mountain edge
OF this field of cane, we come suddenly
upon small gang of Portuguese
laborers, who are just completing re
servoir. This reservoir has capacit,
of 26,5oo barrels, and is capable o
storing sufficient water to flume all the
cane lying between this point and the
mill. The water to supply this reser
voir is to be brought from spring ir
the side of TIE mountain little more
than two miles distant, we were very
much interested to know that the top:
of all the surrounding mountains are SC
full of water that they have become 9
perfect swamp. The time will doubt
less come, when an effort will be made
to draw water from those natura
sources of supply, for purposes Of cul
tivators -Four eight-mule teams, each
attached to "a" Dillingham; breaking
plow, are kept daily at work breaking
up new ground, or replowing land from
which the last crop OF rattoons have
just been gathered Two more team.
with heavy harrow prepare the ground
for the planting furrow. Eight team:
with cultivaters keep the growing cane
fields, as clean as chinese vegetable