The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-09-07
CinchOna Cultivation in Hawaii.
KUkUIHAEIr, HAwAII, June Is, lSS,

hUkCIhAELE, HAWAII, June lc, 1900
Cinchona cultivation has been established by
me here on a small scale, but Is, at the present
time likely to be carried successfully, the
appearaNe of the trees is splendid, free from
blight or disease of any kind.
Before entering on the cultivation of cinchona,
thought il well to 90 to Ceylou, and there for
myself the cultivation of the trees, and the stua-
fions in which they thrive best; and, being in
England at the time, engaged a trained gardener
to come out here and superintend the cinchona
plantation.
We left England in the end of May, 1885, for
Ceylon, where we spent the whole of July the
gardener placed on a cinchona estate that he
might see the work and get practical knowledge
Of 1t, and visited the chief cnchona districts of
Ceylon, and certain from what l saw that
cinchona would thrive in Hawaii.
The altitude at which cinchona IS planted in
Ceylon ranges from $500 to $500 feet, and, iudg
ing from the vegetation and rainfall in both
countries, concluded that from 800 feet to 5000
feet would be the altitude most suited to its Guilt
vation in Hawaii. In order to be grown success
fully, cinchona should be planted in districts
having a rainfall of over 100 inches per annum
and must, above al things, have an open subsoil ;
an lmpervlous, clayey subsoll being fatal, Gin
chona dying out extensively In Ceylon while
there. The necessity of raising trees from the
best seed was impressed upon me In Ceylon, and,
IN consequence booked my name for quarter
ounce of seed from trees of Cinchona Dedgeriana
growing on Yarrow Estate, Pusselawa, Ceylon,
whose bark yielded analysis from over IL
per cent to IA per cent of crystalzed sulphate of
known, the usual analysis being under per cent.
l received the seeds ordered in May, 1884, pay
ing at the rate of I2O or 500 per ounce for the
seed. The seeds were at once sown, and germIn-
ated very satisfactorily and the trees raised from
them are now growing in their permanent posi-
TONS
On reaching Hawaii in October, 1883, we at once
commenced to plant the small quantities of seed
brought with Us from Ceylon) in boxes and.
having selected suitable situation in the forest
above hukulhaele, at an altitude of 2OO0 feet,
small clearing was made in September. 1884, and
the hrst batch OF trees, consisting of Cinchona
Ledgeriana, Cinchona Robusta hybrid. and Gin
chona Ohicinalis, was planted out, and are now so
well advanced that / was able TO take bark from
all the different kinds for analysis a short time
ago, and Rope to hear of favorable result very
shortly.
In May, 1854, l received, in addition to the
valuable Clnchona Ledgeriana seed before men,
toned, half ounce of Cinchona Casaya Verde
seed, collected In the cinchona region of the |
Andes, in South America, and procured for me in |
London. This kind is said to be valuable one |
and appears to be robust, quick grower.
After great deal of delay caused by scarcity of
labor, got area of ten acres cleared of forest
hear the clearing before mentioned-on gentle /
slope, and now we have all our young seedlings |
planted out to the number of about sixteen thous-
and (l6,O00), all of which are now thriving and !
looking remarkably well. The trees ought to be |
suthclently old to give their first crop of bark in
about two years time.
The bark is usually now gathered by SPOKESMAN !
ing alternate strips OF the outer bark from the |
trunk OF the trees, great care being used not to
lnlure the lnnermost layer cambium. The |
trunks OF the trees are then tied up with grass |
and III the course of wear or SO the bark will /
nave renewed itself on tue stripped parts The l
strlps LETT on the first stripping are now spoke |
shaved on, and the grass covering again bound on |
ana TINS process can be continued for several /
years Tue trees at each stripping should Weld an
average OF ounces of dry bark per tree.
nave now expended over % 500. including cost |
OF Visit to Ceyion but exclusive of all interest /
IA EsaA1 81. Il
WALTON IN Hawaii, and have every reason TO believe
tnat II is success Should it prove to be SUCH it
VIII throw open vast extent of land in the Hama
kna, hito, ana hona districts on Hawaii, and also |
on Maui, which are above the line of sugar cult
walton, and at present lying useless-W. Herbert |
PRrcis ia Planters Monthly.