The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-08-10
Oahu Notes.

Oahu Notes.
Even close to home there is information to pick
up. 1t is surprising how many things 90 round
nothing of. few notes of a recent trip may be
interesting.
Mr.. Rose, the Manager of this plantation, COM
plains of want of rain in fact, except for few
favored spots, this is the complaint all over the
island. The exceptions are Nuuanu Valley, where
constant and abundant showers are falling, and
Ahuimanu, which has never been known to lack
water. At Kaneohe, however, there has been
practically no rain siRce last November. In con-
sequence. the cattle are very thin and poor, but
they manage to Supportlife on the upper pastures.
The rains on the hills have kept the streams we'll
filled, and both cane and rice are looking we'll.
There is nothing which strikes an old resident
more than the great extent of rice land now under
cultivation IN Oahu. Go where you will, the bril-
liant green of the rice strikes your eye. Lands
which few years ago were covered with fern and
weeds, and which were worthless, ara now return-
ing handsome profits both to cultivators and
owners. Mr.. Rose Is breaking 100 acres of new
land to put into cane, and the Rev. Il. II. Parker,
who has small plantation here, is also having
fresh land taken up. The average yield last year
was about 81 tons per acre. This is by no means
bad Grinding will be commenced in October or
November next. Inquiry as to labor brought forth
the fact that Japanese were not acceptable, and
that as the contracts expired they would be got rid
of.
i. On the road to Ahuimanu, Heeia plantation was
visited. Here again planting was being vigorously
pushed on. The mill is being put In thorough
order. During last season part of the machinery
was damaged, and is now at the foundry for re-
pairs. The boilers are being reset, and every
preparation made for the coming campaign. There
Is considerable acreage of rice here IN the bot
toms of the valleys and especially along that low
fiat which lies to the left of the road after leaving
the eleventh milestone The rice here grows
within twenty yards of the ocean, and practically
at the sea-level, the road forming causeway to
keep out the sea water. few years ago this fiat
was covered with reeds, the home of the wild
duck and mud hen.
AHUIMANU.
This compact property is the model dairy farm
not only of Oahu, but of the whole islands. Since
taking possession three years ago, Mr.. Henry Mac
farlane has devoted himself to making improve
ments. The farm buildings are commodious the
large barn has space for milking and feeding so
COWS. There are now 108 cows being MIXED, from
which 40 lbs. of butter obtained daily. The
dairy arrangements are perfect, and no Dutch
floor ever cleaner than every part of the dairy
One of the most striking things is the cream
separator. This is practically small centrifugal
working at high speed-8,500 revolutions per min
ute The milk is brought direct from the COWS,
poured through strainer into receiver from
this it Is strained again into second receiver and
then it passes into container from which It flows
into the separator. The principle of the machine
lies IN the fact that cream is lighter than milk
and milk than impurities. A small pipe carries
the cream from the upper part of the separator, a
large pipe carries OF the SKINNED milk, which is
fed to the calves and the dirt settles ut the bot
tom. Within half an hour after the COWS have
been MIXED the cream is in its container and the
calves feeding on the milk. 1t would surprise
anyone to see now much impurity is contained in
milk fresh from the COW. This process gives a
product which is absolutely pure. Both the separ-
alter and the churn are worked by water power. of
which there is an abundance. A large ice-chest
keeps the butter in perfect condition till sent to
market. About 600 lbs. of ice a week are con-
sumed. The butter Is exceptionally fine.
Mr.. Macfarlane has also fine lot of pigs which
are kept well away from the dairy, a small hume
carrying the butter-milk to the pig-pen, which is
situated about 300 yards down the gulch.
The land Is now well fenced, and laid out in con-
Venient paddocks. The farm will soon supply the
whole of the feed required for the milking cows
There are about twenty acres laid out in Sorghum,
which is growing finely there is also a consider
able quantity of corn coming on a crop of oats
had just been cut. An experiment is being made
with alfalfa, and there seems every prospect of its
proving a success.
The valley behind the house is now we'll stocked
with fruit trees-including alligator pears, coffee,
apples, cherries, pears, plums, guavas, cherry
moyas, ross apples, DC. The alligator pears grow
to an immense size.
The house and grounds are much improved, a
stone terrace having been built which gives an
Italian aspect to the buildings. visit to Ahui-
manu- is thorough pleasure-not only is there
scenic beauty and cool air. but there Just enough
energy in the farm life to make it one Of the most
agreeable spots on the islands.
KAAIAEA To PUNALUU.
What a change there is in Kaalaea Where
waving cane once grew, is now covered with fat
rice fields; the whole of the two valleys are
crowded with patches which come down almost to
the waters edge. Land, which before was unused,
has now gone into rice. Rounding the point one
comes upon Waikane; this, too is all covered
with rice, many fields of it stretching away to the
distant spurs of the mountains. From Waikane
to Punaluu the land is devoted 10 pasture Col.
Judd's ranch at Kualoa and Kaava seems yery dry
the cattle and horses mostly congregating in the
latter valley, where water can be obtained The
old house looks very deserted and lonely now that
it is no longer inhabited. Kahana looks as lovely
ever, of the most charming views on the
islands, with its sweeping bay, broad yellow sand
beach, and winding stream. The natives who ill.,
habit the valley employ themselves chiefly in fish
ing, and very fine fish are brought in daily I'M
fortunately there is sale for them-a bucket
full can be obtained for half dollar. Punaluu is
a veritable Chinese colony. The huts all around
are inhabited by Chinese and their Chinese wives
The rice plantation which is one of the largest on
the island, is owned by Messrs Chulan d Co. The
place looked busy enough, two schooners were
lying in the roadstead awaiting cargoes The
fields were alive with labOrers-Work goes on be- /
fore daylight till sunset, yet the Iaborers seem
quite happy.
To be continued