The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-09-29
COFFEE AND TEA co.

Mr.. Thos. May tPresidentl, w. W. Hall
secretary, Chas. D. Miller, Mr.. Lewis of
Lewis & Co., Antoine Rosa, J. f. Hack
field, F. A. Schaeier, Bruce Cartwright,
g. P. Castle. F. N. Swanzy, C. NJ.
Cooke, H. 4. Widemann and Wan. o.
Lakeland.
The President stated that the meeting
had been cal ed to enable MIR. Miller to
make report and explain the condition
Of the enterprise. The minutes of the
meeting OF February I'd were read and
approved, after which Mr.. Miller read a
long report, including a statement OF ae-
count and a comparison OF tie expenses
with the estimates in the prospectus.
MIR. Schaefer thought the accounts
showed that the expenses had just about
equalled the estimates.
Mr.. Miller said that if the trees were
set out six feet apart as in Ceylon, the
expenses would be reduced. He had
been told by gentleman OF experience
that the soil OF kona was so rich that the
trees would grow too large to be set 50
near together. The picking, however, In
the case OF large trees would have to De
done with the aid of ladders which woIld
be more costly. He would like to ANT
some trees 6X6
Mr. Schaeier explained the method
Of planting in Guatemala. The question
was an important one.
Mr. Miller, in response to Il question
as TO the probable yield, said the trees
would yield lb. each at the first bear
ing q years.. He could not commit
himself 10 the statement that the mature
trees would give lbs. apiece, but was
sure that the yield would be much
heavier than in Ceylon.
In response to inquiries by q. p.
Castle, MIR. Miller made some explain
ations with regard TO cutting the trees
after bearing. He thought it we'll TO
plant some trees according to the Ceylon
plan, some as in Guatemala, and some
by compromise between the different
methods.
Mr.. : -eier said that as all were
aware, licking would be the most ex-
pensive part Of the work. Twenty cents
per day was paid in Guatemala, but
there men, women and children worked.
That class of population did not exist
here. If picking were made easier by
trimming the trees, that would tie
great advantage.
Mr.. Widemann explained his expert
ence in coffee planting at Hanalei in
the fifties. The trees had grown very
luxuriantly thereand borne we'll. The
planting was six by seven and Elk by
eight. >,
Mr.. Miller said the coffee trees devel-
oped a long sucker sometimes five or SIX
feet long running up from the root,
which was called q gourmandIzer. LII
took the strength Of the tree and was OF
nc use at all. Most of the trees in Kona
had them.
Bruce Cartwright inquired as to the
method of raising the plants IN nurse
ries. 1t had been very much criticized.
Mr.. Miller said all the inhabitants OF
Kona foreign as well as native were
opposed to it, and thought it utterly
crazy useless and wastefui. But they
knew nothing about it, having no expert
ence whatever. He had noticed clear
ing of Mr.. Paris planted with coffee
where almost all the trees were dead.
This was bound to be the case as plants
accustomed to dense shade would die
when suddenly transplanted into the
sun. The method he followed was to
make plants hardy by exposing them
gradually.
In answer to further questions Mr..
Miller said the plants should be set out
when q year old when they would be
twelve or fifteen inches high.
Mr.. Rosa said it would be good plan
To let MIR. Miller set out two acres on the
plan usually practiced in Kona SO that
the inhabitants could be convinced, by
seeing the plants side by side, OF the
advantages of starting them in nurseries.
Mr.. Hall said the idea was to plant
different kinds of seed in different ways.
Bruce Cartwright thought the details
in these matters should be left to Mr..
Miller's judgment.
MIR, S;haefer said that Guatemala
planter of experience, Mr.. Van Nostitzi
had seen Mr.. Miller's work and ap-
proved it. He thought it important that
the stockholders give expression to then
satisfaction with Mr.. Miller.
Mr.. G. 2. Castle said that when In
Kona different persons had told him Mr.
Miller's method was a failure, but that
when he asked the question" DO you
know ANYTHING about coffee planting
the answer was always "No." They had
got the idea from the natives.
Mr.. Miller's report was accepted.
Mr.. Wldemann moved that the stock
holders declare themselves satisfied with
Dir. Miller's proceedings. Mr. Van
Nostitz, who was a planter OF many
years experience, had told him that Mr.
Miller was thoroughly competent man
The motion was carried unanimously
Mr.. Schaefer said the company con.
trolled about 800 acres OF coffee land and
could get more.
Mr.. Miller thanked the stockholders
Tor the confidence reposed in him and
said he would use his best efforts and
ability to make the enterprise success,
After some further desultory discus
sion, the meeting adjourned.
Two specimens OF coffee were exhl'
bited, one from an altitude OF LOGO feet
and the other about > 600. The latter
had an extraordinarily large bean, and
Mr.. Miller states that Mr.. Van Nostitz
declared it the finest specimen he had
ever seen.
The report showed that the affairs OF
the company were in a most prosperous
condition.
Hawaiian Ferns for Golden Gate
Park.