The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-07-22

SdIlpleS sent dDEOdu De1l6Ne
the fault is not in the soil, for all
tobaccos are unfit for smoking un-
less properly cured by drying,
sweating and sometimes re-sweat-
ing, if the excess of gum requires
the process.
Tobacco culture will always end
in failure so long as it is under
taken by persons who do not pos
sess a thorough knowledge of the
subject.
These Islands possess enough
variety of soil, climate and rainfall
to render it probable that many
localities will be found we'll adapt
ed for tobacco culture. Beautiful
tobacco plants can be seen grow
ing wild by the roadside, or plant
ed in the most primitive manner
by the Hawaiians near their dwell
ings. In nearly all tropical coun-
tries the production of tobacco
stands second in Importance only
to the production of sugar; and l
believe this will be the case in
these Islands in the near future.
The proper method of testing the
soil as to its adaptability to pro-
duce paying crops of tobacco, is to
engage the services of men with
practical knowledge and expert
ence in this industry, who will act
as instructors to those who may
desire to carry on experiments on
their lands. We need the services
of five instructors-two for Hawaii
and one each for Maui, Oahu and
Kauai-who by frequent travelling
in their respective districts would
render valuable assistance to all
those engaged in experimenting
with the weed.
Seeds should also be imported
from the principal tobacco produc-
ing countries in the world. The
United States of America alone can
furnish US with seed Of many varie-
ties of tobacco, but preference
should be given to seed from Cuba
and the Philippine Islands, where
we find the climate and the appear
ance of the soil similar to ours.
Experiments should be undertaken
on a small scale until we find out
the proper season for planting and
the kind of seed best adapted to
each locality.
The opinion prevalent here that
it is not profitable to raise tobacco
of inferior quality is not necessar-
lily true, for inferior tobacco will
sell for high price if the color of
the leaves is pretty. Sumatra to-
bacco affords a good example of an
inferior leaf of beautiful color, sell
ling for $50 to SO per pound, a
price seldom exceeded except by
| Cuban tobacco.
Among the many advantages OF
this industry the following deserve
to be noted Perhaps there is no
plant better adapted for cultivation
by small farmers the returns are
quicker and better for the money
invested than can be obtained from
any other plant we could cultivate
IF properly packed, tobacco can
be transported great distance
with little or no deterioration, and
| does not diminish in value while
waiting for a purchaser, unless the
time exceeds two or three years
IF this industry proves successful
it will stop the emigration of Por
tuguese to California, and in thu
near future will bring desirable
settlers from other tobacco produc
ing countries.
I earnestly hope that our Legs
Iature will do something tendint
to the establishment Of this an'
other industries suitable to on
soil and climate.
Our pessimists are predictin
that lantana will soon cover tn
canefelds and if nothing is done
I fear that their prediction will b
fully realized.
OVIEDo.