Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-16
QUEEN KAPIOLANI,s GIFT.
A Bearing Coooanut Tree Sent to San Fran
cisco From Honolulu.

Bearing Cocoanut Tree Sent to San Fran
cisco From Honolulu.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Wrapped in its armor Of protecting burlaps
it looked very much like an exaggeration Of the
little wooden toy trees familiar to every child
But it was queenly present To be exact in a
land where titles are transitory, the tree is the
gift Of the Dowager Queen Kapiolani Of the
Hawaiian Islands. II is the largest cocoanut
tree ever successfully transplanted, and the
men about Golden Gate Park will testify to it's
theft, for eleven of them spent three hours in
getting it of wagon and transplanting it in the
conservatory.
The Australia brought into port this queens
present as q sort Of recognition of fsvors re-
ceived from San Francisco. W. N. Clifford was
made the instrument through which the ex-
queen transmitted her good will, freight pre-
paid, to Golden Gate Park. Mr.. Clifford is in
business in Hawaii, and, knowing that several
attempts had been made to transplant fruit
bearing cocoarut tree to the park. he started
in to help from the Hawaiian end. In letter
accompanying the tree he tells Of some of the
trouble encountered.
The tree selected was the best to be obtained
within easy access to roads leading to town, he
fruit. To better appreciate the difficulty of OBJ
tanning the particular tree wanted. Mr.. Clifford
writes, one should be on the spot and see the
lay Of the country. Trees, especially older
ones Of dwarf habit having fruit on them. are
particularly difficult to find when warted in
some special locality easy Of access for digging
up and shipping.
Particular care was taken in the removal of
this tree, but, owing to its weight and the
soggy nature OF the under soil, il took consid-
cradle time to lift 1t and reach the dock with
it. 1t weighs about five tons, and is about
thirty feet high. including leaves. Four horses
were required to drag il to the wharf in Homo
lulu, and the same number were needed here.
Owing to the number Of telegraph and other
wires to be passed under en- route to the
steamer the tree could not be carried upright,
but was canted over At incline. In San
Francisco in removing it to the park several
bales OF hay were used in the rear to support
1t. 1t was made secure in both instances with
enough gearing and blocking to start house
mover in good business.
Mr.. Clifford hsda strong bolted box about
i've feet cubic dimensions made for the roots
90 that no misfortune could possibly happen.
The foliage was also wrapped in heavy bagging
and was 90 well cared for In advance that the
cocoanuts which 1t bore were not disturbed
Great haste % possible was made In getting the
tree into the conservatory, rs Mr.. Clifford
wrote that 1t would not stand the cold winds Of
San Francisco and would pine for its natural
temperature.
At the park the tree wasn't allowed to pine
long. An the available help was called in by
Mr.. Gordon, and after three hours Of steady
work It vas permanently planted Just inside the
main gallery Of the hot house. where, with the
half-stripped palm Is a neighbor, II stands sew
eral yards above its surround ings.
Mr.. Gordon IL not depressed BY the fact that
Previou: efforts at transplantins these trees
have failed, but fully expects TO save this
sample, the largest ever brought into the
country.