The morning call., 1892-11-23
PLANTING COFFEE.
It's Cultivation in the
United States
CAN BE rIADE AN INDUSTRY.
II. Couperus, Japan Planter, Says
Coffee Can Be Successfully Raised
in Southern California.

A very interesting and in structive lecture
was delivered Monday evening before the
members of the Academy of Sciences by Ii.
w. l.. Couperus on the possibility of coffee
cultivation in the United States. Mr. Coup
erus has spent ten years in the growing of
the coffee-plant in Java and Japan, and has
studied the climatic conditions OF the United
States.
After speaking of the.manner and meth
DDS of cultiyating coffee in Different parts
Of the world, he said
Having described thus far the cultiva-
tion OF coffee. come to the question of the
possibility of growing the plant within the
limits Of the United States. l wish to call
the attention of the audience to the fact
that also other plants of southern countries
were gradually introduced even in northern
places, where snow and frost prevail during
the winter.
Take, for instance, grapes, originally from
the only tropical climate in the Asiatic con-
tlnent. The cultivation of grapes followed
civilization steadily, which was moving in
| northwestern direction. In every century
OF history we see that the limit of grape
cultivation was more extended to the north
till al present its northern limit in Europe
is about 30 degrees northern latitude.
similar examples of migration from SUBJ
tropical climates TO cold climates we see ia
our fruit trees. which are also Indigenous
to mild climates. They grow even success
fully in Sweden, Norway and Russia. In
the same way as plant brought gradually
in higher latitude accommodates itself to
the climate, we observe also in tropical
countries that a plant grown originally In
the torfid lowlands, near the seaboard,
gradually becomes acclimated if planted at
a higher altitude"
Mr.. CouI erus spoke Of his successful in
PRODUCTION Of the coffee plant in Southern
japan. having been appointed 10y the jap
aneSe Government for that purpose. He
contrasted the climatic conditions of japan
with those OF Jaws, and said that the condl-
tons of portions of the former were very
favorable to coffee cultivation. He then
turned his attention TO the United States,
and said:
Taking into consideration the fact that
hardy frost-reslsting coffee variety does
exist IN cultivated state in the highlands
Of Java, which was also introduced success
fully in Southern Japan ct about 81 de-
grees north latitude, every chance is in favor
OF the proposition that the highland va
rlety Of coffee, with somewhat small ber-
rifs, can also be grown within the limits of
the United States.
The first place which would be suitable
Tor the purpose Is San Diego. and that part
OF San Diego County which is under the
influence of the ocean climate. According
TO the annual meteorological review of the
State OF California the 10 west emperature on
record was 81 deg. in December. 1879 and
January, 1890. This contrasts favorable
with the winter temperature Of Obi, South
Japan. where the thermometer falls each
winter To freezing point, and even one or
two degrees below. As the rainfall of San
Diego IS on an average no more than 1917
inches 1t would be strictly necessary to ir-
rigate. TINS, however, would not be a
drawback. as ii Is done IN Mocha, where the
best coffee is grown"
The speaker also thought that Southern
Florida was good locality in which to in
troduee coffee cultivation. BE concluded
BY saying that coffee can be raised success
fully over large part of Southern Califor-
nla and Florida, where irrigation is practi-
ea0iei that there is certainty of this be-
ing accomplished by introducing a hardy
variety OF coffee and by the discovery of a
method OF cultivation adapted TO the climate,
as applied IN Japan, and that the impor-
lance of the matter, in view OF the immense
imports OF coffee of foreign grow tn, would
justify any outlay to test the question svs-
tematically and thoroughly. He also be-
lieyed that machinery could be profitably
used IN this country, and thus couateract
the advantage OF cheap labor in Japan and
Java.
On the conclusion of the lecture, which
was heartily applauded, Secretary ScHp-
nam called the attention OF the society to
the fact that committees from the different
universities had conferred with a similar
committee from the Academy of Sciences
with view to having made a correct topo-
graphical map of the valleys Of California.
He said that the National Government
would appropriate S25C coo toward the OBJ.
ject. and that Major PowelPs corps would
superntend the surveying II a like sum
would be appropriated by California. He
moved thar the society adopt resolution
asking the next Legislature 70 appropriate
the sum Of S25. 600 for the work.
Secretary keyes of the Mining Bureau
and others objected to the adoption of any
such resolution until the question had been
thoroughly discussed.
The whole matter was, on motion, post
poned till the next meeting.