The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-11-16

profitable
Another fiber plant of great promise
is the dgtde rigda, or sisal plant In
some respects the prospects of this in
dustry are greater than that of the bow
string hemp by reason of the totally
different character of the soil required
for its successful cultivation. While
the hemp requires rich, moist soil and
gives large yield of fiber per acre, the
sisal will thrive and give the best re-
suits on the dryest and most barren
lands that are to be found on these
Islands; always providing there is any
soil at all for the roots to get foothold
We have tens of thousands of acres of
such lands that are now practically use
less, but which by means of the sisal
plant may be made to support thousands
of people and add to the wealth of the
country far beyond the dreams of the
most sangnine. In the Bahamas the
change from severe commercial de
preston to state of assured prosperity
has been like fairy tale. In the official
report 10y Consul Thee. j. McLain
on the ssal hemp industry in
the Bahamas, is the following passage:
"The progress in the development of
ssal culture in the Bahamas during the
past twelve months is marvellous. One
year ago there was scarcely dollar of
foreign capital, and very little of local,
invested in this business in the colony,
while to-day parties from Great Britain,
Canada and Newfoundland, represent
ing large resources, are interested in
sisal, have bought tens of thousands of
acres of Government land and are in
dustriously engaged in clearing and
planting the land to the full measure of
their ability to procure the material"
There is every reason to believe that
when our planters and business men
become fully acquainted with the merits
of the sisal plant, and that there is
huge area of land on these Islands suit
able for its successful cultivation, that
no effort will be spared to develop and
carry to a successful issue such
promising industry.
There are many other economic
plants that can be cultivated with sue
cess, that perhaps will never grow into
large industry but may prove of great
value to the small farmers. OF these
little more than mention can be made
here.
The theobroma cocoa or chocolate
tree, will grow and yield fair returns in
certain districts. The tree requires q
humid atmosphere such as Hilo and
Puma, where quite number of trees
have been planted and are doing well.
The nutmeg (myristicd arOmdticd).
will grow in any rich, moist soil on
these islands up to 1000 feet elevation.
1t comes into bearing about the ninth
or tenth year, after which it is a
steady source of income with but little
attendance.
Among other trees and plants that
yield returns after the lapse of few
years and are suited for cultivation in
this country may be mentioned the
Ceara rubber tree (mdnihot gidziorie);
the Paru rubber tree Qieued brdzi-
liensis); the camphor tree (cinnaD,omum
camphoria). This tree will grow almost
anywhere on these islands where there
is sufficient rainfall. Camphor is
obtained from the wood and roots
by distlllation.
The Mahwah tree (bdsno ldlipiid), a
most valuable tree, thrives in dry, stony
ground, from sea level up to 1000 feet
elevation. 1t produces yearly from 200
to 400 pounds of flowers which contain
80 per cent of sugar.
The limits of this article forbid any
extended description of these and other
valuable trees and plants; but it should
be borne in mind that while the trees
mentioned do not yield returns for
some years it is far better to plant trees
that will sooner or later yield market
able product than trees that have
nothing more to recommend them than
an ornamental appearance.
The culture of pineapples can now be
said to be fairly established, and is in
creasing slowly. A great impetus will
be given to this industry whenever the
United States admits canned goods from
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