The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-05-02
HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLES.
SOMETHING ABOUT A FINE
INDUSTRY.
The Extent Of Cultivation Near Honolulu
An Interesting Talk with a
Leading Grower.

Pineapple culture is becoming quite
an important feature with small farmers
who live near markets in nearly all the
islands and a number Of capitalists are
making a specially of raising this most
delicious of fruits Kona district, Ha-
wall, was for years the only locality in
the islands where pineapples were raised
for market
There are no large planters yet, but
well defined plans with requisite pre-
paration have been made by a number
of gentlemen toward making pineapple
culture one Of the most important local
industries. Professor Kidwell, care
full and interested grower, whose study
of the flora of Hawaii developed a
desire for further experimenting, has
become one of the prime movers in
this work and was one of the first to
import plants of new and improved
pines, and probably the very first to
completely rid his lands-at his home
ranch in Manoa Valley-of the native
"Kona" or Red Spanish pineapple.
Mr.. Charles Wilcox, of Honolulu, is
probably the largest pineapple grower
in the islands, and Mr.. Jordan second;
although several gentlemen in Maui
and Hawaii, as well as others in Oahu
have become interested in the industry
to considerable extent. At Apo
kaa, the Observation-Disclosures Emeluth
combination have established the
largest experimental station, on the
o. X. & l.. line of railway. Elk
perimental station is probably not the
best term to use, however, as that stage
is passed and a large tract is being
planted to improved stock from Kid
wells home ranch as fast as plants can
be obtained Twenty-three thousand
improved smooth leaved Cayennes have
been planted so far and before the year
is out Prof Kidwell will have com.
pleted his contract to furnish 100, 900
slips to this plantation.
The pineapple is a peculiar plant to
cultivate, care being an absolute ne
cessity from the day the shoot is taken
from the parent stem to be transplanted
until the fruit has been gathered, and
the shoots removed.
According to Prof Kidwell, friable
upland soil is the best for pineapples.
can adobe or stiff soil should be
secuted equally with the loose sand
Soils" said he, 'as an uniformity OF
moisture is requisite to the successful
growth of the plant and watering of the
fruit. The improved pines are more
tender than the Konas, and need con
slant care and intelligent study in cul
tvation as we'll as in gathering and
marketing the fruit. The slips should
be placed in shallow trenches-5,o oc
to the acre, if one has plenty of LAND
and few plants, as many as 5000 OF
10000, if land is scarce-and soil good
In Florida $1,000 is often planted or
one acre, and d. well, but 10000 ir
my opinion is the maximum for eco
nomical cultivation.
zone should have plenty Of watel
for irrigation and supply the plant:
with enough, but not too much. L
should be conducted through the
trench in which the slips have beer
placed, at first, and as the plants grow
and the soil is pulled up to the plants
the water, in greater quantities anc
more frequently, may be used to mois
ten the soil by being conducted be
tween the rows, This spreads it arounc
the plants
Sin this climate it is not necessary tt
protect the plants from the sun as il
Florida, as our cool breezes tempe
the hot rays.
Eyes" concluded Prof. Kidwell, I"
think pineapples would grow at an eleva
ton of 5000, perhaps 1900 feet in thes
islands, but their growth would be slow
Near sea level is the best. All GU
higher lands will be utilized in tim
with other important products"