The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-10-03


good care from time OF planting, and
careful attention with them when seed
lings, will yield a good crop at 30 years
of age The longevity of the Mexican
tree also depends on the development
of the principal root or taproot, and
consequently on the depth TO which 1t
can penetrate, and the fertility of the
soil.
ENEMIES OF THE COFFEE TREE.
Although there are few plants less
exposed TO the attacks of insects and
disease, the coffee tree has certain enc
mics, both animal and fungus, which
require attention, but none of these
present great difficulties in Overcom-
ing. growth of moss is probably IN
dicative of too much moisture and
generally feeble condition. Parasites or
insects are easily destroyed by free
use OF -four OF sulphur, and by coloring
and sprinkling the trees with weak
solution of lime, after having rubbed
the trunk and branches with a piece
of gunny sack or by Swinging the trees
with soap water 10 which a very small
quantity of kerosene oil has been adj
ded. Proper tillage, plenty of air, care
full wedding and judicious manuring
will obviate all remedies. By keeping
the rows clear and the shade trees
trimmed all animals and insects; like
rats, mice and ants, will be kept away
from the plantation.
PREPARATION FOR MARKET.
The old method of preparing the cot
fee for market is still in vogue among
the natives. The fruit gathered during
the day is placed on thin mating, not
piled, as that would produce fermenta-
ton of the pulp, the moisture of which
would destroy the bright color of the
berry and turn it black. The next day,
after the mist has disappeared and the
sun comes out in it's full vigOr, the con-
tents of the mats are emptied on the
drying yard. The yard should be made
of stone, covered with a coating of
mortar Cline and sand), built sloping
so that the water can run off quickly
and the yard not be damp when the
coffee is out to dry. While the berries
are out on the drying yard they are
turned over two or three times, so
that the rays of the sun will play over
the whole surface. When the weather
does not permit outside drying, a large
and well ventilated dry room, with
paved floor is used. The above opera
ton is performed for several days,
until the berry is thoroughly dry; then
follows failing and treading out the
grain from the dry huSkS with the feet.
The last cleaning of the berry by the
natives is accomplished by placing the
berries in a large mortar made of earth
or followed from log, thoroughly
beaten and worked with an immense
pestle or maui. After the husk has
been thoroughly beaten it is separated
from the chaff by being poured from
basket held on the shoulder to a mat
ting on the ground, the chaff being
blown from it as it falls by the winds
and a strong, rapid tanning from a
large palm-woven fan operated by the
other hand of the cleaner. The above
system Will do for persons of limited
amount of capital, small plantations
and places inaccessible to machinery.
The process is not very satisfactory
in it's results, as the grain is apt to be
injured, and the operation is slow and
expensive. 1t would justify the planter
to buy hand machinery, if his means
and the size of his plantation will not
allow him to go into the business on a
larger scale. A small pulper huller and
separator, capable of turning out daily
between 1900 and 1000 pounds, can be
purchased in the United States for $3.50
Omitted States), with an additional
cost of $3.50 (MeXican) for freight and
duties.
For marketing the coffee the bean
is classified into "caracolilo,' first and
second class, and packed in bags of
$50 and 200 pounds, the lighter sacks
containing the best grades: however.
the good planters store their coffee un-
hulled (cafe en- pergamino), after being
perfectly dried
ESTIMATE OF COSTS AND PRO
FITS.
] append herewith an estimate of the
average cost of establishing a planta-
ton and of the profit, taken from data
in various coffee districts
FIRST YEAR.
Merican
Currency.
Cost of clearing 100
acres (from Sc to $40
per acre). ...S1,O 100000