The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-09-14
ADJUNCT TO CANE FIELDS \
STARTLING SURPRISE.
Coffee Near Honolulu Flourishes Like
Wild Growth-Brief Report on Pes
sonal Observation.

Those who composed the excursion
to the Waianae coffee grove on Satur-
day last were: MIR. and Mrs. b. f. Dill
lingham, Judge Frear, Mr.. and Mrs.
DR.. Derby, Miss Erricson, j. ii. Fisher,
ID. Logan, w. j. Gallagher and Star
representative. Horses were taken
from the city for the ride from the
railway. \ rapid run was made to the
terminus and fine lunch was had
with a good fish chowder as the leader
at Norton's excellent Club hotel. Man
ager Ahrens, of the plantation was un-
able to accompany the party, but gave
such instructions that the trip over
the Waianae property was made direct
and easy. 1t was straight and pleas
ant ride mauka to the coffee estate,
with the scenery grand and impressive
all the time.
F. Otremba, who is in charge of the
coffee plantations met the visitors and
greeted them cordially. The horses
were tethered and inspection of the
coffee began without delay. First was
seen healthy one and two year old
trees, many of the latter in bearing.
Very soon came the revelation that
greatly astonished those who had seen
all the other coffee districts of the
group. The trees of three years and
above were marvels of growth and pro-
duction. There were thousands upon
thousands of limbs dropping under the
berries. Each berry contains two
grains of coffee and the limbs are thick
on the trees for three and four feet.
The clearing had been only about the
trees themselves. Between these there
remains stones and the native grasses
and vines flourish There are numer-
Gus trees. There is no such evidence
of clearing or gardening as the estates
of Olaa present But the trees and
their fruit tell of the perfection of
every condition desired for the sue
cessful cultivation of coffee There
are about 10000 trees altogether.
| Those in bearing will render this sea-
son between seven and eight tons of
prime coffee. There are several va
rietes. Wild coffee has been tanned, y
but is not stronger than the imported
growths. On the slopes of the 90 or 20
acres the trees stand boldly and fruit
profusely. but it is in the gulches. both
narrow and wide, that the best de
velopment seems to have been reached.
If layman may judge, the conditions
most to be desired are shelter and
moisture.
Mr.. Otremba explained his methods
carefully. First the seed is placed in
small plots. After growth of eight
weeks to three months there is trans
planting to a nursery. In six to eight
months the young shoots showing
health are set out from the nursery.
Then the seed has gained individuality
as a coffee tree. In handling the wild
trees the strongest shoots are utilized
and rarely fail to flourish. The inten.
ton is to have trees six feet apart. but
in some places at Waianae, one must
walk cautiously to avoid stepping up
on coffee. The plant of machinery is
not extensive and the working force is
about dozen men. The great advant
age of coffee in connection with sugar
is that cane hands may be taken from
their fields at any time and placed
where they can for the period do more
good. Hours could be spent in view
ing the Waianae grove. One of the
party said, as all stood in dense
thicket of coffee in a gulch: Coffee
coffee, all around-and not a bean.
These latter were in millions, subord
mating everything else.
After a short rest at the pretty
! mountain home of Mr.. Otremba, th'
party made the return to Waiana'
quickly, being delayed only when Mr.
Logan and his mount parted comPan!
without damage to either. After
| watermelon lunch at the Club the re
turn to Honolulu was made in bette
: than schedule time. Everyone in tn
party is now keen to get into an Oahl
coffee plantation enterprise. At leas
one company, with capital of $5O,OOC
, will go into business at once as re
suit of Saturdays discoveries.
Mr.. Dillingham; and Col, Fisher ar
especially enthusiastic The forme
will at once have surveyed all railwa,
lands thought to be suitable for coffe
and will offer easy terms to those de
string to engage in the business.
A good ad expresses more than
says.