The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-11-20

port. To be concise. the yield of Eva
depends upon depth of soil, low alti
| tude. and consequent high tempera
| ture. an ample irrigation. and. partic.
ularly. on n very generous distribu.
ton OF fertilizer. 1t has, however, come
under my observation that the meChan.
| zeal condition Of the soil in the Older
fields. owing probably in 4 measure tC
the binding action OF nitrate of soda
and potash salts ON fields deficient il
| lime and organic matter is not as goOC
as that of virgin fields Immediately ad
Joining. II will. Cor this reason, bt
necessary 10 apply carbonate of lime
in much larger quantity than has hith
eTtO been done. OF which, fortunately
the EVA plantation has an abundan
store.
One more point on the land question;
IL is apparent that any water passing
through the soil, and beyond and for.
ever away from the cane roots. carrie:
| with il a certain amount of soluble
matter. whether il consists of fertili
GERS applied or fertilizing elements al.
ready stored in the land. Therefore
any water beyond that taken up by the
cane is engaged N a teaching process
that is detrimental. Thus, in spite Of
the generous fertilizing at Eva, some
of the older fields show a decrease in
available potash and in lime.
The above is not mentioned to dem
onstrate the probability of decreased
yields, or that there should be the
slightest alarm over land conditions
but. in my opinion, it does amply dem
onstrate that an alteration is in prog
ress which should and can be arrest
ed; and that, in the economical appli-
cation of irrigation water, we should
employ such foresight as prudence die
tates, and not keep out of mind these
vital soil conditions which are out OF
sight.
ofit-Sharing-Thisc continues to be,
as it has been in the past, decided
success with the Chinese and Japan
csc companies. Under this plan there
are at present employed at Eva thirty
eight profit-sharing companies, ag-
gregating 511 men; and all of the
fields, except two, are worked in this
way There is no friction TO speak of,
the men work better. are more con-
tented, and the whole scheme forms.
among the laborers, a sort of balance
wheel of conservative elements whose
interests are identical with those of the
employer.
Some of the orofis-sharing Ameri-
cans, who arrived last year, have, for
various reasons, returned to the
United States. Those who have re-
manned work tremendously together
and with the plantation, and look for
ward contentedly to the harvesting OF
their crop during the forthcoming
year. y continuation of this same
plan, or some modification of it, is con-
templated by the management, provid-
ed the present arrangement results sat
isfactorily.
Wages have advanced
among the larger number OF laborers
during the latter part of 1898, fully ~
per cent. 1t is quite probable that a
greater advance may be looked for in
19O0-and our labor supply is still
short.
In this connection it may prove of in
terest to know just how mucn the va
ration in wages of unskilled labor can
affect profits. For this purpose mem
orandum of relation of labor to other
plantation expenses is given below. II
was made up on June 80, 1899, from g
period extending over twelve months
! prior TO that date. and covers general
operating expenses:
,, Per cent
Management, staff and supervi-
sion ....-....-..... .-..-.......
| General labor Il
! All other expenses ............ D.
The cost of items other than labor
| for 1899 has also materially increased
notably taxes, rent, coal, feed, lum
| Der and ironwork. Those for materia
will continue TO remain high until the
relations between supply and demand
IIe-adjust themselves.
Contemplated Improvements-My re
port of October Sth, setting forth the
capacity and requirements of this es
| tate. sufficiently covered this ground
so that IL will not he necessary to agar
revert 20 it in its particulars. l can
not, however, close without expressing
my qualification 1T the ready and lib
eral manner which characterized your
action in the premises, and my convic
| ton that your foresight will reap
substantial financial reward.
| We can hardly expect this unparal
leled prosperity of the past two year:
to- last: sugar will so lower, labor high
| er and part of our future profits viii
come from present leaks. But will
the remodeled mill of double the pres
ent capacity completed, and all of the
economy that it implies realized anC
| the estate worked to its full capacity
we can. with the magnificent soil, the
abundant water. and the splendid cane
I this estate produces, await what th'
future of the sugar industry may have
in store for us with comparative equa
nimity.
| Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. RENTON,
! Manager.
The treasurer's summary shows thu
available resources on hand to be S492,
412.25. The net earnings for the yea
3 are 1888, 532.14. The net receipts TO
! ice are S505.09. Sale of sisal, $500