The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-05-21

Tho following letters from Governor
Sanford ~ Dole and NJ FranA Nurhs
hoits OF South Roma Hawaii give de-
sciptions ~ the varieties " fruit veFe.
tabies, etc. which ar, grown on The lei
ana 81 Hawaii
ruuwaawaa. Kona Hawaii
August w. 1871.
bear Nj Stubs white on this island
visited Mr. Buchholtz. coffee plant
,r OF the extreme southern part Of
south Kona. Hts house 81 on the Gov
eminent road at that place. at an elcva-
ton OF perhaps l.j00 feet above the sea.
His plantation IL from the road run
ming up the slope r soil II among
broken lava aud generally washed be-
low the surface Of the ground, which IL
composed almost entirely Of broken
black lava from the size OF walnut to
that of an apple or larger
Mr.. Buchholtz has had scientific train
ing in agriculture I'm some German in
sttution and is always experimenting IN
fruits, vegetables and grasses; In fact,
he Is conducting "A private experimental
station which 7 deem to be of great i'm
portancc. and as he keeps careful ac-
counts and records of each experiment
his experience is available through his
courtesy to the public.
| found growing on his place conee,
States), pineapples, cocoa, carob trees
(St. Johns bread, mango, papaia, water
lemon vine, and good variety OF roses
and other garden flowers. All OF these
were growing vigorously, and the conee,
fig, grape. mango, papaia, apple, pineap-
pie and water lemon were bearing fruit
The plantation is surrounded by native
forest.
At my request Mr. Buchholtz has kind
his experiments for you, which l Will
forward as soon as l receive 1t. In
North Kona, at the place of Mr.. Coer-
per- also a German, l picked and ate
fine apples from his trees. He has album
dant crops every year, though his trees
are as yet young and small.
North and South Kona stretch for SIX
ty miles or more under the lee of the
great mountains of Hawaii, which eff
fectually shut off the trade winds from
these districts. In place of them they
have land breeZes at night and sea
breezes by day, both oil which are Lutte
more than zephyrs. Sometimes the sea
breeze is augmented by an eddy of the
trade wind, and then blows with more
force and from a more northerly dlrec-
ton. This region is made up almost en-
tirely of lava flows some of them very
ancient, so that considerable soil mas
formed both from the decomposition or
lava and the contribution of vegetable
growth The rainfall throughout the
year is perhaps more evenly distributed
than Is the case in any other part or
the islands The soil is rich and fine.
For these reasons the Konas are prob
ably the most suitable part of the Islands
for the production of fruit and perhaps
tobacco, though the soil may be 100 ricn
for the production of good quality OF
the latter. Tobacco grows wild here as
well as in other parts of the islands.
l am now at Mr.. Lows ranch house,
over 200 feet elevation, on the slope OF
Hualalia Tie ranch is all lava flows
and contains extensive forests OF large
variety of trees and produces first-class
pasturage of considerable variety OF
grasses and other heritage. Alfalfa. rye
grass, and blue grass have been success
FULLY introduced and stand cropping.
There is no water, and the stock eat
enough while the dew is on the grass
to supply their wants. at the ranch |
house and few hundred feet higher up
in elevation, Mr.. Low has planted va
riety Of northern fruits, and budded or
anges and olives. All are doing we'll
the apples are beginning to bear, and al
so the olives. one variety of the latter |
being covered with flower buds. Figs do |
well mere.
The native forests on the ranch are
dying. The cause is doubtful. l have |
examined with Mr.. Low number OF
trees We have found six or seven
kinds of borers, bugs and worms in the
.(dying) trees. but have not found any in
healthy, growing wood. Whether these
pests cause the destruction or only fol-
low on its heels, do not know, but am
inclined to the latter theory, shall try !,
to have Mr.. Koebele come here and in !
yestigate Mr. Low will prepare paper, |
as requested by you, which will be for |
warded to your address.
In regard to the subjects of inquiry set |
forth in your letter Of instruction from
Washington. would say as to the hrst
point-leaving out the consideration OF
sugar, rice and coffee-nearly all edible
vegetables of good quality can be pro-
duced from the sea level to over l'Wo
feet elevation; some doing better low
down and others high up. Certain veg
etabIes, like caulifower and celery, seem
to require the cooler climate OF elevated |
places.
Maize grows to perfection from the
sea level to over 1000 feet elevation. The
same Is true of the majority OF forage
plants. Wheat oats and barley do WELL
but the wheat product Is OF too poor
quality to compete with imported nour
None of these grains are cultivated at
the present time, except perhaps In
small way, as forage.
Hay can be easily raised but owing to
the liability of rain in the localities where
1t can be grown, 1t is liable to be spoiled
in the curing process. There are some
localities where 1t could be safely cured
II 1t could be raised with the assistance
of irrigation Irrigation, however, Is too
valuable in the raising OF more profitable
crops, such as sugar and rice, to allow
IL to be used in growing hay. Expert |
ments already made would justify the
belief that nearly all of foreign grasses
will do well over a wide range of eleva-
ton and will stand grazing.
OF the fruits of temperate climes. 1t is
fairly we'll established that apples and
some of the berries will thrive and bear
at the right elevations. / do not think
that this Is settled as 10 other Northern
fruits. although pears have been known