The times., 1901-06-02
HAWAII A LAND OF PROMISE.
Its Various Industries Improving
Since Its Annexation
(From the Boston Transcript.)

| Honolulu, II. 1.-The First Annual Pc
port OF the territorial Commissioner of
| Agriculture and Forestry is just publish
| ed and is very interesting document
Perhaps the most interesting portions
are those which deal with the forest trees
of the Hawaiian Islands and the agricul-
tural possibilities of the Territory-apart
from the culture of sugar and coffee-as
shown in the movement already made by
recent settlers a large Government nur-
sery Is in full operation, and, during the
nrst year of the operations of the Com
missioner of Agriculture and Forestry
nearly 2o,GOO trees and shrubs have been
distributed for planting in various parts
/ of the islands. In addition TO these 2e
600 forest trees have been propagated and
planted, including fully 100 varieties.
Hawaii is famous for its towering
shrubs. The forests of Hawaii furnish a
great variety of woods, many of which
have great commercial value. The sill
yer waffle (Acacla dealbata) grows to a
height of $50 feet and supplies a clear,
tough climber, used by coopers and other
artisans. This wood is also valuable for
making splints for the manufacture of
baskets. The black waffle acacia decur-
rens) supplies hard tough wood useful
for tn: manufacture of az handles. Its
bark is rich in tannin and it's gum is also
valuable. The Australian black wood
acacia melanoxylon) supplies a wood
very valuable for cabinet work. 1t grows
readily and is one of the best types for
forest planting.
The camphor tree OF CeyIon was intro
dueed here about six years ago. about 600
trees having been imported and planted
by the Department of Agriculture. They
are growing well, and bid fair, with care
to furnish a valuable addition to the in
duStrieS of the territory. The turpentine
tree also grows well here, acquiring a
growth of 200 feet in some instances with
a gtrth of thirty feet. The wood takes a
high polish anG is useful in cabinet work.
The lnophylium, an East India native,
has become domiciled here and attains a
night OF 50 to 100 feet, with q trunk diam
eter of ten or twelve feet. The seeds yield
a dark green scented oil used for medic
mai purposes, and the timber makes ex-
cellent masts and sDars. Besides these
trees of distinctive commercial value, the
Hawaiian forests yield many ornamental
and shade trees of great beauty and value
Annexation has brought to the islands
many enterprising men from the United
states. who are opening up many diver
si1ed industries. At Wahiawa, about
twelve miles from Pearl City, an Ameri-
can colony of ffty-three residents has
been established for the purpose of rais-
ing fruits and vegetables for the market
Several thousand orange trees have been
planted as well as bananas. pineapples,
fig, olive, mango. pear, and peach trees.
Five thousand grape vines have already
been planted and are making, good
growth. The colony is making market
gardening a speciality and is raising veg
etables of a superior quality for the Hon
olulu market or the supply of the Pacific
Coast The colony is also experimenting
with small fruits. Others are entering
this business on smaller scale, but there
is ample opportunity for others who may
come with energy and some money.
At Kaneohe not far from Honolulu,
Mr.. c. Koelling has established castor
bean plantation, with a mill fitted with
the best machinery for producing castor
oil Not far from this another man is
successfully operating a peanut farm.
Near the famous Eva sugar plantation.
on the line of the Oahu Railway, the Ha-
waiian Fiber Company has upward of 400
acres planted to sisal, which promises
we'll Experiments in alfalfa have borne
good results. and IT, is probable that this
valuable forage plant Will be largely
planted. Many enquiries from the United
States have been received regarding the
adaptability of the soil and climate of the
ments in this crop have resulted we'll and
considerable tobacco is raised by the ma
tives for their own use.
Vanilla grows wild here. and although
there has been as yet no systematic ef-
fort at its cultivation as commercial
crop. there is little doubt that some enter
prising vanilla grower would succeed We'll
The question of the cultivation of rubber
is under consideration by the department
and some experiments have been made
success The department Is now expert |
menting with the Nicaragua rubber tree
with strong hopes of valuable results.
Experiments in silk raising are not reas-
Suring The mulberry tree grows well in |
the islands. but the silk raised experiment
tally in the islands has not been of the |
best quality and the returns are so com
paratively small that the culture cannot |
be encouraged. 1t is shown, here and
elsewhere, that the labor Of two persons |
will produce cOcoons valued at $50 in |
about forty days This showing is so
the culture Of other and more remunera- |
tive crops, in preference to silk.