The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-10-18


Editor Louisiana Planter:-Much ha.
Been written and said about the ininins
possibilities Of the Philippine Islands tn.
vast forests of mahogany woods. the un
limited resources for the cultivation ot
aemp, the development of the rice trada
and excellent authorities have proclaimed
the value OF the country to Americans
from the standpoint of commerce ami
manufactures. / do NOT know why there
should not be mineral wealth in the isl.
ands. but during the three years | wa
there did not see much of it, 1t seemed
to me that the real wealth of the coun-
try lies IN the soil, from which sugar
hemp. rice, corn and other products may
be produced. The leading exports OF the
Islands have been and are now, sugar
hemp, tobacco and rice. During recen;
years the sugar industry has been de
veloped considerably, but not to such ex-
tent as to keep up with the general prog
ress of the islands. The situation Is very
different now from what it was when
your correspondent first arrived in the
country In 1885, At that time the sugar
plantations were at standstll owing
to the war and sugar crops were per-
nitted to decay on the ground because
no one harvested the rich products Hun
dreds OF sugar mills We're burned by the
sghting armies. The walls of these su =
gar mills may still be seen standing and
in many cases the native owners have
rebuilt On the remnants of stone wall
work. The machinery in most cases IL
ruined ry the bnrsing or by the expos
nre to the elements.
SUGAR CULTURE CAPABLE OF EX-
TENSION .
In order to give your readers an idea
of tho sugar industrial situation in the
islands, it will be necessary to begin at
hCDinpinD on. Il. bod
the opportunity of visiting the principal
sugar districts on Luzon, Panay, Negroes
and Cebu islands, during the years 1S9S,
1899 and 1900. In most instances the SUI
gar plantations were idle. Vast fields
were unworked because there was no en-
enlargement for the Filipino to operate
his plantation only to have the crops
seized by the insurgents or destroyed in
the process of war. In conversation with
managers of the plantations, as regards
finances. / was informed that the costs
OF sugar production were lower than in
Cuba. The difference in freight rates,
however. on raw sugar from the Philip
pines to this country. of course bars the
product from competition with Cuban
and Hawaiian products. Notwithstand-
ing this. considerable sugar is being
produced in the islands for export to Am
erica. The facilities for working the
plantations In the Philippines are more
favorable than formerly and this tends
to extend the markets for consumption.
The soil Is excellent for the cultivation
of the sugar crop. and vast tracts may
be seen producing crops. The extensive
destruction OF crops and sugar rehneries
which occurred during the troublesome
times OF the past few years has nearly
ceased, and one may see many workmen
restoring buildings and planting new
crops. The work at the plantations is
carried on In very crude fashion. The
big water buffalo is employed to haul n
wood pointed pillow through the soil and
two or more natives guide tfhefplow, and
they make hard work of 1t. A few AM
crican plows for these plantations would
be very acceptable There are no shovels,
hoes, picks. or other tools available. and
the natives may be seen by the dozens
upon their hands and knees turning and
preparing the soil with their hands. or
with little bambo sticks. Sometimes they
have iron bars made from wheel tires
They use "bolo" knife to advantage In
this work. The crop Is cared for on the
ZANE crude plans. Machinery for farm.
ing purposes Is not available. although
understand that there has been a good
call FOR II since Americans began buying !
these sugar plantations and cultivating !
them.
BEET SUGAR
The production of beet sugar In the |
Islands has received the attention of both |
the natives and foreigners. and Is car
ried on In some of the interior sections !
81 the Islands Of Luzon and Panay. Tho !
conditions Of soil, climate and other ad-
Vantages appear to be favorable 10 the
planting and growing of the beet sugar
crops. i understand that the planters
who have produced beet sugar in the
past estimate that the beets yield about /
Is per cent. The beets are grown by the
natives. the Chinese coolies. and the for
under contract with buyers of
the crop. and paid for according to the
saccharine contents of the article There
are means employed for determining the
value by chemical tests, and you can see
testing performed at the offices of the
buyers. where the beets are taken from
me baskets OF the native carriers and
weighed. sliced and chemically proven.
The mechanical devices employed In the
working OF the beets are of course in
'erior in their construction, and the fin
shed crop OF sugar is not always up to
me standard. However. the outlook is
bright for improving the brand by using
letter and more up-to-date mechanical
Most of the sugar product
If this grade is sold to the local mer-
'hants. i have heard of none being ex-
'orted as yet.
AS TO PLANTATION HELP.
One OF the advantages possessed by the
filipino sugar planter is that he can {
lire help very cheaply The average |
Filipino farm hand will work for ten
ents per day and board himself Ma
I've boys may be hired stlll cheaper. The {
,hinese coolies oyerrun the farming Sec
Ions and they are first rate laborers, !
teady and reliable, working for about
light cents per day. American soldiers q
mo have been discharged in the islands
nd who are familiar with plantation |
york, are securing positions as forcmen c
n the sugar plantations. receiving from {
TO 81 per day for their services 1t 7
avs the rich native sugar mill and plan c
alton owner to have two or three super (
1tendents or foremen who are Ameri- I
ans, for then better protection Is as a
ured. and also means introduced for the k
improving of the plant, by putting In t
merfcan machinery. Many of these su- t
ar planters own extensive properties a
nd mills but lack the knowledpa NJ hour ! +