The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-01-14
CHANCES FOR
SMALL GROWERS

where the small producer could send his
pods to be prepared, and be thus assur-
ed of a good and marketable article in
return for the labor given to it's produc-
ton.
CARDAMOMS.
| Cardamoms, or Grains of Paradise
are principally grown in the Eastern
Archipelago, but periodically, shipments
iof small quantities go forward from
Il Madagascar and West Africa. They are
sed as fiavoring material for cakes
and liqueurs, also in medicine, and to a
large extent by the natives of India, in
currieS.
| There are two kinds-the Malabar and
Mysore cardamom. Natives usually pre-
fer the Malabar, whereas the Mysore is
more generally appreciated in European
markets, and, in consequence, commands
a higher price. The demand is, undoubt-
eddy. limited. In 1883 and 1884, when
there was only a small area under cult
walton in Ceylon, the profits from certain
small patches in that island were equal
to between two and three hundred
pounds sterling per acre. AS a natural
consequence the cultivation was largely
extended, until the supply exceeded the
demand; prices fell to such an alarming
extent that their cultivation became dis
couraged, and large area was aban-
doned. AT the present time the prices
ruling are such as to leave substantial
margin of profit, SO Ceylon tea planters
are, in many instances, turning their at
tention to this product; but, as cardamom
is very jealous as to soil, elevation and
atmospheric influences, there, is not likely
to be any great rush in again planting
up large areas. Cardamoms may grow
freely in many districts, but frequently,
although this is the case, they throw out
no racines and are consequently unpro-
a -
large crops on one side of a hill, while
on the other side the return is next to
nil.
In essaying the cultivation of this spice
in the Hawaiian Archipelago it would be
advisable to test the suitability of va
rlous localities a small scale before
embarking largely in the enterprise in
any one spot. Given favorable conditions
the cultivation of cardamorns Is one that
amply repays the cost of production and
one that should be encouraged in these
Islands.
| TEA AND COFFEE.
I Tea was first brought to Europe by the
Dutch in 1910. when it brought an almost
fabulous price. In 1885, that of ordinary
quality realized e1o per pound; at the
present time a very drinkable tea is Of
fered TO the British and Continental pub
lie at 1-3d per pound.
/ The tea production of the world is now
approximately estimated at 900
pounds, and of this the United States
consumes nearly 100,OO0,0O0 pounds. A
large proportion reaches the States from
China and Japan, but, of late, India and
Ceylon teas have found favor, and the
demand for these is rapidly increasing
Owing to the immense area that has been
brought under tea cultivation in various
countries during the last. decade. the
profits arising from its cultivation have
materially diminished; but, under favor
able conditions, they are still such as to
justify further extension.
I In CeyIon tea grows from the sea level
upeto 5,t6e feet that at the higher eleyal
tions being of a superior grade. People
inhabiting q seconds south latitude are
now turning their attention to it's Gull
ture, the essay made at the instance of
the Colonial Government having proved
an unqualified success.
So far as is at present known there IS
nothing to prevent the tea plant taking
as kindly to Hawaiian soil as it does to
that in other parts of the world The
cost of field labor would be the most i'm
portant factor as affecting the profits, as
tea-making machinery has been brought
to such a state of perfection that the
cost of preparation is reduced to min
imum.
] Should Hawaiian planters be able to
put their teas into Honolulu as cheaply
as planters in Ceylon do theirs into Co
lomle-and so far as is seen there is no
reason why this should not be done-the
cultivation is one that might be embark
ed in with all confidence
| What tea is to England coffee is to the
United States, more especially in the
Southern States. The coffee consumption
for the United States increased from
So,00o,eo0 pounds in 1863 to 116,O00, 900 in
ISL. to 403 100000 pounds in 1880, and to
$4,000, 900 pounds in 1884 and 1856. In 1892
there was an import of 629. s71,74S pounds
or 9.6l pounds per head. Since that date
the imports have slightly fiuctuated
F, Hitherto the cultivation of coffee in
Hawaiian Territory has not been crown
ed with success. Various reasons are as
signed for this, one being that og ing To
the beans ripening all the year round, the
cost of picking is SO heavy that there is
no margin for profit. This is undoubted-
ly great drawback; but. possibly, i;
might be obviated by seasonable and ju
dicious pruning. Unless this is done it
is impossible to regulate the time of bios
soming consequent regular ripening.
CINCHONA BARK.
: Of the worlds production of cinchona
bark the United States imports and con-
sumes 100000 pounds, besides 1900 000
ounces of quinine.
With these figures in view when treat
ing OF the agricultural resources of the
Hawaiian Islands. the following question
naturally suggests Itself: Could not
Americas first Colonial possession fur
nish portion of the parents require
ments of cinchona bark? The answer
that would be given by those who have
studied the sources Of supply would be
in the affirmative; as the climatic condi-
tons of the Islands are well suited to
The growth Of the cinchona tree, and
with some of its species, soil is but a
secondary consideration.
Given the tree would grow we'll prac-
teal man, before embarking in the en-
terprise, would want to know if it would
pay to cultivate. The history Of cinchona
cultivation during the past twenty years
shows to what extent enterprise may af-
feet the price of given staple.
1t was mainly due to the enterprise of
Ceylon planters that quinine was brought
down from fifteen shillings to one shill-
ing and three pence per ounce. The cul-
tivauon of cinchona bridged over the
gloomy interval between the eras of cof-
fee and tea. The hill country of Ceylon
above $500 feet was in 1888 and 1854,
throughout its plantation area, more or
less dotted over with cinchona plants of
nearly every species and of all ages.
During period of thirteen years Ceylon
alone exported 100000 pounds of bark,
which proved fatal to the trade and en-