The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-01-15
CHANCES FOR
SMALL GROWERS

|af the wcll-to-do, while the cottagof
would hc well repaid for the attention be
h,stovcd ON lts culture.
The out-tUrn Of perfect vanilla pods de-
ptnda ON their being gathered on the day
that they arrive at maturity and In their
preparation. \ knowledge Of the former
lis soon acquired, and were the industry
to Doe developed to such an extent as 10
Justify the outlay, central curing estsh-
lishments would undoubtedly be erected,
where the small producer could send hr
pods TO be prepared, and be thus assur-
ed Of a good and marketable article I'm
return for the labor given to its produc-
ton
CARDAMOMS
Cardamoms. or GRAINS or Paradise, "
are principally grown in the Eastern
Archipelago, but, periodically, shipments
small quantities 20 forward from
Madagascar and West Africa. They are
used a navoring material for cakes
and liqueurs also in medicine, and to a
large extentNby the natives of India, in
curres.
There are two klnds-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
n higher price. The demand Is, undoubt-
eddy, limited. In 1883 and 1884, when
there was only small area under Guilt
walton in Ceylon, the profits from certain
small patches in that island We're equal
to between two and three hundred
pounds sterling per acre. AS n 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 a large area was aban-
doned At the present time the prices
ruling are such as to leave a 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-
ductive. They often flourish and yield
large crops on one side of a hill while
on the other side the return Is next to
nil.
In essayng the cultivation of this spice
in the Hawaiian Archipelago 1t would be
advisable to test the suitability of va
rious localities on "A small scale before
embarking largely in the enterprise in
any one spot. Given favorable conditions
the cultivation of cardamoms is one that
amply repays the cost of production and
one that should be encouraged in these
Islands.
TEA AND COFFEE.
Tea was first brought to Europe by the
Dutch in 1910, when it brought an almost
fabulous price. In 1850, that of ordinary
quality realized G10 per pound at the
present time very drinkable tea is Of
fered to the British and Continental pub
lie at lid per pound.
The tea production of the world is now
approximately estimated at 1l5o,Ooo.VN
pounds, and of this the United States
consumes nearly 1O0 900 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.
In Ceylon tea grows from the sea level
up to 5000 feet that at the higher eleva-
lions being of a superior grade. People
inhabiting q seconds south latitude are
now turning their attention to its cul-
ure, the essay made at the instance OF
the Colonial Government having proved
an unqualified success
So far is at present known there Is
nothing to prevent the tea plant taking
! 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 state of perfection that the
cost of preparation is reduced to min
imum.
Should Hawaiian planters be able to
ut their teas into Honolulu as cheapy
/ $ planters in Ceylon do theirs into Co
7 omho-and so far as is seen there is no
reason why this should not be done-the
cultivation is one that might be embark
! 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
SoOO0,O00 pounds in 1863 to ll6OoO,0O0 in
S7l, to iOS,Ooo0OO pounds in 1850, and to
io,OOOOOo pounds in 1884 and 1885 In 1892
! here was an import of 6296 las pounds
or 96l pounds per head. Since that date
he imports have slightly fluctuated
Hitherto the cultivation of coffee in
Hawaiian Territory has not been crown
with success Various reasons are as
igned for this one being that owing to
he beans ripening all the year r)und the
cost of picking is so heavy that there Is
no margin for profit. This is undoubted- T.
ly n great drawback: but, possibly, /;
might be obviated by seasonable and jul
,dicious pruning. Unless this is done 1t
$ impossible to regulate the time of bios |
omlng consequent regular rpening.
CINCHONA BARK.
OF the worlds production of cinchona
| ark the United States imports and con-
lsumes 100000 pounds, besides 100000
ounces of quinine.
With these figures in view, when treat
! ng of the agricultural resources OF the
Hawaiian Islands. the following question
naturally suggests itself: Could not
Americas first Colonial possession fur
lnish 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 we'll suited to
me growth Of the cinchona tree. and
IA some OF its species, soil is but
1ndary consideration.
zen the tree would grow well, n prac-
T. : man, before embarking in the en-