The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-12-17
WILL STUDY
IRRIGATION
Jared Smiths New
Mission in
Hawaii.

ne irrigation OF hawaii Is l1lt next
study which is to occupy the attention
of the Department of Agriculture.
Jared Smith, on his return from Hilo,
found a letter awaiting him from FL
wood Mead, in charge of the irrigation
bureau of the Agricultural Department
at Washington, transferring him to
that service. His new duties begin on
the first day of January and he will
work under the direction of the irriga-
ton bureau for the first two months
of the new year.
/ Exactly what the scope of the study
of irrigation in this Territory Is to be
is not disclosed in the letter from Mr..
Mead. Detailed instructions are coming
later, probably by tomorrows mail
The investigation will be scientific,
and will take in the methods of pump
ing water on the small farms, and for
1 homes. though no doubt the methods
used by the big sugar plantations in
the development of their water supply,
viii receive some attention.
In the course of his Investigations
Mr.. Smith will make tour of the
/ other Islands. though his plan of cam
, paign has not been entirely mapped
out, as yet
His investigation win take in the best
methods of irrigation, the use of fue
and machinery for the purpose and
how the system in Hawaii may be i'm
proved. Mr.. Smith will continue in
charge Of the work Of the experiment
station. even though nominally under
the direction of the irrigation bureau
| This plan Is adopted by the depart
ment. no doubt. in order to save the
! expense of sending a man to Hawaii
. with special instructions to study irri-
! cation, as Jared Smith Is already on
! the ground and can secure the same
! information, as might be obtained from
sending an expert, and at considerably
less cost to the government.
WILL REPORT TO WASHINGTON.
on the steamer America Maru,
which leaves for the Coast on the 10Th
I of this month will go forward to
/ Washington very complete report of
various agricultural industries in these
I Islands. This report was asked for
by Director True, who is in charge of
the experiment stations in all parts of
the United States, and is probably
compiled for the benefit of Congress,
Z now in session. Separate reports are
q to be made on coffee growing, the rice
! industry, fruit raising, taro cultivation
and vegetable farming. The report
was asked for by telegraph, so, evi.
IDENTIFY the Washington department is
III hurry to get II.
= - ' 'iNt' VIZ y isIs ! I. 1. l " ~ 1''N,
Mr.. Smith viii report favorably up
ON the coffee industry in these Islands
as the result of his Investigations IL
Hawaii. He made thorough nvesti
cation of the Hamakua district visit
ing the Barnard, Horner and Lewisor
plantations. In Dlaa, Mr.. Smith re
ports that he found most of the coffe,
plantations had been abandoned
There is good deal of fine COFFEE
land on Hawaii" said Mr. Smith yes
terday, and there can be no doubt @
the success of the cultivation of coffee
The only question is the financial one
for coffee can be raised there and tn,
finest In the world, too. A friend %
mine who has been all through SOutf
America, was along, and said he haC
never seen finer coffee anywhere. on
all these plantations the coffee was tn,
best | had ever seen, and the trees
were loaded down with the bean. TIL,
coffee grown in the Hamakua district
is the finest in the world. The pric,
of coffee is so low now that it doesn't
pay, and the people on that Island be
licve that the United States should pu
II protective tariff on coffee, in urdel
to protect the industry here"
Mr.. Smith spoke very enthusiastic
ally both of the coffee and sugar plan
!. tations, and the general vegetation OF
hawaii IdTtltuldfly was ne impress
ed with the growing cane on the Coast
and spoke of one solid field over sixt,
miles long, which could be seen from
the kinau's deck.
WILL GROW PISTACHE NUTS.
About eighty pounds of pistach,
nuts have been received at the Tanta
lus experiment station and will b,
planted Immediately. The nuts were
imported directly from France, ant
Mr.. Smith Will attempt To grow tn,
fruit ON prepared soil at the station
The nut is bright green in color anC
is extensively used by confeCtioners 70
favoring candies, ice cream, etc. II
the United States ii sells for iron
si.50 to 500 per pound, and if it car
be successfully grown here will prov,
IA very profitable industry for the Isl
ands.
BY the last steamer slips of Georgia
peach trees and Missouri grapes. ant
of gooseberries and hemp seed We're re
ceived, all to be planted at the expert
ment station.