The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-09-15
A BOOM IN
BANANAS
HiIo Growers Find
a Profitable
Market.
SAN FRANCISCO
WANTS THEM BADLY
Lake in Volcano Has Cooled Off.
Russian Emisrants Settle
on Hawaii.

came back from San Francisco an en-
thusiast over the possibilities of the
banana trade. He has formed the best
of connections in San Francisco and
will devote his whole energies to up
building of the banana growing indus
try in the district of Hilo.
Mr.. Lee is prepared to pay better
prices for bananas than have ever been
| offered here before. 1t is a cash at
the wharf system. The planter takes
no risk of fruit spelling in transit. The
punches must be big ones. They must
be cut two weeks before ripening be-
| gins, and the punches must be packed
properly with dry leaves. For such
bananas Mr.. Lee will pay so cents per
bunch weighing 40 pounds and every
pound additional weight he will pay IA
cents. This rate gives the grower 70
cents for a 6O-pound bunch. Mr.. Lee
of bananas in Olaa and from his inves
legations in the San Francisco market,
he has no fear that overproduction in
| the Bilo district is possible.
I'm San Francisco says Mr.. Lee, Il
found that the Hflo banana was rated
by all dealers, from the commission
firms and wholesale houses to the dagos
on the street. as superior to those from
Panama, New Orleans, Honolulu or
any other source. The Hilo banana
has a flavor that gives it the right of
way in the market at higher prices
| than will be paid for other bananas.
have gone into this banana business
because it opens up for the majority of
the land owners in our district such
sure road to prosperity. 1 went through
| the commission houses at San Fran
cisco in the interest of the Hawaiian
banana growers. found them all will
| ing to handle our stuff on the old basis
| of 10 per cent. 1 told them we must
have a better arrangement. When
called at the house of Porter Bros,
| found firm that will lead us out of
| the wilderness. told them we wanted
| cash on the wharf at Hilo and we
wanted a good stiff price. They had
talk with Captain VIM. Matson about
me and when 1 saw them the next day
they were ready to make Hilo most
| fattering terms 1 am authorized by
| Porter Bros. to pay cash for good we'll
packed bananas Porter Bros allow me
| to pay-what my judgment approves.
They know I'm a planter and intend
working for the planters. They be-
| lieve however that this arrangement
will be the beginning of a great indus
| try here and a fine shipping trade be-
| tween Hile and San Francisco. Porter
! Bros, run all the risks in the shipping
| and | propose to see that only first class
! fruit is sent. 1 can care for 1000 punches
at once Captain VIM. Matson will
help the industry along in every way
| in his power. He proposes to put on
the Enterprise additional facilities for
handling banana shipments.
| II believe in one year, if the people
will take advantage of this opportunity,
that Hilo bananas will be famous
throughout the Pacific Coast and that
our productive capacity viii not begin
1
remember that already in San Fran
cisco Hilo bananas are counted the best
| in the market, but when they are badly
packed they are considered the worst.
! 81 do not want any small punches.
recommend that people through the
district go into banana raising. The
proper connections have been made to
| insure certain market at good prices.
| 81 propose Also" said Mr.. Lee, ito
make shipments of pineapples and ALI
| gator pears. Alligator pears retail in
the market at so cents each. 1 know
they can be shipped for 1 received a
box that came in good condition and
the fruit kept nicely for Il days in San
Francisco
Mr.. Lee would be glad to hear by
letter from any who are interested in
| banana growing.-Tribune.