The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-06-04
MANILA HEMP AS A PRODUCT
WHICH MIGHT BE GROWN HERE
Press Bulletin No. of the Hawaii Agricultural
Experiment Station---Specimens of Manila
Hemp Already in the Islands.

'In selecting site for plantation,
four considerations are to be borne
in mind, the rainfall, the humidity of
the atmosphere, the soil in particular
reference to exposure and drainage,
and protection from excessive sun and
wind. OF these an abundant rainfall
and high relative humidity of the
atmosphere are most important.
these characteristics of any stu
alton to be devoted to 4USd tertilis in
sure a more vigorous development of
the plant and consequently a greater
production and a better quality Of
fiber. But it must not be supposed
that the plant requires a wet soil.
Moisture is what it demands and not
water. The plant will not thrive in
marshy land. no matter what the rain
fall and protection from wind and sun
may be. In its natural choosing the
plant selects the well-drained mountain
slopes and the sloping valleys lying
between their spurs. In these sitUa-
tions sufficient trees grow or are left
from the fullest rays of the sun and
from the strong winds. In addition
to this the soil is naturally well f!
drained, is rich in humus, and in
such places there are usually wash
ings and other movements of the soil .
sufficient to answer for sort of cul- /
tivation.
''The cultivation of HUsd tertilis is /
not a difficult matter; though judicicus /
care and shading will bring good har- !
vests. The plants are set in rows /
from to feet each way, and until
they reach maturity it is necessary to .
keep the weeds in subsection. The I
plants reach maturity in from two and .
ore half to three and one-half years,
when they are usually left to them
selves with the exception that coarse
weeds are kept out. 1t is quite nec-
essary that the ground be kept covered .
with some heritage, for the land is usu-
ally so rolling that otherwise washing
would do much damage. No better
scheme could be employed, either on
rolling or level land, than that of SOW
ing in the plantation some of the clo-
vers or other leguminous crops, which
would not only bind the soil to pre-
vent washing, but would add to the
soil a most useful element, nitrogen.
In most situations trees are left grow
ing in the plantations or are after
wards planted for the purpose of shad-
the glaring rays of the sun and to
break the force of the winds which
would tear the leaves to pieces and
retard the development of the plant
This is especially desirable on young
The trees, however,
should have small leaves in order that
a dark shade may not be produced, and
they should have deep feeding roots
in order that the fiber plants be not
robbed OF their plant food
From the nature of the structure
Of all banana leaves these plants are
very poorly adapted TO Withstand the
force Of strong winds. In such winds
the leaves are soon torn into shreds,
and hence their functions as assim-
ilators Of plant food is very much d.
minished Therefore the necessity OF
choosing situations as free as posi-
BILE from strong winds.
Unlike many Of the edible bananas.
Iftlsd terfiIis produces seed-bearing
fruits. These seeds may be planted
for the reproduction of new plants;
but. except where very extensive
are wanted, a better method
is to plant the small suckers which
snrine from the root Of the parent
,Io,+ After the Dlantation has