The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-18
SMALL FARMING
IN THIS TERRITORY

Every legitimate effort to encourage
this form of industry for these Islands
is worthy of commentator. On this
point there can be but little differ
ence of opinion. The advantage of
having an intelligent, industrious class
of people distributed throughout the
group, with their interests rooted in the
soil, is so great from every point of
view that it cannot but be desirable
to every clear-minded person. About
the only ground for difference of opin-
ion would seem to be as to the source
from which this part of our population
should be derived. Should it be sought
entirely from the mainland, or should
we attempt to furnish it from the
young people growing up on the
ground? The true answer probably is
that it should be derived from both
these sources. The present tendency,
however, seems to be to emphasize the
Importance of the former to the neglect
of the latter. This is doubtless be-
cause this is the easier and apparently
the more promising method, and any
one who is acquainted with the difficult
ties that would attend the raising up
of an intelligent farming class from the
youth of our various races will not be
too hasty in condemning it. Still, a
true foresight will keep all the elements
of the problem in view. We must re-
member that many at least of these
people are here to stay, and so far as
they do not learn to carry on some
form of honest industry they are likely
to swell the pauper and criminal class
es. A man with fixed place of abode
which he can call his own, is more
likely to become a useful citizen and
respect the rights of others, than one
who has no such attachment. 1t IS al
ways desira BILE, therefore, that as many
as possible of the people of a country
have such places of abode. Then, too,
small farming in most places in these
Islands will never furnish more than
an economical living to the farmer.
Distance from markets and the nature
of the soil make this a practical GER
tainty. 1t is better, therefore, that
those who attempt it in these places
be those to whom these Islands are
home, and who would prefer to be
here with small means rather than try
life elsewhere. A disconnected class.
without means to get away, would be
an element of weakness rather than
strength to the community.
Some products of the soil, such as
sisal and pineapples. seem destined to
be successfully grown here, To those
who have capital to make a beginning
with such crops there seems good
prospect of success, provided the work
is carried on with diligence and intel
ligence. Such farming will, however,
be for the few and not for the many.
The majority must be content with
other and less profitable crops, which
can be raised more quickly and with
less outlay of money. For this class
of farming. we believe it would be a
mistake for the American farmer to
come. He can do better at home. He
has there broader opportunities, and if
he fails in one place it is not so diff
cult to get away to another as it would
be here. Let educators and govern
ment officials study the question more
deeply of raising up small farmers
from our own people.-Rev. ]. Leading
ham, in The Friend.