The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-12-07

the island, furnishing most excellent
freight and passenger service. Since this
railway has been built many large sugar
plantations have started up, in addition
to those already in existence, besides
seaside resorts. Sugar and freight along
the line are landed at the wharves OF
Honolulu in a very few hours after
shipment, and this makes possible profit
able cultivation where otherwise, in
| many cases, the profits would be prob
lenatical. On the Island of Hawaii
there is a short road extending about
seventeen miles, from F1i1o to the SOUTH
also through cane fields, and at present
there is under construction a railway
that will run from 100 miles northwest
| from Hilo, tapping about twelve large
sugar plantations and an extensive cof-
fee territory. AS the demand justifes,
further extensions will be made of exist
ing roads, and undoubtedly new lines
will be laid out
The present lack of water just at the
time it may be most needed is also re-
ceiving attention All of the sugar plan
tations on Oahu, and many on the other
islands, are irrigated by their own sys-
TENS, generall-- with large pumping
plants and reservoirs, although in some
instances mountain streams have been
utilized IN addition. The Waialua Agri-
cultural Company IS at present construct
ing dam with water storage capacity
of 2,5oo,ooo,ooo gallons, at a cost of
something over $25oooo which will eff
feet a saving of more than $Ioo, 1000
yearly in pumping expense. This sort of
irrigation, however, requires large cap
ital, and is not within the means of
the average farmer, who is therefore
obliged to accommodate himself to the
natural rainfall for his supply of water.
An irrigation company is at present
about to beoin work in the Kohala dis
trict on the Island of Hawaii. which
will open up new fertile fields, and
doubtless other private enterprises of
the same nature will be inaugurated.
The insect pest has been a serious
menace to all forms of vegetable life
These. insects are not indigenous to the
Hawaiian Islands, for previous to IF
teen years ago all sorts of vegetables
and fruits were raised here in abu1d-
ance. The pests appear to have been
introduced into the islands from Aus
tralia or elsewhere, and have since be-
come very prevalent and destructive
To combat this evil the territorial gov
eminent, in connection with the sugar
planters association, has established
department of entomology. under the
direct charge of the distinguished en-
tomologist, Professor Koebele. who
rendered such valuable service to the
orange growers of Southern California
by his introduction of the ladybird in
sect. This department is devoting its
energies and resources to the discovery
of parasites for the destruction of these
insect pests, and large amounts of money
are being expended to this end Thus
far great success has attended the work
of the department, and MANY pests are
being destroyed. and it IS expected that
ere long the islands will be entirely
freed from all forms of scale and insect
life that are destructive to vegetables
and fruit. In respect to pests. however,
Hawaii does not materially differ from
many of our States. where a constant
warfare is maintained against destruct-
i've insect life Much encouragement is
given by the government to the planting
and cultivation of forests. Formerly
Hawaii was covered with trees. and at
that time the rainfall was sufficient for
all agricultural purposes. but. beginning
with the expectation of sandalwood
trees, the forests have gradually disap-
peared, until now many OF the hills and