The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-02-10
PLANTATIONS
ARE PAYING
An expert" Gives Rea.
sons Why Sugar
Growers Succeed.

Editor Advertiser: What is the cause
of the success of the Hawaiian suea,
cane industry? And why are the cane
fields among the most productive. and
the sugar mills among the most eff
cient, of any of the best plantations
and sugar mills in any other country
A solution to this problem is found
in the fact that progress and improve
ment is abroad in the land; ard that
a ceaseless, restless energy pervades
the minds of the men that are direct
ing this industry. and which will not
permit them to be satisfied with the
present order of things.
1t does not matter that great and
important improvements have been
made in the past. They do not satisfy.
They are but spurs to urge one on to
greater achievements
And it's for this reason that man
ayers are studying the science of agri-
culture, engineers. mechanical en-
gineering, and sugar boilers chemis-
try. And it's mainly on account of this
knowledge, and because these men put
their whole heart and soul into their
work that this industry has been put
on a solid basis, and on a sure founda
ton
System, too, in place of crude meth
DDS. has played no unimportant part in
the successful operation Of these plan
tations. And it may be ne>1a 20 a
great many persons to hear that it is
known to cent just what it cost per
acre per year, or per crop, to cultivate
and fertilize every acre of land on
most of the plantations
And it may be greater news to learn
that in some places these expenses
have been cut in two, and that there
are now plantations where the blowing,
planting, cultivating, hoeing and strip
ping has been done for $1,000 per acre
and the rattoons for $140O per acre.
These desirable results have been
brought about by adopting labor. saw
ing devices and improved agricultural
implements; and by cutting out all ex-
and waste. and by apply
ing economic measures and methods
in their places.
Improved methods of applying fertil-
izers, manure and green sofling have
also added to or aided in bringing
about better results.
Labor saving devices and improved
methods of harvesting the cane. and
in transporting it to the mill are also
in evidence almost everywhere. A great
gain has also been derived from chang
ing the seed cane and in various other
ways.
In the sugar mills high extraction is
the rule, and higher and better results
are constantly being looked for and
worked for. In the boiling house. by
the aid of crystallizers. better and more
sugar is made in two boilings than was
formerly made by four
A method of concentration or central
zation of machinery and boiling ap-
oaratus is being adopted in sugar mills
and which is expected to not only give
better results. but to reduce the cost
If manufacture
A great deal of credit is also due to
he Honolulu Iron Works Co. of Homo
ulu, for the many improvements they |
AVE made in sugar mill machinery, |
md the adoption of which has made |
his success possible.
L should say the manager of this in |
titution has searched the entire sugar |
world for new ideas. and up-to-date |
Methods, so that now he is probably |
ne of the best informed men in the |
world on sugar mill machinery, and |
onsequentiy their mills cannot be sur
assed.
The men at the head of this industry
gents, owners, etc. are also keenly
live to the possibilities of this bust
ess, and are ever ready to try any
They also appreciate
hat the best men and the best ma
hinery that can be got are none too
God for this work.
These are few of the Improvements
nd some of the reasons for the success
E the sugar cane industry of these
lands. but there are many more if |
me and space would permit me TO
ention them.
l VIII say, however. that there IS still
,om for Improvement as in the use
high pressure and superheated steam
e are still behind the times. and I may
~ I noticed that on the mainland |
lat they have derived almost as much
ALI lIDIl THESE tNO AIIlilSS a. ttiCS |
rmerly did in triple expansion. For
bling purposes so pounds of steam is
erhaps sufficient but for the power
ant or engines it is totally inadequate.
There are also great possibilities in
is, in eliminating the
lgar from the waste molasses. and |
hich undoubtedly will be done some
". A better method of treating the
ice is also looked for that viii elm |
ate more of the impurities. stop in !
rsion. and fermentation. and, there
re, give higher polarization and more
gar. This. however. does not alter =
. fact that this industry Is up-to- C
tie. and stands upon solid and pay t
2 basis. Notwithstanding this fact
any OF these valuable properties have [
en- selling for a song, and even now !.
any of them are not selling at their .
Al value. And I may say. I know Of n
e plantation that viii take of its II
nner crop this year-that is selling
"a This