Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1905-09-14


teer cane. In this respect 1t is tn,
same as in Louisiana. The short
stalks for seed are carefully laid IN
the trenches by hand. The plowins
for planting and for the irrigation 1:
done by steam. The engine does moi
traverse the fields but draws the plows
across by means OF cables, the plows
being much like the Iowa breaking
plow. After the cane is planted all
cultivation is by the hoe, hence the
demand for labor is large and perma-
nent Millions Of dollars are invested
in steam engines, boilers and pumps
for the purpose Of irrigation. One
plantation pumps more water every
day than would be required to supply
a city three times as large as Des
Moines, la. The sugar plantations on
the islands are not numerous, but are
large and each has several million dol
lars capital stock. They have had their
ups and downs, their embarrassments
and their bankruptcies, but are flour
ishing at the present time.
RECEPTION ON PLANTATION.
Our reception on the plantation nam
ed was worthy Of the occasion. Sec
rotary Taft and Miss Roosevelt headed
the party, with the local committee
distributed through the cars, telling
everyone about sugar growing. A bun
galow had been erected composed Of
palm leaves and other green boughs
and in this place refreshments were
served by pretty japanese girls, who
were neatly dressed and were most
courteous and obliging. They passed
lemonade and small cakes. In side
room there we're stronger drinks for
those of stronger appetites. All the
equipments of a political caucus were
present. A native band was present
as usual, and stirred every man having
warm blood in his veins with the ma
tive airs and the native dances. In
other words there was a quarter sec
ton Of the midway and the Pike on
that sugar plantation for the benefit
of the visitors. There is something
about the native Hawaiian music that
stirs ones patriotism. II Is ninety per
cent warmer than "A Hot Time In the
Old Town" Several members of our
party FASTENED to a music store as soon
as they got back to Honolulu and we're
successful in buying sheet music rep
resenting these native tunes. But when
reproduced on the piano on shipboard
they are far from being the real thing.
The stringed instruments are lacking.
and the voices of the natives which are
always introduced cannot be reproduce
ed by Americans. 1t was great day
on the sugar plantation. Hundreds OF
natives we're gathered about the big
sugar refinery where the cane Is ground
and the sugar produced, but the men
in the fields were unconcerned and the
blowing and hoeing proceeded as usual.
We were fortunate in being able to
see cane in the process of planting,
also in all stages of growth from the
starting to maturity. and also to see
1t matured and being converted into
sugar.
TAFT TALKS TO THE CITIZENS.
After our experiences on the sugar
plantation luncheon was served at one
of the picturesque hotels Of Honolulu.
and Secretary Taft made a speech
which put the Hawaiians in hilarious
humor. Ex-President Dole and wife
were among the guests, and the eX-
president looks like one Of the patri-
archs of old He could be readily rec
ognized by the pictures that have been
published of him. At $3.50 after dip
In the surf on an ideal beach our party
returned to the "Manchuria" prepared
for our long sail to Yokohama. AS in
the morning there were great crowds
to greet us. During our stay in Ho-
nolulu business appeared to be prac-
tically suspended. II Is q beautiful
city, having many splendid homes. The
people appeared to be happy and con-
tented. The same report comes from
the other islands OF the group, which
could only be visited by boat. Colonel
Hepburn and his wife were five weeks
in Honolulu and the colonel visited
the volcano which is on another Is
land, and had rough passage at sea.
He says he does not want to see any
more volcanoes. Victor Murdoch, the
young blonde congressman from Kan
sas. spent two weeks on the Hawaiian
Islands, departing just ahead Of the
Taft party. He braved all the dan
gers and took look at the volcano,
hnt eat aaA 81 al
too much like hell for him. Being
from Kansas he probably knows about
this.
SUGAR THE CHIEF PRODUCT.
The Hawaiian Islands at present pro-
duce nothing OF great consequence ex-
cept sugar. There Is one plantation.
fortunately situated as to water and
soil, which next to the Standard Oil
Company, is probably the most profita-