The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-01-11

January Z, 1905.
| Hon George R. Carter, Governor of
the Territory of Hawaii, Honolulu,
T. H.
"Sir: In accordance with your in
structions we beg leave to present:
"A summary and report on small
farming and diversified agriculture in
the Hawaiian Islands.
This committee has sought the ex-
act truth as disclosed by actual ex-
| perience. It requests the elimination
of all speculation. The testimony pro-
duced is concise, voluntary and wholly
unreserved.
This committee will not say or be-
lieve there is no hope for diversified or
| small farming, but does assert Ito
quote as responsible and directly ex-
perienced authority as exists in Ha-
waiD that it is both cruel and Grim
inaI' to indiscriminately boom and
urge ventures in experimental small
farming by persons of small means de-
pendent on prompt returns. or ven
| lures, individually in a small way
in growing staples that are produced
in more favorable localities on an i'm
mense scale by low cost and abundant
labor.
1.-The Hawaiian Islands have ex-
tremely limited markets for perishable
agricultural products.
Mature herself has imposed nearly
every possible obstacle to cheap trans
portation.
Mature has imposed the most strik-
ing variations of climate and condi-
lions within short distances, so there
can be no general agricultural scheme
applicable to large districts.
The flora of the islands was origi-
nalIy quite limited. Importations of
plants, etc, brought numerous pests,
but, usually, failed to bring the off
setting enemy.
The lack of any possibility of in
expensive water supply from wells,
springs and brooks limits a farmer in
most essential point, particularly.
when confined for water solely to tanks
and cisterns.
The scattered locations of farmers
renders modern dairy methods impos-
sible, as without creameries and the
use of ice it is impossible to conform
to standards of quality and package.
1.-The whole agricultural situation is
one of adjustment to the many special
conditions of climate, rainfall, pests,
transportation and markets. The ad-
justment has not gone far yet, except
in the vicinity of Honolulu and Hilo.
I'VE are surprised and regret to be
bliged to record the following sum-
mary of conditions made by the small
farmer and homesteader themselves:
Reporting to date ..............169
Number stating they are successful 10
Number stating they are unsuccess-
full OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. .136
Number stating they are making a
bare living NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. %
81 of the number work outside their
own lands
% of the number lease out their lands.
state they have lost everything.
II state they have lost $19,194.90
There are some encoura ging agri-
cultural developments and, as one after
another paying product is proven com
mercially successful it should receive
sound and sensible encouragement.
In the meantime the proposed
practical agricultural experiments
within commercial probabilities and
protection against and elimination of
heSe pictures are a valuable
Carter, turning to the immense al
shall not send it to WASHINGTON.
prove of immense value for refer
before been such q statement as is
the plantations, These statements
and havc been doubly verified.
Still, 7 don't know ah0,,+ c.
copy, and it might be a good thin
used for reference purposes. It v
seeking information about
that &C uld be asked about the Terr