The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-02-08
HIGGINS MAKES AN
INTERESTING REPORT
REPORTS TO PROMOTION COMMIT
TEE Oh POSSIBILITIES OF TRADE
WITH MAINLAND IN FRUITS.

j. Edgar Higgins, horticulturist at
the Hawaii Experiment station. made
a most important report yesterday af-
teruoOn, to the Hawaii Promotion Com
mittee ON the possibilities Of working
mp a profitable business in the fruit
line between this place and the main
land.
OF especial interest to those who
might wish to go into this business of
exporting fruit, but who are handi-
capped by the lack of capital, is that
part of Mr. Higgins report dealing with
papayas. This is a fruit which can be
grown almost anywhere here and with
litle trouble, while the grower does
not have to wait for any lengthy period
for the trees to come to maturity. There
is big market for the fruit on the
Coast, practically an unlimited one. the
fact that it has not been taken advan-
tage of being the fear that the tender
fruit would not stand the trip.
The recent tests show that this fear
is ungrounded, provided proper care is
given to the selection of the fruit be-
fore packing and to the manner of
packing. Mr.. Higgins found that when
papayas are packed i'm fiat boxes. con-
tanning a single layer, and the fruit
wrapped in paper so as to prevent it
bruising and at the same time allow
ing a circulation of air through the
box, the shipment will arrive in per-
feet condition at San Francisco. Part
Of the shipment taken with him by Mr..
Higgins was shipped from San Francis
co to Portland without being in cold
storage, arriving there in such shape
that the fruit was pronounced delicious
when served at a special luncheon Of
the Portland Commercial Club
There is a market, too, on the Coast
for Hawaiian grapes during the Off
season there. Here the grapes can be
grown to ripen at any desired time of
the year, the Portuguese growers on
Punchbowl proving this by the way
they have arranged not to break the
local grape market. A part of them
trim their vines to bear in January
Others in February, and so on around
the calendar, each man having his
turn but none interfering with the
market Of the others. The same thing
could be employed to produce grapes
for export during the winter and early
spring months
Avocado or alligator pears have an
unlimited market on the mainland, not
only on the Coast but wherever they
may be slipped. In Chicago this fruit
is occasionally imported from Mexico
and parts of Florida and sell in the
fruit stores at from seventy-five cents
to a dollar each, the supply, even at
that price, never coming up to the
demand.
For mangoes there would be also an
extensive market, but unfortunately
the presence of the mango weevil here
would probably result in shipments of
this fruit being condemned by the fruit
The presence of other pests among
the fruit and vegetables would also in
terfere with the shipments of fresh
vegetables, such as cucumbers and to-
matoes, although if care were taken in
the selection of the vegetables to be
shipped and the authorities on the
Coast impressed with the fact, a profit
able industry might be worked up. The
market Is there anyway.
Sweet potatoes is another line in
which Mr.. Higgins believes a great deal
could be done. During the seasons
when the crop from South is out,
these vegetables bring t>1ree cents a
pound in San Francisco, at which fig
IRE there would be a comfortable mar
gin of profit for Hawaii exporters.