The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-04-18

Carrie f. Thomas contributed the
following article in the Memphis
(Tenn) Commercial Appeal, 1t occu-
pies the greater part of page with
a triple-column portrait of Byron o.
Clark in blue and three halftones OF
views on the pineapple plantation of
w. B. Thomas bordered in red
We are in the midst of the largest
pineapple plantation in the world, en-
bracing something like 5000 acres
and about 100000 plants.
About $500 of these acres are own
ed and leased by the Hawaiian Pine
apple Company, while the remainder
represents individual holdings.
Wahiawa, the home of these pine
apple plantations, is a plateau run
ming in height from 900 to 1000 feet.
It lies at the base of the beautiful
Waianae Mountains, some of whose
peaks tower 1000 feet into the pur-
pie mists.
1t is delightfully."- cool up here, a
blanket at night being not only a
comfort, but a positive necessity; as
is also, a finely meshed bar for the
mosquitoes, like the wise old owl,
sleep in the day that they may hus-
band their strength for the coming
night. We never before had much
respect for the intellect of the mos
quito, but of the Wahiawa variety it
must be said that they have as keen
an eye for a break in the defenses
as a Roman general or an Indian
scout.
It is said that trio of Irishmen,
unaccustomed to the pests in the land
of Erin, suffered so much from their
attacks that they decided to sleep
out in the bushes. However, they
had hardly crossed over to the land
of Nod, before they were attacked by
larger army than before. Fireflies
added their presence, also, giving a
hazy glow to the dismal scene. Fin
ally one of the Irishmen, in tone OF
surrender, called out, cit up, Mike
it amt no use. They're come with
their lanterns"
MR. BYRON o. CLARK, THE DIS
COVERER OF WAHIAWA.
This strip of land, lying unclaimed
between several baronial estates, was
discovered some fifteen years ago by
Byron o. Clark, at one time secretary
and commissioner of agriculture II
Hawaii.
We had the privilege of talking tc
Mr.. Clark. and learning from his Cwr
account something of his pioneer
work.
To the iconoclast in spirit who de
cried any plan on his part to cult
vate this soil, he replied, well, thu
airs all right. / can make the sol
But l can't do it alone. I'll send fC
some friends from the Californ
coast as neighbors, and We'll st
what can be done"
Mr.. Clark was as good as his word
and today the pineapple fields of Wa
hiawa are one of the show places o
Oahu, and the pineapple industry ont
of the best paying in the islands, al
though yet in it's infancy.
THE SOIL OF WAHIAWA.
This soil 10 per cent. of which i
iron, is certainly unrespOnsive look
ing in appearance, and APPARENT
deserves the sighting remarks mad
in regard to it. 1t is a reddish-brown
porous and sticky; and when Above
to get on clothing hard to remove
hence the workmen dress in copper
colored clothes and leggins of tn
same hue, while some of the wome
resort to boomers.
PREPARATION OF SOIL FOR CUl
TIVATION.
The preparation Of this soil for Gu
tivation takes no small amount of !;
Dor. In its natural state, it is COZ
cred with a spontaneous growth
J guava bushes which require grubbin
UP before anything can be done.
After the guavas are removed,
three horse sub-soil pillow is used
>. turn over this lava-like soil. The
comes the strange part. In this col
J. dition. the ground must lay fallo