The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-25
HAWAII WANTS AMERICAN
FARMERS.
Federal Government Helping Territory
to Smooth the Way for Develop
mcnt of Rich Resources.

Honolulu, Hawaii Jan. 24.-Hawaii
has a place for many American farm
ers There are also openings for va
rious lines of manufactures; but at
present tradesmen and artisans are
not in demand. these fields being we'll
covered by merchants already estab-
lished, and by Chinese and Japanese
population. These latter races to-
gether with the native population and
n good percentage of Portuguese and
Spanish settlers. also furnishing the
manual labor supply OF the territory.
The farmers are needed for deyel-
oping a widely diversified list Of agri-
cultural and horticultural products for
which the islands are eminently adapt
ed The reason that this development
has not taken place long ago, Is that
almost all Of the comparatively small
white population capable of doing It,
has for half a century or more been
interested either directly or indirectly
to the exclusion Of everything else, in
the sugar industry. The mercantile
business existing, was largely depen-
dent on King Sugar. 1t Is true that
there are a number Of large cattle
ranches, and for upward Of twenty
years coffee has been successfully pro-
duced under not altogether favorable
conditions, but 1t is within the time
since annexation that small colony of
California settlers demonstrated in the
face of general skepticism, the wonder
full adaptabllity of Hawaiian soil for
growing pineapples, and in six or
seven years have built up a business
L., t0 hn
sugar business Itself
Secretary OF the Interior Garfield,
F. H. Newell, director OF the United
States reclamation service, and other
federal officials who have made care
ful personal investigation of the re-
sources Of the territory during the
year just past, have unqualihedly en-
dorsed the opinion that Hawaii offers
great opportunities for American agri-
| culturists. During the nine years
since establishment of the United
States agricultural experiment station
in Honolulu. has done great work In
demonstrating the practlcabillty OF
many lines of agricultural endeavor;
and the Hawaii college of agriculture
and mechanic arts Ga government en-
dowed institution) now In the first
year of It's working existence, promises
much along the same line.
Although widely differing elevations
and great variance of rainfall give the
islands a wide diversity OF climate.
the territory not only does not furnish
the mainland with anything to speak
of aside from sugar, pineapples. and
a few bananas, but fails for the great
er part In supplying its own markets
with a great variety of products which
can be readily grown here. Over S3.-
O00. 900 Worth OF food products were
imported last year, the greater part of
which might have been locally sup
| piled, as we'll as a surplus for export
For example. vegetables. potatoes,
onions, beans. cabbage. etc. were ship
| ped In to the value of over 100000;
poultry and eggs. to the amount of
! over s45 600; ham and bacon. $4,000.
dairy products, 100000. oranges. $780,
600 Hay to the amount OF over $685.
600 worth was imported. as we'll as a
great deal of other forage. which prob
ably could not be produced here read
lily.
The experiment station has been
| urging the growing of all of the above
products, and proving by actual ex-
pertinent under normal conditions that
they can be made successes, but as yet
there are few people in q position to
undertake the work. Besides the
many delicious fruits of the islands
which grow practically without atten-
ton at the present time. grapes. sweet
potatoes, green corn. and other veget-
ables can be produced practically any
months In the year. and should find
ready amt profitable market on the
mainland during the season when such
crops are not available there except
through hot houses.
Steps are now being taken to secure
for the territory business agent-a
practical agriculturist and business
man-to encourage local farmers, aid
them In selecting crops and In solving
the problems of transportation and
marketing. The outlook is considered
very bright
WILL j. COOPER,