The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-08-01
MUST HELP THE
SMALL FARMER
GOVERNMENT MARKETING AID
RECOMMENDED BY
sTAREETT.

Government marketing assistance IS
recommended by S. T. starsett, the Los
Angeles expert who came here ut tn
invitation Of the government to ex.
anime into the proposed territorial mar
keting department, and who presented
his report to Gov. Walter +. Frear
yesterday afternoon. He says:
"The three leading crops, sugar, pine
apples and rice, of course, require no at
tention from government department.
Shippers of coffee, cotton and tobacco
will also, in all probability, be able TO
take care of themselves The banana
industry could probably be developed
with government marketing assistance;
and such assistance seems also needed at
present TO bring the production of other
fruit and vegetable crops up to the ex-
isting market demand in the Territory
and upon the mainland.
Mainland Market.
Mr.. Starret points out that the pres
ant quarantine against Hawaiian pro-
Fduce does not extend to onions, sweet
potatoes and certain other vegetables, in
California. He also remarks that there
is no quarantine Mt all against Ha
waiian fruits and vegetables in Seattle,
Portland and other North Pacific Coast
and f'these ports, in the aggregate, af-
ford a larger market than does San
Francisco, and give entry to the entire
east. "
Freight rates to those points from Ha
waii are not much moro than half the
rates from Southern California and
Texas to those points, he states. He
points out that the coast markets are
bare of onions between February ] and
April 10 and also win take all the sweet
potatoes Hawaii can produce between
February l and July /.
He suggests that the Territory should
Eeneourage diversified farming and In
duce farmers 20 plant experimentally
4 certain crops, conditionally upon the
Territorial marketing department sup.
lplying proper seed and instructions.
/ Better Seed and Methods.
Mr. Starrett lays particular stress
upon the necessity of using the best
ceed and of improving local methods.
Further he says the farmer must learn
how to grade, pack and ship his crops.
! IT pays. better to feed under-grade
lproduce to stock, or even destroy it en-
ltirely, rather than to ship it, he de-
clares,
He recommends that the market
superintendent be stationed at Homo.
lulu, that the department should deal
only with jobbers, should provide seed
for planting, employ field man to in
struct growers in planting, raising
grading and packing; have sales
agent stationed permanently on the
coast to advise what to ship and at
what times, to divert shipments en-
route to the best markets and to distrib,
ute to the best advantage to buyers;
that there should be a fixed commission
charged growers for the services of the
department, not intended TO cover thu
lexpenses of the department at first, bai
placing it ON business basis and on
the way to ultimate self.support
/ Mr.. StarTett states that he has found
no sentiment adverse to the establish,
ment of a erratorial marketing depart
ment while he has found much desire ia
have it organized and put to work.
Discussed With Governor.
In company with DIR. Victor Clark
Mr.. starrett discussed his report with
the Governor yesterday afternoon and
there viii be further conferences by
various persons interested, today. The
Governor considers that Mr.. Starreti
has brought out some very good sugges
tons, not only in regard to the organi
cation of the proposed marketing de
partment but in regard to seed and
other things.