The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-06-08

"wind-brakes," protecting the tender
shoots of growing crops from dostruc-
tive gales When in bloom these
South Sea Roses" present a specta-
Gle of ravishing loneliness, their per-
fume ladening the air like incense.
Among all the glorious flora of the
IsJtnd-and there are over two hun
dred species-none presents a greater
effect of elegant effulgence than the
bougainvillea trailing its graceful vine
far up into the cedar tree tops and
bursting with a copious cascade of
purple bloom like 4 floral Niagara
against a background Of green. The
royal poinciana, famboyant poini eta,
mangrove, fg tree, the clean cut paw
paw, a great variety of ralns and
hibiscr3 hedges, all combine to pre-
cent a striking variety of growths.
When it is considered that the sol!
OF the island varies from only a fnw
riches to about a foot in depth, the
profusion Of vegetable life is amazing.
Often to create garden the native
must first chop out his plot from SOL
i'd rock and fill the excavation with
sell. 1t Is a common thing to see a
landholder saving great blocks OF
limestone from ridge in his hack
yard, to be used for building an adGi.
tiol. to his house. Even the roofs of
the buildings are constructed of lime
stone. The same material is used for
the substantial hedge-like fences
which for miles border the well-kept
roads. When burnt 1t forms quick
lime with which all Of the roofs are
vhite-washed Crushed into small
pieces this calcareous, rock makes the
finest of roads which absorb and
drain off water almost as rapidly as
It falls.
For centuries the Bermudian has
depended upon the rain for his water
supply, and has never experienced
serious water famine. To guard
against such a contingency, however,
the government is drilling an arte-
elan we'll in spot near Hamilton,
where engineers believe fresh water
may be found.
While it is estimated that there are
ever three hundred islands in the Ber-
madam Archipelago, only six of them
are important and these are connected
by bridges and ferries affording easy
access. The country is divided into
nine Parishes" originally termed
Tribes" and each has its own church
and postoffices. The highways are
dotted here and there by so many
general" stores that the visitor is
arr to wonder If the Islands are en-.
tlrely dependent upon the outside
world for their supplies. The expla-
nation is simple. The arabic area Of
Bermuda is so small that only crops
of high quality rather than quantity
ore raised. The fancy brands are
sold at high prices in the New York
markets, and products of the same
species, but OF a cheaper grade are
imported for home consumption. Not
outstanding the fact that this neces-
states paying duties going and COM
Ing, large profit is shown on the
transaction. Another reason is that
many things which could DO raised
go not because the native negro pre-
terc to drive a hack or wear hotel
uniform instead Of filling the soil.
While the balance Of trade is against
the country, since they buy more than
they sell, this is more than Offset bv
comparatively new but ever in
creasing crop-the tourist, who prob
ably pays better than all the other
crops combined.
The country seems to have lost step
with the worlds progress, and in