Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-11-28
ORNAMENT AND
Use IN DISPLAY
Of PLANT LIFE
Hawaii Fair Exhibit Shows
Main and Lesser Agricul-
tural Industries of Territory
Sugar Cane, Coffee, To-
bacco, Etc., to be on View
BY DAVID FORBES.

By DAVID FORBES.
plants, Useful and Ornamental,
offer a wide subject to write on, for
cur Hawaiian industries being wholly
of an agricultural nature, 95 per cent
of our bread earners getting the neces-
sary sustenance, either directly or in
directly from such plants, while an
even higher percentage of our island
revenue is secured by the same plants.
In addition to the sustaining of life,
these plants considered under the
heading of useful add much to the
pleasure of island life and are con-
tinued source of admiration to the
transient arrivals on our shores.
gistsaaa SUGAR CANE. '--
Selecting from the useful plants one
on which much Of our prosperity de-
pends-rsugar cane7z7look along the
north side or Hawaii rron Hilo to
Waipio, a distance so miles by 31A
miles deep, and note the uninterrupted
ribbon of green. Think of the energy,
time and expense required to cultivate
and bring to its present state OF ma
turity, while this is but one of many
snch areas on our island group,
= For some time past we have heard
the call Back to the land" issued
through magazine articles, while
again we are told that a craving for
the soil only reaches man of 40 with
a "Tummy and a Temper" Be this as
1t may, We know that more is required,
in order to produce the cane crops
referred to; and in order to stim-
ulate the growth of this plant to per-
lection the Hawaii county fair offers
awards to those who care to take
advantage of its competitive sections.
Canes young, canes old, canes great
and canes small, all f1nd place in
the prize lists, as well as a special
stage on the floor of exhibition.
COFFEE AND TOBACCO.
Coffee, next in value as source of
our island revenue, will also stand
we'll in the foreground of useful plants.
Tobacco, of which a considerable
quantity is now produced on this ISL
and, should also stand out prominent
among the specimens OF useful plants,
and we look forward to the day that
Omar will wait on visitors to this Sec
ton, rendering samples of the famous
beverage from Kona or Hamakua to
be slipped to accompaniment of Cigar
cite a la Hawaiianensis. In addition to
the foregoing, fiber plants, citrus
fruits, pineapples and nuts In them
seves form an interesting exhibit, but
time allows only of their mention here
in breYity.
ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. s.s~.
In the section of ornamental plants
vast field is but touched, for foliage
and flower forms one of Hawaii's
greatest charms, and at no distant
date We look forward to this section
being q drawing card to the Hawaii
county fair. In older countries it has
been demonstrated that such competi-
tons in rural communities has afford
ed greater pleasure, more eleyating
influence and stirring up Of enthusi.
arm among the working classes than
free libraries have done. One writer
affirms that a look at the cottage
garden or window-box suggested to
him without further investigation the
true character of the inmates" To
foster this love OF plants and their
cultivation are the aims OF the COM
mittee in this section. If the plants
available at present time are not the
best you have grown, don't be dis
couraged, Mr. Exhibitor, bring them
along; It is just possible ''the other
fellow" may be in the same fix.
In section B, class 5, are noted tire.
specimens of ornamental plants. This
applies chiefly to plants grown for or
namental purposes only, but does not
debar plants which may be useful as
we'll as ornamental In the same Sec
ton class 6 calls for plants other than
ornamental and applies to specimen
plants. grown for useful more than
ornamental purposes. In the latter
class such plants as coffee, rubber,
citrus, cinchona, tea, sisal, palms,
bamboos, tobacco. etc., etc, form but
a traction of the available material
grown around many island homes. In
me class FOR ornamental plants only.