The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-04-18


the crop"
Figures Show Losses
The report then furnished figures
on certain lots, each of which showed
a loss, ranging from $1,100 to $7,019.
The yield for the 1922 crop will be
light, the report estimating at 36,971
tons.
Against this crop, advances Of
$405,417 as of December 81, 1921,
have been made by the mill company
Adding the estimated cost of harvest
ing, s51,129, and about $4,000 ad-
vanced by the farm loan board, banks
and others, gives total charge of
s507,546 against the crop. With su-
gar at 5 cents, the probable net re-
ceipts by the homesteaders are esti-
mated at $1S4,S55, leaving a deficit of
$322,691, estimated. Unless there Is
decided advance in the price of
sugar, the producers of this crop will
have a much larger debit balance
than the producers of the 1921 CROP" b"
the report said, adding that the 1928
crop also would be light, and would
increase the burdens of the home
steaders who are now staggering un-
der heavy debt carried over from
1921"
The report then details the out
standing features of the situation, in
cluding an apparent lack of system
and absence of proper supervision in
connection with the cultivation, either
by the mill or by the homesteaders
themselves; enormous sums are spent
for cultivation, but it appears that the
work is not done in proper sequence
or at the proper time; and with own
er living on house lot, distance tc
cane lot and lack of roads has made
labor by self or supervision of labor
ers difficult or impossible"
Most of the homesteaders were in
experienced in cane cultivation ant
most of them were without the cash
or credit necessary to undertake {
project, the proper handling OF which
requires an outlay of considerable cap
ital," the report continues.
Some Lack Interest
MANY applicants desired house lot
only, as is indicated by the fact tina
many who take no interest in thei
cane land have substantial homes ant
well kept grounds on their house lots
This lack of interest on the part o
the homesteader tends to make hin
dependent too much upon others TO
) conduct of his business in connection
with his homestead, and ones busi
ness always suffers unless given pei
sonal supervision.
There is lack of proper cooperation
between the homesteaders and tn
mill company, which furnishes tn
, bulk of the funds and labor for cult
, walton. The homesteader5 questio
= almost every act of the management
and on the other hand, the manage
, ment is not as helpful in it's busines
relations with the homesteaders as
should be. The result is that les
efficient work is done by the mill TO
! the homesteader than is done on tn
mills own fields.
Exhibit three shows lot 720, hal
vested in April, 1919 by the mill 70
, its own account with a yield of bt
tween 55 and so tons of cane pc
acre and the lot just after harvestin
in 1921 with yield of g. tons pc
|, acre grown by the mill for the home
steader.
= = Lavish advances have beer mad
: but the money in most cases had NJ
! been spent wisely. On one lot, $55
- per acre has been charged by the mi
company for cultivation of the 1872
: crop, yet the lot is estimated to yiel
= only tons of cane per acre. Hig
= = cost of production is to be expecte
. in view of high wages and high COS
9 of materials, but it is to be expecte
= also that with such expenditures, {
least normal crops would be produce
> Without increasing the tonnage t
more efficient cultivation, even a d
u cided advance in the price of sug;
u will not enable these people to pa
Il off their obligations. The total del
against this tract, including estimate
loss on 1922 crop, overdue land pa
ments and taxes, is approximate
l. 1858. 900.
L Funds Needed Now
- About s65,000 has been spent {
the 1928 crop to date and it will CO
% at least S150,000 more to bring Il
- crop to maturity. Funds for the CT
c tivation of the stools from which Il
u, 1922 crop is being harvested must
made available at once. Appro
a. imately 100000 will be required f
e. the care of these stools for the 10
a. crop.
ir "The above figures do not take in
W consideration the funds that will
N required to restore the 2400 acr
'p which have been abandoned al
ot which will have to be plowed al
Is planted before same will again pI
H. duce a crop.