r 



BY J. H. MAIDEN. 75^ 



Backhouse, p. 268, wrote : — 



"From the sugar-cane, the old settlers of Norfolk Island succeeded in 

 making molasses, but they failed in obtaining sugar, not being aware that 

 the addition of a little lime, or potash, was needful to make it crystallize. 

 They also distilled rum, and injured themselves greatly by drinking it." 



Downing, nearly twenty (20) years later, said : — 



"The sugar-cane is seen in many places growing luxuriantly, but quite 



neglected. The first settlers introduced the plant, and made rum of its juice. 



Under the subsequent regime this distillation was forbidden, and hence the 



cane became valueless." 



The Sugar-cane is now only to be seen growing in a few places, 

 being simply used for eating. It is certainly not a robust variety, 

 and I know nothing of its quality. I do not suppose that 

 Norfolk Island could compete with Fiji and the islands of many 

 of the other groups in sugar growing. 



Cotton. — I saw no Cotton, though this plant would flourish on 

 the Island. The gathering of the crop might suit the tempera- 

 ment of the easy going inhabitants. If Cotton were re-introduced 

 it should be under expert advice. Information would doubtless 

 be forthcoming from the Colonial Office which is at present 

 developing the Cotton crops of West Africa under the guidance 

 of American experts. Lieut. Govr. King sowed three (3) cotton 

 seeds in 1788, and under date 18th Oct., 1796, he reported : — 

 " Cotton has also done well, although but little of it has been 

 cultivated, as I am told it is a bad kind." 



Downing wrote in 1851 : — 



"The Cotton-plant was once cultivated by Captain Maconochie with 

 advantage. It is now wild, and overruns every part of the island to such an 

 extent as to render the bush almost impracticable." 



I think, however, this statement is overdrawn. 

 A statement (manuscript) made about 1843 says : — 

 "The soil and climate of Norfolk Island are also adapted to the cultivation 

 of Cotton {Gossyxnum barbadeiise), perhaps more so than any other, and as 

 the labor attending it would be considerably less than that of maize, and the 

 crop much more profitable, it is to be regretted that it has not been tried on 

 a large scale. The produce of two rods, planted by Captain Maconochie on 



