288 



desirable settlers would well repay the cost of production. It is 

 remarkable, however, in view of the situation that it is necessary 

 to appeal outside for fruit growers. There should certainly be 

 found among our present residents many who would be willing 

 to plant small orchards of citrus and other fruits, if the enter- 

 prise were brought before them as a business proposition. The 

 planting of five acres of select fruit trees now^ would, in a few 

 years, provide the owner with a substantial income. The initial 

 outlav of such an undertaking is small and its maintenance such 

 that a man of moderate means could easily afford, in view of the 

 prospective return. With a number of similar orchards estab- 

 lished within touch of the Honolulu market the profitable growing 

 of fruit would be one of the substantial factors of Hawaiian pros- 

 perity. The necessity of activity in this and other new agricultural 

 operations is all the more urgent in view of the impending an- 

 nexation of Cuba. Although the consummation of this event is 

 probably many years distant, it is one that must necessarily un- 

 settle the future of all industries dependent upon the sugar market. 

 Now is the time for Hawaii to insure herself against any adverse 

 future contingency of this kind. Every acre of land planted now 

 by small holders and rendered productive, makes this Territory 

 so much the more independent of other countries. With flourish- 

 ing orange, lemon and lime orchards, plantations of pineapples, 

 rubber and tobacco the day may yet come when Hawaii may view 

 with comparative unconcern the contemplated absorption of other 

 lands by the parent country. W^e beHeve that the hom,e demand 

 for select fruit, and the indicated future of the world's rubber and 

 tobacco consumption, \^•arrant the taking up in the Hawaiian 

 Islands of all available land for the production of these comm.o- 

 dities. Already signs are not wanting that in a very short tim.e 

 much expansion will be made on the lines we have suggested. Tlie 

 colony of Wahiawa has long proved the wisdom of its founding 

 and is rapidly advancing in prosperity. In a short time there is 

 no doubt that many of its pioneers will be comparatively wealthy 

 men. The advancement of their individual circumstances will be 

 much to the benefit of Hawaii, but greater than all this to the 

 public welfare will be the enhanced taxation return to the public 

 coffers from rich and valuable lands, the foundation of a con- 

 :tented, prosperous and enlightened white population, and the 

 establishment of many minor agricultural industries upon a profit- 

 .able financial basis. The Palolo settlers are already giving indi- 



