686 Poniandcr Collection of Hazvaiiaii Folk-lore. 



late what I liave seen my grandparents do as their regular method of working. Per- 

 haps it is best for me to first explain the planting of taro on the uplands at the pres- 

 ent time and the methods of its cultivation 



These two subject matters are quite different in their recount, while alike in their 

 divisions, but to be able to explain the diiference of the recount and the division are 

 similar. 



Our grandparents these days are enjoying a period of enlightenment and ad- 

 \ancement ; also the receipt of proper implements for performing the work. The dry- 

 land planting of taro at this time is similar to what our grandparents did in the past, 

 for the first thing to do is to burn off the field; that being done well, the stones are all 

 thrown aside along the borders of the field; the act of digging holes for the plants is 

 then begun ; taro-tops are planted ; the taro-tops that are to be set out at this day are 

 the same as ])lanted by the ancients : there are no other seed plants, and the way of 

 cultivating is similar to that of the olden time in the treatment and care of the taro- 

 to])s, loosening the soil and pressing it down, that the bulb may be plump are identical 

 with that of that time. Here is where it differs, in their manner of praying. At that 

 time they prayed when the food matured; at this time, no. Perhaps there is where it 

 varies slightly, providing the people of that time observed its practice. 



I have seen my grandparents carry their taro-tops and plant them among the 

 ohia grove. The first thing they did was to remove the akolea" fern till it was well 

 cleared, after which the taro tops were planted and the fern leaves were then spread 

 all over the planted field, that the dampness may be retained and the whole field be 

 ke])t moist. Weeds will not make their appearance until the taro is almost matured; 

 at the same time adhere to the practice of the old people in constantly loosening the soil, 

 and when you see the taro at maturity it is extra large, exceeding in size that planted 

 (lu the o])en plain. A number of residents of my locality moved to the ohia grove to 

 take up taro culture at that time, and the crops were large. This concludes my obser- 

 vations of my grandparents' practice concerning their method of taro cultivation. 



In conclusion, concerning the planting of taro in wet-land and things relating 

 to its method. Respecting this subject, in my opinion it is needless for me to reiterate 

 my remarks concerning the present method of preparing the patch, also of planting", 

 for the reason that each and e\'eryone of us are familiar with our every day duties, 

 and it is unnecessary for me to relate it at this time, for the old-time method is that 

 being obser\-ed and practiced by us, such as the loosening of the taro tops, ])ressing 

 them down in the soil, and things relating thereto. Therefore, it is clear to us that 

 though the recount shows a dift'erence in the methods of culture it agrees in its 

 divisions. 



This is the result of what 1 have gathered upon the subject assigned for mv in- 

 vestigation. 



January 25, 1872. Samuel K. Ivainoa. 



"Akolea (Polypodiiim Kerciudrcniana). 



