32 



SWEET POTATOES AND OTHER VEGETABLES. 



Sweet potatoes have always constituted one of the main 

 food products of the native Hawaiians. A great variety 

 of this vegetable has been produced, in respect of size, 

 shape, color, characteristics of the leaf and habits of 

 growth. The quality of the best varieties is excellent, 

 and the local demand is constantly increasing. The local 

 markets alone would consume three or four times the 

 quantity of sweet potatoes now produced if attention were 

 given to the problem of securing a uniform quality, shape 

 and color of sweet potatoes; and a uniform supply for the 

 market. This statement is based, not merely on a theo- 

 retical estimate, but upon the declarations of local deal- 

 ers. In addition to sweet potatoes, we can produce all 

 sorts of vegetables for home use and for the local market. 

 In former d^ys, Irish potatoes were raised here and ship- 

 ped to California. An excellent quality of Irish potato 

 can be produced on any of the islands at moderate alti- 

 tudes. During the year 1908 Irish potatoes and onions 

 were imported to the value of $130,000. This material 

 could be supplied by local small producers if attention 

 were given to the matter. A large part of the market 

 gardening now done in Hawaii is in the hands of Chinese, 

 who are everywhere conspicuously successful and clever 

 at this line of work. There is no reason, however, why 

 market gardening should not be as profitable for white 

 men and native Hawaiians. Even the production of tarq 

 could be profitably increased to a considerable extent. 

 Requests for taro flour have recently been received from 

 dealers on the mainland, and such products would find 

 considerable sale if the markets were studied and care- 

 fully considered. 



SILK. 



Mulberry trees were introduced into Hawaii in 1837 

 and from time to time some interest has been awakened 

 in silk raising. Mulberries thrive on all of our Islands 

 and the quality of silk produced at the Hawaii Experi- 

 ment Station has been pronounced satisfactory. Since 

 a large part of our laboring population is composed of 

 Asiatics and Portuguese, it would appear that we have 

 a .supply of cheap labor, in the women and children of 

 these races, to raise the raw silk. The silk industry, how- 

 ever, has never assumed a commercial form. Doubtless 

 if a reeling establishment were located here and a reason- 

 able price were offered for cocoons, the silk industry could 

 be encouraged in its development. 



