242 
THE CULTIVATOR 
July, 
from 150 to 250 pounds. The demand for pork is very 
considerable at Honolulu, and brings 12^ cents per lb. 
Lard is scarce, and sells at 30 or 40 cents per lb. 
Sheep are raised in considerable numbers, chiefly for 
the market; they are rarely if ever sheared. Their 
wool is coarse, and not of much value. 
Goats are found in every district—many are wild, and 
are game for the sportsmen; others are domesticated; 
but little use is made of them—the natives being the 
chief consumers of their flesh. 
There seems to be a singular attachment among the 
natives for dogs—and if the poverty of a people is indi- 
cated, as some say, by the number of this species of 
quadruped, the Hawaiian^ may surely be classed as poor; 
for one would judge that there were four to a- family 
throughout the kingdom. It is known that dog’s flesh 
was a delicacy to the palates of these people in former 
times, and unless I am much in error—a baked dog is 
not an unacceptable dish yet. 
The poultry here are hens, turkies, and ducks, and are 
a source of profit to those who are concerned in their 
management, eggs selling at 50 cents per dozen, hens at 
50 or 62-| cents apiece, and turkeys from $1 to $2. 
The birds of the islands are of few varieties, and not 
very numerous—they are found chiefly among the moun¬ 
tains. Some are of fine plumage, and formerly were 
more highly valued than at? present, as their feathers 
were worn as an ornament. In the neighborhood of 
the sea-shore, a variety of plover exists; but as the 
rage for sporting is here, the birds- do i not Increase. 
Sparrows and robins would be of great utility in destroy¬ 
ing the worms which so molest the crops. It is hoped 
that they will be introduced soon from Oregon. 
The fruits here are the banana, bread fruit, tamarind, 
guava, oranges, limes, citrons, grapes, figs, and other va¬ 
rieties introduced from South America and elsewhere. 
Oranges and limes do not thrive in every locality—where 
the trade-wind blows fresh, it seems to have a blighting 
influence on the growth of these fruits; in valleys which 
are protected and on the leeward of some of the islands 
they thrive well. Figs can be produced in any quantity 
and of the finest quality, and will 3 ’et become an article 
of exportation when there may be a market for them. 
A few peaches have been produced; but not of very fine 
quality. At a sufficient elevation among the mountains, 
it is probable that all the fruits of the temperate zone 
could be cultivated successfully. In time as the coun¬ 
try becomes more settled, indigo, cotton, tobacco, and 
varieties of spice, may be objects of attention. The in¬ 
digo plant grows wild in profusion, and were its manu¬ 
facture undertaken by experienced persons, it might be a 
lucrative business. The tobacco plant thrives well, and 
it is said to be of a superior quality. The chief obstacle 
to its being cultivated is the expense of labor. 
As already stated, the agriculturists are endeavoring 
to render labor cheaper by importing Coolies. Hun¬ 
dreds have arrived and are scattered about on different 
plantations. A vessel is at present engaged in bringing 
more. The Coolies are more ingenious than the islanders, 
and readily imitate all that they see performed; they are 
also more industrious. Being peaceable and well-disposed 
and occasioning little expense, they are quite an acquisi¬ 
tion to the planters and farmers. They are engaged for 
a term of five years, the planters paying the expenses of 
their passage—some $50 each,—providing their food and 
paying them $3 per month. The Islanders performing 
less labor, demand from 50 cents to $1 per day in Oahii. 
At the expiration of the term of their engagement, they 
are at liberty to return to China or to remain. 
An Agricultural Society was-instituted? here under the 
Royal Patronage in 1850, and its members are among the 
most influential persons of this community. The in¬ 
fluence of this Society will doubtless be great in advanc¬ 
ing the interests of agriculture in the kingdom. The 
present is the day of small things, but not to be despised. 
The first exhibition of agricultural productions, &c., 
was held last fall at Honolulu. It being a new thing to 
the inhabitants, but little was contributed on the part of 
the native community. The foreign planters and farmers^ 
were those chiefly interested. Several fine horses were 
exhibited by gentlemen desirous of improving the breed; 
a few fat cattle and sheep were seen; also large swine, 
and a fine specimen of fowls. Within the hall appro¬ 
priated to the show of domestic productions, were dis¬ 
played numerous samples of sugar from various planta¬ 
tions ; specimens of coffee and arrow root; bags of wheat 
and oats of very fine quality, and stalks of sugar cane 
from 10 to 12 feet in height; potatoes both sweet and 
Irish, with kals, tomatoes, carrots, turneps and radishes. 
A few samples of butter were seen. The display of fruits 
was not large, but they were all of fine quality. Bana¬ 
nas, pine apples, figs, fresh and dried, and melons were 
the most numerous. A sample of pomegranates grown 
in a garden at Honolulu, and an apple and peach from 
trees reared with care, gave a variety to the show of 
fruits. But few agricultural implements were seen. 
This first exhibition has unquestionably created an in¬ 
terest which will go far to the improvement of similar 
exhibitions in future. The awards as prizes were silver 
cups, medals, volumes of agricultural books and money. 
The annual address was delivered by Hon. Luther Seve¬ 
rance, U. S. Commissioner at these islands, and was an 
able production, which was listened to with great inter¬ 
est and profit. 
The agriculture of the islands seems destined prospec¬ 
tively to be prosecuted chiefly or altogether by the foreign 
population and their posterity. The Hawaiian race, like 
the Indians of N. America, seem to be vanishing before 
the influx of foreigners. Diseases and epidemics have 
during the last few years, swept thousands from the land, 
and at the present time the number of births does not 
equal the deaths. The race of chiefs is rapidly passing 
away, leaving but few descendants to take their places, 
and they by their excesses bid fair for short lives. 
The past year has not been a favorable one for the in¬ 
terests of agriculture at these islands. The markets of 
Oregon and California on which we rely for the disposal 
of our productions, have been overstocked by importa¬ 
tions from various quarters, of articles of every variety; 
being in sympathy with them, we have shared in the de¬ 
pression. We have, however, the prospect of fair re¬ 
muneration and steady demand for our staples in time. 
The effectual prosecution of agriculture here demands 
a large investment of capital—much larger than in the 
U. States. Land can be purchased at prices from 50 
cents to $1 per acre and upward, according to locality; 
but the expense of erecting buildings, enclosing grounds, 
&c., owing to the scarcity of material, is somewhat of a 
drawback to individuals with moderate means. Yo 
truly, W. C. 
