general meeting at Honolulu, of the planters, farmers and others interested in agriculture, throughout the islands, and to issue a circular to be published in the newspapers, stating the objects proposed in the formation of an agricultural society, and inviting all interested in the promotion of such objects to assemble on the day fixed, and to bring with them samples of their products and animals, for exhibition. They were also instructed to solicit certain persons to prepare essays, upon the various subjects connected with agriculture, to be read at the meeting, and to procure a suitable person to deliver an address upon the occasion. The subject of the introduction of foreign laborers, and the securing of domestic laborers was discussed at some length by Messrs. Marshall, Gower, Lee, Newcomb, Wood and others. His Honor Judge Lee said that he had proposed an Act for the mutual protection of masters and servants, which he proposed to place in the hands of the present Legislature, to be laid before that body, for their consideration, and that with the permission of this meeting he would read the Act, hoping that the persons present better acquainted with the practical working of such an Act, might suggest many valuable amendments. On motion, it was resolved that the meeting approve of the Act read by Judge Lee. It was also resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Honolulu newspapers. The meeting then adjourned, sine die. CIRCULAR, (ISSUED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE FIRST OF JUNE.) To the friends of Agricultural Operations at the Hawaiian Islands: At a public meeting of those persons interested in the promotion of Hawaiian Agriculture, held at Honolulu, April 20th, it was unanimously resolved that the formation of an association for the promotion and improvement of agricultural operations and products in these Islands, was highly desirable: that such an association would meet with cordial support from all classes of foreigners resident on these Islands, and would also be encouraged and fostered by the Hawaiian Government. It was also voted that all persons interested in the subject, should be invited to assemble in Honolulu in the month of August next, for the purpose of organizing such an association, and the undersigned were chosen a committee to carry out the above design, by appointing a day for such convention, and addressing a circular to all persons interested, explaining the objects of the contemplated association, and inviting their attendance and co-operation in carrying out these objects. The importance and almost necessity of an institution like the one contemplated is too evident to require exposition. For years past, the agricultural interests of these islands have been insignificant, and their pursuit un profitable. With an uncertain and distant market-with little or no encouragement, or facilities given to foreign tillers of the soil, without proper knowledge of that soil,or sufficient capital to experiment upon its capabilities, most of the agricultural enterprises here have languished or utterly failed. And with the exception of a few sugar and coffee plantations, the proprietors of which have invested too much capital to be able to abandon them without heavy loss, and which were still struggling on with doubtful prospects, the whole amount of agricultural operations at these islands consisted in the raising of fruit and vegetables for the fleet of whaleships that semi-annually touched here for supplies. Within the last two years, however, a great and sudden change has taken place in the prospects of this group. The extension of the territory and government of the United States to the borders of the Pacific, the wonderful discoveries in California, and the consequent almost instantaneous creation of a mighty state on "the western front of the American Union," has, as it were, with the wand of a magician, drawn this little group into the very focus of civilization and prosperity. We find ourselves suddenly surrounded by intelligent, enterprising neighbors, who call loudly to us to furnish of our abundance and receive in exchange of theirs. Our coffee and sugar no longer remain piled in our ware houses. Our fruits and vegetables no longer decay on the spot where they were grown. We are not even compelled to seek for them a market, but clamorous purchasers come to our very doors and carry off our supplies with an eagerness that has caused us to feel a scarcity ourselves, and we are assured that not only for all these, but for any other products of the soil that we will raise, a ready and increasing demand may be relied on from our enterprising neighbors. The native government too, impelled by the irresistible influence and example of the Anglo Saxon energy and progress, which it sees in every direction, is relaxing its former tenacious grasp on the arable lands of the Islands, and even inviting and encouraging their cultivation by foreign skill and capital. With these brilliant prospects suddenly opening to these Islands, let us inquire how far they are prepared to render them available. With every variety of soil, adapted to all the productions of the temperate and tropical latitudes, we find the agricultural operations of these Islands checked and embarrassed by the insufficiency of the four great requisites of capital, experience, proper implements and labor. It is a fact worthy of remark, that, as your committee believe, without a single exception, all the plantations that have been commenced at these Islands, have been so commenced by persons possessing neither experience in the business they were undertaking, or the requisite capital and knowledge of the soil, to carry it through to a successful result. Plantations for the growth or manufacture of silk, cotton, coffee, sugar, &c., have been commenced under such circumstances, and their failure, in some instances, is not to be wondered at, when we take into consideration such circumstances, added to the disadvantages of the then isolated position of this group, almost cut off from communication with the civilized world, and the knowledge, capital, proper implements, &c., so readily rendered available at home. Large sums of money have been thrown away on experiments, which the experience of persons acquainted with the business would have enabled them to avoid, and no system of intercourse between the planters has been established, by which the experience of one could be rendered available to another. And these are the great drawbacks from progress now. But few of our planters have sufficient capital to enable them to purchase the services or experience of others, and they are consequently learning by hard, expensive and slow experience themselves, and with few facilities of communication, and some may still be pursuing plans which others have found to be fruitless. To meet these difficulties, to provide for these wants, to render the experience of other countries available to this, to supply by a com bined action, facilities and information to all, which cannot be procured by individuals, to encourage and foster agricultural operations in every form, is the main object of the proposed association. The merchant, the mechanic, the professional man, indeed, all classes of consumers are equally interested with the producer, in the prosperity of this branch of labor, and we hope to have your aid and your personal co-operation in promoting these objects. It is proposed that the association shall subscribe for the principal standard periodicals and newspapers devoted to agriculture, and if the means of the society allow, an able editor shall be engaged for an agricultural magazine to be published at Honolulu, which shall contain such selections from these periodicals as shall be most useful or interesting to the members, and shall also contain original articles and correspondence. Your committee would also suggest for your consideration, the propriety of the establishment of an agricultural warehouse at Honolulu, for the importation and collection of such kinds of agricultural implements and machinery, plants, seeds, &c., as are most adapted to this soil and to the laborers employed. The advantages of such an establishment are obvious to all who have had any experience in the matter,, as most of the implements shipped to this market by merchants who are unacquainted with its wants, are entirely unadapted to the necessities of the planters. Such a warehouse could also be a depot for the sale of the products of the various plantations and farms, the proprietors of which have not special agents at Honolulu. The improvement of the breed of cattle, horses, swine, sheep, poultry, &c., is another great object of the society. Stated annual exhibitions could be held, and encouragement given to farmers and planters, by premiums being awarded for superior specimens of their products. Another subject of great importance before this association is that of Labor. The introduction of Coolie labor from China to supply the places of the rapidly decreasing native population is a question that is already agitated among us, and should such a step become necessary, the aid of such an association in accomplishing this object would be of great benefit. All these objects, if left, as heretofore, to individual enterprise, would wholly or partially fail for want of the necessary means, but could easily be effected by an organization like that contemplated. Having thus stated some of the objects of the proposed association, your committee most earnestly and cordially invite your presence and co-operation in the accomplishment of these objects. We have appointed as the time most convenient for the planters from other islands to assemble in Honolulu, Monday, the twelfth of August next, for the first meeting for the purpose of organization. Due notice will be given of the hour and place of meeting. An address will be delivered on the occasion by the Hon. W. L. Lee, and it is hoped that addresses will be made by other persons. Your committee earnestly request the attendance of all who feel interested in the objects of the meeting. The statistics of agricultural operations on these islands, the capacities and nature of the soils, the experience of farmers, planters, graziers, and others on this group would prove useful and interesting topics to be brought before the meeting. Your committee would also request that specimens of the various products of the islands, such as sugar, coffee, potatoes, indigo, arrow root, &c; be sent for exhibition at the meeting. Animals of superior breed, such as cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, &c., might be sent for exhibition, and a public sale might be made of any such that the owners might wish to dispose of. A building will be prepared for the reception of such specimens. In conclusion your committee would again urge upon your attention the importance of the proposed association. A full attendance of all who are interested in the accomplishment of the objects of the convention is solicited; as the aid and countenance of all is needed to secure its success. 2 STEPHEN REYNOLDS, J. F. B. MARSHALL, R. W. WOOD, W. L. LEE. |