possible. The enquiry might with propriety be made what varieties will not succeed, rather than what will. To those who have resided in tropical America, the neglect of their culture must be most surprising. It may be attributed in part to the exclusive use of kalo, as vegetable food by the natives. Also the length of time necessary to mature many varieties, has been an objection on the part of the whites. But their great importance in an economical point of view cannot be denied. Stock by their means, could be furnished at a price, which would secure the supply to the whaling as well as the merchant fleet, hereafter to be expected. The introduction of new varieties, together with the improvement of such as we have, is, in my humble opinion, the greatest benefit we can expect from the operations of such a society as has been formed, affecting, as it would, the interests of the greatest number of natives as well as whites. It can be accom. plished also more readily and successfully than by private individuals. A large selection, and more full and accurate information respecting their growth and culture can be obtained from correspondence with kindred societies, and persons interested, particularly in the growth of such as are wanting here. In this work the labors of each individual member can be enlisted, by furnishing information to those officers of the society who have the matter in charge.

But our Paradise is not wholly exempt from the curse we are taught all lands lie under. The many rich advantages within our reach, are connected with difficulties and discouragements, and more will arise as cultivation extends. To avoid and overcome them experience and skill must be made use of. To apply and direct their use, is one object of an agricultural society. The amount of uncultivated land suited to the growth of sugar and coffee without expense, beyond that of simple cultivation is very limited. By what means to render other large tracts which are now given up to pasturage available, in' the most economical and effectual manner, by preparation of the soil, irrigation, protection of the crops from the wind, &c, is of the highest importance to our land proprietors, enhancing as it would, the value of lands of all grades. The soil under cultivation at the present time, will also before many years, require to be renovated. How is all this to be accomplished? To ascertain the deficiencies of the soil-what need to be supplied should be the first step taken.

Very few analyses would be required by reason of the common origin, and consequent similarity of the soils throughout the kingdom. On those portions where the basaltic of volcanic rocks are thoroughly decomposed, the soil appears to be highly argillaceous, and containing iron, in the shape of some of its salts, to a greater or less extent, with little or no vegetable matter. In dry situations, the surface becomes hard and baked, and the evaporation of water is almost instantaneous. Trees and shrubs can be grown by irrigating until they reach a depth which will render them independent of the surface for a supply of water.

The best preparation for sugar cane on such lands, or, I might add, on all, is the application of lime of which the sea beach sands is mostly composed, being made up of comminuted shells and corals. It will enrich the soil beyond the effect of its great fertilizing qualities, by neutralizing the effect of the iron, and rendering the soil more open. The salt which would be introduced along with it is considered of great value in these sugar growing countries, where it can be readily obtained and applied, sugar cane being one of the few plants which benefit by its application. When the soil is not thoroughly decomposed, turning it up and allowing it to remain exposed to the action of the atmosphere would hasten its decomposition, and in a short time afford support to some hardy variety of grass, such as mancarea.

The most serious difficulty to overcome, however, is the want of labor. The great demand, and consequent high price of supplies, in connection, with the increased amount of land put under cultivation, has no doubt had the effect to bring about the present scarcity. But there are other causes to which in part it must be attributed, which sooner or later would have produced the same result. The laboring classes of all warm regions, are for various reasons, averse to labor, beyond a supply of their most simple wants, consequently no tropical product has ever been grown successfully to any extent, by free labor. Emancipation has ruined, in an agricultural point, the English and French colonies. I might add also the Spanish American, for the peonage of Mexico secures to the planter all the advantages of slave labor without any of its disadvantages. In Central America, which has been spoken of as a rival to these Islands in the production of sugar and coffee, the price of labor averages about two reals per day,

and little or no security to the employer.

1

On the other hand the value

of exports of sugar alone from Cuba, the present year, will exceed thirty millions of dollars, and the crop of the United States will, it is calculated, reach twelve millions, and be doubled the coming year, more than 150 mills being in course of erection.

The non increase, and consequent rapid decrease of our native population, is another cause affecting labor, which is a very serious one in connection with the great increase in demand, which will continue for some years to come. The origin of this difficulty would more properly be treated by our medical members. Is it likely to be arrested? Suppose it were. The number might be sufficient to meet the demand. But here the difficulty arises to which I have referred. How is it to be inade available? There may be individual cases, in which the planter, having been long resident and confining himself closely to the superintendence of his own estate, may rub along,-not, however, without considerable wear and tear of temper and patience, which all persons unfortunately do not possess to a sufficient degree. The mass of natives in possession of the kalo patch and *kula are more independent than their wealthy neighbors. They provide themselves and families with all the luxuries of a Hawaiian life, poi and fish. Though he has no visible means of support, a Hawaiian has always one tangible. The Fourierite system of a community of goods and interests is carried out more fully on many parts of our Islands, than the disciples of that sect would probably submit themselves. What law, then, or system, could you adopt to compel him to work without abridging his freedom. Create wants if you please, they would be supplied by a much less expenditure of labor than would be required of him on a plantation. But a necessity has arisen that our plains be cultivated, for which the skill and capital of the white man are necessary. 'Should the native refuse to put them in use to render them available by his labor, other hands must and will do it.

If the Hawaiian will not be innoculated with that spirit of progress which appears to be the law of action with the Anglo Saxon race, with whom they now come in contact and competition, they must disappear. Their race will not be the first, nor probably the last to share the same fate. Not all the efforts of our mission friends, nor the ex

*Kula, uplands. A sort of paste made by krceding the baked kalo root with water,

ertions, I might almost say, sacrifices,, of our planters, will avail. No! greater inducements can be offered to stimulate and arouse the natives than are now before them. Every consideration, moral, patriotic, pecuniary, combine to urge them one step more forward, where they might gain a sure foundation, a permanent position among the civilized nations of the world, a monument to the triumph of modern christianity and civilization. The inefficiency of native labor is another cause affecting the price. The cost of slave labor in the United States averages about 37 cents per day, producing between five and six thousand pounds of sugar per hand, against native labor at 20 or 25 cents per day, producing from two to three thousand pounds. It may be answered that the amount of sugar obtained from the same weight and quality of cane in the United States, is much greater by reason of the use of more perfect machinery, and improved process in manufacturing. This is counterbalanced in a great measure, however, on the part of our planters, by the privilege they enjoy of choice in the variety of cane grown. The Tahiti cane, as it is called, which I believe is the richest, will not succeed there. Instead of this, they are obliged to select the most hardy, and of the quickest growth, their crop being allowed but nine months. The insufficiency of native labor would be more apparent, should an improved.system of agriculture be introduced in connection with proper implements. Yet with all the disadvantages attending native labor, its sure decrease, its high cost, its inefficiency, &c, a remunerating price may be obtained so long as the present state of affairs exists on the California coast, and our planters may rest content. The favorable position of these Islands will also enable them to command a price above the average of other markets for many years to come. The object to be attained however, is the production of the largest crop with the least expenditure of time and labor. The introduction of foreign labor will no doubt afford security to the planter in so far as quality is concerned. Whether it will reduce the cost remains to be proven The surest means of effeeting this most desirable object is, in my humble opinion, by adopting a more improved mode of culture, using skill in connection with labor saving implements, and calling in the aid of science. They have not yet been called into requisition to any extent by Southern agriculturists. Cheapness of labor has been their main dependence. The planters of Louisiana, who, as a body, are as intelligent, if not more

so than any other in the world, are but just waking up to the importance of such aids. Were proof required as to the utility of labor saving implements, I would refer to the Western parts of the United States, which have become the granary of Europe, with labor at from one to two dollars per day, competing successfully with the serf labor. of the Danube and Russia. There is great room for improvement in our case, we having within our reach many advantages not possessed by any other planters in the world. The salubrity of the climate will admit of the use of white labor thoughout the year. Another advantage is in the choice of labor, whereby any mode of culture thought proper can be practised, which is denied to slave countries, it being impossible to connect free with slave labor to any extent. The isolated position of our group, too, will, also, when sufficient labor has been attained, have a tendency to render it permanent and secure.

What mode of culture it is best to pursue, must, in some measure depend on the situation of the planter. The substitution of horse or mule teams in place of such as are now in use, is highly desirable, and will become necessary as more land is brought under cultivation. A good breed of working horses should be obtained, which will require grain food. Grass fed horses can no more be expected to do their work than a man made up of poi and fish can be expected to work alongside of a pork fed Yankee. With proper food, one team' would accomplish more, I should calculate, even of heavy work, such as breaking up, &c., than two ox teams as now used, and in a more satisfactory manner. In the Southern States the lowest average for growing Indian corn, is 250 bushels for one man and horse, at the rate of 30 bushels per acre. It reaches, however, as high as 1000. We will reduce the lowest amount and call it 200. The amount necessary for a working horse is 30 bushels per year, calculating that for a part of the time, grass feed is made use of. The cost, therefore, of the labor of one man and horse, for the length of time necessary to grow one crop of corn, yields support for a team of four horses one year. Other grains may possibly be grown here to better advantage. With good teams and proper implements, the services of the natives in the cultivation of cane could be dispensed with until he was wanted in the field with his hoe. The skill of the white man properly applied, can in our climate, more successfully compete with rude, uninstructed labor, than in any other tropical country.