Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Within the last twelve months a very valuable accession has been made to the stock already here by the arrival from V. Dieman's Land of a pure breed Angus bull, originally imported from Scotland to Van Dieman's Land, a young Hereford bull, and two well bred cows in calf at the time of their arrival to the Angus Bull. The cows have already since their arrival here produced three calves, one male and two females to the Angus bull and the great and obvious superiority of these over any of the native cattle although running on the same land and treated in the same manner is a sufficient proof that so far as soil and climate go these islands are capable of producing beef equal to any in the world.

To produce good beef however, it will not do to allow growing heifers of eighteen months old to rear calves at an age when they have as much as they can do to rear themselves, their wretched and stunted offspring being again in their turn allowed to rear their wretched abortions, thus making each generation worse than the preceding one; nor to allow old cows to go on rearing calves until they die of old age, each calf becoming worse than the last, losing all tendency to fatten, and the females becoming more and more unfitted for dairy purposes every generation.

The committee cannot conclude their report without calling the attention of cattle owners to the great advantages to be derived from making the cattle as tame as possible, and every cattle owner will acknowledge that the calves of the dairy cows are more disposed to fatten than any of the other cattle on the same lands.

However as from the present competition and from the excess of the increase over the decrease on the already heavily stocked lands, keeping bad cattle must be a losing business, the committee trusts that an improved system of management will gradually take the place of the present one, and that next year it will be enabled to report more favorably concerning Hawaiian cattle.

"GOD SAVE THE KING."

JOHN MEEK:

H. SEA.

REPORT ON HORSES.

Gentlemen of the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society:

Your committee (appointed at the first meeting of this society, one year ago,) to furnish such information as might be deemed of value, relative to the breeding of Horses on the islands of this group, have now to report as follows, viz :

:

That very laudable efforts have been made within the last three years to improve the present breed by the importation of four stallions, brought here by private individuals. Two of these came from Chile, one from the United States and one from Sydney.

By introducing these stallions a beneficial change has been commenced and some few fine, large-sized, young horses are now begining to be seen foaled by our best native mares.

Some few forcing mares have also been imported and although perhaps of no better blood than the native stock, they are of larger size and will tend to improve the present stock in this respect, which is a great desideratum.

There are among the different islands some fine breeding mares, foaling good colts, when not any attention whatever is paid to putting them with proper stallion. But there are some evils existing among us that if not eradicated or greatly mollified will eventually ruin the stock of island horses.

Foremost among these is the enormous number of inferior stallions. Indeed it is a notorious fact that they will not be either at the trouble or expense of having a deformed colt altered; almost invariably allowing such to end their days entire.

Donkeys in crowds running at large, are if possible, a still greater nuisance.

Under such circumstances and entertaining these views, your committee have taken the liberty to offer the following suggestions :—

Could not our rulers be prevailed upon to pass a law in effect somewhat as follows: Limiting the number of stallions in each district to a reasonable number. Said stallions to be approved by proper committees, (appointed as may be deemed best,) who shall recommend such prices as will not exclude any natives who own mares from de

riving the same benefit from their rise, as their more fortunate white

neighbors.

A word in relation to the raising of good and large-sized mules and we have done.

It seeems to your committee that in this respect it would be a great benefit could the present tax on mules be rescinded for at least a few years.

The natives universally object to their mares foaling mule colts, on this ground principally.

Now it is almost universally conceded, that for many uses on plantations and farms, at these islands, mules are more desirable and consequently actually of greater value than ordinary horses.

But for such uses it is desirable that they be large and strong, and therefore it is necessary that some greater care be bestowed upon their breeding.

To accomplish this in some degree your committee beg leave respectfully to suggest that liberal premiums be offered by this association for the best exhibitions of these animals.

THOMAS CUMMINS.
JOHN MEEK.

REPORT ON POULTRY.

To the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society:

Much may be said in favor of an increased attention to "the breeding and rearing domestic poultry," says Main: "as one of the branches of rural economy it includes two special though different objects. The first is that of rearing poultry for amusement and for the table of the owner; and the second is doing the same thing with a view to profit." To accomplish either of these objects it is important that we have the best kinds of domestic fowls, as some are more prolific and hardy than others. We have on these islands but few varieties. We have a very small breed, which I call the native breed, short

legs, small bodies, and gives us small eggs. Then comes the Frizzled Fowl, which is supposed to be a native of Japan. Then we have a mixture of the Malay, though I cannot be certain of their having been a cock and hen introduced; the cock is a great fighter. Then we have the Cochin China fowl, and a noble fowl it is, and were it not so naked and tender during its young state, it would probably take the preference. As it is, by crossing with the Malay, we find it improves ; but the chick is exposed to numerous accidents the first few months of its existence, being nearly naked, its body is exposed to the sharp bills of its more advanced friends, and it also feels every change of weather. It is also liable to some diseases peculiar to itself. Will not this society take special pains to introduce to these islands the Dorking fowl, from England or the United States, the golden top-knots, silver top-knots, and the black Poland top-knots; of the last of these fowls Mowbray says "that his five Poland hens in eleven months, laid five hundred and three eggs, on an average one ounce and five drachms, exclusive of the shells, making a total weight of 50 pounds." I believe that by crossing these varieties we can obtain one to suit us.

Of Ducks I know of but two varieties, the Muscovy, and the common American, the latter a good layer, and a favorite with the natives, it seems to thrive well, and is increasing. There are several varieties which I hope the society will endeavor to introduce. The crested, or top-knot duck, the red crested" from New Zealand, and above all let us have the canvass-back duck, if it has been domesticated.

[ocr errors]

Of Turkeys all I can say is that they are few, and very poor at Honolulu.

Will the society offer a premium for the best essay on poultry, in native and English; showing some of the advantages of an increased attention to this department of industry. Also a premium to some one for establishing a poultry yard on a large scale; eggs ought not to be six cents a piece, and poor ones at that.

I have already written more than I intended. The subject is an important one, and I hope will receive your earliest attention. I might enter into detail, and give statistics to show the importance of having good varieties, and plenty of them, but I will only refer the Society to the excellent address of Hon. Mr. Severance.

Respectfully submitted.

E. H. ROGERS

REPORT ON TREES AND GRASSES.

To the Chairman of the committee on Trees and Grasses:

SIR. Though it is not in my power to do as much as I could wish

-

its success.

for furthering the objects of this society yet I feel a deep interest in And I may say I have a special interest in that part of the subject to which I have been appointed.

I regret that I am not able to attend the meeting of the society, but as I cannot do that I take the only method left me of contributing to its advancement.

Trees are always striking objects in a landscape, coming next to mountains and rivers in interest to the eye of the admirers of nature. We who are dwellers on these sunny shores, regret nothing more of all the inanimate objects we left behind than the stately forest the shady avenue, the luxuriant ornamental, or the delicious fruit tree. They are among our earliest associations and still their memory haunts us as a pleasing dream of things passed away. We cannot forget them, nor cease to feel the sad want of them in this land of our adoption.

But few such pleasant groves yet exist here, as no doubt may and will be found hereafter, but these few add to our regrets that they are not more abundant.

It is a well established fact that rains are more frequent and copious where trees abound, than where they are wanting. In America what were in some cases large streams while the country was covered with forests, have now become small streams flowing only in the winter. Some of them it is said might even merit the appellation of rivers formerly that are now nearly extinct. The evaporating surface of all the leaves of one tree is immense, consequently they must exert a great influence on the surrounding atmosphere.

Of the usefulness of trees as timber for a vast variety of purposes, and for fuel I need not speak. Every one must be convinced for himself. Bearing this in mind and also the very great scarcity of wood at these islands, it becomes a question of much importance; what has been done to supply this deficiency, and what can be done? The first question others can answer better than myself; on the last I will make a few suggestions.

No doubt many efforts at cultivating trees have been unsuccessful

« AnteriorContinuar »