Note 275 — CONTENTS. (continued 5)

On commencing the cultivation the men first burn off a large field selected for the purpose, then clear it nicely, throwing the stones aside till the field is in good condition. Then the planter awaits the fall of the first shower of rain. At the fall of the first shower the spirit of the planter is gladdened, the eyes are gratified; he then waits for one more shower that his field may be thoroughly soaked. When the second rain comes on the evening of that day, the planter goes in search of taro-tops275 (huli). These are the kinds of seed chosen, which are planted in dry land: 1, elepaio, a species of taro with spotted leaves; 2, apuwaipiialii; 3, lehua-ku-i-ka-wao; 4, kumu; 5, manini and ape. Tie the seed plants into a bundle, and on the morning of the next day proceed to the prepared field; dig as many holes therein and plant out the taro-tops selected; when the field is planted then the farmer watches the field for the growth of weeds, and at their appearance he takes his wooden oo and clears the growing weeds or grass. This method of cultivation is called “oloolohio.” This work must be done regularly until the young leaves of the seed-plant make their appearance; sometimes three or four leaves are seen, then the planter separates the planted taro-tops (hulis). because if they are not separated and the soil pressed down firmly, it was said by the people of old, the bulb would become poor and slender instead of being full and rounded. But, if the planter regularly and daily separates the decaying leaf-stalk and presses the soil around the taro plants until it nearly matures, whereby, they say, the taro is extra large, they are full and round, not long and slim.