p. 12 | PRODUCTIONS OF FIJI by J. E. Fulton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 5, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 10.

PRODUCTIONS OF FIJI.

By J. E. Fulton

ALL the ordinary productions of tropical climes flourish in the Fiji Group. Among the larger trees are the well-known coconut, the breadfruit, and the ivory-nut tree, several varieties of palm, a species of pine called dakua, much the same as the kauri of New Zealand. There are a number of varieties of bananas, several varieties of the breadfruit, and perhaps three or four of the coconut. The value of the annual product of the breadfruit and coconut trees is very great; they furnish the native food, and from them also he obtains materials for his habitation. Besides the ordinary preparation of the breadfruit, the natives scrape off the rind, and pack it in earthen jars or bury it in pits, where it ferments, and forms a mass similar in appearance to cheese. This is called mandrai, a word used to designate bread. Another kind of mandrai is made of bananas in much the same manner. The natives say that this bread will keep for years; we would not doubt their word upon this point. Who ever heard of a bad egg spoiling?

Of edible roots there is a great number. The ones best known are the taro, yam, kawai, and sweet potato. There is a great abundance of wild roots in the mountains, which are used in times of scarcity. We have often heard the natives remark that the wild yams were planted by the Lord.

The climate is such that almost all kinds of vegetation common to the tropics is encouraged. Rains are common, especially along the mountain ranges, and these showers are driven by the winds over the valleys, upon which they discharge their refreshing tribute. Some of the mountains are four or five thousand feet high. Here the climate is much cooler. Some of the government officials have summer residences in the mountains. Unlike Hawaii, the very summits are covered here with a dense growth of trees and shrubs. Numerous streams and rivulets have their rise in these mountains, and, winding like threads of silver down through the ravines between banks of foliage, finally mingle their crystal waters with the deep-green sea.

Once these forests were filled with shouts from cruel warriors, and the air was polluted with the smoke of human sacrifices. Now, many have turned from darkness to light, and instead of the shout of the savage is heard songs of praise to God.

J. E. FULTON.