Productions of Fiji by J. E. Fulton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1902

Productions of Fiji

By J. E. Fulton

J. E. FULTON

ALL the ordinary productions of the tropical climes flourish in the Fiji Group. Among the larger trees are the well-known cocoanut, the breadfruit, and the ivi-nut tree; several varieties of palm; and 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 cocoanut. The value of the annual product of these two trees is very great; they furnish the natives food, and from them is obtained materials for their habitations.

Besides the ordinary preparations of the breadfruit, the natives scrape off the rind, 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 out 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 are 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 with a dense growth of trees and shrubs. Numerous streams and rivulets have their rise in these mountains, and winding down through the ravines like threads of silver between the banks of foliage, finally mingle their crystal with the deep-green sea.

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