Remarks

The comparatively large area of cultivable land in proportion to the population may have been responsible for the absence of intensive cultivation that is evidenced by the irrigation methods of producing talo which exist in some parts of Polynesia. If the ancestors of the Samoans were acquainted with irrigation terraces, some practical reason such as lack of necessity must have led to their being abandoned.

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Though the horticultural implements were confined to two forms of pointed sticks, the presence of the planting stick (oso to) is all important and marks the gap that exists between food gathering and food producing peoples. Its importance was fully appreciated in ancient times for the early ancestor Pili, in dividing land and spheres of influence among his sons, gave the western part of Upolu and the spear to Ana, the middle portion and the fly flap to Sanga, while to the eldest son Tua he gave the eastern part of Upolu and the planting stick. A fourth son Tolufale lived on Manono and was given supervision over all. The material gifts represented war, oratory, and horticulture. To Pili, the planting stick symbolized labor in the production of food. Turner (41, p. 234) quotes him in his last exhortation to his sons as saying, "When you wish to fight, fight; when you wish to work, work; when you wish to talk, talk."