New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-14
VISIT TO ST. GROIN. mo. VII.


ST. CROX, w. l., April, 1855.
do not know that there is any difference 10
the way of making sugar and rum here, from
that practiced in our Southwestern States.
1t is certainly on much smaller scale; but, as
may have its peculiarities-I never having
witnessed it there, and as | suppose the mi-
ority of your readers are in the same ignorance
i shall endeavor to describe those operations
as seen in 81. CrOix.
The estate presents lively scene when the mill
is going Ataquarter before seven the feld-gang
of fifteen or twenty, having eaten their breakfast,
may be seen struggling along to the caue-piece,
accompanied by negro-driyer. The hiadmost
are generally finishing their meal az they go
along. These are mostly women; their heads
are bound up in coarse, untidy, ragged Madras
handkerchief and on the top of it rests the
rough iron knife or ax-fOr it partakes of the
nature of botb-wth which they cut. Their
dirty, blue checked shirts drawn up till they
hang trfe below the knee, and are held in that
state of suspension by handkerchief tied tightly
over all about the lOns this gives a baggy ap-
pearance about the body, and singular, skrimped,
dangling aspect when they hang below the point of
lgature Their full, shining calves glisten in the
morning Gun, and their broad horny feet, innocent
Of all intercourse with shoes except on Sundays
and holidays pat along the hard roads or paths
careless of what may lie in their way. Through
out work hours a broad swath Of the rustling
canes trembes and tails before them-the stalks
being trimmed and thrown into piles for the mules
or carts TO collect and carry 10 the mill, while
rude jabber, hybrid speech of old African aud
corrupt English, mingled copiously with the mer
~, hearty negro OUTLAW, comes to the ear Of
passer.by with the incessancy and monotony of
flock of backbirds in h field OF grain
Sometimes the cane-laDds are 80 precpitous
that the canes have 10 be brought down on the
backs of mules piled into iron wooden hooks
laid across the animal but generally they are con
Yeyed 10 the mill BY single hOrse.carts with high
boxes drawn by one mule, or two mules tandem.
Eight or ten Of these-dryen BY young negroes
standing just behind the animal on the shafts-are
constantly lying between the field and mill An
Iri.h oyeTseer or a lisely mulattO follows the
carts on horse back and, riding furiously back and
forth, is almost ubiquitous along the whole line Of
operations. The carts are tipped up as near az
possible 10 the hopper. often the ground Tor sew
eral rods around is covered with these heaps Of
car es.
The manager il at times about the mil at
Others on his fine horse riding leisurely 70 and
from, or in the field; or quietly resting In his
house, from which loop-bole be exercises silent
influence over all operations.
AZ one end OF the sugar house beneath a low,
temporary shelter, is the apparatus for grinding
IL consists Of three heavy cast iron cylinders two
feet thick, and hollow, which are hung horizon
tally, one placed directly above the angle formed BY
the other two and by means Of screw. capable Of
being brought into the closest proximity Being
moved BY the engine operating b. a set Of COZ
wheels, the cylinders tarn upon one another ~
such way a. enestualy 10 express The ace =,
the canes passed through them. The mil y 10
frum q broad, slightly inclined hopper ~i's ~
sides A nan. generally an elderly aeffo. ''a.'-
On each side oi the hopper. 70 dire, w ...,.
and iced them lu Prom sis o. Tea F'fs s'' p..v
,ng,sed n t,ips M the sanss sid ssps % esnf
lssrs. Ia kuss hundls. Which me- Ill. % h't
shsalssr. 10 ~ ihe ier. ~ ihslF ess', sss 'fas'
Aloue b. threw tbem Hp"n N. F'"''''s' ~ ~
Der ftls l. hard wofA 80 ~ % p "ffs ~
time atl ihsn ~ 70 ihs PEI"
IL tali5Isss srs watl'y sats'asflsi sfusl