New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-13
VISIT TO ST. CROH.. mo. vi.
porsvcrdeoee Of The ". Y. Tdbons.


,aon.sd bs. Uiyen new life and hope 80 sugar
making. The scarcity Of labor actually COM
nelled il: and il will more than make amends
for any loss in this respect sustained by emau-
cipation. third more sugar Is made on the
same estates than before these facilities were
resorted to. As to the use Of steam, its ex-
pense unfortunately stands in the way on the
small estates IL occur red 10 me that this diff
Guilty might be obviated, by several small estates
clubbibg together and having mill to be ewned
ard worked ia common, the products to be IN
some way aprsytioted TO the amount OF canes
Furnished or even that grinding aud boiling
might be made distinct business in the lsiaid-
each planter paving so much per hfgshead lot
the amount m sde. / ain told the substitution
of steam for wiod is becoming necessary from
growing irregularity of late years IN the
breezes. When the breeze is g,.d the wind
mid! is sufficient power-beng about equal
TO an eigbt-horse power; it adds very quaint
feature to the scenery Of the island.
The value of estates il from $25, 900 to $780,
600, and the prosperity of the island is de-
cisively indicated by the fact that there is, if
anything, an upward tendency in this respect.
Tin
the transfer Of real estate by enabling the pur-
chaser TO know wi Ut to rely upon.
The fsnciful names borne by the estates from
times beyond present recollection are amusing.
Each has its name, by which it is designated in
common speech and in legal documents. There
are DOW about 100 in all. These are some OF their
names: Wheel of Fortune" f" Work and Rest
"Zions HILL" Love Jealousy" Mount
pheasant" Annals Retreat" d" Hannah's Rest"
"Mon Biiou." pearl" Diamond" &c. An
amusing circumstance is related of two adjoining
estates: THE Blessed, and " The Barren" sig
nifcaDt of their respective qualities. The Bles-
d" sed /" lay upon the side OF the mountain above
the Barren; but once upon time tremen-
dous rain came and washed down the Blessed
upon the Barren and rendered her ever after
fruitful In consequence of which, believe, their
names were exchanged.
Another estate now dignifed with the name
"Sprat Hall" derives its present yclepment in
this wise II is situated on the seq side; and the
house, beautiful mansion, stands upon an emf
nence overlooking marshy salt lake, in which
species of dimnutve fishes called spTats used to
and still abound. From this fact the estate was
named "Sprat Hole" which the more sensitive
taste of later years changed to its present sound
ing title.
At the eastern extremity of the island are few
small estates devoted to the growth of sea-island
cotton. 1t does well, am told, and sells in Liver
pool for from 80 to 40 cents per pound
The experiments recently making in England to
produce rope and paper from the plantan and
banana are regarded with interest here and
throughout the West Indies. These grow with
amazing fecundity; and should the attempt prove
successful will open another source OF wealth and
prosperity To- these islands Variety of produc-
ton is the great necessity, though is surprised
to notice how little il is felt or will be admitted
here. This feeling is carried to the extent that
they even deprive themselves of many lgXu-
ries by way of table vegetables, which might be
produced in great abundance and variety with lit
tie labor. AS it is, the only vegetable gardens
sees the small patches of vans sweet pota-
toes, beans and bananas around the negro huts,
which furnish but meager aud most unsatisfac-
tory market. 1t is but justice however to say,
that all vegetables in the tropics are beyond all
conception inferior TO the same grown in the tenn
perate zone. Tropical fruits, also, with one or
TWO exceptions, decided humbug.
The amount Of sugar produced varies from one
half to three hOgsheads per acre the average being
one. Plants yield more than rat0ons, being more
juicy but less sweet.
Expenses in carrying on an estate are very great.
First TO be considered is the uhskillfulness, negl
gence and uniathfuness of labOrers. The outlay
for implements and feeding the engine, where there
is one, is no small item. An incredible number of
animals for draught and burden are employed,
which must be fed, and at this season of the year
pastured out Much money is also invested in
them. Fifteen cents day is paid to labOrers of
the first class, ten and five respectively to the
second and third. The classes are arranged
cordng to age and ability to labor; from forty to
hundred are employed on estate; in some in
stances even more. Saturday is by government
regulation free day by the Labor Act, by which
the free system Of labor was organized the hours
of work are limited from seven in the morning to
twelve, and from halfpast one to sunset, with one
or two exceptions in the week, when they are per-
mitted to knock off at 5 t. NJ Those willing to
labor in free time paid extra and for Saturday
five cents additional for each class. The bill for
labor therefore is large. But in addition to this
il is required that One-third of the wages be paid
in supplies of proyisons--six quarts of corn
meal and three or four herrings per week TO each
person, old and yoang The AMOUNT is the same,
whether supplies are dear or cheap. The amount
named in the Labor Act is the same that was al
lowed in Slavery, when those articles Of provision
we're much cheaper than now. SO the planter
loses by this
Large quantities are consumed The salt fish is
from the States and British Provinces
Sharing allowance is worth seeing Ii gen.
orally takes place on Friday, at noon, or after
hours at night. l Glanced 10 visit large estate
when this process going on. There were
ninety seven in all TO receive their portions whose
names, written on strips of paper, were pasted on
rolboard. The meal was shOveed from the
puncheon into bin in an apartment without any
floor underneath the Managers house, and the her
rings laid out ON rough, briny table. A young
mulatto-man measured out each ones share in
ak quart box, and another handed out the her
rings. The people crowded around impatiently 10
get their allowance-sOme in wooden trays and
some in aprons. As each one was furnished the
muatto would drawl out to the overseer-s young