Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-08-23

less must continue to fall, it is doubtful Wne'n-
er the cotton raising business will ad'sn'e
much in st. Croix. Very extravagant uO''0n'
were adopted by some persons there when .hs
price was at the highest. and even the en'ne
abandonment Of the sugar business for some e
tates was suggested, as profitable move an
not aware, however, that any planter went 10
that extent in his experiments and some VINO
tried the business on a moderate scale declared
their money and labor no better than thrown
away.
Others speak more eneOuragingly, and believe
that il will be better to raise some cotton, tnan
to depend altogether on cane. some cotton
fields we're also to be seen on estates where the
culture Of cane, once successfully pursued there
on, had been abandoned as no longer profitable.
The cotton plant grows wild on ST. Croix, with
out any care, as a stout woody bush but 10
made 1t profitable for crop, it needs to be eareu
for by manuring, pruning and keeping the
weeds away. But if it is not liable to destructive
frosts in St. Croix like the Gotten in our sonth-
ern States, it has drought and caterpillars to
contend with, and the crop is by no means
sure one. The fibre Of that which examined
was fine and silky but short. doubted, for sill
that saw. whether its culture could ever be
very profitable in St. Croix. But the trials,
both as to the species or variety best adapted
/ TO that location and the best mode Of culture,
are yet too recent to justify positive opinion
The amount of bale cotton thus far raised for
expectation can not be very large. and l can
form no estimate Of its value.
As to other exportable agricultural proiac-
tons there are none worth making any account
Of. so far as | could learn. Occasionally, no
doubt, a few Jars Of preserved tamarinds, or
guava Jelly snd few raw fruits find their way
of the island for sale, but to a triaing amount
In fact the entire reliance Of the island for ar
ticles Of export-wherewith to purchase what Is
needful for susteuance and enjoyment, beyond
what Is produced and consumed on the island
is the cane crop.
There is reported as belonging to the estates,
last year. Of neat cattle Gl57 (calves included
But none Of this stock or its productions is sold
abroad. The oxen are al needed Tor work. VIA
little butter and milk is produced, as we'll al
the meat Of the animals when slaughtered, does
not suffice fer the wants Of the ISLAND. Buttel
and cheese, lard and salt meats are constantly
imported to supply the deficiency. About 1905
sheep were also reported. No account is made
Of their wcol-vhat there is left after the
bushes have done their work On it. The SHEEP
are raised solely for the food Of the inhabitants
So Of the hogs and goats. They are raised and
: eaten there. The $500 mules are chiefly in
ported, 50 Of the horses, except the small leland
ponies for the most part Iais5d ard owned BY
the lsborers on the estates. presume these Jas
are raised On the island sud live ard die there
with very rare exceptions.
There is considerable mechanical work, on
small scale, dcue on the island fr home Pur
pcses hut the uumberle,s manufactured ar
tieles Of wood and metal for s,'s IL the shops
as well as the materials for clothing Of all sorts
the lumber for buildings the slaves Tor sugar an
1nolasses hogsheais, and also for the rum pun
eheons.-sAve when they cone In ready made
Sled with corn meal, and tbs tr--i SUITS gene
rally, are all importet--ln 20 he pi'i ior from
+ the proceeds Of the sugar. run ssi uolssses
81 Yet Why should not COTE he raised fr ezpor
D tation The c,f,e tree Ct VS. viil, AMI the Ia
T. bore1s pick it and bring U.,e parcels oft
e perhaps Of a pound weight CT less--to the sa
{ turlay market, ard L is sa.d 20 he Of yer
! coed quality. Tie caoao uee, also, Is fouu
r there. tie ginger rect, thoarrog rect, the guav
t. bush. the amarird tree, suudry spice bearini
trees fnd ucthirg in the soil or climate to repe
e them-.o say nothing Of oranges, pine arplss
e bananas. cocoa nuts. and numerous other tropic
70 al fruits-scme, indeed, too rerishable to b
: sent to a distant market hut others easil
0 made UP INTO preserves, always saleat!e in ii
t markets q colder climates
: Why is rothirg ders with al these to eullrg
the saleatle productions Of St. Croiz, 20 di'ersi
t fy the employuen,s sud make more 7ivaciou
: the life Of its people
I IN answer TO this question can not be t0un
b without taking into account sevsral distinct in
| fuencss which combine to produce the result.
G.w.B.