, 1872-11-16

ment is very keen, the telegraph being free
ly resorted to to govern operations. The
planter sends his produce to the selling
place. Here at the time of Auction, sam
pie casks are opened at either end so as to
sheW the toorIngs as well as the head sugars,
and an average estimate is then made by
the purchaser Of the quality of the entire
caSk-anG this estimate governs the price
offered.
The great advantage IN every respect to
the planter OF a ready and immediate sale
for his produce Tor cash upon the spot is
too obvious to need comment. Rum is
readily sold, and in any quantity. The
consumption in France and the French Co
lonies being very large. All moIasses not
turned into sugar is converted into rum.
THE LIVRET SYSTEM.
Vagrancy in the French Islands is etfcc
lively repressed by the system known as
the Livret system. The Police are en-
powered to arrest any one who cannot give
a satisfactory account Of his or her employ
ment or means Of living. Amongst the
Peasantry it is the practice to obtain a GER
titicate or Liyret from their employers which
shows their engagements Any person
found wandering about without q Livret
and who cannot explain satisfactorily tie
reason why he is out of employment IS
liable to be punished by Imprisonment as a
vagabond This system works very sue
cessl'',r, and compeIs The labouring por-
ton of the people to industrial habits. SO
tar as we could learn there was little or no
"squatting " in the French Islands, JhUa-I
there are extensive ranges of ulcultiyatyd
mountain and dell.
PARA-GRASS.
This is a vine gras3 which is said to be
Indigenous, in GuadeIoune, and Mart'Gi-
que it grows in protusiol in the fields ana
is q most succulent fodder for Cattle. We
were told that it was a very useful agent
in keeping down obnoxious grasses while
it does itself but little permanent injury to
the young canes, and is easily removed
when required from the land. We obSer-
we'd fields of young canes that appeared to
j. clicked with the rank luXuriaucc of the
Para-graSs, but we were assured by more
than one planter that this was not the case,
and it appeared to be the custom to let it
grow among the canes until they were
three or four 3onths old.
From all we could learn its introduction
into this Island would be very beneficial.
Before leaving either Island we submit
ted a series Of caretuIly prepared questions
in writing upon general SUI ects connected
with Central Factories to disinterested per-
sons who promised TO procure for US replies
from reliable sources. We much regret
that these have not yet been received, the
explanation offered being that time had not
sutficed to procure them. We should there
by have been enabled to give ampler COL
lateral details in this report which we can
not close without stating that our warmest
thanks are due for the kindness we receiv-
ed at the hands Of those gentlemen in Qua
deIoupe and Martinique to whom we were
introduced or to whom We applied for in
formation. Our thanks are especially due
to the Ordonnateurot Guadeloupe, NJ. Maze,
and to Messrs. Gramm and Diminishing
OF that Island, and to the English Consul
Mr.. LawIess, and Messrs. De POmpegmaie
in Martinique. The latter are extensive
landed proprietors, and in addition to the
warmest private hospitality, enabled us by
their introductions to obtain much valua-
bic information from Share holders in Usines
and from the Proprietors of c%ontributory
Estates.
R. FRENCH SHERIFF..