, 1874-05-06

muCu DIS Tie qudHty vi sugar kDeluS THAT WllCn
now pays the English Is. Sd. duty on which
payments are to be based is lower than that
which governs payments in Martinique.
Surprising that the plantations of the con.
tractors produce only their present average
crop, and that, contrary to all experience, the
Central Factory system causes no extension
of cultivation, the above contracts will secure
at the outset canes sufficient to make over
1000 tons of sugar. But there are in the
neighbourhoOd of the proposed site, besides the
contractors, a large number of peasant oultiva-
tors, of canes Whoseinterest insuppIying a facto-
ry iSso obvious and so WellknOWn to them already,
that it has been considered unnecessary to
contract with them. Moreover, a number of
others of this class, now cultivating in the in
terror, have expressed to me there intention of
taking up vacant lands for the purpose of grow
ing for the factory, as soon as its establishment
is finally decided upon. Even excluding the
latter from calculation, we may safely depend
upon an immediate supply sufficient for at least
400 tons sugar., an amount which, according
to all previous experience, will continually
tend to increase. This is a larger amount than
was obtained at first by any of the three Mar
Unique factories of which | have obtained sta
t%istics. Thus the "FrancoiS' in 1867, its first
year Of work, made only $50 tons: in 1868,
1900; 1869, 1850; and yet, as stated above,
made profits in these years of 10, IS, and As
per cent. While neither the "Petit BOurg"
nor the Marin" which have earned large pro-
fits every year, have ever yet made 1400 tons.
Considering the great fertility of the soil in the
Cul de Sac Valley, where even the rude Guilt
walton of the negroes sometimes produces over
p tons of sugar to the acre, and considering
also the anticipatory movements that have
already been made for extending cultivation
there, | expect that the amount of canes offer
ing will soon exceed the capacity of the works
now proposed, and will necessitate in the future
considerable additions to the machinery.
According to the advice of Monsieur Ua-
rouard, it is proposed that the factory to be
erected should be on the plan of the " Usino
de Petit Bourg," erected in Martinique in 1871,
with some improvements suggested by more
recent experience. This would give a capacity
for manufacturing easily during the crop-season
1850 tons, the amount being capable of increase
to $500 tons by more n~ight-work, and some
inconsiderable additions to the machinery.
Monsieur Harouard considers that the whole
capital required for the erection and working
of such a factory would be G9,000Z, and his
opinion is entitled to weight, inasmuch as he
erected the " Marin" factory aforementioned
for a sum which fell short of his original est
mate. However, for the sake of security, I
would recommend that the subscribed capital
should be 100, 000l, a sum which would more
over, give some scope for future additions to
the works.
AS regards management, on which the sue
cess of such enterprises so much depends,
have ascertained that satisfactory provision can
be made on terms similar to those given 10 the
French Islands, by the engagement of gentle
men who have already earned a high reputation
in the management Of some Of the most success
full factories in Martinique; and I may men
ton that the proximity Of St. Lucia to Mar
Unique will give special facility for obtaining
at once, when required, the benefit Of the best
Martinique experience.
The principle of payment for management
which is the rule in the French factories can
and should be adopted for this one, the remu-
neration Of the managers being dependent, ox-
cept as to a small fixed salary, on the profits
earned.
In conclusion, [ would mention that since
obtaining the supply,contracts above referred
to, | have received suggestions which induce
me, 10 the interest of all concerned, to recon-
mend an alteration in the principle Of payment.
[ propose to commute the 5 per cent. rate for
a low fixed price per hundredweight of canes,
at the same time giving to the growers a
stronger interest in the success of the factory,
by dividing with them in each year half the
profits in excess of, say, Is per cent. and an