The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1883-01-24
30
Central Factories in the West
Indies.


The increased production OF sugarIn
st. Lucia is attributed rather to extend
ed area of cultivation than to improve
ment in culture. That less energy is
shown in the latter respect is cons;d-
cred 10 be owing-in measure--to
the extraordinary fertility Of the soil,
which, not uncommonly, produces
crop from the same cane plants for
twenty years in succession; whereas,
in most other countries, the fields re.
quire to be planted every two or
three years. The system Of agriculS
ture, as in most OF the West India
Islands, is somewhat rude; but signs
of efforts to improve are not aIto>
gether wanting. Virgin soil is being
broken for the purpose in all direc>
tions; and while NC estates have lat
terly been abandoned, some have
been reclaimed, ana others, which
few years ago grew little eise but
weeds and trees, are now yielding
abundant crops,
Besides extension OF cultivation,
there is progress in manufacture
which makes further improvement
probable, and will certainly render it
more easy. Steam power is gradual
ly superseding all other tor grinding
purposes. .Forteen steam mills were
imported in 1870, of which seven re-
placed others that had been moved
by wind, water, or cattle and seven
were destined for newly opened es>
tates. To meet any reduction III
prices, improvement in the quality of
the sugar grown upon this island,
which is almost exclusively ofthe low
class, is without doubt OF the first i'm
portance. The estates arr, for the
most part, too small to support singly
expensive works, such as produce the
crystalized sugar of Demerara; aud
on this account the cooperative sys-
ten, which has achieved extraordi'
nary results in the neighboring col
ony of Martinique, would appear TO
offer by lar the best prospect u sue
cess. Its CHIEF distinctive feature Is
the entire separation OF agriculture
from manufacture. Though cooper.
alton has proved useful tor the intro-
duction OF the system, and has tend.
ed greatly to enhance its profits, it is
not essential TO it. B.tore this inn ova.
tion every sugar planter in the West
Indies was also a manufacturer. He,
not only grew canes, but ground
then, and t.pyned sasis's ssTnto'
sugar.
Under the Martinique system, the
division of labor is complete. The
planter is merely e planter, and sugar
making is an entieely separate occu-
patton. A central "Usine" manufac
lures the canes for a number OF neigh
boring estates, and pays tor them by
weight. irrespectlve.ot the sugar pro-
duced; so that the planter, after de-
liveriDg the raw produce, has no
further concern with it, and he is ems
abled to devote bis capital and energy
exclusively to the improvement OF
his cultivation. The first factories
were established under agreement as
TO full supplies of material with the
nelghboring planters, who also turns
ished considerable portion of the
capital. But now others ere in oper-
alton, which have dispensed with a
part of this security, and which par
italy depend for supplies on the
growers self interest. 1t was, in fact,
taken Tor granted by their projectors
that the planters would sell their
canes rather than make sugar them
selves. This calculation was more
than justified by the event. Canes
are now coming to these factories
from most unexpected sources, and
from distances OF eight and ten miles.
Further proof is scarcely needed to
show that the planters are deriving
benefit from the new system. Though
the extent of that benefit cannot of
course be kno v, notion OF it can be
formed from the price given for the
canes. The lowest price offered by
the Usines is the market value of five
pounds OF the best common process
sugar Tor every 100 pounds OF canes;
and this is only per cent, less on the
az erage than is obtained by those
planters who incur the risk, anxiety,
AID expense OF manufacture. There
j., however, more definite knowledge
as to the profits OF the manufacturer,
no SO tar deserves them that he pro
unces tile best sugar yet exported
from the West Indies. "The Usine
II FRANCOIS" established in 1866, in
TIE subsequent tour years declare
dvidends as follows: In 1867, 10 per