, 1888-08-11
Barbados News.
From the Agricultural Reporter goth JHty9

on the whole, been extremely hot. Rain
has fallen in moderate quantities through
ont the Island, but in some parts, the West
Il North, it has been mere abundant than
in others. Yesterday, and to-day, we have
had some heavy showers. The quantity OF
rain which we have had this month up to
date, is not as much as usually accom-
panies July, and is far below the quantity
we haG last year in the same period. We
are glad, however, to record that there has
been sufficient for the growing crops as
we'll as for planting requirements. Very
many estates have been fortunate enough
to close up their crops during the fortnight,
but on the high lands there are yet many
with two or three weeks work before them;
and, indeed, in some cases it is feared that,
for the first time for over thirty years,
there will be left "StandOVerS.o In the
parishes OF st. John and St. George,
particularly, there is much sugar yet to be
harvested and in the latter parish, 1t Is
said perhaps one fifth Of the estates are
not certain when they will finish. Owing
to the backwardnp>S OF rpaping operations,
it is impossible, even at this advanced time
of thH YeIr, to approximate the quantity OF
sugar the Island is likely to turn out.
Opinions seem to diff II whether the tolal
yield will be equal to that OF last year or
no. But the general opinion is that, II even
the total figure should not equal that Of
last year, it will prove 10 be very little be
hind II and, at any rate, the crop Will bha
good one. In the parish of 81. Philip,
which is Il dry parish with thin soil, some
of the estates have made noteworthy
crops. The Rirer, Three Houses, and BHyhy
Park have each turned out over the fourth
century, whilst the Hm90ir has topped the
magnificent record of $50 tons. The
actual return of some OF the estates has
not eQualled that Of last year, but we ave
great cause to be thankful that the Island
will add another big crop To her score.
Unfortunately. it has been called a "Alr"-
chants "crOp,' on account of the large
amount of imported fuel which has been
used in it's reAping. Even so, however,
1t still means the circulation OF u
larger amount of money in the Island
than if it were 4 small crop, which
circulation denotes the absence of many of
the hardShipS of life which usually follow IN
the wake of the want of money. The Plant
erS are Straining every nerve to get their
sugars into town 80 as to escape the pay
ment, if possible, Of the double rate OF
insurance which is imposed from the
LIST Of August. There is IL large quau-
THY of sugar in the various cur
ing houses UlrOu tn-OuG Jn0 country,
and every stanchion in Bridgetown is
full, whilst there is also a want of ton
mage in our Bay. The quantity of pro-
duce exported to date has been 40, 1913
hhds of sugar, and 35,448 punS of molas-
Ses, against 50.SS7 hhds. of sugar, and
So, 15l puns. of mOlasSeS, at the CORES
pOnding period of last year. 1t is very
satisfactory to note the rise in the price
of sugar which has lately taken place, and
the signs are on the whole in favor Of the
improvement being for some time steady.
The prices in our local market are 1910
per 100 lbs for sugar, and Is cents per
gallon for molaSseS, but the news of
S~preckleS having c0rnered the Sugar
Trust of New York, embOldens holders OF
sugar to hold on for $500 per 100 lbs.
The market to-day was rather depressed,
perhaps owing to the weather. Merchants
were not disposed to give over $3.50 per
1O0lbs for sugar. Owing to the latenesS
of the reaping operations, provision and
fodder crops have not been put in as ge-
morally as is usual at this date; but where
ever they have been put in, they are very
promising. The yam crop is not likely to
be as large this year as it was last year i;
but it is making a good and promising
show Provisions. as . rnlp. are in fair