, 1890-07-23

required go few expensive adiuncts that
the slaves we're the most valuable part OF
a plantation therefore the migration from
old wornOut lands to new was a comp3ra.
lively small matter, but emancipation
with the central system, has completely
revOl1tlonized this mode of procedure.
The real value of a factory isa now embo-
died in its machinery, buildings. and
railroad tracks, and upon the perfection
and extent of these its prospe,i ty depends
far more than upon the fertility of the
surrounding soil. Cane may DO raised
almost anywhere within "A large .lribu-
tary radius, and with the facilities of
steam transport, be economically within
it's reach. Formerly to bu Ill d sugar es.
tate the first r quiSite was a large capital
invested III a gang of negroes. tor without
this the enterpIiS" was thought impossible
and besides a constant OUTLAY WAS upceS<a.
nv for three years AT least without any ic.
turn, and there was 40 income until the
plantation was completed, fields, buildings
machinery, aud live stock. Now, Oh he
contrary, a ma of small capital may take
up lands near a railway aud begin what in
time may become a large factory.
The public lands OF Cuba were mostly
ceded Ivy the crown many years ago III
large grants to persons Ut influence, and
WllHH ali uSkudllu tdI6s SuLNNSC ~ attl SUIl IA
fee simple or given Oh tribute" as it is
termed, paying in the latter case from 176
crnls to $3.50 per acre yearly. They are al
most always taken on tribute because
mach loss cApitaIH is needed and the
tenurA,is perfectly secure, for even in case
Of failure 10 pay the tribute, only Il Sufi-
Gent extent is resOld to. pay the amount
of the indebtedness. The first step is, of
cauI So, to fell, the woods, aud he sale Of
wood and timber, if there is demand for
i. often nearly or quiteocovers the cost of
planting. After these are removed and the
brush r. .ficientlyldCy it is fred This q
leaves the land clean enough toplaht, fore
ploughing and the removal Of the stumps
is not even thought of. If there is no sale
luruthe wood, the trees are simply felled
and burned upon the ground as SOON us
tiey are sufficiently dry.
The r0adwavs are staked out and the
cane rows marked by stretching IL line aud
Sprinkling ashes upon it. They are usual
Is from ftonr to five feet apart, and the
|, les for the cane seed are o rened With the
hoe at about eighteen inches apart. Two
cuttings of cane with TWO eyes each are
pur into each hole and covered WITH the
hoe, Two cleanings are sufficient, for the
growth is so, rapid that the foliage soon
shades the gronnd! baG#i 80 &a
A Gaia ueriG(334 acres)ofla land will general.
lye Weld 1000 cords of wood, which
costs for cutting 81 per cord, and can be
carted a distance, of threefmiles for a like
S I'm. The wood sells at 90 per cord and
upward, delivered by the seller. AS the
pianting of the land, including the value
OF the seed and cost of clearing, will
amount to more than $1,000, when a
purchaser can be found for the wood
the cane when sold leaves q large profit,
Cutting and loading will cost about from
soto 81 cents the load of $500 pounds, and
the carriage about the same amount. Cane
raisedgin this ~wayRllas this year brought
8 4.5O aud even higher prices, leaving three
or four thousand dollars profit tor good
fall paintings OF zane 10 months, old1 for
each cdballerics 3 Upon redalands no ditch.
ins4is required, and if eare'isltaken not to
allow the few weeds that spin q up to go
to yeedb these seeds lcaafbe sustained for
ten years without ~repiantitig,h at a yearly
expense for4weediUg Of from % to @3 Der.
acre. If afterIthe sturaps have rotted,,, q
plough ;isrrun between The 'rows to loosen
thes soil, they will last even longer.
With such advantages by extending the
paintings year a after year. Until the field is
large en- Ougf to warrant pttting up houses
anlenlacmnery, the building of a modern
flctory with a small capital is a mere ques:
ton of time.
Wlthsuch resources itawould he supp6s.
cd ,,th;xta the sugar prOductsijOf this island