The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-08-11
GROWTH OF SUGAR in MEXICO.
Rapid Development in VeracrYt

men from other parts OF the country.
The usual method is paying a bonus
and so much per day for a stated t,.ne.
Convict labor is frequently so obtained.
METHODS OF PLANTING.
For the purpose of giving information
as complete as possible on the. plant
ing, cultivation. and cutting of cane,
as well as on the results and Yield of
sugar and aguardiente, submit the
following reports from several WE'LL
established sugar estates in this con-
sular district, all owned and managed
by Mexicans well versed In the BUSH
ness:
Plantation A.-The total number of
acres owned by this company is 1886,
valued at s2,70o,Oo0 of which 24s4 acres
are planted with cane. The production
during normal years is from 5000 to
10000 arrobas, or, say. from 100000 to
100000 pounds of cane per hectare can
acres). The quantity of sugar produced
is equal to about 8 per cent of the
weight of the cane, and the estate has
a capacity of 1900 tons Of sugar for the
season, which is put on board cars at
a cost of 2 cents per pound. The value
of the sugar making and distilkng
plant is put down at the following fig
ures: Buildings, $424.61s; machinery.
ss70,6s6: railroad, $242,o19; furniture.
implements and tools, $2S,S00; live
stock, s11,740; carts, drays. etc.. and
wheelwright shop, .s9325; empty pack
ages. sacks. ETC.. s12,S26. The distilling
department has an apparatus for the
production of aguardiente with a ca
pacity of 5000 liters (2113 gallons) daily
About 100 persons are employed per-
manently. but during the harvest sea-
son 500 are employed. The daily wage
ranges from 81 cents to 81, but all work
is done by the task. Labor is to be
had in the vicinity, but /the company
prefers to bring 1t from other parts.
and the laborers usually return every
season. Labor is secured by contract,
directly by the company or through its
employees.
Much trouble has been experienced
on this estate on account Of inadequate
machinery, bad management. and the
periodic overfiows of the Papaloapam
River, on the banks OF which the plan
tation is located; at present, however.
everything is running smoothly. The
Government is now engaged in study
ing plans for the prevention of these
periodic foundations, and once these
difficulties are removed this estate, and
all others In the same zone, can pro-
duce centrifugal sugar at 40 cents per
arroba (25 pounds. at which price, as
the report states. no country in the
world can compete. The management
will take pleasure IN demonstrating
the correctness of these figures to any
one DESTROYS of investigating.
Plantation B.-This estate has an
area of 1925 acres, of which ia acres
are rented. That portion of the es.
tate held in fee simple is valued at
100000 The value of the buildings
moable property, animals. etc., is re.
ported as $4,000. and the machinery is
worth $4,000. An area of ia acres Is
planted in cane, and produces So tons
of cane per hactare can acres). The
quantity Of sugar produced Is 22g
pounds from every $500 pounds OF
cane, and 70 liters (1S1.2 gallons) OF
aguardiente of 80 degrees from every
1915 pounds Of cane. The total yearly
production of sugar Is 175 tons, and OF
aguardiente of 30 degrees, 1880 barrels
of 20 liters QS 1-2 gallons) each. The
total cost of production of the sugar
put down at veracruz is So Ia cents fol-
25 pounds. There are no other products
than those mentioned.
Fifty laborers are permanently en-.
gagged, but during the harvest season
over 100 men are engaged. OF these
so are employed in the fields and from
so to 60 in the refinery. Permanent
laborers get 81 per day; the others ar,
paid at the rate of 70 cents per ton o
cane out. All labor on this estate Il
from the neighborhood, and is volun
tafy. The plantation is situated som,
so kilometers 81 miles) from Veracruz
and 1900 meters (3937 feeD from tn,
railroad station. with which 1t con
meets by means of branch railroad
belonging to the estate.
Plantation C.-This estate has al
area of 1866 acres, which are valued
at $4,000. OF the total acreage, 1895.
acres are planted with cane, and al
equal area is utilized as pasture land
The annual production of cane amount
to rs tons per hectare can acres), an,
the yield of sugar is 10 per cent of tina
of the cane. The total annual produc
ton of sugar is 1850 tons. The cost o
production. about 2 cents per pound
1 There are 500 head of cattle on the es
tate. The permanent employees numbe
$50, but during the harvest season 40
are employed-250 in the cane field
and $50 in the refinery Labor is pro
cured from the State of Oaxaca, an
is paid at the uniform rate of 81 pc
day. contract for six months, more o
less.
MINORS | Ann