258 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEAVS. 



August 2tj, 1905. 



exported. Fui-ther, most of the plantations are 

 equipped with hydraulic presses for the expiession of 

 cocoa-nut oil, the exports of which are rapidly 

 increasing. Trinidad growers have thus a choice <jf 

 three markets, viz., nuts, copra, and oil. In this way 

 the smaller nuts, unsuitable for shipping whole, can be 

 converted into either copra or oil, according to the 

 relative prices of the two products. 



A valuable paper on the ' Cocoa-nut Industry of 

 Trinidad' was prepared for the last \Vest Indian 

 Agricultural Conference by Mr. William Greig, and 

 is published in the latest issue of the HV.n^ IiiiHnn 

 Balh'tia. 



It is calculated tliat, in addition to the exports, 

 the local consumption of cocoa-nut oil in Trinidad, due 

 principally to the large East Indian population, is 

 about 700,000 gallons. This would represent oo to 

 40 millions of nuts. The exports of nuts, copra, and 

 oil being estimated to account for between 13 and 14 

 millions, it will be seen that the total annual production 

 of nuts in Trinidad may be placed at 50 millions. 



E.Kperience in Trinidad has shiown that, to avoid 

 the heavy cost of transporting the nuts, it is essential 

 that the copra-drying houses and oil-extracting 

 machinery be erected where the nuts are grown. For 

 this reason, as has already been mentioned, the 

 principal cocoa-nut plantations are equipped with the 

 plant necessary for producing these two products. 

 A copra-drying house is similar to that ordinarily used 

 for cacao. In some moist districts artificial heat will 

 be found necessary for drying copra. In manufacturing 

 oil from copra, the latter is placed in bags and 

 subjected to a pressure of 2 tons to the square inch in 

 hydraulic presses. It is estimated that 1 ton of copra 

 will yield from 153 to 150 gallons of cocoa-nut oil. 



The I'esidiie after the expression of the oil is 

 known as cocoa-nut meal. It is a valuable feeding 

 stuff for cattle and horses. Information as to its 

 composition and value for this purpose was ])iiblished 

 in the last issue of the Ayriealtural Xrns (p. 254). 



In the paper referred to above, Mr. Greig urges 

 that every cocoa-nut plantation ' should have a simple 

 table, calculated from its cost of production and results, 

 showing the relative values of nuts, copra, and oil, 

 which would serve as a guide in the disposal of its 

 products.' Such a table Mr. Greig gives in an earlier 

 paper on this industry, published in Industrial 

 Trinidad. This shows, for example, that, when nuts 

 are worth ?10 per 1,000, the eq\iivalcnt price of copra 

 is $67'86 per ton, and that of oil 50c. per gallon (after 



allowing for the value of 5"6 lb. of cocoa-nut meal 

 per gallon of oil). 



It will thus be seen that in Trinidad the cocoa-nut 

 industry has been placed in a staple and prosperous 

 condition. Reference to the table of exports of Tobago, 

 published in the Agvicidtuval Xms (Vol. IV, p. 179), 

 will show that this industry is also of some considerable 

 value to that island. The value of the nuts, oil, and 

 copra exported to Trinidad in the year 1904-5 was 

 £2.453. 



SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



Central Factories at Jamaica. 



Reference has been made in these columns to 

 signs of revival of the sugar industry at Jamaica. The 

 llV.s^ IikVm Committee Cireahir give.s the following 

 information in regard to the establishment of central 

 factories in that island : — 



In a recent issue we indicated tliat there was a piob- 

 aV)ility of a new central sugar factory being erected in tlie 

 district of Vere, Jamaica, and we are now in a ijosition to 

 give .some particulans regarding the company which has been 

 formed, and is about to be registered in Jamaica with this 

 object in view. The title is 'The Vcre Estates Cnmpany, 

 Ltd.,' and the authorized share capital £100,000, in ordinary 

 shares of £1 each, of which 70,000 are to be issued, and 

 6 per cent, convertible debentures to the value of £30,000. 

 The purpose of the company is to acquire a number of 

 estates, and to plant and cultivate sugar, cotton, and cocoa- 

 nuts upon them, and to erect a central factory at iloreland 

 for the manufacture of .sugar and rum according to the 

 most approved and economical methods. The estates taken 

 over win be liaymonds. Hillside, and Moreland (sugar), 

 Braziletto, Bogue, and Olive Park, and a portion of Chcster- 

 fiekl, making a total acreage of 9,556 acre.s, of which 1,003 

 are now irrigated and under cane, 2,276 available for cane 

 and cotton, 2,180 is guinea grass and pasture, and 4,037 is 

 wood, ruinate, and salinas. 



The London agents of the conqiany are !Messrs. E. A. 

 dePass it Co., and arrangements have been made for 

 Mr. C. E. deMercado, the resident partner of Messrs. Lascelles, 

 deMereado A Co., of Kingston, and Mr. Arthur W. Farquhar- 

 Kon, to act as local directors, and to manage the company's 

 business in Jamaica. 



It is proposed to erect the !Moreland factory in time for 

 the 1907 crop, and the daily outq)ut of sugar is estimated at 

 22 tons. We understand that careful consideration will be 

 given to the claims of the Xaudet dift'usion process. 



The properties are contiguous, and situated on a perfectly 

 level plain, thus facilitating cultivation on the cheapest 

 jiossible scale, and economical transportation of the canes to 

 tlie mill and of the tinished products to the place of 

 shipment, which is only 3 miles from the factory. The 

 danger nf injury to crops by drought has now been 

 practically elinunated by the completion of a government 

 system of irrigation, which is available for the whole of the 

 1,003 acres at present in canes. The necessary canals and 

 trenches upon the estates have also been constructed and are 

 in operation. Much larger crops than have hitherto been 

 obtainable slio'ald therefore be assured. 



