THE CUBA REVIEW 



THE SUGAR INDUSTRY 



cent below the estimate. The prospect for a larger crop in this section of the island for next 

 year, however, is excellent, and the planters say that under favorable conditions there will be 

 a far greater yield than the estimated 1917 crop. 



In the northern part of the district at Chaparra and Delicias, where the largest sugar mills 

 in the world are located, having a capacity of over 1,300,000 bags of sugar (about 186,000 

 tons' a year, the rebels burned and destroyed about 8,000,000 arrobas (100,000 tons) of cane, 

 bringing down the estimated production from 178,571 tons of sugar to about 157,143 tons, 

 which, the manager informs the writer, will be the final figures when the mills cease to grind 

 in .August next. All the burnt fields belonging to these plantations that are owned by the 

 Cuban American Co. ha\e been cleaned, and it is estimated that, with favorable conditions, 

 the yield of next year's crop will be con.siderably in excess of the estimated 1917 crop. 



In the Camaguey and Santa Clara Provinces, which were visited, the destruction caused 

 by disturbances was far greater than that caused in the Province of Oriente. Every railway 

 bridge of the Cuba Railway Co., between Camaguey and Antilla, was destroyed or damaged, 

 as well as every bridge between AntUla and Guantanamo, and nearly all the railway stations. 

 Practically one-half of the cane crop was destroyed. The cane fields in the neighborhood of 

 Jobabo were devastated. 



The 14 mills that have now stopped grinding for the season show a production of 162,539 

 tons, as against an estimated production of 319,300 tons, a difference of 156,761 tons, or 49.09 

 per cent, all due to the destruction caused by the revolutionists. 



Notwithstanding the destuction, Cuba wUl be in a position to produce over 3,500,000 

 tons of sugar in 1918, as there are a number of large mills now in course of construction which 

 will be ready to grind in December next, and there are many thoasand acres of new fields 

 planted. The output, however, will depend upon general conditions, improvement of the 

 transportation facilities and labor conditions. 



Transportation Dijjicidties — Labor Shortage. 



The transportation facilities of Cuba have always been inadequate. With the exception 

 of the Chaparra and Delicias mills, which have their own railway and seaboard facilities, 

 and the Preston mill on Nipe Bay, all the mills in Cuba are dependent upon the Cuba Rail- 

 way Co. for the transport of their sugar to a seaport, and are also dependent upon it for their 

 supplies. Complaint has been made regarding the lack of transportation facilities, which 

 have tied up thousands of tons of sugar in warehouses, on which mill owners are unable to 

 get any advances from the banks. 



The most serious problem that confronts the sugar cane growers in Cuba at present is 

 the scarcity of labor, and unless some action is taken to remedy this defect they will be seriously 

 hampered in their operations in cultivating the fields and in gathering the next season's crop 

 The revolution caused many thousands of Spaniards, Haitians, and others to leave the country, 

 and it is feared they wUl not return. 



It is estimated that 50,000 extra hands will be required by Cuba for the cultivation of 

 the cane fields and for cutting and grinding next season's crop. The cane cutters are now 

 receiving $1 to .$1.30 per 100 arrobas (2,500 pounds) for cutting cane. The workers on the 

 fields and the cart drivers receive $2 to $3 per day. 



Possibilities of Greater Yield. 

 The soil of the Provinces of Oriente and Camaguey is very fertile and it is capable, with 

 intensive cultivation, of producing a much greater yield. A large percentage of the land now 

 under cultivation is practically virgin soil. Three crops of corn can be raised each year. 

 Cane once planted reproduces itself each year for 20 to 25 years, and the only fertilization 

 the soil requires is the cut leaves from the cane which is left in the fields at harvest time. 

 The country also contains thousands of acres of grazing lands, and vegetables of all descrip- 

 tions grow continuously. 



