27 
of all, centrifugal machines. In Martinique the mean weight of canes was found to be 
equal to 28 tons per acre, producing, say, 2+ tons of sugar, and the sugar sells at $200 a 
ton. pate 
The central factories, or usines, are represented as in the highest popular favor. Cap- 
ital, both local and in France, is freely subscribed to establish new usines upon a large’ 
and extensive scale. Eight of the factories, at considerable cost, have been erected 
__-within the last two years, and others are now in process of erection. They seem every- 
7 where, by increasing the facilities of manufacture, to have stimulated the planters to 
increased production of the cane. In speaking of the difference between the tillage of 
those who sell their canes to the usines and those who manufacture at home, it is re- 
marked that in the one case the canes are no sooner ont of the fields than the gangs 
and stock are at work preparing the land for the next crop, and all the fields are tidy 
and clean. In the other case fields are left to take care of themselves until the crop 
season is over. Estates which, before the establishment of the usines, were in debt, are 
now said to be in a flourishing condition, and others which had almost fallen out of 
cultivation are now making excellent crops. 
In most of the factories hydraulic or other presses are’ employed for extracting the 
remnants of juice from the skimmings. The former are carefully returned to the clari- 
fiers, the residuum being a hard cake, which is used for fodder and manure. 
SYSTEMATIC CROP REPORTS. 
One of our regular correspondents, (Mr. R. V. Montague,) represent- 
ing the county of Ralls, in Missouri, writes with some warmth relative 
~ to our system of crop reports as follows: 
For the past few months I have noticed, in some of the leading journals of the day, 
rather severe strictures passed upon the management of the Agricultural Department. 
I think all such imputations to be unjust. Under existing circumstances, I think the. 
plan devised by the Department to obtain information, relative to the crops through- 
out this vast scope of country, is as near perfect as can be devised. Your correspond- 
ents have no incentives to make false reports; and both honesty and pride will prompt 
them to be correct. Linfer that you select your correspondents, as a general thing, 
from the farming community. It is unjust, as well as absurd, for editors of newspapers 
to assert that a farmer is not capable of making a just estimate of the crops in his lo- 
eality. If they are incapable of doing so, the Government ought to abolish the Agri- 
eultural Department and use the funds to establish an insane asylum for them. How- 
ever, concede them capable, are they honest; and will they make honest and prompt 
returns of the condition of the crops? I assert, without fear of successful contradic- 
tion, that they are as honest and prompt as any other class of men. Then, if they are 
capable and honest, why not intrust to them the execution of the regular monthly re- 
turns of the Department ? 
I notice that many members of the press stigmatize your correspondents as the 
“favored few.” Favored! I would like to know in what respect? Do they cali the 
courtesy of sending them afew packages of seed or printed reports “ favors?” Are 
such favors commensurate with the efforts which a farmer makes to send in a correct 
statement of the condition of the crops twelve times during the year? Will the press 
engage to furnish agents who will do it any cheaper and as accurately ?_ I know whereof 
Ispeak. I am one of the correspondents of the Department, and, without desiring to 
make a pompous display of what we do, permit me to mention that we do not rely solely 
upon our own judgment, nor upon the opinions of assistants, in making up our reports. 
Every month 1 seek the advice and counsel of men whom I know to be excellent 
farmers. I doso almost to the prejudice of my own farm affairs. A fortiori, if lam 
thus particular, is it not reasonable to presume that others in similar positions will be 
equally accurate and energetic? Pray tell me, if we who live, move, and have our 
very being in the midst of our crops are not to be relied upon, then who are? As an 
illustrative example, Mr. Geddes, of New York, has been indicated by some members ot 
the press. Very well, Mr. G. is a man erudite in all things pertaining to a farm, but 
he is a farmer, after all. Is it possible to employ twenty such men in every State to 
act as reporters to the Department? Is it necessary to employ such men? True, the 
Department would be more than rejoiced to secure the services of such undoubted 
ability.* Yet this does not argue against the competency of other men to fill the po- 
sition. 
* He is a fair representative of the class of men sought as crop reporters—men high 
in the rural organizations of their respective States, and in the confidence of their 
fellow farmers, as men of-accurate judgment and large agricultural experience.—( Ed, 
Rep.) 
