73 



systems, produced in the same time 13.133 metric tons per hectare, while those 

 parts depending on natural rainfall averaged only 7.241 metric tons per hectare. 

 This latter figure, corresponding to about 115 piculs per hectare, is nearly three 

 times the average yield in Negros, but is often equaled and even exceeded on 

 fields of considerable extent in some of the better cultivated plantations, not only 

 in the richer, but also in the poorer soils of the island. Java, with a soil much 

 poorer than that of Negros, yields on the average fully as much sugar per hectare 

 as the Hawaiian Islands. The Island of Hawaii, which is largely dependent on 

 rain, but little irrigation being practiced, averages, in production per extent of 

 land planted, about half as much as the well-irrigated Oahu. From the analyses 

 of Hawaiian soils previously quoted, it is shown that the soil of Hawaii is 

 chemically decidedly superior to that of Oahu. Geerligs goes on to state that 

 "it is seen, on the whole, that the soil of the Hawaiian Islands does not give such 

 an enormously high yield of sugar as is commonly attributed to it by writers on 

 the subject. The popular impression to the contrary comes from the fact that 

 there are in the neighborhood of Honolulu (on the Island of Oahu) a few estates 

 of extra fertile land, especially well cultivated and provided with perfect irriga- 

 tion plants, so that here extraordinarily large crops of cane and sugar are 

 produced. As the majority of tourists do not get any farther away than the 

 outskirts of Honolulu, the conditions existing there are too readily generalized, 

 and reports come out that in Hawaii they get 12 tons of sugar per acre — that is, 

 26.88 metric tons (430 piculs) per hectare."^" 



AMiile jSTegros, handicapped as it is by severe tropical rains during 

 a large part of the year, may never hope to rival the irrigated lands of 

 the Hawaiian Islands, where water is supplied only when needed, there 

 is no reason why it should not eventually produce fully as much sugar 

 per hectare as the non-irrigated portion of that country, provided it is 

 found profitable to expend the same amount of care and money in 

 cultivation and fertilization. 



FERTILIZATION IX NEGROS. 



The great majority of planters in Negros at the present time pay 

 absolutely no attention to fertilizing the soil, but reap crop after crop 

 with apparently no thought for the future. In some of the less pro- 

 ductive, districts, such as Silay and parts of Bago and La Carlota, 

 diminishing yields are beginning to force this subject to their attention, 

 and some attempts are being made toward improving the soil, chiefly 

 by means of animal manure, a poor field being fenced off for a season 

 and used as a "toril" or inclosure for the work animals. In a few 

 places, also, the necessity of returning scums and bagasse ashes to 



^" It is needless to state that the Hawaiian planters are in no way responsible 

 for these exaggerated reports. Accurate data concerning the sugar production 

 there have always been available to anyone who cared to take the trouble to look 

 them up. Mr. Geerlig's remarks upon the subject are quoted here, not in any 

 disparagement of Hawaii, but rather to correct the impression, too prevalent 

 among the planters of Negros, that such enormous yields are the general rule in 

 other sugar-producing countries, and therefore would be possible here were 

 similar methods of cultivation and manufacture to be followed. 



