126 



The above fixed charges, when calculated to the amount of sugar 

 produced, result in an additional cost of 2.07 pesos per picul, or 32.72 

 pesos per metric ton, and the total cost, including everything, of pro- 

 ducing sugar in Xegros and marketing the same in Iloilo may be stated 

 with some degree of accuracy to average 4.15 pesos per picul, or 65.61 

 pesos per metric ton. 



Many planters undoubtedly turn out sugar at a much less cost, espe- 

 cially those located in the more fertile districts where it is not neces- 

 sary to replant oftener than every three or four years, but there 

 are many others who must plant afresh each year and consequently 

 spend considerably more than the above figure. It should be remem- 

 bered that these costs are supposed to include everything, with interest 

 on the capital permanently invested at the rate of 10 per cent per year, 

 the rate charged by the Agricultural Bank. In the case of the few 

 planters using their own capital, if no interest is charged on this, the 

 cost of production would be reduced to 3.28 pesos per picul or 51.86 

 pesos per metric ton. 



POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. 

 IN CULTIVATION. 



The desirability of introducing a few other well-selected varieties of 

 cane as a temporary or permanent substitute for the purple, in case 

 of disease, has already been discussed. With a well-equipped experiment 

 station, some work may be done toward raising seedling canes and pos- 

 sibly evolving new varieties still better adapted to local conditions. As 

 regards cultural operations, it has been stated by those claiming to 

 know that the Negros planter as a rule does not go deep enough in his 

 first plowing, and should pay more attention to the harrow instead of 

 the plow for subsequent operations. With an ordinary moldboard plow, 

 and a carabao as the motive power, not much improvement in depth 

 can be expected, although better results are said to have been obtained 

 in some cases by use of the disc plow. The substitution of mules 

 for carabaos has been suggested, but is hardly considered feasible at 

 present owing to the high cost and uncertain mortality of the latter 

 animals. Steam plowing engines are without doubt the most efficient 

 method of caring for large estates, but their first cost puts them out 

 of the reach of the small planter. Irrigation during a few months 

 of the dry season would prol)ably double the yield of cane in certain 

 districts; others rarely suffer from drought, but much from excess of 

 rain, especially where the soils are heavy clay. The lattei* would un- 

 doubtedly be benefited by subsoil drainage. 



The question of the application of commercial fertilizers is, in my 

 own opinion, one which can only definitely be settled by the practical 

 results obtained by each planter on his own particular estate; fertiliza- 



