SUGAR AND SUGAR MAKING. 79 
evidentiy the remains of old swamp or morass. This 
latter is to be found chiefly in the valleys and level 
tracts, while the other occupies more elevated ground. 
The island ig evidently of coral formation, upheaved by 
some convulsion of nature from the depths of the océan ; 
and the red land, as it is called in contradistinction to the 
black land, seems to consist of decomposed coral rock, 
mixed with vegetable carbon and a metallic oxide, prob- 
ably iron, which gives it the appearance referred to. 
Cubans do not show preference for either soil, but in my 
opinion, the black soil grows better sugar, the canes be- 
ing in every way superior. 
Although the soil of the island is wonderfully fertile, 
producing, without apparent diminution, crop after crop 
of sugar, without other manure than the cane trash left 
on the ground, yet even on ‘the ever faithful island” 
this exhausting process cannot and does not go on for 
ever. ‘T'his is evidenced by the fact that the older plan- 
tations are no longer what they were in the memory of 
those still living; they are beginning to wear out; the 
canes are becoming short, thin, and sparse; and in a few 
years will no doubt cease to yield sugar at all, unless 
the proper remedy of manure be applied. But as an evi- 
dence of the wonderful fecundity of these estates, it may 
be interesting to know that some of them are over one 
hundred years old. 
CULTIVATION 
As regards the agricultural processes followed by the 
Creole planters, they are of the simplest kind; for, al- 
