SEVEN HILLS SUGAR ESTATE. 35 



The principal variety of cane cultivated is the Bourbon, 

 which is evidently the favourite in British Honduras, as it is an 

 easy cane to grind and yields well ; from its thinner rind and 

 superior sweetness, it is, however, very liable to depredations by 

 rats ; but, so far as I could gather, rats have not caused. much 

 mischief to canes in this colony. 



About 400 acres are under canes at Seven Hills : ratoons 

 are only kept up to the fourth year, it being found more re- 

 munerative to plant after that period. 



The yield per acre, ranges from If to 2 tons of sugar, the 

 latter being all concrete, with no rum. As this yield is from the 

 natural soil, without manure or special treatment, it speaks well 

 for the quality of land in this district for sugar-cane cultivation. 

 The average rainfall here is a little below 100 inches per annum ; 

 the present year (1882) is, however, below the average, and the 

 rainfall is not expected to be above 90 inches. 



In riding over the estate with the manager, I noticed that 

 the soil was black on the surface, formed for the most part by 

 the decomposition of the finely laminated limestone ;' it was very 

 friable on the surface, with a tenacious, unctuous clay beneath ; 

 in some instances a quartzy ridge would appear running across 

 the valley, on which the canes did badly; the same remarks 

 apply to a few instances where peroxide of iron cropped up to 

 the surface and gave the soil a fine, shotty, and granular texture. 

 The canes on the whole, however, looked fine and healthy, and 

 the estate generally would compare favourably with that of any 

 other country. 



A "fly," or rather a moth, appeared to be troublesome to 

 canes at certain seasons of the year. The different stages of the 

 " fly " are described by Mr. Morison as follows : " About the 

 end of June or July, a white froth, similar to what is known 

 in England as 'cuckoo spittle/ or 'goat spittle,' appears at the 



