13 



knives or machetes of the regulation type, cutting, stripping, and top- 

 ping the cane. As the work is done by the piece, some of the cutters 

 become very skillful and are able to prepare the cane with a few 

 strokes of the knife. A main portable track is run down to the sec- 

 tion that is being cut, and from this switches are run off into the 

 fie'ids. The cars are loaded by hand, the canes being put crosswise to 

 the length of the car, and drawn to the main track by oxen. The train 

 of cars is taken to the factory by a locomotive. 



Cars. The cars used for transporting cane vary from the 2 to 3 

 ton cars to the 8 to 10 ton. 



Weighing the cane. The factories are equipped with a balance. The 

 loaded cars are run on to the balances and weighed before passing to 

 the conductor. Scales of various kinds are used. Weights are generally 

 taken in kilos or metric tons, and if desired, transferred into the Eng- 

 lish or Spanish systen. One estate has a registering balance; the 

 weigher simply balances the machine, pulls a lever, and takes out a 

 paper slip with the weight recorded on it. 



Unloading the cane. The cars at the side of the conductor are 

 unloaded by hand, the men feeding the conductor evenly and steadily 

 and removing objectionable material. About 26 men are employed 

 at the Cartavio factory to unload 400 tons daily, unloading at two 

 conductors. 



