EXPORTS. SUGAR MOLASSES. 261 



is, in general, of inferior quality. The quantity exported in the 

 year 1853, 33,835 hhds., was equal to about 54,136,000 Ibs. 

 Trinidad possesses an immense quantity of sugar lands of first- 

 rate quality ; there are now under cultivation 29,000 acres. The 

 average yield, per acre, is 2,600 Ibs. ; the maximum 5,000 Ibs., 

 and the minimum 1,500 Ibs. In good land, canes ratoon (i. e., 

 are reproduced from the original stools or roots without replanting) 

 for seven and eight years ; in superior virgin land, newly cleared, 

 for fifteen years and upwards. Canes are cut at a growth of between 

 twelve and fifteen months. A system of culture had obtained in 

 Trinidad, during the time of slavery, the apparent advantages of 

 which were found to be far more than counterbalanced by its dis- 

 advantages ; it was known as the stand-over system. Canes, though 

 ripe, were allowed to stand over for the next crop, at which time 

 they would be from twenty to twenty-four months old. This sys- 

 tem was mainly followed in the Naparimas ; it is now, however, 

 abandoned by all judicious planters. The plough is used only on 

 a few estates, and the hoe is still the favourite instrument. This 

 may be attributed to the nature and disposition of our soil, it 

 being generally a clay loam, in undulating districts ; and also to 

 the very heavy showers which prevail during the planting season, 

 viz., from June to October, and which work down the loosened 

 soil from the slopes and heights above. The crop begins as soon 

 as the weather permits say, in the beginning of January and con- 

 tinues till June, when the rainy season sets in ; advantage is also 

 taken of good weather towards the end of the year, in the fall as 

 it is called, viz., November and December. There are but few 

 water-mills in Trinidad, and no wind-mills ; steam-engines and 

 cattle-mills being preferred. The average crop of each estate, 

 with an engine, may be estimated at 250 hhds. ; some, however, 

 manufacture as many as 600 hhds., weighing each 1,600 Ibs. net 

 a total of 960,000 Ibs. A few cattle-mills, of a superior power, can 

 turn out as many as 300 hhds. in a crop season. Some sugar 

 estates have been abandoned since the emancipation ; a few 

 have been newly formed ; but, in general, the cultivation has 

 been much extended on each estate, thus accounting for the in- 

 creased produce since 1850. The sugar of the island is put up in 

 hogsheads, tierces, and barrels ; none in boxes or bags. 



The quantity of molasses shipped in 1853, amounted to 13,362 

 puncheons, or 1,400,000 gallons. The Trinidad rum has been 



