xl.ii Timehri. 



Existent Sugar Estates. 

 " 72,527 British acres equal to 44-7 per cent, of the empoldered area, 

 " 162,139 British acres, of the sugar estates are under sugar-cultivation. 

 "About 85% of this acreage is reaped each year indicating that in round 

 " figures 38% of the empoldered land contributes to the yearly production 

 " of sugar. The average production of sugar over the Colony during 

 •' normal years is about l - 8 tons of sugar per acre reaped. On well- 

 •' administered, suitably equipped and satisfactorily financed plantations 

 " the average in favourable years may be taken as from 21 to 2 - 2 tons 

 •'of commercial sugar per acre reaped per annum. On the best estates, 

 •' such as Pins. Wales, Diamond, Port Mourant, and Uitvlugt in really 

 ' good years the yields are higher. 



" The export of sugar during the year 1914 wai 107,138 tons. The 

 " British Guiana Planters' Association states that with the existing 

 " labour-supply the area at present under sugar-cultivation is capable of 

 " yielding 126,000 tons of sugar per annum. The Association also 

 " states: — " The land on the Estates that is not cultivated at present, is 

 " estimated to be capable of giving a return of 101,800 tons of sugar 

 "per annum. 



" This shows that given an ample supply of labour the return from 

 " the empoldered areas of the present sugar-estates couid be increased to, 

 " in round figures, 228,000 tons of sugar per annum. 



" It is doubtful if, even at present prices, the acreage under sugar 

 " reaped each year on the empoldered lands could be economically 

 "increased to more than 50% of their area. If it were increased to that 

 " extent the crop of sugar might amount to, in round figures, 145,000 

 " tons, the mean yield being taken as 1*8 tons of sugar per acre. 



Note. — The following testimonies to the planters of 1 St'7 and their immediate pre- 

 decessors appear in the Report and the Subsidiary Report of the West Indian Royal Com- 

 mission : — 



•■ It is only just to say that the planters in Guiana have not been behindhand in efforts to 



improve the cultivation and the manufacture of sugar, and that their efforts have been 



attended with remarkable success. The amount of sugar and rum produced has been well 



"maintained, and the cost of production has been greatly reduced. If it had not been for 



•' these efforts, and for an expenditure on machinery which during the last fifteen years has 



'"amounted to £1,307,500 the sugar industry must have succumbed. 



" Sugar is undoubtedly the staple production of British Guiana- The industry is carried 

 ' on with considerable energy and intelligence. The maintenance of an elaborate system of 

 " drainage, the skilful cultivation of the soil, and the high character of the processes of 

 " extraction and manufacture place British Guiana amongst the most progressive of the 

 " cane-sugar producing countries of the world. It is estimated that cane-sugar of high quality 

 •' can be produced almost as cheaply in British Guiana as in most tropical countries, 



" In conclusion it may be assumed that as regards the general suitability of the soil for 

 " the cultivation of BUgar-oane, as regards the methods of cultivation and manuring pursued 

 " during the last 15 years, and as regards the character of the machinery and skill devoted to 

 " the manufacture of sugar. British Guiana occupies a high position as compared wiUi other 

 " cane-growing countries-" 



Other Areas in Districts Where Sugar-cane has been 

 Cultivated. 

 " A conservative estimate of the area of lands well-suited for sugar 

 " cultivation in the districts from the mouth of the Pomeroon in the 



