tosT OF Sugar PRODuctioN m B. Guiana. 115 



vogue on most estates in this colony. Where ist sugar 

 only is made and ist molasses are sold, or where istand 

 2nd sugars are made, and 2nd molasses are sold, some 

 difference would necessarily exist in the cost of such 

 items as fuel, packages, labour, &c., but any variation 

 in expenditure arising in this way can easily be calcu- 

 lated for the purpose of comparison if desired. Before 

 entering into details as to cost of growing and manufac- 

 turing sugar, it is desirable that reference should be 

 made to some points that are of importance in con- 

 sidering the subject. During the past 20 years the 

 average value of our staple produ6l has varied from 

 $140 to $60 per ton. Although the fludluations have 

 been considerable the tendency for many years has 

 always been eventually towards a lower range of prices, 

 and planters have had to make never ceasing efforts to 

 meet an ever falling sugar market. During recent years, 

 after periods when unduly high or low prices have ruled, 

 the market has usually settled with sugar polarising 

 96 deg. quoted at 3c. per lb. in Georgetown. A ton of 

 sugar at this price would realise $67 20, and if to this is 

 added the value of the 2nd sugar and rum pertaining to 

 a ton of ist sugar, viz., 330 lbs. 2nd sugar at 2ic. 

 per lb. = $7 42, and 30 gallons 40 o.p. coloured rum 

 at 25c, per gallon = $7 50, the total value of a ton of 

 ist sugar would be $82 12. For some time past the price 

 in Georgetown of crystals polarising 96 deg. has been 

 from 2^ to 2 Jc. per lb., a figure at which not many estates 

 in the colony, except during favourable seasons, can make 

 both ends meet. 



In conne6lion with some of the figures given in this 

 paper it is important that the average yield ot sugar per 



P2 



