Il6 TiMEHRI. 



acre should be referred to. With ordinary seasons and 

 land carefully tilled and manured, the average yield of ist 

 sugar per acre may be safely stated at 1*65 tons. This 

 yield is often considerably exceeded, and on estates with 

 fertile soil an average yield of over 2 tons sugar per acre 

 is got, but on the other hand, during unfavourable seasons, 

 the average yield on many estates falls below i^ tons 

 sugar per acre. I assume that during ordinary seasons, 

 and in view of the provisions made for tillage, manure, 

 &c., in the estimate I am about to submit, the average 

 yield of sugar that might reasonably be expe6led would 

 be i'65 tons per acre. If the average yield obtained is 

 below I •65 tons sugar per acre, the cost of produftion 

 will be higher than that estimated, but on the other hand 

 if the yield is in excess of 1*65 tons per acre the cost of 

 produ6lion should be less. 



In view of a probaole lower average range of values 

 for sugar in the future than 3 cents per lb., it becomes a 

 serious question to consider how the cost of produ6lion 

 can be further reduced. The produ6\ion of sugar in the 

 whole world is increasing more rapidly than the con- 

 sumption, and aided by bounties and protedlive duties 

 the sugar growers in various countries can produce sugar 

 at 2^ cents per lb. with a fair margin of profit, I do not 

 wi.^h to be accused of taking a pessimistic view of this 

 subjeft, but it is well that everyone should realise 

 exaftly how our staple industry stands. It is evident that 

 the Planter who cannot make sugar for 3 cents per lb. or 

 less will not be able to carry on a sugar estate and make 

 it a paying concern. The following are suggested as 

 some of the means which might be adopted to attain 

 further redu6lion in the cost of production; — 



