Cost of Sugar Production in B.Guiana. 123 



above, but on coast estates, where drainage by machinery 

 has to be resorted to, there is no doubt the more effeftual 

 drainage obtained, by increasing the yield of sugar, more 

 than repays cost of fuel, wear and tear of machinery &c. 

 HospttaL — The expenditure under this head varies ac- 

 cording to the situation of estates, number of immigrants 

 under indenture, &c., but a fair average cost may be 

 stated at $1 75 per ton sugar. The cost of maintaining 

 hospitals is a heavy tax on sugar estates, and the plan- 

 ter has to bear the whole outlay necessary to acclimatise 

 new immigrants and make them useful colonists. Sala- 

 ries. — The expenditure on salaries, including attorney, 

 manager, engineer, chemist, overseers, boarding and 

 travelling expenses and contributions to churches and 

 schools, should average about $6 50 per ton sugar. 

 Manures. — The ordinary application of manure costs 

 $10 per acre, or say about $6 per ton sugar. It is very 

 desirable that in purchasing manure, the planter should 

 satisfy himself that he is getting full value for his money, 

 as there is much deception practised in the manufa6lure of 

 many manures. The very valuable manurial experiments 

 now being carried out by Messrs. JENMAN and HARRI- 

 SON at the Botanic Gardens will be of great benefit to 

 the Colony, and these gentlemen deserve the best thanks 

 of the planting community for the deep interest they 

 have taken in the matter. I mmio ration and Acreage 

 Tax, — As it is necessary to keep up large gangs of 

 indentured immigrants, the average expenditure under 

 this head should not be less than $4 25 per ton sugar. 

 The estate with the largest indentured gang in propor- 

 tion to the acreage in cultivation, stands the best chance 

 of doing well, notwithstanding the larger outlay necesbary 



92 



