THECUB A REVIEW 17 



of $5.50 per 100 pounds for sugar f. o. b. Cuban ports, wbicli was agreed upon for the 

 1918-19 crop, has apparently given general satisfaction and stimulated operations. 



INCREASED SHIPMENTS OF MOLASSES 



Molasses, or black strap, a by-product of sugar wbicli, prior to tlie war, brought 

 such a low price that a large proportion did not become marketable, has for the past 

 four years commanded an exceedingly high price, becoming a source of no little profit 

 to the sugar mills. 



The price of molasses during the 1917-18 campaign was |0.07 per gallon, and 

 any material decrease in this price would naturallj^ react on the economic condition 

 of this Province. 



TOBACCO SHIPPED THROUGH HABANA 



As tobacco continues to be exported via Habana, export figures for this product 

 are not available. The crop of tobacco for 1917-18 was entirely satisfactory with 

 respect to volume, quality, and prices. The outlook for the 1918-19 crop is very 

 promising, and it may equal or even exceed that of the preceding year. Returns to the 

 producer, however, may not be much greater, some of the profits being absorbed by 

 the increased cost of labor. 



An estimate from a reliable source places the probable yield of the 1918-19 crop- 

 at 12,000 to 14,000 bales, of 160 pounds each, making a total of 1,920,000 to 2,240,000 

 pounds, which is approximately 20. per cent, more than the preceding year. A local 

 manufacturing company, known as Cienfuegos Industrial, S. A., is now placing cigar- 

 ettes on the market which are finding a ready sale. The next step will be the manu- 

 facture of wax matches. This company operates machinery of both American and 

 Cuban invention. 



HONEY AND WAX INDUSTRY GROWING 



The greater part of the production of honey and wax is shipped to Europe,. 

 where it is claimed better prices prevail. Some of these shipments are made through 

 Habana. The aggregate, however, is of minor importance as an export, though the- 

 industry is slowly increasing. 



With the exception of honey, sugar, and molasses, no foodstuffs are exported from 

 this consular district, and comparatively few are produced for local consumption. 

 Foodstuffs compose, therefore, a considerable proportion of the imports, flour, meatj, 

 lard, and vegetables being particularly large items. 



IMPORTS INTO CIENFUEGOS 

 The following table shows the quantities and values of imports into Cienfuegos 

 in the calendar years 1917 and 1918 from all countries, and those from the United 

 States alone in 1918 : 



From all countries. From United States 



Articles. 1917 1918 1918 



Quantity Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 

 Agricultural implements, not 



machinery $.39,663 9 $59,974 $42,154 



Amber jet, pounds 5,871 1,426 2,827 174 384 



Apparatus: Bee culture, pounds 4,155 128,494 23,339 128,494 23,339 



Apparel of wool and manufac- 

 tures thereof, pounds 13,622 16,050 17,832 34,312 



Yarn, pounds 1,437 2,055 



Asphalt, pounds 200,292 2,662 200,292 2,662 



Beans, bushels 39,970 238,647 31,198 193,646 9,896 64,219 



Boilers 2,240 2,240 



Books 3,183 5,243 5243 



Boots and shoes, pairs 716,045 960,761 599,682 1,076,997 585,935 1,042,686 



Butter, pounds 69,148 -33,416 7,979 5,.549 7,979 5,549 



Calcium carbide, pounds 506,811 26,828 414,383 11,610 414,383 11,610 



Candles, wax, pounds 82,351 14,735 39,301 7,567 39,301 7,567 



Cars, vehicles, and carriages: 



Railroad cars 332 3,795 3,795 



Carriages and parts 319 



Cars, street railway 73,776 58,837 58,837 



VP'agons, vehicles 113,935 37,110 36,778 



Automobiles, number 18 16,200 12 12,643 12 12,643 



Automobile accessories 4,155 4,742 4,742 



