THE CUBA RE VIE JV 23 



doubtful in some cases the operation of some of our sugar mills this season. As a con- 

 sequence, the original estimates made will of necessity be modified to some extent 

 through the entry of further units into operation. A great variation exists between the 

 estimates given out by our various statisticians, some of our local authorities, among 

 whom are the heads of a number of our strongest sugar producing organizations, believing 

 that the total crop will be around 3,800,000 tons, while others place the prospective pro- 

 duction at figures approximating 4,200,000 tons. 



The growing season throughout the greater part of Cuba was favorable, abundant 

 rains having fallen in the four western provinces, and no cyclones or other damaging 

 storms having occurred. In the two eastern provinces, especially in Oriente, rains 

 during the summer were lacking, with the result that in certain districts a great scarcity 

 of cane exists. We believe these conditions include the entire Guantanamo Valley, and 

 certain areas along both the north coast and the western trend of the mountain system 

 west of Santiago. Throughout the central portion of the Province, rains were more 

 abundant, and a more adequate supply of cane is found. In CamagiJey Province also 

 the effect of the drought was felt, but to a comparatively limited extent. We have 

 already indicated that the releasing of credits enabled our planters to give greater care 

 and attention to their fields, and the combination of conditions and circumstances has 

 brought about a cane production which in the opinion of our closest investigators will 

 be sufficient, if harvested, to make about 4,200,000 tons. 



These estimates are, of course, based upon satisfactory weather conditions and 

 yield of sugar in our sugar houses. The rainy period extended well into the Fall, in fact, 

 in many places heavy rains having fallen in November, yet notwithstanding the conse- 

 quent unripe condition of the cane, the new crop was started on September 27th by 

 Centrals "Cunagua" and "Jaronu," and a day or two later by ''Manati.'" Other mills 

 rapidly joined these working forces, until on December 31st there were 57 mills grind- 

 ing, comparing with 2 7 on December 31, 1921, and 31 on January 1, 1921. These mills 

 had produced on that date 139,751 tons of sugar. Of this tonnage as of December 30th, 

 76,459 tons had been received at ports, in comparison with 23,111 tons as of December 

 31, 1921, and 13,601 tons as of January 1, 1921. The exportation of 53,383 tons left 

 23,076 tons of new crop sugars in stock, compared with 12,865 tons the corresponding 

 date of the year previous, and 13,584 tons one year before. The number of mills that 

 will operate this season is believed to be 183, and at this writing 178 are in operation, 

 there having been received from the operating mills at our ports as of February 17th, 

 1,019,149 tons of sugar, in comparison with 564,235 tons from the 167 mills grinding as 

 of this date last year, and 670,891 tons as of February 19, 1921. Exports of this year's 

 crop had at the above date already totalled 62 7,152 tons, in comparison with 214,907 

 tons and 258,544 tons to corresponding dates of the two preceding seasons, leaving 

 stock in ports of new crop sugars 376,595 tons in comparison with 348,532 tons as of 

 February 18th last year, and 397,056 tons as of February 19, 1921. 



In relation to the total out-turn, it cannot be expected that the percentage of 

 sugar obtained at our mills will even be approximately the same as was obtained from 

 the last crop. Our readers will remember the long continued drought, with the conse- 

 quent high maturity of the cane ground last year, and the fact that grinding was long 

 delayed, only a hmited number of our mills having begun work before February 1st. 

 As a consequence, the low commercial extraction of the early period during which unripe 

 cane prevails was avoided last season. The reverse, however, had been the case this 

 year, for, notwithstanding the drought prevailing in Oriente Province and felt in 

 Camagiiey Province, the vast majority of our mills began operations with very low- 

 commercial extractions, in many cases this not exceeding 7 per cent., to rise only slowly, 

 so that, notwithstanding the favorable extraction now being obtained, an average very 

 probably ^ per cent, below last year's record will result. Consequently, in order to make 

 the estimated 4,200,000 tons of sugar, a very considerably increased quantity of cane 

 will have to be handled. 



