47 
A second report from this body was presented in April last. 
Some of the canes under trial are stated to be promising, 
and it is believed that the work done “ will be of considerable 
future:value,” The root and rind fungus has been prevalent ee 
the cane fields, and cane-borers and root-destroying gru 
caused a certain per-centage of loss, as in other sugar shinies es. 
140. Although va K aers: produced has really increased, the 
ie 
value of the m expor rtec from Trinidad has ser iously 
decreased. The ah average value for three quinquennial 
periods and for ie “i ear 1896 is as follows :— 
——— ja 1881-85. | 1886-90, | 1891-95. 1896. 
| | 
Ses eee Se ae £ 
Value of molasses exported 59,509 | 51,560 | 46,892 36,488 
141. Tt is stated that “ the only market of importance for several 
‘ years past has been Martinique, where owing to the prote — 
arral, it could be worked up at a profit.” There i is some dan 
ormerly good molasses: where shipped ‘to the Dominion of 
almost entirely ceased. Vacuum pan molas asses, as : nearly all ike 
sugar is taken out, are only pees fie being distilled into rum, 
D 
in 20 years from 2s. to ls. 3d. per gallon, while in European 
markets it is barely saleable. In spite of this, the T 
produced has more than doubled during the 
annual haa value of the exports for ‘three quinquennial patel 
is as follows 
142. The value of Trinidad rum in the local market has fallen 
1 
_—— 1881-85, 1886-90. | 1891-95. 
£ 
4,587 
£ £ 
Value of rum exported ... dee me 2,464 | 3,529 
143. Connected with the local consumption of rum is the 
manufacture of bitters, an article for which Trinidad has a con- 
siderable reputation. These bitters are produced by one firm 
only, and the nature and proportion of the ingredients used are 
kept secret. The following is the value of the bitters exported 
during three quinquennial periods and the year 1896 :— 
EAMA nates’ 
— | 1881-85. | 1886-90. | 1891-95. | 1896. 
| 
£ £ £ £ 
Value of bitters exported... -.. | 31,377 40,057 37,663 31,646 
