48 
144. Cane-farming was started in Trinidad about nine years ago 
as a means of employment to those who would not work o n the 
sugar estates for wages; or, at least, for the wages offered ss the 
stigar estates. These people generally include the better class of 
labourers; who readily take up the cultivation oh canes on their 
own or hired land, and are sg S to seii the canes at a fixed 
sum per ton to the neighbouring factori The a arias at present 
is 9s, pér ton. Itis believed that by medi of this system profit- 
cultural labourers and small proprietors, and that the sugar 
industry would be greatly benefited. It would undoubtedly be 
advantageous to keep this labour in the eects wage ee of already 
in nto the Crown | ands, where there are no roads and no facilities 
for disposing of the produc 
r cane-farming in Trinidad will become an 
established industry will depend, of course, in the first place, 
on a continuance of the present sugar industry, and subsequentl y 
on the facilities offered by the factories for bringing in the canes 
and the prices ats as compared with the profits actually made 
vide for unfavourable seasons, and allow for an occasional increase 
in the price of sugar, the arrangements should be elastic enough 
to fully compensate the farmer for the time and labour devoted 
to the cultivation uf the canes. The greater risk is incurred by 
the cultivator ; once the O are produced, tho manufacture of 
8 he f 
cane-farming has been carried on for years the factories have 
prospered, while the cultivators fave come to grief, shows how 
aer it is that a share of the profits of the factory beyond a 
ertain amount che = to the cane farmer, in addition to the 
eae paid for the 
6. During en year "1895 there were 17, 502 tons :of farmers’ 
canes taken by the factories, while in 1896 the amount had 
increased to 62629 tons, or nearly fourfold. It is stated that 
“unless the factories have to reduce the present prices, the 
“industry will extend still further . itis being taken up 
“by all classes, both coolie and Creole.” The Acting Governor, 
“the sugar industry if properly carried out and encouraged,” 
and adds, “I am strongly in favour a a peasant proprie- 
“ tary ey small holdings, which are a source of great strength to 
“the country.” 
CACAO INDUSTRY. 
147. Cacao cultivation has been EROL TAR in Trinidad from 
its earliest: days, eo hen island is probably more widely known 
th: its sugar e gm area under regular 
en ae meer eR to the Superintendent of Crown Lands, in 
1879 was 24,158 acres. The present area is not given, but it must 
be considerably larger. The majority « of the cacao estates are of 
