115 
ed 8d. to 10d. per day, Ait dd. to 6d., and children under 
6, 3d. to 4d. per day. “Owing to the cheapness; of food and 
: clothing the cost of living is small.” 
SUGAR INDUSTRY. 
336. Sugar and molasses = Ace aren the only products of 
the soil exported from Antig The sugar estates number 78, 
ut some are grouped rr Sy and worked as one. One estate 
only has more than 500 acres under canes, 32 have between 200 
and 500 acres, 28 beyond 100 and 200 acres, and 13 between 50 
and acres. The area in canes on all the estates above 
mentioned is 15,058 ako ke 545 acres are cultivated to in small 
plots of less than 50 acres each. The total area in canes in the 
island is, therefore, 15,603 acres; of this 8,335 acres, or more than 
one-half, are owned by absentee proprietors. 
337. The average annual exports of sugar during the last 
15 years are as follows :— 
Periods. ` 1882-87. | 1887-91. | 1892-97. 
ee a a | | i 
| Tons | Tons. | Tons. 
Average annual production of sugar... | 12, 225 | 14,320 | 12,521 
i 
It is estimated that 500,0007. are invested in the estates now 
existing. 
338. The cultivation of the land has always been carefully 
attended to, and latterly, under the advice of Mr. Watts, the 
analytical chemis t, increased attention has been devoted to the 
composition of the soil and the use of artificial 1 manures. 
339. The sugar produced is almost entirely raw or muscovado 
sugar. There is only one vacuum pan plant in the island. It is 
admitted ep „processes of crushing and manufacturing are “ very 
se 5 
imperfec 
340. It is stated in the memorandum of evidence submit ted by 
saved by improved machinery and skilled supervi iom 
341. Based on the years 1893-94, the weight of cane ane: 
to produce 1 ton of sugar (weighed and sold in New York) 
Was 13°37 tons, but including 1895, when Serge and drought- 
stricken canes were reaped, it required 13°84 tons of canes 
produce 1 ion of sugar. “Taking 13°37 tons as sige basis for 
„« Over muscovado porada: The Governor remarks : om 
“ modity at the present day can afford to sacrifice half the value 
whi ch” proper sien: may obtain from it.” Mr. Wa 
15045 
H2 
