REVIEWS. 347 



" By comparing these results with the statistics given above, it will 

 be observed, that the two first specimens are lignite of very good quality ; 

 and that the two last contain a per centage of carbon equal to that yielded 

 by the best Anthracite ; indeed, but for their minerological characteristics, 

 they might be designated Anthracites. Anthracite, we must remark in 

 passing, contains on an average from 80 to 95 per cent, of carbon. A 

 specimen of anthracite, submitted to me by Mr. Simon Spencer, which this 

 gentleman assured me was obtained at Anse a Veau, yielded upon analysis, 

 of 



Carbon ....... 76.0 



Ashes ....... 24.0 



100.0 



" This specimen, although falling below the average quantity of carbon 

 usually found in Anthracite of the best quality, is nevertheless, from its 

 minerological characteristics, a true Anthracite." 



The following relates to tropical products : 



" In the past the staples of Haiti were identical with those of Jamaica-— 

 sugar, coffee and indigo. Of these only coffee remains to them. In this 

 respect, very nearly the reverse has happened to Jamaica. We have con- 

 tinued to be a sugar and rum producing country ; and although we 

 continue to send a little coffee into the market, we are far below mediocrity 

 in this respect, when we contrast the present with bygone days. The coffee 

 which is now being exported from Haiti is not the product of present 

 industry, but the remains of the industry of the past. It is obtained from 

 trees, the greater portion of which were planted during the old French 

 regime. In Haiti the coffee trees are not pruned as they are in Jamaica ; 

 they are suffered to grow luxuriantly, and to attain to a considerable 

 height ; and the trees in consequence reach a much greater age than they 

 do in this country, and continue to bear for a much longer time. These 

 trees have fallen into the hands of the small settlers, who care them, and, 

 by planting from time to time, replace the older trees as they die out. 



" Although sugar has ceased to be an article of trade, the cultivation of 

 the sugar cane is still partially kept up, but only to an extent sufficient for 

 home consumption, in the form of ' sirop ' and ' tafia.' President Geffrard, 

 with his wonted anxiety for the good of his country, is directing his 

 energies to the restoration of the cultivation of sugar cane, and the manu- 

 facture of granulated sugar. With a free influx of immigrants from 

 America, and an ample supply of agricultural implements, little difficulty 

 could be experienced on tnis head, considering the facilities which the 

 government is willing to afford in respect of this matter. So far as I have 

 been able to learn, the government has undertaken to import improved 

 implements of husbandry, and machinery for the manufacture of sugar, 

 and to supply them to persons engaged in the cultivation of the soil, and 

 the resuscitation of the manufacture of sugar, on the condition that those 

 to whom implements and machinery are supplied, pay a tenth part of the 

 original cost annually, with six per cent, interest, and a commission of five 

 per cent, on the purchase, until the government is reimbursed. 



" The cultivation of cotton is also a subject to which the government of 

 Haiti is directing the attention of the people almost daily ; urging the pro- 

 secution of it on them in every possible way. As we have already seen, 

 they have taken some steps in this direction, and although they have not 

 accomplished as much as it is desirable that they should, yet, the fact that 

 something has already been accomplished in this way is an earnest for the 

 future, not only in regard to cotton, but also in regard to sugar and indigo. 



