202 



SUGAR. 



This factory pays 5^ per cent, for its canes, and the figures fol- 

 lowing give the financial results for the three years ending 1871 : 



Peofits. Loss. 



£ 



1869 4,385 £ 



1870 440 



1871 28,899 



33,284 



Deduct .. .. 400 loss in 1870 



Leaving . . . . £32 , 844 balance to credit. 



A profit of 7000Z. was expected in 1870. Severe losses, owing to 

 failures dui'ing the war in France, and other circumstances connected 

 with that trying and exceptional year, are assigned as the reason 

 for the failui'e of profits to the Usine in 1870. 



In 1870, 6096 "boucauts" of sugar of 500 kilos, each, equal in 

 round numbers to 3000 tons, were obtained from the 42,808 tons of 

 canes received, or 7*12 per cent, of sugar. 



Three per cent, of syrup was also obtained, which was converted 

 into 470,486 litres, equal to 117,620 gallons of rum of an average 

 Centigrade strength of 60°, equal to 39^ gallons per ton of sugar. 



In 1871, 10,651 " boucauts " of sugar, or 5325 tons, were obtained 

 from the 68,745 tons of canes received, or 7 • 74 per cent., composed 

 as follows : 



1st quality sugar 6*24 per cent. 



2nd and 3rd ditto I'oO „ 



A minimum average return of 8 per cent, is confidently expected 

 when not less than 25 per cent, of plant canes are regularly for- 

 warded from the contributory estates to the factory. 



The superintendent, in a report made to a general meeting of the 

 shareholders on the 24th April, 1872, and unanimously adopted, 

 remarks that this factory was compelled after its second campaign to 

 refuse the offer of fresh contracts, and to increase its working power 

 50 per cent., to enable the Usine to keep pace with the rapid increase 

 in the production of the estates engaged. 



" But two years ago," says M. Souques, " a lack of canes was 

 dreaded ; now an excess of supply is to be feai'ed." 



This Usine, in April, 1872, the thii-d year of its existence, declared 

 a first dividend of 24 per cent., exclusive of 4 per cent, carried to the 

 credit of the " Sinking Fund Account." The general manufacturing 

 and working expenses of the Usine in 1871 amounted to 11 7,73 2Z. 

 The sugar realised (3,543,867 francs, or) 141,754/,, the proceeds of 

 rum were (306,894 francs, or) 12,275/., equal together to 154,029/., 

 showing a profit upon a simple debit and credit account (without 

 charging interest upon capital and tear of stock, &c.) of 36,297/. 

 upon a manufactiu'e of 68,745 tons of canes and of 731,193 litres, 

 or 182,728 gallons, of rum. 



We had not the advantage of seeing this great laboratory at work, 

 the operations for the year being ended. 



