SUGAR. 



203 



The Commissioners beg respectfully to observe here that the pro- 

 cesses of the manufacture of both sugar and rum in all the Usines, 

 both in Martinique and Guadaloupe, visited by them are more or less 

 identical, the only perceptible difference being the adoption in the 

 newer factories of the appliances of modern science and improved 

 mechanical and other arrangements. The clarification of the juice, 

 its reduction to syrup at a low temperature, the perfect crystallization 

 and colour of the sugar, and a maximum return are obtained by 

 repeated filtration through animal charcoal, the " triple effet " and 

 vacuum-pan processes, and, last of all, the centrifugal machines. A great 

 drawback at present to the Usine D'Arboussier is the want of fresh 

 water. Salt water is obliged to be used, as also water derived from 

 wells decidedly brackish. The injury to the boiler tubes and other 

 machinery from using salt water has been so great, that arrangements 

 are now being made, at a great cost, to bring fresh water to the Usine 

 from the other division of the island. 



We take leave of this " palace factory " with the remark that the 

 proprietors of contributory estates, as well as several shareholders 

 with whom we had the pleasure of conversing, expressed themselves 

 perfectly satisfied with the present condition of affairs, and very con- 

 fident as to the permanent success of the Usine. The shares, originally 

 issued at 500 francs, are now quoted at 1500 francs, but none are to 

 be had. We were informed upon good authority that estates which 

 before the establishment of Usines were in debt, or constantly 

 changing hands, were now in a flourishing condition, and that others 

 which had almost fallen out of cultivation were now making excellent 

 crops. 



We had the pleasure and advantage of several interviews with M. 

 Souques, whose family possesses a small private Usine, called " Beau- 

 port," not far from Point-a-Pitre. We were unable to visit the 

 factory, but we were informed by M. Souques (and his statements 

 were confirmed by independent testimony) that this Usine purchased 

 canes from the neighbouring estates, paying 6 per cent, for them, and 

 that upon a manufacture of 2000 tons of sugar per annum the clear- 

 ances of the Usine were very handsome. The precise amount was 

 not, however, communicated to us, but we observe that Mr. Eussell, a 

 gentleman who appears to have visited Guadaloupe from Demerara 

 three or four years ago, in some notes of his visit, entitled ' Two Weeks 

 in Guadaloupe,' speaking of the Beauport Usine, states : — " The books 

 show that they cleared 19,400Z. upon 59,968,871 lbs. purchased 

 (1868). These figures show a profit of about 14s. 6d. per ton of canes 

 purchased." Mr. Eussell states the quantity of sugar made (in 1868) 

 to have been 2600 tons, and 62,700 gallons of rum, or a return of 

 about 210 lbs. of sugar and 1^ gallon of rum per ton of canes 

 manufactured. The Usine " Cluny " is, we were informed, in 

 general respects a similar factory to that of Beauport, and canes 

 are brought by water in punts from a distance of 20 miles, and 

 afterwards conveyed some miles farther by tramway to the Usine. 

 The island of Guadaloupe is divided into two parts by a narrow 

 channel, called the Kiviere Salee, running north and south. The 

 western portion (Guadaloupe proper) is of volcanic origin : it is 



