SUGAR PLANTATIONS. 



49 



if sugar could be cultivated here, it ought to succeed at 

 Port Macquarie. An opportunity of a vessel for Mar- 

 seilles having, however, presented itself in the mean time, 

 I resolved on taking my passage by her. I procured from 

 Mr. Delius the following information respecting the sugar 

 plantations. Sugar has been cultivated in this part of 

 Spain for nearly 100 years, but never to any very great 

 extent. The plantations at present are more extensive 

 than they have ever been before. The whole produce 

 does not, however, exceed 20,000 quintals, of which 

 5,000 are produced by their house ; 20,000 quintals, of 

 100 pounds each, are 894 tons. Rein and Company's 

 own plantations are not very extensive, but they have 

 erected a mill and distillery. They receive from the 

 planters the cane, and return them one-half of the manu- 

 factured article. Four or five kinds of cane have been 

 cultivated, but they are now confining their attention to 

 the large Otaheite cane, finding it succeed better, and 

 yield a better return. The soil is in general of a loose 

 sandy quality, but very rich, and is also richly manured. 

 The planting takes place in May, and the canes are cut 

 in February following. The same stools will last for six 

 years. They are cut down to 10 inches from the surface. 

 Six plants are put into one hole, and the holes are not 

 more than three feet apart, so that it is impossible to enter 

 the plantation after the canes have got to a certain height. 

 The ground is cultivated by ploughs with oxen, but of 

 course only when the canes are very young, or in the 

 early part of the season. The cane grows to the thickness 

 of a man's arm, and from 18 feet to 20 feet high. Mr. 

 Delius has seen fifteen feet of ripe cane. A fanega of 

 rich land will yield from 45 to 50 quintals, that is, from 

 4,500 to 5,000 pounds of sugar. They have a refinery 



D 



