Manufacture or Sugaii» 
03 
it often readies a height of from ten to sixteen feet while in dry limy 
ground it rarely exceeds from six to ten. Soon after the crop reaches 
maturity, the root-stock (stool ) starts sending out new shoots for the next 
crop or ratoon. In a rich soil and with good attention and care, the 
original plant can even supply 18 crops. The ground receives no other 
manure than what it gets from its own fallen trash. The chief work 
that can only he carried out by manual labour is the continual hoeing 
and weeding and t he removal of shoots springing tip after tin 1 rooting 
out of t he timber, especially those of the Cecropia peltata Linn., which on 
account of its far-reaching roots is the greatest enemy of the planters, for 
it not only impoverishes the soil, lmt if even a rootlet as long as one's fin- 
ger is left behind it will start afresh and likewise multiply through the 
germinal capacity of its seeds. Indeed, according to the nature of I lie 
bush and size of the trees carried, the cost of bringing under cultivation 
an acre of land intended for agriculture runs into 70 to 100 dollars. Two 
strong labourers can keep three acres in good condition and even bring 
them to maturity without having to over-exert themselves. According 
to general opinion, a deep rich clayey soil mixed with sand or gravel and 
decayed vegetable, as well as a loamy one mixed with rotted plant materi- 
al, are the m'ost suitable for sugar cultivation. With such a soil, based 
upon twelve years produce, inclusive of good crops and bad ones depen- 
dent upon unsuitable weather, every acre annually yields on an average 
2i tons of sugar, 250 gallons syrup, and 100 gallons rum 34 per cent, 
overproof. 
222. A moderately damp yet Lot year with the thermometer varying 
between 80° and 90° F. and South and East winds prevailing, is generally 
considered the most favourable weather for cane production, while a 
lower temperature with ruling North-West and North-East winds and 
unusually hot and drv weather is considered to lie most prejudicial. The 
most favourable period in the development of cane for the production 
of sugar comes immediately after the arrows (blossoms) are formed. 
223. On the larger and rationally worked estates one sixth of the 
whole area under cultivation is newly planted every year, and the main 
crop gathered in January, February, March, or during the last four 
months of the year: the months of October, November, December and 
January are reckoned to be the liest for quality of sugar. The capital 
outlay, to keep an acre under good cultivation, together with the cost of 
manufacture of its proceeds, runs on an average into 80 to 90 dollars. 
224. After cutting, the ripe cane is brought in so-called punts to the 
mill where it is squeezed between three iron rollers turned on their axis 
by steam power. The rollers are fixed as in a triangle with their sur- 
faces so closely approximating one another that on the first time through 
all the juice contained in the cane is expressed, and runs into a tank 
placed below, from where it is pumped into a tub standing on a higher 
level. The pressed-out cane (megass) falls into a barrow which, after 
being filled, is brought on rails by a simple mechanical contrivance to 
the large “megass logie” to be dried, after which it is used for firing the 
boiling vats. 
225. After the tub is filled, a quantity of unslaked lime is thrown into it 
to promote separation of the coarse vegetable particles and the contents 
