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Forfatter(e) | Author(s): by P. B. Hatchett
Titel | Title: The St. Croix agricultural reporter : Publ. for the agricultural society
Bindbetegnelse | Volume Statement: 1851-1853
Udgivet år og sted | Publication time and place: St. Croix, 1851-1865
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THE
S T . CROIX
f f , - M t
/ ' ' ‘
AGRICULTURAL REPORTER.
^O. 1 . - A P R I L 1 8 5 1 . On th e m e n u s o f e c o n o m is in g
m a n u a l la b o u r .
Having been appointed as one of the Cominittee tor the Agricultural Society, I consider it a duty incumhent on nie to make the following remarks :
That it is of the greatest importance to adopt every possible means of econom- ising manual labour, which, no douht, is well known, hut, unfortunately, the rerne- dy i* not carried out generally and with the spirit that is needful.
In the first place I adopted a new metliod of potting “ Sugar,” whereby all the labour of carrying was saved,—the Sugar being shovelled direct into the cask, and the cask when filled is easily removed to the curing- room. This method succeeded all last crop, saving much labor and annoyance, as well as waste, which is unavoidable, when tubs are used. The quality of the Sugar was also improved. It was advertised on the 21st January last year, but like all new things was either considered impossible or not worth noticing, as very few per
sons called to see it, though invited to do so.
I have now adopted Implememtal Cul- tivation, whereby a great amount of manual labor is saved The hind was lirst weed offby the Weeding Maehine, it was then trenched 5 feet apart, and the trenches subsoiled. The manure was carted on the land, dropping it in the trenches, whereby all the Jabor of carry
ing is saved ; it was then banked up on the manure by the plough, it has been subsoiled, and weeded offby the weeding maehine, and also planted by the aid of the subsoil plough, and again weeded by the weeding maehine. Since the sprouts are up the only operation witli the hoe, was to weed through the sprouts, which is trifling, compared to weeding a wide hole and bank.
I do not recommend the more general use of Implements, as being cheaper, it is expensive to procure and feed extra stock, but the grand objectof substituting implementa), in place of manual labour, is, that the laborers now on the island may be sufficient to carry on the cultiva- tion and not be placed in a position to take advantage of the employer, which will, ere long, be the case, if labour is not thrown into the market.
The very existence of the island as a sugar-growing country depends on the efforts now made to make the employer independant of the laborer, which can on
ly be done by the more general use of im
plements. They are used in all countries with success. Notwithstanding that faet there appears no wish to promote any thing new. Necessity compelled me to enter on it, as I was left with very few laborers, or one half of the estate ere long would be turned out of cultivation.
As far as my experience goes, I am perfeetly satislied that it can be adopted to a certain extent on all soils, and con- siderably lessen the amount of manual labor required.
With regard to the Steam Plough and Patent Coppers, I am decidedly of opinion that we sliould try every thing that may be useful in the cultivation or the manufacture of our produce, or we can have no chance with other sugai growing countries.
St. Croix, 7th January 1850.
Thelast time I had the honor to ad- dress this society, I pointed out the ab- solute necessity of Implemental Cultiva- tion, in order to make the employer in- dependant of the employed, and in place of vieing with each other to see vvho will obtain the greatest number ot laborers, to the prejudice of his neighbor, and the ultimate ruin of this beautiful tsland, let us strive to economise labour in every possible way, and produce sugar with halt the manual labor that has been consider-
ed necessary. .
I have carried out implemental culti
vation on the estate I manage, having prepared the land entirely with the plough—some banked 5 teet wide, plant- ed with hånd, and weeded by the weed- in<r machine, which is far superior to any other plants on the estate. I have also weeded the narrow banks with the weed- er and saved nearly halt the manual la
bor. This is no tlieory, I do not pretend to that, it is in practice every day, go see, and believe, every information will »c given on the spot, every beholdei has been struckwith astonishment.
The time is novv conie that we must make an effort, or it will be too late.
Look at the State of the country • Imbeil- ed with weeds from one end to the other, and no means of getting clear ot tliem in time, to save the sprouts trom senous injury.
In order to prevent it in future, it is necessary to open the land on the new principle, and use the vveeders to pre
vent the weeds growing, to plant as mueh a s possible in the fail, from the turn-out nieces, and to have only plants and first ratoons, thereby producing better canes with less than half the manual labor in the establishment, and bringing tliem to maturity, which will require less hånds in crop- season, as there will be little planting, weeding or supplying required, in d few hånds will supply the miil, trom tood, stout, well-grown canes, which
can only beproduced by wide planting, and the use of implements.
I am decidedly ot opinion that on all level estates lioling and inoulding with the hoe sliould be entirely abolished, the plough does it far better. Also dunging with the tray, that can be done direct from the cart, eitlier under the bank, in the hole, or on the sprouts.
I f this is carried out generally and with spirit, it will be found that we have laborers sufficient on the island. I have been 29 years at the planting business, and like all old planters, stuck to the old rule, notwithstanding my neighbor was ploughing all the fail, and I had the same stock then, that I have since opened <0 acres of land with. I have seen my er
ror, and paid dearly for it.
Last year I made 150 lilids. sugar, 100 of which was made from 5 pieces of plants, the other 50 from 13 pieces of ratoons. The manual labor required is a mere trifle in the cultivation of plants, compared with ratoons.
1 hope and trust others may profit by my example without paying the price I have. I do not hesitate to say, that had 1 not adopted implemental cultivation, the Upyer Love estate ere long would be tu med out of cultivation. I am well aware I was considered too sanguine when I recommended and adopted the use of implements. 1 have now the satis- faction to declare the result to be far more successful than I anticipated, and to confirm it, I now produce a cane taken from a piece cultivated entirely by implemental husbandry, and 1 trust the specimen will do away with the objec- tion to early planting.
St. Croix, 5th August 1850.
It is now several months since I had the pleasure of being present at a meet
ing o f this society. On my return from Europe I wasrejoiced to see early plant
ing so generally adopted, and hearing that Doctor Phillips had given a leeture, so mueh to the purpose, which I sincere- ly hope and trust will have the desired
When I was electcd a member of this Committee, I considered it a duty >ncum- b enton me to further the v.ew softhe Society by all means in my power, wlucli
3
V
I have endeavored to do from time to time on Implemcntal Cnltivation ; but a wrong construction liaving been put on my Communications, I deem it proper that all I have written should be printed.
During my stay in England, I had an opportunity of seeing specimens of the hest implements made there, the greater ]>art of wliich is too heavy for our pur
poses. There is some improvement in Weeding Machines or Horse Hoes, and there is no question but that the Ameri
can ploughs are best adapted for us. I again declare that the new system ofcul
tivation is the only one that can sncceed under existing cireumstances; the saving of manual labor by it is immense. Look at the farmer in Europe ! how few bands he employs, and what work he vvill do ? Now \ve can do mueh field-vvork vvith few hånds, plenty of stock and good feeding for stock ; but without the latter it is folly to attempt it. I have been 30 years to the planting business, and often have I seen the plough used, and then laid aside as useless, and have done so myself. In faet I was a determined op
ponent to its use, until I saw others suc- ceeding in the use of it, and my own pro
perty going to ruin, vvhich would soon have been completed, had I not changed my views. I saw my error and acknow- leilge it. Just at that time Mr. Spicer
arrived liere, and offered to introduce a new system, wliich I saw was good, and the only thing that could save the island from ruin, as we were suddenly deprived of our manual labor to a great extent, and no means to replace it, but by the use of implements. I take no credit to myself, it is all due to him.
I did not hesitate to affirm when it was proposed to import laborers, that I was convinced we had laborers sufficient on the island, if implements were generally used, and that it would tlirow labor in the market for tliose estates that could not use tliem, and place the employer and the employed in their proper posi
tion. I am happy to say my most san- guine expectations have been realised, having cut the canes that were planted on the new system and perfeetly satisfied with the result. It has been asserted tliat plants alone would not make good sugar.
In order to set that at rest, I cut the said
piece alone—several planters saw the sugar in the coolers perfeetly solid—I find the granulation mueh better by keep- ing the cooling room as hot as possible.
It must be evident to all who have moulded their ratoons with the plough.
tliat it is far superior to the same opera
tion with the hoe. It is therefore quite evident tliat holing and moulding with the hoe can be dispensed with, and it will be found that the weeding machine will do its work equally well. I have this day four weeding machines at work, and I hope ere long to see them in general use. The day of cane holes and high banks is gone by, it was a bad system, wliich is clearly proved in other islands.
Down with the banks and use the weed preventer! Weeds and canes cannot grow together ! With regard to ratoon- ing, I am sure it will be as good as it ever was to ls t and 2d.—older is not worth cultivation. It must be borne in mind tliat we have free labor, wliich is expen- sive. The object to be obtained is to economise that labor, as the expense of implemental cultivation is very heavy, wThich I know to my cost, but as I said before it is the only resource we have to keep up the cultivation. We have many difficulties to overcome in the production of the cane, and the manufacture o f its products. Other islands are going a-héad, and the improvements in ma- chinery making rapid strides, as well as science being brought to bear on the sub- j e c t ; we must therefore be up and stirr- ing, or we must go in the sliade. We cannot produce sugar to compete with slave growing countries. I propose that we all unite in petitioning the Mother Country to afford us such protection, or something equivalent to enable us to surmount the difficulties that surround us, or all our efforts will be unavailing.
I f unity could exist with the planters and supported by the Government, I am of opinion that this beautiful little island would show an exaniple to the world, what no other has done that emerged from slavery. I should feel proud, it such could be the case, it would be a les
son for John Bulk
Saint Croix, 3d March 1851.
G. J. M UDIE.
4 I n eetl n o t §ay h o u m u c h I , sa y s Doctor Phillips in the Barbados Agri- cultnral Reporter of 1851 page 40—ad- vocate the use of implemental labor, both as being more elfectual and cheaper, and as throwing into the market an amount of labor which may alvvays be very pro
fitable employed. With a view, then, of carrying oat this desideratum, I last year introduced on this Estate a method of cul- tivation which, hovvever general in Eur- ope, has not, so far as I know, been adopted with us ; and I now venture to lay before you the calculations which I made (with the best assistance) as to the comparative cost of this and of the old method of cultivation. As regards the work itself, I have every reason to be satisfied with it, and 1 shall be much dis- appointed if the resulting crop (weather permitting) be not at least equal to any the land has produced under the old sys
tem.
The first field thus treated in March comprised 10 acres. In the first place a subsoil plough was run through the old cane stump, tearing it up and accelerating its death—([ liope to find a new imple- ment which 1 have imported more enect- ive for this purpose.) This line was then made the centre of a ridge six feet wide, and as the plough made each cut, a man and a boy carefully filled the furrow with manure brought by cart from one of my home pens, and dropt at convenient dis
tances.
Had my cattlebeen in better condition, six of them, at most, with two men, should have done what vve actually em
ployed ten and three men about. They would also have done § of an acre in- stead of J an acre, including the prepara- tory work of subsoil ploughing. As it was the expense stood thus, viz ;
•30 days labour of three men, equal to 90, at 30 cents each, s a y .. . $18 00 1 man and 1 boy distributing man
ure, at 25 cents, t o g e t h e r ... 7 50 Loading 384 loads of manure from
mule pen, at 10 loads of 40 bas
kets to each person, equal to 38 tasks, at 20 cents (say 15,360 baskets) say ... 7 60 Carter 13 days, at 20 c e n t s ... 2 60 Moulding asbelow, butappliedon- 1
ly to such parts of the field as most required it ... 10 25-
$45 95 or about $2 90 pr. acre for superior work.
By the usual method the expense would have been :—
Holing and cross-holing, land lined 6 x 4 would take, allowing400 holes to a task, 9 days, at 20cts.
equal to $1 80 cts. per acre, 16 acres equal t o ... $28 80 Carting out same man ure to 4
field pens ... 10 25 Moulding these pens with 384
loads of 50 baskets to a load, or
19,200 b a s k e t s ... 10 25 Throwing out these pens, consist-
ing of 15,360 baskets manure an d 19,200 baske t s m o uld, 34,650 baskets, equal to 138 tasks of 250 baskets, at 20 c e n t s ... 27 60
$76 90 or about $4 80 cts. per aere for inferiør work.
flere is a saving of nearly $2 per acre on the preparation. This would give the command of 10 days labor saved pr. acre, or 1000 days labour on 100 acres, all of which I consider may be profitable em
ployed—to say nothing of the comfort ofinereased independence.
The difference in the expensesof cul- tivating land, under the old and new sys
tem of Agriculture, is calculated to be about 20 dollars per acre of canes ; the expenses averaging under the old system nearly 53 dollars, and under the new, be- tween 32 and 34 dollars.
--- »>»<«<<---
On (lim c o m p a r a t iv e c o st of' TIuic a m l Ox L a b o u r.
An extensive planter of St. Croix ob- serves:—
To keep two ploughs regularly at work, 24 mules are actually required, but we might say 28, allowing for contingent circumstances.
We say 24 mules, at $120 each $2,880 Feed per annum, 1 blid. oats per
week, at the very lowest aver
age for several years, 6 bbls. pr.
hiid., at 2J dis. per barrel . . . . 780 Attendance ... py}
■tU'#' 1 i i / / *
5 Interest on 2,880 dollars, at 6 pr.
cent per annam ... 173
$3 932 It is requisite to have 18 oxen to keep two ploughs at work, allowing two tor contingencies.
Say 18 oxen at 50 dollars... $900 Feed per annam, inciuding 1 hhd.
oil cake per m o n t h ... 400 Attendance ... 100 Interest on 900 dollars, at 6 per
cent per a n n u m ... 54
TI . . „ SI,454
liere is in favor of Oxen 2,478 dollars.
An enormous amount when compared witli tlie small difference in work.
Il a Male dies, so does 120 dllrs. B at il an Ox gets old, and past work, he can he fattened for the butcher. We will al- low some may die from disease or acci
dent, bat certainly, witli proper care, the s greater number may be kept for the but- chei. We will also allow that the Oxen work slower than the Males, but the work witli them will be, ifanything, bet- ter exccuted, and, at the end ot the year, we question whether yoa will tind any difference in the quantity accomplished.
Without proper care, and requisite feed- ing, don’t ase Oxen ; witli it, they are decidedly supérior for oar work. Wre make these latter observations, as wre are quite confident, that care (all over the W est India Islands,) is not given so mach to Oxen as to Males. Pray why?
Planters would do well to consider se- riously and, in every point of view, the relative expenses between Oxen and Mules, for the ase of the ploagh, and generally for plantation work. The an- nexed table, extracted from the report ot the St. Phillip’s District Agricultural Society, will be sufficient to prove the extravagance, in keeping horses and mules for plantation work, and to turn the attention of planters to the care of t *,0®f ,0nf ; nef lected au i mal s ; “ Horned Ca tle - t h e hest fnends the planter ev- er had in promoting his welfare and pros-
p e rity : 1
First cost of a working o x ... <$go 00 Interest thereon for one year. . . . $4 go 2 acres ol Sour-grassas graziery,
at 8 dollars per an n u m ...1(1 00
Keeper, allowing 3 dollars per month for 16 head ... 2 25 Yokes, bows, &c. for one vear l 50 Medicine... i Cost of keeping an ox one year $25 55 Calculate that two head of cattle
are equal to one horse, the amount would be double, say 51 10 Add the first cost of the ox to the
value of keeping, &c. it will m a k e ... 131 10 Dcduct average price for two head
of oxen fatted without corn, from the 131 dollars 10 cents 50 00
$81 10 First cost ofcart h o r s e ... $128 00 Interest thereon for one year . . 6 70 Corn, allowing 8 pints per day, 45
bushels per annum, at 1 dollar 20 cents per bushel... 54 00 Grass, 100 weight pr. day, at 12J
c e n t s ... . ... 36 50 Groom, allowing 4 dollars per
month for 4 h o rses... 12 00 Shoeing... 5 0 0 T a x e s ... ... 1 60 Medicine ... 4 00 Wear and tear of harness, 1 set
allowed to last 2 y e a r s ... 12 00 Cost for keeping a horse 1 year 131 80 Add first value of horse to the
cost of keeping, and it will malte 259 80 Cost of c a ttle ... 81 10 Out of favor of keeping horses $178 70
(Barbados Reporter, March, 1851.^
O11 JTIanure.
In the Highland Agricultural Meeting, attention was drawn to certain state- ments on Manure, made by a Mr. Munie.
He States that 28 cart loads of well-rot- ten manure gave 21 tons, 6 cwt., 28 lb.
and that the same number of loads o f recent manure gave 21 tons, 18 cwts., 14 lb. The latter exceeded the result of various experiments in mixing guano,
&c. with dung. “ From the result,”
says Mr. Munie, “ of my experiments, I
6 am inclined to think that manure does j most for the benefit, of the immediate crop at least, and, I should think, of the succeeding crops too, when it is applied in a recent state.”
In the discussion which ensued, Dr.
Anderson remarked “ this experiment is a particularly important one, even more so than might at flrst sight appear. The faet, then, was a matter which might not strike every one, but which was really ot great importance. Mr. Munie com- pared 28 tons of fresh with 28 tons of rotted manure, but it ought to be borne in mind that 28 tons of fresh manure for four months (as in this case) should be reduced in quantity to 20 tons. So that 28 tons of rotted manure corresponded to somewhere about a quarter more, or about 35 tons of fresh? so that there would appear in this process of decom- position to have been a loss of about a quarter of the manure.”
1 — * « ; ' » •— —
Chemical Report on a sample o f Soil, certified to have been taken from a
“ Saltpetre Patch” on an Estate in the Island of St. Croix, W est Indies.
Andersonian University, Glasgow, 31s£ January, 1851.
This soil was forwarded in a careful- ly closed box to my Laboratory by the AgriculturalSociety of St. Croix, through John Lang Esq.
From conversations with D. Colqu- houn Esq., who placed the box in my hånds, I was given to understand tlmt this soil is particularly characterised by its sterility, and that Proprietors of estates in the istand, find it impracticable to cul- tivate the Sugar Cane successfully on those “ Patches” of land where such soil oceurs. I was also informed that the principal object in having the sample analvsed was to discover if possible the eauses of its barrenness, and to find out the best means of improving it, and of rendering it suitable for the growth of the sugar cane plant.
To the solution of these problems I at once applied nivself, and I shall now pro- ceed to give a full statement ot my re
sults and opinions.
In the first place I made a carelul -ex- amination of the appearance and physical
qualities of the soil, which I found to be as follows :
It has a very light ash-grey color, and an earthy odor ; it is verv dry-Iooking, and is partly pulverulent, and in part lumpy. When examined under the mi- croscope it is observed to consist almost entirely of broken and comminuted shells, and of clay, with a very small pro
portion only of Quartzose sandy matter, andstones. Some of the shells, though small were quite perfeet. It is evident
ly a mixture of a highly “ calcareous”
soil, and o f a loamy soil.
When exposed to heat and dried it loses a little more than 8J per cent of water, but on exposure to the air it re- absorbs this am ountof water back again.
Tilis number (8J) will therefore represent its “ Absorptive power.”
On being mixed with an acid it effer- vesces violently, in consequence of the large proportion of shelley matter it con- tains. Its density or specific gravity is 2. 193. When water is poured upon it to complete saturation, it retains 60 per cent.
The organic matter existing in it, is partly vegetable and partly animal ; the latter is cliieflv derived from the animal ingredients of the shells, and the former perhaps from plants previously growing on the land.
In the next place I subjected the sam
ple to a very minute, and serupulously careful cliemical analysis. The follow- ing statement exhibits the results I ob~
tained calculated to 100 parts by weight : Ingredients. Per Cent.
Siliceous matter and s a n d ... 28.600
_i Lime 19.7 Carbonate of L im e .. 35.177 ? Oarbon-
I ic acid 15.477 Animal and Vegeta
ble M atter... 14.110 W a te r... 8.350 Alumina... 7.200 Oxide of Iron... 4.190 Oxide of Manganese 700 Carbonate ofMagne-
s i a ... 1.505 Potash and S o d a ... 064 Phosphoric A cid.. . . 080 Chlorine... 016
7 Sulphuric Acid... 008
Nitric Acid... trace 100.----
The same results may be more fami- liarly reported in the follovving mariner:
5 Fertile Soil Per Cent. ( from’Bermuda
Sandy matter & Gravel 17.80 60.08 c la Y ... 18.00 16.63 Carbonate o f Lime_35.18 Lime 4.00 Animal and Vegetable
M a t t e r ... I 4. i l 5.74 W a te r ... 8.35 6.06
Oxides of’ Iron and
3Ianganese... 4.89 4.35 Carbonate of Magnesia 1.50
Alkaline Salts... 09 1.09 Phosphoric Acid... 08 1.15
!\ltrate of L im e .. . . trace
100. 100.
And for the purpose of comparison I have annexed another column to the above statement, exhibiting the quanti- ties of the same Ingredients in a soil liom “ Bermuda,” vvhich I had recently occasion to analyse, and vvhich vvas af- firmed to be very fertile. I shall also give liere a table of the Ingredients of the Ash, obtained on hurning the entire Su
gar Cane Plant, (leaves, cane &c.) Siliceous Matter____40.20 ) P o t a s h ...18.18 >
S o d a ... 45 V Chloride of Potassum5.3 ! }
Common Salt... 7,34 5 100 parts.
Lune ... 7.44 ) Magnesia . . ' ... 7.3 ] ( Oxide of I r o n ... $ Phosphoric Acid... 7.0] ) Sulphuric A cid...6.76 )
-\ow on carefully revievving the nature and component parts of this harren soil, as revealed to us by Chemical Analysis, and also tak.ng into consideration its physical qualities, it is easy to give a sat- lsfactory explanation of its extreme ster- tlity. On comparmg the quantities o f its se ve ral ingredients with those vvhich are knovvn to exist in fertile soils, vve notice the follovving differences.
Ist, There is an enormous deficiency of sandy and siliceous matter. It vvill be observed on referring to the foregoino- tables of analyses, that the Bermuda sod contains about 61 per cent of these in
gredients, and fertile soils in general have from 60 to 90 per cent, vvhereas in the soil from St. Croix there is only 17 eight-tenths pr. cent. Silica is a leatl- ing and essential constituent of the Grass-tribe ofplants, (of vvhich the sugar cane is one) and hence richness of the soil in this substance is an important cir- cumstance in their successful cultivation, and indeed absolutely necessary to their full developement. It is also vvorthy of remark that the absence of sand and gravel prevents the soil from being so open and porous, as it should be for a high state of fertility ; and the large pro
portion of Clay causes it to be close and clammy vvhen saturated with water.
2d, We ohserve an unusually large proportion of Lime (in the state of Car
bonate) vvhich I have no hesitation in pronouncing as the principal cause of its unfruitfulness. Lime is an essential in- gredient of all productive soils, and it is well known to be the most valuable and the most extensively used of all the min
eral substances that have been made available in practical Agriculture. But its proportion in the soil may be excessive, and such I hold to be the case in respect to the present sample. Repeated and successive doses of Lime applied to land for a lengthened pcriod of time, or what is the same in principle, excess of this sub
stance in the land itself, is found to be highly injurious, not only by its super- abundance proving directly hurtful to vegetation, but more particularly by the exhausting action vvhich it exerts upon the other and essential ingredients. The exhausting povver of Lime, both in the mild (carbonate) and caustic (burnt lime) state has been Iong recognised by Arn-i- culturists, and has been satisfactorily ex- plained by Chemists. Lord Kanes has justly observed that “ Shell Mari (vvhich is of precisely the same nature as the soil from St. Croix) laid an incli thick up
on the land produces for a time large crops, but at last renders the soil capa- ble of bearing neither corn nor grass and the old German adage is to the same effect,
“ The use of Mari without Manure Will only make the Farmer poor.”
I do not deem it necessary to ex- plain in detail the exact nature of the ac
tion o f excessive quantities of Lime upon
soil. Suffice it to say that it seriously impoverishes the land by causing some of the valuable substances to be readily washed out, and thus l o s t ; and at last the soil becomes perfectly barren unless manure is regularly added to compensate for the loss.
31, The present soil is very deficient in
“ Potash and Soda,” which vvi 11 be found to exist abundantly in the Ash of the Su
gar Catie plant. These substances are absolutely necessary to the healthful developeinent of the plant, and are de- rived exclusively from the soil. Their absence in the present soil is another cause of its unproductiveness.
4th, The proportions of “ Chlorine”
and of “ Sulphuric Acid” are also ex- ceedingly low, whereas they exist in considerable quantities in the ash of the Sugar cane.
5th, Another very important ingre- dient of fertile soils is Phosphoric Acid, which is usually in combination with Lime, and Oxide oflron. By referring to the analysis of the ash ot' the sugar cane, it will be seen that Phosphoric Acid is present in considerable proportion.
The soil from St. Croix scarcely contains an appreciable quantity, which is another cause of its inferiority.
6th, The “ Absorptive Power” ofthe present soil is very low. Good soils usu- aliy imbibe from 15 to 20 per cent of wa- ter from the air.
7th, I searched very diligently for the presence ofSaltpetre in this soil, as from the familiar naine “ saltpetre patch” ap- plied to the part o fth e land from which the sample had been taken, 1 was led to expect the existence of “ Nitre,” or of Aitrate of Lime. I satisfied myself that it does not contain a detectable quantity of “ saltpetre,” but I discovered a min- ute trace of nitrate o f Lime, tliough the ainonnt was extreinely minute, and quite insignificant. Even if the quantity had been appreciable, I do not tliink that it would prove hurtful, but on the contrary beneficial to the grovvth ofthe sugar cane.
Thus then I have mentioned in detail the several Ieading causes of the unpro- ductiveness o f this soil, and it now only remains for me to point out wliat 1 con- sider the hest means of restoring it to a con di tion of fertility. In offering an opinion on this subject, I must warn
fhose who are interested in the matter, that I speak in ignorance o f the locality ofthe “ Saltpetre Patch” and of general features of the island of St. Croix. I form my opinions entirely from the Chemical nature and qualities of the specimen of soil placed in my hånds.
1 would advise, that in the first place a quantity of the subsoil be turned up and subjected to Chemical analysis, for the purpose of ascertaining whether it does not contain a fair proportion of those substances that are wanting in the surface soil. I f such sliould prove to be the case, an admixture of the two soils by appropriate method, would be in the liighest degrce beneficial.
I am strongly o f opinion that it is high
ly desirable to have a carefully executed analysis of the soil in the immediate vi- cinity of the saltpetre patch, and where the cane is successfully cultivated. The characteristic differences would be thus satisfactorily established, and some good might be done by mixing. Indeed I have become so interested in the complete so
lution of the present problems, that 1 will esteem it a favor if the Agricultural Society of St. Croix will forward me a sample of fertile soil from the same es- tate.
But independently altogether of the above suggestions there cannot be the slightest doubt but the present land may be rendered fully competent to the grovvth of the cane by the direct and ju- dicious application of Manure.
Ist, The proportion of siliceous mat
ter would be hest increased by the addi
tion of sand, or a sandy soil.
2d, The deficiency of Alkaline lngre- dients (Potash «fe Soda) could be made up by the application ofW ood Ashes, or a mixture of Pearlash, and Soda Ash (or Salt Cake.)
3d, The quantity of Phos|)horic Acid could be at once increased by applying
“ Peruvian Guano,” or “ Bone Ash” and it would be an advantage to mix the lat
ter with Oil of Vitriol, beforé being spread upon the surface of the land.
4th, The hest and most powerful fer- tilizer for the sugar cane is undoubtedlv the ash of the sugar cane itself, and which is obtained when the cane, alter the extraction o fth e sap is cmployed as fuel for boiling down the syrup. The
leaves miglit also be burned, and the resi
due applied for the same purpose. The following tablc shows the analysis of the A s!i ot the sugar cane:
P o ta s h ...2.23 S o d a ... 2.40 Common S a l t ... 13 Lime ... 11.91 Magnesia... 7.40 Phosphoric Acid . . 5.90
Sulphuric Acid . . . . 1.56 Oxide of Iron . . . . 1.55 Siliceous M atter.. . 66.22 This would supply ‘Silicæ,’ Phospho
ric Acid, and Alkalies, but I would ad
vise an admixture of Guano and Wood Ashes with this Ash.
As I am not aware how much Ash the green cane yields pr. ton, nor what quan- tity of ripe cane is raised per acre, I am not able to say what proportion of these substances respectively should be ap
plied to an acre of the land.
In conclusion I beg to state that I shall have very much pleasure in an- swering any further inquiries relative to the present soil.
FREDERICK PENNY, Pli: D: F: C; S.
Professor of Cheniistry.
John Lang, Esqr.
St. Croix, fVest Indies.
S la t is t ic a l n o te s r e la t in g to S t. C roix fo r th e l e a r 1 8 5 0 . 1
1, The number of marriages legalised dunns the year have been 335. In the year 1847 o n l y l 6 8 ; in 1848, 182; in
1849, 254.
Of these 335 marriages 40 were so- lemnised in the danish and the missiona- ry church ; 92 in the english ; 125 in the moravian and 78 in the catholic church.
Compared with the number of members in the respective congregations—4,016, 7,219, 5,669 and 6,653—the greatest number of marriages have taken place among the members of the moravian church, the next greatest among the members of the english church, and the smallest number among the members of the danish and missionary church.
At St. Ritts of which the population is nearly equal to the population of St.
Croix, the number of marriages in 1849 was only 92.—Audi Slavery Reporter, March 1851.
2, The number of hirths during the year is not exactly known, the parochial registers containing only the children who have been christened during the year. Of baptism 857 were performed.
In 1847, 782 ; in 1848, 851 ; in 1849, 869.
Of these 857 children 176 were born in wedlock ; 29 belonging to the danish and missionary church, 73 to the english, 52 to the moravian and 24 to the catho
lic church. The greatest relative num
ber of legitimate children belonged to the english church, the next greatest to the moravian church, and the smallest number to the catholic church.
At St. Ritts the number of baptisms in 1849 were 933.
3, The number of deaths has been 693 In 1847, 867; in 1848, 746 ; in 1849,792.
The mortality has thus been much less this year than in former years although great sickness has prevailed during the last half part of the year. During the first lialf only 277 deaths occurred, dur
ing the last 416. Of the 693 deaths, 135 occurred among the members of the dan
ish and missionary church, 154 among the members of the english church, 219 among the moravians and 185 among the catholics, or 3,3, 2,1, 3,8 and 2,8 p'r. ct.
The inerease of mortality during the last half part of the year has been nearly equal in all congregations, but the whole year round greater amongst the mora
vians and the catholics, of vvliich the greater part reside in the country, than among the members of the english and danish church, of which the greater part reside in the tovvns; thus the mortality seems to have been greater in the coun
try, than in the tovvns.
In St. Ritts 649 burials shall have ta
ken place in 1849.
4, The number of scholars attending school has been as follows :
In the elementary scliools in the coun- trv 647 ; in 1847, 920 ; 2d half o f 1848, 183; ls t half of 1849, 290; 2d half of 1849, 665.
In the several schools in the tovvns 826, viz. in Christiansted456, in Frederiksted 370. In 1849, 699 viz. in Christiansted 495, in Frederiksted 204.
10 In Christiansted the number of scliol- ars was thus distributed : in the danish school 44 boys and 43 giris. In 1849, 40 boys and 42 giris. In the lancasteri- an school 142 boys and 70 giris ; in 1849 141 boys and GO giris. __ In eleven private schools 92 boys and G5 giris ; in 1849 in fonrteen private schools 113 boys and 99 gi ri s.
In Frederiksted : in the danish school I l boys and 9 giris ; in 1849, 5 boys and 5 giris (in 1847, 22 boys and 17 giris ;) in the lancasterian school 98 boys and 89 giris ; in 1849, 61 boys and 32 giris ; in eight private schools 63 boys and 100 giris ; in 1849, in six private schools 53 boys and 48 giris.
Compared with the number of chil- dren who ought to attend schools, calcu- lated for the country to 1044, for Chris
tiansted to 855 and for Frederiksted to 450 (520 ?) 64 per cent have attended schools in the country, 53 per cent in Christiansted, and 82 (71?) per cent in Frederiksted.
At St. Ritts only 797 children attend
ed school in 1849. See Anti Slavery Re
porter, March 1851.
The costs of the country schools have been $2,856; of the danish and lancas
terian schools $7,264. ^_The school fees paid amour.t only to $750.
5, The number of pensioners on the poor fund has been 232. In 1847, 261;
in 1848, 274; in 1849, 285. The payments during the vear, to the pensioners amon nt- ed to $4,683. In 1847, $5,562; in 1848,
$5,508; in 1849, $5,744. 18 individuals have received pensions from the rum fund to the amount of 1,520 dllrs,
The ex penses of the hospitals and for medicines to the poor have been about 4,000 dllrs.
The number of invalids in the country has been 868. In 1849, 816. The inval
ids receive food, clothes and medical at- tendance from the estates where tliey were located previous to the emancipa
tion. Caleulated at 16 dllrs. for each, the expenses of the estates on this ac- eount. amount to 13,888 dllrs.
0, The number of criminal and police cases during the ycar has been 1,669.
2 595individuals were brought before the ' tn for sent nce; 529 ofwhich were
vnitted, and 1,966 punished. Two of these have been sentenced to decapita-
tion, one for crimen bestialitatis and one for rape, 15 to imprisønment with labor for a period above 6 rnonths, 129 for a period of between 14 davs and 6 rnonths, 265 for a period under 14 davs, 104 were sentenced to confinement on bread and water, 40 to imprisonment without labor, 83 to corporal punishment and 1,328 to fines, seldom under 50 cents or above $2.
Of these 1,669 cases, 100 related to thefts, 116 to larceny, 900 to violations of the contracts regarding labor on the estates, and only 7 to offences of a vio- lent nature. 36 individuals were punish
ed for vagrancy.
13 cases were tried in the town courtsr viz: 8 in Christiansted and 5 in Frederik
sted, and the remainder in the police courts viz: 532 in Christiansted, 319 in Frederiksted and 805 in the center dis- trict. 11 criminal cases were appealed to the upper court.
In the previous year the number of criminal and police cases was 1,808, or 139 more than last year.
On the last day of the year 15 individ
uals were in confinement on trial, and 64 under sentcnce.
7, The number of acres in cane culti va
tion and fallow was 20,196. In 1848, 21,973; in 1849, 20,310; in grass and provisions 25,412; in 1848, 24,352; in- 1849, 25,437. The extent of land in cul- tivation with provisions is not exaetly known, as provisions generally are culti—
vated in small patches partly on land in- tended for cane cultivation, and partly on otlier land. The cultivation of pro
visions is however on the inerease. 35 acres were in cotton cultivation.
8, The number of labourers on all the estates in the later part of the year was 10,618—viz: 5,336 Ist class labourers, 2,164 2d class, and 1,673 3d class; 898 tradesmen and apprentices; and 547 honse servants. 2,381 children and 868 invalids were Irving on the estates not doing any work.
In 1849 the number of laborers on all the estates amounted to 10,554 ; viz :•
5,437 of first class, 2,238 of second class, 1,734 of third class ; 781 tradesmen and apprentices, and 454 house servants ; bc- sides 2,368 children and 816 invalids.
Of these 136 ls t class laborers, 93 sec
ond class, 26 third class, 18 tradesmen and apprentices and 83 house servants
11 W6i'c cmploycd on tlic stock estates. Of llie invalids '21 werc living on stock es- tates.
9, The stock on llie estates is stated to be 1,152 horses, 3,105 mules and asses, 5,247 horned cattle, 7,232 sheep and goats, and 6,536 bogs.
In the year 1796 the stock was : 613 horses, 3,256 mules and asses, 3,220 liorned cattle and 7,077 sheep and goats.
10, The crop of the past year has been the smallest since the year 1815, viz.
11,085,373 Ibs. of sugar, 627,447 glls. of rum, and 5,179 glls. of molasses. In the year 1834-8 the average crop was:
20,756,535 Ibs. of sugar and 1,015,420
„•Ils. of rum ; in 1839-43 18,115,537 Ibs.
and 978,254 glls.; in 1844-8 22,665,258 Ibs. and 798,298 glls. and in 184917,711,- 733 Ibs. and 654,884 glls. The crop of 1850 has consequently been about the half ofan average crop.
11, The export o f the productions of the islandlias been : to Denmark, 9,117- 682 Ibs. of sugar, 433,251 glls. of rum and 20 glls. of molasses; to England: 818,226 Ibs. of sugar and 8 glls. of rum ; to the United States: 1,149,465 Ibs. of sugar, 194,188 glls. of rum and 5,179 glls. of molasses.
12, The export o f sugar to Denmark was in 1834 to 38 about 8 millions of pounds, in 1839-43 9 millions ; in 1844-8 14 millions : in 1849 13 millions ; and of rum respective 432,592 glls., 444,670 gis., 479,032 glls. and 400,295 glls. Compar- ed with the crop the export to Denmark has been larger in the past year than hi- therto. In the year 1834-8 40 per cent were exported to Denmark, in 1839-43 50 per cent, in 1844 to 48 63 per cent, to 1849 73 per cent, but in 1850 83 per cent. The same is the case with regard to the export of rum ; in 1834-8 43 per cent, in 1839 to 43 45 per cent, in 1844 to 43 60 per cent, in 1849 61 per cent and in 1850 69 per cent.
13, The export of sugar to the United States was less than in former years, and C.ontinues to decrease. In the years 1834 to 38 the export of sugar was about 12£
millions of Ibs., in 1839-43 9 millions, in 1844-8 millions, in 1849 a little above 2 millions and in 1850 only about 1 mil
lion of Ibs. The export of rum is also decreasing. Iu 1834-8 582,828 glls., in 1*39-13 533,584 glls., in 1844-8 300,824
glls., in 1849 248,485 glls. and in 1850 only 194,188 or respective 57, 55, 38, 38, and 31 per cent of the whole crop.
14, The export to foreign places in Europe, (viz. to England) has not been large during the past year. In 1847 llie export of sugar was 7,886,889 Ibs., in 1848 6,717,368 Ibs., in 1849 2,591,117, and in 1850 only 818,226 Ibs. Of rum : in 1847, 92,210glls., in 1848 nothing, in 1849 5,250 glls. and in 1850 only 8 gallons.
15, Calculating the crop of last year to dlls. 4 pr. 100 lb. of sugar, 27 cents per gallon of rum, and 20 cents per gal
lon of molasses, and adding to the ex
port the consumption ot sugar in the is- land, at the rate of 20 Ibs. pr. individual, the whole income of the planters has been : dlls. 450,018 for sugar, dlls. 169,- 400 for rum, and dlls. 1,036 for molasses, altogether dlls. 620,454.
At the rate of dlls. 3 75 cts. for sugar, 20 cents for rum, and 14 cents for molas
ses, the value of the crop of 1847 was dlls. 1,415,922; at the rate of dlls. 3 75, 20 cents and 15 cts., the crop of 1848 was dlls. 915,065 and of 1849 dlls. 867,- 332.16, The total expenses o f the estates during the past year may be calculated as follows:
1 , Cash payments to the labourers and
servants — — $ 281,184
2, To managers and overseers, 129 managers at dlls. 512; 150 overseers
at dlls. 320 — ~ ~ 114,048
3, For provisions to the labourers 135,515 4, Taxes to the Royal Treasury, land
tax, quart pro cent tax and export duty 51,908 5, Taxes to the Land Treasury — 10,300
6, Absentee Tax — — 6,090
599,645
Resides
1, To the repair ofbuildings, Works and inventory; for the keeping and renew- al of the stock &c. at the rate of 600 dollars per estate — — 77,400 2, Interest on the working Capital, say
400,000 dlls. at the rate of 6 per cent. 24,000 3, Interest on the value of the estates,
calculated to 3 millions of dollars at
6 per cent — — — 180,000
$881,045
17, The expenses to the laborers and servants have been calculated as follows:
5,336 first class lahorers at 39 dlls. annually $208,104 2,164 second class do. at 26 “ ** 56,264 1,673 third class do. at 13 “ 21,749 674 tradesmen at dollars 4 50 cents pr. month 36,396 224 tradesmen and apprentices, as third class
12
labourers — — — — 2,912
274 house servants at 4 dollars per month 13,124 273 ditto as second class labourers 7,124 868 invalids as third class laborers with ad
dition of 3 dollars annually for clothes, raedicine &c. — — — 13,888 Extra pav during the crop and for extra work
at i 00 dollars annually per estate 12,900 Pay for Saturday work at the average of half
the number of labourers — 42,516 Additional pay to 129 drivers among ls t class
labourers at dlls. 1 50 cents per month 2,322 417,299
According to the last returns, about nine-tenths of the labourers take provi
sions in part payment of wages. The price of provisions for nine-tenths of 10,618 labourers and for 868 invalids tit the rate of dlls. 13 annually, amounts to
$135,515; payment in cash consequently to $281,784.
Of the total amount of wages $12,327 are paid to labourers and servants on the stock estates.
In tbe above calculation no deduction has been made for sick days, absence,
&c. as the less expense on this account is presumed to be equal to the expenses for medical attendance, medicines, &c.
18, According to official returns the predial wages of labourers in the britisk islands were in 1849 as follows : Trini- dad, 30 to 40 cents ; British Guiana, 35 cents ; St. Lucie, 20 to 24 cents ; Grena- da, 20 cents; Jamaica, 18 to 24 cents ; St. Ivitts, 16 to 24 cents—according to the Anti Slavery Reporter of March 1851 only 12 cents— Barbados, 15 to 20 cents; Antigua 12 cents; bat the la
bourers receive neither house, nor pro
vision ground, and as they are hired for a limited period of time only, they can not at all times obtain employment. The hire o fa piece of ground, 100 feet square is about $12 annually at St. Kitts, and at Barbados $20 to 24 per acre.
At St. Croix the wages are 15 cents for labourers of lirst class, yiz. for able bodied labourers, 10 cents for those of second class and 5 cents for those of third class, besides house and provision ground, and-extra pay for work during extra hours in crop time. If the house,
■which even Messrs. Alexander and Can- dlers in their report acknowledge to be mach betler in appearance than those of the ohl slave villages in the British is- lands, be estimated at 1 dollar.pr. month, and the usual provision ground 30 to 50
feet square, to 50 cents pr. month, 7 cts.
daily must be added to the wages of our labourers, in eomparing these with the predial wages in the British islands. An able bodied labourer receives tinis 22 cents daily, besides 2 to 3 cents more for extra work during crop time, and this pay they receive the whole year round, whether their work is wanted or not.
19, The total value of tbe estates has been calculated in two different ways.
First by adding the value of 67 sugar es
tates appraised since the emancipation.
The total value of these estates amounts to $1,268,172 or $18,925 for each, thus for 129 estates to $2,441,325. 31 stock estates and 16 small lots are estimated to
$75,000. As the estimated value of es
tates in the first year after the emancipa
tion was rather low, and as many of the estates which have been estimated were ofan inferior kind, three millions of dol
lars, as presumed value may not bc over- rated.
Calculating the value of the estates according to the quantity and quality of land, buddings, stock, <fcc., the tollowing result is obtaincd:
20,196 acresof land in sugar cultivation and fallow, a*- the rate of 60 dollars per acre — $1,211,760 25,412 acres in grass at 4 dollars — — 101,648 129 set of works, buddings and negro houses
at 7,500 dollars _ _ _ _ _ 967,500 32 steam engines at 6,000 dollars — 192,000 Stock : 1,152 horses and ponies at 40 dollars 46,800
3,105 mules and asses at 80 dollars 218,400 5.247 horned cattle at 20 dollars 104,940 7,232 sheep and goats at dlls. 2 50cts 18,080
$2,891,128
20, Tbe export duty bas on account of tbe small crop and the decreased ex
port to foreign placesonlv amounted to
$30,523. In 1847, $146,631 ; in 1848
$60,125 ; in 1849, $47,185. Calculated according to the export returns, the ex
port duty has been : on sugar exported to Dennrirk $17,095; on sugar to foreign jilaces $7,379; on rum to Dentnark
$3,379; lo foreign places $3,029; on mo- lasses to foreign places $59. The dif- ferential duty on sugar and rum has thus only amounted to $5,199.
2i, From the ls t April 1849 the ex
port duty was reduced about 1 per cent.
on sugar exported to Denmark, and about 4 per cent on sugar exported to foreign places, and tbe import duty was raised on scveral articles of provision. By tilis
13 alteration the taxes paid by the planters during the past year have been reduced with 5,779 dollars, viz. 3,419 dlls. on su
gar exported to Denmark and 2,360 dlls.
on sugar exported to foreign places, and increased with 9,459 dllrs. on articles of consumption. By the abolition of the capitation tax their expenses have been farther lessened with 9,109 dllrs., so that the decrease in the whole has been 5,400 dollars.
The import duty on corn meal has naniely been 10,266 dllrs., on bread 1,977 dllrs., on salt fish 1,513 dlls., on herrings 591 dlls., altogether 14,347 dollars. Un
der the former regulation the import du
ty on bread would have been 1,356 dllrs., on salt fish 786 dllrs., on herrings 192 dllrs., increase of duty consequently 12,013 dlrs. Presumingthatone eighth of these articles is consumed in the towns and that the planters give provisions to nine-tenths of the labourers 9,459 dlls.
bas been paid as duty on the provisions bought by the planters ; some part of the duty will, however, no doubt fail upon the mercliants.
22, The import duty has amounted to 54,925 dollars. In 1847, 21,666; in 1848, 18,046 ; in 1849, 50,635. The import du
ty on the several articles of provisions, on which a fixed duty was imposed from the lst April 1849 has been as follows : cornmeal 10,266 dlls., fiour 1,391 dlls., oat meal 345 dllrs., pease and beans 186 dlls., butter 453 dlls., bread 1,977 dlls., salt fish 1,513 dlls., herrings 591 dlls., salt pork 2,161 dlls., salt beef 408 dol
lars, together 19,291 dollars. Under the former regulation the duty on the quantities imported would have been : on tlour 932 dlls., oat meal 444 dlls., pease and beans 208 dlls., butter 401 dis., bread 1,356 dlls., salt fish 786 dlls., salt herrings 192 dlls., salt pork 1,297 dlls., salt beef 157 dlls., together 5,773 dollars.
The increase of duties on provisions is thus 13,518, dllrs. but with exception of the duty on cornmeal only 3,252 dollars.
The increase in the import duties is thus not caused by a considerable higher duty upon necessaries; the whole amount of increased duty on articles of provisions, with exception of the duty on cornmeal, being only 3,252 dlls. ; as hitherto articles of provision from Den- mark have been imported f r e e o f d u ty ;
nor has the new regulation imposed any considerable higher taxation on the poor- er classes in the towns, as not a small portion of the provisions is consumed in the country; neither has the reduc- tion of the export duties and the augmen- tation of the import duties been in favor ot the planters, as the reductions in the export duties amount only to 5,779 dllrs.
but the increased duty on provisions bought by the planters to 9,459 dollars.
The increase in the import duties is caused partly by an order from the Gov
ernment of December 1848, accordinG to which articles imported from St. Thomas receive only a deduction of the actual duty paid at St. Thomas, viz: 1£ per ct:
in lieu of 6 per cent, according to former customs and partly by an increased im
port of dry goods of all kinds, in conse- quence of the large sum of 282,784 dlls.
now paid annually to the labourers on the estates.
That the condition of the labouring classes has been considerably improvej3 during the past year may also be pre- sumed from the increase and decrease in the consumption of different articles of provisions. The consumption of corn meal has decreased and the consumption o t white fiour, of hard bread, of pork, of beans &c. has increased. O f cornmeal 5,641 puncheons were imported; in 1847 7,503 ; in 1848, 7,881; in 1849, 4,827. Of fiour, in 1850, 13,449 barreis ; in 1847 6,125; in 1848, 8,867; in 1849, 12,47o!
Of hard bread 208,919 Ibs.; in 1849, 37- 803 Ibs. Of pease and beans 1,800 bbls. • in 1849, 787. Of salt herrings 2,412 bbls'. • in 1849, 908. Of salt pork, 2,231 bbls • in 1849, only 1,246.
23, The value of provisions imported from Denmark free of duty has been 80,442 dllrs., from other places payinG duty 233,593 dllrs. As the duty paid on these articles amounts to 19,291 dllrs., the average duty is about8 per cent, and with addition of the articles imported free of duty only about 6 per cent.
According to the statement ofMessrs.
Alexander and Candlers, the taxation on the cost price of necessary articles of subsistence in the British islands is : at l)emerara27 <fe three-quarts per cent, at Antigua 21 and one-fifth pr. ct., at Trin- idad 18 and one-half pr. ct., at Grenada
14 17 and three-qnarts pr. ct., at St. Vincent 15 pr. ct. and at Barbados 11 and two- thirds pr. ct.
24, The revenae of St. Croix in tlie past year has amounted to 131,281 dllrs.;
of St! Thomas & St. Johns 126,994 dllrs;
together 258,275 dollars. The expenses are calculated to 305,000 dllrs., deficicn- cv ahout 47,000 dllrs. The deficiency from Ist Jannary 1849 to 31st March 1850 was 74,358 dollars.
The military expenses have been 107,180 dllrs.; in 1849 122,121 dollars.
The revenae of the land treasury of St. Croix has amoanted to 41,123 dllrs., the expenses to 47,839 dllrs. In 1848, ineome 44,225; expenses 55,285 dollars.
In 1849, ineome 49,993 dllrs.; expenses 59,188 dollars.
The absentee tax amounted to 6,090 dllrs.; in 1847, 22,283 dllrs.; in 1848, 10,516 dllrs.; in 1849, 11,416 dollars.
25, In 1849, seventeen sugar estates belonged to the public funds. These seventeen estates were at that time esti- mated to 638,080 dollars, and the annual rent, paid by the farmers, amounted to 31,418 dollars or 4,9 pr. ct. After the emancipation, in the beginning of 1849, these seventeen estates were estiinated at 285,705 dollars, or less than the half of their former value.
Of these seventeen estates, twelve still belonging to the public funds, were in 1840 estiinated to 468,480 dollars, and in the heginning of 1849 to 220,866 dllrs.
In 1849 the rent of these twelve estates amounted to 24,698 dollars or 5.2 pr. ct., but in 1850 to 22,063 dllrs. or 10 pr. ct.
Sixteen sngar estates, now belonging to the public funds are estimated to 325,355 dollars; the annual rent paid by the farmers amount to 29,243 dollars or 9 pr.
cent.
On th e c i i l t i v a l Jo n o f th e C ocoa- li uf.
The cocoa nut tree belongs to the most profitable, the earth produces, yet in this island, it is turned scarcely to any account.
It tilrives in sandy soil and bears with- in three or four years after it is planted.
There is no part of it which is unpro- ductive to the ovvner. From its flowers the finest arrack in the world may be disti lied, and the best of vinegar. A coarse brown sugar may also be prepar- ed from the flower. The green fruit yields a nutritous and delightful drink, and a more substantial food in the pulp which contains the liquid. When ripe the fruit is popular as an article of diet in all parts of the world. From that fruit a pure oil may be extracted, which may be manufactured into candles and soap, and used in a variety ot other ways in which vegetable oils are available, while the refuse or oileake, as it is called, is a most excellent food for cattle.
A med'cinal oil is extracted from the bark, which is used as an efficacious remedy in cutaneous diseases ; the root is used for medicinal purposes, its elastic fibres are sometimes woven into strain- ers for liquids, while the timber may be used in budding or converted into beau- tiful articles offurniture. The husk con- sists ofa tougli fibre, from which cordage and rigging of the best quality may be manufactured, and the finest stuffing for mattrasses that is used, not excepting hair.
The process of manufacturing it, is very simple. The husk shells are soak- ed till perfeetly sott, and then pounded out until the fibres are all separated. It may be done by hand-labour, but by the aid of a very simple machine—something for instance, like that to which rags in a paper mili are first subjected—the cost of manufacturing might be reduced at least to one half.
Printed and published for the AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, by Richard I Iatchett.
S T . CROIX
AGRICULTURAL REPORTER.
^ o . 9 . - J U t y 1 8 5 , T r e e s a n d S h ru b s.
In laying lovv the forests, savs Hum- boldt, vvluch cover the tops and the flanks ot the mountains, mankind in all climates are at one and the same time entailing two great calamities upon suc- ceeding generations : “ a scarcity both of wood and of water.”
The truth of this remark is verified by examining the history of all the civi- lised countries of the globe. The large extent of forests in comparison with that of meadows, pastures and plains seem to indicate that trees and shrubs act an important part in the economy of our globe. In countries uninhabited by men, the influence of forest must be on the climate, on the soil and on the number ofanimals and herbaceous vegetables;
in ci vilized countries, to these influences’
nnist be added the relation in which thev
stand to men. 3
It appears highly probable that the greater part of the surface of our <dobe has been at one time covered with wood.
The whole of the American continent was until lately almost entirely covered with trees and shrubs, and presented few naked surfaces, except those of the prai- ries, alluvial deposits on the banks ofits larger rivers, and on the tops of the high- est mountains; and what was so recently the condition of America, must, we mav reasonable suppose, have once at least been that of every other part of the' World.
The principal influence of forest in a wild state is on the soil. Forests may be
regarded as a provision of nature for pre- paring the surface of the earth for the cultivation of the chief productions, which constitute the food of men and o f domestic animals; the soil being furnish- ed with that organised matter so essen- tial to the growtli of perfect plants by the decay of leaves, and ultimately, by the^ decay of trunks and branches. J The waters of a country, the rivers and lakes, are invariably anected by the state of the woods of that country.
These woods and their mossy beds must,"
in all cases, act more orless as a sponye in retaining the water which fails on them, and water must thus be supplied more gradually to the rivers and water streams in countries covered with wood than in those which are cleared and re’- gularly drained.
That which is applicable on a grand scale where forests cover many thousand acres must operate more or less in the same manner where they extend only to a few acres. That theisland of St. Croix was densely covered with trees and bush
es of various kinds in former days is well known, and that the great scarcity o f wa
ter to a great extent at least is caused by the present scarcity of trees, is more than probable.
There is a regulation on record from the year 1695 which prohibits the cutting mV* trees m£A 'ng boards for sale.
‘‘The Governor,” says the regulation,
“ is sorry to observe, that some planters are picking out the best trees not only on their own estates, but on the estates of others as well as on untransferred
