TOBAGO. Sub-Enclosure 5. TOTAL VALUE in Sterling of the IMPORTS and EXPORTS of the Colony of TOBAGO, in the Years The small amount of difference between the total values of imports in 1856 and 1857 renders any remark from the treasurer Sub-Enclosure 6. RETURN OF SUGAR, RUM, and MOLASSES exported from the Island of TOBAGO, from the Year 1827 to the Under the Act 19 Vict. cap. 4., entitled "An Act for the Valuation of Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments in Tobago." TOBAGO. Sub-Enclosure 8. RETURN of the AMOUNT paid for LABOUR in repairing the PUBLIC ROADS of the ISLAND of TOBAGO, with the cost of Materials, Superintendence, &c., and number of Labourers employed in each Parish, during the Year ended 31st December 1857. Average number of days employed per man Days. Hours. Days. Hours. Days. Hours. Days. Hours. Days. Hours. Days. Hours. Days. Hours. Days. Hours. ESTIMATED COST of the Cultivation and Manufacture of Sugar by the Hoe from one acre of land in the Windward District. The above is an estimation at which I would not undertake to do it, although it is what we should have but seldom got. The average yield over a whole crop may be fairly estimated at 1 hhd. per acre. It will be observed that the tear and wear of implements and stock form no part of the above calculation, nor the labour expended in making manure, which is considerable, neither is the putting or chopping of tops and grass for the stock put down, or the Creole drying megass for fuel, or the jobbers cutting bamboos for the same purpose. Estimated cost of the cultivation and manufacture of sugar by the plough from one acre of land less than the hoe by 188. 4d., say 71. 8s. 8d. The plough cannot be used to advantage to windward until the number of open drains are greatly reduced by either thorough or tile drains. At present the cleaning out of the drains after the plough is attended with a great loss of labour. I have seen grubbers used in this district, but without the advantages ascribed to them in the cultivation of the cane. 3. You do not inquire the cost of grinding, whether by steam, water, or wind mill power. The cost entailed upon an estate entirely dependent upon wind proves sometimes very heavy. I have seen such a mill in operation for a week, and grind canes sufficient to make a tierce of sugar. The cost of cutting canes depends very much upon their quality. In good canes nine labourers can cut and tie up sufficient to make more than a hogshead, whilst in thin ratoons twice the number could not do so. I have made a crop of 100 hogsheads as cheap as one of 50 hogsheads, viz., as regards cutting, grinding, and manufacturing. 4. In 1836 the return from plant canes in this district averaged from two, three, to even four hogsheads. The seasons have, however, changed very much to the disadvantage of cultivation. One hogshead per acre from plants mixed with ratoons is not considered bad. I believe that in this district during last crop not more than half a hogshead was realized from an acre of land. Sub-Enclosure 11. ACCOUNT of EXPENSES incurred in establishing a Plant for Crop 1859 on Mount Irvine Estate, TOBAGO. The 8 acres of No. 3. indicated on the other side by A. have been twice worked with the grubber in the month of January, at an expense for each grubbing of 1s. 10d. the acre. The annexed return exhibits the expense incurred in making certain experiments, with the view to the substitution of an improved system of agriculture for that now in use in the island of Tobago:A. indicates the method which it is proposed to adopt. B. the old method. The two methods being so different, and the one effecting so much more complete a tillage than the other, they cannot be compared till the canes are reaped. It may reasonably be expected that in future years the new plan will be carried out at a less expense than has been incurred in a first attempt. Hitherto the preparation of the soil for planting has been carried on partly by means of the boe, and partly with the plough; but though the plough has been in use for many years, it has been used merely as an assistant to the hoe in carrying out the old system, and no improvement has by its means been effected in tilling the soil. The objects which I am seeking to effect are 1. The thorough pulverization of the soil by the plough and grubber at an early period of the year, in order to expose it to the fertilizing influence of the rain and atmosphere. |