s, when the
first crop will come in, would bring the expense to L13 per acre.
The cane yielding say only three tons of sugar per acre, of which
the planter would, most likely, have to give the manufacturer
one-third, he will receive forty tons of sugar, costing him L6 10s.
per ton, and worth on the spot, according to advices received from
England and the Cape, L15 per ton, at the lowest estimate, or L600.

The greatest expense, you will perceive, is the article of tops for
planting; but this ought not to discourage persons. The plants which
I imported from the Mauritius some years ago, cost me, on account of
many of them not vegetating, at the rate of L30 per acre. Parties
who begin planting now have the great advantage that they can get
plants, every one of which, if properly treated, will grow, at
one-sixth of that price.

How many crops cane will give on good soil in Natal, I am of course
unable to state, as the oldest cane I have got has been cut only
three times--the last yield (second ratoons) was much finer than the
preceding ones, and by adopting the improved manner of cane
cultivation, viz., returning all but the cane juice to the soil, I
am confident that replanting will be found quite unnecessary; the
expenses for the second and following years will therefore be very
trifling.

Comparative Statement of the ruling Prices at Natal and the Mauritius
of Land, Live Stock, Implements, Labor, and other requirements
connected with the cultivation of the Sugar Cane.

MAURITIUS NATAL
L s. d. | L s. d.
|
LAND, per acre, L3 10s. to 20 0 0 | LAND, per acre, 10s.
| to 1 0 0
RENT OF LAND. It is not | RENT OF LAND, 6d. to 0 5 0
customary to let land at |
the Mauritius, except on |
the system of an equal |
division of the produce. |
MANURE. Guano, commonly | CATTLE MANURE in
used in its dry state, | abundance, according to
also other manures or | distance, per load,
composts, per ton, L6 to 7 0 0 | 1s. to 0 2 6
| (None required on