in time, with a mixed caste of free labourers, retained, even during the worst of times, a sufficient number of hands to enable them to cultivate their lands, although upon a reduced scale.
The great Haciendas now expend in wages, and other current charges, from 8 to 1200 dollars a week.
The labourers are mostly paid by the piece, and can earn, if industrious, from six to seven reals per diem (three shillings, or three and sixpence, English money.)
The number of workmen employed upon an estate capable of producing 40,000 Arrobas of sugar, is one hundred and fifty, with occasional additions, when the season is late, or the work has been retarded by accidental causes.
They are divided into gangs, as in the West Indies, and appeared to me to perform their several tasks with great precision, and rapidity. Fifty men are employed in watering the canes;[1] twenty in cutting; ten in bringing the cut canes from the field, (each with six mules ;) twenty-five, (mostly boys,) in separating the green tops, which are used as fodder, and binding up the remainder for the muleteers.
Twenty men, in gangs of four each, feed the engine, day and night; fourteen attend the boilers; twelve keep up the fires; four turn the cane in
- ↑ The Spanish names, in regular succession, are, Rĕgădōrĕs, Măchĕtērŏs, Ārrĭērŏs, Zăcătērŏs, Atăjădōrĕs, Trăpĭchērŏs, Hōrnērŏs, Căldĕrērŏs, Vōltĕădōrĕs, Alzadores, Pūrgădōrĕs.
