Balatá for a while was first in importance, but later diminished.
Rice alone shows progress but though 7,500,000 pounds are raised, some is imported, mostly from British Guiana. Some bananas are raised, over 700,000 bunches, a few sent to Europe. The production of corn was nearly 4,000,000 pounds; of rum over 1,000,000 litres.
Mining
Gold has been mined for a long time. After a large discovery in 1876 there was a rush to the field. For ten years prior to 1914 gold production declined, but increased in 1915 when nearly $800,000 in bullion was exported to the United States. Some European countries have invested, but few attempts with machinery have been successful.
An American company is said to have spent recently $1,000,000 in prospecting, in securing land, and in construction work about 100 miles from Paramaribo. They found large areas with high grade bauxite, and gold-quartz possibilities. Some gold was procured from hand worked placers. Arrangements for placer working on the Marowijne River have been made with the Dutch and French authorities. Quicksilver and high grade iron ore are reported as existing. Great caution should be exercised by persons disposed to enter the field.
Oil is said to have been located in three places: on the Surinam River about 90 miles above Paramaribo; on the Marowijne, 100 miles above Albina; and between the Surinam River and the railway, 48 miles above the head of deep water navigation. The second field is said to offer the best prospects, but there have been no developments.
Other Industries
Dutch Guiana is rich in undeveloped resources. There are immense untouched forests, grassy savannas capable of feeding thousands of cattle, undeveloped mineral resources; but all these await transportation facilities.
East Indian coolies and Javanese have been brought to the colony as laborers, but it is said that there are not enough laborers in the busy season and too many the rest of the time. It is hoped that the region will again prove attractive for settlement and capital.