In Luzon the land is usually cultivated under an arrangement known as Aparceria.
The conditions of Aparceria vary according to the locality, and to established custom, since on the land near a town a smaller share is given to the cultivator than on land near the forests, where if he were not satisfied he might commence to clear land for himself. Also the land near the towns is more valuable than that at a distance for various reasons.
The following is an example of the terms usual in Pampanga. The land-owner provides:
- A. Cleared land ready for the plough.
- B. Sugar-cane points for the first planting.
- C. Sugar-mill, boiling-pans and the building for same.
- D. Money advances to keep the cultivator and his family, and for taking off the crop.
- E. Carts for carrying the cane to the mill.
The cultivator, or inquilino, provides:
- 1. His labour and that of his family for ploughing, planting and cultivating the cane and fencing the plantations.
- 2. The ploughs and implements of husbandry.
- 3. The cattle (water buffaloes) for the above labours and for working the mill if it is a cattle mill.
The money advanced to the cultivator by the land-owner is charged 20 per cent. per annum interest.
For a daily task of 9 pilones from cattle-mills or 10 pilones from steam-mills there are employed:
| 2 Labourers to cut cane | at 25 cents and food | .50 cents. |
| 1 Carter | at 25 cents and food | .25 |
| 2 Mill attendants | at 25 cents and food | .50 |
| Sugar boiler and fireman | at 25 cents and food | .75 |
| 1 Megass carrier | at 25 cents and food | .25 |
| —— | ||
| Mexican dollars | 2.25 | |
| Or 25 cents per pilon. | ||