Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-26
u From Ike Boston Courier.
CO + F f F..

COFFEE.
Many Of the facts, particularly those relating
to Cuba, are within the personal knowledge OF
the writer of the following article, and all others
are from sources entitled to perfect credit.
Cofte-'ihis article has been subjecto of con-
siderable interest to orr mercantile community
for some weeks past, arising partly from the near
approach OF the period when a great reduction Is
to take place in tho duty III this country, aud part
ly, probably, from pretty general impression
that Coffee is below its relative value Throughout
the world; and that it has greatly increased,
while at the same time. particularly within the
last two years. its production (in the West In
dies and the Brazils at least has been growing
less and less 1t has been ascertaned by pref
ty accurate returns that the consumption in Eu-
rope. during the last four years previous to De-
eember 81, 1880. had increased fifty per cent. !;
the sales in the eight depots in 1926 being one
hundred and forty millions pounds, and III 1929
having reached to two hundred and ten millions
In the United States the consumption OF coi-
fee in period of about ten years has gone up
from eleven millions to upwards Of forty millions
and it is fair to calculate, that as threeftths OF
the duty on coffee will be taken of. in January
1881, while the full duty is to be continued Oil
Tea till January. 1852, that the consumption OF
Coffee in this country in 1881 will beup 10 sixty
million pounds As before observed, while this
great increase of consumption has been going on,
The cultivation of the article i'll the West Indies,
has yearly decreased. In the Island of st. Do
mngo the quantity Of Coffee raised Is not one
fifth of what it was ten years ago. In Brazil
three wears since the export was eighty millions,
nov il is less than fifty millions, and the present
crop is short one. In Jamaica the production
Al r f
the Coffee Estates are converted into sugar plan
tations. In Cuba the annual export Of Coffee
has fallen from eighty to less than forty millions.
This has arisen partly because a long success
sion Of low prices has led to careless cultivation,
partly because old trees do not yield as much as
Young ones, partly from cutting down coffee trees
and planting sugar cane, and partly from the en-
tire abandonment of all small coffee estates, the
owners taking off their negroes to new lands.
raising cattle or cultivatins tobacco. which art-
Gle has increased four fould in Cuba during the
last few years. Coffee has risen in Cuba since
May last about two cts. pound. The last
Price Current from Havana, of 4th Dec. quotes
list quality, none; ID and Sd qualities. S6a
to = per l0Olbs.-scarce, in great demand, aud
price advancing; and letters from hence say that
the present crop is below an average one.
In this country Coffee has advanced within
four months ABOUT one cent pound. In Ham
burg and Bremen, from whence c0ffee-drinking
Germany is principally supplied, it rose during
the last summer from two to four cents pound.
Whether the present disturbances in Europe will
advance or retard the price, is for wiser heads
than the writer of tins article to forsee; some
will think that it is best tn re tire from trade when
troublesome times approach. but more will per-
haps argue that if war is to take place, it will be
no bad thing to be caught with a good store Of
Coffee on hand bought at a low price. c.
-ssSSees5eeseaD-
Mistake IF The Press.-An important house in
this City had occasion TO advertise for sale a
quantity of Brass Hoppcrs, such as are used in
coffee mills. But instead of Brass Hoppers. the
newspaper read Grasshoppers. Ia a short time
the merchants counting room was throngcd with
enquirers respecting the new article of merchan-
die.
.sGood morning. Mr. Iuvsice; how do You
sell grasshoppers?" said fat merchant. "What
are they worth ahosshead?"
The importer was astonished-but before he
had time to reply, in came druggist, who, be-
ing bent on speculation, determined TO purchase
a whole lot. provided he could get them low
Taking the importer aside for fear of being over
heard by the merchant, he asked him how he
sold grasshoppers; if they were prime quality;
and whether they were to be used in medicine.
The importer was about opening his mouth to re-
ply in an angry manner to what he began to sus-
pect was conspiracy to torment him, when
doctor entered, smelling at his cane and looking
wondrous wise.
"Mr. Invoice" said he, "ahem. will YOU be
good enough to show me specimen of your
"Grasshoppers. srasshoppers!" exclaimed the
importer, as soon as he had chance TO speak,
$ what, gentlemen, do you mean BY grusshop-
,ers?"
s.Mean!" said the merchant: s.why, per-
:eive you haze advertised the article for SALE" |
Certainly" said The druggist, :. and when
man advertises an article, it is natural for him .
o expect inquiries relating to the price and qua.
ity of the thing
"Nothing in the world more NATURAL" said