The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-28
The History OF the Sugar Cane in

The History OF the sugar Cane in
Louisiana.
II is just hundred years since the fir
cane was planted in Louisiana. A vessel, i
den with French recruits for the COLONY, toucbe
at Hispaniola. The Jesuits sent their brethren
few bundles Of cane, that they might try the e,
pertinent. These were planted in what is now Ii
heart Of the Second Municipality, and was cult
waited BY negroes, who came in the feet whc
brought the precious seed. 1t succeeded, but tn
culture was not prosecuted with any vigor, and
was only in 1859 that Dubreuil put up the fir,
mill. In 1869 the culture was abandoned unit
1894. That year Etenne Bore, native of Illinois
whose indigo crop had failed for several successive
years, in despair abandoned that and attempted tn
cane. The second year he made crop wortl
$4,000. His success induced his neighbors t.
initiate his example. Stoddard, in his history o
Louisiana, says that in 1903 at the transfer of the
territory, the delta contained eighty-one planta
tons. Some of these planters are at11uent anG
possess from thirty to sixty slaves. The most
wealthy Of this class reside above the city, and be.
fore the cession several had made crops valued
from ten to sixteen thousand dollars. Since that
period the number Of slaves has increased sugar
estates are cultivated on more extensive scale,
and the number Of them greatly multiplied, so
that the annual crop Of some are now worth from
$4,000 to $4,000. The sugar cane is not raised
above the island of Orleans nor is it believed that
the climate will admit of it. No sugar estates are
found more than one hundred miles above the
CITY," Such was its condition in 1872 The cane
is now cultivated in the southern portions Of
Natchitoches and Tensas Parishes, three hundred
and f1ftv rn;loo ,boyo Naxr, Orl,.n,
In 1880, the Secretary of the Treasury addressed
circulars to gentlemen in different parts of the
country, seeking information in regard to the va
fous products of industry. Josiah s. Johnston, at
that time Senator from Louisiana, replied very
deliberately on the subject of sugar. He said that,
at the time of the transfer, the duty on sugar was
81 cents per pound, which, in 1916, was increased
to cents. 1t was more than twenty years from
the cesson, before 40 600 hogsheads were produced
At that time Q83O) it was estimated that IS, 600
slaves were engaged in the business, 725 planta-
tons, about 100 steam engnes-.capital valued at
$50 100000. The slaves consume $1,000 barrels
pork. They produce about SO 900 bushels of corn.
The machinery will cost on each plantation $5, 900.
They work 1900 horses, valued at 81 500 600
which are renewed every seven years, say at an
annual cost of $500 600; more than three fths of
the revenues go to the other States. As to prices,
he shows they were, in 1918, from IA cents to Is
cents. In 1929 they had fallen to II cents The gen.
era average of Havana sugars for six years was 81
cents; that of Louisiana g. The present prices
tlS30) range from 81 to II cents. In New Orleans
sells for ST, but in the Atlantic ports it will bring
Ct. Such was its condition in 1880.
In 1910, the number of slaves was 49, 800. the
product was ll9 947 hhds. of 1000 bs, and 600 900
gallons of molasses In 1S49-50, the crop was
269,7 1853 hhds. In l850-5l, the crop will not ex.
coed zoe, 900 hhds, and will bring $4,000 O0O The
census returns for 1850 are sent from the Western
district direc. to Washington that it is impossi
BILE to ascertain at present the exact number of
slaves and capital employed. The great increase
within the last FIVE years has been in that section
IF the State. 1t may be safely estimated that the
capital now employed is at least s75, 900, 900. II
Gems to be well ascertained fact, that fair
'ied will reduce the price below cents, the mini.
mum of Mr.. Forstall Whenever the CROP is
mort, the price is paying one. But what CAPT.
alist would continue a business which required
nall Idle time, and full pay to keep up the price to
rates.
IF the sugar planters alone were interested, the
capital invested, and persons dependent on the bu
'iness should lead to its protection, that is if any
business is to be benefited by any revenue tariff
hut, as was shown by Mr.. Johnston, the North and
West actually derive large revenue from this bu
iness. The Louisiana planters will always be
compelled to buy their pork, and stock, and ma. |
hinery. One heavy item Of expense escaped Mr.. |
olnston's noice-that for fuel, either as wood or
oa At that period, perhaps, the wood in the rear of
ie plantations had not been cut off Now many