Thibodaux minerva., 1856-02-16
Sugar Crop of Louisiana.

! The following communication is from the pen OF
one OF the most intelligent sugar planters in the
State of Louisiana. 1t should receive a due share
of consideration from those interested in the growth
of our street. and great staple:
Editors Crescent: There has recently been pub
lishcd in the National Intelligencer, and other
papers, can Estimate of the Agricultural Products
of the United States" and the value thereof. This
estimate is the production of Mr.. D. j. Browne OF
| the Patent Office. AS am well satisfied thai his
estimate of the sugar crop Of the United States for
1855. is entirely too great will make an estimate
which think will be found more correct.
| The official character of Mr.. Browne makes the
correction the more necessary Those who scru-
tnze the reports of this department of the Govern
ment, will not place much faith in these estimates.
| The estimate of
Cane sugar for the year 1867. is pounds sos 600 600
The value, at cents per pound 49,. 800
! 1t is an un;oubted fact that the Louisiana crop
of 1855 is very much less than that of 1854. The
New Orleans Price Current says, 1t seems to be
the general opinion that our crop will be 100000
hhds. short Of that of last year, us54 and many
parties estimate it at still greater reduction" The
Louisiana hid. is averaged at 1850 pounds by Mr..
Champomier.
The crops of my immediate neighborhood, sitl-
ated in one of the most hourishing sugar parishes,
(Assumption,) show falling off of 40 to As per
cent. This is, no doubt, general thing in Louis
lana
In the estimate which / shall make, | shall
assume (that may be within bounds,) deficiency
of 40 per cent.-that the crop of Louisiana will
not in 1855 be more than 60 per cent. OF that Of
1854.
Our most reliable authority-I may say our only
authority-in all that relates to the great Louisiana
interest-susar-is Mr.. Champomer.
His report of the crop Of 1854 is, pounds 10000
The census of 1850 shows that Florida made e75oooo
Crop of the United States of 1854 pounds S9 62s 600
l am unaware of any Increase in the crop of
Florida, and assume the amount of the crop of 1850
as being equal to that of 1854.
The assumed estimate of 60 per cent. viii give
for the Louisiana crop of 1855, tbs. 23 435 600
Assuming the crops of Texas and Florida
above to be the yield of 1854, We have.. 99oS 900
Estimated crop of United States in 1s.5-s 24 900
Deficiency in Louisiana 15, 900, 400
se5 6a9, 900
Presumed in estimate Of Mr.. Browne 263 900
The n. Y. Price Current-good authority in
Louisiana and the New York Shipping List, also
good authority, admit large deficiency The
former admits over 100000 hhds. deficit. This
would show deficiency of lis, 100000 pounds
The season has been most disastrous throughout
bad stubbe, bad plant cane, dry in the spring and
summer, wet and freezing in the fall and rolling
time. These are the reasons for the reduction in
the crop of Louisiana
Every sugar planter, of ordinary sense, is aware
of the probable deficiency to the extent have
named. Why, then, should we be so blind to our
interest as to press our crops upon the market
There is an annual consumption of about 900
The crop as estimated for 1855 241 ,3ss, ,6oO
Import required d...............s ST. ,o6I, 400
The deficiency of sugar in Europe is we'll known
The crop of the West Indies is undoubtedly good
one. Is this any reason for being scared into
into selling the Louisiana crop? Do we not know
that the extraordinary demand consequent upon
these deficiencies must greatly enhance prices of
sugar? Let them hold on a while, and profit by |
The advance. Mr.. Browne assumes that we ,e-
,eye cents average price, for Louisiana sugar
am certain the average net price, up to this date,
las not been to the producer over Ct cents
The Louisiana crop of 1855, if sold at 81 cents
Der pound at the sugar house. would give sl5,-
)S3,669. At cents, Sl6, S93, 1852 Over esti-
nate of value by Mr.. Browne of the crop of 1855.
s1S 1856, 29S.
The effect of this over-estimate of the sugar
rop of the United States is to deceive producers
md consumers. little more industry the part
# the gentleman who prepares annually the sugar
tatistics Of Louisiana and Texas would be greatly
0 the interest of both producers and consumers
There is no valid reason why this report should
e kept, back until the planters have disposed of
heir crops. The planters should see to an earlier
publication in future. A full report of the crops
an be published by the middle of January or first
February.
| do not take into account the quantity of maple
lgar, as the annual increase in consumption con-
equent upon an increase of population, would more
IAN dispose of the amount produced-34, 900, 900
ounds. A SUGAR PLANTER
Albemarle, La, January 2s 1856.