Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-08-12
The Sugar Crop.


The West Indian climate is peculiarly
adapted to the growth of the sugar cane. A
plant once started on that soil will continue to
produce new shoots from that root for several
successive years, without replanting until it
finally becomes comparatively worthless from
old age, and requiring only care in keeping
down weeds, DC. ;while in our own only cane
growing state, Louisiana, the severe winters
infallibly kill the tender plant, thereby neces-
stating replanting every spring. This dis
advantage for us forms one Of, if not the most
cogent reason urged for tariff upon sugar.
With the abolition of slavery in the British
West Indian islands, the cost of raising the
cane was increased so much that the grow
ing Of sugar could not by free labor be made
renumerative, and SO the crop gradually fell
off two thirds or three fourths of the amount
annually produced. Then this reduction
must of course be balanced either by an aug
mented supply elsewhere produced, or in an
enhancement Of price for the remainder
This latter has been the result.
Sugar now rules so high that plantations in
Cuba and other islands belongingt to the Span
ish and Dutch governments, are paying truly
enormous revenues to their fortunate propre-
tors;-so new estates are being started in all
practicable places, and even in Jamaica and
other British islands, old, deserted, and almost
ruined estates are once again being put under
cultivation; for it will pay now, to employ
free labor to cultivate the cane,-so the world
will soon sec an area of land producing sugar
far exceeding that at any previous period
Consequently prices will come down; though
1t must be borne in mind that the consump-
ton of sugar has increased enormously within
the few past years, particularly in our own
country; now it is considered an article of in
dlspensible necessity where but recentlyit was
thought almost luxury, to be INDUCED in
onlyupon extraordinary occasions.
Prices have of late been kept up by hold
ers allowing their recent arrivals to remain in
bond till the first of July last, that they
might avail themselves of the reduced rates
ofduty, which went into effect then according
to a law Of the late congress.-As aproof we
see that at every port an immense amount Of
sugar was taken from the warehouses, and
thrown upon the market during the first few
days of that month but the reduction, being
only from 80 to "a per cent, is not sufficient
to Influence prices very materially.
When we add to the reduced production
OF the British islands, whence was once OK
ported to this country an enormous amount
the unparalleled destruction of the cane in
Louisiana during the two or three very cold
seasons just passed, from late and early frosts
we have before us the two principal reason;
for the exorbitant prices for sugar which now
prevail. That prices will recede, is a conced
ed fact; but the idea that they will fall to five
or six cents, is palpable moonshne.
Consequently we urge upon our farmers
one and all, to care for and improve our owl
northern sugar plant, the maple. twill pay
better than many other crops which cost very
much more than this.