Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-10-01
THE SUGAR CROP

Thu season has sufficiently advanced to ena-
hje us to estinate with some confidence the
probable vie d of this years sugar crop. 1t
il now about the period at which our plant
ers usually begin to grind their cane, at least
those who having ea.ly crops, or cult'vating
in the lower parishes. Before this date last
vear- there was new sugar or the way to
market. But this year, owingto the unusual
backwardnes Of the crop, the grinding sea-
son will open on the majority OF the pianta-
tions a month later than it did last year.
This fact alone will surround the result OF
the season with great uncertainty, and render
the most moderate estimates very dubious.
Conceding a favorable grinding season, the
present indications satisfy us that the crop
will fall below even the estimates made
some time ago, when hope was still INDUCED
that the ravases Of an unusually uniavorable
growing season , nd a very p~rejudiciaI winter
might be repaired. Results Of observation
in a section of the State, where the crops
mos, rarely fail than in any other, and the
concurrent testimony OF planters IN other
sections have brought us to the conclusion that
the Weld Of this season will be less than that
of the last BY over one hundred thousand
hoysheads. Many planters will not make
more than il half crop, Others two-thtrds. few
indeed a large, and no one that we can iea;n,
will equal the crop OF last season.
There nave ben abundant causes to pro-
dace This result. Considering their number
and extent, it is matter of LIBERALIZATION that the
effects are not more disastrous. The failure
OF the RI ttoous, from wet weather, has been
general. The plants, both in the nats and in
the grounds. were extensively rolled by the
long rains Of the winter. The ground, from
the same cause, Was stiff and cinygy, aud the
| plants grew poorly. Then came tn" long
drouth. From these CAUSES it has come to
pass that when and where the cane ought to
have assumed a maturity sufficient to yi~ld a
hogshead to an acre, it IN many places hard
Iy suhiceh for planting. Almost universally
green hue, have a yellowish tinge, denoting
an unthrilty condition.
What is true Of the condition and prospects
of the cane ~or, the rivers and hayous, j.
equally so of the hill region. Indeed. the
cArsrs named have operated ever more dele
teriousIy in this region, and the failure will
lie greater titan in the %alluvial lands: Some
rejecting and sayac.ols planters are fixed II,
the conviction that tue , ield of this year will
not exceed 300. 900 aogst,eals. But we think
a decline o; 100, GOO hoyshe~ds on the pro-
duct of last ear leaves a very large margin
for The disa .ters which have attended the
crop of this season.
To the people generally, the sugar on>uner,
such a reduction Of the crop involves, OF
course, all addition to the expense of living
but to the planters SO far from proving a loss
and damage, it is indeed abeneft of a very
percept'bIe character. The great strain UP.
on his labor aud resources in ya'herin: such
large crops. has proven ed our planters
from Il, ing thelf attention aud applying their
forces tn more through Improvements OF their
pIantetions-to better ditchirg, Ieveeing. and
d more thrifty and fr"ga! culture. 10 these
large crops everything is sacrificed. Even a
sinking or breaking ;evee is Disregard under
The pressure of the necessity of taking of
the superintendent cane. When the crop is
smaller, while the aggregate amount it vii!
commend in the market is as great as that
of a large crop, the planter has time and Ia
Dor for other etnp|oyme"ts The grinding
season dosen't run into the planting season.
The hands and the stock are not over wicked,
and there is time to build ~levees, cut bitches
and acce mpIish good many other jobs which
are highly important to the future culture
and the interests Of the planter.