Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-12-26
NOT Es ON A. SWEET SUBJECT.

During the year ending June 80, 1860, there
was imported into the United States from for
eign countries, COS 100000 pounds of sugar.
amounting in value to over S31 ,000,000 Of
which about 100000 pounds, valued at
$2,l5O000 was xported-leaving 660,000,-
600 lbs. in the country for consumption. Besides
this large amount Of foreign sugar we must
take into the consumption account all the sugar
made in Louisiana and Texas, and the maple
sugar made made in the northern States. Di-
vide the gross number of pounds by the free
population and it gives US full % pounds of
sugar TO every man, woman and child in the
country.
Hunts Merchants Magazine estimates the
crop Of maple sugar for the calendar year now
Just closing at 5000 tons. The trees are tap
ped in February and early March to obtain the
product and the process of manufacture is usu-
ally completed in March. BY the aid of care
full comparison with the ascertained product of
former years, accurate observers generally con-
cur in the opinion that this is a moderate esti-
mate. The same authority gives 2240 pounds
to the ton, making an aggregate of 60, 100000
pounds. Thus at s cents pound-a low esti-
mate-the crop of maple sugar for the present
year amounts TO S5,0l6,000.
Of the amount or value of domestic or New
Orleans sugar rel ed, we have at hand no sta
tistics for an accurate determination or even for
approximation thereto. But it has been sufiic-
iently large TO form an important element in
the calculation of the amount of sugar consum-
cd in this country. That source Of supply is
now cut entirely off, hence we must only look
to importations and our own maple trees 10 re-
lieve the pressure this deficiency will occasion,
and to meet our necessities.
Partly in consequence of the total loss OF
New Orleans sugar. and partly owing to the adj
ditional risks to commerce occasioned by the
Southern rebellion, sugars have advanced from
two to three cents per pound, or full 80 per
cent in value. Should we become involved in
war with England and our commerce left 10
protect itself, it is only reasonable TO assume
that the price of sugars must be very nearly
doubled. In any event there is no prospect
that this great staple will be lower than it now
is, while there are substantial reasons for beev-
ing that without any foreign war and with the
suppression of the rebellion during the coming
year, it must continue to rise in value. The
stock on hand in the country is constantly di.
minishing, and il domestic tranquility is restor.
ed the great sugar plantations of Louisiana will
have become so broken up by the war and the
consequent condition of slave labor that it will
be years before their former productiyeness vii
equaled again.
From these considerations it seems evid en-
that the people of the loyal States must look t.
home sources from which to draw their saccha
rine supplies In the Western States the Sorg
hum succeeds very well, and the prairie farmer
are making good thing of its cultivation. Il
Illinois and Iowa excellent sugar and syrup ar
manufactured from this article. The clmat
and soil are well suited to its production, AM
the ease with which il is cultivated and the pro
lection which the plant there attains will b
likely to render il staple crop. But in NeN
England, New York, the northern portion o
Ohio and Indiana, and in Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota the great reliance for domesti
sugar must be on the rock maple. 1t stand
by us wilbur signs of failure or secession. 1t
branches wave sweetly over us. protecting US il
the summer by its grateful shade, defending II