New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-27
SUGAR IN LOUISIANA.


SUGAR IN LOUISIANA.
The introduction of the sugar culture into
Louisiana affords another illustration of the sue
cessful migration of the worlds great staples
from one locality TO another. Two vessels on
their way to that colony with troops, stopped at
Hispanola in ISL. The Jesuits Of that island
obtained permission to put on board OF these
ships, and to send to the Jesuits Of Louisiana,
some sugar canes, and some negroes familiar
with the cultivation of the plant. The canes
were planted on ground which is now densely
populated portion Of New-Orleans, where they
grew and lcurished for many years, but no
effort was made TO extend the cultivation, or to
produce sugar in large way. The canes were
reialled in the markets as an article OF luxury.
Here they attracted the notice Of Dubreuil, one
Of the wealthiest planters in tho colony, who
cultivated them to some extent, built mil Tor
grinding them, and attempted to make sugar,
but failed entirely. This failure confirmed the
general impression that sugar cosld not be pro.
dnced in Louisiana, and no further effort was
made on a large SCALE until 1874, when the
widespread destituton Of the colony drove the
turAl staple.
Up 10 this period the results Of agriculture
among the colonsts had been very Insignificant,
notwithstanding the extraordinary fertility OF the
soil. Rice and corn were raised in quantity
sufficient for home consumption, but none for ex.
port; and the supplies Of produce of other kinds
which descended the Mississippi constituted the
great dependence for food Indigo then o staple
production of oil Southern America had been
suddenly attacked by an insect which deyoured the
leaves with incredible rnpidity, and left nothing
standing but the naked stems Of the plant. In
1893 and "a the rayages of this insect were 80
general and complete, that the whole province
was thrown into state Of CONSERVATION and
despair. Cotton was then unknown as com
mercial staple, as the gin had not been invented
Il was evident that some new article Of produc-
ton must be discovered. The sugar-cane had
been extensively cultivated near New-Ofleans only
on q single plantation, where, also, every attempt
10 produce sugar had failed. In this emergency,
Etlenne de Bore undertook anew the hazardous
enterprise. Though Of moderate means, and past
middle life, and though warned by wife and
friends of the danger of becoming impoverished,
the strong resolve Of his energetic mind could not
be shaken He planted canes, built ms, AID in
1875 this FIRST extensive trial of the sugar culture
reached demonstration.
His neghbors, both far and near, had visited
him and watched his progress and preparations
with the keencst interest. Every encouragement
had been set afoat, because oil doubted his sue
cess When the grinding of the cane was to
begin, the inhabitants gathered around the sugar
house in crowds, to be present a. the failure or
success Of the experiment They waited with
impotence for the moment when the man who
watched the coction of the juice should deter.
mine whether it was ready to granulate. When
that moment arrived, the excited spectators held
their breath, apparently conscious that it was a
question Of ruin or prosperity for them all. The
sugar.maker suddenly announced that granulation
had taken place. when each one of the impatient
bystanders pressed in to witness for himself the
long doubted but anxiously desired fact. The
most perfect granulaton had taken place, and the
great problem had been successfully solved.
Bore was overwhelmed with congratulations and |
the sugar culture of Louisiana established as q |
staple which Immediately reyolutionzed her pc
cuniary condition. This first crop OF sugar Bore |
sold for $4,000, large sum in those days.
Such is the narrative given by Gayarr6, a de- |
scendant Of Bore. Other accounts allege that |
sugar had been previously produced in consider.
able quantity. But it is certain that only eight |
years after Bore's great experiment no less than
eighty-one sugar estates were in operation on the
delta alone, and that the export from New.Or.
leans had grown in 1894 to 100, 900 hogsheads,
worth s6,00O,C00 all of which, as the tables in
form US, went to ports within the Union. 1t
would thus seem that to Bore is due the honor
Of showing that the great West India staple
could be pro6tably domestcated in Louisiana
Our acquisition Of that region undoubtedly gave
enormous and rapid expansion to the business
In 1853 and 80, Louisiana received $40 ,0OO, 900
for her sugar crop. The fact of this great staple
being thus permanently domesticated among us
affords additional evidence that human energies
will ultimately triumph when directed to provide !