The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-07

Interesting Sugar Statistics.
Americans eat more sugar, man for man,
than any other people II diet has any effect
on dispositions we should be very sweet and
rapidly growing sweeter. Perhaps, however,
the acerbity Of our political contests counter
acts the saccharines we absorb, and the nature
OF our government may require us to consume
much candy to maintain our normal balance
Of amiability. In 1859 we used of foreign
sugar 239, 034 tons; of cane sugar we made
1872, $50 tons, from molasses 12,O53 tons and
from the maple $1,000 tons; total, 40, 237
tons. Last year we used 100000 tons, being
an increase of nearly fifty per cent in the
twelve years; the returns showing that most
Of this increase has occurred within the last
six years, the consumption of 1871
being fifteen per cent above that of
the previous year. If to the sugar used
be added one hundred and fifty thousand
hogsheads of molasses, not to mention q
large amount Of honey, we see that the sweet
trade is very large item in our commerce.
Twelve years ago it was computed that we
made use of thirty-fve pounds for each man,
woman and child of our population. Now
the rate has advanced to forty pounds each.
Great Britain uses twenty-nine pounds,
France nine pounds for each inhabitant and
Germany still less. In these and in all the
European countries the consumption is grow
ing The general use Of sugar Is modern, not
dating further back than about four hundred
years.
While the demand for sugar Is SO rapidly
increasing the source Of supply as to the pro-
duction of cane is rather falling off, Cuba,
torn with the horrors Of war, has declined
rather largely, and other Of the cane-growing
West Indies send less to market than twenty
years ago. In our own country we raise less
cane than before the rebellion, while the cult
walton of sorghum has not grown to any con-
siderable proportion. But while the supply
from cane has decreased the, beet root has
especially in Europe-very rapidly come into
cultivation to supply the want In France
sixty thousand to three hundred thousand
tons; in Austria from ten thousand to eighty
thousand tons, and in Russia from nothing to
over one hundred thousand tons. One-sixth
part Of the sugar supply for England-nearly
one hundred thousand tons-was from this
source This industry has so far only been
very partially experimental upon in America.
We have here every requisite of soil and
climate necessary to the successful culture of
beet root, and there can be no reason to pre-
vent this country, the largest consumer of
sweets in the world, from becoming the
largest producer Of beet sugar. Without
doubt it's production, when introduced, will
prove one of the most remunerative methods
of employing land Who will be the public
spirited promoter of this great enterprise?
A WARNING. Gaffney was recently
sentenced to be hung at Buffalo for murder.
In announcing his doom the presiding Judge
id:-"You are the victim Of the cowardly
practice OF carrying arms" This warning is
as applicable in New York as where it was
uttered, and where it will soon be emphasized
by an execution. A real or fancied injury or
insult, partial intoxication, q ready knife or
pistol, and murder. This plot, with infinite
variety Of detail is daily repeated in the police
Office drama, costing many lives Laws which
forbid the carrying Of weapons are too rarely
enforced, but the natural effect of the baneful
custom takes its revenge in uncounted crimes
and sufferings incalculable. Itbehooves all
who carry concealed arms to consider the
danger they incur by this breach of law, and
not to wait till, like GaAney the murderer q
hasty quarrel leads them to the felon's cell
and the murderer s end.