The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-01-13
FINANCE AND BUSINESS.
LOUISIANA SUGAR.
THE NEW SYSTEM OF CULTURE.

The New York Tribune states some facts
on this subject which have bearing on all
branches of agriculture. Before the var the
annual yield of sugar in Louisiana was from
10000 to 10000 hogsheads, but since then
it has fallen, in some years, to less than 10O,
600. The area of land devoted to this staple
was formerly much larger than now, and
tine profits were greater. Taxes were low,
labor was nominal, and the system of opera
tions was well established. II was not con-
sidered important that the soil be the rich
est, nor that the cultivation be the highest,
and the crop was to be increased by a greater
breadth of planting. After the war it was
found that many of the most expensive
works had been destroyed. or, at least, that
they had fallen into decay. Upon the re-
sumption of the industry it proved disas-
trous to many who engaged in it, and fer
the reasons that labor was dear and uncer-
tain, and taxes were higher than ever before
laid. With the existence Of these con-
ditiOns 1t became necessary TO adopt
new methods, but this could only
be done by degrees. and now, after many
trials, extending over five years, the follow
ing rules have been established on the most
successful plantations: First, to diminish
the area of land on which given amount OF
sugar is grown, in comparison with the cid
time practice, and second, to force this
age, and thorough culture to the highest
practicable standard OF production. Thus
the finest soil on the estate il selected for
cane, while that which would only return
the average of former years is left to lie idle.
Further, il is an aim to introduce improved
machinery as soon as means can be obtain
ed not but that formerly it was of high
order, but it is the object to get such as is
the nearest perfect. 1t has been demonstra-
ted that when land has been brought to
high state by deep tillage and the use of fer
tilizsrs less labor is required TO make cane
grow; that money for manure is cheaper
than labor expended on poor soils, and that
100 acres of good cane is much more profita-
bic than 200 acres of medium. By the i'm
proved culture the cane comes forward rap
idly; insects, drouth and other adverse
natural causes operate with diminished
force, while fields of fifty to one hun
d-ed acres present an even and rank growth
often becoming twelve feet high early in the
season. The cost of producing sugar is from
six to eight cents pound, all ex-
penses included, while the molasses fur
nishes additional profit. The wages are
higher than are paid in any other industry
in the south. Common hands get S26
month, or its equivalent in house rent, fuel
and perquisites; and engineers, sugar
lers, and skilled mechanics, three times as
much. Nothing is truer in the south than
that wages are high wherever the leading
industry is profitable. The new system
above referrened to indicates, in our iudg-
ment, the true way TO make sugar farming,
or any other farming, pay; that is, the set
Ting down persistently to the practice OF
growing the most that is possible to
grow on a few acres. Sugar making, how
ever, can not be conducted on what we call
the small farm system until custom mills
become general; and as every sugar maker
now owns his mill. costing $4,000 and up
ward, comparatively large breadths of land
must be In cultivation. To grow one hum
-dred acres of cane yearly will require as
manyas four hundredacres in the estate. AS to
the harvest OF the past season, the accounts
are unfavorabls, owing TO frequent rains
early in the year and so late as the first of
July. Consequently 1t was impossible to
work the cane except on ground which
quickly discharged superfiuous water, and
the crop is estimated at two-tbirds, or about
eighty thousand hogsheads. However, Lou
isiana is not alone among the states in hav-
ing short crop, for the complaint is gener-
al and if it were not for the large surplus
held over from the preceding year, we
would now be met with absolute scarcity.
BREADsrUFFs.
The European situation is reviewed by the
Mark Lane Express, Dec. p: Business has
been characterized by dullness, but with
some firmness. showing the general opinion
that with the coming spring prices will be
strong, from the large drafts made on mod
crate stocks in granary. Paris has again
slightly declined as respects flour, and the
wheat trade there, as in the provinces, has
been dull; but at Marseilles and Bordeaux
rates are maintained; Germany keeps very
steady, and though the Vistula has remained
open. and brought better supplies TO Dsntzig,
wheat OF the best quality has fully main
tanned its former value. 1t is the same at
Hamburg, and as there has been intense
frost at Odessa, there can not be heavy ar
rivals thence. In Switzerland, Italy aud
Algeria high rates continue, as well as in
Egypt. Maize has risen from BIS to 37s per
quarter, with good demand.
An interesting summary has been fur
nished the st. Louis Democrat by the Hon. j.
r.. Dodge, the government statistician in the
bureau Of agriculture at Washington, with
the subjoined statement of the crops of corn
and wheat grown in the grain states of the
Mississippi basin in 1878, compared with the
same crops fle72:
Corn. Wheat. Corn. Wheat