The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1878-01-02
THE sTGAR OUTLOOK.

greatest product gave q new i'm
petus to cane planting, and the
reports from all parts of the world
seemed TO justify the opinion that
the sugar"producing countries
would not be able, ut any time
hereafter, to fully supply the de.
mand for that article. 1t is re.
markable that our commercial
writer's should make such a blun~
der, for at the very time when we
were expecting a sugar famine,
our American markets have been
glutted with sugar, audience the
present low prices. This was
sufficiently demoralizing Of itself,
but now another spectre, the fear
OF the removal Of
THE DUTY ON SUGAR,
rises before the planter to destroy
his confidence in his business.
On that score we believe he can
rest easy, for SO long as we con
sent to protect New England man
ufaeturers we have q very strong
claim upon their support of the
sugar duty. Then, too, should
the duty on sugar be removed, it
would only be o loss of q large
revenue to the government, and
the American public would not be
able to buy their sweets any
cheaper than now. 1t would be
like it was with tue removal of
the duty on coffee--the foreign
dealers would increase their price,
and they, not our own people, de-
rive all the benefits.
The question now uppermost in
the planters minds ls,
WILL IT PAY TO HOLD OUR sUGARI
Present prices arc so low that
we may naturally expect an i'm
provement in the market at an
early day ; but then, owing TO the
immature condition Of the cane
and the effects Of the freeze, most
open kettle sugars are SO soft and
are draining 80 freely thatit would
be more profitable to ship and sell
it soon as possible to prevent loss
in weight. We are equally Ger
tain that it should be the policy
of manufacturers Of good sugars to
hold, if they are 10 q financial
condition to do so.
THE POLICY FOR THE FUTURE.
While we are as firmly as ever
of the opinion that cane culture is
the most profitable crop grown In
America, we think the time has
now come when all sugar planters
should BIO coauitced that it is too
hazardous to depend entirely upon
that crop. Il certainly will not
pay planters, ut present prices, TO
plant cane exclusively, even should
they be certain of making fall
crops annually but, since the
present season has demonstrated
what we may expect any yearsi 1t
becomes the imperative duty Of
every planter TO diversity his
Crops-to plant corn not only to
rest his soil, but to make his OseR
prouisioRS, aud to be certain that
he will have an abundant corn
crop, he should prepare his land
thoroughly, plant at dlnerenG sea-
sons SO that If one planting fails
the next may succeed, and cult,
vate we'll. With an abundance Of
corn, d few brood mares and sows
Of the best breeds with cattle,
sleep, poultry; with moving MAJ
chimes, patent hay rakes and forks;
with a fall supply of roots and
esoulents for both man aud beast,
o plantation could be made self,
sustaining, aud then all the profits
would NOS have to go to purchase
horses, mples, meats, feed, etc. etc.
Then . partial failure OF the sugar
OF cotton crop would not demor~
alize and distress plante;a as now;
the planter would be independent
OF commission merchants, and
mortgaged estates would be few.
GOOD WILL RESULT
from the disasters of the past
year. Ii has fully demonstrated
the necessity for more improved
sugar machinery, so that frozen
cane can be at least partially
saved. Those Who have vacuaB,
pans are about the only ones 10
the State who were able to Come
ont ahead. A greater impetus
will be given 20 the erection of
central factories, Cor the smaller
planters are now, more than ever,
anxious sodiveFsily theie crops aud
have their sugar manufactured
With the best machinery-and
whatever may DO tue future price
ofsngar, We are sure it will always