The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-13
THE SUGAR AND RICE CROPS OF 1878

We acknowledge the favor Of copy Of the
Price Currents compiled statement Of the
sugar and rice crop Of 1878 from the pub
liShers
This document Is apparently based upon
accurate and authentic reports OF reliable
agents residing In the parishes, and Is there
fore undoubtedly valuable statistical COM
pilation.
The DEMOCRAT has already published, from
tables furnished by the mercantile commun-
ity, an approximate estimate Of the rice and
sugar crops OF this State In 1875 These esti-
mates have been two hundred and fifty mil
lion pounds Of sugar, fifteen million gallons
OF molasses, and forty million pounds of rice.
The more exact and specified compilation OF
the Price Current reporters shows the crop OF
1878 to have been 251 ,08s,860 pounds sugar,
322o44 barrels OF molasses about 100000
gallons), and 21sO barrels OF cleaned rice
(nearly 100000 pounds)
It Is interesting to note from this report the
amount OF sugar manufactured by the COM
plete sugar-houses in this State, or those
supplied with vacuum boiling and centrtfu-
gal drying apparatus. We have hitherto es-
| timated this amount at one-fifth OF the entire
crop, or 100000 pounds OF sugar. The
compilation based upon the specific report
with which we have been favored puts this
at "a 900 900 pounds of clarified sugar.
We have already stated that this amount
was the product Of about eighty plantations
supplied with improved modern machinery.
The actual number of these establishments
counted by us was seventy-nne Taking the
number of eighty, we find the average pro-
duction of the plantations supplied with COM
paratively perfect machinery was nearly
7oO, O00 pounds OF sugar and $4,000 gallons
molasses; while the sugar they turned out
was worth about seven cents per pound and
the molasses twenty cents per gallon.
The plantations continuing the old process
OF manufacture made 200,000,000 pounds OF
sugar. and produced an average OF about
100000 pounds Of sugar and II 900 gallons Of
molasses; worth about five cents per pound
for sugar and twenty-seven cents per gallon
for molasses.
The approximate value OF the average pro-
duction Of the plantations supplied with
complete machinery was S56,5O0.
The average Of the gross sales OF the plan
tations supplied with the open kettle boiling
apparatus was s13,24o for each plantation.
The average acreage of the plantations
which continue the open boiling is certainly
not less than one-half that Of the plantations
supplied with improved machinery, yet thu
. latter places produce for each place more
than three times the amount yielded by the
former, while their production Is worth four
times as much money.
We present these figures to emphasize the
necessity OF the general application of the
most highly improved machinery to agricul
tural pursuits In modern times. While Their,
|. are many planters In our sugar region, who
unfortunately cannot avail themselves of thi
means to make the business OF sugar cultur
matter of certain profit, there are man,
others who deny that the employment of thi
> machinery would be source Of more prof
than continuing the old process OF suga
manufacture. These must be convinced by
proper presentation Of the results achieved.
It Is worthy OF note that at least ten O
twelve of our sugar-houses will be fitted III
. with the more modern boiling machinery thi
season. The proprietors Of these are to b.
congratulated on having taken step In tt
right direction, and one which promises to In
sure for them prosperity.
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