The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-09
THE CROPS.

The season Of 1878 was one OF the most
favorable for the growth and harvesting OF
her crops that Louisiana has ever experienced
Particularly was this the case with the sugar
and rice crops.
The sugar crop Of that year was the largest
that has been produced In this State since Inc
war; But unfortunately 1t sold Tor an e1eIa-
ordinarily low price; and 1t Is even @ douptiui
question whether 1t was source OF pront 10
the majority Of the planters engaged IN los
production. It is estimated that the crop OF
the past season amounted to nearly two nun
dred and fifty million pounds OF sugar, with
fifteen million gallons Of molasses, worth
about eighteen millions OF dollars.
The rice crop, which was also unusually
fine. was comparatively source OF more
profit to those engaged In it's culture, as 1t
realized very satisfactory prices. The amount
produced Appropriated forty million pounds
~ cleaned rice worth considerably over two
millions Of dollars.
Thus we see the two leading crops from an
area OF territory comprising considerably
less than one-fifth Of the entire cultivabie
acreage Of the State sold for over twenty mil
lion dollars, while the smaller crops grown
In the same section must have realized several
millions more.
Last years sugar crop might possibly have
been made source OF greater profit TO the
planters had they foreseen or been prepared
for such decline in the market as
was experienced last winter. However
it was generally concluded among the
sugar planters that the prices OF their
product had touched bottom In the win
ter OF 1877-7S. It ID doubtful even II, anticipate
ing this unexpected decline. they could have
reduced their expenses to meet 1t; for, as 1t
was the most rigid economy In the expense OF
cultivation was generally observed. Ii the
reduced prices Of 1877 could have been main
| tanned the profits on the crop OF 1878 might
have repaired the terrible disaster sustained
| by the sugar interest OF Louisiana In 1877,
VIXEN the cane was partially destroyed by the
severe freezes OF November 20 and 30.
The outlook for the sugar crop OF 1879 may
be considered fair though 1t Is hardly posi-
BILE that this crop will come near the figures
of the amount made In 1878. In the upper
portion OF the sugar district both stubble and
seed cane were severely injured by the
freezes which occurred last January. There
has been reduced acreage In the plant cane
generally throughout the State, as compared
with last years planting. In many OF the
sugar parishes where the stubble was unin-
iured last winter, it has been late In coming
out While the crop is generally backward
1t is further advanced than was the crop IL
1877 at this time.
The acreage Of the rice crop has beer
slightly increased this year. The planting
| L ~ Iad bxyo oh
picious circumstances as was the CAGE with
the same crop last year. All through last
season the planters had the benefit OF O gooo
stage OF water In the Mississippi river and fts
affiuents for flooding their fields while thi!
year the crop Is seriously threatened with al
unlocked for disaster. The river has recently
been falling rapidly, till it Is already impos
sible for some OF the planters on the coas
above the city to properly irrigate thei
fields. The upper rivers have also Taller
greatly during the past two weeks, while
heavy decline Is expected here instead OF tn
customary rise. Tt Is matter OF grave ap
prehension just at present among rice plant
ers as to whether the water will not continu
to fall till it recedes below the level OF the ric
fields. Ii the river should fall two feet lowe
than it Is at present here the only recours
left to save thousands OF acres of rice alon,
our river coast will be to resort to irIigatinl
machinery to supply the water SO indispen
: sable to the growth and perfect maturity G
j, the crop. %M5@
Some Of the rice planters consider height
of twenty-six feet above the level Of low wa
ter mark at Cairo an indication that the
will have supply OF water for their field
for week or two after the day on which tina
height of water is recorded at the point DIES
ignated. Yesterdays dispatches stated tina
the Mississippi river was fifteen feet ten II
ches above low water mark at Cairo and fall
ing. There was a fall Of four inches at TIL
point on the same day. 1t Is to be hoped ths
the reliable June rise from the Missoui wi
keep the Mississippi river from falling belo
the level Of our rice fields; or otherwise tn
rice crop of Louisiana for 1879 will not
; near so large as that produced In 1878.