, 1894-08-01
THE DESTINY OF CANE SUGAR.
(Lcuisianu Planter, 3Oth June.)

forces which have, do, and may control it
must receive due consideration, and where
there is rivalry, such as exists between the
cane and beet sugar, not only must the men
tai and physical characteristics of their pro-
motors he studied, but the relative merits OF
tn g plants yielding the raw waterial, and the
area of their possible and prospective en-
largement, be accurately weighed in the
mental balance. In studying the develop.
ment of the cane sugar indust y, it will be
noted that the advancement hos been ade
by Europeans or their descendants, whose
enterprising dispositions caused them to seek
and maintain homes in distant tropical or
semi tropical chimes, where it was the then
prevalent opinion that none other than slaves
could successfully cultivate the cane fields
the result of which was the mental qualities
Of the man who became the master were
slightly modified by his surroundings and he
ceased i'll q measure to retain the marked
characteristics Of those living in more
rigorous climates. The masters became to
some extent enervated by the prolonged tro-
pical heat, and Influenced in their actions by
that mental and physical lassitude so diff
cult to combat for a prolonged period, and the
slaves being improvident and %listless, III
the majority of instances. there was a
strong tendency to adhere to primitive cul-
ture in the fields and w~asteful methods in
the factories.
Since emancipation became an accomplish
ed fact in the different cane growing coun-
fries the ameliorations have been gradual
except in recent years, when the Dement'S OF
multiple effect evaporation, compound crush
ing, and the combustion of green bagabse have
been more extensively appreciated, and by
the introduction Of portable railroads, tram
ways, etc., the central factory system has been
rendered possible, and many are now adTan-
tageously operated.
Under existing conditions, the general
adoption Of the system is seemingly the only
means whereby cane culture can be rendered
remunerative yet when the immense losses
are witnessed in the numerous small factories
from year to year the conclusion is lrreSls-
tible that financial compulsion alone Will
cause the disappearance OF detective plants
where inordinate waste is inevitable. The
fact that not over (and often Less than 8 per
cent. of the commercial sugar is obtained IN
many factories demonstrates beyond a per-
adventure the necessity of radical changes,
particularly where the. cost Of raw material
is relatively high, due to the price of labour,
etc.
The views Of tile eminent Mr.. P. Horsin-
D6on of France (than whom probably there
is no better authority on the production OF
su~ar from various sources) expressed IN q
letter to q gentleman i'll Louisiana, published
in the Louisiana Planter of September Is,
1888, ale germane and so apropos to the sub
iect that the writer is impelled to make the
following extracts, VIZ:
at is to be remarked that where the vital
difficulties present themselves, there the men
are industrious, whilst in the countries where
life is easy the inhabitant is soft and without
cerebral activity. This is why III the hot
countries, where alimentation and repose
are of small importance, there is not found
the ingenuity of the people of thos" cold
countries, who oppose at each moment the
inclemency of the seasons to nutrition and
heat.
The same state Of affairs exists in indus
try. When q fabrication is easy 1T remains
in infancy when it is difficult it progresses.
The manufacture of cane sugar, SO easy
born in the hot climates-has remained sta
tionary, or nearly so. The beet sugar man
u~facture, which exhibited at the start all
about it SO many difficulties in the way of
cultivation in the fields and the work in the
factory, has given birth to mon of eePius,
who have made it progress rapidly to the
point of crushing its commercial rival, not
withstanding conditions under which materi-
al inferiority seemed to be doomed to be its
eternal lot.
How can the sugar industry hold out?
NH 90 49, s,,oor ;p1,ofrv a rnciat If If wishes