The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-18


ing the expectations which amounted
to 1882. 500 pounds. the consumption OF
the fiscal year 1898 would stand at
eleven and five-tenths pounds per cap
tia against nine and nine-tenths In
1897, eight and two-tenths in 1893, sew
en- and eight-tenths In 1890. six and
nine-tenths In 1866. three and seven
tenths in 1864 and two and two-tenths
in 1863. The war period or 1876 showed
the lowest per capita consumption of
coffee In our history. despite the large
use OF this article in the army. while
the brief war period of 1898 caused no
diminution in the imports, the total for
April, May and June being 245 million
pounds against 1913 million in the cor
responding months of the preceding
year.
Practically one-half Of the coffee
grown In the world now comes to the
United States. The latest estimates put
the coffee production of the world at l.
GOO. .OOO, 900 pounds per annun, while as
shown above, the imports into the
United States last year were more than
half that amount. or the total coffee
production of the world about two
thirds is grown in Brazil, where an ex-
port duty OF II per cent. is placed on
every pound of coffee exported. The
other third OF the worlds production
which is grown outside of Brazil IL
scattered around the world.
The requisites for coffee production
are found in all OF the islands now
likely to come under control OF the
United States, while the fact that Bra
I'll. the great coffee producer OF the
world, places an export duty on all cof-
fee exported. operates to the advan-
tage Of those desiring to enter upon the
production Of this article, either for
home consumption or for competition
in the markets of the world.
Puerto Rico has for years produced
considerable coffee, this being her most
important export and amounting to
from 25 to 30 million pounds per an
mum. The coffee producing possibilities
in Cuba are said to be very great. Mr..
Thomas r. Dawley, Jr. says in
the 1897 volume Of the "Ameri-
can Annual Cyclopaedia:" "Cof-
fee was at one time the principal source
of Cuba's wealth. In the early part Of
the present century 81 million pounds
of coffee were produced in Cuba in a
single year. representing a money value
of 20 million dollars. 1t was estimated
that in 1893 there were six coffee es-
tates to one OF sugar. One plantation is
mentioned as having a million trees,
and the writer has found an authentic
account of plantation containing $780,
600 trees and 450 slaves in a part OF the
island where at present there is neither
vestige Of a coffee plantation nor a
negro population" Coffee is now being
produced in considerable quantities in
the Hawaiian Islands and Consul Gen.
eral Hayward expresses the opinion
that the amount may be greatly in
creased with profit to those undertake
ing 1t. The number of Coffee plantations
is now between 200 and 800, the sum re-
quired to successfully enter upon coffee
producing is from $4,000 to $4,000, and
the Hawaiian Foreign Office estimates
that the money so invested will be re-
paid to the investors with more than
100 per cent. interest at the end of sew
en- years from the establishment Of the
plantation. The Philippines have for
years produced a good grade of coffee
and, II Is said, the islands are
peculiarly adapted to produce with
proper cultivation and preparation a
berry which is equal, IL not superior. In
flavor and aroma to the Java berry.