12 



Journal op the Department op Agriculture. 



like £5,000,000 to the value of the country's production. Unfortu- 

 nately this gratifying progress has been arrested by droughty condi- 

 tions, and, according to reports received at the time of writing 

 from the South African Sugar Association, the 1920-21 season will 

 produce approximately 150,000 tons of sugar only, 10,000 tons short 

 of the Union's estimated requirements that year. 



The rapid increase in the Union's consumption of sugar is due 

 chiefly to our large native population steadily developing a demand 

 for sugar; also local jam and sweet factories, which are extending 

 in the Union, as shown in the following statement: — 



* Confectionery N.O.U. 



This shows that in 1919 local sugar was obtainable for the manu- 

 facture of all jams and jellies consumed in the Union, and also a 

 surplus of 4000 tons, while, compared with 1910, exports replaced 

 imports, a reversal of trade amounting to 5200 tons. Similarly the 

 confectionery trade in 1919 compared with 1910 shows a reversal in 

 favour of the Union of 1369 tons. When the increased internal con- 

 sumption in these commodities is taken into account it will be seen 

 that they have an imi)ortant bearing on the Union's mounting sugar 

 consumption. 



By-products . 



A by-product of sugar manufacture is molasses, which is of two 

 main kinds, namely : That derived from the process of refining and 

 that obtained as a residue at the sugar-mill. In Natal the former is 

 chiefly exported as "refined treacle," and there is also manufactured 

 goblen syrup. The table below gives the imports of golden syrup 

 and the export of refined treacle, but it should be noted that these 

 are not identical. The former is entirely a foodstuff for direct 

 consumption, while the Litter is only partly so used, the balance 

 having special uses peculiar to importing countries, mainly the 

 United Kingdom. 



1910. 



1911. 



1912. 



1913. 



1914. 1915. 



1916. 



1917. 1918. 



1919. 



t Golden Syrup Im- 

 ports, tons 



{Refined Treacle 

 Exports, tons ... 

 (S.A.P.) 



4,802 

 3,330 



6,185 

 3,687 



7,291 

 5,164 



7,204 

 5,845 



.3,255 

 6,213 



2,064 

 5,490 



817 

 4,285 



186 

 212 



16 



378 



226 

 4,459 



t Includes molasses and treacle. J Includes molasses. 



