14 



The following statement of exports and imports of rice has been fur- 

 nished by Edward Young, Chief of Statistics in the Treasury Depart- 

 ment : 



• Estimated at COO pounds each. 



t Estimated at 400 pounds each. 



In conclusion, these are the facts : The culture of rice is rapidly 

 extending in Louisiana, and may be extended to nearly every parish in 

 the State ; it is slowly but surely overcoming its serious hinderances on 

 the marshes of the Atlantic coast ; it is mainly carried on by negroes 

 on their own account, as a business in which they have had a life-time 

 training, and its destruction would therefore be a serious calamity to a 

 needy but industrious class of our population; and there is no reason 

 why the home supply of rice should not soon be met without importa- 

 tion. It must be deemed an absurdity, if not a disgrace, for a country 

 like ours to assume the necessity of importing cereals or bread-stuffs in 

 any form. 



PROGRESS IN THE BEET-SUGAR MANUFACTURE. 



Experiment in the manufacture of beet-sugar in this country is 

 assuming a more systematic and practical form, overcoming many if 

 not all tliedifQculties confronting profitable production, and apparently 

 laying the foundation for a great industry. It would seem that the 



