REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. Al 
EXPLANATIONS AND REMARKS ON THE TABLES. 
In making thorough examination of the question of sugar production in the United 
States, a collateral inquiry has resulted in information Hes is appended to this pref- 
atory report at this time, for the attention not only of the legislative powers of the 
country, but of all those interested in commercial transactions with sugar and its 
allied products. 
This tabular statement of the tariff on sugar, extending from 1790 to 1877, inclusive, 
compiled with care, has been subjected to such revision as, I believe, entitles it to the 
confidence of those who wish to investigate this subject, or to predicate legislation 
thereon. 
The tabular statement of the imports, exports, cost, and consumption of tea and 
coffee was prepared at the sar « time and with like care, and is worthy of attention. 
The Imports and Exports are taken or compiled from the ‘‘American State Papers” 
and the statistics of ‘“Commerce and Navigation.” 
The ‘‘Difference” is obtained by subtracting the exports from the imports, or the re- 
verse; if the export item exceeds the import item, a minus sign is used to designate 
such excess, 
“Value” signifies the difference between the value of the imports and the value of 
the exports, and is therefore the cost of what is consumed. From 1867 to the present 
date the amounts in the value column are quoted from the statistics of ‘Commerce 
and Navigation.” 
“Price,” or ‘Average price per pound,” is obtained by dividing value by the quantities 
in the column of foreign consumption. 
The annual amounts ‘‘Paid for customs” from 1867 until date are quoted or compiled 
from the statistics on ‘“‘Commerce and Navigation”; previous to that year they are 
found by multiplying the quantity consumed by the rate of duty on each kind or 
grade of the article under consideration. For instance, tea is classified under various 
names, with a specific rate of duty on each; also, refined sugar comprises different 
grades, with a corresponding variety in the rates of duty. 
The ‘‘Rate” or ‘Average rate of duty” is the result of dividing the Paid for customs by 
the amount consumed. 
The column of Domestic produceis estimated and collected from various sources, and, 
although not absolutely correct, forms the best known data of the sugar produced in 
the United States. 
The figures in Domestic exports are quoted from the anienean State Papers” and 
statistics of ‘Commerce and Navigation.” 
Previous to 1867, Foreign consumption is deduced from the imports and exports; after 
that time the amounts are taken from the tables of home consumption in the statistics 
of ‘Commerce and Navigation.” 
Domestic consumption, previous to 1867, is the difference between domestic production 
and exports; subsequently, the amounts are copied from the statistics of ‘Commerce 
and Navigation.” 
Total consumption and Average per capita are interesting and important, as showing 
the rate of increase in the consumption of tea, sugar, and coffee with the increasing 
population, also the fluctuations from year to year caused by changes in the tariff laws 
or by wars or other disturbances. 
