should be changed ; for example, deep plowing should 

 be resorted to, and a scientific utilization of fertiliz- 

 ers ; with this a complete and proper drainage of 

 the swamps and lowlands would be needed, with 

 plenty of labor, black and white, which is now so 

 scarce (as the slave population is migrating north). 

 The cane seed should be imported from other lati- 

 tudes, and would thereby probably improve, etc. 

 Can this be accomplished in a few years ? We doubt 

 it. Then, again, the question in our minds is (one 

 that we have not seen discussed) whether the tem- 

 perature of the Southern States is sufficiently high or 

 constant for the proper maturity of the sugar cane. 

 Possibly this may be one of the sources of trouble. 

 By referring to the physical conditions of the climate 

 of Mauritius, we find that ninety degrees represents the 

 almost constant temperature for the year. If this is 

 not as important as we consider it, it is, without a 

 doubt, one source of difficulty which may partially 

 explain why it is there are sugar lands which do not 

 yield the proper amount. 



Comparative Cost and Return from the Cane and 

 the Sugar Beet. 



SUGAR CANE COSTS AND PROFITS. In all cases 

 here following we will take the average of the 

 results obtained upon large areas, for example, those 

 in growing the sugar cane in Louisiana : Upon one 

 hundred acres* under cultivation, 135,000 pounds 

 of sugar were extracted ; these were sold at eight 

 cents per pound, and the total value of the cane was 

 $10,800. Besides this there were 90,000 pounds of 



*See Agricultural Report, 1872. 



39 



