SUGAB. 



139 



head. In 1832 the consumption in Great Britain alone was put 

 down by Mr. M'Culloch at 231bs. ; and as my estimate includes 

 Ireland, where the consumption is notoriously small, we may 

 infer that it has increased in Great Britain since 1832 at least 

 51b. per head. As the allowance to servants is from fib. to 

 lib. per week, it may be assumed that 50lb. a year, at least, is 

 not too much for grown persons. In sugar-producing countries 

 the quantity consumed is enormous ; the labourers live on it 

 in the manufacturing season ; and a Duke of Beaufort, who died 

 about 1720, consumed one pound daily for forty years, and enjoyed 

 excellent health till he was seventy years of age. The con- 

 sumption of sugar has increased considerably since it has become 

 cheap ; and we may expect, therefore, that the consumption will 

 extend more rapidly than ever. The whole quantity consumed in 

 Europe last year, including beet-root sugar, was not less than 

 16,000,000 cwt. If peace be preserved and prosperity continue, the 

 market for sugar will extend amazingly, and force the cultivation 

 by free men in all tropical countries. 



The above figures refer to raw sugar only. 



At these periods, calculating from 1838-39, the duty on British 

 sugar ranged from 24s. down to 10s. per cwt., and foreign slave- 

 grown sugar from 63s. down to 14s. The greatest impetus was 

 given to foreign sugar when the duties were reduced, in 1846. 



The extension of sugar cultivation in various countries where the 

 climate is suitable, has recently attracted considerable attention 

 among planters and merchants. The Australian Society of Sydney 

 offered its Isis Gold Medal recently to the person who should 

 have planted, before May, 1851, the greatest number of sugar 

 canes in the colony. I have not heard whether any claim was 

 put in for the premium, but I fear that the gold fever has 

 diverted attention from any new agricultural pursuit, and that ho- 

 norary gold medals are therefore unappreciated. Moreton Bay and 

 the northern parts of the colony of New South "Wales, are admi- 

 rably suited to the growth of all descriptions of tropical products. 



The Natal Agricultural Society is also making great exertions 

 to promote sugar culture in that settlement. Mr. E. More wood , 



