306 ORIENTAL COMMERCE. {Calcutta. 



of a middling sized cane, about on inch, the largest three or four inches, and 

 the small ones not more than half an inch. The distance of the knots is 

 no less various than the height ; in some not above two inches, in others 

 nine or ten ; those canes which have the knots farthest apart, are esteemed 

 the best. 



The saccharine juice is contained in a spongy pith which the inside of 

 the cane is filled with. The pith of the smooth part of the cane is soft, and 

 of a whitish colour ; that of the joints harder, more compact, and darker 

 coloured. The first is by much the more juicy ; but the juice of the latter 

 is sweetest, and seems to be most perfectly elaborated. 



The maturity, or degree of perfection, of the cane is not to be judged 

 of from its age or size alone, but chiefly from the quality of the juice. If 

 this has a rich, glutinous, sweet taste, and if at the same time the cane be 

 weighty, and of a good yellow colour \ if the skin is smooth, dry, and 

 easily breaks, the pith of a grey colour, or inclining a little to brown, the 

 plant, in these circumstances, may be said to be in its utmost perfection, 

 and will yield a very fine sugar, in large quantities, and with very little 

 trouble. 



The additional duty imposed on East India sugars, to protect the 

 West India trade, has drawn much attention to this article of eastern 

 commerce. 



A voluminous and comprehensive Report upon East India Sugar was 

 published by the Court of Directors in March, 1823, containing a mass of 

 information respecting this trade. From official tables inserted in that 

 publication, the following comparative statement of the different sorts of 

 sugar imported into Great Britain, and of what was entered for home 

 consumption, for 5 years, ending 1821, is deduced. 



Imporietl. Entered for Home Consumption. 

 Brit, Plant. For. Plant. East India. West India. East India. 



Years. Cvns. Cwt& Cists. Cwts. Cwts. 



1817 « 3,440,565 « 193,780 « 127,203 „ 3,220,595 33,131 



1818 « 3,563,711 „ 105,916 125,893 „ 4,151,239 « 27,059 



1819 - 3,665,520 ~ 138,032 - 162,395 2,672,226 « 24,775 



1820 « 3,785,434 „ 86,048 « 205,527 « 3,283,059 ~ 99,440 



1821 « 3,623,319 ~ 162,994 ~ 277,228 ^ 3,661,731 „ 83,232 

 That the Company's share of this traffic, which is chiefly in the hands 



of private traders, is not profitable, is apparent from the statement of their 

 sugar importations, which averaged in the 5 years above mentioned, a few 

 of £12.107 upon a quantity of 20,132 Cwt 



