May i, 1882.] 
THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
There is also the practical fact tha 4 - the pro^ 
duction of the world is in excess of the consume 
tion, according to the most reliable statistical in- 
formation attainable, by so much as 90,000 tons an- 
nually, being equivalent to 1,500,000 b>»gs of 60 
kilograms. In view of this it is not surpiizing that 
the prices of coffee have been so seriously reduced as 
to render ils cultivation almost unrcmunerative to the 
growers. Undoubtedly the Brazilian Government has 
acted wisely in promoting the larger production of 
sugar by the granting of guaranteed concessions for 
the creation of central sugar factories where likely 
to prove commercially successful and of real service 
to agricultural industry. Unlike codec, the con- 
sumption is in excess of the supply, and is steadily 
on the increase. It is encouraging to observe that 
the Brazilian production and export of this important 
article of merchandise is assuming larger proportions. 
The Journal de Commercio in its able commercial review 
for the past year, makes the following statement : — 
In 1881, compared with 1880, there was an in- 
creased production of sugar in the province of Rio de 
Janeiro, and also in the northern ones, a result 
which must be largely attributed as to the south to 
the central sugar factories, which permit of a more 
advantageous and rapid treatment of the cane, and 
as to the north, to the use of new apparatus and 
improved methods of working, together with increased 
planting, encouraged by the firmness of sugar abroad 
and its greater consumption. 
According to the " Economist e Francjais " the beet 
resources of 1881 were only 348,042 tons against 
385,630 tons in 1880, whilst the consumption is steadily 
enlarging, so that the prospects of the sugar-makers 
are auspicious. Dr. Paes Leme has put down the 
production of sugar cane at 1,875,000 tons, viz : 
Cuba 700,000 
British West Indies 250,000 
Java 200,000 
Brazil 170,000 
Manilla 130,000 
China 120,000 
Porto Rico 80,000 
Louisiana 75,000 
Peru 50,000 
Rio imported in 18sl, chieliy from Campos and the 
north, 633,526 bags against 407,778 in 18S0. The 
quality, especially of that from the north, showed in 
1881 no appreciable improvement. The Barcellos fac- 
tory improved and the Quissaman maintained their 
quality. It is said that many planters, especially in 
Sergipe, are disposed not to purge their sugar, the 
extra price not paying for labour. 
The export from Rio was 84,635 sacks, being much 
more than in 18S.0, which was one of the best export 
years. Among tho shipments from Rio was a lot of 
white to Loudon, an unprecedented occurrence, and 
a small cargo of white went from Maceio to the same 
place. The export to the River Plate has to struggle 
with the cheaper sugar of Europe and with the pro- 
ducts of the Argentine province of Tueumau. 
A development of the culture ot tobacco is also noted 
by our contemporary, which remarks that " both tho 
Labia and Rio Grande do Sul tobaccos are in a rela- 
tively prosperous state." 
A plan for completing the Rio Graudo do Sul rail- 
ways has, it is said, been drawn up by Mr. Kdwurd 
de Mornay, who has asked permisnon to make sur- 
veys for a line from Tagmry to Torres, on the sea- 
coast, and for the construction of a port at tin- latter. 
Mr. de Mornuy has also a*kod the Government to 
declare the projected works to bu of public utility, 
with a view to obtaining the legislative sanction to 
an appropriation for the payment of a guaranteed in- 
terest on capital raised for their realization . — South 
4"tiruiut Journal. 
THE " NEW CEYLON :" THE DIFFICULTIES 
OF PIONEERING. 
Ludvig Veruer Helms, a traveller who has spent 
something like 25 years of his life in the most im- 
portant islands of the Eastern Archipelago, who has 
visited China and Japan, traversed the Northern 
Continent of America, and explored the mineral 
treasures of Lapland, ought to be able to give an 
opinion on "Pioneering in the Far East." The forma- 
tion of a new English Company to develop the re- 
sources of North Borneo is a step which the author 
says is, at least from a philanthropic view, deserving 
of sympathy and success, but the task of the Com- 
pany will not prove an easy one. He remarks : — 
In many respects, doubtless, the northern part of 
the island may be considered the most valuable 
Still, if the Company anticipate an easy conquest of 
their difficulties, they have not read the chronicles 
of Borneo aright. It is true that Sir James Brooke, 
his followers, and successors have, to a great extent, 
cleared the ground for them. The natives have learned 
to associate the English name with the noble work 
done by them, while the mighty advance of com- 
merce during the last decades has been gradually en- 
circling this stronghold of barbarism in its irresistible 
folds. But, even so, savage natures will not easily 
yield to civilizing influences which make rapid strides 
only when paying their way. Steamships, telegraphs, 
and railways are costly things, which a savage country 
with a scanty population can ill support. 
Mr. Helms points out that the 20,000 square miles 
the Company holds contain a population of upwards 
of 100,000 aborigines and Malays, who, it may be 
assumed, will contribute but little towards the labour 
or development of the country. "The sponge must 
indeed have been squeezed dry when such rulers as 
the Sultan of Brunei and his ministers consent to part 
with it ;" and the author is much mistaken if trouble 
and intrigue do not result, particularly if the Com- 
pany become monopolists. Sir James Brooke's great 
influence over the natives, he remarks, was in a great 
measure due to the fact of his standing aloof from 
trade, and if the Company's position and status are 
different from those of Rajnh Brooke, the condition 
of their respective countries also materially differs, as 
Sarawak possessed advantages which North Borneo 
does not. Mr. Helms thinks that it is to China that 
Borneo will look for population and labour, and this 
will help the Company, but when the Chinaman be- 
gins to feel his strength the auxieties of government 
will be felt by thorn. The author couiiuues : — 
But if tho Company is paving the way for a great Bor- 
nean Empire, under the British flag, it will be doing a 
good and useful work. A settlement that should em- 
brace tho territory ceded to the North Borneo Com- 
pany, as well us Brunei and Sarawak, would prove 
no contemptiblo acquisition to the British Crown, aud 
has, unquestionably, much to recommend it 
A glancb at the map will show how very important 
the harbours of North Borneo might become to an 
English fleet, if the day comes that England has to 
tiglit to protect her commerce in the China Sun. or 
the Pacific. These harbours are backed by rnst coal- 
fields, the country is healthy, with a moderate teui- 
pe rat 11 re, and the island possesses unrivalled resources. 
What is wanted is population, aud Wider a strong 
Government the country would very soon be entitled 
to tho unme of "New China," rather than "New 
Ceylon," as some writers already call it ; lor to tbo 
(.'iiuiami u, and the race which Hill spring from their 
union with the Dyaks, and not to tit* decaying Malays, 
belongs tho future of Borneo. 
According to Mr. Helms, therefore, the British 
North Borneo Association has a difficult and delicate 
task before it, but if it succeeds in raising the island 
