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PDFIn 1840, we imported from Java 75,533 cwt.; in 1841, 87,342 cwt.; in 1842, 24,922 cwt.; in 1843, 35,161 cwt.; and in 1844, about 72,000 cwt.; but most of this was only sent to Cowes, for orders, to be transhipped to the Continent.
Philippines.—The exports from Manila into this country in 1841, were 133,482 cwt.; in 1842, 63,464 cwt.; and in 1843, 48,977 cwt. In the fifteen years between 1835 and 1850, the export of sugar from the Philippine Islands more than doubled:—
Tons. 1835 11,542 1836 14,875 1837 12,293 1838 12,375 1839 15,631 1840 16,563 1841 15,321 1842 18,540 1843 22,239 1844 21,528 1845 24,500 1850 28,745
About a third of this is raw sugar, the rest is clayed or refined. It is singular, that though these islands belong to Spain, the export of this staple product to that country should be limited to about 600 tons; America taking about one-sixth, and England and her colonies the remainder. There is now an increased demand for the Australian colonies, consequent upon the large influx of population to that quarter.
Export of sugar from Manila in 1850.
Piculs.
To Great Britain
146,926
" Continent of Europe
50,830
" Australian Colonies
142,359
" Singapore, Batavia, and Bombay
12,749
" California and the Pacific
29,144
" The United States
77,919
-------
459,927
The sugar cane occurs in a wild state on many of the islands of the Pacific, but in no part of the American continent, notwithstanding a contrary opinion has been expressed.
The following are the chief varieties cultivated in the West Indies, Louisiana, the East Indies, and Mauritius:—
1. Common or creole cane, so called from being introduced from the New World.
2. Yellow Bourbon.
3. Yellow Otaheite.
4. Otaheite with purple bands.
5. Purple Otaheite.
6. Ribbon cane.
My friend, Mr. L. Wray, in his “Practical Sugar Planter,” considers the Bourbon, and yellow, or straw-coloured Otaheite cane, as identical, but merely altered by change of soil and climate. The yield from these cane-plants seems to be about the same in either Indies, viz., in good land about two-and-a-half tons of dry sugar per acre—sometimes three tons.
A very large species of red cane, grown at Gowhatty, in Assam, is made favorable mention of for its strength of growth, early maturity, and juiciness; and Mr. Wray strongly recommends the introduction into the West Indies of another fine variety, generally grown in the Straits’ settlements, where it is known by the name of the Salangore cane. He considers they would ratoon better than any other cane, and the return from it is on the average 3,600 lbs. of dry sugar to the acre.
