year under review. It might be interesting to note in this regard that the biggest refining interests reported a decrease in net profits of over $3,300,000.

A feature upon which too much stress can not be laid is the greater decline of refined than of raw sugar, this being due to the aggressive cutting of prices by refiners in order to obtain the moderate business offering. The average difference in the quotation between raw and refined sugar, as compared with the previous twelve months, decreased ten points, which measured the margin between a profitable and an unremunerative year for the refiners. There was never a time in the history of the trade when refining interests were so little in harmony, with the result that in sugar, at least, the American consumer derived the benefit. Chain stores, and many retail grocers, actually sold granulated at 4 cents per pound, or at cost, in order to advertise staples in which there was a greater profit. Not only is there, to-day, too many refineries but the competition from domestic beet sugar becomes increasingly keen, and during the last quarter of the year, it practically restricts cane refined to strictly local territory. On March 1, 1914, the new tariff schedules reduced sugar from 1.685 cents to 1.256 cents a pound, while Cubas which enjoy a 20 per cent. differential pay only 1.0048 cents. After May 1, 1916, all sugar is to be free. The abolition of the Dutch standard of color puts both raw and refined on the same basis, but there is no apprehension of immediate competition from abroad, and, even under free sugar, domestic interests will have the advantage of freight rates. Louisiana cane interests and the beet sugar producers will continue to fight against the elimination of all duty and hope that the need of revenue will prevent free sugar from going into effect on the date set. One result of the doing away of the Dutch standard is the shipment of better sugar from Cuba, as higher test is now the rule since planters do not need to mix molasses in order to keep down the color. With respect to imports of white sugar direct from the plantation, which might naturally follow the abolition of the color test, refiners are not worried, claiming that such manufacture in the past in Louisiana has not proven a menace.

Importations of Foreign Sugar.-The importations of foreign sugar made a new record, reflecting the increased consumption and the small stock carried over from the previous year. The total for 1913 was 2,916,922 tons, a gain of 223,179 tons as compared with 1912. It is interesting to note that only 16,870 tons of full duty paying sugar came into the country, chiefly from Europe, this being beets which were purchased in 1912 but delayed in shipment. In other words, we are getting to be independent of Europe and Java, which latter producing section formerly was so important a factor in the imports. Our dependencies were not so much in the foreground, the same decreasing tendency being noted as in 1912. This was largely due to the smaller shipment from Hawaii, 467,672 tons; Porto Rico increased its quota to 335,012 tons, making a total of 802,684 tons, to which must be added the sugar from the Philippines, 39,381 tons, swelling the

aggregate of duty free raws to 842,065 tons. As compared with the previous year, this means a falling off of 92,992 tons, accounted for almost entirely by a drop of 86,577 tons in the Philippine shipments. It was our preferential sugar coming from Cuba which filled the gap, importations from that country reaching the large total of 2,063,111 tons or an increase over 1912 of 351,097 tons. Since the new tariff reduces the duty 25 per cent. Cuba from now on will have a decided advantage as compared with former years in competing with Hawaii and Porto Rico whence sugar has come in free, and it may well be that shipments from the latter dependencies will decrease even more rapidly than in the past two years.

The United States is a large exporter of refined sugar upon which a drawback is allowed, and for this reason the fact that very little is brought into the country from abroad is not surprising-only 831 tons for the year under review, special grades of beets granulated from Europe. Since the Dutch standard has been abolished under the new tariff, there will be no official separation of the imports of raws from refined in the future. As showing the sharp decrease in refined imports of recent years, it might be noted that in 1904, 10,014 tons came into the country. The shipments of refined from Hawaii which, of course, come in duty free, do not vary much from year to year and are hardly a factor in the situation. For 1913, they totalled 13,496 tons, as compared with 13,491 the previous year, 13,082 in 1911, 13,648 in 1910, and 15,146 in 1909.

According to available figures, imports of beet refined from Europe the past decade were as follows:

The total importations of foreign raw and refined sugar into the United States, including Hawaii and Porto Rico, according to the Bureau of Statistics for each calendar year for the past sixteen years, were as follows:

Louisiana Crop.-It has been the custom in the compilation of this review to assume that the entire yield of Louisiana sugar was consumed during the calendar year following the inception of the crop movement,

Con

which, as a matter of fact, is spread over portions of two years. sequently the figures which are considered for the year 1913 represent the 1912-1913 crop. The crop proved very unsatisfactory owing to the disastrous Mississippi floods which practically cut the yield in two, making the poorest showing since 1900. The total for the year was only 145,000 tons, a decrease of 171,000 tons from 1911-1912. Texas made only 8,036 tons so that the total for the two states was 153,036 tons. The weather during the year was, generally, satisfactory and no untimely frost arrived in the fall to further reduce the production. While badly hit by the floods, planters put in more cane and the prospects for the present crop are much brighter, though not up to the early estimate, being figured at 260,000 tons. Naturally, the tariff has had a depressing effect; for, although the reduction of about 25 per cent. in the duty does not put Louisiana out of the running, it materially cuts into the profits. It should be noted that the South labors at a disadvantage in raising cane in competition with Cuba; for yearly plantings are necessary and there is always the danger of a killing frost to undo the work of months. It is not surprising, therefore, that attempt is being made to prevent Cuba from getting the benefit of the tariff reduction by an appeal to the courts, and agitation against ultimate free sugar will continue in the hope of blocking the same in 1916. There is no question but that with free sugar, Louisiana will be but a small factor in the situation. Already there is discussion of the desirability of turning more of the acreage into cotton, corn, vegetables and fruits, and in some cases plantations are being split up for this purpose. Some sugar houses have been dismantled and the machinery removed, but, generally speaking, planters will continue in business and try to meet the tariff reduction by greater economy of operation. The question of making high grade white sugars direct, which would compete successfully with that turned out by refiners, is attracting much attention but so far the movement has not been much of a commercial success. Some sugars

of this character are being made and marketed in favorable territory, but the great bulk of Louisiana production is still sold at 96° test to the refiners. Unfortunately, for the Louisiana planter, he is compelled to market his product during a few months of the year, since Cuban raws become available for refiners in January, and moreover, the competition of domestic beet sugar is keenly felt. Fully a quarter of the Louisiana crop is shipped north to Atlantic ports on contract with refiners and probably as much again is purchased for the New Orleans plants. It is suggested that the planters might devote more attention to the syrup business, as is the case in the Southeastern section of the country, where little sugar is manufactured. Out of the 190 sugar factories in Louisiana, there are 163 in operation. It might be interesting to note that receipts in New Orleans during the calendar year 1913 were 186,196 tons, which compares with 184,936 tons in 1912.

The following table exhibits the yield of the Southern States for the past twenty years:

Molasses Sugar.-The production of molasses sugar is no longer a factor of importance and, in the not distant future, is likely to be eliminated entirely. Although at one time a very active and profitable business, it comprises to-day practically only one plant which, as an adjunct to a large Philadelphia refiner, still reboils molasses. Blackstrap is bought for this purpose from Cuba but the percentage of sugar in the same is steadily decreasing. In fact, were it not for the special facilities at the plant in question and a certain sentiment incidental to its being the only boiling house left, the end of the industry might soon be witnessed. The output does not vary materially, showing some increase in 1913, being 10,450 tons as against 8,155 tons the previous year.

Maple Sugar. The crop of maple sugar increased to 9,000 tons as compared with 7,000 the previous year. The United States devotes more attention to maple syrup than to sugar which is largely imported from Canada. The leading state in the manufacture of maple sugar was Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania following in the order named. Competition from Canada is likely to be less keen for the increasing value of maple-wood has led to the removal of many fine sugar orchards.

Exports. There were still no exports of domestic raw sugar, the entire crop being consumed in this country. Shipments of foreign reached the total of 6,403 tons, as compared with 1,738 in 1912. It is interesting to note that re-exports to Canada aggregated 5,721 tons as against only 196 the previous year. Low prices stimulated the foreign demand for refined sugar, exports of 51,767,275 pounds being reported or the equivalent of 23,110 tons, comparing with 45,043,152 pounds or 20,109 tons in 1912, and 32,401,260 pounds or 14,463 tons in 1911.

Domestic Beet Sugar.-Another record breaking year was reported in the production of beet sugar in the United States, the weather being generally favorable and sowings larger for practically all sections. The advantage which the factories possessed under the old tariff stimulated the growing of beets but the reduction in duty promises to cause a falling off in the poorly located sections. It is probable, therefore, that the total of 655,298 tons of sugar will remain a record for some time to come, this comparing with 624,064 tons in 1912, or a gain of 31,234 tons. The results for the year are the more remarkable since the number of factories in operation was 71, or 2 less than in 1912. Colorado still holds the first place with 203,910 tons, California remaining second with 151,203 tons and Michigan a good third with 109,297

tons.

How important a factor beet culture is to the farmer is indicated by the statistics. There were 647,506 acres sown with beets, as against 629,033 the previous year. The production in tons of beets was 5,071,333 tons, as compared with 4,641,000 tons in 1912. From the beets received at the factories, an average yield in sugar per acre sown can be figured at 1.012 tons, comparing with .992 tons for the previous campaign, 1.011 tons in 1911-1912, 1.061 tons in 1910-1911 and .977 tons in 1909-1910. Although third in aggregate output of beet sugar, Michigan has the largest number of plants, 15, Colorado following closely with 14, California accounting for 12, Utah 7, Ohio 5, Wisconsin and Idaho 4 each, Nebraska 2. Eight states have each one factory Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, Kansas, Arizona and Nevada. Only one new plant was started-at Payson, Utah. The factories at Marine City, Michigan; Holly, Lamar and Las Animas, Colorado; Nampa, Idaho; and Corcoran, California, remain closed, and for the coming campaign, Fremont, Ohio; Janesville, Wisconsin; and Hamilton and Alvarado, Colorado, are expected to follow suit. A moderate decrease in sowings is expected, owing to the lower contract price of beets but the weather has been exceptionally favorable for the growing crop in California and other states.

The following table gives a comparison of the beet sugar production. by states for the past four years in tons :