With respect to the molasses trade of the several ports, Philadel phia continues to be the largest receiver of foreign, but all the importations are used for boiling. The importations of Boston and New-York are about the same in quantity, but there has been a large decrease in the importations at both ports for boiling purposes, while the receipts of the better grades, which usually find their way into direct consumption, likewise show a falling off. Portland, Maine, and New-Haven, Conn., receive a moderate quantity, and occasional small shipments find their way into a few Southern ports.

Supply. According to the statistical tables on the preceding pages, it will be observed that the total importations of foreign molasses during 1893 show a large falling off, compared with the previous year, amounting to 109,374 hhds., or 14,957,174 gallons, against 153,252 hhds., or 20,643,075 gallons, in 1892, a decrease of 43,878 hhds., or 5,685,901 gallons. Of this quantity 81,000 hhds. came from the Island of Cuba, against 126,573 hhds. the year previous; 24,000 hhds. from Porto Rico, against 20,221 hhds. in 1892, and the remaining 4,374 hhds. came from the English Islands. As already pointed out, this decrease has been due to the smaller quantity used up in the boiling houses at Philadelphia and New-York. Of the importations of Cuba molasses about 4,543,100 gallons were received at Philadelphia, and 2,200,778 gallons at New-York by tank steamers, which is somewhat less than was imported the previous year in the same way.

The yield of New-Orleans molasses for the crop 1892-93 shows a slight increase in comparison with the previous year, in consequence of the larger cane crop and larger quantity of sugar manufactured. It is true, however, that with the more general use of modern machinery the proportion of molasses is steadily decreasing in the same ratio that the proportionate yield of sugar is increasing. According to the statistics of Mr. A. BOUCHEREAU, of New-Orleans, the total yield in Louisiana amounted to 17,025,997 gallons, an increase of about three-tenths of one per cent. over the previous season. the other Southern States the yield is estimated at 1,854,935 gallons, which gives a total supply for all the Southern States of 18,880,932 gallons.

In

Sorghum.-There has been no important change in the relative proportions of this agriculture crop. Farmers find it a profitable crop, not only because of the syrup that is obtained from the cane, but on account of the value of the seed for feeding live stock. Very little progress, however, has been made in manufacturing a a marketable grade of crystalized sugar, of which there has been produced this year about 1,300,000 pounds, and those who have embarked in these enterprises have not found them sufficiently profitable to encourage a further expansion of the industry; but the yield of syrup returns an excellent profit, without the risk that at present attend sugar making. Frequent mention has been made of the possibilities of growing sorghum in this country, and it may be

interesting to quote here the views of Dr. COLLIER, who is a recognized authority:

"Sorghum can be successfully grown wherever corn is raised, and the method of cultivation is much the same. It has been cultivated as a cereal for 4,000 years, and 99 per cent. of that grown to-day is grown for the seed alone, which, in the quantity of acreage yield, is fully equal to Indian corn, in composition is practically identical with Indian corn, and which can be substituted for every purpose for which corn is used. To-day 46 per cent. of the cultivated land in the United States is in corn. If, therefore, it pays to grow corn for the seed, so it will pay to grow sorghum. We have grown over 280 varieties, at the experimental station, in Geneva, fully 100 of which originally came from Africa. Upon the average, it is found much richer in sugar than the sugar cane of Louisiana.

"An average of 331 analyses of juices of several varieties of sorghum cane, having been made by several different chemists, showed 14.48 per cent. of sugar present, while an average of 202 analyses by these same chemists of juices from several varieties of Louisiana sugar cane showed 12.47 per cent. of sugar present, thus showing an average of 261 pounds of sugar in a ton of the sorghum cane, and 224.5 pounds in a ton of the sugar cane."

In 1860 the yield of sorghum syrup was estimated at 6,000,000 gallons, but since then it has rapidly increased, until last year, it is estimated that fully 32,000,000 gallons was the total yield.

Glucose.-The increased demand for home use as well as for

export has resulted in an increased production, the excellent quality and low price being important factors in stimulating consumption. Under the name of corn syrup it is used upon the table, it enters more and more extensively into the manufacture of confectionery, brewers have utilized it in making beer, it enters into the manufacture of artificial honey, and as an article of export it has made really wonderful strides within the past few years. The fact that it will not invert, can be submitted satisfactorily to boiling processes, is clear in color as well as heavy-bodied, are the chief recommendations that have caused its use to increase so rapidly. The most surprising fact in connection with the industry is the gradual development of the export trade that has grown up within recent years. According to the Bureau of Statistics the export has been as follows, for the year ending June 30th :

It is difficult to make a close estimate of the annual production, since the companies themselves decline to give definite information as to the extent of their operations, but a rough estimate can be made from the quantity of corn purchased and the capacity of the six

largest factories in this country. Upon this basis it is estimated that 900,000 bbls. or 45,000,000 gallons was the out-put last year. The export for the calendar year for the past four years has been as follows: .lbs. 38,961,666 1892.. .lbs. 96,576,239 70,105,984 1893,.

1890, 1891,.

138,330,953

Consumption. According to the preceding tables the total consumption of cane molasses during the year 1893 amounted to 33,618,400 gallons, against 38,134,213 gallons in 1892, a falling off of 4,515,813 gallons. The decrease, as already pointed out, has been the result of a partial abandonment of boiling operations at the three principal ports. Deducting from the receipts of foreign the quantity used in boiling, and adding to the remainder the estimated yield of sorghum, 32,000,000 gallons, and the production of glucose, 45,000,000 gallons, the total will show the approximate consumption of liquid sweets for the whole country to have been 99,719,000 gallons, against 81,634,000 gallons in 1892, and 100,000,000 gallons in 1891.

The following statement gives in detail the results of the boiling operations of the several ports in comparison with previous years:

The residuum, or black strap, which is the result of boiling, was taken chiefly for export and distilling purposes, but it is quite impossible to determine the quantity exported from the Custom House statistics kept at the several ports, as the classification of exports by the Government includes also straight sugar syrups, the product of refineries, which usually find a good market abroad. According to the Bureau of Statistics, the total export of foreign molasses for the year was 219,706 gallons, against 110,748 gallons the year previous. This consists of shipments of West India cargoes that come here with an optional port and are forwarded to Canada.

The total export of black strap and straight sugar syrups for the year aggregated 8,647,580 gallons, against 10,244,730 gallons in 1892, 6,145,321 gallons in 1891, and 6,660,572 gallons in 1890.

Prices.-The market value of all foreign kinds, as well as domestic, has been upon a lower plane than during the previous year. The first sales of Cuba boiling were made in March, when a few cargoes were placed at 134 cents, but this proved to be the highest price paid, for subsequent sales were made at lower prices until the price had dropped to 9 cents for 50° test, the decline being due in a great measure to the lack of demand on account of the general abandonment of boiling operations in this country. The average price of boiling for the year was 11.10 cents, against 11.27 cents the year previous, and the lowest in the history of the trade. The

other West Indian descriptions sold for table use have likewise ruled lower in price than last year. The first importations of new crop Porto Rico sold at 33 @ 34 cents, and this price was maintained during most of the season for the best grades, but the average for the year was only 23.20 cents, against 25.16 last year, while Barbadoes averaged only 17 cents, against 22.33 cents in 1892. The value of New-Orleans shows but slight fluctuations, old crop open-kettle having ruled fairly steady at 26 @ 35 cents, until the abundance of dairy products caused the demand to fall off, as is usually the case during the summer months. The first receipts of new crop which were marketed in October brought 50 cents, but as the supply became more abundant there was the usual easing down, until, at the close of the year, choice was quoted at 38 cents.

Crop Prospects.-It is difficult to foreshadow, with any accuracy, the probable supply of a by-product, which is governed by other influences than the abundance or deficiency of the cane crop. The methods of converting cane juice into sugar are undergoing constant improvement, and the tendency is always towards reducing the quantity and quality of molasses that remains. Of course the more perfect the process of crystalization the less molasses, and then again the demand is more or less directly influenced by the cheaper and popular substitutes and adulterants which are in use in this country. An abundant sugar crop is the primary factor in cheap molasses, and there is this year a promise of large crops in all the West India Islands from which molasses is imported. The boiling grades are drawn altogether from the Island of Cuba, and boiling operations have already commenced in Philadelphia, but they are scarcely likely to reach larger proportions than they did last year, and whatever is imported at New-York will be used for distilling into spirits and vinegar, as was the case last year, as all the boiling establishments here remain closed. The supply of domestic for the season 1893-94 is very much larger than last year, the receipts at New-Orleans up to date showing a considerable increase.

RANGE OF PRICES OF MOLASSES AT NEW-YORK DURING THE PAST YEAR.

THE COFFEE TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES.

Annual Review showing the Import and Consumption of Coffee in the United States for the year ending December 31, 1893, compared with the previous two years.

YEARLY AVERAGE PRICE PER 100 POUNDS IN THE NEW-YORK MARKET OF No. 7 EXCHANGE STANDARD BRAZIL COFFEE FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS.

* Rio, 1,482,703; Santos, 1,125,837; Bahia, 32,695; Ceara, 7,839.

+ Mocha, 24,676; African, 6,985.

Fair Rio, or No. 3 Exchange Standard, which is 150 points above No. 7.

$15 26

18 04

10 32

9 01

10 92