ports of foreign sugar into the United States, (exclusive of the States and Territories on the Pacific,) for the year ending Dec. 31, 1879, were 682,043 tons, against receipts in 1878 of 650,766 tons, an increase of 31,277 tons, and that the consumption of sugar of foreign origin for 1879-deducting the exports of refined as well as raw—were 631,174 tons, against a consumption in 1878 of 613,896 tons, an increase of 17,278 tons. To these figures must be added the unusual full crop of domestic sugar, 112,000 tons, which brings the consumption of cane sugar proper for 1879 up to the large figures of 743,174 tons, against a consumption for 1878 of 684,896 tons, an increase of 58,278 tons, or 8.50 per cent. The cane fields of most of the West India Islands, notably Cuba, yielded a more generous supply in 1879 than for the crop year preceding, and consequently there was an increased yield of molasses as well as of sugar. The great bulk of this molasses finds its way to the markets of this country, and, with lower prices ruling for it than before in many years, and an active demand for its sugar product at fairly remunerative prices, a much larger quantity was consumed in this way last year than the year before. We are enabled to make a close estimate of the quantity so taken by the refining interest in 1879, at the five ports, Portland, Boston, New-York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and find that about 213,000 hhds. were boiled in 1879, with a yield of about 44,900 tons sugar, against 190,000 hhds. so consumed in 1878, yielding about 40,000 tons sugar.

Philadelphia distances all competitors in this branch of the trade, having consumed for this purpose nearly all her direct receipts, and drawn on neighboring markets to some extent. The consumption of molasses for refining into sugar at that port last year may be placed at 101,765 hhds.

We have no satisfactory data respecting the crop of maple sugar; for obvious reasons it is impossible to gather reliable statistics relative to this humble industry; estimates vary widely, ranging from 9,000 tons to 14,000 tons. It is evident, however, that the yield of the tree is gradually lessening, and the time is not far distant when this description of sugar will be but a tradition. Probably 10,000 tons will fully cover the yield of 1879.

The manufacture of sugar from the beet root receives increased and well-deserved attention. We learn that the enterprise inaugurated a year or two ago at Portland makes satisfactory progress, the works there having turned out, the past year, 900 tons of excellent sugar. Farmers, as a class, are slow to enter into new paths, and the great difficulty that impedes, to some extent, this new industry is to prevail upon landed proprietors to plant their estates with this crop. On the Pacific Coast, the culture of the beet for conversion into sugar makes some progress, and the yield of the root last year was nearly double that of 1878. At the same time it was small, not much more than one-third the amount turned out by the Portland Refinery, which has only been in operation about two years.

The crop of Louisiana for 1878-79 was much larger than any previous crop made since the civil war, exceeding even the estimates

made at this time last year. Mr. A. BOUCHEREAU, of New-Orleans, in his valuable annual statistical volume, treating of the leading products of that State, makes the yield for 1878-79, 213,221 hhds., against a yield of 127,753 hhds. the preceding crop year.

The crop now being made has proved disappointing; grinding is now pretty well over, and a close estimate can be made as to the result. Early in the season the promise was flattering for a crop exceeding that of 1878, but the severe storms which swept over the State last September prostrated and injured the cane throughout a wide section of the sugar parishes, and subsequent unusual warm weather retarded the ripening of it, thus materially reducing the yield. The most conservative authorities do not estimate the crop beyond 185,000 @ 190,000 hhds., while there are others who stoutly maintain that the yield will not exceed 175,000 hhds.

A new and important feature in the present crop is the largely increased production of Clarified and Centrifugal sugar, and a corresponding decrease in open kettle, or old process sugar. It is generally estimated, that the production of the latter will be proportionately about 15,000 hhds. less than last year, and the make of Clarified and Centrifugal sugar be correspondingly increased. Planters have hurried their produce to market to take advantage of favorable prices, and to liquidate pressing obligations incurred by the September tornado, so that the receipts at New-Orleans are something larger, notwithstanding a smaller crop, than they were up to a parallel period last year. The New-Orleans Price Current makes the receipts from the commencement of the season to the 6th inst. equal to 89,262 hhds., against receipts same time last season of 83,519 hhds. The stock under sheds, 1st inst., was 6,984 hhds., against a stock of 5,974 hhds. Jan. 1, 1879.

The consumption of raw sugar in the States on the Pacific last year was smaller than that of 1878. The receipts at San Francisco from the Hawaiian Islands were much larger in 1879 than ever before, while from all other sources of supply there was a large falling off.

The following statement shows the import and deliveries of sugar for consumption at San Francisco for the year ending December 31:

The foregoing examination of the sources of supply justify us in summing up the consumption of raw sugar in the United States for the year ending December 31, 1879, and comparing it with the consumption of the previous year, as follows:

Cane sugar consumed in the United States on the Atlantic,..

..tons,

Having reviewed the trade of the country as a whole, we now refer more particularly to the movement of the staple at this port. It will be seen by the statistics relative to New-York, that the importation and consumption of this article for 1879 was larger than for any previous year in the history of the trade; and upon the whole, the season was one attended with more satisfactory results, both to the importing and refining interests, than its several immediate predecessors. Considering direct importations of foreign sugar only, 70.45 per cent. of the whole receipts in the United States for 1879 were laid down at this port, against 70.60 per cent. in 1878, and 69.15 per cent. in 1877.

The imports at Boston and at Philadelphia were much larger last year than the year before, and at Portland there was an increase, while there was a large falling off at Baltimore, owing to a great reduction in their refining operations; and the receipts at NewOrleans were much smaller in 1879 than in 1878; there was a decrease also at the other Southern ports as well as at the Eastern ports, taken as a whole, aside from Boston and Portland.

A reference to the preceding tables will show that the receipts of foreign and domestic sugar at this port in 1879 were 505,685 tons, against 474,074 tons in 1878, while the deliveries for consumption and to supply the wants of the neighboring cities, exclusive of shipments of refined sugar to foreign countries, were 455,473 tons in 1879, against 442,910 tons for 1878, an increase of 12,563 tons, or 2.83 per cent. The stock at the close of the year was 46,635 tons, against a stock December 31, 1878, of 27,867 tons, an increase of 18,768 tons. This large comparative excess in stock was due in part to the stagnation in the trade during a portion of November and December, and in part to the unusual diversion of sugar destined for foreign countries to this port, supplies being attracted hither by the large advance made in the article in October and the early part of the succeeding month.

Comparing the imports here for 1879 with those of 1878, we find an increase from Cuba, Demerara, Barbadoes, the French Islands, other West Indies and Mexico, the Phillippine Islands, Java, other East Indies and Europe; while there was a falling off in the receipts

from Trinidad, Jamaica and other British West Indies, and a large decrease in the imports from Brazil. From China we received none last year, against 1,397 tons in 1878. The following statement shows the

DELIVERIES OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC SUGAR AT THE PORT OF NEW-YORK

With respect to values, there were but slight fluctuations during the first nine months of the year. January opened with Cuba fair refining worth 63 cents, and the lowest point was reached in April, when the quotation had declined to 64. From this, however, there was a gradual gain until September, when the same grade was quoted 6. During October a more decided improvement was developed, and under the excitement which prevailed during the early part of November, the value advanced to 83 cents, which was maintained until the beginning of December, when the price receded to 74 cents, which was the closing price at the termination of the year. The average value of Cuba fair to good refining for the year, as compared with that of 1878, is 32 cents per 100 lbs. lower, and the same ratio of decline is noticeable in all other grades. Porto Rico refining grades have ruled 23 cents per 100 lbs. lower than last year; Havana White, 27 cents; Havana Brown, 43; Manila, 40, and Brazil, 32. Notwithstanding the sharp advance experienced during the month of November, prices did not reach the maximum attained during the year 1878. The average price of fair to good refining Cuba sugar was lower last year than before since 1861.

YEARLY AVERAGE PRICE IN CURRENCY OF FAIR TO GOOD REFINING CUBA SUGAR FOR EACH OF THE PAST TWENTY-SIX YEARS.

The exports of refined sugar for 1879 exceeded those of 1878 by 7,942 tons; the increased shipments were all over-sea exports, Canada having taken 1,236 tons less last year than the year before, the new tariff of the Dominion having checked purchases in the markets of the United States.

In entering upon a new campaign, in view of the fact that the European beet root sugar crop of 1879-80 will be much smaller than that made the two previous crop years, unusual interest attaches to the probable supply of cane sugar for the current year. As has been our custom, we have communicated with the most reliable and conservative authorities in the cane growing countries, and have elicited the following information. We may add, however, that forecasting crops before they are harvested is, at the best, hazardous. Throughout the West Indies grinding has only fairly commenced, and some five months must elapse before the crop in the Islands will be finished. Meantime atmospheric and other influences may alter very materially the present prospects; whatever change may occur, however, will probably be rather toward lower than to higher figures.

As Cuba supplies from 70 to 75 per cent. of our consumption of foreign sugar, the extent of the yield of that Island is of the first importance. The crop of 1879 was much larger than for many previous years, having been about 660,000 tons ; deducting 300,000 tons for the consumption of the Island, leaves 630,000 tons for shipment, against, in 1878, a crop of 530,598 tons, in 1877, 460,568 tons, in 1876, 537,748 tons, and in 1875, 617,656 tons. In the early part of the present season a crop of 700,000 tons was confidently predicted, but latterly the estimates have been largely and steadily shrinking, and now the most conservative authorities do not pitch the figures higher than 600,000 tons, while some close observers do not look for a yield beyond 550,000 tons, or about 525,000 tons for export. The stock at Havana and Matanzas, 1st inst., was 10,312 tons, against a stock of 18,899 tons January 1, 1879.

Porto Rico made in 1879 a crop of about 90,000 @ 95,000 tons, against a crop in 1878 of 74,000 tons. The cane fields, at last mail advices, presented a favorable appearance, and a yield about equal to, but not in excess of, that of last year is expected.

The crop of Martinique and Guadaloupe in 1879 was about 200,000 hhds.; in consequence of an excessive rain fall the cane has been injured and grinding has been delayed; there will be a deficiency in the crop of 1880, variously estimated at from 10 to 20 per cent.

The latest advices from Barbadoes state, that the weather was very favorable for the cane, and the prospects were good for a crop something larger than that made in 1879, which was about 45,000 hhds.; a yield of 50,000 hhds. for this year is probable.

Our correspondent advises us that the crop of Trinidad Island for 1880 will be at least 5,000 tons less than that made in 1879, which was about 65,000 hhds.

The islands of Jamaica, St. Croix and St. Domingo, as a whole, will make this year about the same quantity as they made in 1879.