Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

CULTURE OF THE SUGAR CANE.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Sapelo, in Georgia, to his friend in Beaufort, S.C. respecting the growth of the Sugar Cane.

"You are desirous of knowing something of the progress made with the Sugar Cane —On Sapelo, Mr. Spalding has about 22 acres; Mr. Geary about 8 acres; Mr. Carnachan, near Darien, 12 or 14 acres—all in a most promising way, and said, by Mr. Carnachan, who has been a sugar-planter in Jamaica for a number of years, and now manages for his brother, to be equally as in the West-Indies, and not a doubt remain on his mind of its success. Mr. Spalding is in forwardness with his works, and a fair experiment will be made the coming season by him. Five hundred dollars per acre has been refused by Mr. Geary for his cane for plants, to take the chance of it as it stands. Mr. G. intends preparing his cane for syrup only, and if it is correct that he has engaged all that he can make in this way at one dollar per gallon, Mr. Carnachan says the proceeds will be equal to 5000 dollars per acre. I know this will amaze you, as it would any one unacquainted with the production. Mr. Carnachan says, that Cane of the same description in Jamaica would give exceeding two tons of sugar per acre; allow that the juices may not be so rich and matured as in the West-Indies, and deduct one half—will not that answer? Major Wood and Dr. Grant have some Cane on lands of a similar quality to yours that is very fine. These I have not seen. Mr. Carnachan tells me, that last year Dr. Grant's was superior to any he had seen. Canes to the extent of a few Acres, may be now engaged at 6 1-4 cents per Cane. At this rate Mr. Geary's cane, by actual calculation, will give him 2400 dollars per acre.— His cane will average 15 perfect canes to the hill; many of the hills exceed twenty."