Before the outbreak of the great war in 1914, the world’s crops of sugar were pretty evenly divided between cane and beet, with a preponderance in favor of the former. How this titanic conflict has affected the European production is clearly seen by the returns for 1915-16. During that season the world’s output was 16,558,863 long tons, made up of 10,571,079 tons of cane and 5,987,784 tons of beet, and Europe was short 2,392,828 tons as compared with the previous year. The conclusion is inevitable that after the war shall be brought to an end a period of poverty and distress will ensue and restriction of sugar consumption in Europe will be one of the results of this condition.
Apart from countries where sugar production is fostered by protecting tariffs, it seems certain that future development and progress will take place in lands where favorable climate, rich soil and adequate, cheap labor are found together. The natural economic law will cause the industry to thrive best where such conditions obtain in the fullest degree, and to fall off correspondingly as they diminish.
FOOTNOTES
[1] This and seventeen illustrations immediately following are reproduced by permission of Truman G. Palmer, Esq., Secretary of the United States Beet Sugar Industry, Washington, D. C.
[2] This and the three illustrations immediately following are after photographs by A. Moscioni, Esq.
[3] This and the five illustrations immediately following are after photographs by the American Photo Co., Habana.
[4] Spain.
[5] Ed. Yule, II, 208-212.
[6] Geschichte des Zuckers, p. 89.
[7] Kazwini, I, 262.