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Show SUGAR CROP REPORTS. Consul-General James L. Rodgers, 1 writing from Havana, under date of December 16, states that the sugarcane sugar-cane grinding season in Cuba is now well under way, and the results attained at-tained so far argue for a low percentage percent-age of saccharine matter, thus indicating indi-cating that there may be doubtas to the total sugar production under the fine promise as to cane. Mr. Rodgers sayB, further: This condition is disturbing the minds of the sugar producers, and vigorous vig-orous denial is now being made as to the prospective great size of tho cron of 1908 9. To support this contention conten-tion the sugar producers state that many other things may occur during the next two months which will interfere inter-fere with the sugar output, and that it is unfair to assume at this time, on tho basis of cane production, that the output will be as large as that of the 1907-S season. The estimates are now running from 1.250,000 to 1,500.000 tons, but it is absolutely impossible at this time to state which figure will be nearer the final mark. The only thing certain at the present time Is that with a normal yield of sugar from the cane, the total output of sugar should, theoretically speaking, be as large, if not larger, than that cf 1907-S. Tbe sugar producers Insist that under un-der a continuance of the Impression that the 190S-9 crop is going to be abnormally large, tho prlco of Cuban sugar will soon be lower than the average aver-age cost of production on the Island. Under all the circumstances they assert as-sert that there should be a suspension of judgment In the matter until at least tho 1st of February, when there will be a clear determination as to the quality of the cane and of the weather which will probably be experienced expe-rienced during the busiest days of the grinding season. As this Issuo of price Is of the most vital moment to the Cuban sugar producer of tho immediate im-mediate future, it would seem that this position is well taken. |