=========
4,729,063

Tons.
The world's production in 1887, cane sugar 2,333,004
The world's production in 1887, beet sugar 2,492,610
=========
4,825,614

Tons.
Beet sugar Increase 1,049,261
Cane sugar Decrease 952,710

The world's output was Increased 96,551

Since the above date, however, the output of Beet Sugar has become
about double that of Cane Sugar, as will be seen from the following
figures, viz.:--

World's Production. Season of 1899-1900. Season of 1900-1901.
Tons. Tons.

Cane sugar 2,867,041 3,425,022
Beet sugar 5,607,944 6,096,858
========= =========
8,474,985 9,521,880

On estates already established at old prices, cane-sugar production
pays an interest on capital, but the capitalist is not necessarily the
planter and nominal owner, as has been explained. Since the American
occupation the cost of labour, living, material, live-stock, and all
that the planter or his estate need, has increased so enormously that
the colonist should ponder well before opening up a new estate for
cane-growing in world-wide competition. For figures of Sugar Shipments
_vide_ Chap, xxxi., "Trade Statistics."

_Rice_ (_Oryza_) being the staple food of the Filipinos, it is
cultivated more or less largely in every province of the Colony. Its
market value fluctuates considerably according to the stocks in
hand and the season of the year. It appears to be the only branch
of agriculture in which the lower classes of natives take a visible
pleasure and which they understand thoroughly. In 1897 about 80,000
tons were raised.

The natives measure and sell rice (Tagalog, _bigas_) and paddy
(Tagalog, _palay_) by the caban and its fractions; the caban dry
measure is as follows, viz:--

4 Apatans = 1 Chupa; 8 Chupas = 1 Ganta; 25 Gantas = 1 Cab