STATISTICS OF TRADE AND COMMERCE. SUGAR TRADE OF THE UNITED STATES FOR 1862. THE following table shows the quantities of sugar consumed in the United States, the quantity per head of the consumers, and the average prices in New York in 1831, 1841, and from 1851 to 1862: The great fluctuation in the sugar market, caused by the failures of the Louisiana sugar crop in 1857, can be traced by this table. The sugar crop in that State in 1853 was very large, and as a consequence, aided by financial pressure, the price fell very low, encouraging consumption while it discouraged planters. In the following year a great decrease was manifest in the crops. Many of the planters had turned their attention to other crops, particularly cotton, which was more sure. The number of sugar houses was reduced from 1,481 in 1852, to 1,299 in 1855, and the reduction was progressive. As a consequence, there was a larger dependence upon the foreign sugar, and this increased American demand happened at a time when a disease broke out among the French vines, causing a demand for sugar for distilation, and the price rose all over the world, when in 1857 the Louisiana crop failed almost altogether. This was a fruitful cause of the financial revulsion in that year. The alarming state of affairs attracted the attention of Congress, which fitted out a vessel to procure fresh supplies of cuttings from Bahia, British Guiana, and for free distribution among the planters. The high price of sugar drew large quantities hither from countries not before known as sugar exporters, and a new article called melado, which has continued to form a portion of the sugar supply, made its appearance. It will be seen that the consumption during 1862 was greater than in any previous year, notwithstanding the price was higher. In Cuba raw sugar has been during the year about 4 cents per pound, and the difference between that and New York prices is caused by the duty and the premium on gold. For instance, to get the actual cost to us, take raw sugar in Cuba at 44 cents, and add to it the duty which is 24 cents, making 7 cents; but the duty must be paid in gold, which, at 33 per cent premium, (a point near which it has been a large part of the year,) would add one-third to the duty, or make the cost of the sugar with duty paid 77 cents. Exchange with which the 4 cents at Cuba had to be paid was 147, while gold was 33, which increased the cost to us 1 cents, making 93 cents per pound the actual cost (without freight) of the raw sugar, while gold was at 33. Now that gold is between 50 and 60, of course the cost has proportionally increased. The following tables, which we have prepared from MORING'S Monthly Circular, show the imports, exports, consumption, and stocks of sugar during the past two years: IMPORTS OF FOREign sugar at all PORTS, (ATLANTIC COAST,) CONSUMP Of course in the above tables no account is made of the quantity of sugar made from sorgho. The amount, however, is inconsiderable, the most of the product being converted into syrup. As to the trade the coming year, of course reliable estimates cannot be made. What we shall receive from New Orleans is very problematical. All we know is, that a very large import of foreign sugars is looked for, and even higher prices than now rule. THE CALCUTTA TRADE. The following statement of the Calcutta trade is made up from the annual review of T. K. CUMMINGS & Co., as published in the Boston Shipping List. There has been during the past year, as in 1861, a falling off in this trade: Linseed ..pockets 5,040 Linseed ...... Buffalo hides. pcs. 152,915 182,398 178,862 28,130 .... 58,000 2,047 2,285 11,600 2,860 1,570 Jute.... Imports of sugar in 1862, none, against 10,378 bags in 1861, against 10,201 in 1860, against 13.009 in 1859. against 12,888 in 1858. Inports of rice in 1862, 17,252 bags against 29,127 in 1861, against 200 in 1860, against 7,000 in 1859. The total imports of Calcutta goods into the United States have been as follows: PRICES CURRENT IN BOSTON. We give below the prices at Boston, December 31, the two years past: STATISTICS OF THE WHALE FISHERY FOR 1862. When, one year ago, we presented our eighteenth annual statement of the whale fishery of the United States, the future prospects of the whaling business looked dark and ominous. In the imagination of many, and in the judgment of not a few, whaling, as a business, had-to use a phrase more expressive than it is elegant-" about played out;" whaleships would, before long, be reckoned among the things that once were; and capital that owed its existence, with its rapid increase, and really massive growth, to the daring skill of the harpoon and lance, could no longer be profitably employed, if indeed it could be made to hold its own, by adventuring it in the same pursuits upon the ocean. A few were however less disposed to look on the dark side; and though they might seem to be hoping against hope, and believing against evidence, yet had the heart to hope and to keep hoping, and the courage to believe and keep believing, that somewhat of previous prosperity would yet return, the whaling fleet yet meet with good luck, full cargoes yet be brought home, oil and bone yet be in demand, and whaling yet again become a satisfactory and remunerating business. The hopings and believings of those few have been in a good degree, if not in quite a great measure reached and realized; and we congratulate them and the entire whaling community, at the beginning of this our nineteenth annual statement, upon the better time that has already come, and upon the lighter day that seems to be already dawning. We found our congratulations mainly upon these facts, viz.: the reduction that has been made in those immense stocks of oil and bone, which, in latter years, have proved to be so profitless and burdensome; the great advance in the prices of both sperm and whale oil that have taken place; and the almost fabulous market price at which bone stands to-day. True, there exists a special reason for the present high prices of oils and bone, viz. the disturbed condition of the finances of the country because of the rebellion, and the consequent premium on gold, together with the advanced rates of exchange. Still it may be considered, as if taken for granted, that as long as this special reason shall exist, just so long will the present high prices continue to rule. The chief obstacles that are now in the way are, most of them, in consequence of the war that the nation is prosecuting. They show themselves mainly in the greatly increased prices of those articles which are essential to the most economical outfit. Southern pine heading can with exceeding difficulty be obtained at any price. The cost of Northern pine is much more than it was before the war. The same, too, is true of hoops, tar, rosin, cordage; and especially true of sail-duck. Also there will be great difficulty in securing for the business as good and suitable ships as many that have been sold out of the business the past year. Also the rates of insurance must necessarily be high and burdensome because of the larger risk on account of the war. EXPORTS FROM UNITED STATES OF SPERM OIL, WHALE OIL, AND WHALEBONE. IMPORTATIONS OF SPERM OIL, WHALE OIL, AND WHALEBONE INTO THE UNITED STATES IN 1862. Sperm.. bbls. 55,641 | Whale.. bbls. 100,478 | Bone....lbs. 763,500 Stock of oil and bone on hand on the first of January in the last six years: |