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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF CIIKMISTUY.
BULLETIN No. 14.
^rpjpOED OF EXPEEIMENTS
JL lunAL
LIBRARY,
' IT RQTTY
|| FORT SCOTT, KANSAS,
UJFORNIA.
IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
FROM
SORGHUM AND SUGAR-CANES,
IN
1 8 8 S.
BY
H. W.
CHEMIST.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1887.
U. S. DKPAR. MENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DI 'ISION OF CHEMISTRY.
BULLETIN No. 14.
KECOKD OF EXPERIMENTS
AT
FORT SCOTT, KANSAS,
IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
FROM
SORGHUM AND SUGAR-CANES,
IN
1886.
BY
H. W. WILEY,
CHEMIST.
11330— No, U
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1887.
Main lib.
Agrie. D«pt.
5
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY,
Washington, D. C., December 21, 1886.
SIR : I beg leave to submit herewith a report of the work done at
Fort Scott during the present year under authority of Congress in u Ex-
periments in the manufacture of sugar from sorghum and sugar-cane
by the processes of carbonatation and saturation."
The conduct of this work you placed in my hands, and throughout
the whole of it I have had your earnest support.
The results of the work are now presented for your inspection and ap-
proval.
Very respectfully,
H. W. WILEY,
Chemist.
Hon. NORMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
3
EXPERIMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR
FROM SORGHUM.
The results of tne experiments made at Ottawa last year gave en-
couragement to the friends of the sorghum sugar industry, and led to
the undertaking of a new series of experiments at Fort Scott.
The Department of Agriculture entered into the following agreement
with the Parkinson Sugar Company at Fort Scott :
WASHINGTON, D. C-, August 7, 1886.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND THE PARKINSON
SUGAR COMPANY OF FORT SCOTT, KANS.
The Commissioner of Agriculture agrees to erect at the works of the Parkinson
Sugar Company of Fort Scott, Kaus., one diffusion battery with all its appliances;
three cane-cutters, one of which shall have a horizontal cutting disk, with appliances
for feeding the cane to the same, and elevators for delivering the chips to the cells.
He further agrees to erect one carbonatation apparatus, to consist of a lime-kiln,
carbonic-acid pump, four carbonatatiou tanks, and four filter-presses, with all their
connections; also one sulphur apparatus, consisting of two sulphur furnaces, three
saturation-tanks, three filter-presses, one air-pump, and all necessary connections.
He further agrees to prepare the whole of the above-mentioned machinery for prac-
tical work, and to provide all neceesary labor and material for a thorough experi-
mental trial of the same, and when this trial is finished to allow the Parkinson Sugar
Company the free use of the apparatus for the rest of the manufacturing season of
1 •--'»'». without any charge for rental to the Parkinson Company aforesaid.
It is expressly agreed and understood that all machinery furnished by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, and all fixtures and appliances therewith connected, shall remain
the property of the Department, and the Commissioner reserves the right to make
such disposition of all of it after the end of the present manufacturing season as may
seem to him best suited to pr-nuote the public interest.
The Parkinson Sugar Company agree to furnish suitable buildings in which to
ereci this machinery, to supply steam for driving it and for use in the calorisators of
the battery, and to allow the Commissioner of Agriculture as much time as he may
<!• MIC,, not exceeding ten days from the commencement of the manufacturing season.
for the purpose of making the experimental trials before mentioned; provided that
during t hcse experimental trials the Commissioner of Agriculture shall pay for all coal
t •onsuinetl for supplying the steam mentioned above, and for all limestone, coke, sul-
phur, filtering-cloths, and other materials used in the experiments.
The said company also agree to furnish a suitable room for the chemical laboratory
to he erected l>y the Department and used by the Department chemists during the
continuance of the manufacturing season.
It is fint her agreed on the part of the said Parkinson Company that during the
period of the experiments mentioned the accredited representative of the Department
at Fort Scott, namely, the chemist of the Department, or such other person as the
5
Commissioner may designate, shall have sole control and direction of the work, in so
far as the extraction and purification of the sugar-juices are concerned.
Further, on the part of the Commissioner of Agriculture, it is agreed that during
the entire manufacturing season he will supply the services of one superintendent^
namely, Prof. M. Swenson, and one sugar-engineer, namely, Mr. G. L. Spencer, or some
other persons of equal experience and ability, and also a competent corps of chemists ;
provided the company aforesaid give to said agents of the Department every facility
for studying the processes employed, and supply them with full and accurate data of
the amount of cane entering into manufacture, the quantities of sugar and sirup made,
and all other information which will help the Commissioner to make a full and ac-
curate report of the whole work ; provided further, that after the experimental work
above mentioned has been finished and during the time the said company operate the
machinery for the purpose of manufacturing sugar and sirup for profit, the Depart-
ment of Agriculture shall not be responsible for any other expenses than those which
relate to the employment of the agents of the Department above mentioned.
NORMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
PARKINSON SUGAR COMPANY,
By C. F. DRAKE, President.
The Congress having made an appropriation of $94,000 for the con-
tinuance of the experiments, the following contract was made between
the Commissioner of Agriculture and The Pusey & Jones Manufactur-
ing Company of Wilmington, Del., for the construction and erection of
the necessary machinery.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 21, 1886.
DEAR SIR : I desire to secure, for the experimental sugar station which the Depart-
ment will establish in connection with the Parkinson Sugar Company, at Fort Scott,
Kaiis., a diffusion battery. Will you kindly send me estimates of the cost of the
battery, in conformity with the following general requirements?
(1) The battery to be of a capacity to work 200 tons of cane in twenty -four hours
at a mean rate.
(2) The battery to consist of fourteen cells, arranged in a straight line, with valves,
calorisators, and connections complete.
(3) The cells to be cylindrical, and have a discharge-gate at the bottom of the area
of the cross section of the cell.
(4) The valves to be so arranged that the water can be introduced at top or bottom
of each cell at the pleasure of the operator.
(5) The joint of the discharge-gate to be made by hydraulic closure.
(6) The last charge of water in each cell to be removed by compressed air.
(7) Apparatus for the automatic charging of the cells with fresh chips.
(8) Apparatus for removing the exhausted chips.
(9) Calorisators to be furnished with thermometers, with face like steam-gauge.
(10) Measuring tanks for withdrawing juice, with accurate float-gauge.
(11) Two cane-cutters, with vertical disks, and forced feed, with cane-carriers and
chip-elevators complete; these to be simply those already at Ottawa, with a modifi-
cation of the forced feed, to prevent choking.
(12) Air compressor and reservoir for discharging water from cell next to be emptied.
In the above apparatusall the valves, piping, shafting, pulleys, elevators,&c., which
were used at Ottawa are to be incorporated in the new machinery where it is possible
without disadvantage, and to be valued at their original cost price.
In your proposals, which T hereby ask for, please give all the details of the apparatus
which must be guaranteed to work and give satisfaction to the Department.
Since the proper erection of this machinery is also essential to its success, I will ask
you to submit a proposal to erect said machinery at Fort Scott and deliver it to the
Department in proper working order on or before the 10th of August, 1886
Respectfully,
NORMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner.
WM. G. GIBBONS,
President, fc., Wilmington, Del.
WILMINGTON, DEL., May 8, 1886.
DEAR SIR: Replying to your favor of 21st ultimo, received three days ago, we offer
to build the machinery therein specified, to say —
A diffusion battery, consisting of 14 cells, cylindrical in form, 44 inches in diameter,
7 feet 4 inches long, with door at bottom of full diameter of cell, and haying counter-
balance and hydraulic-joint packing; valves arranged so that the water can be in-
troduced into cells at either top or bottom at pleasure.
An air-compressor and reservoir so arranged that the water in each cell can be
removed by compressed air ; apparatus for automatic charging of the cells with fresh
chips and removing the exhausted chips to a comfortable distance from the battery.
Calorisators to be furnished with thermometers. Unfortunately those made in this
country with face like steam-gauges are so slow of operation, that they would be use-
less. We are forced, then, to supply mercurial thermometers ; will select the plainest
dials to be had.
Proper measuring-tanks for withdrawing juice with floating gauge.
Alter the two cane-cutters now at Ottawa, Kans., so that the forced feed shall not
choke, and supply cane carriers and chip-elevators. Price, $14,125.
In this it is proposed to use such portions of the valves, pipes, and other things
pertaining to the apparatus at Ottawa built by us as may be adaptable to the above.
We also propose to transport all of the above to Fort Scott, Kans., and erect at the
works of the Parkinson Sugar Company and have in operation on or before the 10th
day of August, 1886, for the further sum of $2,500.
Soliciting the order, which shall have prompt dispatch, we are,
Yours, truly,
THE PUSEY & JONES COMPANY,
By WILLIAM G. GIBBONS,
President.
Hon. NORMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 26, 1886.
GENTLEMEN : I have received your communication of 25th instant in respect of tho
amount which you offer us in exchange for the machinery specified in my letter of
xJ%2d instant, and your offer is satisfactory to me. I therefore accept your proposition
of 8th of May, last, vi/ :
"A diffusion battery consisting of fourteen cells, cylindrical in form, 44 inches diam-
eter, 7 feet 4 inches long, with door at bottom of full diameter of cell, and having
counterbalance and hydraulic joint packing ; valves arranged so that the water can
be introduced into the cells at either top or bottom at pleasure.
"An air-compressor and reservoir, so arranged that the water in each cell can be re-
moved by compressed air; apparatus for automatic charging of the cells with fresh
chips and removing the exhausted chips to a comfortable distance from the battery.
" Calorisators to be furnished with thermometers. Unfortunately those made in this
country, with face like steam gauges, are so slow of operation that they would be
useless. We are forced, then, to supply mercurial thermometers. Will select the
plainest dial to he had.
" Proper measuring tanks for withdrawing juice, with floating gauge.
"Alter the two cane-cutters now at Ottawa, Kans., so that the forced feed will not
choke, and supply cane-carriers and chips elevators. Price, $14,125.
"In this it is proposed to use such portions of the valves, pipes, and other things
pertaining to the apparatus at Ottawa huilt by us as may be adaptable to the above.
" We also propose to transport all of the above to Fort Scott, Kans., and erect at the
works of the Parkinson Sugar Company, and have in operation on or before the 10th
day of August, 1886, for the further sum of $2,500.
Replying further to your letter of 25th instant, I will say that the cane-cutters and
battery now at the " Hermitage" plantation of Mr. D. F. Kenner, inLouisiana, will
be delivered alongside the Cromwell Wharf, in New Orleans, before the 1st of Septem-
ber next, in accordance with your desires.
In further preparation of the work at Fort Scott, I desire you to submit to me your
estimates of the cost of four filter presses and a sufficient number of carbonatation
tanks, to be used in the experiments in the manufacture of sugar at Fort Scott dur-
ing the coming campaign.
I desire this proposition to include the freight to Fort Scott ; in other words, I ask
you to deliver the apparatus just mentioned to the Department at Fort Scott, Kans.,
at the earliest possible moment.
Very respectfully,
NORMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner.
THE PUSEY & JONES COMPANY,
Wilmington, Del.
A contract was also made for a part of the apparatus for treating the
diffusion juice with, lime and carbonic acid in the following terms:
WILMINGTON, Dm.., August 3, 1886.
DEAR SIR : We owe you an apology for so much time having been allowed to elapse
since the receipt of your favor of 26th ultimo, and its reply. Illness in the family of
the writer has prevented his attention, and hence the delay, which please excuse.
The diffusion machinery referred to in your letter is now being erected -at Fort
Scott, Kans., at the works of the Parkinson Sugar Company. Of the date of its start-
ing we shall advise you later.
The four filter presses you inquire for will cost, delivered at Fort Scott, complete, all
allready for service, $1,100 each. Four carbonatation tanks, each 6 feet 6 inches long,
4 feet 6 inches wide, and 6 feet 6inches high at front, and 6 feet high at back, with
receiving and discharge pipe and valves, gas-pipe, and distribution, copper coil heater,
and vapor pipe, all complete, delivered at Fort Scott, Kans., $350 each.
Soliciting your order, we are yours, truly,
THE PUSEY & JONES COMPANY,
By WM. G. GIBBONS, President.
Hon. NORMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
The battery erected by the Pusey & Jones Company, consisted of 14
cells, arranged in single line, with calorisators and apparatus for use
of compressed air in discharging the water from each cell before drop-
ping the exhausted chips. The working of the battery was entirely sat-
isfactory.
Each cell bad a capacity of 75 cubic feet, and would hold 1,900
pounds of sorghum chips, moderately packed. Each cell]was constructed
from the drawings obtained from the Fives-Lille Company, and the de-
tailed description may be found in Bulletin No. 8.
The cutters used were those employed at Ottawa last year. Thecon-
tractors made no attempt whatever to rebuild the forced feed attach-
ment, and this failure was the cause of the chief delay we experienced
after the apparatus was in regular use. With very sharp knives, and
with cane fresh and green, they did reasonably good work, but after a
frost had killed the leaves of the cane it was found almost impossible to
make the cutters work. It often required half an hour to fill a single
cell. When it is remembered that the rest of the apparatus could easily
have worked a ton of chips each eight minutes, the disastrous effects
of this delay can be appreciated.
From this cause great trouble was experienced in working the bat-
tery. When all the cells were in use each one was often under pressure
three or four hours. The cane was unusually acid, and from this there
followed a large inversion of sucrose in the battery. If, to avoid this,
the temperature of diffusion was lowered, fermentation would set in.
There was nothing left for us to do but to work a smaller number of
cells. Often only six or seven cells were under pressure, and conse-
quently the degree of extraction was far less perfect than it would have
been otherwise.
The style of cutter used furnished a chip well suited to diffusion, but
I am convinced that these cutters are more costly and require more
power for operation than is necessary.
With a view of correcting these defects I purchased a beet root cutter,
formerly used by the Portland Beet Sugar Company, and had it rebuilt
by the Colwell Iron Company of New York, for an experimental cane
cutter.
This apparatus had a horizontal disk, and was so modified as to take
a multiple feed, the cane being delivered to it through six hoppers in-
clined 40 degrees to the vertical. With perfectly clean canes this cutter
gave promise of success, but with the sorghum -cane as it came from the
field it proved a total failure.
This leads me to believe that the cutters used at Java and other
places so successfully with sugar-cane would not serve the purpose of
slicing sorghum for the battery. Any question of cleaning the canes
before delivering them to^the cutter must be negatived on the score of
economy.
For the further study of the problem I tried the system of cane-slicing
invented by Mr. H. A. Hughes, of Rio Grande, N. J.
The principle of this system consists in first cutting the canes into
lengths of three or four inches by means of an ensilage-cutter, and after
passing them through a cleaning apparatus deliver them to a shaving-
machine constructed on the principle of a board -planer.
10
This latter part of the apparatus was kindly loaned to the Depart-
ment by Mr. Hughes.
The caues were first cut by a Belle City ensilage-cutter into pieces
about 2.25 inches in length. These pieces were run through a fanuiug-
inill and nearly all the blades and sheaths were thus removed. The
clean pieces of cane were next delivered to a slicer built on the princi-
ple of an ordinary board-planer. The cylinder was 6 inches in diameter
and 30 inches in length, and carried two knives projecting one-eighth to
one sixteenth inch beyond the surface. This was driven at a high rate
of speed, over 3,000 revolutions per minute. The canes were shredded
rather than sliced by this process, so that the extraction of the sugar
was rather a maceration than a diffusion.
Even with this small machine it was found possible to prepare nearly
as much cane for the battery as with the three ponderous cutters de-
scribed. It was found, however, that the ensilage-cutter was not strong
enough to do the work, and hence this most promising system of cane-
cutting, practiced successfully at Eio Grande, was discontinued. The
experiment, however, led me to believe that the principle was the right
one; especially is this so because it permits of the easy cleaning of the
canes by first cutting- them into small pieces. This seems to be the only
practical way of accomplishing what is of prime necessity to diffusion,
viz, the removal of all deleterious substances from the chips.
Having demonstrated the practicability of cleaning the cane in the
manner already described, my attention was next directed to the con-
sideration of the best method of cutting the short pieces of cane into
chips suitable for diffusion. For this purpose I had constructed by the
Fort Scott Foundry a centrifugal slicer. The theory of this apparatus
was that the knives, being carried in a revolving frustum of a cone, and
the short pieces of cane being fed from the inside of this cone, the chips,
as soon as cut, would fly off by centrifugal force. A trial of this appa-
ratus showed that the fiber of the cane would clog the knives and thus
stop the work. The close of the season prevented any modification of
the apparatus. I think the principle of the apparatus is promising
enough to warrant further trial.
As a result of the experiments with cutters the following conclusions
can be drawn:
(1) Whatever the form of the cutting-machine employed may be. it
is necessary that the cane be cleaned. This cleaning should not consist
of the removal of the blades alone, but also the sheaths.
(2) The slicing of the canes obliquely by means of a vertical cutting-
machine with a forced feed is not an economical method of procedure.
(3) The use of a cutting-machine with a horizontal disk and multiple
feed is impracticable for sorghum canes unless they are perfectly clean.
(4) The preliminary cutting of the canes into short lengths promises
the easiest solution of the problem of cleaning the cane.
(5) The subsequent slicing of these sections by some form of appara-
tus is a mechanical problem which can be solved.
11
THE APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING THE CHIPS TO THE BATTERY AND
REMOVING THEM THEREFROM.
The working of the chip elevators and the apparatus Aor removing
the exhausted chips was exceedingly unsatisfactory.
The chips falling into the pit below the cutters were carried by a
screw conveyor to a bucket elevator. Thence they were dropped onto
a belt conveyor, which delivered thein to the apparatus for blowing out
the leaves, &c. The screw, the elevator, and the belt frequently became
choked and occasioned a great deal of trouble and delay.
The apparatus for removing the exhausted chips gave still greater
trouble.
In discharging a cell the whole contents, weighing a ton, were thrown
at once on the conveyor. This load was too great, and many days' delay
were experienced in making the alterations necessary even to moder-
ate efficiency.
The elevator for taking the exhausted chips from this conveyor was
a very complicated and inefficient piece of apparatus, and many tedious
changes had to be made before it would do the necessary work. Fi-
nally its use was abandoned altogether. The lessons taught by these
unfortunate delays show that the proper method for removing the ex-
hausted chips from the battery is by means of a tramway and dump-
cart, as practiced at Alineria and described in Bulletin No. 8. A great
deal of apparatus and power will be saved by this method of disposing
of the chips. The conveyor for filling the cells worked in marked con-
trast with the rest of the chip-handling machinery, and gave perfect
satisfaction. This conveyor extended the entire length of the battery,
and was placed directly above it. Over each cell was a door in the
floor of the conveyor. When a cell was to be filled the door above it
was opened and the chips fell through onto a funnel which directed
them into the cell. The bottom of the conveyor at Fort Scott was too
near the top of the cells. It should be not less than 6 feet above the
top of the cells, so as to allow ample room for tamping the chips as
they fall into the cell, thereby greatly increasing the capacity of the
battery. I do not think a better contrivance could be devised for fill-
ing the cells of a line battery. I am still of the opinion, however, that
the charging of a circular battery, as described in Bulletin No. 8, would
be a more simple method. The disposition of the battery, however, is
not a matter of vital importance.
I am further of the opinion that it will not be difficult for an ingeni-
ous mechanical engineer familiar with elevating apparatus to build- the
machinery which will elevate the cuttings to the battery without any
difficulty. By the employment of the centrifugal cutter already de-
scribed, which can be placed directly over the battery, the elevators will
only have to carry the short pieces of cane, a very easy task.
12
MACHINERY FOR HANDLING THE CANE.
The apparatus for taking the cane from the carts and delivering it to
the cutters was designed bj Mr. W. L. Parkinson. The carts for bring-
ing the cane from the fields are provided with a rack of peculiar construc-
tion. On this rack are placed ropes in such a manner that when the
cart arrives at the unloading station the ropes can be brought together,
inclosing the whole load of cane. By means of a power drum the entire
load is drawn from the cart onto a weighing-truck running on a tram-
way.
As soon as the weighing is completed the truck is moved along the
way until it comes opposite the cane-carrier. ' It is drawn from the truck
by means of a power drum and is dragged down an inclined plane in
large armfuls to the carrier. The carrier runs at right angles to the
length of the cane and to the elevators which deliver the canes to the
cutters. As the cane is carried along this feed-table the heads are cut
off by a circular saw running at a high rate of speed. The heads which,
escape the saw are afterwards cut off by hand. The canes then pass to
a point midway over the three elevators leading to the cutters. Thence
by means of an ingenious contrivance it can be dropped into either car-
rier at will. The apparatus worked well, but aside from the removal of
the tops I doubt whether so complicated a piece of machinery is neces-
sary.
CARBON AT ATION APPARATUS.
This apparatus consists of a lime kiln, washer for the gas, carbonic-
acid pump, and carbonatation tanks.
LIME-KILN.
The lime-kiln was built by Mr. G. L. Spencer, with castings and plans
from the Hallesche Maschinenfabrik. The pump was built by the same
firm, but was purchased, as well as the castings just mentioned, from
the Portland Beet Sugar Company. After the workmen learned how
to conduct the operations at the kiln we had no trouble with its manip-
ulation. It furnished an abundant supply of gas, and an amount of
lime in large excess of the quantity required.
The limestone at first furnished contained a large quantity of cement
and was unfit for use. In all, several days' delay was caused by this
imperfection.
After reasonably good limestone was obtained all worked well. The
analyses of the limestones employed will be found among the analyti-
cal data. The drawings and detailed description of the lime-kiln are
found in Bulletin No. 8.
THE PUMP.
The pump was delivered to us in that state of imperfection which
three months of very hard usage and six years of disuse produce.
13
Nevertheless, after a proper adjustment it worked with perfect satisfac-
tion. In all not more than half a day's delay was caused by the ad-
justment of this apparatus.
THE CARBONATATION TANKS.
These tanks were built by the Pusey and Jones Company, according
to the drawings and specifications in Bulletin No. 8, and gave perfect
satisfaction. I can suggest no improvement in them unless it be the
insertion of revolving paddles to keep down the foam.
THE FILTER-PRESSES.
These, four in number, and of thirty chambers each, were constructed
by the Pusey and Jones Company, on the general plan of the Kroog
filter-press, but with certain modifications suggested and patented by
Mr. Sweuson. Their work gave perfect satisfaction. The only fault
discovered in them was the weakness of the plates, a great number of
them breaking under the ordinary pressure.
THE SULPHUR APPARATUS.
This apparatus consists of an air-compressor, two sulphur furnaces,
three sulphuring-tanks, and three Kroog's twin filter-presses. The
whole apparatus was built by the Sangerhauser Maschinenfabrik, and
its work gave entire satisfaction. The apparatus is described in detail
in Bulletin No. 8.
The whole of the machinery, with the unimportant changes noted,
was constructed according to the drawings and specifications printed in
Bulletin No. 8. Their reproduction is not considered necessary here.
ANALYTICAL DATA.
The analyses of canes, chips, waste- waters, purified juices, &c., were
made at the factory chiefly by Dr. C. A. Crampton, assisted by Mr. N.
J. Fake. The limestones, masse-cuites, press-cakes, &c., were exam-
ined in the laboratory at Washington.
The analyses of the gases from the lime-kiln were made by Mr. G. L.
Spencer.
14
Limestones, #c.
Serial
No.
No.
Water.
Carbon-
ic acid
C02.
Insolu-
ble and
silica,
Si02.
FeaOs,
Al20s.
CaO.
MgO.
80s.
PaOs.
Sums.
Index to limestones.
4581
4582
4583
4584
4585
4586
4598
4599
4638
4651
4652
4662
4663
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
P.ct.
P.ct.
43.10
30.90
41.84
37.82
40.07
37.56
26.06
41.70
41.70
42.70
41.80
40.00
41.20
P.ct.
1.55
23.03
3.10
3.00
5.92
10.01
2.50
2.81
1.68
3.80
4.90
5.40
3.47
P.ct.
.97
3.85
1.40
1.48
.99
1.07
1.56
1.82
1.42
.93
.72
3.14
2.02
P.ct.
54.70
42.05
53.55
51. 3C
51.53
49.26
63.84
54.08
55.40
52. 02
52.26
57.83
53.72
P.ct.
.04
.07
.04
P.ct.
.03
.03
.02
P.ct.
.01
.03
.03
P.ct.
100. 40
100. 16
100. 03
96.60
98.51
97.90
94.87
100. 68
Selected from 150 cords of
limestone on hand at
the beginning of the
season.
Do.
Do.
Core of limestone burned
in mill, doesn't burn.
Limestone brought in
wagons from Fort Scott
Lime Works.
Duplicate sample.
Selected from 150 cords of
limestone on hand at
the beginning of the
season.
Do.
Duplicate sample.
Limestone in use Octobei
17, surface rock from a
point 2 miles south of
factory.
Limestone in use October
17 deeper in quarry.
Do.
Do. .
.20
.05
.54
.27
.25
.54
.54
.56
.44
.37
99.99
100. 22
101. 03
100. 99
i
.10
.04
.05
.10
Burnt lime.
Slag.
Spent bone-
black.
Serial
Wate
Carbo
Insol.
Fe20
CaO
nuna
4,587
4,588
4,600
Per cent.
8
Undetermin
Undetermin
Undetermin
J.60
3.00
1.36
3.70
1.40
.09
ed..
ed
Per cent.
0.00
Traces
Per cent.
1.15
1.13
.72
nic a
and
i, Al
cidCO
silica (£
2 Og
5i02)
39.30
31.50
38.60
Traces
MgO
SOs
Traces
PaOs
Orgar
Bases
*35. 80
17.24
43.84
icm
atter
ed
Sum
99.15
99.40
99.88
* Equivalent to Ca (P04)3, 79. 46.
t Contains 1ST.
15
Mill juices before October 1.
No.
Ex-
trac-
tion.
Sp.gr.
Solids.
Su-
crose.
Glu-
cose.
Date.
Index to mill juices.
P.ct.
P.ct.
P.ct.
P.ct.
1
2
3
55.26
53.33
57.14
1. 0773
1. 0669
1. Oo29
18.7
16.3
13.1
13.25
11.46
7.20
Aug. 30
A.m. :;i
Aug. 31
Early amber cane from west field.
Early amber cane from east field.
Link's hybrid.
1.88
3.46
4
58. 82
1. 0574
14.1
7.50
4.35
Aug. 31
Early orange.
5
1.0710
1. 0770
1. 0788
17.2
18.6
19.0
14.73
9.47
7.04
"4." 95
7.80
Sept. 3
Sept. 15
Sept. 16
Early amber cane, juice extracted by hand.
Early amber cane from east field, cut two days
Early amber cane, cut three days.
28....
31.--.
60.60
60.00
37.--.
51.60
1.0794
19.2
4.92
8.42
Sept. 17
Orange cane from wagons.
44....
1. 0688
16.7
10.83
2.49
Sept. 18
Cane from carrier.
53....
"45." ie
.0832
20.0
13.54
2.97
Sept. 19
Do.
61.--.
47.15
.0734
17.8
11.48
3.58
Sept. 20
Amber cane from carrier.
70...-
68.68
.0770
18.6
12.11
2. 44 Sept. 21
Amber cane from carrier, cut yesterday.
71 .
56.10
.0750
18.2
11.82
•2. T.I Sept. 21
Orange cane from carrier.
84....
55. 27
.0818
19.5
11.02
4.20
Sept. 22
Amber cane from carrier, cut two days.
85....
58.62
0888
21.2
14. r,0
2. 77 j Sept. 22
Amber caue from carrier, cut one day.
87....
88....
53.12
61.77
1. 0848
1.0718
20.3
17.4
3.60
9.49
11. 36 Sept. 23
5. 33 Sept. 23
Amber cane from carrier, cut three days.
Cane from carrier.
89 ...
58.44
1.0638
15.6
9.74
2. 16 1 Sept. 23
Link's hybrid from field.
95....
46.43 i 1.0776
18.7
13.53
2. 41 Sept. 24
Cane from carrier.
97....
102...
56.56
59.37
1. 0675
1. 0578
16.4
14.2
11.50
8.20
2. 80 Sept. 24
2. 86 Sept. 25
Cane like preceding, except badly lodged.
Cane from carrier, (from lodged lot).
103...
59.18
1. 0678
Ifi 5
10.17
3.47
Sept. 25
Orange cane, cut to-day.
106^..
53.00
1.0726 17.6
12.40
1.90
Sept. 28
Cane from carrier.
112...
51.51
1 0684
16.6
10.41
4.08
Sept. 29
Do.
119...
56.10
1. 0764 17. 8
12.39
3.76
Sept. 30
Do.
Aver.
55.79
1. 0723
17.56
10.49
4.01
Coefficient purity
59.73
Mill juices after September 30.
No.
Ex-
trac-
tion.
Sp.gr.
Solids.
Su-
crose.
Glu-
cose.
Date.
Index to mill juices.
P.ct.
P.ct.
P.ct.
P.ct.
126
61.76
1. 0634
15.5
8.37
4.95
Oct. 1
Cane from carrier, stripped.
131
1. 0842
20.2
14.50
1.77
Oct. 2
Cane from carrier.
138
54.54
1. 0866
20.7
14.37
2.16
Oct. 3
Cane brought in cars from Hammond.
147
51.72
1. 0680
16.6
10.50
2.60
Oct. 4
A mber cane from carrier.
150
51.35
1. 0740
17.9
12. 39
1.92
Oct. 4
Orange cane from carrier.
159
51.35
1. 0710
17.2
10.65
3.27
Oct. 5
Cane from carrier.
169
56.00
1. 0818
19.7
13.20
2.37
Oct. 5
Cane, amber, on car from Hammond.
170
57.70
1. 0778
18.8
9.95
4.88
Oct. 5
Same, orange.
176
52. 94
1. 0801
19.3
2.11
Oct. 7
Amber cane from Hammond.
177
53.85
1. 0748
18.1
6.67
Oct. 7
Same, orange.
180
55.55
1. 0698
17.0
10.69
" "sfii"
Oct. 7
Cane from car, same as two preceding, but better
averaged samples taken from center of car, while
the first samples were taken from the outside,
amber.
181
53.12
1. 0828
19.9
12.46
3.03
Oct. 7
Same, orange.
199
60.10
1. 0678
16.5
9.10
4.36
Oct. 8
Orange cane from carrier (juice very red).
207
59.63
1.0640
15.6
9.07
3.84
Oct. 8
Cane from carrier, p. m.
213
58.08
1. 0758
18.3
4.55
9.62
Oct. 9
Cane from carrier, a. m. (old cane).
222
58.82
1. 0596
14.6
8.57
2.20
Oct. 9
Link's hybrid from field.
223
61.54
1. 0556
13.7
7.72
3.38
Oct. 9
Orange from field.
224
60.00
1. 0506
12.5
7.22
4.09
Oct. 9
Amber from field.
231
59.37
1. 0766
18.5
7.02
7.74
Oct. 10
Cane from carrier, cut several days.
232
62.07
1. 0764
18.5
8.66
3.04
Oct. 10
First fresh wagon-load lot in to-day.
241
57.90
1. 0676
16.5
10.29
2.13
Oct. 11
Link's hybrid cane from Professor Swenson's, still
242
1. 0618
15.1
8.60
3.25
Oct. 11
green and not hurt by frost.
Cane from carrier, freshly cut, a. m.
249
6L90
1. 0632
15.5
8.86
2.98
Oct. 11
Cane from carrier, p. m.
258
62.16
1. 0588
14.4
6.65
4.72
Oct. 12
Cane from carrier.
259
57.14
1. 0718
17.4
8.54
5.04
Oct. 12
Cane on car from Hammond, orange.
260
58.83
1. 0736
17.8
10.51
3.27
Oct. 12
Cane on car from Hammond, amber.
267
59.09
1. 0592
14.5
8.83
3.10
Oct. 12
Cane, amber, lot from Hammond by Dr. Wiley and
Professor Swenson.
268
61.54
1. 0832
20.0
14.11
1.95
Oct. 12
Same, orange.
269
63.41
1. 0672
16.4
9.53
4.56
Oct. 12
Same, orange, No. 2.
276
:.:!. i;:;
1. 0956
21.5
5.71
11.41
Oct. 13
Cane for experimental run, orange, taken from same
cars as yesterday's samples.
277
57.25
1.0846
20.3
12.05
4.19
Oct. 13
Same, amber.
379
59.46
62. 07
1. 0656
i.0646
16.0
15.8
7.68
7.27
5.17
5.52
Oct. 13
Oct. 13
Sample from other two cars from Hammond, orange.
Same, amber.
281
284
60.71
:VJ. I»4
1. 0654
1. 0618
16.0
15.1
10.09
4.15
2.23
7.84
Oct. 13
Oct. 13
Orange cane from Professor Swenson's.
First mill juice from experimeutal run, taking
sample every hour, orange.
16
Mill juices after September 30— Continued.
No.
Ex-
trac-
tion.
Sp.gr.
Solids.
Su-
crose.
Glu-
cose.
Date.
Index to mill juices.
285
287
288
290
294
295
310
311
442
458
Av.
Coel
P.ct.
62.50
1. 0608
.0621
. 0626
.0678
.0684
.0629
1. 0580
1. 0400
1. 0560
1. 0550
P.ct.
14.9
15.2
15.3
16.5
16.6
15.4
14.3
10.0
13.8
13.6
P.ct.
4.64
5.83
9.51
9.77
8.51
7.88
7.45
3.66
5.87
7.60
P.ct.
7.25
6.07
2.44
3.75
4.12
4.38
4.50
3.31
4.98
1.97
Oct. 13
Oct. 13
Oct. 13
Oct. 13
Oct. 14
Oct. 14
Oct. 15
Oct. 15
Oct. 23
Oct. 25
Same, amber, taken at same time as above.
Second sample, orange.
Second sample, Link's hybrid, from Swenson's.
Third sample, orange, from Hammond.
Cano from carrier, amber.
Cane from carrier, orange.
" Denton " cane, analyzed for Mr. Parkinson.
Green cane from wagon.
Cane from field across railroad, amber, still greei
Cane from field this side railroad track, amber.
50.00
60.00
56. 52
62.86
61.58
60.00
58.01
ficient
1.068
rarity . .
16.6
52.41
8.70
4.15
Chips from first of season to October 1, 1886.
No.
Date.
TJncorrected.
Corrected.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
10
Sept. 8
5.63
8.34
5.91
8.02
11
Sept. 9
10.21
3.90
10.72
3.39
12
Sept. 9
9.08
2.15
9.53
1.70
14
Sept. 10
5.86
5.94
6.15
5.65
15
Sept. 11
9.57
2.17
10.05
1.69
17
Sept. 11
9.90
1.91
10.40
1.41
19
Sept. 13
9.30
1.24
9.76
.77
24
Sept. 14
8.53
1.94
8.96
1.51
36
Sept. 16
10.32
3.13
10.84
2.61
43
Sept. 17
9.50
3.34
9.97
2.86
49
Sept. 18
10.81
2.73
11.35
2.19
65
Sept. 20
8.28
4.98
8.69
4.57
74
Sept. 21
7.94
3.11
8.32
2.73
86
Sept 22
5.12
7.14
5.38
6.88
90
Sept. 23
7.39
4.31
7.75
3.95
105
Sept. 25
5.74
3.89
6.03
3.60
107
Sept. 28
8.51
2.45
8.93
2.03
115
Sept. 29
11.18
1.97
11.74
1.41
121
Sept. 30
7.26
6.44
7.62
6.08
Mean
8.43
3.72
8.85
3.32
i
Chips from October 1 to close.
129
Oct. 1
7.88
4.03
8.28
3.63
135
Oct. 2
8.75
3.57
9.19
3.13
151
Oct. 4
6.89
3.96
7.23
3.62
135
Oct. 7
8.25
4.22
8.66
3.81
206
Oct. 8
6.22
6.66
6.53
6.35
214
Oct. 9
6.77
6.66
7.11
6.32
227
Oct. 9
10.73
3.79
11.27
3.25
238
Oct. 10
7.21
4.88
7.57
4.52
246
Oct. 11
9.08
3.93
8.48
3.53
270
Oct. 12
9.85
3.26
10.24
2.77
286
Oct. 13
3.91
7.50
4.11
7.30
289
Oct. 13
' 5.89
3.83
6.18
3.54
297
Oct. 14
6.65
4.71
6.98
4.38
309
Oct. 15
7.81
2.87
8.20
2.48
315
Oct. 15
7.31
3.22
7.68
2.85
325
Oct. 16
7.48
3.61
7.86
3.23
341
Oct. 17
6.55
4.99
6.88
4.66
354
Oct. 18
5.56
4.14
5.84
3.86
375
Oct. 19
6.16
4.20
6.47
3.89
391
Oct. 20
6.65
3.93
6.98
3.60
413
Oct. 21
5.77
4.19
6.06
3.80
431
Oct. 22
4.89
4.55
5.13
4.31
447
Oct. 23
4.62
4.65
4.85
4.42
461
Oct. 26
4.51
5.47
4.74
5.24
474
Oct. 27
2.48
5.47
2.69
5.26
Mean
6.68
4.48
7.01
4.15
17
ANALYSES OF JUICE OF CHIPS FROM CUTTERS.
These chips were taken from the cells of the battery as they were fill-
ing. A handful was taken from each cell until ten had been sampled.
The determinations were made by passing these chips through the
mill and then subjecting the juice to examination in the usual way.
Mill juices from chips taken from circuit of cells.
Number.
Date.
Specific
gravity.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
308 . .
Oct 15
0624
Per cent.
15 3
Per cent.
9 02
Per cent.
2 61
312
Oct. 15
.0610
14 9
7 84
3 42
326
Oct 16
0670
16 3
9 29
3 35
340
Oct 17
0648
15 8
8 17
3 eg
355
Oct 18
0584
14 3
7 21
3 31
372
Oct 19
0596
14 6
7 69
3 31
390
Oct. 20
0648
15 8
8 82
3 48
412
Oct 21
0590
14 5
7 48
3 31
429
Oct 22
0618
15 1
6 17
4 18
445
Oct. 23
.0510
12 6
5 77
4 44
460
Oct 26
0580
14 2
5 42
4 85
473
Oct. 27
1 0578
14 2
4 50
4 95
Means
1 0605
14 8
7 98
3 74
Means in cane
13 17
6 48
3 31
Purity coefficient of juice, 49.
Glucose per 100 sucrose in juice, 51. 07.
Chips exhausted in lottlcs with and without neutralizing.
Number.
Date.
Without addition
of a neutralizing
substance.
Expressed juice
from same.
Neutralized by —
Gives-
Sucrose. Glucose.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
354
Oct. 18
Oct. 19
Oct. 20
Oct. 21
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Oct. 26
Oct. 26
Oct. 26
Oct. 27
Per cent. \ Per cent.
5. 56 4. 14
6. 16 4. 20
6. 65 3. 93
5. 77 4. 19
4. 89 4. 55
4. 62 4. 65
4. 48 5. 42
4. 48 5. 42
4. 48 5. 42
2. 73 5. 63
Per cent.
6.00
6.60
6.65
6.10
5.61
4.95
Per cent.
3.93
4.10
3.87
4.48
4.44
4.72
12 cc. & alk... .
16 cc. & alk... .
20 cc. ^alk... ,
Excess CaO... .
1 cc. bisulphite .
Excess CaCOs .
1 cc. CaCOs ....
Excess CaCOs .
20 cc. ^ alk... .
2 grams CaCOs - -
Per cent.
6.60
7.31
6.71
6.55
4.84
5.17
5.11
4.68
5.06
3.33
Per cent.
3.41
3.23
3.65
.76
4.89
4.00
5.31
5.03
5.11
4.95
375
391
413
431
447
4Gl-<2
461-2
461-2
474-5
Means .
5.11 4.59
5.98
4.26
5.54
4.03
Number.
Expressed juice
from same.
Mill juice from same chips.
£=*
3g£
t+*
•9 qns
££NO
ill!
|IU
£i;2
IP
ft!!
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Solids.
354
Per cent.
7.53
7.43
6.65
6.60
4.84
5.39
Per cent.
3.07
3.29
Lost.
Lost.
4.81
3.93
Per cent.
> 7.21
7.69
8.82
7.48
6.17
5.77
5.42
5.42
5.42
4.50
Per cent.
3.31
3.31
3.48
3.31
4.18
4.14
4.85
4.85
4.85
4.95
Per cent.
14.3
14.6
15.8
14.5
15.1
12.6
14.2
14.2
14.2
14.2
Per cent.
.197
.164
.197
.197
.181
.156
.164
.164
.164
.214
Per cent.
Trace.
Trace.
None.
None.
.246
.049
.066
.049
None.
.082
375
301
413
447
4C,1 •> ...
461
461
474-5 .
Means.
In chip
6.41
4.27
6.63
5.90
3.94
3.51
14.4
12.82
.180
11330— No. U-
18
Diffusion juices to October 1.
Number.
Date.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
13
Sept 9
Per cent.
6 8
Per cent.
3.29
Per cent.
1.39
16
11 ..
8.5
3.94
1.99
23
13...
9.3
6.50
1.66
25
14 ..
11.7
7.47
1.53
27
14...
11.2
6.17
1.42
29
15 .
12.6
6.36
2.84
32
16...
10.8
5.71
1.82
38
17
10 4
5.62
1.66
46
18
11.9
6.59
3.18
51
18
11 7
6.94
1.82
57..
19
11.8
5.66
2.85
64
20 ..
10.8
4.37
3.36
69
20
12.3
5.59
3.46
77
21 .
11.8
5.76
2.89
91
23
11 8
6.78
2.19
94...
24 .
9.2
4.81
1.84
98
24
10 7
4.53
2.23
101 .
25
9.6
6.06
1.52
104
25...
8.9
4.13
1.28
108
28
9.7
5.68
1.67
114
99 .
12.6
6.76
2.92
118
29
12 0
6.37
2.65
122 ..
30
14.8
7.22
4.16
Average
11.77
5.75
2.32
Purity, 48.93.
Diffusion juices October 1 to close.
Number.
Date.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
128. . .
Oct. 1
Per cent.
14.8
Per cent.
8 60
Per cent.
3.25
132
133
Oct. 2
Oct. 2
13.7
13.9
7.01
7 68
3.32
3.10
134
Oct. 2
13.2
7.18
2.75
139
140
Oct. 3
Oct. 3
12 9
12.7
5.89
6 51
3.96
3.65
141
Oct 3
12 9
6 47
3.52
149 ..
Oct 4
9.8
4 80
2.38
152
Oct 4
9.6
4.71
2.47
155
Oct 4
11 5
5 42
3.28
160
Oct 5
12.3
6.21
3.34
163
166
Oct. 5
Oct 5
13.0
12.2
6.44
5 78
3.58
3.40
171
Oct 5
12 2
6 03
3.23
179
182
Oct. 7
Oct 7
13.3
12.7
6.13
5.46
4.41
4.23
183
184
Oct. 7
Oct 7
12.2
12.2
5.19
4.50
4.23
4.41
201
Oct 8
12 5
5 40
4 12
205
Oct 8
11.8
5 29
3.98
216
Oct 9
12.2
4.04
4.65
217
Oct 9
11 3
4 08
4.07
229
237
244 ....
Oct. 10
Oct. 10
Oct 11
10.8
11.2
1U. 3
4.06
4.86
4. 10
3.45
3.30
3.43
247
Oct 11
10 3
4 32
3 15
254
261
Oct. 11
Oct 12
10.9
13 i
4.53
5 76
3.09
3 96
262
Oct 12
12.2
4.82
4.06
271
Oct 12
11 9
5 44
3 41
296 .
Oct 14
12.7
5 30
2. 14
300
Oct 14
11 6
4 92
3 54
313
Oct 15
9.1
3 24
2.32
327
Oct. 16
11.6
5.14
2.98
328
Oct 16
11.2
4 96
2.94
339
Oct. 17
11.7
5.51
3.08
356
Oct. 18
10.8
4.38
2.90
357
Oct. 18
9.8
3.64
2.96
371
Oct 19
9.9
4.08
2.53
373
389
Oct. 19
Oct 20
10.4
10.9
4.38
3.72
2.94
3.91
395 . .
Oct. 20
7.2
2.33
2.08
404...
Oct. 20
9.5
3.58
2.71
19
Diffusion juices October 1 to close — Continued.
Number.
Date.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
410
Oct 21
Per cent.
11 2
Per cent
3 97
Per cent.
3 gg
417
Oct. 21
11.8
3.77
4 44
428
Oct 22
10 6
4 41
3 31
430
Oct. 22
10. 1
3 95
3 37
435
Oct 22
10 3
3 91
3 43
441
Oct. 22
10.3
3 82
3 76
444
Oct. 23
10. 1
3.67
3. 11
453
Oct 23
10 1
3 41
3 63
468..
Oct. 26
8.8
2.93
2.97
478
Oct. 27
7.8
2.94
2.55
11 34
4 90
3 39
Filtered carlonatated juices before October 1.
Number.
Date.
Sept. 11
Sept. 13
Sept. 16
Sept. 17
Sept. 18
Sept. 20
Sept. 21
1
Sucrose. ', Glucose.
Solids.
18
Per cent.
4.66
6.94
5.96
5.48
6.53
4.78
4.55
Per cent.
1.28
1.04
1.50
.94
2.39
1.82
1.24
Per cent.
8.8
10.5
31.1
11.4
10.9
10.7
9.9
22
33
41
47
67
78
Average
5.56
1.46
10.47
Filtered carbonatated juices after September 30.
194
Oct. 7
Oct. 8
Oct. 9
Oct. 10
Oct. 11
Oct. 11
Oct. 12
Oct. 14
Oct, 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 18
Oct. 19
Oct. 20
Oct. 21
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Oct. 26
5.73
5.99
5.07
4.75
5.07
4.72
6.20
5.95
5.82
5.82
4.79
4.49
4.09
4.49
4.93
3.83
3.19
3.11
3.07
3.23
2.50
3.89
2.42
2.88
3.22
2.48
2.17
2.31
2.00
3.48
3.44
2.94
3.43
2.20
13.0
12.4
12.0
10.6
11.9
10.8
12.6
12.7
11.8
11.6
10.2
. 9.5
11.1
11.4
11.2
9.9
8.1
210
226
235..
243
252.. . ...
263
301
335
347
361
382
400
420
439
451. ..
469
Average
4.99
2.87
11.20
Sulphured juices before October 1.
Number.
Date.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Solids.
34
Sept 16
Per cent.
ri 'Mi
Per cent.
1 "(I
Per cent.
11 (5
42
S,-pt 17
"> 77
1 (•••
1° 7
48
68
79
96
Sept. 1*
Sept. "JO
s,.pt.-_>i
Sept "'4
<;. i;r,
4. :.;{
4. r.5
4 iii>
1.53
•_'. i;»
1.24
0 Hi
11.4
10.7
9.9
10.6
Average
5.34
1.65
11.15
20
Sulphured juices after September 30.
195 ..
Oct. 9
6.73
3.11
13.2
211
Oct. 8
5. 89
3. 17
12.6
225
Oct. 9
E. 09
3.12
12.2
236
Oct. 10
4.78
2. 63
10.6
253
Oct. 11
4. 78
2.54
11.0
264
302
Oct. 12
Oct. 14
6.20
5. 87
2.97
3.50
12.7
13.2
336
Oct 16
5 89
2.57
12.5
348 ...
Oct. 17
6. 18
2.44
12.4
362
Oct. 18
5.12
2.35
10.8
383 .. ..
Oct. 19
4. 58
2.14
9.7
401..
Oct. 20
4.12
3.54
11.2
421
Oct. 21
4.54
3.53
11.7
440
Oct. 22
4.89
3.04
11.4
452
Oct. 23
3. 90
3.48
10.8
470
Oct. 26
3.23
2.31
7.8
Average
5. 11
2.90
11.5
Waste waters, before October 1.
Number.
Date.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
20
Sept 13
Per cent.
0.00
Per cent.
0.00
58
Sept 19
24
76
Sept. 21
.16
.10
99
Sept. 24
.25
111
Sept 28
67
117
Sept 29
.31
.26
124
Sept. 3.0
.14
Average
.27
.15
Waste ivaters, after September 30.
136
Oct 2
.17
142
Oct 3
43
145
Oct 3
.15
153
Oct. 4
.91
156
Oct 4
.43
161
Oct 5
.30
164
Oct. 5
.35
167.
172
Oct. 5
Oct 5
.48
.21
186
Oct. 6
.14
187
Oct 6
.08
188
Oct. 6
.08
189
Oct 6
.11
202
Oct. 8
.21
208
Oct 8
.19
218
Oct 9
Trace.
219
Oct. 9
.15
230
Oct 10
.11
248
Oct 11
Trace.
250
Oct 11
.10
265
Oct 12
.20
266
Oct. 12
.10
273
Oct. 12
.10
299
Oct. 14
.10
303
Oct 14
.11
316
Oct. 15
.62
330
Oct 15
Trace.
331
Oct. 16
Trace.
343
Oct 17
Trace.
358
Oct. 18
None.
381
Oct 19
Trace.
405
Oct 20
Trace.
406
Oct. 20
.20
438
Oct 22
Trace.
457
Oct. 23
Trace.
17
21
Waste c//?j>«, before Octolw 1.
Number.
Date.
Glucose.
26 ..
Sept. 14
Sept! 17
Sept. 18
Sept. 19
Sept. 21
Sept. 23
Sept. 25
Sept. 28
Sept. 29
Percent.
.15
.20
.10
.10
.10
.23
.20
.38
.29
.63
35
40
52
56
81
92
106 .
110
116
Average
Waste chips, after September 30.
137
Oct. 2
Oct. 3
Oct. 3
Oct. 4
Oct. 4
Oct. 5
Oct. 5
Oct 5
Oct. 5
Oct. 7
Oct. 7
Oct. 7
Oct. 7
Oct. 8
Oct. "8
Oct. 9
Oct. 9
Oct. 10
Oct. 11
Oct. 11
Oct. 12
Oct. 12
Oct. 12
Oct. 14
Oct. 14
Oct. 15
Oct. 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 18
Oct. 19
Oct. 20
Oct. 21
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
.40
1.20
.71
.79
1.11
1.52
.70
.85
.65
.65
.40
.34
.30
.35
22
.55
.41
.42
.62
.22
.62
.34
.30
.41
.39
.56
.18
.24
Trace.
.69
.30
.42
.36
.41
143
144
154 ..
157
162
165
168
173
190
191
192
193
203
209
220
221
239
251
256
272
274
275
298
304
314
329
345
359
379
396
418
436
454
Average (33) .
.52
Semi-sirup.
Number.
Date.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Specific
gravity.
62
Sept. 20
Per cent.
37.5
Per cent.
23.02
Per cent.
5. 13
1.1660
204
Oct 7
60 2
32 10
17 "1
1 2910
228
Oct. 10
51. 1
27.50
15 22
1. 2388
255
Oct. 11
30.0
15.80
9.90
1. 1296
291
Oct 14
46 4
25.20
11.37
1. 2130
307
Oct. 15
55.9
27.90
17.86
1.2663
319
Oct 15
55 9
31 70
12 50
1.2660
337
Oct. 17
65.7
34.60
18.21
1.3243
858
Oct W
37.5
19.90
10. 75
1 1664
366
Oct. 18
57.5
30.40
13.90
1.2750
425
Oct 22
58 4
24.60
18.87
1. 2800
456. . .
Oct. 23
50. 5
22. 10
16.39
1.2356
Avera<rr (1")
50 5
26.23
11.94
22
Masse-cuites.
CfVK^la
A a-u
Suci
rose.
Reducing
Direct.
Inversion.
sugar.
12
Per cent.
18 98
Per cent.
81 02
Per cent.
04 35
Per cent.
46 20
Per cent.
47 84
Per cent.
22 72
40
19.41
80.59
05.09
40.00
41 14
21 51
45
18 99
81 91
04 6
43 60
45 82
24 04
57
19.34
80.66
08.4
44 40
46 92
24 75
92
17.60
82. 40
04.9
44.20
46 93
21 03
306
16.69
83.31
04.94
42 60
44 gg
21 93
W>
35.14
64.86
05.46
47. 10
48 73
19 53
3r!8
17.77
82 83
04 45
45 70
46 97
20 83
yf>o
22.21
77.79
05. 03
38 80
40 92
20 32
370
14.58
85.42
05.43
47.50
48.20
21 19
•{87
16.94
83.06
03. 16
48 80
50 42
16 56
19.75
80.35
5.07
44 45
46 26
21 39
Molasses.
4683
26.42
73.58
.0539
32. 80
34.48
21 33
4685
32 60
42 37
4681
18.07
81.93
.0540
35 10
36 94
20 83
4684 . ....
30.72
63.28
.0506
33.50
37.17
25 25
4686
23 12
76 88
0502
30 3
33 41
28 10
Sample of sugar: Sucrose, 98.16; glucose, .07.
Acidity in juices.
[Calculated as malic acid.]
Mill juices.
Diffusion juices.
No.
Date.
Per cent.
No.
Date.
Per cent.
179
Oct. 8
.280
184
Oct. 7
.321
180 i Oct. 8
.255 201 ; Oct. 8
.174
213 Oct. 9
.201
216 ! Oct. 9
.263
232 I Oct. 10
.280
229 i Oct. 10
.273
242
Oct. 11
.188
244 ; Oct. 11
.295
258
Oct. 12
.147 327 Oct. 16
.335
326
Oct. 16
.188 356 I Oct. 18
.308
355
Oct. 18
.188
371 Oct. 19
.147
372
Oct. 19
.126
417 Oct. 21
.161
412
Oct. 21
.134
430
Oct. 22
.362
429
Oct. 22
.134
453
Oct. 23
.348
449
Oct 23
147
272
Means .
.189
Acidity in chips.
No.
Date.
Percent.
•No.
Date.
Per cent.
105
Sept. 25
.234
286
Oct. 13
.181
107
Sept. 28
.222 !
289
Oct. 13
.164
115
Sept. 29
.226
325
Oct. 16
.164
121
Sept. 30
.246
341
Oct. 17
.173
129
Oct. 1
.214
354
Oct. 18
.197
135
Oct. 2
.197 i
375
Oct. 19
. 164
151
Oct. 4
.181
391
Oct. 20
.197
185
Oct. 7
.164
413
Oct. 21
.197
206
Oct. 8
.181
431
Oct. 22
.181
214
Oct. 9
.185
447
Oct. 23
.156
227
Oct. 9
.164
461
Oct. 26
.164
238
Oct. 10
.230
474
Oct. 27
.214
246
Oct. 11
.148
270
Oct. 12
.246
Means . .
.192
23
Moisture in chips and bagasse.
Fresh chips.
Exhausted
chips.
Fresh bagasse.
Exhausted
bagasse.
No.
Per cent,
moisture.
No.
Per cent,
moisture.
No.
Per cent,
moisture.
No.
Per cent,
moisture.
206
234
238
246
270
286
289
297
308
325
341
354
375
391
413
461
431
447
Means.
71.59
74.18
75. 82
77.80
73.67
74.53
75.33
74.60
73.70
73.58
73.10
76.37
77.57
78.15
71.77
76.36
76.15
74.73
203
226
239
251
272
89.58
88.35
89.68
89.76
88.87
298
314
329
345
359
379
396
418
88.94
88.62
90.43
88.86
87.57
84.89
86.41
86.73
367
384
402
422
57.79
62.91
57.27
56.94
368
385
403
423
67.73
66.57
63.74
63.06
454
87.71
74.95
88.31
58.73
65.28
Table showing weight of twelve press-calces.
No.
Pounds.
No.
Pounds.
1
26
7
24
2
24
8
24
3
24
9
24
4
24
10
23
5
25
11
24
6
25
12
24.5
Mean.
24.3
Moisture in filter-press cake.
No.
Per cent,
moisture.
No.
Per cent,
moisture.
278
45.24
369
45.98
293
45.61
388
44.54
305
47.06
411
48.88
324
45.63
424
44.11
342
45.71
446
45.39
349
52.84
. .. _
Mean.
46.45
Press-cakes.
fin dry substance.]
Serial
No,
Organic
matter.
Carbon ic
acid CO*.
Insoluble
and silica.
Iron and
alumina.
Lime.
ss.
Phosphoric
acid P2 06.
Sulphuric
acid 80s.
Man-
ganese.
Total.
4589
4660
4646
Per ct.
19.14
Per ct.
29.03
26 55
Perct.
2.18
1 01
Per ct.
7.23
5 72
Per ct.
37.87
43 31
Perct.
1.32
71
Per ct.
2.05
88
Perct.
65
Perct.
Traces.
Perct.
99.47
4647
32 63
1 67
5 01
43 79
59
62
1.05
46 JK
31.49
1 67
3 15
42 67
70
84
.82
4649
31 67
1 68
4 53
42 45
32
29
92
UMMI
4(!H7
23.28
17.80
29.90
31. 78-
.36
.67
1.65
1.85
41.90
44 51
.60
.76
1.20
.63
.55
.90
99.44
99.90
4067
17.09
33.44
67
3 96
43 79
33
69
.81
99 72
4868
46!>!»
i r,. i>7
17. '.Id
33.50
32.35
1.45
67
4.07
1 55
45.36
44 45
.46
69
.39
63
.85
1 14
101. 25
99 35
4675
11.88
31.95
.58
1 89
45 09
56
.60
.98
99 95
24
[In the organic matter.]
Number.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Nitrogen
equiva-
lent to
albumen.
Water in
original
cake.
4589...
4650...
Per ct.
.00
.00
Per ct.
.74
.83
Per ct.
2.66
Per ct.
39.07
4646.
4647.
4648.
4649.
4660.
4687.
4657.
4658.
4639.
4675
1.90
2.20
2.43
2.41
.93
.07
3.12
2.21
1.50
2 41
2.83
3.77
3.08
5.02
.83
Trace.
3.00
4.56
3.50
4 05
4.65
2.15
" "5~. 10
1.08
.90
.91
1.59
1.08
.33
45.24
45.61
47.06
45.63
52. 84.
45.98
44.54
48.88
44.11
DISCUSSION OF THE DATA.
It is evident from the foregoing analyses of limestones that, with few
exceptions, the quality of stone used was exceedingly poor. The impor-
tance of good stone is at once evident, since bad stone is liable to "hang
up" in the furnace, give a poor quality of lime for the defecation, and a
weak gas for the carbouatations.
The quality of the gas employed during the season was fairly good.
At first, by feeding too much coke with the limestone, large quantities
of carbonic oxide were produced. The carbonic dioxide formed at the
bottom of the furnace was reduced to CO by the white-hot coke above.
After the laborers learned the proper manipulation of the kiln no fur-
ther trouble was experienced from this cause. The carbonic oxide was
always accompanied by a peculiarly unpleasant odor, and made the la-
borers about the carbonatation pans dizzy and ill. One of them fainted
from the effects of the gas on the day it contained the largest quantity
of carbonic oxide.
The percentage of CO2 in the gas from time to time during the manu-
facturing season is shown by the following analyses :
No.
Date.
CO2.
Remarks.
Per cent.
Sept. 28
11.00
2
Sept. 29
13.00
3
Sept. 30
15.50
4
5
Oct. 2
Oct. 2
10.06
15.80
Morning.
Noon.
6
Oct. 2
14.0
Night.
7
Oct. 3
21.0
8
9
Oct. 4
Oct. 4
22.4
20.6
Morning.
Afternoon.
10
Oct. 5
22.0
11
Oct. 6
23.0
12
Oct. 9
22.5
13
Oct. 10
22.5
14
Oct. 11
23.0
15
Oct. 19
15.0
It is seen that when the men had learned the proper use of the furnace
the percentage of CO2 was kept pretty constantly above 20. The an-
25
alysis No. !;"> was made a day after tlie tires in the furnaces had been
stopped. It showed that when internal combustion alone was practiced
the percentage of CO2 rapidly decreased. A gas containing from 20 to
IT) per cent. (JO., is well suited to carbonatation.
VOLUME OF GAS EMPLOYED.
The double-acting pump for supplying gas to the pans had the fol-
lowing capacity:
Inches.
Diameter of cylinder 17.5
Length of stroke 21.25
The mean rate of motion for the pump was 40 per minute ; hence the
total quantity of gas delivered per minute was 236 cubic feet.
The volume of CO2 furnished per minute is obtained by multiplying
the above number by the mean percentage of CO2 in. the gas, viz, 236
X .20 = 47.2 cubic feet.
In metric terms 47.2 cubic feet are equal to 1 ,336 liters.
With gas of a good quality, say 25 per cent. CO2, a pump of the ca-
pacity described would easily furnish gas for working 200 tons of cane
per day.
DOUBLE CARBONATATION.
A few experiments were made to determine whether or not double
carbonatations could be practiced with sorghum juices.
It was found that if from two to four tenths grams of lime per liter
were left in the juice of the first carbonatatiou the filtration took place
more readily, and the juice was somewhat purer.
In double carbouatation some additional lime is added to the hot
juice from the filter-presses, and the injection of CO2 continued until
the liquid is neutral. Pans were put up and this method given a trial.
But with a sugar-juice as rich in glucose as that afforded by sorghum,
this procedure is not applicable.
For convenience, and to note the effects of a heavy frost, the analytical
data relating to the juices, &c., are given in two parts, viz, those obtained
before October 1 in the first part, and those after September 30 in the
second. It is believed that every analysis made has been recorded, since
in the circumstances arising from the result of the experiments even
those which seem to have no value have been considered worthy of
finding a place.
MILL-JUICES.
The samples of cane expressed by the small mill were taken without
any purpose of illustrating any theory. The object in selecting them
was to get as fair an idea as possible of the character of the cane enter-
ing the factory.
A study of the tables reveals the most surprising variations in the
composition of the canes, varying from a quality of high sugar-produc-
ing value to one worthless for this purpose.
As has already been pointed out, the generally poor character of the
26
cane is due to much of it being overripe, especially in the case of the
Amber variety. But the chief trouble arose from delay in handling
the cane due to defects in the machinery already pointed out. In some
cases, however, canes cut for two or three days, "when kept, for ex-
ample, in the middle of a car-load, from changes of temperature, pre-
served their sugar contents remarkably well. In general, however, the
results of the work emphasized the importance of a prompt handling
of the canes after they have been cut.
With such canes as are indicated by the analyses of the mill-juices it
would be hopeless to expect to manufacture sugar profitably by any
process whatever.
The amount of glucose per hundred of sucrose in the. first series of
analyses is 38.21; after September 30 it is 47.72.
DIRECT EXTRACTION OF THE CHIPS.
The determination of the sugars in the expressed juice of the cane
is not a satisfactory method of determining the sugar in the cane itself.
Did all canes contain the same percentage of juice, and were all the juice
both tbat expressed and that remaining in the canes, of the same com-
position, no other method of analysis would be necessary. Since neither
of these conditions obtain, however, in actual experience, I was led to
try some other process. The one finally adopted is described in full in
the Bulletin de FAssociation des Chimistes, and published in Paris No-
vember 15, 1884.
Fresh sorghum -canes were cut into fine chips and treated for an hour
in a closed bottle with water at the boiling temperature.
The analyses of the liquid obtained showed that the chips had the
following composition :
Sucrose i n
No.
Sucrose in
cane, by
direct es-
timation.
cane, calcu-
lated from
composition
of the juice,
Glucose
in cane,
direct.
Glucose
in cane,
c a 1 c u-
lated.
89 per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
1
*8.71
8.68
1.95
2.07
2
t7.98
7.82
1.84
1.86
|
* Mean of six analyses.
tMean of four analyses,
It is seen by these analyses that the results obtained by the two meth-
ods agree very closely.
A large number of experiments has also shown that equally as satis-
factory results are obtained with sugar-cane.
When, however, in the case of sorghum, the canes have already begun
to deteriorate, and the sucrose is already partly inverted, it is found that
this method of analysis causes a considerable inversion. A similar in-
version, although to a less extent, takes place in the cells of the battery.
After the close of the season a comparative study was made of the
amount of this inversion, and the results of these studies show clearly
that tiie trouble is due to the acids of the cane chiefly to those formed
by the partial fermentation which has produced the inversion of the
sugar, or else the increased susceptibility of the sucrose remaining to
the inverting action of the organic acids.
The results of these analyses are given under "analytical data."
DIRECT ESTIMATION OF SUGAR IN CHIPS.
The samples were taken as before described. Since only a small
quantity could be used in each analysis (50 grams, circa), single results
are not strictly mean indications of the content of the whole in sugar.
The means, however, will give a fair idea of the composition of the chips.
The extraction of the sugar was made in the following way :
The weighed sample of fresh chips (48.9 grans) is placed in a strong
extraction-flask and water added until the total volume (marked on neck
of flask) is 305 cubic centimeters. The live cubic centimeters in excess
of 300 is the allowance made for the fiber of the cane, which, for the
quantity taken, amounts to five grams, and occupies a volume of about
5 cubic centimeters. The bottle is then tightly stoppered and heated
at 100° for an hour, being frequently shaken. The method is based
on the supposition that by this treatment complete diffusion has taken
place, and that the free liquor and that in the pores of the pulp have
the same composition. The liquor is then filtered, 100 cubic centime-
ters representing 16.3 grams of the original chips, treated with acetate
of lead, made up to 110 cubic centimeters, and polarized. After adding
one tenth the reading gives the percentage of sucrose present.
A discussion of the errors attending this method of analysis will be
given further along.
Following are the numbers obtained by this method of analysis, and
also the provisional correction which has been adopted.
This method rests on the assumption that the liquor within and with-
out the chips has the same constitution. This assumption is probably
incorrect when the canes have deteriorated.
Subjected to an analytical test the following data were obtained:
No.
Sucrose in
liquor.
Sucrose in
juice from
chips.
Glucose in
liquor.
Glucose in
juice from
chips.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
1
6.65
6.65
3.93
3.87
2
5.77
6.10
4.19
4.48
a
4.89
5.61
4.55
4.44
4
7.81
8.19
2.87
2.57
5
7.48
8.31
3.61
3.33
6
6.55
6.55
4.09
4.04
7
5.56
6.00
4.14
3.93
8
6.60
7.53
3.41
3.07
9
6.16
6.60
4.20
4.10
10
7.31
7.43
3.23
3.29
11
6 71
6 65
3.05
12
4.84
4.^
4.80
4.81
13
4.62
4.95
4.65
4.72
14
5.17
5.39
4.00
3.93
Means
5.75
6.06
3.69
3.37
Parts of glucose per 100 sucrose in free liquor, 69. 94.
Parts of glucose per 100 sucrose in juice from the chips, 55.60.
28
It is seen from the above data that the mean total sugar in the free
liquor equals 9.44 per cent, and in the juice expressed from chips from
same equals 9.43 per cent.
This method of extraction with sorghum chips is, therefore, open to
the objection of inverting a portion of the sucrose when the canes are
not fresh. It is seen that 4 per cent, of sucrose present has been changed
into reducing sugar. As the second of the analyses shows, this change
has taken place entirely without the cell, the composition of the juice
remaining in the cells being sensibly the same as that of the normal
juice of the cane.
These results are of extreme interest. They show most conclusively
that in the process of diffusion at a high temperature there is a notable
inversion of the sucrose when the canes are not in proper condition.
Further than this, it is shown that this inversion takes place in the
sugar in the free liquor and not in the sugar remaining in the fiber of
the cane. In nearly every case the free liquor was poorer in sucrose and
richer in glucose than that in the pulp.
To correct the acidity in the battery, and thus avoid inversion, the
following methods were tried :
(1) The limed juice used in the carbonatation-tauks was added to the
cell of fresh chips little by little until enough was used to neutralize
the acid. Two serious objections were found to this procedure : (a] The
proper control of the quantity to be added was impossible, The juice
would at times become strongly alkaline and highly colored; (b) the
lime seemed to prevent the extraction of the sugar. The total solids
of the diffusion j uice under this treatment ran down rapidly from 11 per
cent, to 4 per cent. This was due either to the coagulated albuminous
matters preventing the osmotic action or to the formation of an insolu-
ble lime sucrate, which remained in the chips. The method, therefore,
had to be abandoned.
(2) Lime-water was added to the tank supplying the diffusion battery
in such proportions as to furnish alkali enough to nearly neutralize the
free acidity of each cell of chips. This water entered the cell next to
be emptied of exhausted chips. All the lime in suspension was at once
filtered out, and that in solution was not sufficient to neutralize the
acidity in the cells in advance.
(3) Addition of lime bi- sulphite. To test the efficiency of lime bi-
sulphite in preventing inversion during extraction it was added to the
water in the feed-tank for the battery in quantities equal to one-half
gallon for each diffusion. It was also used in the extraction flask with
the results to follow.
(4) The addition of freshly precipitated carbonate of lime to the ex-
traction bottle. This method was suggested by Prof. M. Swensou.
The analyses show that the acidity was diminished by two-thirds, and
the inversion of the sucrose largely prevented by the treatment. If a
few pounds of such a carbonate could be evenly distributed in the
29
chips, it appears reasonable to suppose that this inversion would not
take place.
Analytical data obtained in above experiments.
'
Exhausted
Sucrose.
Glucose.
chips, total
sugars.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Diffusion juice with lime in cells of fresh chips..
Compare analyses of same day of diffusion juice
before t lie addition of lime
2. 33
3.72
2.08
3.91
2.58
.57
Fresh eliips used same day :
6.65
3.93
6 65
3 87
With alk&line extraction NaO
6 71
3 65
Expressed juice from same
6.65
lost.
Mill juice from" fresh chips same day
8 82
3 48
Per cent.
The diffusion j uice from diffusion hef ore treatment had of total sugars 7. 63
Exhausted chips 51
Total sugar 8.14
The diffusion juice from chips treated with lime:
Total sugars 4.41
In exhausted chips , 2. 58
Total sugar 6.99
Whence it appears that by the coagulated albumen occluding the
pores of the cells there was a loss of about 2 per cent, of sugar and in
addition a small loss due to the formation of a lime sucrate.
In the extraction bottle, when the alkalinity was produced by lime
instead of soda, this loss of sugar did not appear. The lime, however,
diminished the percentage of glucose in a marked degree. This is shown
by the following analyses:
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Extracted with water
Per cent.
5 77
Per cent.
4 19
Juice from the chips
6 10
4 48
Extracted with lime water
6 55
76
Juice from the chips
6 60
Diffusion juice made by adding lime to
supply tank of battery :
3 95
3 37
Second
4 41
3 31
Third. Diffusion juice with bi-sulphite
added to supply tank, half gallon for
each ct-11
3 91
3 43
Using bi-sulphite in extraction flask
the following data were obtained :
Mill j uice from fresh chips
Ordinary extraction
6.17
4.89
4.18
4 55
Juice, pressed from chips of above.
Extraction with addition of 1 cc.
bi-sulphite to each bottle
5.61
4.84
4.44
4 86
Jnice'pressed from chips of above.
4.84
4.81
First comparison.
Second comparison.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Usual method
With alkali
Percent,
5. 50
6.60
Per cent.
4.14
3.41
Per cent.
<;. i»i
7.31
Per cent.
4.20
3.23
30
In these two cases there was an apparent inversion of 20 per cent, of
the sucrose. Another trial with better chips gave the following re-
sults :
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
6 65
Per cent.
3 93
Treated after addition of 20 cc., one-
tenth alkali
6. 7J
3.65
(In this case the inversion was only
1 per cent.)
Another trial with very poor and aour
chips :
4 51
5 47
With 1 cc CaCos
5.11
5.68
Sulphite
5.11
4.95
Means
5 11
5 33
(Showing an apparent inversion of
10 per cent.)
Same chips with an excess of CaCo3
(Showing an apparent inversion of
3 per cent.)
4.68
5.03
Taking all the data into consideration, it appears to be fair to assume
that the inversion during the extraction in the flask was not more than
5 per cent, of the sucrose present, while during the first of the season
it was doubtless much less. A strong corroboration of the justice of
this allowance is found in the fact that the purity of the chipsanalyzed
up to October 1, with the correction noted, is nearly exactly the same
as that of the mill juices.
In the diffusion battery, where the temperature was kept at about
70° 0., the inversion was not so great.
In any case, however, these analyses can only be accepted provis-
ionally. The reliable analyses are those of the mill and diffusion juices.
Since the results for the chips, however, agree so closely with those
known to be correct, they can be accepted for all practical purposes.
Since the extraction in a flask does not afford a direct method of de-
termining the total soluble solids in the chips, this must be done by cal-
culation.
For this purpose the same ratio between glucose and other sub-
stances not sugar in solution is taken as that existing in the corre-
sponding mill juices.
Applying this principle, we find that up to October 1 the following
data are accessible.
Per cent.
Glucose in mill juices 4. 01
Solids not sugar in mill juices 3. 06
Ratio, 1 glucose to .76.
Glucose in chips 3.32
Not sugars calculated 2.52
Sucrose.., .8.85
Total solids in chips
14.69
31
After September 30 the numbers are as follows:
Per cent
Glucose in mill juices 4.15
Not sugars in mill juices 3.75
Ratio 1 glucose to .90 not sugars.
Glucose in chips 4. 15
Not sugars in chips (calculated) 3.74
Sucrose 7.01
Total solids 14.90
Purity of chips before October 1 60.5
Purity of chips after September 30 47. 1
SAMPLES OF CHIPS — CORRECTED NUMBERS.
A full discussion of the data obtained by the analyses of the chips
entering the battery has already been given.
Per hundred parts of sucrose the glucose was as follows:
Per cent.
Before October 1 37.52
After September 30 59.18
A comparison of these ratios with those of the mill juices affords a con-
nrmation of the supposition already expressed that as the canes deterio
rate the rate of inversion on heating in a closed flask is greatly increased.
The analyses, therefore, of the mill juices after September 30 give the
only fair idea of the character of the cane worked up to October 15.
After that date the analyses of the juice of the chips pressed out by the
experimental mill gives the best results possible. Sampled as the chips
were, by taking an equal portion from each cell and mixing these sub-
samples from ten cells together, the juice expressed therefrom is a fair
representation of the character of the chips entering the battery.
JUICE FROM CHIPS PASSED THROUGH EXPERIMENTAL MILL.
From the analyses of the juices it is seen that the chips entering the
battery from October 15 to the close of the season contained :
Per cent.
Sucrose 6.48
Glucose 3.31
(;im OHO per hundred of sucrose 51.07
Leaving out of the computation the analyses of the chips in closed
bottles, the following mean character of the cane for the entire season
is obtained :
Before October 1
After September 30
After October 14...
Means
Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose.
14.56
Per cent.
9.34
7.74
6.48
Percent.
3.57
3.79
3.31
M< an purity, r>:i.9; int>nii izlucoso per hundred sucrose, 43.84.
Available *\\\i\\v calculated l>y taking difference between sucrose and all other solids, viz, 1.15 per
cent = 23 pounds per ton.
32
It will be interesting to compare these numbers with those obtained
at Magnolia Station, La., in 1885, and recorded in Bulletin No. 11, pp.
11, 12.
Per cent.
Total solids in cane 14.22
Total sucrose in cane 10.90
Total glucose in cane 92
Mean purity 76. 6
Mean glucose per 100 sucrose 8. 44
'Available sugar calculated as before, viz, 7.58 per cent. =151.6 pounds per ton.
It thus clearly appears from a careful study of the analytical data
that the sorghum canes entering the battery at Fort Scott were totally
unfit for sugar-making. Those who are disposed to find fault with the
experiments because more sugar was not made would do well to con-
sider these facts.
No known process, save an act of. creation, could have made sugar
successfully out of such material.
If nothing better than this can be obtained, then it is time to declare
the belief in an indigenous sorghum-sugar industry a delusion. This
subject will be mentioned again in the summary.
A general review of the data connected with this interesting problem
shows that with fresh chips of fine quality, the natural acidity is capa-
ble of producing no appreciable inversion during treatment in an ex-
traction flask or while under pressure in the battery. With the dete-
rioration of the cane, however, and consequent increasing acidity, this
inversion becomes very great. In other words, the natural acids of the
cane, such as malic and aconitic, are incapable of producing any appre
ciable in version ; but the accidental acid (acetic) which comes from de-
terioration may cause an inversion of the sucrose in a most marked
degree. The most practical method of avoiding this danger appears
to me to be a mechanical contrivance which will sprinkle evenly over
the entering chips 2 or 3 pounds of fine slaked lime or double that
quantity of fine calcium carbonate to each cell of chips.
As has already been noted, every other attempt to neutralize the
dangerous acids of the cane in a practical way has failed.
DIFFUSION JUICES.
The ratio of glucose to sucrose (per hundred) in the diffusion juices
was as follows :
Per cent.
Before October 1 39.95
After September 30 68.15
These results show that before frost the inversion of the sucrose in
the battery was nil, but that after frost this inversion was very marked.
This fact is also emphasized by another, viz, that before frost the full
•battery of 14 cells was used, but that afterwards 8, 10, and 12 ceils only
33
were employed. Thus before frost the chips in the battery were longer
under pressure than afterwards, and I may add that the temperature
was also higher. These lacls corroborate the statement already made
that when once the pmeess of inversion lias commenced it goes easily
and rapidly forward under the combined influence of time and an ele-
vated temperature. Before such deterioration begins a temperature of
even 100° 0, can be maintained for an hour without notable injury.
A further fact which is illustrated by the analyses of the diffusion
juices from uninjured canes is that the diminished purity is produced
solely by the extraction of gum and chlorophyll, chiefly from the blades
and sheaths, and that this injury can be avoided by a proper cleaning of
the canes.
With clean canes and those in which the sucrose is still uninjured no
alkaline substance will have to be used in the battery. When, how-
ever, deteriorated canes are used, some such application will be neces-
sary to save the sucrose from further inversion. As has already been
pointed out, finely powdered lime or calcium carbonate evenly distrib-
uted over the chips offers the simplest solution of the difficulty.
CABBONATATED JUICES.
The ratio of glucose to sucrose (per hundred) was as follows:
Per cent.
Before October 1 '26. 28
After September 30 57. 40
In both cases we find a marked decrease in the quantity of glucose.
This produces a corresponding increase, usually reckoned at twice the
quantity of glucose destroyed, in the rendement of crystallized sugar.
Jf the resulting molasses could be preserved — and this can be done, as
will be pointed out later — this increase in yield could be used without
any deleterious effect whatever. The analytical data confirm the opinion
already expressed, and agree with the experience of sugar-makers
wherever the process has been tried, that the process of carbouatation
gives a larger yield of crystallizable sugar than can be obtained by any
other known method of defecation.
SULPHURED JUICES.
Comparing again the glucose per hundred of sucrose, the following
data are obtained:
Per cent.
Before October I 30. 86
A ft. -i -September 30 :U>. 84
In the first part of the season the treatment with sulphurous acid
shows a very slight inversion of the sucrose. This was accomplished by
long treatment of the juice with the acid, in the hope that a lighter,
colored sirup might be produced.
In the second half of the season no inversion took place from this
source. As I will point out further along, the treatment of the juice at
1j;'>;30— No.14 3
34
this point by sulphur should be replaced by the addition of phosphoric
acid.
The sulphurous acid should be applied afterwards, but in the double
effect and strike pans.
WASTE WATERS AND EXHAUSTED CHIPS.
The amount of waste water was very small, compressed air having
been uniformily used to drive the water from the cell next to be dis-
charged.
In the estimation of the sugar the sucrose was first inverted and the
whole sugar estimated as glucose. The mean percentage of both sugars
in the waste waters after September 30 was .17 per cent. Since the
mean glucose per hundred of sucrose for the season was nearly 44, the
respective quantities of sucrose and glucose were as follows :
Per cent.
Sucrose 11
Glucose 06
In the exhausted chips before October 1, by the same method of cal-
culation, there was of—
Per cent.
Sucrose 16
Glucose 08
After September 30 the numbers are as follows :
Per cent.
Sucrose 35
Glucose 17
This increase in the sugar left in the chips was due to cutting out a
large portion of the battery, especially during the first week in October.
At this time often only six cells were under pressure, but the result is
seen in the large quantities of total sugar left in the chips, amounting
in one instance to 1.52 per cent.
After the 6th of October nine or ten cells were kept under pressure,
and the content of sugar left in the chips was correspondingly dimin-
ished.
Sorghum, however, lends itself to diifusiou more readily than any
other sugar-producing plant, and a battery of ten cells properly man-
aged would give good results as far as extraction is concerned.
PRESS CAKES.
The mean weight of the press cakes was 24.3 pounds. The mean
content of moisture was 46.45 per cent.
Since considerable time elapsed from the time of sending the cakes
from Fort Scott until they were analyzed at Washington, a considera-
ble inversion of the sucrose took place.
The mean total sugar in the twelve press-cakes examined was 4.42
per cent.
35
Dividing this, as before, between the two sugars, we find, of—
Per cent
Sucrose .' 2. 97
Glucose 1. 45
When extra care was taken in washing the cakes, as in the case of
the Louisiana experiments, to be later described, only a trace of sugar
was left in them.
A glance at the composition of the cake will show its value as a fer-
tilizer.
The quantity of liine used was nearly 1J per cent, of the weight of
the cane entering the battery.
RESULTS OF WORK.
The average weight of chips in the cells was 1,900 pounds.
From the beginning of the first attempts to run the machinery (Sep-
tember 13) until it was found possible to save the product (September
29) 499 diffusions were made, amounting to 948,100 pounds. After be-
ginning to save the product (September 29) until suspension of work
(October 26) 1,945 diffusions were made, amounting to 3,695,500 pounds.
The total weight of cane, seed, and blades received from the field after
September 19 was 3,120 tons.
The weight of chips diffused was 2,322 tons. The weight of seed,
tops, blades, and cleanings (by difference) was 798 tons.
Following is the number of cells of chips used each day after Sep-
tember 19. Before that date no separate daily account was kept:
Date.
Number of
cells cut.
~ , Number of
Date- cells cut.
T»ato Number of
Date- cells cut.
Sept. 20
30
Oct. 2 69
Oct. 14 80
21
59
3 56
15
75
22
44
4 79
16
100
23
67
5 55
17
85
24
89
6 53
18
55
25
63
7 66
19
53
26
66
8 59
20
91
27
41
9 | 70
21
102
28
33
10 79
22
106
29
75
11 92
2:} 99
30
66
12 85
26 42
Ocr. i
67
13 66
TotJ
il
2,419
About one-third of the cane received was partly stripped of its blades.
1 1 appears from the above figures that the seed tops, blades, and sheaths
of the cane will amount to nearly 30 per cent, of the entire weight. It
must also be remembered that much of the blades, sheaths, &c., was not
ivmoved by the very imperfect cleaning apparatus employed, and this
weight is included in that of the " clean chips."
36
STATEMENT SHOWING RATIO OF SEED HEADS TO WEIGHT OP CANE, RATIO OF CLEAV-
INGS FROM BLOWER, AND QUANTITY OF CLEAN CANE CHIPS PER CELL.
Weight of cane taken pounds.. 118,480
Weight of seed tops do 21, 875
Weight of cleanings do 7,580
Weight clean cane chips do 89, 025
Weight of each cell full of clean chips do 1 , 894
Seed heads to total weight of cane per cent . . 18. 47
Cleanings total weight of cane do 0.40
Clean chips on total weight of cane do 75. 13
The cane used in the above experiments was "stripped in the field.
The " cleanings " comprised the blades not removed and sheaths, &c.,
blown out by thefanuing-machine. Much of these impurities was not
removed. The sugar obtained was of a fair marketable kind and found
a ready sale. The molasses was of a dark color and a poor quality.
The weight of masse-cuite was determined on a portion of the product
by Mr. Swenson. He placed it at a mean of 12 percent, of the weight
of the chips entering the battery. The weight of melada obtained from
the 2,322 tons was, therefore, 557,280 pounds, or 46,440 gallons.
At the present writing (November 15) all of the sugar has not been
swung out, but the product will be about fifty thousand pounds. This
is indeed a discouraging yield and quite in contrast with the phenomenal
quantity obtained from sugar-cane from Louisiana, to be mentioned
further along. If a proper crystallizing room had been provided by the
company the yield of sugar would have been much larger. On Novem-
ber 2 the different parts of the crystallizing room were found to be of
the following temperatures :
Degrees F.
Northeast corner 84
North center 84
Three feet above floor, under north steam-drum 72
Northwest corner 75
In upper layer of sirup in wagon, under south steam drum 105. 8
Bottom of same wagon 77
South center 79
Southwest corner, over office •- - - . 79
Between steam-drums 80. 1
Temperature of air outside in shade 64. 4
At such a low temperature a masse-cuite poor in sucrose and boiled to
string proof cannot crystallize to advantage.
Before beginning the experiments with sugar-cane about to be de-
scribed I obtained permission of the company to provide a special hot
room. With such material and with such unfavorable conditions of
crystallization the yield of over 20 pounds of sugar per ton is a convinc-
ing proof of the efficiency of the process employed.
DISPOSITION OF THE EXHAUSTED CHIPS.
The problem of the disposition of the exhausted chips is one of great
importance, Bv the failure of £be machinery vvbjcli was designed to re»
37
move the chips to a considerable distance from the building, the chips
luid to be taken away by scrapers. When it is remembered that these
chips have slightly increased in weight in passing through the battery
the great expense of this proceeding is at once apparent.
The percentage of water in the discharged chips was found to be as
follows:
Number.
Per
cent.
Number.
Per
cent.
1
84. 89
6
90 43
2
86 73
7
89 68
3
87. 54
8
88 87
4
86.41
y
88 94
88.62
10
88 86
Mean
88 097
Since the mean of former experiments shows that sorghum contains
about 11 per cent fiber and matters insoluble in water, the composition
of the waste chips as indicated by the above determination is :
Per cent.
Fiber 11.00
Water 88.10
Other substances 90
Total 100.00
After passing the waste chips through the mill they had the follow-
ing per cent, of water :
Number.
1
Per cent.
66.57
2
3
63.74
63 06
4
67.73
Mean . . .
65.28
At 70 per cent, extraction the bagasse therefore contains one part
of fiber to two of water. By a short preliminary drying this bagasse
would readily burn. At any rate it presses so readily, requiring so lit-
tle power, that in my opinion, it would be a matter of economy to pass
it through a three-roll mill.
The percentage of extraction obtained with the spent chips in small
experimental mill will be seen by the following numbers :
The first column represents the per cents, calculated from weighing
the bagasse and the second from weighing the expressed water :
Numboi. Fi i»u
Krnin water.
I...
2
Per cent.
73.00
72.16
l',r cent.
79.65
68.31
3.
Kt). (K)
t;i. :r.
4....
5
Mran
72.80
711. Mi
7:5. 7«
(59. 20
65.33
69.17
38
Since it is difficult to accurately collect and weigh the fine bagasse
which the spent chips afford, the mean of the second column will be
found to represent more accurately the real extraction. It is certain
that with a good three-roll mill each 100 pounds of the spent chips can
be reduced to 30 pounds, one-third of which is combustible material.
Even if no attempt is made to use the bagasse as a fuel the pressure is
to be recommended on the score of economy. There appears to be no
difficulty whatever in passing the chips through a three-roll mill, and
their soft and pulpy state renders the pressure exceedingly easy.
Further reference to this point will be made in that part of the report
devoted to sugar-cane.
THE CHARACTER OF THE CANE USED SEPTEMBER 27 TO OCTOBER 6,
INCLUSIVE.
A considerable amount of interest has been excited by comparisons
made of the cane worked during the time above mentioned and that
used subsequently.
MILL JUICES.
The mill juices analyzed during this time had the following composi-
tion :
No.
Date.
Extrac-
tion.
Specific
gravity.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Remarks.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
106J
Sept. 28
53.00
1.0726
17.6
12.40
1.90
Cane from carrier.
112
Sept. 29
51. 51
1. 0684
16.6
10.41
4.08
Do.
119
Sept. 30
56 10
1. 0764
17.8
12.39
3.76
Do.
126
Oct. 1
61.76
1. 0634
15.5
8.37
4.95
Do. (stripped).
131
Oct. 2
1. 0842
20.2
14.50
1.77
Cane from carrier.
138
Oct. 3
54/54
1. 0866
20.7
14.37
2.16
Cane brought in cars from Ham-
mond.
147
Oct. 4
51.72
1. 0680
16.6
10.50
2.60
Cane, amber, from carrier.
150
Oct. 4
51.35
1. 0740
17.9
12.39
1.92
Cane, orange, from carrier.
159
Oct: 5
51. 35
1.0710
17.2
10.65
3.27
Cane from carrier.
169
Oct. 5
56.00
1.0818
19.7
13.20
2.37
Cane, amber, on cars from Ham-
mond.
170
Oct. 5
57.70
1. 0778
18.8
9.95
4.88
Cane, orange, on cars from Ham-
— — — _—
. - .
_ _
mond.
Mean . . .
54.50
18.1
11.74
3.06
No analyses were made on September 27 nor October 6.
Per cent.
Mean purity of juice during time mentioned 64. 8
*Mean purity of juice after October 6 49.7
Mean glucose per hundred sucrose during time mentioned 26. 07
Mean glucose per hundred sucrose after October 6 54.68
: Total solids, 16.2 per cent.; sucrose, 8.05 per cent.; glucose, 4.41 per cent.
39
Diffusion
Number.
Date.
Solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
Per cent.
r.Tcent.
108
Sept. 28
9.79
5.68
1.67
114
Sept. 29
L2.4
6.76
2.92
118
Sent. 29
12.0
6.37
•J. 65
123
Sept. 30
14. «
7.22
4.16
128
Oct. 1
14.8
8.60
3.25
132
Oct. 2
13.7
7.01
3.32
133
Oct. 2
13.9
7.68
3.10
134 ; Oct: 2
13.2
7.18
2.75
139 Oct. 3
12.9
5.89
3.96
140 Oct. 3
12.7
6.51
3. 65
141 Oct. 3
12. 9
6.47
3.52
149
Oct. 4
9.8
4.80
2.38
152
Oct. 4
• 9.6
4.71
2.47
155 Oct. 4
11.5
5.42
3.28
160 ! Oct, 5
12.3
6.21
3.34
163 Oct. 5
13.0
6.44
3.58
166 Oct. 5
12.2
5.78
3.40
171 Oct. f>
12.2
6.03
3.23
Mean
12. 4
6.04
3.15
.. 48.7
Mean purity of juice during time mentioned
*Mean purity of juice after October 7
40.0
Mi'ttn jflucosQ pt?r liundred sucrose durin0" time mentioned
52. 13
Mean glucose per hundred sucrose after October 7 ...
.. 77.77
The mean purity of the mill juices during the interval named was 64.8
and of the diffusion juices 48.7, a loss of 16.1 points.
During the rest of the season the mean purity of the mill juices was
40.7 and of the diffusion juices 40.0, a loss of only 9.7 points.
The glucose per hundred of sucrose, during interval noted, in the
mill juices was 26.07. In the diffusion juices it was 52.13, an increase
of 26.06 points. During the rest of the season the glucose per hundred
of sucrose in the mill juices was 54.68 ; in the diffusion juices 77.77 ; an
increase of 23.09 points.
The most striking point about these comparisons during the interval
named is the enormous difference between the mill juices and those of
diffusion. In no other part of the season does the deterioration of the
juice in the battery show itself to such an alarming extent.
There is only one explanation of this which appears satisfactory, and
that is the fact that during this time the temperature of all the cells
under pressure except the two central ones was kept within the limits
of fermentation. The cane during this period, as a glance at the analyses
will show, was by far the best worked during the entire season. The
analyses of the chips made during this time shows the following ineaii
results :
Siirrosti. .
Glucose ...
TTncorrected.
Per cent.
8.41
3.73
Corrected.
Per cent.
8.82
3.32
Corrected glucose per hundred of sucrose, 37. 65.
Total solids, 10.9 per cent. ; sucrose, 4. 36 per cent. ; glucose, 3.44 per cent.
40
Thus, compared directly with the chips, the inversion in the battery
was great.
Judged by the same standards, there was at no other time during the
season so great an inversion of sucrose in the battery as during this
period of few cells and low temperatures. Nevertheless the character
of the cane was so good that the yield of sugar was large. Had, how-
ever, the cane been worked without the inversion spoken of, the yield
of sugar would have been twice as large. During the same period the
percentage of total sugars left in the exhausted chips was .80, while
before this time it had only been .17.
It is therefore seen from the data given that the attempt to work the
battery with few cells and at a low temperature increased the sugar
left in the chips more than one- half, and caused a greater inversion of
the sucrose than was experienced at any other time during the entire
season.
I call especial attention to these facts, because during the period
mentioned I was absent from Fort Scott. On my return I ordered the
battery to be worked with nine or ten cells under pressure and at a
uniform temperature of 70° C. This I believe to be the best method of
operating a diffusion battery for sorghum, at least until some method is
invented of distributing over the chips some substance which will neu-
tralize the acids of the cane and thus entirely prevent inversion. The
methods by which I attempted to accomplish this desirable result have
already been described.
A further fact, which is illustrated by the analyses of the diffusion
juices from uninjured canes, is that the diminished purity is produced
solely by the extraction of gum and chlorophyll chiefly from the blades
and sheaths, and that this injury can be avoided by a proper cleaning
of the canes.
With clean canes and those in which the sucrose is still uninjured no
alkaline substance will have to be used in the battery. When, how-
ever, deteriorated canes are used some such application will be necessary
to save the sucrose from further inversion. As has already been pointed
out, finely powdered lime or calcium carbonate evenly distributed over
the chips offer the simplest solution of the difficulty.
MODIFICATION OF THE PROCESS OF CARBONATATION.
In order to avoid the discoloration of the sirup, which is the chief ob-
jection to carbonatation, the following modification of the process was
adopted :
The juice used was obtained from sugar-cane sent from Fort Scott to
Washington, and the experiments were made after my return from Kan-
sas.
To the cane-juice was added 1 per cent, of its weight of freshly burned
lime, and the carbonatation was continued until the juice was almost
neutral. After raising to the boiling point to decompose sucro-carbon-
41
ates the juice was filtered, and thru enough phosphoric acid added to
precipitate the lime remaining in solution.
Since a slight excess of the acid will redissolve the precipitate and
form acid phosphate, sodium phosphate was substituted for the phos-
phoric acid.
Much of the red color of the carbonatated juice was discharged by
this process. After the precipitation was complete the juice w-is again
boiled and filtered. It was then bleached with sulphurous acid and
evaporated to 40° B.
In every instance the sirup made iu this way was very light in color,
perfectly transparent, and of the finest flavor. So pure was it, indeed,
that it was found unnecessary to use any acetate of lead or any other
defecating material to prepare this sirup for polarization. The quantity
of phosphate of soda required to precipitate the lime in 5 liters of juice
(11 pounds) was 100 cubic centimeters of a 10 per cent, solution. There-
fore 10 grams of the sodium phosphate are sufficient for 5,000 grams of
juice. About 4 pounds of sodium phosphate or 3 pounds of phosphoric
acid would be sufficient for working a ton of cane.
The whole cost of treating cane juices with phosphoric acid or sodium
phosphate will not be over 15 cents per ton of cane. The phosphoric
acid, however, is not lost. It will reappear in the press cakes, having
lost only half its value. Hence the actual cost of using this method of
removing the lime is not probably over half of the estimate given above.
I made every effort to get phosphoric acid at Fort Scott, but could
not succeed in time.
I believe the modification of the process here suggested will make a
noted improvement in the molasses over any other procedure now in use.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.
In a general review of the work, the most important point suggested
is the absolute failure of the experiments to demonstrate the commer-
cial practicability of manufacturing sorghum sugar. The causes of this
failure have been pointed out in the preceding pages, and it will only
be necessary here to recapitulate them. They were :
(1) Defective machinery for cutting the canes and for elevating and
cleaning the chips and for removing the exhausted chips.
(ii) The deterioration of the cane due to much of it becoming over-
ripe, but chiefly to the fact that much time would generally elapse after
the canes were cut before they reached the diffusion battery. The
heavy frost which came the 1st of October also injured the cane some-
what, but not until ten days or two weeks after it occurred.
(•')) The deteriorated cane caused a considerable inversion of the su-
crose in the battery, an inversion which was increased by the delay in
furnishing chips, thus causing the chips in the battery to remain ex-
posed under pressure fora much longer time than was necessary. The
mean time required for diffusing one cell was twenty-one minutes, three
times as long as it should have been.
42
(4) The process of carbonatation, as employed, secured a maximum
yield of sugar, but failed to make a molasses which was marketable.
This trouble arose from the small quantity of lime remaining in the fil-
tered juices, causing a blackening of the sirup on concentration, and
the failure of the cleaning apparatus to properly prepare the chips for
diffusion.
A modification of the process which will prevent this trouble has al-
ready been explained; but, although an earnest attempt was made to
introduce this method, it was found impossible to accomplish it before
the end of the season.
I doubt whether any other industry has ever been the object of so
much misrepresentation as this* one.
In the preceding report I have endeavored to lay before you all the
facts noted in the recent experiments. If I have not interpreted them
correctly, I have, at least, given the data for a correct interpretation.
I should, indeed, be glad to leave this industry in a more promising
condition. All admit that the process of diffusion has been success-
fully worked out, and to this opinion I subscribe, with the reservation
that a proper mechanical method for distributing over the chips a sub-
stance to prevent inversion of the sucrose has not yet been discovered.
Honest differences of opinion still exist in respect of the best method
of treating the diffusion juices, but it has been shown at Eio Grande
that the diffusion juice from clean cane can be worked without any pu-
rification whatever.
Whether this purification is to be accomplished by carbonatation, fil-
tering with brown coal, or in some other way, can easily be decided
without menacing the future of the sorghum industry.
The problem of successfully cutting and cleaning the canes does not
appear to me to be incapable of solution. It should have been solved
the first thing, without leaving it for the last.
Last of all, the chief thing to be accomplished is the production of a
surghum plant containing a reasonably constant percentage of crystal-
lizable sugar.
I cannot emphasize this point better than by quoting from some of
my previous reports. In Bulletin No. 3, pp. 107-108, the following words
are found :
IMPROVEMENT BY StfED SELECTION.
I am fully convinced that the Government should undertake the experiments which
have in view the increase of the ratio of sucrose to the other substances in the juice.
These experiments, to be valuable, must continue under proper scientific direction for
a number of years. The cost will be so great that a private citizen will hardly be
willing to undertake the expense.
The history of the improvement in the sugar-beet should be sufficient to encourage
all similar eiforts with sorghum.
The original forage beet, from which the sugar-beet has been developed, contained
only f> or 6 per cent, of sucrose. The sugar-beet will now average 10 per ceut. of sue-
43
rose. It seems to me that a few years of careful selection may secure a similar im-
provement in sorghum.
It would be a long step toward the solution of the problem to secure a sorghum that
would average, field with field, 12 percent, sucrose and only 2 per cent, of other sugars,
and with such cane the great difficulty would be to make sirup and not sugar. Those
varieties and individuals of each variety of cane which show the best analytical re-
sults should be carefully selected for seed, and this selection continued until acciden-
tal variations become hereditary qualities in harmony with the well-known principles
of descent.
If these experiments in selection could be made in diiferent parts of the country, and
especially by the various agricultural stations and colleges, they would have addi-
tional value and force. In a country whose soil and climate are as diversified as in
this, results obtained in one locality are not always reliable for another.
If some unity of action could in this way be established among those engaged in
agricultural research, much time and labor would be saved and more valuable results
be obtained.
In Bulletin No. 5, pp. 185-6-7, are found the following conclusions :
A careful study of the foregoing data will not fail to convince every candid investi-
gator that the manufacture of sugar from sorghum has not yet proved financially suc-
sessful.
The men who have put their money in these enterprises seem likely to lose it, and
intending investors will carefully consider the facts herein set forth before making
final arrangements. The expectations of the earlier advocates of the industry have
not been met, and the predictions of enthusiastic prophets have not been verified. It
would be unwise and unjust to conceal the facts that the future of the sorghum-sugar
industry is somewhat doubtful. The unsatisfactory condition is due to many causes.
In the first place, the difficulties inherent in the plant itself have been constantly
undervalued. The success of the industry has been based on the belief of the pro-
duction of sorghum with high percentages of sucrose and small amount of reducing
sugar and other impurities.
But the universal experience of practical manufacturers shows that the average
constitution of the sorghum-cane is far inferior to that just indicated. Taking the
mean of several seasons as a sure basis of computation, it can now be said that the
juices of sorghum as they come from the mill do not contain over 10 per cent, of su-
crose, while the percentage of other solids in solution is at least 4.
It is needless to say to a practical sugar-maker that the working of such a juice is
one of extreme difficulty, and the output of sugar necessarily small.
The working of sorghum juices will be found as difficult as those of beets, and true
success cannot be hoped for until the processes used for the one are as complete and
scientific as for the other. It is not meant by this that the processes and machinery
are to IK- identical.
The chemical as well as mechanical treatment of the two kinds of juice will doubt-
less diner in many respects. And this leads to the consideration of the third diffi-
culty, vix, the chemical treatment of sorghum juice. It has taken nearly three-quar-
ters of a century to develop the chemistry of the beet-sugar process, and even now
the progress in this direction is great. The chemistry of the sorghum-sugar process
is scarcely yet a science. It is only an imitation of what has been done in other
fields of work. Sorghum will have to develop a chemistry of its own. This will not
In- the work of a day or a year, but it will be accomplished sooner or later.
Careful study of climate and soil, joined with experience, will gradually locate
tlmsr areas most favorable to the growth of this plant and its manufacture.
This is an all-important point in the problem, and is now occupying seriously the
attention of the thoughtful advocates of the sorghum-sugar industry. One thing is
already clear, /. «•., that the area of successful sorghum culture is not nearly so ex-
tensive as it was thought to be a few years ago. I would urge a further investiga-
44
tion in this direction as a work peculiarly within the province of the Department,
and one which would prove of immense benefit to the country. Five million acres of
laud, suitable to the purpose, will produce all the sugar required for this country for
several years to come. It is therefore certain that the sugar industry will be con-
fined to the most favorable localities. If a thorough, scientific study of all the soil
and climatic conditions does not point out this region, bitter experience and the loss
of hundreds of millions of dollars will gradually fix its boundaries. Last of all, the
sorghum industry has suffered from the general depression which has been felt by
the sugar industry of the entire world. Low prices have caused loss where every
other condition has been favorable. It is hardly probable that the price of sugar will
rise again to its maximum of the years passed. Only war, pestilence, or disaster
would produce this effect. It is best, therefore, for the sugar-grower to accept the
present price as final and make his arrangements accordingly. But low prices will
produce increased consumption, and thus, even with a smaller profit, the sugar-grower,
by increased production, may find his business reasonably remunerative, if not as en-
riching as before. The sorghum-sugar grower will be injured or benefited with the
growers of other kinds of sugar by these economic forces. Hence there should be no
enmity between the grower of the sorghum, the sugar-beet, and the sugar-cane, but
all should work in harmony for the general good.
It is true the present outlook is discouraging. But discouragement is not defeat.
The time has now come for solid, energetic work. Science and practice must join
improved agriculture, and all together can accomplish what neither alone would ever
be able to achieve. It is not wise to promise too much, but this Bureau would fall
short of its duty were it either to suppress the discouraging reports of this industry
or fail to recognize the possibility of its success. The future depends on the persist-
ence and wisdom of the advocates of sorghum. The problem they have to solve is a
most difficult one, but its solution is not impossible.
It must be confessed finally that the chief object of this last series of
experiments, viz, to place the industry where private capital would see
its way clear to its extension over a large area has not been attained.
It is now seen that much of what has been done is useless, and were
the work to be gone over again these necessary mistakes of a first at-
tempt would be avoided. Time, labor, and money could be saved.
What encouragement is just is offered to those who are willing to
take up this work here and extend it.
The great difficulties in the way of extracting the sugar from the cane
have been removed. The fact that sorghum, in certain circumstances,
becomes a fine-sugar producing plant has been incontestably estab-
lished. A suitable soil and climate have been found for growing the
crop and manufacturing the sugar. Remaining difficulties in the way
of success have been fairly and candidly pointed out.
Since the present appropriation was made for continuing and con-
cluding these experiments, I consider that my connection with the de-
velopment of the industry has ended. I leave the work with only one
regret, and that is that the future of the sorghum-sugar industry is still
in doubt.
EXPERIMENTS WITH SUGAR-CANE.
On the 1st of October I received instructions from you to purchase a
few tons of sugar-cane in Louisiana and make some experiments with
it at Fort Scott,
The managers of the Daily City Item newspaper of New Orleans,
having learned of your intention, made arrangements with the Texas
Pacific Railroad to transport this cane from Louisiana to Fort Scott for
* t per ton. The general freight agent of the Mississippi Valley Rail-
road offered to deliver the cane on the same terms.
I requested Hon. Edward J. Gay to purchase the cane, which he
kindly consented to do.
The cane was cut early in the season, viz, October 25 to 30, and was
brought as quickly as possible to the factory.
PRELIMINARY TRIAL.
On November 2, three car-loads of cane having arrived, a preliminary
trial was made.
The weight of cane used in this trial was 63.75 tons.
CUTTING-MACHINE.
The cutters which worked so poorly with sorghum did well with sugar
cane, and no trouble whatever was experienced in producing chips suita-
ble to diffusion and at the rate of six tons per hour.
CHIP ELEVATOR.
The same trouble was experienced with the elevator that we had had
to contend with so long with sorghum, and to an increased extent. The
chips being heavier than sorghum, easily overweighted the elevator and
caused it to clog. Considerable delay was caused by these annoyances.
THE DIFFUSION.
It was found at once that the temperature used for the diffusion of
sorghum, viz, 70° C., was entiiely too low to effect the extraction of
sugar from sugar-cane.
The temperature was gradually raised to 90° centigrade before a sat-
isfactory extraction was obtained. The chips lying closer together in
the cell caused the circulation of the liquid in the battery to take place
4§
more slowly. It was clearly evident that the pressure afforded by the
feed-tank of the battery, viz, two-thirds of an atmosphere, is not great
enough to work a battery rapidly when twelve cells are under pressure.
ANALYSES OF THE CANES WORKED.
Samples of chips were taken from each cell until twelve were tilled.
These samples were then passed through a small mill and the juice ob
tained subjected to analysis.
The juices thus obtained had the following composition :
First sample . .
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample
Fifth sample
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
.6
14.6
10.52
2.22
pie . . .
13.3
10.10
1.79
>1 e . . . .
14.6
10.89
2.08
iple ...
14.4
9.82
2.28
le
14.4
10.04
2.02
8
14.26
10.28
2.08
WEIGHT OF DIFFUSION JUICE.
From each cell were drawn off 1,000 liters of juice, or 1,040 kilograms.
The number of cells tilled with chips was 60 ; the weight of each cell
of chips was 2,125 pounds; weight of juice drawn off from each cell was
2,280 pounds, or 163 pounds more than the weight of caae used.
ANALYSES OF DIFFUSION JUICE.
The samples were taken from each charge of juice drawn,
twelve were taken the mixture was analyzed :
When
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Percent.
First sample . .
Second sample ..
7.2
10.4
5.01
7.51
1.15
1.48
Third sample . . .
10.8
7.72
1.56
Fourth sample . .
Fifth sample . .
10.8
11.3
7.47
7.73
1,69
1.77
Means
10.1
7.06
1.53
EXHAUSTED CHIPS.
Four samples of exhausted chips were taken. The first one was from
the first five cells only. No samples were taken from the next nine cells,
and after that the samples were taken regularly as before. Following
are the analvses :
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
Per cent.
Per cent.
First sample
3.5
2.34
.29
Second sample ...
Third sample
2.1
1.6
.55
Lost.
.12
Lost.
Fourth sample . . .
1.8
.82
.18
Means
2.3
1.24
.20
47
The samples of carboiiatated and sulphured juices were not taken
with regularity. Nevertheless I give below their analyses :
CARBONATATED JUICES.
First sample
Second sample . ..
Third sample
Fourth sample
Total
solids.
Per cent.
7.0
11.1
11.5
10.3
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Percent. Percent.
4.57 .84
8. 05 1. 20
7. 76 ! 1. 30
7. 70 1. 32
9.98
7.02
1.17
SULPHURED JUICES.
Total
solids.
First sample >
SecoDd sample ...
Third sample . . . j
Fourth sample . . .
Means
I
Per cent.
6.7
11.0
11.8
11.0
10.0
Sucrose.
Per cent.
4.48
8.12
8.20
8.lo
7.21
Glucose.
Per cent.
.86
1.30
1.35
1.36
1.22
COMPOSITION OF SEMI-SIRUP FROM ABOVE JUICES.
Per cent.
Total solids 55.4
Sucrose „ 43. 3
Glucose 7.8(i
FIRST SUGARS MADE.
The masse cuite was put in cars on November 4 and stood four days
before commencing to dry it.
It yielded of first sugars pounds.. 6,888
Of second sugars do .... 495
Total first and second sugars do 7,383
Sugar per ton do 115.8
Sugar on weight of cane per cent . . 5. 79
PER CENT. OP TOTAL SUCROSE OBTAINED.
The expressed juice contained 10.28 per cent, sucrose. Reckoning the jmc<> ,-n
90 per cent, of the weight of the cane, gives percentage sucrose in cane 9. 25
Per cent, sugar obtained 5.79
Per cent, of total sugar obtained , . . . (>'->. «5
ANALYSIS OF FIRST SUGARS.
Per cent.
Moisture 95
Ash 39
Glucose ..., 1.05
Undetermined 71
Sucrose 96, 90
48
SECOND TRIAL.
On November 6, all the cane having arrived, the second trial was made.
The experience of the first attempt had shown how the great loss of
sugar in the chips, especially in the beginning, might be avoided. The
second run was, therefore, made with an initial temperature of nearly
90° C. The quantity of juice withdrawn at each time was also increased
by 100 liters.
Weight of cane used. — The weight of cane used in the second trial was
83.25 tons.
ANALYSES OF THE CANES.
The samples of chips were taken as described before :
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose. ;
First sample
Per cent.
15.06
Per cent.
11.30
Per cent.
1.89
Second sample
14 68
10.86
1.62
Third sample
14.93
10.46
1.66
Fourth sample
Fifth sample
13.47
14.59
10.43
10.62
1.89
1.88
Sixth sample
13.55
10.05
1.75
Means
14.38
10.62
1.78
1
ANALYSES OF DIFFUSION JUICES.
The samples were taken as before described :
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
First sample
Per cent.
10. 11
Per cent.
7.33
! Per cent.
.18
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample
10.15
10. 08
10.05
7.95
7.15
6. 96
.20
.17
.29
Fifth sample
9.83
7.03
.29
Sixth sample
Means
8.96
9.86
6. 55
7.16
1.22
1.23
i
EXHAUSTED CHIPS.
The samples were taken as described in the preliminary trial
Total
solids.
Sucrose,
Glucose.
Per cent.
1 56
Per cent.
. 50
Per cent.
12
Second sample
Third sample
1.21
1.11
.38
.38
07
10
Fourth sample
Fifth sample
1.11
1.06
.37
.42
09
10
Sixth sample
.77
.18
05
Meana
1.14
.37
.09
49
CARBONATATEU JUICES,
The samples were taken in such a way as to represent the same body
of juice corresponding to the same numbered samples of diffusion juice.
Kach carbonatation tank held three charges of diffusion juice. A meas-
ured sample after carbonatation was taken from each series of four
tanks.
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
First sample
Per cent.
10 11
Per cent.
7 27
Per cent.
09
Second sample
Third sample
10.25
10.14
7.91
7.25
.14
.11
Fourth sample
9 72
7 00
.21
Fifth sample
Sixth sample
9.72
9.55
7.10
6.50
.22
.12
1
Means
9.92
7.17
1.15
SULPHURED JUICES.
The samples of sulphured juice were taken in a way to represent as
nearly as possible the same body of juice as indicated by the corre-
sponding numbers under carbouatated juice. Since, however, the juices
after carbonatation had to fall into a receiving tank before being sent
to the filter presses, some mixing of the different bodies of juice was
unavoidable.
Thus the analyses below are not strictly comparable with the same
numbers under diffusion and carbonatated juices :
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
First sample
Per cent.
Q QU
Per cent.
1 68
Per cent.
1 09
Second sample
Third sample
Fourth sample
11.12
10. 35
9 89
8.09
7.39
7 02
1.14
1.23
1 26
Fifth sample
10.15
6 93
1 28
Sixth sample
9 34
6 44
o **
1 17
Means
10. 12
7 18
1 20
SEMI-SIRUPS.
The semi-sirup from the above juices was put in two tanks,
were taken from each tank :
Samples
First sample
Second sample ..
Total
solids.
Sucrose.
Glucose.
Per cent.
42. 9
41.9
Per cent.
32.0
30.8
Per cent.
5.95
6.45
The first sample represents the first third of the run, and the secoud
samples the second two-thirds.
11330 — No. 14 4
50
FIRST SUGARS MADE.
The masse-cuite stood iii cars two days.
On drying it yielded pounds.. 11, 185
The yield of ''seconds" was do.. 805
Total weight produced do. . . 11, 990
Sugar per ton do... 144
Sugar to weight of cane per cent . . 7.2
PER CENT. TOTAL SUGAR OBTAINED.
Per ceiit.
The juice contained 10.62
And the cane 9. 56
Percentage sucrose obtained ._ 75. 3
COMPOSITION OF THE FIRST SUGARS.
The sample was taken from each barrel as it was filled. The samples
were all mixed well together and placed in a tight bottle, which was uot
opened until the sample for analysis was taken. It is, therefore, as fair
a sample of the product made as could possibly be obtained. It gave
of—
Per cent.
Moisture .73
Ash 14
Glucose .52
[ 'ndetermined 61
Sucrose 98. 00
Compare this result with the work on Magnolia plantation last year,
as found in Bulletin No. 11, p. 26 :
Pounds.
Weight first sugars per ton 119
Weight second sugars per ton 29. 75
Total first and second 148. 75
Per ceiit.
Percentage obtained 7. 44
Sucrose in juice 12. 1 1
Sucrose in cane 10. 90
Percentage obtained 68. 3
Sucrose in cane at Magnolia 10. 90
Sucrose in cane at Fort Scott 9.56
Difference 1. 34
The increase in the yield per ton at Magnolia, had the cane been
worked by diffusion, would have been, therefore, 26.8 pounds.
The yield of seconds at Fort Scott was surprisingly low. The mo-
lasses as it came from the centrifugals was full of crystals. About one-
third its volume of warm water was added to this molasses and the crys
tals all dissolved before boiling. This may have diminished the yield.
The " thirds " have been placed in cars and set away until next fall.
51
The u thirds" fill five wagons, each containing 23 cubic feet, or in all 125
cubic feet, weighing approximately 10,000 pounds. Of this amount,
6,189 pounds are from the second run.
Pounds.
The total product, therefore, is, sugar * 11, !»'.»<)
Thirds, masse cuite 6, 189
Total 18,179
Or 218.3 pounds per ton of cane worked. This is nearly 11 per cent, of
the weight of cane used.
But calculated on the original masse cuite, which filled 9 cars, there
would have been 9 x 23 =207 cubic feet, or 18,837 pounds = 226 pounds
per ton, or 11.3 per cent.
But the method of reckoning the increased production which has just
been used is not a fair one, since it rests on the assumption that the
sucrose in each case is equally available. But a moment's consideration
will show that this is not the case.
The term " available sugar" is not a precise one. It may have many
interpretations. In France, for instance, the rendement is calculated by
deducting from the total sucrose twice the glucose and from three to
five times the ash. This is a good rule for beet sugar, but in cane-juice
the ash, being mostly calcium salts, is far less melassigenic than that of
the beet-juice, made up chiefly of potassium compounds.
Another method of calculating "available sugar" is to dimmish the
percentage of sucrose by the difference between it and all the other
solids in solution. This method is apt, however, to give results too
low. In this uncertainty the term "available sugar" should always be
accompanied by an explanation of the manner of making the calculation.
The yield of sugar obtained at Fort Scott, being the highest ever got
from sugar-cane, may be taken as the true amount of "available sugar"
until some better yields are reported.
Notice, for a moment, the relation of this yield to the respective
quan tities of sucrose and glucose present:
Per cent
Sucrose in juice 10. 6*2
Sucrose in caue 9. 56
Yield -of sucrose 7. 20
Difference between sucrose in cane and yield 2.36
Glucose in jnice 1.78
(Hiicose in cane 1.60
Katio of per cent, of glucose to per cent, of sucrose lost 1.5 nearly.
It appears, therefore, that the rational way to calculate " available
sugar" when the quantities of sucrose and glucose in the canes are
known is to diminish the percentage of sucrose by one and a half times
the glucose.
52
Applying this method we have the following results:
AT FORT SCOTT.
Sucrose in cane per cent . . 9. 56
One and a half times glucose in cane do 2. 40
Theoretical available sugar do 7. 16
Pounds per ton 143. 2
Pounds per ton obtained 144
AT MAGNOLIA.
Sucrose in cane . per cent . . 10, 90
One and a half times glucose in cane do 1. 38
Theoretical available sugar do . ... 9. 52
Pounds per ton 194. 4
Pounds per ton obtained 148. 75
Difference , pounds.. 41.65
This shows in the most convincing manner that by the process of
diffusion and carbonatation the yield of sugar from sugar-cane can be
increased fully 30 per cent, over the best milling and subsequent treat-
ment of the juice which has ever been practiced in this or in any other
country.
If this be true of the best milling, it is easy to estimate the increase
over the average milling of Louisiana. It is not extravagant to sup-
pose that this increase will be fully 40 per cent.
But the problem may also be approached in another way. It has
just been shown what the product would have been had the Fort Scott
process been applied at Magnolia. It may now be asked, " What would
have been the yield had the Magnolia process been applied at Fort
Scott?"
The process used at Magnolia produced 148.75 pounds sugar from
cane in which the available sugar was 190.4 pounds. The percentage
of available sugar obtained was
148.75 x 100 + 190.4 = 78.1 per cent.
The available sugar in the cane at Fort Scott was 7.10 per cent.
Multiply this by .78 and the product, 5.5.8 will be the yield of sugar
which the Magnolia process would have given at Fort Scott, or 111.6
pounds per ton. Deduct this from the quantity obtained and the re-
mainder will represent the increased yield, viz, 32.4 pounds. Thus in
whatever way the calculation is made it is seen that the processes of
diffusion and carbonatation give a largely increased yield.
Another important question which arises is this, " Does this increased
yield come wholly from the increased extraction, or is it partly due to
the method of purifying the juice ? " I will try to give a rational answer
to this question based on the data of the analyses and the respective
rendements given by the two processes.
The percentage of extraction at Magnolia was 78. Beckoning the
53
juice at 90 per cent., the loss in juice was 12 per cent. The percentage
of juice, and consequently of sugar extracted, was 86.6 per cent. The
mean loss of sugar in the chips at Fort Scott was .38 per cent., and the
quantity of sugar present was 9.56. The percentage of extraction was
therefore 96 per cent. The gain in extraction by diffusion is therefore
9.4 per cent. It is thus evident that the large gain in yield, as estab-
lished at Fort Scott, cannot be due wholly to the increased extraction
of the sugar. It must therefore be largely due to the processes of de-
puration employed.
The process of carbonatation tends to increase the yield of sugar in
three ways:
(1) It diminishes the content of glucose. This diminution is small
when the cold carbonatation as practised at Fort Scott is used; yet, to
at least once and a half its extent, it increases the yield of crystallized
sugar.
(2) By the careful use of the process of carbonatation there is scarcely
any loss of sugar. The only place where there can be any loss at all
is in the press cakes, and when the desucratioii of these is properly at-
tended to the total loss is trifling. The wasteful process of " skimming"
is entirely abolished, and the increased yield is due to no mean extent
to this truly economical proceeding.
(3) In addition to the two causes of increase already noted, and which
are not sufficient to produce the large rendement obtained, must be men-
tioned a third, the action of the excess of lime and its precipitation by
carbonic acid on the substances in the juice, which are truly melassi-
genic. Fully half of the total increase which the experiments have
demonstrated is due to this cause. It is true the coefficient of purity
of the juice does not seem to be much affected by the process, but it is
evident that the treatment to which the juice is subjected increases in
a marked degree the ability of the sugar to crystallize. This fact is
most abundantly illustrated by the results obtained.
Not only this but it is also evident that the proportion of first sugars
to all others is largely increased by this method. This is a fact which
may prove of considerable economic importance.
It thus appears that the yield of sugar would be greatly increased
by the application of carbonatation to mill juices. Since a complete
carbonatation outfit can be erected for about $4,000 it would be well if
some planter or syndicate of planters should give the process a trial.
These facts are worthy of closer consideration, inasmuch as the
process of carbonatation has been fiercely and maliciously assailed as
one which destroys both sugar and molasses.
WEIGHT OF DIFFUSION JUICE COMPARED WITH WEIGHT OF CANE
WORKED.
Number of cells filled, 8
Weii-ht chips in each ce'll = 30a^S:*.2f> = 1.0^'J tons =2,000 pounds.
54
Weight juice drawn from each cell of chips 1,100 liters. Specific
gravity 1.04 = 2,516.8^ pounds. 0 l$oS~
Tin* weight of normal juice in 2,0^6 pounds of cane is t,85&4 pounds.
The additional weigh t*6f water added by diffusion is 65fcr4 pounds/ /y/,f
The percentage of increase over normal juice 6ff?.4 -j-4y£59a4 = 3^.4
per cent. This increase represents what is often called the " dilution"
of the juice. The quantity of water to be evaporated to produce a
given quantity of sugar is, therefore, 39.4 per cent, greater for such a
diffusion than for a normal mill juice. In practice this amount could
easily be reduced to 25 per cent.
COMPOSITION OF PRESS CAKE.
The defecation and filtration of the juice from 83.25 tons of cane gave
197 press cakes.
The mean weight of these cakes was 24 pounds each, and the tot*
weight 4,728 pounds. A sample of the cake taken directly from the
press and dried contained of moisture 45.37 per cent. The total weight
of dry matter obtained in the press cakes was, therefore, 2,582.9 pounds.
Analyses of the dried cake gave the following results:
Per cent.
Albuminoids 9,585
Sucrose Trace.
Glucose Trace.
Other organic matter 17. 45
QUANTITY OF LIME USED.
As is seen under sorghum experiments it required 1.5 per cent, lime
to produce a good filtration.
I felt sure that the juice from the sugar-cane would not require as
£reat a quantity. At the preliminary trial 1 per cent, of lime was used
and the cakes formed were perfect, firm, and hard.
In the second run only .75 per cent, of lime was used, and the cakes
were equally as good. There is little occasion for using less lime than
this, for with this quantity the carbonatations were easily finished in
fifteen to twenty minutes.
COEFFICIENT OF PURITY IN SECOND TRIAL.
Per cent.
Of the mill juices the coefficient was 73.8
Of the diffusion juices the coefficient was 72. 6
Of the carbonatated juices the coefficient was 72. 3
Of the sulphured juices the coefficient was 70. 9
Of the first semi-sirup the coefficient was 74. 6
Of the second semi-sirup the coefficient was 73. 5
In both trials it was seen that the coefficient of purity was increased
during the process of evaporation. This was, doubtless, caused by the
precipitation of some of the lime salts held in solution by the juices.
a few days before the experiment was made, but it was still black and
putrid, emitting a nauseating stench.
The strike-pan used was quite unsuitable for boiling to grain. Its
base was once the bottom of a much smaller pan, and a shelf several
inches deep had been added to support the enlarged top. All the large
steam-coils were above this shelf, and it took eight hours to bring the
contents of the pan above this point. We had no sugar-boiler, but my
assistant, Mr. G. L. Spencer, took charge of the pan and did remarkably
well.
The sugar dried slowly in the centrifugals. These were not well set
and could not be run at a very high speed on account of shaking.
It took nearly forty-eight hours with three machines to dry the sugar
from the 83.25 tons.
This difficulty in drying was due either —
(1) To the process of diffusion j (2) to the process of carbonatatiou ;
(3) to the fine grain produced in boiling; (4) or to the poor quality of
the cane.
Which one of these causes was most potent only future experiments
will decide. I am not wise enough to place it, as has already been done
by some premature critics, on one of them alone.
It seems most reasonable to suppose, however, that the poor quality
of the cane and the extreme fineness of the crystals were the chief
causes of the difficulty mentioned. The process of carbonatation has
been practiced for ten years in Java on mill juices and no complaint has
ever been heard of difficulty in purging the sugar. With the fresh,
ripe canes of Louisiana worked promptly as they come from the field,
nnd with the juice in the hands of an experienced sugar-boiler, I do not
believe this difficulty would be encountered.
NVith the improvements in the process of carbonatation already pointed
out in the discussion of the experiments with sorghum even better re-
Its may be expected.
ERRATUM :
In lieu of article on "weight of Diffusion juice compared
with weight of cane worked" pp. 53 and 54, Bui. No. 14, read as
follows :
Number of cells filled 83.
Weight chips in each cell z 83.25 -7 83 - 1. 003 tons z 2006
pounds.
Normal weight of juice in 2006 pounds of cane 1805 pounds.
Additional weight of water added by diffusion 71 1.8 pounds.
Percentage of increase over normal juice 711.8 X 100 -
1805 ~ 30.4
press and dried contained of moisture 45.37 per cent. The total weight
of dry matter obtained in the press cakes was, therefore, 2,582.9 pounds.
Analyses of the dried cake gave the following results:
Per cent.
Albuminoids 9,585
Sucrose Trace.
Glucose Trace.
Other organic matter 17. 45
QUANTITY OF LIME USED.
As is seen under sorghum experiments it required 1.5 per cent, lime
to produce a good nitration.
I felt sure that the juice from the sugar-cane would not require as
great a quantity. At the preliminary trial 1 per cent, of lime was used
and the cakes formed were perfect, firm, and hard.
In the second run only .75 per cent, of lime was used, and the cakes
were equally as good. There is little occasion for using less lime than
this, for with this quantity the carbonatations were easily finished in
fifteen to twenty minutes.
COEFFICIENT OF PURITY IX SECOND TRIAL.
Per cent.
Of the mill juices the coefficient was 73. 8
Of the diffusion juices the coefficient was 72. 6
Of the carbonatated juices the coefficient was 72. 3
Of the sulphured juices the coefficient was 70. 9
Of the first semi-sirup the coefficient was 74. 6
Of the second semi-sirup the coefficient was 73. 5
In both trials it was seen that the coefficient of purity was increased
during the process of evaporation. This was, doubtless, caused by the
precipitation of some of the lime salts held in solution by the juices.
DEOREE OF EXTRACTION BY EXPERIMENTAL MILL.
Fresh
chips per
cent,
juice ob-
tained.
Exhausted
chips per
cent, water
extracted.
First sample
Second sample . .
Third sample
54.64
58.88
57.61
63.73
62.68
63.39
Fourth sample
55.85
62.01
Fifth sample
Sixth sample .
60.00
51.48
69.65
60.83
Mean
56. 41
63.72
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED.
A number of unfavorable conditions was encountered during the pros-
ecution of the experiments. The water supply was from a stagnant
pond. The water had been greatly improved by the application of lime
a few days before the experiment was made, but it was still black and
putrid, emitting a nauseating stench.
The strike-pan used was quite unsuitable for boiling to grain. Its
base was once the bottom of a much smaller pan, and a shelf several
inches deep had been added to support the enlarged top. All the large
steam-coils were above this shelf, and it took eight hours to bring the
contents of the pan above this point. We had no sugar-boiler, but my
assistant, Mr. G. L. Spencer, took charge of the pan and did remarkably
well.
The sugar dried slowly in the centrifugals. These were not well set
and could not be run at a very high speed on account of shaking.
It took nearly forty-eight hours with three machines to dry the sugar
from the 83.25 tons.
This difficulty in drying was due either —
(1) To the process of diffusion; (2) to the process of carbonatatiou ;
(3) to the fine grain produced in boiling ; (4) or to the poor quality of
the cane.
Which one of these causes was most potent only future experiments
will decide. I am not wise enough to place it, as has already been done
by some premature critics, on one of them alone.
It seems most reasonable to suppose, however, that the poor quality
of the cane and the extreme fineness of the crystals were the chief
causes of the difficulty mentioned. The process of carbonatation has
been practiced for ten years in Java on mill juices and no complaint has
ever been heard of difficulty in purging the sugar. With the fresh,
ripe canes of Louisiana worked promptly as they come from the field,
and with the juice in the hands of an experienced sugar-boiler, I do not
believe this difficulty would be encountered.
With the improvements in the process of carbonatation already pointed
out iii the discussion of the experiments with sorghum even better re-
sults may be expected.
56
BAGASSE.
The disposition of the exhausted chips is a question of great economic
importance. Three uses appear to be possible : (1) For paper stock ;
(2) for manure ; (3) for fuel.
A good article of both wrapping and print'paper can be made of the
fiber of the cane. The economic discussion of this use, however, can
only be properly given by a paper-maker.
The value of the bagasse for a manure is undoubtedly great. This
problem has already been discussed in Bulletin No. 8, page 46.
By referring to the table of analyses of the chips it will be seen that
with a small hand-mill 63.72 per cent, of water was extracted from the
exhausted chips; on the same mill the percentage of extraction of the
fresh chips was only 56.31 per cent. Thus in similar conditions the
percentage of extraction with a given mill will be 7.31 per cent, higher
for exhausted chips than for fresh canes. A mill, therefore, which will
give a 78 per cent, extraction with cane will give 85 per cent, with ex-
hausted chips.
The exhausted chips contained 90 per cent, water. Of this quantity
63 72 per cent, were extracted, leaving 26.28 per cent, water to 10 fiber.
A given quantity of the bagasse, therefore, contained 72.2 per cent,
water and 27.8 per cent, fiber. A mill which would give 80 per cent,
extraction with the exhaused chips would furnish a bagasse composed
of equal parts of water and fiber and this would prove a most excellent
fuel.
The power required to drive such a mill would only be about one-
third as great as for the same weight of cane.
The attempts to dry cane chips on the presses used for beet cuttings
have proved failures, but the experiments made at Fort Scott show
tl) at a properly arranged mill will solve this problem at once.
It must be remembered, however, that even if the exhausted chips
be made as dry as ordinary mill bagasse they will not afford so much
fuel. They contain little but the fiber of the cane, while mill bagasse
still holds large quantities of sugar, which itself is a most excellent fuel.
The loss of the bagasse as a fuel has been the principal objection to
the introduction of diffusion into tropical sugar districts.
It now remains to continue these experiments at some favorable sta-
tion in Louisiana. Such a station should be provided with a first class
double or triple effect and other apparatus for evaporating the juice and
separating the sugar.
It should also be a station purely experimental. The attempt to carry
on experiments and manufacture a large crop of cane at the same time
would only end in the disastrous manner, economically considered, of
the sorghum work just concluded at Fort Scott.
These experiments can only be successful at a station where perfect
freedom of action and plenty of time are at the director's command.
57
It is the proper province of the Department to demonstrate in Lou.
isiamt just how much increase in sugar yield can be produced by the
application of the methods named in the act making the appropriations.
This done, and all the processes for doing it accurately pointed out and
logically discussed, it will not be difficult for the intelligent planter to
determine the economic value of the new methods.
To this task should be brought a careful study of the chemical prob-
lems involved, and the best apparatus which this country or Europe
can afford. From this task should be eliminated all prejudices for or
against any particular process, and especially all tendency to inisrepre.
sent or misinterpret facts.
At least the Department will be able in subsequent experiments to
show the Southern sugar-raiser whether the promises which these pre-
liminary experiments have made shall really be performed, or whether
the practice of the process of diffusion for sugar-cane is a mistake and
the prospects it has ottered of aiding the sugar industry a delusion.
It is certain that with the fierce rivalry between the European beet
and the tropical cane industry, producing an enormous surplus of sugar
and sending the prices down almost below the cost of production, the
indigenous sugar-cane industry of this country will languish unless the
Department of Agriculture be able to lead it into a life of renewed
vigor. .
INDEX.
Page.
A.
Acidity in battery, correction of 28
chips 22
juices 22
Albumen, coagulation of 29
Analyses of burnt lime 14
carbonated juices before October 1 19
after September 30 19
carbonatated j uices 49
chips, first season to October 1 16
from October 1 to close 16
chips in closed bottles 26
chips exhausted in bottles, with and without neutralizing 17
diffusion j nice 46
diffusion j uices 48
to October 1 18
October 1 to close 18,19
exhausted chips 46, 48
first sugars 50
gases, by G. L. Spencer 13
juice from chips ..." 31
juice of chips from cutters 17
limestone 14
masse-cuite 22
mill j uices before October 1 15
after September 30 15,16
molasses ^ 22
press cakes 23
semi-sirups 21, 47, 49
8lag 14
spent bone-black 14
sulphur juices before October 1 19
after September 30 20
sulphured juices 47,49
waste chips before October 1 21
after September 30 21
waste waters before October 1 20
after September 30 20
Analysis of first sugars 47
sample sugar 22
Appropriation 6
Available sugar, meaning of 51
calculation of 51
59
60
B.
Bagasse, disposition of f)6
moisture in 23
Battery, acidity in, correction of 28
inversion in 26
pressure in 46
Beet-root cutter 9
Belle City ensilage cutter, description of 10
Blades, per cent, of 35, 30
Brown coal, nitration with 42
Bulletin No. 3, quotation from 42
No. 5, quotation from 43
No. 8, reference to 56
No. 11, quotation from 32,50
Burnt lime, analyses of 14
C.
Canes, analyses of 46,48
character of, September 27 to October 6, inclusive 38
cleaning of 10
delay in working 26
delivery to cutters 12
deterioration of 41
used, weight of 48
Cane-cutters, description of 9
conclusions from experiments with : 10
cutter, centrifugal, description of 10
Carbon dioxide, percentage of, in the gas 24
reduction of 24
Carbonic oxide, formation of 24
odor of 24
toxic effect of 24
Carbonate of lime, use of, in battery 28
Carbonatation apparatus 12
proposals for 8
cost of 53
employment of .* 42
experiments with double 25
increase of yield by 53
modification of 40, 41
yield of crystallizable sugar by 33
tanks 13
Carbonatated juices, analyses of 47, 49
before October 1 19
after September 30 19
ratio sucrose to glucose in 33
Cells, number of cut 35
Centrifugals 55
Chips, analyses of, from first season to October 1 16
October 1 to close 16
in closed bottles 26
juice from 31
acidity in 22
direct estimation of sugar in 27
direct extraction of .. 2G
61
Page.
Chips, exhausted in bottles, with and without neutralising, analyses of 17
from cutters, analyses of juice of 17
glucose, per hundred, sucrose, in 31
moisture in 23
purity of.. 31
removal of 11
sampl ing of 31
total solids in 30,31
weight of, in each cell r 35,53
climate and soil, study of 43
Closed bottles, inversion in 20
( 'omparison of results at Fort Scott and Magnolia 52
Competition of beet-sugar with cano-Bugjir 57
Colwell Iron Company , .. 1)
Ciampton, Dr. C. A., analyses by 13
Crystallization, unfavorable condition of 30
Crystallizing room, temperature of 30
D.
Data, discussion of 24
general review of 32
Defective machinery 41
Delivering chips to battery, apparatus for 11
Diffusion, fermentation during „ 9
temperature of 9, 45
time of 9,41
battery, description of 8
cell, capacity of 9
juice, analyses of 46
juices, analyses of 48
to October 1, analyses of 18
October 1 to close, analyses of 18, 19
September 27 to October 6 inclusive 39
juice, treatment of, at Rio Grande 42
juices, ratio sucrose to glucose in 32
juice, weight of 46,54
Difficulties encountered 55
Dilution, percentage of 54
Drying the sugar, difficulty of 55
B,
Exhausted chips, analyses of 46,48
disposition of 36, 37
drying of 56
percentage of sugar in 34
water in 37
Experiments, continuance of 6
in Louisiana, proper funot ions of 57
Ext ruction in closed bottles, errors of 27, 28
degree of, by experimental mill 55
P.
Fake, X. J., analyses by 13
Filter presses 13
62
First sugars, analysis of ..................................................... 47
analyses of ................................ ..................... 50
made, weight of ................................................ 50
Fives-Lille Company, drawings of ........................................... 9
Fort Scott Foundry ......................................................... 10
G
Gas, analyses of ............................................... . ............. 13
supply of ............................................................... 12
volume of, employed .................................................... 25
Gay, Hon. Edward J ........................................................ 45
General conclusions ____ ____ ................................................ 44
Glucose, percentage of, diminished by 9 ...................................... 29
H.
Hallesche Maschinenfabrik ........................................... ....... 12
Handling cane, machinery for ............................................... 12
Horizontal cutter, capacity of ............................................... 10
Hughes, H. A., cane-cutter of ............................................... 9
I.
Inversion, avoidance of, in battery ........................................... 32
Item, Daily City ............................................................ 45
J.
Juices, acidity in ..................... ....................................... 22
K.
Kroog, filter-press of ...................................... ----- ............. 13
L.
Letter of transmission ...................................................... 4
Lime, quantity of, used . . ........................................ .......... 54
bisulphite, use of, in battery .......................................... 28
acetate, formation of .................................................. 29
water, use of, in battery .............................................. 28
Lime juice, use of, in battery ................................................ 28
Lime-kiln, working of ................................................ ....... 12
Limestone, importance of good quality ...................................... 24
quantity and quality of ......................................... 12
Limestones, analyses of . . . .................................................. 14
Louisiana Station, apparatus for ............................................. 56
M.
Machinery, contract for ..................................................... 6
Magnolia plantation, comparison with ....................................... 50
station at ......................................................... 32
Masse-cuites, analyses of .................................................... 22
total weight of ......... ........................................ 51
Melada, weight of, obtained ................................................. 36
Mill j uices, variations in ........................... ......................... 25
glucose, per hundred, sucrose in .................................. 26
analyses of, before October 1 ..................................... 15
after September 30 ..... -. ............................. 16, 16
63
Page.
Mill juices, index to 15,16
September 27 to October 6, inclusive 38
Moisture in chips and bagasse 23
Molasses, analyses of 22
character of 36
P.
Parkinson, W. L. apparatus designed by 12
Sugar Company, agreement with 5
Phosphoric acid, use of 41
Portland Beet Sugar Company 9, 12
Preliminary trial 45
Press cakes, analyses of 23
composition of 54
organic matter of 24
moisture in 23
total sugar in '. 34, 35
value as a fertilizer 35
weight of , . 23
Proposals of Pusey & Jones Company, acceptance of 7
Pump 12
Purity, coefficient of 54
Pusey <fc Jones Company 13
contract with 6
proposals of 7
R.
Railroad, Mississippi Valley 45
Texas Pan i tic.. 45
Sample sugar, analysis of 22
Sangerhauser Maschinenfabrik 13
Second trial 48
Semi-sirups, analyses of 21, 47, 49
Sheaths, per cent, of 35,36
Slag, analyses of 14
Sodium phosphate, use of. 41
Sorghum, ease of diffusion of 34
insoluble matter in 37
improvement of 42,43
cane, character of, at Fort Scott 32
juice, chemical treatment of 43
Spencer, G. L 12, 13
analyses of gases by 13
Spent bone-black, analyses of 14
Strike-pan, construction of .. 55
Sucrose obtained, total per cent, of 47
inversion of, in the battery 40
inversion of , 30
Sugar, total yield of 36
per ton, weight ol 50
obtained, total per cent, of 50
Sugars made, weight of 47
64
Page.
Sugar-cane, experiments with 45
Sugar, direct estimation of, in chips
character of 36
available in cane „• 31, 32
Sulphur apparatus 13
working of 13
juices before October 1, analyses of 19
after September 30, analyses of 20
Sulphured juices, analyses of 47,49
ratio sucrose to glucose in 33
Sulphurous acid, replacement of, by phosphoric 34
Swenson, Prof. M., filter-press of 13
suggestion of 28
T.
Tops, per cent, of 35, 36
W.
Waste chips before October 1, analyses of 21
after September 30, analyses of 21
composition of 37
percentage of water in, after pressure 37
Waste waters before October 1, analyses of 20
after September 30, analyses of 20
percentage of sugar in 34
Water supply, character of 55
Work, results of 35
Y.
Yield, increase of •. r 52
FORM NO. DD6
50M 5-03
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California 94720-6000
y
*r
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