/4 7-raa^ jja^s_ y — ■ — U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ' DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY. BULLETIN. No. 20. I : — ?-* ■■ ' RECORD OF EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED BY THK COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM SORGHUM AT RIO GRANDE, NEW JERSEY: KENNER, LOUISIANA: CONWAY SPRINGS, DOUGLASS, AND STERLING. KANSAS. 18 8 8. DOCUMENTS H. W. WILEY, ChertTT^tr— . WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 188 U.S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY. BULLETIN No. 20. RECORD OF EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED BY TDK COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM SORGHUM RIO GRANDE, NEW JERSEY; KENNER, LOUISIANA; CONWAY SPRINGS, DOUGLASS, AND STERLING, KANSAS. 18 8 8. BY IE W. WILEY, Chen WASHINGTON: GOV EB N M BNT PRINTING OFFII IE 1 889. L4056— Bull. 20— I Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/experimeOOwile LETTER OF SUBMITTAL December 19, 1888. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the manuscript of Bulletin No. 20, being the report of experiments in the manufacture of sugar from . ! i n in conducted by your direction during the season of 1888. Respectfully, H. W. Wiley, Chemist. Hon. Norman J. Colman, Commissioner of Agriculture, EXPERIMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR FROM SORGHUM. ASSIGNMENT OF WOBK. The bill making an appropriation for experiments in the manufacture of sugar did not become a law until the 19th of July, 1888. At that time it was manifestly impossible for the Department to make any arrange- ments of its own for the conduct of experiments during the present manufacturing season. It was necessary, if any experiments were to be made at all, that they should be arranged for in connection with work already in progress either by individuals, private corporations, or State experiment Stations. The following arrangements were therefore made for the experimental work: (1) A continuation of the experimental work at Rio Grande, X. J., under the direc- tion of Mr. II. A. Hughes. (•i) A series of experiments at Keuner, La., under the direction of Trot. \V. (J. Stubbs. (3) Experimental work at Douglass, Kans.. under the direction of the Douglass Sugar Company. I Experimental work at Conway Springs, Kans., under the direction of Mr. E. W. Deming. (5) Experiments in the improvement in the varieties of cane at Sterling, Kans., under tin- direction of Mr. A. A. Denton. In addition to the above work arrangements were made for analytical researches nnder my direction at Douglass, Conway Springs and Ster ling, Kan -. It was deemed n'nad\ isable at the late date mentioned for the Department to Bnggest any experimental work or assume any con- trol thereof. Saving been authorized to arrange for such work in a manner w liich seemed most advantageous tin* following directions were given. The work at Ui<> Grande was placed exclusively iu charge ol M . il. A. Bughes, to be conducted in such a manner as lie saw lit for the benefil of the industiy. The work which Mr. Bughes propose do was on a small scale, with the ultimate idea of making it possible for fanners and others to manufacture sugar without the expense of appa- ratus usually considered necessary for that purpose. The results of Mr. Hughes's woi k have h.-en reported by liim further on in this bulletin, and a discussion of them will be giveu in connection with his report Prof. W. 0. Stnbbs lftving commenced preparations for experimental work wiih sorghum at the experiment station at Kenner, he was au- thorized to complete this work under the auspices of the Department. No instructions in regard to the method of performing the work were sent Professor Stnbbs, except to do that which seemed best for the promotion of the industry. His report of the results of the work and the discussion thereof will follow. The experimental work at Douglass, Ivans., was placed under the con- trol of the Douglass Sugar Company. The object was to test thor- oughly the method of open diffusion practiced on a small scale by Mr. Hughes, at Rio Grande, and they conducted the work under the general instructions to give that system of diffusion and the apparatus a thor- ough and impartial test. The general results of the experimental work at the station are given in the report of Mr. Edson, with a discussion of the data there recorded. The experimental work at Conway Springs consisted in the trial of a new system of preparing the exhaust, d chips for fuel; and certain new arrangements of apparatus connected with the diffusion battery and of a new system of handling and storing the cane. Xo specific instruc- tions were given to .Mi-. Deming in regard to the conduct of the work, but he was left free to use his own judgment in every particular in regard to what was best to be done. Mr. Deming's report and the dis- cussion thereof will follow. The experimental work at Sterling was of an entirely different order. The Sterling Sugar Company had commenced a thorough examination of all obtainable varieties of the sorghum plant. By an arrangement made with this company, the Department assumed this work in the condition in which it was found the latter part of .Inly and carried it to completion under the supervision of .Messrs. Denton and Craraptou, whose report and observations thereon will follow. The following assignment of the chemical force of the division was made for the purpose of securing analytical data of the season's work. Mr. Hughes having expressed an opinion that be could get along in- dependently of any chemical assistance from the Department, no assign- ment was made to Bio Grande. Mr. Edson was placed in charge of the chemical work at Douglass, assisted by Mr. John I,. Fuelling. Pn f. B. A. VOIl SchweiuitZ was placed in charge of the chemical work at Conwaj Springs, assisted by Mr. Oma Carr. Dr. 0. A. Cramptoo was placed in charge of the work at sterling, assisted by Mr. Karl 1\ McBlroy. h, the latter part Of July I Visited the three localities last named, and arranged with the proper persons for the establishment ol' the labora- tories and perfected the arrangements for the chemical coutrol which desired. In September and October] visited each of the labora- tories above mentioned, and spent some days with the chemists in charge ii.-ultation concerning the progress of the work and any changes or alterations therein wliicli seemed necessary. The results of the chemi- cal work in each case will be found in connection with the reports of the respective stations. EXPERIMENTS AT RIO GRANDE, N. J. The result of the work at Rio Grande is disappointing in its nature. For some reason the cane grown in that locality has failed to improve, although it appears that it has had. the benefit of careful attention and fertilization. There has beeu upon the whole, as indicated in Bulletin 18, a deterioration of the cane at Eio Grande, the crops which were raised six or seven years ago showing a higher percentage of sucrose than those of the present time. This deterioration has been caused either by admixture of a non-saccharine variety with the seed, by the method of culture, or by the influence of the soil and climate of that locality. I am inclined to attribute much of the depreciation to a fault of the seed; whether or not it has been mixed with broom-corn lam unabh* to say. The almost total failure of the amber cane at Eio Grande would seem to indicate that some such accident had happened to it. While amber cane in other localities has continued to show a high per- centage of sucrose in the juice, at Eio Grande it lias become * worthless variety for sugar-making or even the production of sirup. The impor- tance of seed selection is emphasized by this fact, since there is every reason to believe that if seed of the early amber, such as was planted at Eio Grande seven or eight years ago, were again planted in that locality it would produce an equally rich crop of cane. It would be a useless task, however, for any one to attempt t lie successful manufacture of sugar by any process from juices no richer than those reported by Mr. Hughes during the present year; such canes at best could only make molasses, and that probably of an inferior character. These agricultural results are tin more discouraging because of the system- atic attempts which have been made at Rio Grande in conjunction with the New Jersey experiment station for the production of a high-grade cane; these are not, however, sufficiently discouraging to justify aban- donment of similar attempts in other localities. In respect of the cli- mate at Kio Grande. I can see nothing which would lead me to believe that it is unfavorable to the growth of sorghum. On the oilier hand, the climatic conditions appear extremely fa vorable, unless it he true that sorghum will not develop a maximum content of sugar in localities favored with abundant summer rains. Aside from this, tin- favorable conditions for growth and the practical immunity from earls frosts ren- der the locality a most favorable one for the production and manufact- ure of a crop of SOrgbum cane. The soil of this locality, it i^> true, is not naturall.N as fertile as the soil-, of Kansas, but with t he judicious fertili- zation which has been practiced, the tonnage p» r acre has been fully as great, if not greater, at Kio Grande than iii nio^t other localities. 8 Id regard to the methods of manufacture employed at this station, it is necessary to speak with some degree of caution. In the report of Mr. Hughes we have, from his stand-point, a brief but graphic descrip- tion of the method employed. I have never been of the opinion that sugar making from sorghum could be successfully practiced on a small scale, and the experiments carried on by the Department of Agriculture for two successive seasons at Bio Grande have only served to confirm me in this belief. The nature of the processes employed, the character of machinery required, and the kind of skilled labor needed, all com- bine to render the manufacture of sugar on a small scale commercially unsuccessful. I do not see any favorable result in this direction from the two years' trial at Rio Grande. For the present manufacturing season .Mr. Hughes does not give the total amount of sugar made, ex- cept from a portion of the crop, and this is no evidence whatever that its cost has been sufficiently low to enable it to be put upon the market in competition with other sugars. I should have been glad had the re suit been otherwise, for the successful inauguration of an era of sugar making conducted by farmers would have been a great blessing to vast agricultural regions. In regard to the machinery employed my opinion has already been expressed. I have said repeatedly, both in official publications and in other places, that I regarded the system of cutting and preparing the cane devised by Mr. Hughes, and now in use in every sorghum factory in the United States and in at least one cane sugar factory, as the very besl which has yet been invented. I have long been convinced that for the extraction of sugar from cane of both kinds the greater the de- gree <»f comminution of the chips the more successful the pr< cess will be. The system of double shredding inaugurated by Mr. Hughes during the past season tends to secure this end. It was in this direction also that I urged last year for sugar-cane the construction of a shredding- machine on the principle of the shredder built by the Newell Universal Mill Company of New York, for the purpose of preparing the pieces of cane properly for the diffusion battery. This shredder I suggested should be furnished with very line steel knives, Of the general pattern of the shredder now in use, with .short cylinders of large diameter, driven at a very much higher rate of speed. Last year 1 suggested to Mr. 1'iske, the inventor of the tnachiue above mentioned, the advis- ability of building such a machine in duplicate for the purpose of re- ducing the cane to as ftue pieces as possible. The advantage of such a shredder as this over the one used by Mi-. Hughes would be principally in its greater strength, and in the assurance that it could be run for days, and pei haps a whole season through, without any necessity for repairs, n js of the highest importance thai the apparatus for cutting and pulping the cane should he as effect i\e as possible and built in two sets, so that if one should be out of order the second could still be used. In regard to the system of diffusion practiced at the Rio Grande sta- tion, and described in Bulletin 18, further experience only leads me to emphasize what was said in that bulletin, viz : The defects of the system were both mechanical and chemical. The mechanical difficulty is the same as that which attends all methods of diffusion in which the cane chips are moved instead of the diffusion liquors. From a mechan- ical point of view it is far easier and more economical to move a liquid in a series of vessels than a mass of chips. In the Hughes system the whole mass of chips under going diffusion, together with adhering liquor, and baskets and suspending apparatus- are lilied vertically a distance of several feet, varying with the depth of the diffusion, tanks, every few minutes. The mechanical energy required to do this work is enor- mous, and with large batteries the process would prove almost impossible. The truth of this view will be further illustrated in the report of the Douglass Sugar Company. For very small batteries working only a few tons a day this system might possibly be employed, but I doubt even then if it could be economical^ worked. This opinion of mine, as will be seen, is at total variance with that expressed by Mr. Hughes, and those who propose to become practically interested in the matter will have to decide upon the merits of the two systems of diffusion after a personal investigation. Mr. Hubert Edsou, who has had two years' experience with the open system of diffusion, made the following statements relating thereto in the Loasiana Planter and Sugar Manufacturer of December 1, 1SSS. His report refers to the battery used at Douglass, Kans., during the season of 1888 : The battery was built from plans secured directly from Mr. Hughes, and with one or two slight changes was worked throughout the season. The main battery con- sisted of ten cells, open at the top to admit the baskets in 'which the chips were placed for diffusion. These baskets, mad.- of strong boiler-iron, were attached to the arms of a crane, which was raised, rotated, and lowered till the requisite number of immersions was obtained. Besid< s these ten cells there was an extra one of the same dimensions placed just outside and within reach of the arms from the large crane. This arrangement was intended to secure a dense diffusion juice, allowing, as the diffusion progressed, the heavicsl juice from two of the cells of the main battery to be drawn into the outside cell, and which there received two baskets of fresh chips before being empl ied. This manner of operating the battery will, it is claimed by the inventor, give a juice almost as dense as ,i corresponding mill juice In my opinion, however, no greater advantage is secured by the eleventh cell being outside the main battery than by the same Dumber arranged in regular order. Certainly, at Donglass, 'he re- sults claimed by the inventor were not even approximated. The outside cell also eu tailed an extra amount of labor in transferring the basket from the small crane, to which it was attached during it- immersion, to the largo crane of the main battery. So much for the manner of working the battery. Now foi the things thai are of actual \alue t<. the Bugar planters, the results obtained, and the expenses incident to such results. M" hue i. "i an\ kind to lie effective should require a minimum of human tabor. Let us see bo* the Hughes butter; compares with the ordinary form. At Douglass the batU rj was designed to work LOO tons of cane daily, ami to do this at least eight men were accessary toshtfl the baskets to their different places. Half of this num- ber would run a olose battery ami liu'i the work easier, since they would have no baskets weighing 1,000 pounds each to bandle. 10 Besides this manual labor the whole ten baskets had to be raised every time oue was filled or emptied. A large hydraulic pump is used for this work and of itself requires more power than is necessary to run a battery of closed cells. This extra 1>o\y< rand labor would not mn ssarily condemn the apparatus if such superior results obtained as to overcome the expense. But instead of this, exactly the reverse iccomplished. Not much better extraction was secured than is obtained by the ordinary cane-mill of Louisiana, and this only with a dilution of nearly oil pel cent., causing an extia cxpeuse of no small amount for evaporation. Then, also, the quality of the juice obtained was extremely poor. The almost constant exposure to the air and especially in iron vessels blackened it to such a degree thai no good sugars could be made from it. Clarification was nearly impossible witb any of the ordinary re- agent 8 in the sugar-house. This was extremely unfortunate in Kansas, as the greatest profits are made on material sold to the home market. Full reports of the chemical work at Iiio Grande are contained in Bulletin 51, New Jersey Experiment Station. As has been mentioned before, Prof. W. C. Stabbs was placed in charge of the experiments which were arranged for in connection with the Louisiana sugar experiment station at Kenncr and the stations at Baton Rouge and Calhoun. For two previous seasons Professor Stabbs had made extensive experiments with sorghum, which are fully reported in the bulletins of the Louisiana experiment station and in Bulletin No. 1^ of this division. A study of the analytical data of the three years' work in Louisiana shows in an emphatic way the peculiarities ofsorghum which have rendered so difficult the successful inauguration of sugar- making from that plant. The great variations in the content of Bucrose in the juices of the plant, its susceptibility to injury by storms and other unforeseen causes, are strikingly set forth in the analytical figures which follow. In my opinion the production of a variety of sorghum-cane suitable to the soil and climate of the sugar lands of Louisiana will be a work' of no small difficulty. From the results of the work already done, and especially during the last year, an account of which is con- tained in the appended report of Professor Stnbbs, it Is clearly seen thai a season which has produced a sugarcane very rich in sucrose in the State of Louisiana has produced a sorghum crop w Inch is absolutely worthless for sugar-making for commercial purposes. Another poiut illustrated by the report is brought out in the reference to the past work of the station, in which, although a cane was produced whose juice was on ably rich in sucrose, its practical working in the sugar factory was found most difficult. Cn the report this is ascribed to the presence of quantities of dextrine or dextrine like bodies supposed to be <1<- rived from the starch originally present in the juice. H is the opinion of Professor Stubbs that starch and sucrose are developed in the sor- ghum paripmsu, In this case it would be found that the direct polaii zation of a sorghum juice rich in sugar would show apparently a much higher content of sucrose than was actually present, since dextrine and 11 its allied bodies are mttcli more strongly dextro gyratory than sucrose. The points developed by the experiments may be summarized as follows : (1 ) Sorghum cane develops sometimes iu Louisiana a juice containing a very high percentage of* sucrose, but combined with other bodies which render its separation from the juice difficult. (2) The occurrence of a wet summer attended by the severe wind storms which are so common in that locality prevent the development of a high sucrose content in the growing sorghum. (3) The possible utilization of sugar machinery for a longer manu- facturing season is one, of the chief inducements in the sugar cane regions for the cultivation of sorghum as a sugar-producing plant. (4) Delay in working the cane after cutting is not as dangerous as has been supposed. It will be understood that these aie conclusions which I have drawn from reading Professor Stubbs's report, and are not formulated in the above manner by himself. The results of attempts to grow sorghum for sugar-making purposes on the low sugar-lands of Louisiana, in my opinion, are not highly en- couraging to the belief that these lands and their climate are the best suited in the United States for the production of sorghum, as Professor Stubbs says. On the other hand, 1 believe there are few localities in the United States, where sorghum grows at all, in which a better crop for sugar-making purposes can not be produced. Experience has shown that the dry climate of southern and western Kansas produces the most uniform crop of sorghum for sugar leaking purposes, while the data of Professor Stubbs, which follow, show that the Louisiana product, for the present year at least, is about the poorest on record. One point, how- ever, should he borne in mind, viz, that the course of experiment pur- sued by the Louisiana experiment station is the one which is best suited for the rapid development of every possibility of sorghum culture in that Stale. The experimental trials which are made with sorghum will show both its weal; and strong points, and in the wide variation which the plant shows there will doubtless be some variety produced <>r found which will be best suited to the peculiar conditions which obtain in that locality. The soil and climatic conditions of the northern put of the State, where cotton is now grown, will probably be found better suited to tie- production of sorghum than those of the present sugar-producing localities. I feel quite sure that the expectation expressed by Prof< stubbs of being able to realize u\u\rv eertaiu conditions as much as 120 to 1_\"> pounds of sugar from BOrghuni cane may be fully met under favorable circumstances; but it would .still remain to be demonstrated that this \ ield could be reasonably expected from year to year, or even Occasionally, on a large scale. The Subsequent experiments which are promised by Professor St ubbs at the Louisiana station will doubtless S(,( :lt ^St, in a few years, all these questions, and demonstrate to the sugar makers of Louisiana jnst what can be expected from sorghum as an adjunct t » thru great indiistn . 12 EXPERIMENTS AT CONWAY SPRINGS. In the reports of Messrs. Deiniug and von Schweinitz which follow, together with the analytical tables, much interesting information may be found in regard to the sorghum sugar industry in Kansas. The suc- cessful continuation of the work at Fort Scott has encourged the be- lief in the .possibility of a speedy establishment of a sorghum -sugar industry in Kansas on a large scale. The unfortunate financial out- come of the work at Conway Springs shows that much is yet to be Leai ned by those entering upon this industry before success can be con- fidently predicted. A discussion of the chemical data collected at Con- way Springs will be found in connection with the analytical tables. It is proper to say here, however, that the sorghum juices of the crop grown at Conway Springs show a higher content of sucrose than any large crop which has ever before been produced in the United States. This high content of sucrose which appeared in the erop alter the mid- dle of September, as indicated by the analysis of the juices, was con- tinued until the close of the working season in November. The sam- ples of chips taken from the cells of the battery showed in their juices a high content of sucrose uniformly; much higher, in fact, than would be indicated by the output of sugar. One reason, doubtless, lor this was the exceptionally dry season diminishing the content of water in the cane and thus increasing the percentage of sucrose in the juice. This fact, though not established by the determination of the liber in the cane, is plainly indicated by two other facts developed by the analyt- ical work, viz, the diminished extraction when using the small mill at the same pressure as the season progressed and the high con ten I of total solids in the juices. The output of sugar was evidently dimin- ished by the character of the water used in diffusion, but that would bo unable to account for the small yield of crystallizable sugar obtained with juices of the richness of those worked. Experiments made by boiling a solution of pure sugar with the water used in diffusion at Conway Springs proved that the presence of a large amount of gypsum did not tend to increase the inversion of sucrose; that it may, however, have interfered with the crystallization of the sucrose is a fact which can scarcely be denied. The actual output of sugar at Conway Springs, in my opinion, would have been considerably larger had pure water been employed in the diffusion battery; nevertheless, the important fact remains that the yield of crystallizable sugar was wholly disproportional to the richness of the juices worked, showing that, the bigh ratio of BUCrose \m^ not obtained at the expense of the solids not sugar in the juices. In other words, it appears that a cane whose juice is normal in quantity, say about 1)0 per cent, of the total weight, ami having a content of sugar equal to 10 per cent., with total solids at 16 per cent., will yield fully as much, if not more, sugar than a cine whose juice is abnormal, saj not more than 80 per cent, of the total weight, with 12 per cent, of sucrose and 18 or 20 per cent* oi total solids. Another impor* 13 taut fact developed by a study of the data obtained at Conway Springs is the persistence of the sugar content in the juice after the cane was fully ripened. In localities where considerable moisture may be ex- pected in the soil as a result of frequent rains during the manufactur- ing season it has been noticed that there is a rapid deterioration of the juices, beginning a short time after complete maturation. This has been especially noticed in the experience at the Rio Grande station. It has also been noticed by all careful observers of sorghum grown in ordinary localities. The inspissatiou of the juices by the natural causes of an extremely dry climate appears to protect the sugar from this destruc- tion. This is a point of the greatest interest to sorghum-growers, to whom the preservation of the sugar in the juice for a reasonable length of time is a matter of the greatest consideration. In the process of dif- fusion this thickening of the juice entails no loss, although if milling were used for expressing the juice the loss would be a most serious one. The above explanation of the character of the juice at Conway Springs is offered with some degree of hesitation, since I am fully aware of the danger of drawing conclusions in sorghum work from a too limited num- ber of observations. The manufacturing operations at Conway Springs were greatly hin- dered by faults in the machinery, which could scarcely be avoided when the short time allowed for the manufacture and erection of the same is considered. Instead of taking tin ee months for the erection of a sugar factory, a whole year is none too long a time, and disaster, for at least one year, is certain to attend attempts to erect such machinery in the time allowed at Conway Springs. What is needed now in the sorghum-sugar industry is the manufact- ure of sugar at a rate which will enable the manufacturer to compete with sugar from other pints of the world. A great step in tins direc- tion will be secured when the kind of machinery which has been pointed out by the investigations of the Department as necessary to success shall be constructed by skilled machinists and erected by skilled engi- neers, with time enough at t heir disposal to finish their work before the manufacturing season begins. Some further remarks on this subject will be made in another place. Prom a commercial point of view, the results of the work at Conway Springs are wholly disappointing. To the person, however, who will take pains to inform himself in regard to the conditions w Inch there obtained, many points of encouragement will be found in spite of the financial failure of the fust season's work. EXPERIMENTS LT DOl GL LSS, B LNS, The practical experiments carried on at Douglass consisted in a thorough trial of the open s\stem of diffusion (the Bughes System) to test its fitness for working on a large scale. For the details of the con- 14 struction of the battery I refer to the report of Mr. Edson. In regard to its working in general, I may say that it was a total failure, both as to economy of power ami success of extraction. The financial diffi- culties which were met with by the company during- the year were at- tributed largely to the nse of this battery. The evaporating apparatus in use at Douglass was of first-class quality and arranged in a practical manner. The system of clarification tanks, double effects, and strike pan was as good as could be desired for sugar-making purposes. Had the company adopted the system of diffusion erected by the Department at Fort Scott, there is every reason to believe that even during the first season it would have paid all expenses and made a reasonable profit. The attempt to introduce a new and untried system on a huge scale shows the danger which too often besets the introduction of a new enterprise. The promoters of such an enterprise, not satisfied with what has been accomplished, attempt to follow new paths, which often lead to unknown and unwished for localities. It is best in any enter- prise to accept what has been proved of value and not jeopardize the success of a commercial undertaking by introducing in its place a kind of experiment, which, failing, would destroy all prospects of success. As will be seen by the analytical tables accompanying the Douglass report, the crop was of lair quality, showing about the average per- centage of sucrose developed in Kansas during the last two or three years. The soil on which most of the crop was raised was somewhat richer in vegetable matter and contained less sand than the soil at Conway Springs. The climatic conditions of the two places were so uearly identical as to make apparently but little difference j yet it must be conceded that at Douglass the hot dry winds produced less effect than at Conway Springs. There did not appear to be the same drying ii]) of the juice, which may account to some extent for the percentage of sucrose therein being less. The agricultural results, however, were of the most encouraging nature, showing that in this locality a crop of sorghum cane can be grown which, with proper treatment, may be ex- pected to yield from .SO to 90 pounds Of sugar per ton of clean cane. Not only were the actual results rendered unfavorable by the kind of battery employed, but, aside from this, for some reason the centrifugals used proved i<> be wholly inadequate to the severe task imposed upon them. The drying of sorghum sugar is at best a difficult task, and only the best approved centrifugal apparatus should ever be employed for this purpose. Had the battery at Douglass worked successfully much delay would have been experienced in the manufacture of the crop by the imperfections above noted in the centrifugal machines. EXPERIMENTS AT STERLING, KANS. At the very beginning of my connection with the experiments in the manufacture Of sugar from sorghum I realized the importance of improv- 15 ing tbe quality or uic cane to be usee]. In Bulletin No. 3, page 107, I made the following statements : The future success of tbe industry depends on the following conditions, viz: (1) A careful selection and improvement of the seed with a view of increasing the proportion of sin i \ definition of geographical limits of successful culture and manufacture. (3) A better method of purifying the juices. (4) A more complete separation of t lie sugar from the canes. (5) A more complete separation of the sugar from the molasses. (6) A systematic utilization of the by products. (7) A careful nutrition and improvement of the soil. IMPROVEMENT BY skid 8ELECTION. 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 cinder proper scientific direction for a number of \ ears. The cost w ill be so great that a private citizen will hardly ho willing to undertake the expense. The history of the improvement in the sugar beet should be sufficient to encourage all similar efforts Vi ilh sorghum. The original forage beet, from which the sugar beet has been developed, contained only 5 or 6 per cent, of sucrose. The sugar beet low will average In per cent.* of siicro>c. It seems to me that a lew years of careful selection may secure a similar improvement in sorghum. It would be a long step toward the solution of the problem to secure a sorghum that would average, lie id with field, 12 per cent, 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 analyt- ical icsults should be carefully selected for seed, and this selection continued until accidental variations become hereditary qualities in harmony with the well-known principles <>:' descent. It' these experiments in selection could be made in different parts of the country, and especially 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 tor another. It' some ui itv of action could in this way be established among th< tjed in agricultural research, much time and labor would be saved and more valuable results be obtained. In a summary of the methods which 1 had advocated for the im- provement ol the sorghum plant, I said in an address before the National Sugar Growers9 Association in Saint Louis, in February, l Finally, our experiments have taught us that after all the mechanical difficulties which have beeu enumerated in the manufacture < from sorghum have been overcome, the industry can not become commercially successful until the scientific agronomist succeeds in producing a sorghum plant with a reasonably high and uni- form content of mii in-' and a minimum oi other substances. This work is peculiarly the function of our Agricultural experiment stations, in beet sugar-producing coun- tries the production of the seed for planting is a distinct branch of the industry. So, [u the six years thai bave passed si uco the above was written f he sugar bc< been still further improved and its mean percentage of sucrose qo \ amouuts t haps 12, 1G too, it must bo with sorghum. A carofnl scientific selection of the secdd of those plants .showing the best sugar-producing qualities, their proper planting aud culti- vation, a wise choice of locality and soil, a proper appreciation of the Inst methods of culture, these are all factors which must be taken into consideration in the suc- ;1 solution of the problem. It was with this purpose in view that 1 made the arrangements with the Sterling Sirup Company by which the Department assumed control of the experiments which they had commenced in the cultivation of different varieties of sorghum. At the time this arrangement was made. viz. in the latter part of July, Mr. A. A. Denton was already in charge thereof for the Sterling Sirup Company, and he was appointed to continue in general charge under the direction of the Department. It was arranged with Mr. Denton that the general line of research should be such as is in- dicated in the above statements of the purposes in view. The chemists who were sent to take charge of the analytical work were instructed to co-operate with Mr. Denton in such a way as to secure favorable results aud to make such suggestions as might seem valuable in the details of the work. Mr. Denton was requested to make a general study of the growth of the different varieties and of the habits of each one with refer- ence to its litiiess as a sugar plant. The most promising individuals of each variety were to he selected for experimental purposes, and those showing the highest content of sucrose with the lowest content of other substances were to be preserved for future planting. The able manner in which Mr. Denton accomplished this work, assisted by the chemists of the Department, will be found in his detailed report. I regard it of the highest importance to the future success of the industry that the line of work thus commenced by the Department should be continued. One great difficulty with which we have to contend is in the charac- ter of the appropriations made for the experimental work. I have called attention to this difficulty iii former reports, and 1 wish to empha- size the matter here. Tin4 tiseal year in all Government affairs begins on the 1st of July. For investigations in agriculture no more unl'ortu- uate beginning of the year could be selected. On the 1st of July it is too late to commence experiments for that .season ; if these experiments be postponed till the next season arrangements can be made for their continuation only up to the 1st of t lie next July, and thus the\ have to be stopped before they are Well begun. The difficulty iS extremely mani- fest in the present instance. The wisdom and value of continuing the experiments at Sterling last year will be denied by no one. Abundant funds are left over from the present year's appropriation to continue the experiments for another season : it is, however, unwise to make any ar- ementfi For BUCh work, .since no pari Of it, except that which will be let out b\ contract, could be continued after the 1st of July, 1889. Von thus find your hands tied, as it were, by the unfortunate disposition of the experimental year which has to begin and end with the fiscal year. To avoid this difficulty, which has been one of the greatest causes of the disasters which have attended our experiments with sorghum, I 17 earnestly recommend that all appropriations for field and manufactur- ing experiments in agricultural matters be made to take effect from the 1st of January each year instead of the 1st of July. POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN BUILDING A FACTORY. It is of the utmost importance, both for the individuals and the in- dustry, that intending investors in the sugar business should carefully consider the problem presented to them in all its forms. Failure is not only a personal calamity but a public one in that it deters capital from investment in an industry which, properly pursued, gives promise of a fair interest on the money invested. Soil and climate. — The importance of soil and climate has already been discussed. In the light of present experience it must be con- ceded that a soil and climate similar to those of southern and western Kansas are best suited to the culture of sorghum for sugar-making purposes. Further investigations may show that Texas and Louisiana present equally as favorable conditions, but this yet awaits demonstra- tion. Conditions approximately similar to those mentioned can doubt- less be found in Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and other locali- ties. The expectations which were entertained and positively advocated a few years ago of the establishment of a successful sorghum industry in the great maize fields of the country must now be definitely aban- doned. He who would now advise the building of a sorghum sugar factory in northern Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Wisconsin would either betray his ignorance or his malignity. A season of manufacture, reasonably certain for sixty days, is an essential condition to success in the manufacture of sorghum sugar. Early frosts falling on cane still Immature, or a freezing temperature on ripe cane followed by warm weather, are alike fatal toa favorable issue of the attempt to make sugar. Sober and careful men will not be misled by the claims of the enthusi- ast, by the making of a few thousand pounds of sugar in Miuuesola, by the graining of whole barrels of molasses in Iowa. Four or five million acres of land will produce all the sugar this country can con- sume for many years and these acres should be located where the cli matic conditions are most favorable. During the past season si rghum cane matured as far north as Topeka, but in 1886 the cane crop at Port Scott was ruined by a heavy frost on the 29th of September, and ill a like misfortune happened at Ottawa, Cans., on the 4th of October. These interesting facts show that these points are on the extreme northern limits of safety for sorghum-sugar making, ami the region of SQCCeSS will he found to the south and west of them. Natural fertility of soil must also he considered as well as favorable climate. The Bandy pine lands of North < ' urolina can not hope to com- pete with the rich prairies of southwestern Kansas and the Indian Territory. Indeed, in my opinion, the last-named locality should it ever bo opened to while settlers. i> destined to i»c the great center of the 14056— Bull. 20 2 18 sorghum- sugar industry; nevertheless, those who plant rhe virgin soils of this great southwestern empire must remember that to always take and never give will tire the most patient soils, and a just return should be annually made to the willing fields. A judicious fertilization, rotation of crops, and rest will not only preserve the natural fertility of the fields but give even a richer return in the improved quality of the cane and the greater tonnage secured. Perhaps the most sensible solution of the problem of the disposition of the waste chips will be found in re- turning them to the soil. These chips have a positive inanurial value in the nitrogen they contain, while their merely physical effect on the soil may prove of the highest importance. Water supply. — The misfortunes which have attended many attempts in the manufacture of sugar by diffusion by reason of an imperfect or insufficient water supply are a sufficient warning on this subject to the careful student. Xot only should the water supply be abundant and easily accessible, but the portion of it at least which is to be used in the bat- tery should be as pure as possible. The presence of carbonate of lime and some other carbonates in water is not injurious, but the evil effects of a large amount of other kinds of mineral matter are shown in the data from Conway Springs. When the supply of water is insufficient it has been customary to use ponds for receiving the waste from the factory, so that it may be used again. This method is applicable if care be taken to prevent organic matters, scums, etc., from entering the water supply. In case this precaution is not taken the operator of the factory may find himself in the condition in which the Department was placed in its fust experiments at Ottawa and Fort Scott in being compelled to use water foul and putrescent. It is scarcely safe to rely upon a well for a supply of water, especially if it has to be sunk to any depth. Where pumping machinery must be placed many feet below the surface, as in the cramped condition which attends its erection in a well, serious diffi- culties may arise from the machinery getting out of order, and a great loss of energy may ensue from the necessity of lifting the water to a great height. In all cases where it is possible a running stream of water should be selected for the supply, and the factory should be placed conveniently near its banks. The importance of this matter is emphasized the more when it is considered that the most favorable localities for sugar making, as indicated by the present state of our knowledge, are situated in regions where the water supply is notably deficient. Yet it must be admitted that even in southern and western Kansas it will not be difficult to find localities for the erection of sugar factories where the water supply IS certain and abundant. In the light of past experience it is QOt probable that any further mistakes will bo made in this direction. < 'areful estimates should be made of the quan- tity of water required, ami absolute certainty should be secured of the supply of that amount of water, and even of a much greater amount in - of emergency. The only safety will be found in some such plan as I hi*. 19 Proximity of cane fields. — Another point which must be taken into consideration in the location of a factory is the distance which the cane is to be transported. This is a matter which of course the farmers rais- ing the cane are more interested in than the proprietors of the factory, when the cane is grown by contract. With good roads, in a level coun- try, it is easy to draw from li to 2 tons of field cane at each load. The average price which is paid for such cane at the present time is 82 per ton. It is evident that at a given distance, varying according to the price of teams and labor in each locality, the cost of transportation would equal the total receipts for the cane; in this case the farmer would have nothing left to pay for the raising of the cane and profit. Evidently true economy, from an agricultural point of view, would re- quire the cane to be grown as near the factory as possible. It would be well, indeed, if all the cane could be grown within a radius of 1 mile from the factory. This would give, in round numbers, 2.0(H) acres tributary to a factory. With an ordinary season this ought to produce 20,000 tons of cane. The lengthening of the radius of this circle by one- half mile would give the greatest distance to be hauled l1 miles, thus vastly increasing the surface tributary to the central factory. It is true that at the present time farmers are easily found who are willing to draw their cane 4,5, and even G miles, but this condition of affairs can not be continued when the business is fully established and the factories in sharp competition with each other. En case the exhausted chips are to be returned to the soil as fertilizer the importance of a cen- trally located factory, as described, is doubly emphasized. Fuel — A cheap and abundant supply of fuel is not less important than the raw material to be manufactured into sugar. As far as (lie sorghum-sugar industry is concerned the coal which Is used for fuel is transported almost exclusively by rail. In locating a factory, therefore, both for convenience of shipping the product and lor receiving a sap- ply of fuel, it should be placed sufficiently near a railway line to enable it to be connected therewith .by a switch. It is better, howev< r. that the switch should be of some considerable length than that the \\ a er supply should be remote or the cam* in distant fields. The problem of burning the exhausted chips has not ye; been suc< fully solved, and I doubt very much whether it will be.- Save the s< I ening which the chips undergo in the process of diffusion the difficulty of expressing tin- water from them is as great asthat of expressing the juice from fresh chips. Thus to dry the chips siillicieiit ly to make them economical tor fuel would require a vast expenditure of power, which would hardly be .supplied by the increased supply of steam geuerated by their combustion. Experiments during the seasons lSS7-88al M iguolia Plantation, Louisiana, showed that an ordinary cane-mill was poorly adapted to the pressure of exhausted cane chips. The feeding o\' the * Since i lus was w n it. mi further experiments are more favorable to the possibility of economical! j using the chips for fueL 20 mill was difficult, and the amount of fuel produced seeuied wholly dis- proportional to the expense of preparing it. It has beeu proposed to try the process. used for extracting the water from beet pulp for the purpose of drying sorghum chips. There is nothing whatever in the experience of the beet sugar factories to warrant the belief that such a process would render the chips sufficiently dry to buru. Although L would not be considered as discouraging any further attempts in the direction of preparing sorghum chips for fuel, I must be allowed to ex piess the belief that for some time to come coal must be chiefly re- lied upon. If the chips are to be successfully burned in the future we may make up our mind, that it will have to be done by previous pressure in mills which in all their appointments shall be as strong and efficient as those which have been in use for expressing the juice from cane. It can not be hoped that these chips will be made sufficiently dry by exposing them to the sun, and in artificial desiccation the amount of find required would be almost as great as that used in the evaporation of the original juice. It is claimed that at Wonopringo, in Java, as reported in the New Orleans Item of December 10, 1888, the Fives Lille Company has succeeded in drying the chips by passing them through two powerful three roll mills, and that the chips thus dried do not contain more than 55 per cent, of moisture and burn readily in an automatic furnace in- vented by Godillot. If it be assumed that 100 pounds of chips contain 10 pounds of combustible matter it is seen that nearly 80 pounds of water will have to be expressed therefrom before they are lit for fuel. I am doubtful whether such a process will prove profitable save in countries where fuel is very dear, as it is in Java and Cuba. Cost of factory. — It is on almost universal experience that the actual cost of a sugar factory is underestimated by those who undertake its election. Many of the disasters which have attended the manufacture of sorghum sugar have beeu due to miscalculation of the cost of the apparatus uecessary for the purpose. It is the part of wisdom to avoid mi-takes of this kind, and before undertaking the erection of a factory to fully understand the amount of outlay which will be required. The cost <>f a factory will, of course, vary according to its capacity and the character ol* the machinery and building erected. In my opinion there is little economy in usiug cheap machinery, hastily and poorlypul t<>- getber. Success is more likely to be obtained by using the very best machinery which has been devised for sugar-making purposes, and erecting it in a lasting and substantial manner. The economy which is secured in opera! ing such machinery far exceeds that which would be obtained by erecting a cheaper plant The character of the building must also be taken into cousiderat ion ; it should be Sufficiently large to allow a proper disposition of all parts of the machinery without crowd- ing, and sufficiently strong to afford a proper support for such portions thereof ;,. m, ,\ rest upouit, Due regard shaild also be paid to risks 21 of fire, and that portion of the factory especially exposed to such dan- gers should be mad" as nearly as possible fire-proof. The plans and specifications for all the machinery should be carefully prepared under the direction of a competent engineer and architect, and the machinery furnished by manufacturing firms whose experience and reparation are a guaranty of the excellence of their work. For a complete factory, capable of working 200 tons per day, the cost may be estimated at $00,000 for a minimum and 8100,000 for a maximum, the difference be- ing caused by the elaborateness of the work. This may seem a large sum, but it is highly important that intending investors should know the magnitude of the undertaking: which they propose. An estimate which exceeds the actual outlay by 810,000 will be far more satisfactory to all parties concerned than one which falls short of it by the same amount. Technical and chemical control. — The manufacture of sugar from sorghum is no mysterious process known only to one or two persons, as attempts have been made to establish ; nevertheless it must be under- stood that without experience in the manufacture of sugar the most competent engineer may fail. It is best, therefore, that intending in- vestors understand this beforehand that they may be able to secure some one to take charge of the manufacture of sugar who thoroughly un- derstands the needs of the business and has had some experience in the conduct thereof. Perhaps there are not more than fifteen or twenty such men now in the United States, but their number will be largely increased within a short time. It would seem, therefore, that the num- ber of factories which could be successfully operated in the next year or two is limited, and this fact should be taken into careful considera tion by those intending to invest money in the business. An intelli- gent young man of good education, with quick perceptions and of in- dustrious habits, would be able in one year, working in a sorghum- sugar factory, to obtain a knowledge which would enable him to take charge ef a factory, with some degree of success, on his own responsi- bility. One object which the Department has had in view in its experi- ments has been in having them open, not only to public inspection, but to careful technical study, to such persons as chose to make the attempt. It is to be regretted that at least one company, who through the cour- tesy of the Commissioner of Agriculture was permitted to use a large amount of machinery belonging to the Department, has so far for- gotten its obligations to the public as to refuse permission tor a tech- nical study and report ou its operations during the past year, rub- lie property is devoted to a poor purpose when used in such a manner. The importance of chemical control of the manufacturing work i^ so evident that 1 need Dot dwell upon it long. The va jhuni plan t are so pronounced as t<> require the careful supervision of the chemist at all times. In localities not far removed differences in the character of the sorghum are most marked. as illustrated i>\ the data 22 obtained at Conway Springs and Douglass, Kans., during the past year. To determine the titness of the cane for the manufacture of su- gar, control the workings of the factory, and fiud and remove tlie sources of loss in the sugar-house, are duties which can be committed only to the chemist. For many years, at least, this chemical supervision will be necessary, and its utility will always continue. PROGRESS OF DIFFUSION WITH SUGAR-CANE. Two plantations an1 using the process of diffusion daring the present season for tin1 extraction of sugar from sugar-cane. These are Sugar Land plantation ofColouel Cunningham, in Texas, and the Magnolia plantation of Governor Warmoth, in Louisiana. The latest reports from the Sugar Land plantation I find in the Item of December L5, 1888. At that time it is reported that over 2,000,000 pounds of sugar had been made and that the diffusion battery was working up from 800 to 350 tons of cane a day. It is also reported that an average of 191 pounds of sugar is made per ton. From the analyses of the cane reported in the Item of November 28, 1888, it appears that the juice has about 12 per cent, of crystallizable sugar. The success of the operations seems to be fully assured. The working of the battery at .Magnolia is also satisfactory. The an- alysis of the cane shows that it is extremely rich in sugar. In the Item of December 1 it is reported that the juice contained L3.7 to 10.0 per cent, of sugar. A polarization had been made showing as high as 10.2 per cent. Under date of December 9, Mr. G. L. Spencer writes as follows: Diffusion is working to everyone's satisfaction. We have had a great man} delays, almost .-ill of which were caused by the faryan quadruple-effect pan. Governor War- motli had the apparatus overhauled tji is i ning and found that the exhaust-pipe from the pump opens into the second effect, making a pressure pan of this when ug with more than :"> or I pounds of steam. This defect has been remedied and wc hope everything will be all right now. The cutter gave a greal deal of trouble ;it first, so much that we thought it would be necessary to abandon it. Finally two holes cut in the side of the casing opposite the cutting disk relieved il. so now it is working well. We can cut a cell of chips averaging 2,864 pounds in seven and a half minute-. The dilution will probably surprise you. 1 iu tended starting with ;i dilution of :;:; per cent., hut i>\ a mistake in measurement I started vi ith ">»» per i ent. With 50 per cent, dilution we left from .28 to .70 sucrose iu the chip juice. I gradu- ally reduced the dilution until it dropped to L4.8 per cent.. 1. a\ ing aboul .?(> to 1 pel c.ni. ot sucrose iu the exhausted chip juici s. w .■ have finally commenced running with a dilution of 21 per cent., leaving . 12 per cent, of Bucrose in the exhausted chip juices. With pulped cane, such as Hughes's apparatus gives, I would be willing to guaranty a dilution of only 18 per cent, and i<> leave less than .50 per cent, of sugar in the exhausted chips. We tried the use of lime lu the cells. Practically, when making w bite sugar, we can not work the battery hoi euough to obtain clean juice. We try to keep the battery al ab 90 (\ Farther experiments have also been made in the application of diffu- sion to sugarcane by Prof. W. O. Stubbs at the Kenuer Sugar Experi went Station. A full report of this work will be published in a forth- coming bulletiu of (hat station. In the Louisiana Planter and Sugar 23 Manufacturer of December 1,1888, a report is found on a part of the work done. As high as 240 pouuds of sugar have been obtained per ton of cane. The results of the work are in every way encouraging. From the above it is seen that diffusion with sugar-cane is an assured success, and we may expect to see it gradually displacing the milling process throughout the sugar-producing world.* THE USE OF LIME IN THE DIFFUSION BATTERY. The use of carbonate of lime in the diffusion battery and the patent obtained for this process by Prof. Magnus S wen son are fully discussed iu Bulletin No. 17, p. 61, ct seq. Since the publication of that bulletin and of Bulletin No. 1-4, further experiments at Conway Springs have demonstrated that the method originally proposed by me for the use of lime to prevent inversion in the battery by evenly distributing finely-divided lime upon the fresh chips lias proved satisfactory. An apparatus constructed by Mr. B. W. Denting succeeded fairly well in evenly distributing the lime over all the chips entering Hie cell in such a fine state of division as to pre- vent any portion of the contents of the cell from becoming alkaline. The lime was prepared by air slaking and sifting through a tine sieve into a barred covered by a cloth to protect the laborer. During the past year the use of lime in the diffusion battery for clari- fying the juices has received a good deal of attention. The first person who proposed this process and took out a patent upon it was Mr. O.B.Jennings. Letters patent, Xo. 287544, dated October 30, 1883, were issued to Mr. Jeuniugs on an application filed on the 2d of April, 1883. following is an abstract of .Mr. Jennings's patent: Be it known thai I, Orlando B. Jennings, of Honey (reck, in the couuty of Wal- worth :iiid State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful improvements in the man nfactnre of sugar from Bngar-cane, sorghum, inaizc, and other plants, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description: This invention relates to the manufacture <»i Bqgar from different sugar-producing plants, including sugar-cane, maple, sorghum, and maize; but it has mors espseial reference to defecating the juice in the stalks of sugar-cane, sorghum, and maize, and extracting the juice from the residue or bagasse for subsequent boiling into sugar and sirup. In making sugar from Bugar-prodncing plants with my invention, it i> my purpose to extract and ntilize all of the saccharine juice and to obtain entire control of its defecut ion. •*.> as to make a airup free from foreign matter and elements of fermenta- tion. Bj it the juice in evaporating is free from skimmings or precipitates, that ere always liberated in the ordinary method of extracting, which waste m) iuvention avoids. Applied to the manufacture of sugar from cane and other stalks, tin- invention con- sists in a proc< 98 of preparing said Btalks for the more perfect extraction of the jo ice by reducing tin- Bame to a tinelj -comminuted or dust like condition, ami whereby the juice cell* are thorough!] crushed and raptured. This pan of the invention also in- elndes a combination ol circular saws, forming a compound saw, t"i reducing the canes or stalks to such finely comminuted condition, likewise spriukling or mixing 'A report of the work done iu Louisiana daring the pai will soon be ist as Bullet in No 21. 24 with said dost, before defecation, dry lime or lime whitewash in powder. Such lime combines with the acid in tin1 dust, and upon a suitable application of heat r<> the whole forms donble precipitates at one and the same time. Furthermore, the invention consists in a process of precipitating the matter in the cane-juice colls and cane pulp, or in the jnice of any sngar-produoing plant, however obtained, by exposing the juice or material under treatment to a temperature of over 212 V., and subsequently removing the juice from the woody or precipitated mat- ter by washing the same with currents (if water. In carrying out this part of the invention I use a cylinder or other suitable vessel in which the temperature is raised to the required degree (about 212° F.) for defecation and precipitation of the mat- ter capable of being precipitated, whether the same be contained in sugar-cane, sorghum, and maize stalks, reduced to dust or not, or in any saccharine juice, includ- ing maple sap. the temperature varying from 228° to 2(57° F., according to tin' ripeness of the material under treatment and other conditions. This vessel is suitably con- structed or provided with means to admit of the introduction of the material to be treated; also, to provide for the forcing out of the exhausted bagasse or refuse, and for the introduction of steam while and after charging it; likewise, steam to act upon the condensed water and released juice and force them out through a filter. Means are also provided for running the wash-water from a series of tanks in suc- c. ssion through said vessel, to act upon the charge thereiu, and an arrangement of defecating-tank connections for introducing scum, sediment, and sweet wash-water upon a succeeding charge. In the pi ocess of extracting the saccharine matter of cane, the mixing with the comminuted cane, before the passage "t i be same into the diffusing apparatus and the defecating of the same, of dry lime or lime whitewash, whereby the material will he thoroughly defecated without the liability of the admixture therewith of the pre- cipitate of the lime, substantially as described. The combination with the diffusing tank of one or more defecating tanks, to which the juice is delivered from the diffusing tank, and pipes provided With valves for drawing the skimmings, sett lings, and sweet water from said defecating tank or tanks and passing the same into the diffusing tank or vessel, esseutially as and for the pur- poses herein set forth. In combination with the defecat ing tank, dill using tank, and a suitable evaporator. the settling tank provided with a discharge pipe for running thejnice into the evap orator, and with means for passing its sediment into the diffusing tank, substantially as described. It is seen that Mr. Jennings makes a broad claim for the appli- cation of the process of clarification in the diffusion apparatus for all Bugar producing plants. Mr. Jennings lias claimed that the process devised by the Department for the use of lime to prevent inversion in the battery is an infringement on his method. Any (Hie who will care fully examine Mr. .Jennings's claim, as set forth by himself in his appli- cation for a patent, will see that the two processes are entirely different, not only in principle, bul in the method of application. In a letter to the Rural World, published on (he L3th of December, L888, 1 endeavor to make this matter clear; following is a copy of the letter: United 8i ltes in partmi \ i <>i Agrici lturb, Division "i Chemistry, /l ashington, l>. ( .. December I, L838. Editor Rdrai World: [ have read, in ihe Rnral World of the 23d of November, the letter from < ). B. Jennings, of G rover, Colo., In regard t»» his patent for clarifying in fnicea in the diffuHion i»:i ttorj 25 Mr. Jennings is laboring under tbe mistake that I Lave been using his process and spending live years on what he showed me how to do at first. This is a complete mis- apprehension of tbe case. I have never denied to Mr. Jennings tbe honor of invent- ing the method of clarifying cane juices in the diffusion battery: in fact, long before his letter in your paper appeared I wrote a note to the New Orleans City Item, specifi- cally claiming for him the honor of the invention which had been attributed to another source. It is important to sngar-makers, either present or prospective, to know the follow- ing points, viz : (1) The process of using carbonate of lime in the diffusion battery is a patented process which can only be used under royalty or by permission of the inventor, Pro- fessor Swenson. (2) The process of clarifying the cane juices in the diffusion battery is a patented process and can only be employed under royalty or by permission of the inventor, Mr. O.B.Jennings, of Grover, Colo. (:V) The use of dry lime or lime in any form in the diffusion battery to prevent inversion is a process devised by the Depart men 1 of Agriculture, ami offered free to all sugar-growers in this country. Under proper chemical control ir is more efficient than the use of carbonate of lime. I will say further that I have never tried in any way to use Mr. Jennings's process, since in an ordinary diffusion battery it would be wholly impossible to do SO. The high temperature which he requires for the proper clarification of the juices would render the circulation of the liquid in the battery almost impossible. .Respectfully, II. W. Wiley, ( 'hernial. The process of using lime in the diffusion battery lor clarifying pur- poses it iy claimed has been successfully practiced in Java and Aus- tralia. Prof. W. C. Stubbs lias also used it with success at the sugar exper- iment station at Kenner, La. Col. B. EL Cunningham of Sartartia, Tex., lias also used the process with success, as is indicated by the following letter from him, published in the Louisiana Planter of December 1, 1888: My diffusion battery is now working nicely, and I am very much g rati lied at the results obtained. Diffusion is a success beyond a doubt. I am now workiug Biigars by running tbe juice direct from tbe diffusion cells to the double effects without any clarification, excepl using a little lime in the diffusion cells. I shall lie glad to Lave a visit from yon or any of your friends who feel an interest in diffusion. The process of ordinary clarification, in my opinion, is more ia\ orable to the production of a pure sngar than any form of clarification in the cells of the battery. The process as practiced at Kenner and Sugar Lands, however, differs From that described by .Mr. Jennings in working at a lower temperature. COMPARISON "l rOTAL sol. ids DETERMINES B\ SACCHAROMETEH \M» DIBE< i DBTING. Daring the season <»r lss; i instructed the chemists at the Fori Scott station to makes series of comparisons between the total Bolids ns determined by our standard saccharoineter and l>\ direct weighing 2G The desiccations were to be made in flat dishes partly filled with loose asbestos or clean sand. The purity co efficient of the juice as shown by the spindles appeared too low to permit so large a yield of dry sugar. As was expected, the total solids as determined by direct weighing were found considerably less than were indicated by the spindles. The ratio of each variation was not the same, but a large Dumber of deter- minations established a mean rate of variation which will make it pos- sible to approximately correct the reading of the common spindle. At Magnolia last year similar experiments were made with the juices of the sugar-cane, but these were not extensive enough to fix the rate of variation for those juices. Following is a record of some of the work done here: Comparison of total xolids. No. Total solids by spindle. Total solids dried in dish. Diff. N nit.-. Total solids in hydrogen. Difl\ rence. 66 !>.) .... 6065 6070 6074 percent, less total solids, Calculated on the number given l>\ the spindle, than those obtained by drying. At I >OUghl88, Ivans.. I lie normal juice, calculated on the data furnished 27 by the spindle, showed a loss of 8.61 per cent, in total solids when dried in open dishes. At Conway Springs this loss in plain dishes was 7.24 per cent., and in asbestos 8.23 per cent. With diffusion juices these losses were, for Douglass, 11.34 per cent., and for Conway Springs 9.G7 per cent, in plain dishes, and 10. S3 per cent, in asbestos. The mean loss for normal juices at Douglass and Conway Springs was 8.36 per cent. For the diffusion juices the mean loss was 10.01 per cent. It appears therefore that a saccbaroraeter of the standard 13iix vari- ety, as standardized by a pure cane sugar solution, must be eoneeted by fully 10 per cent, of its readings in order to give an approximately true indication of the total solids found in the diffusion juice of Kansas sorghum. For sorghum grown in New Jersey, which was the source of most of the juices examined here, the correction will be only about 7 per cent. I am having constructed some saccharometers with scale to read as indicated by the above corrections. The apparent purities of the sorghum juices will be considerably raised by this correction; thus at Douglass the purity of the normal juice is raised from 59.G3 per cent, to 05.31 per cent., and at Conway Springs from GG.70 to 72.76 per cent. The purity of the diffusion juices of the two localities is raised from 58.59 to (HI. SO per cent., and 62.92 to 71.13 per cent., respectively. SUMMARY. It has been my duty dining the past few years to report the tacts concerning the sorghum industry as they were developed by the re- searches of the Department and of others. These facts have been of a varied nature; sometimes they have been favorable to the industry and sometimes unfavorable, hut in all cases they have been fully set forth and commented on in the light of knowledge at hand. In these inves- tigations 1 have been unmoved by the abuse of interested parties, which I have received on account of my unwillingness to conceal the weak tsof sorghum. It was thought when Bulletin No. IS was issued that tin' experimental work on the part of the Department with sorghum Was linisheo, and in lh;it bulletin a .mi miliary w as made of the ii, gations conducted in the United Stales during the past twenty-five years. In that bulletin 1 expressed the beliet that with cane as rich as had been produced in Kansas on a large Scale it -liable lh.it a yield of from 80 to 90 pounds of sugar per ton of clean cane can be seemed. Tll( results of the past year confirm me in this opinion and indicate that, with wise management and careful control and proper se- lection of locality the sorghum sugar industry may be made fluan iall.\ successful. In previous pages 1 have endeavored tosel forth carefully 28 some of the things which must be considered in order to secure the above result; l>ut it must bo remembered that my individual opinion is simply based upon tlie study of the tacts which have been set forth. These data are accessible to every one who cares to make a careful study of the subject, and therefore each one interested has every opportunity to form his own opinion concerning the matter. Since it is my business to investigate rather than to theorize, I have contented myself chiefly with reporting facts rather than expounding theories. REPORT Of H. A. HUGHES, RIO GRANDE, N. J. The whole season of this year has been devoted entirely to experi- mental work, with the objeetof securing additional light on crop grow- ing, manufacturing, and commercial problems. The past season was the end of a series of crop growing, covering a period of nine years, and fully confirms the fact that the safe time for planting Orange cane, after allowing for variations of climate, had passed. The Amber cane had gone by its season by September 23, at which time the cutting had commenced, and the Kansas Orange had very little rijie seed on it; the Late Orange contained very little ripe seed, and a large number of the plumes did not even have sevd formed in them. The crop was all harvested by November 1. The usual frosts and ice were met, with results described later on. Analyses. Description. SncroBe, Brix, ,, . per cent per cent. 0 o 7.35 13.70 8.47 14.21 59.60 6.74 12.01 The Amber was used to break in the new machinery, not being con- sidered worth working for sugar. The Kansas Orange was all worked for sugar and gave J ields of line quality of SG to 90 per cent, test ; with- out washing, of from 05 pouuds to .')!> pounds per ton of field cane. The limit of crystallization can be marked at 55 percent, purity. Crystals can be formed below this degree, bul thej are difficult to separate in the centrifugals. The Late Orange was mostly below the crystallization point, and al- though crystals were attempted by the Sllgar maker in order to find out the limit at which graining takes place, and several pans w ore art nally grained the grains were so small that conclusions were reached adverse to the boiling for sugar of such material. Two weeks of the season were spent In breaking in the evaporator^ and one week in soh ing the prob 30 lems ami testing the result on the battery of chips of different sizes, best for diffusion, and the balance of the time in regular working. A lot of Kansas Orange seed was selected and distributed among twenty different farmers, thus repeating the experiment described under season 1881, except that Kansas Orange of the finest quality was used instead of Amber. The result was high and low test canes and large and small tonnage. Jt is but just to say that many of these farmers had no knowledge of cane raising and followed their own notions. Those who bad knowledge of our work and some experience raised high-test canes and large ton- nage. This season completes the circle of observations and records of crops for nine years. The data can be summed up, which shows the action of fertilizers on large masses of cane as it has been received at the 8 n gar- house, and the proper and safe dates for planting each variety are de- termined. This will explain and answer many of the criticisms which have been published from year to year by parties who only saw this work from one season's stand-point. The following deductions are made from the analysis of more than 38,000 tons of cane, and cover a period of nine years. This table will be found convenient for reference, under the heading of season 18S0 to 1888, inclusive. It must be borne in mind that these facts will only strictly apply to this climate and this soil; but until it can be proved that they will not apply elsewhere it will serve as a guide, and should be interpreted by taking into considera- tion the fertilizers used, the variations of the seasons, and the nature of the plant. These conditions are fully described. Summary of record for nineyears. Seed pro- oured in— Minn. Km Grande .. do .. do .. do Planting. Harvest Fertilizers. Si a JOn. 1880 1881 1883 1881 Commi aced. Ended. Commonoi d. Boded. Complete fertilizer — Unknown Pacific puano Yard tut re and begasse Large quant 1 ties of stable Not know n Mas "J I May 4 .... \ 1 1 1 1 ."> ... Mai Noi Know ii June ii... Max m.,, <; .. Sept. 22 ... (». t. 13. Not know u Noi known S, pi. in . Nov. 14. Sept. 8 Nov. n. manure ami ligli i i iim.s of phosphnrioacid. Compost in small quan- 1885 • ''" apr. 14.... Ma> 1 .. Bept.2 pT0V. 11. tities. Small qnautities of com ...do Apr. 10.... Ma] 30 .. s, pt.22 Nov. 10. post and muriate ol potash. ; quant it les of oom 1887 .. .1.. May 9 Jum Nov. 'J'.'. po i and muriate oJ potash. Complete frrtiHzors ami 1888 . .In Ma\ IK .... Jane 10 .. ; Nov. 1. mm late <>t potash. 31 Summary of record for nine years — Continued. Tonnage per acre. Polariscope test. Fertilizers. At com- mencement of campaign. At end of campaign. Variety. Pounds. 6, 000 Not knows HjHiii 16,000 (*) ll.(0i 12, uuu (t) 18,000 o 14 o 14 0-14 6-14 10.35 10.56 Do. V. nl manure and begasse Large quantities of stable manure and 1 i «4 Li t dressings of phosphoric ju id. Compost in small quantities Small quantities of compost and muriate of potash. Large quantities of compost and muriate of potash. Complete fertilizers and muriate of potash. !). 70 10. 96 5.04 6. CO 7.94 7. 33 !t. 14 12.00 10.00 9. 45 9. 1- 6. 54 Do. Do. Do. Amber. Kansas Orange, and Late ( Iramre. Do. Do. 8,000 to 32.000 poun< 1 16.000 to 44,000 pounds. The planting' commenced on May 24, in 1880, and was each year ear- lier until it reached April 10, 1S80, from which time the season was made later, including the present year, this completing the circle. {Season of 1880. — Ripening of the cane was traced with the polari- scope, and when 14 per cent, of sugar was reached cutting began; and dining the short time required to harvest it, no damage was received from winds or frosts. The juice was reduced to semi sirup in an open evaporator, and three weeks later was shipped to Philadelphia and worked for sugar, marking firsts, seconds, and thirds. The cane was planted in hills 4 feet apart, and sufficient plant food used. The impression made by this crop was that rich cane could easily be grown on poor land, and that with a little more fertilizing large crops could be made. It has since been found by long and costly experiment that all tin' conditions for Amber cane were most favorable, excepting that a large tonnage could only have been secured by proportionately fertilizing. Season o/1881. — Farmers raised the entire crop. The acreage was not known. It was proved this year that with seed from the same lot some farmers grew cane 1 1 per cent, of sugar in the juice, while others grew it with only 6 per cent. Many conjectures were made, and the im- pression prevailed that some lands were suitable for cane and others un- suitable. !t was, however, apparent that all who had the best reputa- tions for fanning raised the highest testing canes. Season of 1883. — Cane was grown by the company. Pacific guano high in nit rogeu was used, and only Amber cane was planted. The Late Orange cane was grown only insufficient quantity to supply seed for the next year. The nitrogen had the effect to keep the cane's leaves green for a long time, and even after frosts the cane remained in good condition, and was on November 1 higher in sugar than on September 4. Since we have had less nitrogenous fertilizing and 'more «>l otiiei 32 plant food this variety has steadily fallen in test, and the period during which it retains its highest sugar content has been shortened. It is not safe to depend on this variety of cane for the whole season, even if nitrogen is used largely with other plant food, because of its tendency to lodge and break with high winds. Season of L883. — Yard composts and begasse were used in such small quantities that the nitrogen did not stand out prominently. The Amber had gone by its season before October 8, and had not the Late Orange been substituted this season for sugar making would have ended on that day, instead of November 14, when the crop was all in. i8on r)/lS84. — Stable manure in large quantities, also a dressing of dissolved bone ash from South America, rich only in phosphoric acid, was used. The phosphoric acid ripened the cane fully two weeks earlier than usual, and although the leaves were dry the Amber cane held its sugar eon- tent without loss until worked up on October 11. The Late Orange was affected in the same manner according to its season, and although ap- parently dried up, too, still held its sugar. Mill juice tanks containing 0,000 gallons were quite common, testing 13 to 13£ per cent, of cane sugar from October 11 to October HO, after which time there was a grad- ual falling oft" until November 11, when the tanks stood 12 per cent, and 77 purity. This ended this season, as the crop was worked up. The small experimental plots conducted by the State Experiment Station have always showed that by doubling the dose of phosphoric acid the cane sugar falls oil" seriously ; but as it is my intention to deal only with cane in immense masses as found at the sugar house, 1 merely call attention to this fact. This year produced nearly 400,000 pounds of merchantable sugar, and there was I'ound by adding the sugar in the molasses, and the loss in the begasse as it came from the mill, that over 1,500,000 pounds of sugar were in the crop. .Molasses only was made from the begasse this season, diffusion being for the 6rs1 time applied. Season of 1886. — No phosphates were used and there was not enough COmpOS^ to properly furnish nitrogen to tin' (Top; still the nitrogen was felt, and when the season commenced on September 2, the cane was BO Screen we at one time though! it would be better to stop work. When work was begun, the Amber cane contained 5.04 percent, of cane sugar and increased to 8.8 pel1 cent, on September 29, when the variety was all brought in. The Late Orange cane contained 10 percent, of sugar when in i cut, and gradually raised to 12.57 per cent., slowly declining to l<> percent, by November 11, the end of the season. This crop was planted practically at the same time as the crop of 1884, and harvested at the same time. Had a large quantity of nitrogenous fertilizing been used the sugar contents would have been much higher. Small quantities <>! nitrogen cm lands deficient in organic matter will make poor crops. 33 This was our experience again and again, and to secure immeuse crops high in sugar, potash should be combined with nitrogen. Season of 388G. — Small quantities of nitrogenous fertilizer and light dressings of muriate of potash were used. The crop suffered severely for lack of food. During the season, where plenty of nourishment had been supplied, the crop came to the standard. When this was not the case, the Amber seed remained in a milky state for a long time and soured as it stood in the field, after three days of abnormally hot weather, making the cane unfit for sugar making. The Late Orange suffered from lack of nitrogenous fertilizing and the sugar test rose and fell in proportion as this food and potash were present 5 but being a longer feeder it did not suffer throughout the season so much as the Amber. The Kansas Orange was introduced this year and, being a stranger, the ground was properly selected, and composts and potash applied in sufficient quantities, a 12 per cent, cane with purities over 70° being its record. The record of the Late Orange cane, for the balance of the season, is high and low test, according to the land; finally ending, with the crop all harvested, with a test of 9.45 per cent. This crop discouraged the sugar company notwithstanding the gains by diffusion, which process had been introduced in 1884. Local agriculturists pronounced the ver- dict that the lands being exhausted by continual cropping were ruined and unfit for crop of any kind. The plantation was then sown in clover ; no fertilizing was done. The farmers laughed at the notion that land unable to grow large cane crops could be expected to grow grass, but it did ; and the clover crops on these lands have^been unprecedented and are the envy and wonder of local farmers, and judging the land from the farmers' own stand-point, it is to day in better condition than ever before. The clover had found the missing nitrogen and furnished or- ganic matter. A lot of land on these farms grew poor cane for years, and in 1887, instead of planting it with clover, composts and potash were BO] plied and cane planted ; by planting the ground with twice the number of hills to the acre, portions of the land approximated 28 tons of cane to the acre. Season of 1887. — The cane was planted from May 9 to June 3, and the late varieties failed to mature properly. A good dressing of begasse yard compost, and potash was used. The crop was doubled by planting ;* feet by 24 inches; purity ran about 64° and tests were good. The Late Orange cane ripened sufficiently to retain its sugar in crj stallizing quantities through frost and ice, until Decembers. Particulars of this season can be found in Bulletins Nos, 17 and 18 of the Agricultural Department, and in reports of t lie New Jersey Experiment Station. A small plot was fertilized with large quantities of oitrogenous manure and planted with Amber svi'il grown in L886, from which no cane BUgar could be made. The cane was tested on September 7, 1887, and was found to test L3.35 per cent cane sugar; brix, 17.21° j purity,78°j and H066— Bull. 20 — ;; 34 it remained a long time after ill fine condition. The same day milled chips from a field planted from the same lot of seed and fertilized with potash and phosphoric acid, polarized S.SS°, and had a purity of 03 61. Season 0/I888. — Only complete fertilizers were used on one field, and muriate of potash was spread on another field that was poor and had never been in cane. The hills were 3 feet by 2-4 iuches. Amber cane was planted on May 18, and Kansas Orange and Late Orange from May 11) to June 10. A cold, wet June followed, and the result was unripe cane. The crop was taken off between September 23 and November 1. The Amber cane was very poor in sugar. The Kansas Orange ran from 9.58° to 8.25°. The stand on one field of Orange (Kansas) was preserved intact from cut and wire worms, by patches of volunteer canes, where seed had been stacked previously, and some seed had been left on the ground. The worms gathered where plants were the thickest, leaving the hills almost unmolested. When the ravages are feared seed could be sprinkled down the center of the rows, and afterwards be destroyed by the cultivator without extra expense. They only destroy while the plants are very small and disappear with the return of dry, hot weather. The Late Orange tested from G.91 to 0.51. Scarcely any seed on this variety was ripe, and in a great many of the plumes seed was not formed neither had the cane power to resist ice and frost. These facts prove conclusively that the safe time for planting Late Orange has been passed. It is possibly true this variety might have been very rich in sugar, with a late fall and hot weather during June and September ; but this risk is not a safe one, and as it positively can be avoided by earlier planting- it should be done. OBSERVATIONS. The time for planting cane in this climate is, for Marly Amber not later than May 20; Kansas Orange, not later than .May lOj Late Orange, not later than .May 1. Ten days earlier can safely be risked. Nitrogen prolongs the vitality in cane. Nitrogenous fertilizers Combined with potash is the best combination for huge crops and high testing juice. Phosphoric acid hastens the ripening of the cane aboul two weeks, ami too much phosphoric acid reduce8 the quantity of sugar in the juice. Potash makes large ami strong stalks. If canes are desired to be worked alter frost and ice, they must be supplied with ample food, be well grown, ami of a late variety. I f canes are not well advanced when frosts and ice strike them, they will not be able to hold the cane sugar long. The earlier the variety the latei it should be planted. If canes in- crease rapidly in cane sugar soon after frost strikes them they will soon be worthless for sugar -ma k lug. If they do not increase at all, or \n> little, they will remain good for a long time, providing the frost was severe enough to kill, or almost kill, the leaves. The Amber 35 has less power to resist frost and ice than Kansas Orange, and the Kansas Orange less than the Late Orange. The time which the sugar remains in high percentage in the cane is largely under the control of the cultivator. In all attempts to improve the seed by selection and increase the sugar and purity, the cultivation must be taken into con- sideration. High testing seed will make poor testing canes, if plant food is not present in sufficient quantities, or if the cultivation is neg- lected. Poor testing seed will give high testing canes if the seed is of a good variety, and ample food hns been supplied, with good culti- vation. Canes can not be grown, rich in sugar, by starving them. Ground well supplied with plant food and badly cultivated will give very small canes, rich in sugar. That there are other peculiarities in other varie- ties is shown plainly in the case of the White African. Although planted late last spring, and the ground fertilized precisely like the Amber and Kansas Orange, it contained this year 12.30 per cent, cane sugar, purity 09° on September 27, time the field was cut. The seed was given to the writer by Dr. Collier along with sixty-eight other va- rieties in 1883, all of which were planted; but for certain good reasons this cane was the only one selected from the lot. It has been grown since then each year, always giving high percentages of sugar. Some of its peculiarities are, viz, the unusual toughness of its stalk, when overripe, and its great strength at all times. It is hard, for some unexplained reason, to get a good stand. The seed is white, and local millers, with their crude appliances, have told me that they can get 30 pounds of flour from 1 bushel of seed, which, mixed with a small proportion of wheat flour, is preferred 1o buckwheat. The birds ravage the seed, and will select it from a hill planted with mixed Orange and Amber canes, leaving the other varieties unmolested. In order to be protected from these depredators and secure the sod, plots of sufficient size must be raised and calculations made for this loss. It has been found true hero that they will not take quite all the seed from 1 acre in a season, consequently plots of 5 or 10 acres are comparatively protected. The purity of the canes of this variety has been noticed as high as 77.020. The cane has not been properly studied, and the birds have taken nearly all the good seed from the acre raised this season. M \M I \«l I KIMi. I will confine myself, in my report, to met hods adopted for the first time this year. Sawdust Jitters.— It has always been found that filtration of the juice through some medium that would remove the particles of mat ter me- chanically suspended \\ as neces> ir\ . Tor t wo years, filter piesses were used. It was found if the juice was acid the\ soon became gummy and 36 refused to run ; if the juice was alkaline it would filter much better but gave highly colored products. Last year Dr. Wiley advised the use of sand. This gave good results for a time, but gradually ran slow and failed to give satisfaction. The size of the filters, in proportion to the juice worked, was very large, and it soured easily. During the past winter experiments were constantly carried on witli the hope that something practical, cheap, and easily handled would be discovered. Experiments were made with bone black, coal, sand gravel, oat straw, wheat straw, grasses, sedges, excelsior packing, and many other things, all of which proved unable to do the work required, were too costly, bulky, or in some other way not desirable. It was ac- cidentally found that tbe coarse sawdust as it came from the mil! would do the work. Shallow filters arc better than deep ones, and in well conducted ex periments the juice was so well cleared of its mechanical impurities that it appeared to be bleached. Examinations of the filters showed, among other things, soot from the chimney, mud, and dirt. The juice was actually cleansed. The filtei used in this season's work was constructed as follows: A board twelve inches wide was cut in four pieces and a box made 4 feet long by 2 feet wide; a wire screen with one-sixteenth of an inch mesh was fastened on the bottom, and three inches of sawdust placed within it. Care should be taken that something should be placed over the sawdust to break the fall of the juice and prevent guttering. It was found in practice that 1 bushel of sawdust was sufficient to filter the juice from 15 tons of cane, and that the filter should be re- newed every twelve hours. It may also be well to state that the hot juice as it came from the evaporator was run through a sawdust filter, removing scum, scale, dirt, etc Double shredding. — In 1885 samples were taken of the exhausted chips as they came from the German diffusion battery and it was found that better diffusion had taken place in small chips tlmn'tVom a larger size; and last season this was found true also of the battery which was then being tried for the first time. All attempts to obtain a chip ol the size required failed, owing to the following facts: [f the knives oi the shredder and the cutting bar were placed BO closely together that the small chips might be made either the shredder would not i'vod fast enough or the knives would clog with the tine cane and stop cutting. It was found this season that by making the ordinary cut fust and afterwards allowing the edge of the knives to project beyond the cyl- inder very slightly, and by moving the cutting-bar closer and passing the previously cut cane through a second time, the chips could be made as line as possible or as desirable. It was found in actual work that baskets of cane tilled with chips of the 37 customary size weighed 160 pounds, and packed in the same way with the re-shredded chips weighed 212 pounds, thus iucreasing the capacity of the battery, and by its close packing increasing the density of the juice. It is to be hoped, notwithstanding the brilliancy of these results, that manufacturers will not at once attempt to double shred their chips, be- cause the second time they go through they are not self- feeding, and machines should be invented and proven equal to their task before a commercial season should be risked. Evaporator. — In accordance with your instructions, I constructed an open evaporator to be run by crude oil (petroleum). Parallel brick walls 13 inches thick, 34 feet long, and 24 inches high were constructed. At one end was an iron stack, and at the opposite end were the burners. Upon the walls was placed an open evaporator of sheet iron 1 foot high, 30 feet long, and 4 feet broad, divided by partitions 8 inches apart, 6 inches high, and 45 inches long. The juice entered the pan over the burners, discharged at the opposite end, traversing a distance of about 1G4 feet in twelve minutes. The skimmings remained at the end over the burners and were easily removed. As this was the first time, to my knowledge, that crude oil had been applied to sugar work, I was able to collect little data to guide me. After examining personally the burners in use for steam-boilers, I finally adopted one belonging to II. W. Whiting, of. Philadelphia. He advised me to place three burners at the end, and inserting in the brick-work, at intervals of 1 foot, inch pipes, to extend completely through the walls and flues and to be per- forated with holes one fourth of an inch in diameter and 3 inches apart. The intention was that air should pass through the end of these pipes, then through the perforated holes into the flue, and thus aid combustion. The burners were made from 2-inch pipes with a T fitting opening at the bottom to supply air on the Bunsen burner principle ; the oil passed through a quarter-inch pipe, through a cock into a 1 } inch coil \\ inch in diameter, so placed as to receive a large portion of the heat from the burners ; there is also a quarter-inch steam pipe leading into the end of the pipe, so that the oil and steam can be mixed as it passes into the hot coil, or superheater, as it is named. When the oil is converted into gas from the superheater it passes into the Bunsen burner and is forced through it by another Steam jet and burned from the opening. In our fust experiment Bradford crude oil was used, and in our final experiments black residuum of the refineries, which I have been informed is the product left behind after the light oils have been (list illed oil. In practice we could And very little difference in the beating of the two oils. Lima oil could not be had in quantity less than 6,000 gallons; Consequently it was not used. It was found in starting the burners that a stack 10 inches in diame- ter* was too small, the effect in practice being to cause explosion of gas* A stack of 24 inches diameter w as substituted ; this stopped all e\plo- 38 sious, but wasted the heat. Dampers made cf fire-clay were then used, and it was found that after the superheater was hot enough to generate gas freely the dampers could be safely closed. Care had been taken in constructing the dampers to arrange them so that there was left on the sides a space equal to about 12 inches square after they were in. A further improvement in the heating was made by tilling in next to the stack with dirt. This bank of earth was then extended back into the flue for about its length and paved on the top with bricks. There was left a space of about 9 inches between the pavement and the bottom of the evaporator; and in tilling in the flue the combustion pipes were cov- ered up for the length of the embankment. The combustion pipes directly in front of the flame were soon burnt out. No detrimental effects being perceptible from the loss of this air, it is safe to conclude that they were of no value. The owner of the burners thought we would evaporate at least 15 pounds of water for each pound of oil burned, and hoped we would reach 18 or 20 pounds. The record of the best day's work shows 7-ft pounds. It is hut just to say that the evaporator was entirely too large for the work it had to do, and the walls had time to cool before starting each day. Xow it is found that if the walls and surrounding mediums are much lower than the temperature of the gaseous prod- uct of the Bunsen burners, condensation takes place and the oil is fried, as it is called, instead of being generated into gas, which is wasteful in the extreme. One-third of all the oil burned was generally used in starting the burners each day. Another source of loss long evaded our researches. It was caused by using cocks to feed oil to the superheater. A common quarter-inch globe valve was substituted for the cock, which brought the burners under full control and enabled us to burn only one-quarter as much oil. I in ike the suggestion that pipes for supplying oil to the superheater should should be less than one-quarter inch; that globe valves less than one-quarter inch he used, and that threads that regulate these valves he made as line as pos- sible, so that they may have the most delicate adjustment. I can not tell the saving of all these apparent improvements, because, I had not time to get the record properly. Taking the record as it is and count- ing the juice of oil at $1.25 per banc], about one- hall" of the water was removed from the diffusion juice of each ton of field cane for 31 cents per ton. The advantages of the evaporation are: (1) Cleanliness and freedom from smoke and ashes : (2) the Little attention required to run it: (o) the good and rapid work done. Wit li rapid running the inversion is almost nothing; in fact, after evaporation it is sometimes higher in purity than he loir, alter removing the scum. It should hr remembered that the unrefinable lama oil has been quoted at the wells for L5 cents, which would lower the price for evap- 39 oration of their juice in that section to 4 cents per ton. The loss in starting could be avoided very much by proportioning the evaporator to the size of the house. The Battery.— The designing, building, and breaking in of such an apparatus as a new diffusion battery on an entirely new principle could not but prove a gigantic task. The object of the battery at first was to make a cheap diffusion bat- tery, applicable to small houses; second to make thick juice. For three seasons laboratory experiments were carried on at Rio Grande and dense juices made by diffusion, equal to mill juice from un- shipped cane, and the principles by which this juice was obtained were incorporated in this battery. The season last year was devoted completed to the breaking in and finding out the rules governing this machine. The ram constructed to lift the baskets, last season, worked slowly. AYhcn making some changes this fall the cause was located and cor- rected. Owing to this mechanical difficulty and being forced to take off a crop promptly, it was not until later in the season that plans could be put in practice which would remedy defects in heating and extrac- tion. This was tried with temporary arrangements, but the results were considered so high that it was objected to on the ground that the time during which the experiments were conducted was too short to thoroughly demonstrate the facts. The chemist of the New Jersey Experiment Station, after carefully going over his work, says, reporting on this experiment : The best work accomplished by the Rio Grande battery was 90 percent, extraction, dilution 11.5° ; pnrity, declined 1 . The cell necessary lor heating the chips properly and thickening the juice is placed outside of the battery and is called the eleventh cell. This year this apparatus was added to the regular work, and from the first day never failed to give satisfaction. It is found that when the cane is carefully packed into the baskets the gain is not SO great as when the baskets are loosely packed ; at such times the full value of the eleventh cell appears, gaining LP ro 3° Drix. The entire apparatus worked without delay, and the meehanieal ar- rangements were very complete. For a battery of 1<> tons, the baskets and cane together will not weigh b><> pounds, and the lift will be con- siderably less than 4 feet; consequently 400x10=4,000 pounds to be lifted, and 4,000 X 1 = 10,000 pounds to be raised 1 foot high at each movement of crane. 'I'll.' crane makes twenty movements in an hour or once every three minutes j COU8equent ly 16,0004-3=5,333 pounds raised 1 foot high each minute, or less than one-si\th of a horsepower is required. There is to be added to this the COSl of raising the water for supph ing the battery and the movement of the juice; but with the.se all added the cost forpower IS found to be merely nominal. 40 With double shredded cane and actual running, the dilution was re- duced to 4i per cent, and approximated the mill juice within four-tenths of a Brix, with a loss of only 10 pounds of sugar left in each ton of cane. The Brix of the milled diffusion chips showed from 1J to 2. Without double shredding the battery gave within ^ to 2° Brix of the mill juice, and left about 16 pounds of sugar in the chips per ton of cane. The purity fell oft' one to two degrees, but it must be remem- bered that no chemicals were used to prevent it. There is always a percentage, about 2 per cent., of leaves and sheaths which pass the cleaners, and as their purity is very low they must reduce the purity of the diffusion juice. Lime and its salts and sulphites have been used in batteries, and have appeared to give juice of as high a purity as the mill juice; but it would have to be shown that some of the glucose had not been destroyed before the point can be positively settled. Besides, alkalies used on the fiber in the cells and clarifiers where the fiber is present are believed to produce gum. It has been observed this season that when scum raised in the chips from heat, while diffusion was going on. that the juice coining from this battery was higher in purity than mill juice. There is no evidence that the air passes through the cane, while being diffused, except when first heated; neither do the juice or chips turn black while diffusing, as is supposed by some; and the color of the juice will compare favorably with the mill juice. INVERSION AND CLARIFYING. ( "onsiderable inversion has taken place in the house this season. The most of the inversion takes place by permitting the juice to stand hot for a considerable time in tanks, and in process of manufacture this should be carefully avoided. This is the third year during which we have used no claritiers, and the writer does not see what use they are with the present knowledge of tlic juice. Alkalies used too freely in the battery or in the claritiers when fiber is mechanically suspended are thought to produce gum and prevent crystallization, although the instruments may show no loss from inversion. After the juice has been filtered, the addition of alkali in not too Large quantities, SO that the juice would be neutral, or, better still, slightly acid, would no doubt prevent some inversion. The cor- rect method of properly clarifying the juice ot the sorghum so that the "DOl sugar" parts can be precipitated, and the purity be made to gain largely, is not known to the writer. Rapid running in the diffusion battery and quick running in the open evaporator will almost entirely prevent the inversion of sugar. COMMERCIAL POINTS ami a i \ii.i\K\ HOUSES, The auxiliary houses have been ste.dily kept in view during the sea- son's work, and the fact has been remembered that the industry will spread and succeed at a much quicker rate if the capital necessary to 41 conduct the business is kept as low as possibly consistent with good management. The cost of building sugar-houses is reduced to a mini- mum, and labor saved. There is no good reason to expect to make money out of the sorghum business unless conducted on sound busi- ness principles. The knowledge of the business is now advanced to such a point that there is nothing to prevent accurate calculations being made. The cost of the machinery, the work it can do, the labor re- quired to run it, the cost of the cane, the yield and quality of the product can now all be closely estimated. Sugar-houses built without definite ideas of the work to be done or machinery added piece by piece, without plans or contracts, and such machinery as clarifiers, as filter presses, and bone-black drones added, with the expectation of only making white granulated sugar directly from the juice, will be certain to bring financial failure and disappoint- ment to its projectors, unless the capital is heavy enough to stand the strain, or the parties are willing to make experimental work of their plants and pay the price for doing it. Notwithstanding the closeness with which all these calculations can now be made, the following1 should be remembered. I have never known a sugar-house of any kind to be made so complete and be in such fine running order that it could be depended on to make a commercial success the first season. Either its water arrangements will fall short of expectations, or the boilers fail to be large enough, or strikes and delays will detain the machinery, or castings will be broken in shipping, or some minor points will be badly proportioned or too weak, foundations will prove not sufficiently secure, shafts will be found out of line, etc. All this will occur, not from any bad management, but because the nature of the work is such that the tactory can only perform its task satisfactorily after being broken in on cane. The caue alone can give the necessary adjustment. Erroneous and disappointing calculations have been made by celebrated sugar engineers, in making calculations for sorghum, by using well known standard rules for the evaporation of water as a basis for calculation; and repeatedly has machinery proved suitable for southern cane failed when applied to this work. The moral of nil this is that in construct- ing new works there should be only enough cane raised the first season to break in and test the BUgar-house thoroughly in every part, in order that when the machinery is called upon the succeeding season it would fulfill the work it had been calculated to do, without delay or hin- drance. The expense of doing all this should be allowed lor in the capital account. In some sorghum-houses, calculated to work 100 tons of cane a day, will be found Strike vacuum pans of such large size that the cost of erecting them and the pumps necessary for their use. the large pipe fittings, and other paraphernalia will cost as much alone as would suffice to build an economical sugar house of good size. 42 Experience has taught us that there is a limit to the size of sugar- houses, and that it costs very little more to man a 40-ton house than a 20 ton, and the proportionate cost of constructing is greatly in favor of the 40-ton plant. For sugar-houses of larger size, I can not yet give accurate data with safety. The following is a plan based on calculations made from actual work already done; the rules known to govern the situation are carefully ap- plied and full allowance made for such errors. (1) The plan of a sugar-house complete for making sugar, according to the process in use at lvio Grande. The sugar will be brown or yel- low, and test 80 to 90°. It is suitable for some domestic purposes and for refining. The molasses will be of fair color, suitable for mixing and baking purposes. These sugars can be washed in centrifugals and made quite white, of high test, but at the expense of the yield. The proper place for them is in a sugar refinery to be remelted and run through black. (2) An auxiliary house for making sirup and retaining the sugar in the sirup. Inversion would have to be as carefully avoided as possible. These goods or products would be very fine, and could be sold on their merits for immediate consumption, or find a market on their tests and color at the Central Sugar-House. The large vacuum pans referred to are well calculated to work up goods in this condition, in immense quantities j the sugar could be re- melted and run through black. Dr. A. T. Nealc, of the New Jersey Experiment Station, spent the season at the sugar house. He had control of the chemical department, and results of his work will be found in a bulletin to be soon pub- lished by that station. I respectfully submit the above report, with thanks to you personally for your uniform courtesy and support. RECORD OF THE ANALYSES MADE AT RIO GRANDE DURING THE SEASON OF 1888. By Dr. Arthub T. XealfJ In addition to studying the construction, the arrraugement, and the management of the machinery, the chemist of this station attempted to determine, at least once each day, the percentage of sugar in the sor- ghum, as well as the percentage of sugar in the products from each piece of apparatus used in this house. Breaks occur in this record whenever it was necessary for him either to return for a day to New Brunswick or to devote his entire attention to some one point of special interest. The house was not open for work until the 26th of September, and a few of the samples of cane analyzed about the 120th of that month were taken from the crop standing in the fields. Such samples were shipped and topped by hand. Allot the other samples were drawn from cane which was cleaned by machinery. They represent in each case, approximately, 1,000 pounds of well-mixed shreds. The varieties of sorghum planted were: Early Amber on field No. 1; I. ate Orange on that portion of field No. 12 which was worked alter the 23d of October; White African on a portion of field No. 2 har- vested on the 27th instant, and Kansas Orange in all other cases. The exhausted chips were sampled as fast as they were removed from the batteryj a roughly measured quantity being taken ill each case from each one of ten baskets. 'I'll esc portions were subsequently mixed, subsampled, and milled in the usual manner. With a few exceptions, the samples of diffusion juice were, in all cases, drawn from a tank holding 300 gallons. The samples of the evaporator product were also drawn from a similar tank. The record in detail is shown on the following pa The averages drawn in this table prove that the cane crop m 1888, relati\ e to that of 1887, was poorer in sugar by 0.75 per eent. and lower * Ball. No. 51. Lgrioaltural Experiment Station, pp. LS 43 44 in purity by 5.6 degrees. The farmers' explanations for this are: first, late planting; second, early frosts. In some cases the seed were dropped after June 1st, and in all cases the leaves were killed by the frosts which occurred this year on the 4th of October, or ten days earlier than usual. Late orange sorghum, in particular, seems to have suffered b}T these conditions, for while the cane was very large and ap- parently well developed, its juice averaged less than 6.5 per cent, of sugar. Its seed crop was practically worthless, for a very small propor- tion of tops had matured. In 1887 this variety was well developed when the first frost killed the cane leaves. Its juice then contained, approxi- mately, 10 percent, of sugar. A comparison of the analyses credited to the cane and to the diffusion juices leads to the following calculations: One hundred pounds of solid matter, i. c, sugar, etc., existed on the average in 715 pounds of cane juice, or in 020 pounds of diffusion juice ; that is, cane juice was diluted 28.V) per cent, by the diffusion process. If a similar calculation is made from the records for the season of 1887, the dilution will be fixed at 25.4 per cent. The decreased purity of the diffusion juice was, each year, identical; it amounted to 2.1 degrees. The exhausted chips, or diffusion bagasse, which represented 1 ton of field sorghum, contained on the average, in 1887, 40^- pounds of sugar, or 35 per cent, of the total amount present in the cane. In 1888 the losses of sugar in exhausted chips amounted to22-1i0 pounds, or 21 per cent, of the total amount present in the average cane for that year. In 1887 the diffusion juice was concentrated in an open evaporator with the aid of steam ; it was reduced by this treatment to a fraction more than one-third of its original volume, at an expense of 4.3 degrees of purity, which was probably due to inversion of* its sugar by heat. In 1888 the flame from burning fuel oil came in contact with the bottom of the evaporator; the diffusion juice passed in an unbroken stream over this heated surface, and was thereby reduced to less than one-half of its original volume. Its purity was decreased on the average by less than 1 degree. The following will serve as a summary: In 1887, 66 per cent., in 1888, 70 per cent., of the total sugar in the cane was extracted. In this re- spect, therefore, the improvement has been very great The diffusion process, in 1887, diluted cane juice by 25.4 percent.; in 18SS this dilu- tion amounted t<> 28.8 per cent. The purity Of (he cane juice was influenced each year in the same manner and to the same extent, viz: decreased by 2.1 degrees. The concent rat ion of t lie diffusion juice was accomplished in 1888 with con- siderable less than the usual losses by inversion. 45 Table of analyses at Rio Grande, season of 1888. 1888. Fresh chips. Diffusion juice. Evaporated product Exhausted chips. s "© U-i o d © © s G o s ■- a tc 0 CO (H o © © u © Ph 3 Ph 13 © © E o o M pq i s GO «M o a © W U © pu 3 © © © o 'u pq i 0 X C|H o a © © u © Ph 3 - © © m © © H "C pq u 03 fcC 3 CO cm o -fi a © © ■- Ph 3 Ph 1 Sept. 20 Sept. 26 12.96 13.38 13.70 18. 55 17.81 15.40 6.62 6.84 7.35 51.1 51.1 f>:;. (i 1 11.50 11.61 5.88 6.02 51.1 51.9 29.20 15.13 51.8 1 Sept. 27 2.27 1.18 52 0 a Sept. 21 Bepfe 27 12. 53 ! 67. 5 12.30 1 69.0 9. 58 02. 2 ? 2 2 Sept. 28 do 12. 15 11.95 12. 37 11.69 7.23 7.23 7.19 7.01 59.5 60.5 58.1 59.8 29.60 17.78 60.1 2.56 1.50 60.1 2 Oct. 2 10.00 9. 56 59. 4 23.45 13.75 58.6 2 ....do 3 Sept. 22 14. 75 14.10 14.00 13.43 14.0; 15. 37 15. 57 14.46 14.46 14. 79 8.92 8.38 8.62 7.90 7.89 8.72 9.06 8.66 8.37 "6"i6 CO. 5 59.1 61.6 58.8 56.1 56.7 58 8 59.8 57.8 62.1 3 Oct. 2 10.60 10.00 5.98 5. 70 50.4 57.0 55.0 57.8 25.88 20. 04 20.00 28.28 24. 85 15. 01 58. 6 11.20 55.8 11.06 55.3 15. 60 55. 1 13. 58 54. 7 2.09 2.21 2.70 3.40 1.21 1.38 1.56 1.66 57 9 3 Oct.3 6-' 1 3 4 5 ...do Oct.4 ....do ....do Oct. 8 10.90 5.99 11.21 6.48 57.7 48.8 5 12. 30 7.45 11. 25 6. 58 10. 60 6. 10 "9." 92' 5." 96" 60.5 58.6 58.5 'oo.'i* 3.56 2.60 2.07 1.29 58 1 fi 26.80 15.24 22.40 13.09 57.0 58. t 57.9 50.4 54.9 54.6 54. 3 55.0 55.2 56.8 54.5 55. 5 52.8 49 6 6 ....do ...do ...do. Oct.10. ...do 8 22.66 20. 44 22. 87 22. 66 20. 51 22. 43 13. 13 11.52 12. 35 12. 36 11. 13 i-> :<:< J 3.60 1.96 54.4 8 8 it ....do Oct. 11 14.70 12.64 12. 80 13.40 14.00 13.50 L2.85 1 3. 06 12. i:; 12. 88 11.42 12.67 12.76 12.36 8.10 7.48 7.91 8.50 8.37 8. 25 7.48 7.91 7.69 7.23 5.78 fi. 84 6. 63 6.54 55. 1 59. 1 61.8 63.4 59. 8 61. 1 58. 4 60. 6 61.9 57. 0 50.6 54.8 52.0 52. it 11.82 9.58 6.61 5.61 55. 9 58.5 3.82 1.96 51.6 « Oct 12 ..do Oct. 18 22.20 12.30 13.93 25. 06 13. 65 22 fi't 19 an 2. 80 2. 20 2. 11 2.00 2. 56 1.97 1.54 2. 16 2, 50 3.49 2. 77 1.96 1.76 1.22 1.14 1.39 1.(15 0. 92 1.20 L.58 61 ') 10 11 9.80 8.90 Id. 30 9.88 8.80 11.90 in. 21 10. 27 12.32 IL98 11.83 10.61 5. 96 5.23 6. 15 5.51 5. 03 :>. 65 ;.. 06 (i. 7(i 6.21 fi. 02 5.59 60.8 58.7 59.7 55. 7 57. 2 57.7 55. 3 49. 2 54.4 51. 0 55. 0 11 12 . do. Oct. 18 57.0 54 3 V? Oct 17 24. 18 12.70 58. 3 6o. o 12 1? Oct.22 Oct 23 12 Oct 24 12 12 Oct 25 Oct 26. Oct. 27 Oct. 29 4;>. 2 12 1? 50. it 52 7 52.7 lT.TT 24. 80 "9.58' 12. lit 53.8 50 3 41.8 1" Oct. 30 Averages, 1883 • A \ «•:, !_;• - 1 --7 13.99 14.02 8. 23 64.1 10.87 11.18 •;. L0 fi. 93 5ft 4 62. 0 23. 55 32.40 13.06 - - 2.58 1.37 :. 16 53 ■■; 61.0 >. i Bulletin 18, p. 20, United states Department of Agriculture. REPORT OF PROF. W. C. STCBBS, KENXER, LA. LOUISIANA SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATION. On April 6, 1888, two plats, Xos. 9 and 10, at the sugar experiment station were planted in sorghum. PREVIOUS CULTURE. Xo. 9 had been continuously in sorghum since 1880, and No. 10 in corn. PREPARATION OF LAND. The land was broken in the spring with four horse plows, thrown into beds 5 feet apart, and seed sown and lightly harrowed in. Only a partial stand was secured, germination being prevented by a prevail- ing drought. It was thinned, wherever thick enough, to three stalks to the running foot. The cultivation consisted of off-bearing with two-horse plow, a hoeing, and returning the dirt with two-horse plow, and break- ing out the middles with a large one and three quarter Avery Advance double mold-board plow. The excessive rains began in May and lasted till the middle of July, and prevented further cultivation. The varieties planted on these plats were: 12. Texas Honey Drip, seed bougbf ol Gumbrell, Reynolds & Allen, Kansas City, Mo. L3. Planted * ith seed from Department of Agriculture, but none oame up, 11. White Minnesota Amber seed, grown in Nebraska. l."). l'arly Amber Beed, grown in Kansas, L6. Barlj Amber seed, furnished by De- part men! of Agrioaltnre. 17. Kansas Orange seed from Kansas. 18. Link's Hybrid seed, grown at the stal ion. 19. Earlj Orange seed, grown at the .sta- tion. Several of the above varieties were sent to the State Experiment Station, Baton Ronge,La., and to North Lonisiana Experiment station, Calhoun, La., and experimental plats planted at each station. 16 1. Honduras seed, grown a1 the station. 2. Bondnras seed, grown on the Teche. :;. Link's Hyin ill seed, grown in Kausas. 4. White Mammoth Beed, grown at the station. 5. White India seed, grown in Kansas. 6. Enyama, grown by J. I'. Baldwin, of t he Teehe. 7. Earlj Orange, grown in Kansas. 8. Kansas Orange, grown in Kansas. a. New Orange, grown in Kansas, in. Golden Rod, grown in Kansas. 11. llonc\ Drip, grown in Kansas. 47 The varieties planted at Baton Rouge were Early Amber, Early Orange, Link's Hybrid, and Honduras. They were planted in rows 4 feet wide, and seed lightly covered. The cultivation was the same as that given to corn, after thinning it to a stand of one stalk to every 4 inches. The storm of the 19th of August completely prostrated the canes, and on September 12 the entire field was green with a luxurant growth of suckers. The varieties grown at the North Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun, La., were: 1. Minnesota Early Amber seed, from Xe- 4. New Orange seed, from Kansas. braska. 5. White India seed, from sn^ar experi- 2. Early Amber seed, from Department of ment station. Agriculture. 6. Link's Hybrid seed, from sugar experi- 3. Early Orange seed, from Department ment station. of Agriculture. ?. Golden Rod seed, from Kansas. These were planted on April 18, thinned to a stand, and cultivated in its order with the corn crop. Here flat cultivation was exclusively practiced during the season, while at the other two stations high ridges were required for drainage. These plantings were made with a view of testing, by mill and labor- atory experiments, the adaptability of sorghum as a sugar crop to Louisiana. If sugar can be made profitably from sorghum anywhere in the United States it should be done in Louisiana. Chemical anal- yses show a larger percentage of sugar and a smaller quantity of glu- cose in sorghum grown in Louisiana than any where else in this country. At least the published analyses now at hand verify this assertion. Again, could our sugar planters be persuaded that sorghum could be made to yield a profitable quantity of sugar, say even 1,000 pounds per acre, they would soon adopt it as an adjunct to the cane crop. Once establish the fact that sugar can be profitably made from sorghum, and it will become exceedingly popular with all cane-growers, for the fol- lowing reasons: (1) By planting different varieties and at different times it can be made to ripen in Louisiana at any time from Julj to November — thus giving employment six months to an expensive machinery, which is now engaged only sixty days in grinding the cane crop. (2) The cost of >ii<\ required to plant a crop of sorghum is very small, quite insignificant compared with the large amount required for cane. (.'{) The ease and cheapness with which this crop Can be grown. (1) The value of the seed for forage — a by-product without cost, save the expense of carefully Ionising. Again, there are vast tracts of rich alluvial lands in the middle and northern portions of the State which aie too fax north for cane and which will grow excellent croqa of sorghum. These lands are now in cotton, but COUld it be j( nionsiiafcd that they could grow SOrghum 48 profitably, central factories would spring up in every direction and this crop would supplant cotton in part, if not entirely. With these possibilities in view the Director has persistently planted sorghum for three years upon the Sugar Experiment Station and at- tempted every year to make successfully sugar from it by the milling process. Chemical analyses have shown that our juices were rich in sucrose and low in glucose, but our sugar-house experiments have failed to extract it successfully. We have made the masse cuite full of grains, but our centrifugals failed to purge. All this was due to the starch present in the juice (extracted by pressure with the mill), which, during the subsequent process of concentration, was converted into dextrine, and this substance, our bete noir, prevented the elimination of the sugar. Our past experiments have demonstrated the inapplicability of the crushing mill to sorghum. They have also shown that high tempera- tore must be avoided. Therefore new methods of extracting the juice and processes of cooking in vacuo must be resorted to before we can successfully extract sugar from sorghum. Fort Scott, Kans., and Kio Grande, N. J., have both demonstrated that diffusion was applicable to the extraction of juice and goodly quan- tities of sugar had thus been obtained. After planting the above crops the State bureau of agriculture, which lias immediate control of the stations, received a petition in the form of a series of resolutions from the Ascension Branch of the Sugar Planters' Association, asking that it make an appropriation for the purpose of erecting a diffusion bat- tery for sorghum and to continue the experiments so auspiciously begun at Port Scott and Kio Grande. The planters were anxious to know if the flattering results obtained in Kansas could not be realized here. The bureau having received at one time the deferred hall' of the annual Hatch appropriation, decided to grant the request bo far as the limited means at their disposal would permit. Accordingly it passed a series of resolutions appropriating money for the enterprise and authorizing the Director to proceed at once to obtain the necessary machinery. As 800D as these resolutions were passed increased areas were planted in sorghum at each station, using seed received from Kansas at Ken- ner, anil Early Amber and Orange at the other two. Acting under these resolutions, bids were invited for building first a "diffusion battery of 11 cells, capacity of battery U to 2 tons per hour; second, a double effect of 400 square feel of heating surface. Messrs. Kd wards & llaubtman, of New Orleans, making the best prop- osition for the erection ol'above machinery, were accorded the contract. Mr. J. P. Baldwin, Of St. Mary's Parish, who had formerly been an attach^ Of the Station, and who has great mechanical ingenuity, was em- ployed in May to superintend the erection Of the machinery, and alter full and free conference with him and Mr. E. \Y. Deraiug, late engineer in charge of the Port Scott sugar works and now supervising engineer of the Con wa* Borings sugar works, Kansas, the following machinery was 49 ordered : Cutter and coininmiutor or pulper, with shafting and pulleys, from George J. Fritz, Saint Louis, Mo. ; conveyors, elevators, and gear- ing from Link Belt Company, Chicago, and Mr. E. W. Deming kindly superintended the construction of a fan, a duplicate of the one made for Conway Springs sugar works, which he shipped us from Kansas. Considerable work had to be done to conform the old sugar-house to its new machinery. Indeed the task of planning and transforming the old conditions to the new was one requiring patience, energy, and ex- cellent mechanical ingenuity. That it has been well done is the uni- versal testimony of all visitors. After the above work had been contracted for, the gratifying intelli- gence was received from the Hon. Xorman J. Colman, Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, that he would allow this station $5,000 of the $100,000 recently appropriated by Congress for experi- ments in making sugar from sorghum. This supplement to the appro- priation from tbe Bureau of Agriculture has enabled the station to en- large its equipment and extend its field of investigation. From our past experience with sorghum it was inferred tbat our crop planted on the 16th of April would not be ready for the sugar-house before 1st of September. Accordingly we contracted with Messrs. Ed- wards & Haubtinan to deliver the machinery by the 15th of August, thus giving us fifteen days (ample time) for its erection and prepara- tion for work. Messrs. Edwards & Haubtinan failed to deliver until the 23d instant, which failure, in connection with the unprecedented storm of the 19th instant, which prostrated completely our sorghum, proved most disastrous to our successful manufacture of sugar. In 188G, sorghum planted April 5, was harvested September 13. In 1887, sorghum planted April 21, was worked up September 23. Both years they were worked at full maturity, excepting the Early Amber and Chinese, which were ripe in July of each year. It was fair therefore to calculate that, without any natural interven- tion, the sorghum this year would not be ready for the sugar-house be- fore the middle of September; and had not the storm prevailed the date of delivery of Messrs. Edwards & Haubtinan would have still af- forded us ample time to have completed erection before the maturity of the Crop, lather alone would not have proven disastrous; both to- gether were fatal. [See chemical analysis further on for verification.] Of the varieties mentioned above, the Ambers were ripe in .Inly, ami accordingly were worked up by the mill, cooked to masse cuite and hit in hot room for comparison with masse cnite from diffusion juice. LABOBA.TOB1 WORK. Daring the summer the laboratory has been engaged in the stud\ of the chemistry of sorghum. To this end w eekly analj ses of nil \ arieties have been made and daily study prosecuted as i<> the physiological changes occurring in the gro* th and maturity of sorghum. The follow* 14056— Bull. 20 1 50 ing are the notes made by my assistant, Mr. W. L. Hutchinson, up to September 1, at which time he resigned to accept the professorship of chemistry in the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi. His leaving put an end to his interesting investigations. June 21. — Iodine shows no starch in Minnesota White Amber, just headed. Single polarization gives no sucrose. The following were found: Glucose, 3.65 per cent. : solids, 6.66 per cent. ; albumin- oids, .17 per cent. The precipitate produced by snbacetate of lead, after "being freed from the bad, gave no trace of oxalic acid, but a quantity of tartaric acid. So great was the latter that every attempt at its entire removal failed, so that no positive conclusions as to the other acids present were drawn. On July 10 fully matured samples of Early Amber were obtained, the juice extracted and subjected to analysis. The sucrose was determined by single and double polari- zation and by Fehling's solution". The following are the results: Sucrose: Total solids, 16.58; single polarization, 12.31 ; double, 12.28; Fehling's, 12.22. This juice was concentrated to sirup, and the latter gave, by single polariza- tion, sucrose, .">2.41 ; double polarization. 53. STARCH IN SORGHUM. With green canes just heading no indications of starch are given by iodine. If there were any blue it was completely obscured by the in- tensely brown coloration. This brown coloration indicated dextrine and other forms of soluble starch. With well-matured canes iodine gives an intensely blue color to- wards the top, decreasing in intensity towards the butt. Canes occu- pying an intermediate condition between these extremes, or in that stage of growth when maturity begins to appear, as indicated by the presence of sucrose in the lower part of the stalk, Starch will be found in the butt but not in the top. The above conclusions of Mr. Hutchinson have been fully confirmed by subsequent experiments ; and it is not unusual in our laboratory now to prognosticate the amount of sucrose in a cane by the presence of Starch, so intimately are they associated. Both sucrose and starch seem to be formed simultaneously — the former from glucose and per- haps other bodies, and the latter from dextrine and other soluble forms. Glucose occurs In largest quantities when the polariscope gives no indication of sucrose by single polarization, in a sample of green cane, in which there was no starch and by single polarization no sucrose, but by double polarization 1.63 per cent., as high as 7 percent, of glucose was found. As the cane from which the above sample was selected, matured, repeated analyses made at short intervals Bhowed that the glucose decreased, until at maturity it reached as low as 0.8 percent. .(.!.]; VS. DOUBLE POLARIZATION. In juices from matured Canes there LS B very close agreement between the sucrose obtained by single and double polarization. Not so with 51 the immature canes, and the greater the immaturity the greater the disagreement. In all of the laboratory work on samples taken from the field sucrose was therefore determined by single and double polariza- tion. ANALYSES OF VARIETIES OF SORGHUM. These were begun July 11 and continued weekly until worked up. The following table gives the results: Analysts of the varieties of yorghum at different stages of growth, Sugar Experiment Station, Keiuier, La. Date of aiial M.s. Jnlv AuK. Aim. Aug. An-. Sept. Srpr. July July An':. Aug. Aug. Aug. Sept. Sept, July Au- Ahj. An-. Aug. Sept. Sept. July July July July July July July July J.«lv •July .Ink -J .1 In Aim. Aug. An-. Sept. Sept. July Jlllj Aug Sept. Sept. July July Aim. Aim. A.m. Variety. Early Orange .110 do do do ... .do ... do Link's Hybrid do .: .... do do do do do do ...: Kansas Orange do do do do d.) do Early Amber, Nebraska .. do do do Early Amber, Kansas .... do - do Early Amber, Department o! A jrriculture do do Il"iir\ I > r i I > do ....'. do do do do do Honey Drip. do do do tin do , do Golden \U»\ .1,. ■ i.. .do - 9.8 16. G 10 1 G. 5 IG.3 15.7 IJ.5 11.5 iii. 20 13.20 10.10 10. 20 15.30 11.40 11.80 16.90 15. (io 16.80 15. 20 13.70 11.60 13.30 15. 70 14.80 17. L'o 13.60 16.73 li 13.2 U 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 1 7. r. 16.3 12. lo H. - ll.:: 13 2 12 12 .8 11 11. 1 ll.ol 10.1 11.8 11.8 it 0 11.7 z - it ,s „ 53 q 2. 2 1.'. 4 12. 3 12.1 12.2 11.7 10.2 5. 2 12.2 10 12 12 12 7.9 4.1 1 2. o 11.6 11.7 11.1 9 7 8. 1 8.3 12.1 ll.o 12. 3 1 2. 0 12. 1 7.0 13.5 ll.o :t. :i 7 9 3. 22 12. 1 1 _'. CO 12. 21 12.52 12.85 6.22 1*2.' io" 10.00 12.07 12.1s 12. 0U 5.12 12.00 1 1 . 63 11.67 11.33 &. 07 5 II l.io . 70 .7; 1. 23 1.03 I!. 20 1 64 1 . 28 1.27 .7t . 95 3.40 1. 13 1. 15 2.78 1 ! - 1. 13 2.85 1.20 1. 18 1.74 2. 75 1. l,i 1.70 3.71 i.e. 1.59 2. 1 7 1.21 52 Analyses of the varieties of sorghum at the different stages of growth, ete. — Continued. Date of analysis. S, pt 4 Sept. 12 July Jl July 20 Aug. i Aug. 13 Aug. L>0 A ug. 27 Sept 4 Sept. 12 July 11 July 20 Aug. 7 Aug. 13 Aug. 20 Aug. 27 4 Sept. 12 July 11 July 20 Aug. 7 Aug. 13 Aug. 'J') A ug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 12 July 11 July 20 Aug. 7 Aug. 13 Aug. 20 Au^i. 27 Sept. L Sept. 1 2 July 11 July 20 A ii;.'. 7 A ug. 13 Aug. 20 Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 20 July 11 July •jo Aug. 7 Aug. 13 Aug. 20 •J 7 Si pt. 4 Sept. July 20 11 July 20 7 Aug. 13 Aug. Aug. J 7 Sept. 1 Si pt July 11 July 20 7 Au_. 13 27 S. -pt. July i 11 July 20 A Ug. 7 " 20 27 i S< pt 1 Variety. Golden Rod.. ... do Xiw Orange. do ...... .... .!o do .... do do do . .. rlo .... Kansas Orang .... do ..... .... ill) .... do .... do do .... do .... do Early Orange do .... . .... do do do .... do do .... do Kn\ ana a do do .... do .... do .... do do . . . do White India. do do .... do .... do do .... do White Mammoth do .. . do Link's H\ In id. do .. .. . do do do do do .... do Honduras ... do do do ... do ... do... do ... do ... do ... do... do ... K a - - i. — z Sucrose. - §.H 10.2 9.5 13. 3 ig. :i 13.80 12. 50 12. 20' 12. JO 10.20 9. 10 10. CO 13.11 13. «J0 14.8 12.7 13. 1 10.1 11.7 11.71 11.0 9 71 14.80 13.20 14.70 14.10 in.!) l I S3 it CO 13.50 10.30 l ;. (J 13 14.1 6 5 7.91 1 1.20 10.5 1 n. 2 12.2 8 l 10.5 9. 8 9. l 1 ». 9 14.3 13.7 1 J. 2 in r, 7.0 7.81 9. 70 7. Hi 7.70 a •/. 5.6 4,9 0.9 11.0 10.3 ■ - 8 G. 2 7.1 8 10. G 8. 1 6.5 5. 3 6 0 ll.o 9.0 9. 5 7.1 4 II 2.3 9.0 10 6 10.5 5. 2 6. 5 5. I ll.o 10.2 '.i 5 5. G2 10*36 8.92 8. 16 6.20 6.07 8.S 10. 74 8.00 6.71 7.51 7. 10 11.18 9.31 9.49 7.21 10.50 5. 05 11.0 9.9 7.01 . 1 ■J. 1 '.' 2. ii 9. 7 1 G 0 0. 10 6. 1 0.54 7.7 7.84 l - 4.0 9.0 in. 1 10.21 10.5 10.50 9. 1 9. 10 0.7 2.0 l 3.05 7 1 7. 12 1 0 1. 31 1 1 5.8 1 0 ' 0. 0 1.47 4.25 1.71 2. 94 2.68 2 :■! 2.21 L88 1.36 1.37 1.71 2. 15 1.60 2. 43 2. 21 1.77 1.90 1.71 1.72 1.92 1 95 2. 12 2.31 1. 14 1.43 1.08 1.47 1 82 1.70 1.14 1.59 .72 1.27 1.25 3. 29 1.43 L.87 .87 ■:. i o 2. 1 1 1.59 2 i .74 1.14 .78 1. 18 1 !l 3. 00 2. 14 i 94 2. 1 1 3. 99 1 . S3 i M 1.7!) 1 . 1 2. 27 53 Analyses of varieties of sorghum grown at Baton Rouge, La, Date of analysis. «**■ 2& Sucrose, single polariza- tion. Glucose. Aug. G Aug. 9 Aug. 14 Aug. 28 Sept. 11 Aug. 6 Aug. 14 Aug. 28 Sept. 11 Aug. 0 Aug. 9 Aug. 1 4 Aug. 0 Aug. 9 Aug. 14 12.00 9.50 13.40 12. 10 7. 30 11.20 10. 00 12. 40 7.8 9.4 11.5 10.5 6.3 8.4 4.1 do 15.9 do , 18.1 do 17.0 do - 14.7 3.80 1.12 1.09 1>2 do 15.9 17.0 11.9 2.38 2.07 4. 52 do do do .". 16.1 16.4 1.87 3.00 do do do 15. 8 11.6 4.70 5.47 Analyses of varieties grown at Xorih Louisiana Experiment Station, Calhoun, La. Date of analysis. Oct. Oct Oct. Oct. Oct- Oct. Variety. Early Amber.. Early Orange.. NVv. Orange... Link's Hybrid White India... Golden Kod ... Sucrose, single polariza- tion. 11.4 11.8 10.5 12.3 10.6 Glucose. 1.27 2.56 2. 20 1.56 .87 1.36 An inspection of above tables will show that Early Amber reached its maximum in July, say one hundred days after planting. Golden Kod and Honduras never reached maturity, the storm of the 18th pros- trating them before the maximum of sugar was reached. The other varieties attained their maximum during August. Could these experiments have been worked daring August, it is be- lieved that most excellent results would have been attained. Up to September 1. just as suckers began to appear at eaeli joint on the pros- trate cane, the latter had lost but little in snero.se since the storm of the 19th. Alter the suckers began to grow the loss was rapid and heavy, as is shown by the mill juices of September 8 to 20. The canes at Oalhoun were not injured, the storm not extending as far north as this station. They have therefore preserved their sugar up to Octobei 1 and suffered little or no loss. EXPERIMENTS IN DIFFUSION. All the machinery being in position ami read} tor use, a trial run was made on Septembers, using the Early Orange variety. The cut era did their work well ; so did the ditVusion cells, except now and then a leak which was easily close. 1. The larger heater, which heated the juice be fort entering the cells, was out of order and could not be used either in this or the ne\t trial. The fan which had been furnished as adapted to the cleaningof SOrghnui chips failed utterly to do its work. The shaker 54 which was geared to the fan ran too rapidly, and had to be run by an independent pulley at a slower motion. The depth of the shaker was far too narrow, so much so that the chips of cane thrown violently for- ward by the force of the cut were often propelled beyond the shaker and fell into the trash. In this way a large amount of the cane in this experiment was lost. The shaker was lengthened and many other im- provements made until good work was accomplished. On account of these defects only 1,152 pounds of sorghum, with tops and blades, were used and only two cells of the battery were filled. The following are the laboratory analyses : Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Eatio of sucrose to glue Mill juice Diffusion juice : First cell 14. C 10. -J l.l •7 1.05 . [021 .06:58 10.25 9.11 9.11 No sugar or sirup made. Pending the making of the necessary improvements to the fan and shaker the cubical contents of the cells were carefully calculated in the following manner: The cells were tilled with water and then the water carefully emptied into a sugar wagon and weighed, allowing 62 J pounds of water to a cubic foot. Each cell contained 13.52 cubic feet. A cell packed with sorghum chips and one put in without packing were also emptied and weighed. Their weights were, respectively, 353 pounds and L'7o' pounds, making 26 pounds and 20 pounds per cubic foot. Without entering into the full details of daily work, the following, taken from our large amount of records, will suffice to illustrate fully the work performed. Considering the very low character of the sorghum worked, the results obtained are quite promising. Monday, September 10, 1 — I.— Another trial of the machinery was made to-day to de«i cide whether the improvements bo hastily made were effective, Honduras sorghun was need; weight, with tops and blades, 2,158 pounds. Everything worked fairly w<-ll. It was found thai both the cutter ami comminutor were projecting the ohipt in everj direction, thus causing greal waste. A Btop was made and these boxed in. Ponr cells were, however, tilled, and the juices from these concentrated in the double uid left in the latter all night. The next morning, to our surprise, we found thai one of t he tubes of the double effeel had leaked during the uighl ami had diluted the Simp almost to the original juice. Accordingly it was withdrawn and thrown away, ami tin- Leaking tube plugged up. The laboratory results are given : Sucrose. (illK Ratio ra gluoose. i. a •J. :t 1.4 .:ih .78 .55 6& :t llillu ion | Kiral ■ ell u.l oell Third cell Fourth cell" Wednesday, Sejiiember 12.— Having repaired the defects, work was begun at 9.30 o'clock and continued until nineteen cells had been filled. Everything worked admi- rably except the heaters, which were not under control, and hence varying tempera- tures used in diffusing. Weather very warm and much suffering experienced by everybody at work, particularly by the men at the diffusers and clarifier. The following canes, with quantities, were used : Pounds. 1,292 900 1,214 470 828 1,096 1,072 829 1,370 9,071 G.4S9 Texas Honey Drip, with topa and blades Early Orange Total L( 98 tOpS, 1.403 IXHIIllls I rtry le „ + trash, M79 pound* \ =2a 46 *»T cent- The chips packed in very tightly failed to discharge' easily. Drew the first juice off at cell No. 7, and continued to draw until twenty- five' discharges had been made, viz, Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 11, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The juice from Xo. 7 passed over seven fresh chips. The juice from Xo. 8 passed seven 2d chips and one fresh chips. The juice from No. 9 passed over seven 3d chips, one 2d chips, and one fresh chips. The juice from No. 10 passed over seven 4th chips, one 3d chips, one >Jd chips, and onh chips, etc., until the 14th cell was reached. While Xo. 14 was bring filled Xo. 1 was emptied. Then began regular diffusion. The20th cell was partially filled but not used, and Xo. 21 was at the same time emptied. Hence the absence of Nos. G and 7 in the discharges above. The following analyses were made : 1. Mill juices <>f each variety db< d. 2. Diffusion juices from each ci 11. :i. Chips as they were emptied from each cell. 4. Clarified juice from each clarifier. 5. Sirup. (j. Residuum scums. 7. Rugar. 8. Molasses. The following are the results: Mill j sty. Link1! H\ brid li i II v 1m ip Golden Rod * (range !». 1 Early Orai I 7.7 7 1 5G Diffusion chips. l ■_'... z [\\\] .'"".[ ...... \ . 4 5 6 with twelve washings 7 with eleven washings 8 with ti ii washings . . . 9 with nine washings.. 1.4 10 with eight washings. .6 11 witli seven washings. . f> 12 with six washing* .. .6 13 with five washings... . 2 14 with four washings . . . 5") lf> with three washings . .75 16 with two washing*. . .85 17with one washing 1.10 Sample lost. Diffusion juices. .7 .5 .6 1.2 .7 1.5 (*> Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose. Glueoso ratio. 6.4 5.5 4.1 4.1 5.9 5.1 5.6 4.7 4.2 3.8 3.0 3.1 3.8 3.7 3.9 3.3 1.11 1.12 .53 1.19 1.56 1.40 1.39 1.56 26.45 26.45 17.67 38.39 ♦1.05 37. 84 35. 64 47.27 Second discharge Fifth discharge ? Sixth discharge 5 Eighth discharge. . Tenth and subsequent discharges Clarified juices. 1 4.5 4.9 2.8 2.2 3 4 8.8 2.2 1.7 1.06 1.26 31.18 38.18 2 3 4 .. .65 38.23 Siru j> : Total solids 32.20 L7.50 7. 35 42.00 Scums : 4.10 1.90 .88 43.68 Su_ Sucrose 91.2 B0 4 < llucose 14.28 It was utterly impossible, from the varying amounts of sucrose in the canes used, t<> pi anything like uniform results either on 1 1 » « * juices or chips. There were drawn four olarifiers, of about 500 gallons each. The last tun wen- very dilute, owing to the i of water used in washing the chips after cells were filled. This juice was ueated with lime and bronghl to neutrality; heated, and blanket, which wasqnite insignificant, removed. It was then settled and clear juice run into the double effect ami concentrated. There was a large quantity of settlings and some scums, which were weighed and analyzed and thrown awaj t»> avoid interfering with the well»olarined simp. Tho following are \\ eights obtained : Sirup (Settlings and soums Is. 1,663 l.iiTo Molassi a Pounds. 49 752 The following are the notes of diffusion : Every effort was made, to hold the temperature at 200° Fahrenheit, but until the battery had been used in one entire round this is almost impossible to do, since sending in quickly water heated to 200° Fahrenheit into cold iron cells rilled with cold chips the loss of heat by radiation and convection is very great. Six min- utes were allowed for the diffusion of each cell after the hot water was turned on. Every effort to grain in the vacuum pan proved abortive, as the following not< a <>t Mr. Baldwin, who had charge of the pan and was assisted by Mr. Barthelemy, will show : ''Part of juice concentrated in double effect on first watch, remainder on sec- ond watch, when the juice got very hot, 180°, and was emptied in ears to cool ; finished concentrating on morning of i:ith at a temperature of loo- to 100° Fahr- enheit. Juice dark colored and some feculent matter present. After mixing sir- ups started vacuum strike pan at 2 p. m. on 13th; temperature, 138° to 140° Fahrenheit ; very thick ; nothing but candy would form in the pan. Allowed to stand half an hour until candy dissolved, but no grain. Stood again one hour ; at 7 p. m. still no grain. Cooked very thick and remained in pan until 2 p. in. next day, when it was all boiled to string sugar and put in the hot room. Injured some by being cooked to candy. " In the hot room it began at once to grain, until the wagon was quite solid with small grains of sugar. It was centriftigaled and gave the following results: Stipar Molasses. Pounds. M'lTCLATlOX. rounds. Bnpar obtained per ton sorghum LC5 Molasses obtained per ton hor^buui - '■ i After the analyses of the mill juices were known, little or no hope w as entertained of BUCCes&fu] BUgai i' Butts, hide. (1, it is wonderful with such jnic< S and after Mich treatment that any sugar should lie obtained. September 17. — It has often been published that neither sorghum nor its juices will stand transportation or delay in working them up, after being cut. That such is not the case with us is abundantly proved by the following and many other experiments during this season : On September 16 Mi. I;. mow. assistant at the state experiment station, was sen! to Baton Rouge to harvest and ship a car-load of sorghum from that station to this. By 9 a. in. on the morning of the loih he hail cut and loaded a closed car with Bai ly Orange sorghum. This sorghum was quite wel from dew and had its leaves and tops atill on conditions making fermentation quite feasible to almost any crop. It was delivered at Kenner bj Mississippi Valley Railroad at : p. m. of same day. It was unloaded ami delivered at sugar* house at 12 m. of the 17th, and worked up as delivered. The cane had been badlj blown down by the storm of the 19th, and was filled with BUCkeiS Several led long, now in full heads. Il was quite low in sugar, as the following analysis of selected stalks, made on September il- showed : Total sollda 11 e ■ooroae Glucose 58 Began diffusion at 1) a. in. Filled twenty-three cells with chips and drew off thirty- one cells of juice. Finished in early evening, after two Blight detentions. Cells dif- fused sixteen minutes each, except three times, when interrupted. The temperature varied from 150c to 200° F. The juice was boiled to a sirup in double effect and made into string sugar in the vacuum pan. Boiled all night, finishing the next day. The string sugar was run into the hot-room, where it was grained into almost a solid mass. The following are the amounts used : Weight of canes. 13,266 Less weight of tops 2,445 • ight of Leaves 1, 785 Less weight of trash iu yard Less weight of chips not used 5,867 Chan cane ased 7,399 The juices from this were concentrated into a sirap, giving 1,491 pounds: scums thrown away, 313 pounds ; juice made into molasses, 259 pounds. The following are the laboratory results: Pounds. Sugar obtained ll"> Molasses obtained 872 Sugar per ton of sorghum 81.4 Molasses per ton of sorghum 181.8 RECAPITULATION. Cane contained (calculated) pounds Bucrose.. 415 Sit up made into sugar contained do 328 Sirup made into molasses contained. do r>7 Scums contained do 7 ('hips contained do :<2 Fiber in cane per cent. . 15. 5 Early orange sorghum. Total solids. Sucrose. Glucose. ('■Iu. 081 tosui Mill juices 5 1 i 11.4 11.8 11.7 7.0 7.0 t;. 9 ::. 2 :i. 95 8. co 3 80 1. 10 :t. 50 :;. to ■t. in I. 20 :: 80 . :; .:t . 25 . r. . 15 ::. 8 8.9 :: I 1.8 i.a 1. 1 22 92. 1 ::. 33 - l 79 2. oo 1 92 2. 17 2. 32 2, 00 1 72 1 u; 1.73 1.0 1 . 88 L62 I. 70 1.60 . it . 18 . 10 . 1 19 . U .18 . 10 . 89 11. 1 2 22 i M I', r r, ,it. 18 51 18 . B6 .51 .84 . 59 - .49 . 12 . Hi .47 .00 1 1 . I : .80 .40 "1 II 68 1 1 Diffusion chips ...< ! f Simp :::::::: Scums Ho 59 Here, as before, the dilution was great, owing to the water used in washing the chips after cells were filled. This cane Lad nearly a constant composition, and from glucose ratio there has been little or no inversion either in cells or in concentration of sirup. In fact, when water at 200° F. is sent into cells and maintained there for six minutes at this temperature little or no iuversion took place, notwithstanding the weather gauge showed this day a maximum temperature of 83° P. Septemher 20. — The following canes were selected for this run : Link's hybrid, White India, White mammoth, and the second planting of Early Amber. The suck- ers, of which there were many, were removed by hand. Filled nine cells. Everything worked well. rounds. "Weight of cane used 5, 078 Less weight of tops 812 Less weight of trash G53 Less weight of suckers '208 Less weight of chips not used 74 1,747 Clean cane used 3, 331 Juice neutralized with lime, blanket removed, settled, concentrated in doable-effect and (/rained in vacuum pan; then emptied into car and run into hot-room, where it solidified into crystals of sugar of small size. PoumU. Weight of sirup 695 Weight of scums, etc. Weight of sugar. 150 40 Pounds. "Weight of molasses Sugar, per ton 24 Molasses, per ton 141 The following are laboratory results Mill juices Diffusion juices. Diffusion chips. i c o Variety. g -" ■-L ■ 0 -_ T. So 7 - V I - ~ z ~ O r -. C z r z u 2 ■~ - ■~ z - ■~ - - 7 _ O - - H ■/. ~ l'r ct. - /. ~ ~ v. - l'r. ct Link's hybrid 10. C 6.7 1.13 .37 .10 White India 14. 1 10. 5 10.0 6. !• 1.25 2. It 12* 0. 0 <;. o 3. 5o 3. 70 1.51 1.51 .4:; .41 . 20 . 11 . 13 White ru am moth White amber (Nebraska) .. 10.7 1 92 29 :;. 20 1.57 .4'.) .10 .12 White amber 11) 4 5. t :;. 12 57 5. (J 3. 25 1.61 .10 . 12 Clarified juice : Total solids |*"J Suck.-,,. j J- J Glucose } !;jj{ Glucose to sucrose.. per cent Sirups: i] solids 32. 94 Bocrose 17.5 Glucose 7 hi Sirups— Continued : Glucose to sucrose, percent 40 Senilis: Sucrose 1.7 Glucose 7:! Glucose to sucrose percent 41 Sugsr: Sucrose Glucose . . . Molass j( 34 Glucose "jo [TULATION ... 121.62 ,n sirup • in senilis 2.51 Sin rose in chips 16. 51 The following determinations of albuminoids were aiad< Sucrose In sugar made M. 8s Su« i"-' :n molassi b made Fiber in cane, percont 15. ot Mill jn i Link's hybrid .4 0 Kansas orange New orange Early orange Early orange, Baton Rouge. ^S7i ' Do MS Mill .line. | Diffusion i : • I 12 Sept. 17, Ba cam ( '1 ii i I i i • > 1 jllii I s. pt 12, set ond it. Baton Konge < am •s pt 20 It will ilnis be -cfii that diffusion j 1 1 i <•« -^ <• totain muofa less juices. ilhu: • ills than mill GO LATE PLANTING OF SORGUXM. After deciding to erect a diffusion battery to work up sorghum, a late planting was made upon land from which a crop of oats had been harvested. The oats were harvested May 15, and the land broken with four horse plow and harrow. Sorghum planted May 23. The continued rains during June and July prevented necessary cultivation. The storm of August 10 prostrated it, and, though far from being ripe, never re- covered. Most of these seed were received from Mr. William P. Clem- ents, of Sterling Sugar Works in Kansas, and were mainly hybrids of different varieties. They were carefully followed during maturity with analyses, but at no time did any of them show a large sugar content. The following table will show analytical results: Analyses of sorghum planted May 23. No. Variety. Analyzed October 8. Analyzed September 15. Iliix. Sucrose. Glucose. Brix. Sucrose. Glucose. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IS ir, 17 18 19 20 •-'1 22 23 24 25 27 2H 29 3d 31 32 33 30 37 88 39 Honduras, grown in Louisiana White Amber, grown in Nebraska Early Amber, grown in Kansas.... Early Amber, from Department of C.2 1.1 2. 52 7.4 12.0 9.3 7.6 9.3 12.3 It. 3 8.4 .1 7.7 8.4 0.7 3.7 4.:; 7.0 1.2 4.13 2.09 2.28 2.36 •J 12 3.45 1.40 2.40 Golden Rod, from Sterling, Kans.. New Orange, from Sterling, Kans.. White India, from Sterling, Kans Early Orange, from Department of 9.2 11.0 10.8 10.3 9.5 7.0 8.8 11. 3 12.0 «J. 1 8.0 8.4 4.3 8. fi 12 2 !». 1 9. 8 10.4 8.9 8. 1 10. 9 a 2 10 0 in 9 10.6 :-. 7 4 7 5.3 5.5 3.4 2.3 3.2 8.3 4. 1 1.0 2. 8 3.0 .3 3.1 7.0 3.9 4.7 r>. 2 1.9 3.4 4. 1 3. 8 2 6 4.7 2. 5 5. 3 5. 5 5. 2 .... '":»." i 2.73 3. 57 2. 34 2.28 2.32 2.13 1.93 •_'. IS 3. 12 2.84 2. 80 1.44 2. 79 1.44 2. 79 2. 60 8. 17 2 17 2. 75 2.64 1.74 1 . 67 2. .-.'.i 3. 7.-. Chinese Sngar Cane, from Depart- Early Orange, from Department <>!' 7.4 9.0 7 2 11.1- 10.8 <.». 9 7. 1 6 0 9. '.: *. 1 7.2 0. 0 9. o 8 9 0. 9 8.9 o i 12. l 10.9 ;» i 9,7 8.3 7.9 C.3 •J '.• 4.1 5.9 1.2 6.2 4.1 1.1 2. 2 6.1 0 4 8.8 2. 9 2. o 1 5 :;. l l. i 1.0 3.0 i 2 4 5 :; o 4.0 1.0 :: o 1.7 1.9 .9 3. 12 2. :;o 3. 03 2. 40 L'. 20 2. 70 2. 59 1 . 00 1 . 70 1.00 2. 74 2. 42 2.00 1 70 2.20 3. ;>7 .'.'1 1.48 2.64 2 27 3. 07 •J '.» 1 :i. IS 3. 83 4. 07 i : l 3. 03 Do Do I).. I),, .. . 1),, Do ]»,, Do .. It,, I),, Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Earl\ Goone Neck, Sterling, Ka.ua ll'iiiiiui m, from a rizona , - . Plei ■ 'in Stei liiiL', Kins Daohebfl Hybi id, Stei ling, Kans. . . N'.-w Sugfli < lane, Stei ling, Kans - Lib nan, Smith A i i/.ona Liberiau, M Ihsoui i Liberian, Texas The following are the descriptions of the hybrid varieties gathered October8: N... ii. Panicle, black exterior, dnll red iuterior; two distinct beads, the <>ii<' full, with black seed red tipped, the other few Beeded, slightly closed heads, probably a cross between White Mammoth or India with a black seeded variety, 61 No. 12. Large heads, black and yellowish-white, fine stalks, green plumes with pinkish-white seeds. A cross, probably, between White India and an unknown variety. No. 13. Heads large, one sleek black, the other white red. Probably New Orange and a black-seeded variety ; stalks medium. No. 14. Only one kind; black, with red openings, full seeded. No. 15. One black, with reddish seeds; the other black, with dull white seed; Hon- duras and unknown variety. No. 10. One black, with slightly reddish seed ; the other, large whiteheads; both full seeds; stalks small. No. 17. Black, with red seed in one, full headed; the other white seeded, few and loose. No. 19. Three varieties, black, white, and variegated; heads few seeded; stalks small. No. 20. Black, with bright-red seed, few; stalks small. No. 21. Black, with yellow opening; two varieties, one black glumes with pinkish seeds, full headed ; other ashy glumes, closed heads, with few seed. No. 22. Black, with white seed, bent neck; the other dark, with pinkish seed. No. 23. Red, with yellow openings, one dark, with pinkish seed; the other dark, with white seeds, pinkish blush. No. 24. Dark, with pale-yellow openings. One full headed, black glumes with pink- ish >ceds ; the other dark glumes, closed seed in an indifferent head. No. 25. Dark; large white opening. One, black glumes with white seed: the other, black glume with pinkish seed. N08.26, 27, 2H, and 29 are crosses of Honduras on white varieties, with large pre- ponderance of Honduras. Xo. :$0. Black, with red openings. One black, with red seed : the other black, with white set (1. October 9 a part of the above was cut and diffused, but results in sugar were nil; 8,482 pounds of sorghum were successfully diffused, leav- ing on an average less titan .15 per cent, sucrose in chips, but the juice was very dilute and contained a greater quantity of glucose than su- crose. After concentration to masse cnite it was left in the hot room for several weeks, with no indication of grain. On November 15 the late planting of Honduras, Chinese, and Gold CD Rod were gathered and diffused. The yields per acre were as high for the first two as 20 tons per acre; but the sugar content was very low. The following are the analyses : Brix. S . Ml 2. 1" I 60 Glucose. Mill juices : a i 8. 1 1. 17 2. 59 < 'liincsc Gold( ii Rod Here the process of elarif\ ing in the cell b\ the ii.m- of lime was tried for the first time on sorghum. A much larger quantity of lime was used than was required for cane. Results indicated that witii an abun- dance of lime, plenty of heat, and a very tine chip a good clarification 62 could be obtained in the cell. Further trials, however, of this process on sorghum are needed to decide fully upon its efficacy. Since glucose was so largely in excess of sucrose no attempt was made to obtain sugar. The sirup was concentrated into molasses and sent to the molasses-tank. CONCLUSIONS. While the present season was in Louisiana a most disastrous one for making sugar from sorghum, yet the sn cessful application of diffusion in the extraction of the juice from both sorghum and sugar-cane has been abundantly proven. From sorghums of fair quaility, such as were raised on this station in 1S8G and 1S87, it is certain that a large quantity of sugar could be ob- tained. From Early Orange this year with only 7 per cent, sucrose ami 3.33 per cent, glucose (glucose ratio nearly 50), 31.4 pounds sugar were obtained to ton of sorghum. This same variety showed in 1886 a sugar content of 13 per cent., with a low glucose ratio, and in 1887, a less fa- vorable year, sugar content of 10.5 per cent, and only 13 as the glucose ratio. Could such cane have been diffused this year, a yield of fully 100 to 125 pounds per ton might with reason have been expected. However, the station will repeat again the experiments next year, with more promise of success. EXPERIMENTS AT CONWAY SPRINGS, KANSAS. REPORT OF E. W. DEMING. I have the honor to present my report as superintendent of the ex- periments conducted at this place the past season by your Department in the manufacture of sugar from sorghum. The experiments were conducted in connection with the work of the Conway Springs Sugar Company. This company was incorporated April 10, 1888, under the laws of the State of Kansas, with an authorized capital of 6100,000. Its officers are G. W.Fahs, president; E.E.Baird, vice-president ; (i. B.Armstrong, treasurer; E.W. Doming, secretary and manager. The buildings of this company are constructed of wood. Main building 56 by 78; foot plates with cupolas for strike pan, diffusors, double-effects, and shred- ding loom ; boiler and engine house 05 by 70 feet; cutting and cleaning house, 1 i by 14; tool-house, 10 by 18; oil-house, 8 by 16; office and la- boratory, 10 by 30; cane-shed, 10 by 150, two floors; scale house, 8 by 10; cooper shop, 15 by 15. The factory was equipped with two tubular boilers of 150 horse-power cadi ; two 30-horse-power high-speed engines; three hanging Hepworth centrifugals with mixer; one 7-foot vacuum (dry) pan from R. Deeley & Co., New York, llot-ioom, with fifty sugar- wagons; Lillie double- effect from George M.Newhall & Bro., Philadelphia ; diffusion battery from Shickle, Harrison & Howard Iron Company, Saint bonis; three cutters, with necessary clarifiers, skimming-pans, and storage tanks. One dynamo of 100-lamp capacity (incandescent) provided lights lor the building. Two Bets rolls and a tire drier for crushing and diving exhausted chips, and one small open evaporator. The diffusion battery consists of sixteen cells each 8 feet long and 35 inches in diameter, w loiight-iion shell with similar castings, doors and counter-weights at each end, provided with solid rubber gaskets that gave satisfaction under a ."JO pound per inch pressure. One heater for each cell, made of 6 inch wrought pipe containing ll 1-inch brass tubes 5 feet long; the connecting and circulating pipes were of 2J-incb wrought iron. The battery was placed in two lines of seven cells cadi with One acrOSd each end, ami supported on wooden posts, beams, and 64 cross-beams 8 feet from the ground ; each cell would hold 1,400 pounds of chips. The cost of this battery with pipe and fittings was $5,500; its work was in every way satisfactory. The exhausted chips were dis- charged into a chute of sloping sides, directing them into a drag of peculiar construction, delivering them into an elevated chute from whence a cart removed them. This apparatus worked well. The double-effects are each 4 feet in diameter and 18 feet long placed on end; each has seventy 3-inch brass tubes 8 feet long placed verti- cally; ends of tubes properly secured in plates, steam being admitted to the chamber about the tubes. Tumps draw the liquor from bottoms of pans, discharging at the top, passing through perforated screens to the upper plate from which it overflows a thin film of juice down the inside of all tubes alike; the evaporation occurs in the tubes; a vacuum is maintained throughout the tubes and circulating pipes. The vapor was removed at lower end of tubes, with suitable circulating pumps and a slight change in the tops to facilitate cleaning; they will not only have large capacity but unusual merit for handling sorghum juices. These pans by reason of mechanical defects not difficult to overcome and the rapid formation of scale upon the heating surface, extremely difficult to remove, caused some considerable delay to the work. The first or second cutter, Hughes's style, consisting of two heavy balance wheels 36 inches in diameter placed 32 inches apart on a. 'Much shaft; two knives placed horizontally connected the face of the balance wheels. The dead-knife was placed 8 inches below center of the shaft, thereby making a bevel cut on the cane; space between end of drag and dead-knife 23 inches; this permitted the seed to readily escape the knives by falling into a drag. Tower was transmitted by a belt, the cutters making 200 revolutions per minute, cutting into 1-inch sections a bed of cane 30 inches wide and 0 inches deep. This cutter proved de- ficient in both Strength and capacity J one third of the delays and losses attending the work are traced to this source. Below the cutter was a single fan 20 inches in diameter and 30 inches long, having a motion of 000 revolutions per minute. Its work was especially line. The two shredders were each 20 inches long and S inches in diameter, provided with four knives held in place by a peculiar arrangement at the ends, leaving the face of cylinder free of openings. Motion, 1,200 revolutions per minute. Doing satisfactory work. Three clariliers of No. 10 iron, round, 5 feet in diameter and 30 inches deep with cone-shaped bottoms; 2-inch copper coils were used. They Lacked SCUm pockets; Otherwise then- work was satisfactory. The cane shed consisted of two iloors, each 10 feet wide and 150 feet long, separated one above the other by a space of 1 feet. As a means of storing cane this apparatus worked well. An open pan, iron, of t wo channels each 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep and 20 feet long, filled with three-quarters inch copper coil was at first used with steam as a skimming pan to aid clarification. Later 65 steam was dispensed with and the pan operated as a continuous flow settling tank, giving better satisfaction and suggesting a possible man- ner of constructing a rapid system of continuous flow settling tanks. To prepare exhausted chips for use as fuel were provided two sets of heavy iron rollers, each set composed of two rollers 12 inches in diam- eter and 37 inches long, placed one above the other, the upper one having a covering of flexible rubber 1 inch thick. One fire drier consisting of a sheet-iron cylinder 12 feet long and 4 feet in diameter open at both ends. Three sets of arms connected the shell to a 3-inch shaft passing through the center. The shaft was sup- ported by suitable boxes and cross-pieces beyond the end of the cylin- der. The whole placed in brick work, with one end 1 foot higher than the other, and heated witli direct fire underneath the lower end. Six narrow shelves upon inside of cylinder served to elevate the chips to fall through an air space as the cylinder was slowly turned by means of a link belt. This carried the chips from the upper to lower end of cylinder where they were discharged. This apparatus was operated parts of two days. The two sets of double rolls were placed about 3 feet apart; wire netting 36 inches wide of No. 20 steel wire, 8 mesh ends, lapped and wired together, passed between the rolls of both sets, returning underneath and passing around a wooden roll underneath the discharge of the drag returning the chips from underneath the battery. This netting solved the question of feed- ing these chips to rolls, and I believe would work equally well upon iron rolls; the water readily escapes through the netting. The high speed at which this wire carrier and rolls must necessarily be operated, the uneven feed from chip drag, the difficulty in distribut- ing the chips evenly upon the netting, the failure to remove more than about 40 per cent, of the water, and the inability of the drier through winch the chips afterwards passed to more than warm them were con- sidered sufficient reason for their speedy removal. There is a possible Lope for better success with these rolls if the chips an* taken into a large chute from which a constant, even, well distributed \'cv(\ may be furnished them : even then artificial beat would be required t<> remove an additional amount of moisture before good combustion is obtained. The pieces of rind or shell cross eacb other, forming small spaces to be filled with pith and moisture, and the spongy nature of this pith makes it tenacious of water during the process of rolling. 'fhe chip elevator gave some trouble when permitted to get out of repair. The wagon, t urn table, cane shed, outside drag-, engines, pumps, d\ iiamo, and strike pan gave entire satisfaction. The Centrifugals did excellent work even upon the worst inclados. The process of work is as follows: The cane is received from the farmer upon specially constructed racks. The wagon is driven on a turn-table by which it was squared about, then backed a tew feet against an ordinary wagon scales on l W56— Bull 20 — o 66 which was a raised platform 3 feet high; an iron book was secured in the two ropes placed around the load by the farmer; a friction clutch at the opposite end of the cane shed, nearly 1MJ0 feet distant, drew the load over the rear end to the scales. Here it was weighed net, and the farmer's ropes removed. An endless sling was then thrown over the cane, the same power taking it into one of the floors comprising the cane shed, where it was left for night run or taken directly through to a small downward incline, where two men pulled it apart, feeding to three chains with attachments that carried it 1 foot above a cross drag leading to the cutters. The feed was regulated by stopping and start- ing this chain. This drag leading to first cutter has a motion of 40 feet per minute, carrying the cane in bundles a few inches of space between the tops of one bundle and the tops of the next; this permitted seed to drop freely. Seed was hauled directly to the field and left in small piles; that required for sugar work next season is carefully selected by hand, tied up into bundles of 18 tufts, two bundles then tied together and so hung up in a dry place. The rest is stacked, allowed to pass through a sweat, and thrashed in February. It is sold in large quanti- ties at good prices to ranchmen, who sow it for fodder for stock. The inch sections of cane as they are cut fall into a strong blast of air di- rectly underneath, by which the leaves and sheaths are removed. By means of a link-belt drag the cleaned sections are conveyed into the main building to an elevator, taking them above the roof, where they are discharged into the hopper of the shredder and reduced to pulp, which falls into a carrier passing over the diffusion battery. Openings in bottom of this carrier permit the cane chips to be spouted to cells on either side. About September 15 a trial run was made with whiting (carbonate of lime) by placing it in each cell of chips, its object being to prevent in- version during the process of diffusion. The results were disappointing. At the instigation of Dr. II. \V. Wiley an apparatus was provided for dusting finely powdered air-slaked lime upon the chips as they left the shredder, about 1 quart being required tor each 1,400 pounds of chips. As this apparatus was under nearly perfect control, any degree of acid- ity of the juice desiied was secured; it was generally carried nearly to the neutral point, preventing all inversion, which the whiting failed to do. Ordinary clariliers of 450 gallons capacity were used and the acid in juice nearly if not quite neutralized, [f the juice was properly limed in the cell, very few scums were found in the clariliers. The battery was ope lated at a temperal ure of ISO f\i hi en licit in center and cooler at each end; a higher temperature would have greatly assisted classification. hmihie effects concentrated the clarified juice to 10° Brix, and the strike pan completed the work. Although the semi sirup contained a purity often above 70, it was difficult and generally impossible to start a grain in the pan \ a strike 67 thus boiled to grain produced exceedingly fine grain, difficult to purge and invariably dark in color, no better than a number of early strikes boiled to string. These tine, gummy, dark sugars, dissolved in clarified juices, were used to start the grain ; an amount equal in weight to one- fifth that of each strike produced a line sugar of medium size grain, re- markable for its uniformity of grain, color, and parity. All sugars were taken to the mixer and passed through the centrifugals as speedily as possible to remove them from contact with the black molasses. The entire water supply was obtained from a bed of gypsum 65 feet from the surface, and was positively unfit for use in either the boilers or the diffusion battery. The injurious effects of this water were ob- served early, Dr. Wiley being the first to suspect the true cause. V>y the use of this water for diffusion there is a loss (estimated) of 22£ pounds of sugar from each ton of cane worked, or 35 per cent. It ruined the molasses, and to this gypsum is attributed, directly or indirectly, nearly two-thirds of the annoying and expensive delays and losses in- cident to the present season's work. Canes of unusual richness were worked, the battery secured a good extraction, the entire evaporation occurred in vacuum with but slight inversion of sugar ; but large yields of sugar did not follow. The analy- ses of molasses fiom the sugars explain much, many of them showing the relative sugars four and even four and one-half to one. yet so en- gulfed with a mass of gums black and bitter as to render impracticable any attempt to secure second sugars. In my opinion, the estimated loss of sugar due to the use of this water should be doubled. I would re spectfully ask critically inclined persons to keep these facts in mind when reviewing the accompanying tables, which contain, notwithstand- ing, some interesting and reliable information. The farmer looks upon this industry as one created for bis especial benefit, and when considered from his stand-point as judged by itsagri cult are. can see only magnificent successes for nil sugar work. An aver- age cio]) of cane as grown in this section at (2 per ton equals in value the land upon which it is grown. No crops are gTOWU with more cer- tainty ; others, corn especially, in mosl localities of this section arc not sure every season. One farmer growing 30 acres reports an av< \ ield of L3J tons per acre. Borne small pieces produced more, the a^ or- age being LOj tons per acre. Ten thousand acres of cane at $2 per ton could easily be contracted for delivery n< ion. The farmers are not slow to see the advantages offered in growing cane at these prices. The soil of this section can be called neither clay nor sand, being light, loose, not sticky, light in color, contains little organic matter and pro- duces <>niy a medium sized stalk of i oi n or cane. I attribute the phenomenal richness of c irn here the past son to warm soil, high olevatiou — 1,500 feel above sea level — pure, dry atmosphere, proper selection ol seed, good culture, and longperiod of hot, dry weather; the latter acting t o some extent as an unfavorable 68 condition of growth, the plant in its efforts to reproduce itself develop- ing a higher content of sugar. Dark, heavy soils produce a stalk of abnormal size, continuing its grow tli until checked by frosts, containing invariably a large per cent. of reducing sugars. Light, thin soils produce an undersized stalk perhaps 4 feet long, maturing but a handful of seed, generally showing a high per cent, of sugar and often a very low per cent, of reducing sugars. If these con- clusions are correct, the elevated table lands of southwestern Kansas, situated directly south and west of the Arkansas River Valley, will offer inducements for the prosecution of this weak not found in localities north and cast of that valley. A remarkable feature of this season's crop was its high average con- tent of sugar, low per cent, of reducing sugars, and the disposition to increase the former at the expense of the latter for nearly two months after the cane had matured its seed. The last analysis of stalk cane made November 12, from held cane twice frozen, was 13.85 per cent. sucrose, 1.01 per cent, glucose. I believe this crop of cane the richest by far of any ever grown and worked for sugar. But one trial run was made, worked by itself: 43 tons of cleaned cane, from which were obtained 3,8.">0 pounds of sugar of 98 per cent, purity and 1,000 gallons of molasses, being 90 pounds of sugar and 23. -{gallons of molasses from each ton. The laboratory work under the direction of Dr. II. W. Wiley, in charge of Prof. E. A. Von Schweinitz, assisted by Mr. Oma Carr, has been most satisfactory. The information gained through their labors will prove very interesting and valuable to all friends of this industry. I am well satislied no well-regulated sugar works can be successfully operated and the best results obtained unless a complete chemical con- trol of the every -day work prevails. Their services are invaluable as a check upon the work of diffusion and clarification. A change from hard to SOftei cane or a slight altera- tion in the adjustment of the shredder may result in great loss of sugar in tin- former ; a change in the treatment of the juice results in loss by inversion in the latter. The cause and extent in each case are dis- Closed only b\ t lie chemist's art. An expenditure upon this plant of (2,000 or $3,000 for an additional boiler ami cutters would give it a working capacity of fully L60 tons per day wilh a lull equipment of new and modern machinery. This plant could now lie duplicated for much less money. To the unfriendly critic the statements hereiu made will be a source of comfort, lor, alas, nothing succeeds like success; results, not causes. arc wanted, and no mitigating circumstances or unfavorable conditions are considered. Nevertheless those best informed See much that is very encouraging. 69 A new and desirable system of storing and preparing cane for diffu- sion was tested, its advantages* proven, and its weak points disclosed; this, with the high per cent, of sugar found in this cane, is a fair offset for losses sustained by weak cutters and the use of gypsum water. The) following facts may not be out of place: This enterprise was no exception to those preceding in respect to starting late in the season, after the crop was planted, as it were. Less than three months inter- vened between the placing of orders for the machinery and the date of ripening of the first planted cane. The factory was, two weeks late in starting and the other end of the season shortened by burning of the boilers November 4, leaving 75 acres of most excellent cane that was rich in sugar. The gypsum had a most disastrous effect upon the boilers; frequent stoppages of work were required to clean them. By reason of excessive scaling of boiler shell and tubes tlie efficiency of the boilers was greatly reduced. The following figures relative to this plant were taken from the books of the company and are reliable : Cost of sugar-works plant $44,547.72 $44,547.72 Less co3t of water-works plaut 6, 000. 00 38,547, 7^5 Donation city water-works bonds 12, BOO. 00 Received from U. S. Department of Agriculture 10,000.00 Farmers' stock, for cane, paid in 4, 500. 00 •27 '100.00 Cost to present owners 1 7 , *J 1 7 . 7 J Cost of labor Less labor on water- works 1,500.00 l. :•>'.••;. o-j Cos! of fuel 3,096.33 Coal ofoane 5,980.00 Cos! of incidentals, barrels, etc 1,364.37 1 1,6 100,000 pounds of sugar at 6j cents $6,500.00 100,000 pounds sugar. 2 cents State bounty 2,000 36,000 gallons of molasses at L2 cm is 4,320.00 0,000 bushels seed, 50 cents estimated) 3,001 15,820.00 Gain 9c3. > Five thousand dollars were paid to railroads for freighl transportation. Tlie cost for coal and labor to handle 1 ton Of cane Is 2.50 cents; much coal was used for testing machinery, water-works, etc Profit per ton over cost of production, 33 cents. Taking the season as ;i whole the plant w.is operated at less than half its capacity with no dec. in cost of labor. Fully 1~>(> tOUSCOUld have been worked with l lie same 70 labor and an increase of 20 per cent, of fuel, making the value per ton of cane worked over cost of production 1.02 cents, or 8243 per day. For working a 200-ton plant, costing perhaps 20 per cent, additional above this one, labor and incidentals increased 10 per cent, and fuel 25 per cent., would show value of product over cost of production of 3.C0 cents per ton, or $720 per day. These yields are based upon results of this season's work, 00 pounds of sugar and 10.] gallons of molasses from each ton, which certainly is 20 per cent, less than may reasonably be expected by the use of good water. The average quality of sugar as placed upon the market from these works was equal to the best in purity, but stained slightly by contact with black molasses. It has a hard, firm, medium sized, well-cut grain, was dried thoroughly, and unlike all fine-grained sorghum sugars here- tofore produced does not cake or become hard in the barrel. It stands next to granulated in price and sweetening power, the jobber selling at Gg cents per pound more of this sugar than all yellow sugars combined. Confectioners appreciate its sweetening power. The molasses was very dark in color, sharp and bitter to the taste, classed but little better than black-strap; with pure water the quality would be improved and the selling price increased to 18 or 20 cents per gallon. Unless some means are devised for removing a larger per cent. ^^\' the impurities in the juice or a less quantity of sugar is secured, enabling the production of a molasses suitable for table use, the near future will see enormous quantities of molasses produced lit only for mixing pur poses, for which the demand is necessarily limited. A plant working 200 tons per day will produce annually 200,000 gal- lons of molasses, and unless suitable for table use it must be used for fattening hogs and cattle or converted into alcohol. The Department of Agriculture, under the direction of Dr. II. W. Wiley, who first advocated and practically applied the process of diffu- sion to the manufacture of sugar from sorghum, has made it possible to secure practically all the sugar in the juice, this being the first and greatest step toward the establishment of the industry j the next great- est and scarcely less important stop still awaits a solution. I refer to the clarification of sorghum juices. The methods now employed for this purpose are borrowed from the sugarcane work of Louisiana, being merely the addition of lime and removing what scums appear on the surface. Analy.sis shows the amount of sugar in each ton of cane, averaging the whole season, to be 1' l!> pounds ; the glucose would hold in solution 00 pounds, leaving 183 pounds available, did not other solids, as gums, Starch, coloring matter, etc, also restrain J times their equal of sugar from graining mil ll a possible ,\ iehl of 100 pounds or less from each ton Of Cane is our best work. .Musi W0 stop here and permit the loss of one-half or more of the Bugarfouud iu the cane.' The task is not an easy one as the many know who line considered it even briefly, but its importance and necessity demand thai we sit not idly by. 71 The people of the whole southwestern portion of this State to my per- sonal knowledge are enthusiastic upon the question of sorghum sugar; a failure any season to grow good sorghum is not recorded. The es- tablishing of sugar works would bring under cultivation lauds now considered of little value except for growing sorghum, and fortunately will produce a sorghum of the very best quality for producing sugar. These facts are fully appreciated, and every town, many without water, and others without railroads, aspires to the possession of a sugar works. Daily during the working season committees, delegations, and indi- viduals visited the sugar works, leaving full of confidence in the work- A number of factories could be erected in this section next season if experienced men could be found to operate them. ABSTRACT OF MR. DEMING'S REPORT TO THE CONWAY SPRINGS SUGAR COMPANY. To President and Stockholders of Conway Springs Sugar Company : I hereby submit for your consideration the following report of your works the past season : I would especially call your attention to the following facts: A complete organiza- tion was not effected until about April 20. Orders for machinery were placed about June 1; very little machinery had arrived July 1; all the heavy machinery was on the ground July 25, the strike pan and boilers only being placed. Boilers were first fired August 15; cane-shed and cutters tested August 22 ; first chips taken to battery August 2(5. On this latter date was completed drags and an arrangement for drying chips to be used as fuel. The two following days they were tested, and removed during the next two. Eleven cells of chips were diffused August 28 and 29 and con- centrated in the strike-pan. Regular work began September 1 on early cane, pro- ducing only molasses. .Sep ember 12 began work on orange eaue for sugar. Prom the foregoing you will observe the late date of organization, the necessarily short time for selecting suitable machinery, and also for its manufacture. From Bpeciul designs most of it was manufactured in the Fast at increased cost. This, in connection with the time and labor required for placing the same and making the necessary pipe connections throughout the building with a class of mechanics and laborers without previous experience with this line of machinery, accounts for start- ing the factory two weeks after the cane was ready. For growing cane the season was unfavorable. Sod cane and late plauting were greatly injured by the drought. Fifty farmers contracted to -row 6 0 acres of cane, one hundred and five acres of old ground were planted with amber seed represented as pure, but badly mixed with orange, which was worked green, contained no sugar, and too immature to produce good molasses. Fifty-four acres produced - tons per acre ; 51 acres remain unworked, of no value except as fodder. One hundred acres of sod were planted to orange; 50 acres produced 5 tons pi r acre; the other 50, planted late, is onlj suit aide for fodder. Three hundred and ninety- live acres of old ground w ere planted to orange; 220 acre were worked, producing LOJ tons per acre; 175 aores remain unworked; of this, LOO acres, Late planting, only tit for fodder, while 75 acres ol most excellent cane yet re- inain in the field. A few acres of Link's Hybrid variety of cane were grown, making ■ satisfactory growth, but inferior to the Orange both ill sugar content and power of retaining it* sugar alter the seed had matured. 2 A slight frost occurred October 25, and a heavier one November 4, doing no damage. A freeze occurred November !), and again on the 11th. The unfortunate burning of the boilers November 4. when machinery was working well, with cane in its best condition, aud the prospect good for working the whole crop, is indeed to be regretted. The farmers are to be congratulated on their readiness to grow cane, disposition to aid the enterprise by taking stock, paying therefor in cane, and their success in pro- ducing a crop of cane never before equaled in its sugar-making properties. A very remarkable fact developed by the factory work was the canes' unusually high content of sugar and its disposition to not only maintain but increase its BUgnr content, at the same time decreasing its invert sugar. The fact that this cane had matured its seed nearly two months previous, some having been frozen and thawed twice by November 12, date of last analysis, indicates that this section, by its 'nigh elevation, dry atmosphere, absence of early frosts, and peculiar soil, has. so far as my knowledge extends, advantages not possessed by other localities. The last analysis of field cane was made November 12, 13.8.") sucrose aud 1. 01 glu- cose. August 15 cane was in condition for making sugar, and remained so until November lf>, providing a three months' working Beason, nearly one month longer than at Fort Scott. Sixty-three analyses of cane chips, fully representative of the crop and the season, averaged 12.45 per cent, of sucrose (true sugar), and '2.;>7 per cent, of glucose (reducing sugars.) The average of fifty-three analyses taken at Fort S.-ot t lasl Beason was 9.54 sucrose, and 3.40 glucose. Admitting these juices contained no other solids not sugar, except the glucose (which is not true), yet granting an equal per cent., the cane grown here has 182.8 pounds available sugar per ton, against y.').(') pounds at Fort Scott. As further evidence of the phenomenal conditions prevailing here I would call your attention to the averages of analyses from which the above was taken : No. 24 4 63 Dates. Sucrose. Glucose. 2. 0J 2. 07 1.69 11.15 L3.23 13 (5 Total 12.45 2. :t7 Note the increase of sucrose and the corresponding decrease of glucose. Such rela- tions of the two BUgars in sorghum, existing for a period of two months, are without precedent in the whole history of the industry, and suggest that possibly the area over which this business may be conducted with the greatest success is not limitless, as some suppose. Tie- cane worked produced ahoilt (1,000 bushels of seed j 2, 163 tons of cleaned cane were worked for molasses, producing 36,000 gallons, or 16.6 gallons per ton, in addi- tion to the sugar ; 1,07:? tons of cleaned cane were worked for ..ugar, producing 100,000 pounds, or <'><» pounds per ton : 'J 10 tons were lost— in the fans, :! ; not drawn from bat- tery, 117 ; soured in battery, 20; soured semi sirup. 10; lefl as semi-sirup when work en. led, (ill. A supply of water sufficient for the water-works also was obtained at considerable cost. The well furnishing the supply being IS inches in diameter aud 50 feel deep through a substance known as keel, an - inch di ill-hole was carried 15 feet below ; into this was placed a .". inch BUG I ion pipe. The maximum supply Of water was equal to t he discharge, under Blight pressure, of a :; inch pipe, inadequate for factory work; 500 feel distant was formed n pond from winch a 3-inch discharge pump supplied the boilers, diffusion battery, and double 73 effects; two days' time were lost in making this change, but an adequate supply of water was obtained. I have endeavored to prepare a statement whereby the expenses incurred in opera- tion could be shown and the real profit or loss upon this season's work clearly shown. Much labor belonging to plant account has been charged to operation. A complete separation of the water- works and sngar company's interests in this respect is impos- sible. Quite a quantity of fuel is on band, some work yet remains to be done, and further, very much of the product remains on hand unsold. Therefore, any state- ment now offered will in great part be assumed. However, with figures now at hand, and estimating value of products from prices already obtained, I may confidently as- sert that tho product of this season's work considerably more than equals in value the cost of its production. This is a very creditable showing indeed, especially when we consider that from one canst- or another the factory, taking the season as a whole, averaged less than half its capacity without a corresponding reduction in the operat- ing expenses. MR. DEMING'S DIRECTIONS FOR RAISING CANE. Much depends on a good stand from the first planting. No filling-in will be al- lowed. If necessary to replant any portion, it must be replowed, cultivated, or listed over. The field should first be cleared of all trash, such as stalks, weeds, and bunches of grass. This is best done by raking and burning. Unless a lister is used a good seed bed, such as for wheat, should be provided, and the seed deposited in fresh, moisl earth, deep enough to insure moist lire, yet not beyond the sun's warmth. This varies from one-half inch in depth on heavy clay soils to 3 or more inches on light, loose, sandy soil. It is essential that the seed be planted at an even, uniform depth to insure its com- ing up and ripening early, and the seed must under no circumstances be dropped or covered by hand. For loose sandy soils a lister is a good planter. A good garden drill may answer, and under some circumstances a forced wheat drill, having all the hole-, except the two next the outside ones closed : but tor a prepared seed bed nlar two-horse corn planter, with or without a drill attachment, gives the besl re- sults, planting at a uniform depth, and the wheel tinning the soil about the causing it to germinate and grow more rapidly, with a better start of the weeds. Unless the planter has broom-corn plates, which are the hesr, the holes in the com plates should be partially dosed, with lead, babbitt, cork, or leather, until they ad- mit of the passage of not more than four or five seeds at each movement of the plate. A slight excels of seed should l»e planted, and the; hoe used to properly clean it out. This should be done invariably before the cane is I inches high. Good soils will produce a stalk of oane for each I inches of row space. When the rows are 42 inches apart, two stalks should be allowed a space of 1<» inches, three stalks 1- inches, four stalks :!() inches, six stalks 42 inches, and never more than six Btalkl in any one bunch, no matter how- spaced. Foul land is easiest tended when planted in checks, and all lands so planted pro- duced more sugar, bul a smaller tonnage, than when planted in drills. The cultiva- tion should he merely upon the surface to avoid cutting and otherwise disturbing the roots, checking their giowth, and inducing a growth of BOCken to sap the parent stalks and retard their development. m ■ All that is required is to keep the graSS and weeds in check, and all cultivation Should Cease when the joints appear, as any interference with the rOOtfl at this time results most seriously, one well-matnred stalk will grow on the space occupied by two small one-, is as heavy as |ia small ones, and contains more juice BOgai and less impurities in proportion to its weight. the seed and lea\es are less than -J.". per cent, of total weight of the large stalks, while with small canes the loss from this source may reach lull \ •".() percent. 74 To plant cane upon new ground the turned sod should be quite thin, but evenly and smoothly laid. The seed should be planted with a two-horse corn-planter, pro- vided will) a rolling coulter to cut and not displace the sod, depositing the seed just underneath the subsoil. The sod acts as an excellent ninlch to retain moisture and prevent the growth of grass and weeds, no cultivation or further attention except thinning being necessary until harvest time A good practice for planting cane upon old ground is to plow the land at any time during early spring, but do not harrow. At planting time take a two-horse cultivator, place three small shovels niton each beam, spread and fasten the beams so that the (shovels will work up a space for two rows each -1 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Let the planter follow soon, depositing the seed in the center of this worked-over space. There will be no weeds or grass for (! inches upon either side of the plants, and the cultivator will care for the space between the rows. Cane deteriorates very rapidly when cut, lying on the ground in bunches, exposed to the sun and drying winds, a few days of such exposure changing the sugar into glucose. Cane should be delivered the same day as cut, the only except ion to this rule being to cut and load on the wagon the evening before what can be delivered early the next morning. Next to the importance of properly thinning the canes the necessity of having well- mat U red, freshly cut, promptly delivered cane is the most important point connected with the agriculture of this business. Instructions for converting an ordinary hay-rack into a cane-rack will lie furnished by the cane agent. Each wagon must be provided with two ropes, each three-fourths of an inch in diameter and 35 feet long, by which the cane is unloaded. The cane must he loaded so the tops project over the right side of the rack, facing the team. REPORT OF E. A. v. SCHWEINITZ. The character of the growing season of 1888, for sorghum, in the vicinity of Conway Springs, record of which was kept by Mr. J. M. Wilson, the cane-grower, was the following: From April 10 to 21, when the first planting was made, the ground was still cold, lint otherwise in good condition. April 21 to 25 the weather was cool and cloudy, followed by heavy rains on the 26tb and L'Tth, and by heavy frost on April 30, whivh froze the ground one half inch. The beginning of May was clear and cool, with rain on the 0th, fol- lowed by clear and warmer weather up to the 10th, with rain on the 17th, warmer weather until the 24th, when there was again a heavy r.iin. The month of June was warm, \\ i t h good rains upon the 8th, 21st, aud 20tb. duly and August were exceedingly hot months, with scorching winds, but with a good rain on duly II, and light rain on August 5 and (J. September and < October were hot and dry, \\ ith no rain until October 2K The fust heavy frosl occtirred November 4, but did not damage the cane. The fust freeze was on November !>. Already on October 25 there was lighi frosty but not sufficient to kill the leaves, and by No- vember 'J they were thoroughly dry and dead. Work stopped on November I. and November 8 there was a heavy sm»\v si. .tin and blizzard. The last cane was analyzed a week alter the factory slopped, bill appeared as good as at any time during the season (o and did not at that date show any effects of the thaw following the freeze. This was due, probably, to the fact tliat the cane was very dry. The elevation of Conway Springs is about 1,500 feet above the sea- level. The soil upon which the sorghum was planted is an upland sandy loam. About one-fourth of the crop was upon sod land and the rest on Old plowed land. The subsoil is derived from the decomposition of friable red shale, which contains a fairly large percentage of phosphoric acid with but little potash. The first planting was Early Amber seed, supposed to be pure, and the later planting of Orange, Sterling Orange, and on May 1<> about 10 acres of Link's Hybrid. The seed was put in either with a planter or strewn on top and har- rowed. The average depth of planting was L> inches. It was found necessary early in May to replant some of the Amber which had been covered to a depth of 4 inches. Owing to the late date at which the building was begun and the machinery ordered, the factory was not ready for work until September 1. The first cane was cut August L>4, and regular work begun September 0. The seed planted for pure hand picked Early Amber proved to have been a mixture of Amber and Sterling Orange. In consequence, when the Amber was read\ to be cut and worked, the Orange mixed with it was still green, showing a low content of sucrose. After a tew days' work it was decided to have the farmers pick out the best of the Early Amber in the field and condemn the remainder. As fully one half of the crop of the supposed Early Amber proved to be this Sterling Orange, the first work of the season was of but little value, and no at- tempt was made to obtain sugar, all of the cane being worked for molasses. September I the first Early Orange cane was cut. At that time, al- though the seed was hard and ripe, the content of sugar in the cane was not neatly as uigh as the same variety of cane showed later in the season. The Sterling Orange was at its best about October 1, and the Link's Hyluid at the time it was worked, November 1. The results of analyses of whole canes aie recorded in Table No. 1. The canes were topped and stripped, and the juice expressed by means of a, small hand mill. The average amount of sucrose in the juice u.is about 2.09 per cent, higher than the average of any crop heretofore worked. The highest percentage was found in sample No. 162, taken from a load of Sterling Orange. The lowest percentage of sucrose was noted in two sa m | ties of mixed A u.bel and unripe Orange, ou September 4 and September 10. The West samples taken during the working season were Nos. 27 Amber. 352 Orange, and 37*1 Link's Hybrid. The Amber c.me after being cut, If left lying for any leugt'j of time, llcteri orated rapidly, as shown by the analysis of No, 20, 76 The percentage of moisture in the cane during- the month of October decreased rapidly, and the same quantity by weight of cane yielded only about one-half the weight of juice given earlier in the season. The dry- ness of the cane was also noted by the farmers, as their loads lost several hundred pounds as compared with the same sized load during the first part of the work. It may also be noted that the cane was very pithy. On an average, one out of every five stalks contained little or no juice and a large amount of fiber. The cane cut during October, a great quantity of which was left lying from two to three days at a time, on account of delays in working, did not deteriorate to any great extent. The dryness of the cane again probably explains this. After the factory stopped, a number of samples of cane was taken for the purpose of determining the condition of the still outstanding- crop. Samples Nos. 382 and 388 gave the highest result of the season. An- other sample, No. 383, from a field which the cane- grower claimed was the poorest out, showed a high percentage. No. 378 was from a field of second growth, from stubble. On November 4 some 25 tons of cane were left on the rack. One lot was selected and analyzed, some of it put into a silo. A sample of the remainder, tested four days later, showed that there had been no deterioration in the cane, as can be seen from analyses Xos. 38G and 301. This cane had been exposed to heavy frost, snow, and thaw. Cane taken from the field on November 7, and again from the same field November 12, showed but little deterioration. The average percentage of sucrose in the mill juices from the fresh chips is .3 per cent, higher than that recorded in the average of the whole canes. This is explained by noting several very low percentages of sucrose in some of the samples of whole cane, without a correspond- ing low percentage in the chips. Here it may be noted that in taking samples of fresh and exhausted chips, as also of diffusion and clarified juices, care was taken to secure comparative samples. The battery consisted of sixteen cells, but only twelve of these were in the circuit at one time. The fresh chips were taken from these twelve cells and the exhausted chips from the same. The juices were sampled as they ran into the defecators, care being taken to secure t hose corresponding to the fresh chips. The samples of Semi Birap were taken as a rule once every I welve hours, and correspond approximately to the juices analyzed. For the most pari two sets of samples were taken, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The lowest sucrose and highest glucose were recorded at the begin- ning of the season. The highest sucrose of the season was noted on October L5, and lowest glucose on October 26. The average percentage of sucrose for October was L3.22 and glucose 2.07. Prom September ii<; to the end of the season the mill juices ap- peared to be unusually rich. The average for October was ,8 per cent 77 higher than the average for the entire season. This is 2.88 per cent, higher than the average at Fort Scott in 1887. As noted in connection with the whole canes, the dryness may partly explain this, but the lo- cation and soil of Conway Springs seem to be especially adapted to the growth of sorghum. It is further south than any other point in Kan- sas, where sorghum has been grown and the season appears to be longer and better than in eastern Kansas. The mean of sucrose in diffusion juices is higher than the mean at Fort Scott in 1887, but considerably lower than would be expected from the analyses of the chip juices. The difference may be accounted for either by the dryness and pithiness of the canes, as just mentioned, or by inversion in the battery. In order to prevent inversion, if any, car- bonate of lime was used in the battery for a time. Although the acid was neutralized to about the same extent as at Fort Scott, apparently inversion was not prevented. The results of the analyses are given in Tables 12, 13, and 14. In place of carbonate of lime a number of ex- periments were made with caustic lime. The lime was distributed upon the chips as they passed from the numerator to the battery, by means of a roll, about 1J pounds of lime being added to each cell. The object was to add just so much lime to the chips that 100 c. c. of the juice when in the clarifiers would require about 5 c. c. of "0 alkali to neutralize it. To attain this exact point was difficult and the tables in which results of the work are given show all possible variations. The lime as sprinkled on the chips also neutralized the aeid in the mill juice, as may be seen from tin' table. Glucose. Sucrose. In the mil! juices treated with lime the proportions were 1 l 1 1 5.0 1 !l S.3 In diffusion jui< i - In juices u ii limit lime If we note samples 183 and LS4 on October 5, there appears to have been no inversion whatever. On several other days the apparent in- version was luii slight It may he mentioned further thai on those days on which little or no inversion was noted, tin- percentage <>f jrlucose in the mill juice was bigb, and the amount of juice given by tin' cane .is taken from records of weight of juice wasabove the aver- age lor the season. The average number of cubic centimeters ,',', alkali required to neutralize the acid in the juices was H>.<;. Sol nls iii null juice 19.39 Solids in diffusion juice 1 19.39 : lL'.'.t!> :• 10.0 : \. Normal acidity of the diffusion juice That is considerably higher than the aciditj of juices fouud at Fort Scott, average of which was L9.98. 78 The highest per cent, of sucrose for the season in the diffusion juice was noted September 29, 10.0:2 per cent., being L'.oO percent, above the average. The corresponding mill juice for the same date was 14.9:* per cent, sucrose, 2.5 above the average, showing that fair comparative samples had been secured. The average during October was 8.59 per cent, sucrose, 1.74 per cent, glucose, better than the results obtained at Lawrence, La., bearing in mind the fact that the sugar cane has less glucose. The purity of the diffusion juices was lower than that of the mill juices from the chips. This is due probably to inversion in the battery. The column headed " extraction" in table 12 is given for the purpose of noting to what extent, if any, the extraction was diminished by the use of lime in the battery. If we compare the several instances of es- pecially low extraction, Nos. 24G, 291, and 361, with the corresponding acidity, we will note that either lime was in excess or the percentage of sucrose for the day was high, without a corresponding change having been made in working the battery, and in the amount drawn off. Octo- ber 15, In mill juice there were 8.4 ]);uts glucose to 100 parts sucrose In diffusion juice there -were 10.5 parts glucose to 100 parts sucrose October 5 and 25, with acidity 9, the proportions in the two juices cor- responded closely. The table shows, then, that the lime, unless in excess, did not inter- fere with the extraction. Record was kept during the entire season of the amounts of sucrose and glucose left in the chips. The highest percentage of sucrose in the mill juices from these was noted at the end of the season, November 2, being 2.91 percent. The average extraction for the entire season was 88.72 percent, of the sugar in the cane. This is a poor extraction, being fully 4.1 percent, lower than the extraction at Fort Scott in 1887. The average dilution tor the season was 11.5.-) per cent. From the first of the season to October 15, L60 gallons were drawn off each time. From that date till the Close Of the season ISO gallons. Each cell held 1 ,100 pounds chips. Deducting l() percent for fiber, we Lave 1,260 pouuds juice in each coll. Average weigh! ol juice drawn fi <>m first ol season to October 15 — pounds.. 1,349 From then till close of season do — 1,513 Mean I5i i\ from Sept em her ii to October 15: In mill juices 18.93 In diffusion .juices L&06 < October i"> to November 2 1 Hill juices 20. io Diffusion juices 12.55 I >ilut ion from September 6 to October 15 per cent .. 6. 50 Dilution from October r> t<> olose <>r season — 1<>. 60 The poor extraction was due partly to the large chips furnished by the small cutlers daring a portion of the season, to ihe irregularity in working, bat chiefly to the small quantity of juice drawn offj all points : 79 which might Lave been more carefully noted and tbe loss avoided. As the dilution, if moderate, is of small importance, the object should be to get all or as nearly all as possible of the sugar from the cane. The purity of the defecated juices, Table IV, is 1.5 points higher than tbe diffiusion juices, due to a little destruction of glucose in the elari- fiers. The table shows iu addition that there was no inversion in the clarifiers. The scum from the defecators was, as is usual, about as rich in sugar as the juices themselves. These scums were (brown into the ditch, thus entailing a loss of sugar which could and should have been avoided by returning them to the battery. For the purpose of comparing the readings of the Brix spindle with the actual total solids obtained by drying and weighing, a number of determinations were made. liectangular flat platinum dishes three eighths inch in depth were used and the samples dried for five hours at 100° C. The samples were weighed from a tared flask, about 2 grams being taken in each instance. Duplicates were always made. The use of asbestus as an absorbent agent in drying was also tested. A thin layer of loose asbestus was placed in the bottom of the dish, and the sample dried at and for the same length of time as those samples where the dish alone was used. The average of these results in the case of mill juices gives the solids 1.4G per cent, less, and with asbestus as 1.66 per cent. less, than the average of the spindle readings. These results are fully 1 per cent lower than those recorded by Dr. Cramp ton at Fort Scott in 1887, but agree closely with results obtained at Douglas, Kans., and at the De- partment this year. In the case of the diffusion juices, the dish alone gave 1.25 percent, solids less, and dish with asbestus 1.40 per cut. less, than the direct readings of the spindle. Correcting the percentage of sugar on this basis, in the mill juices it would be .11 per cent, higher, and in the diffusion juices .05 per cent. The purity is also largely in- creased by calculating on the weight of actual solids. It may again be remarked here, as was stated in 1887, the use of the lirix spindles standardized for pure solutions of BUgar give misleading result8, and the solids as determined by direct drying should be relied on. As might be expected, the samples where asbesl us \\ as used gave (results slightly lower than those without, and it may be stated further that the duplicates with asbestus agreed more closely. The nsbestllfl furnishes a larger drying surlaee. and less moisture is retained than is the case with a thick film of the sirup. The asbestus should, then, be preferred to the plain dish. The average ratio of glucose to sucrose in the semi-sirups is Blightly higher than that in the defecated juices: • - 1 - 80 Tin's difference is due either to error of experiment or to the equal- izing effect of large quantities of juice or to a slight inversion in the double-effect vacuum pan. It is interesting to note this, as it is the first time that the Lillie patent has ever been used as a double effect, It is true, the pan gave a great deal of trouble and caused a great deal of delay during the working season. This was due, first, to the fact that the pumps put in to keep up the circulation of the juice, viz, rotary pumps, were not suited to the work, and secondly and chiefly, because the effect had been hurriedly and carelessly put up by inexperienced workmen. At the close of the season centrifugal pumps were substituted for therotaries and the pan thoroughly overhauled by an engineer from Philadelphia, and it then gave satisfaction. The inside of the juice-tubes became rapidly coated with a hard scale, which necessitated their being cleaned every four or five days. This scale was due principally to the mineral water, which will be referred to in another connection. The first sugar made was grained in the wagons. The grain was small, and as it had been allowed to stand for a considerable length of time and become cold, it was difficult to free it in the centrifugals from the gummy matters. Table No. 7 gives the polarization of this prod- uct. All of it was reboiled and used for enriching the semi sirups, hence the high purity and increased percentage of sucrose in the masse cuites and molasses over and above the semi-sirups. The samples of the masse cuites were taken from the mixer, and the samples of molasses taken from time to time from the storage tanks and barrels give the average composition of this product for the season. The purity of the molasses from tin' enriched sirups is higher than the purity of the semi- sirups at Fori Scott in 1887, but as the molasses could be disposed of, it was considered more profitable to sell it than to work it lor seconds. The water from the well proved upon examination to be highly charged with mineral matter, containing .'IIS grains to the gallon. This was chiefly gypSUUl, together with some little magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride. A 10 per cent, solution of sugar prepared with this water and evaporated to a thick sirup showed no more inversion than a solution of the same strength made up with distilled water and eva po- inted. The addition of acetate of lime to the solution had no inverting act ion. The watei gave particular trouble in the boilers, forming rapidly a hc.i\\ scale. Tin* want of proper cleaning in the early part of the sea- si hi caused burning of the boilers on November A and stopped the work. The latter pari of the season the vapor water w as run into a pond and used for diffusion purposes. This water was strongly acid, due to the decomposition Of organic matter, and not much of an improvement on the well water. On account of the foaming it was diflicult also to use it in t lie lioilei ^. In the few samples of masse cuite not enriched the proportion of 81 sucrose to glucose was about the same as in the semi-sirups, showing that there was not auy inversion in the strike-pan. The percentage of ash found in the masse cuite is 1.5 per cent, and in the molasses 1 per cent, higher than the average found at Fort Scott in 18S7. This we may fairly attribute to the large amount of gypsum in the water. After pond water was substituted for the well ■rater, except on one or two days when lime in the battery was in excess, the corresponding percentage of ash was diminished. The indirect readings of sucrose are either lower or correspond closely with the direct readings. This points to a large amount of starch in the juices, which will further explain the high readings in the mill juices and apparent inversion in the battery. The solids not sugar arc also higher than heretofore noted; also to be attributed to starchy and gummy matter. The proportion of glucose to sucrose in the molasses is about 1 : 3. This high ratio is doubtless 'due to mineral and organic matters (not sugar) present, which, while not causing inversion, prevent crystalliza- tion. Further, the sugar boiler was troubled with gummy matter in the strike pan, and the masse cuite was very gummy in the centrifugals. On several occasions quite a quantity of white gummy matter was taken out by the proof stick. This fully explains why such a large proportion of sucrose was left in the molasses. The analysis of sample 122 shows proportion of glucose to sucrose 1 : l.G. This sample was from the first lot of mixed cane worked, which contained but little sucrose. The percentage of albuminoids in the juices from fresh chips is high. The per cent, in diffusion juice is .25 lower, and in clarified juices .01 less than in diffusion, showing that the defecation had removed a com- paratively small proportion of the albuminoids. The figures show further that the cane contained an unusually la rue amount of fiber and organic matter not sugars, which went into the diffusion juice. This further accounts for the large amount of gummy matter in the strike pan, and, together with the large amount of mineral matter, explains the low yield of sugar from the rich cane. The color of the sugars was a grayish yellow, and rated on the mar- ket as a little better than (' brown. The grain was large and firm. The mean polarization of raw gummy sugars was 82.52, and of first sugars 90.80. • The following is the record of the number of tons of cane worked, sugar and molasses made : Total uumber of tons of cane passed over tin Of this 430.5 tons were Early Amber, mixed with unripe Sterling Orange. Two thousand five hundred and .sixty and five tenths ton 8 were chiefly Qrange, with a small quantity of Link's 1 1 \ brid. The estimated average tonnage per acre is L0; the highest tonnage, L3.5 per acre. l'wciitv- flve tons were left on the cane rack when work stopped, so that the U050— Bull, 20 G 82 ual number of tons of cane worked was 2,966, and tons worked for Bngar 2,535.5. Tons of cane for molasses only, 430.5. Deducting 25 per cent, for leaves and seed, we have 2,225 tons of cleaned cane. Total number of cells filled from September 1'2 to close 'J, 730 Number of pounds of chips in each cell 1,400 Total number of pounds of chips in cells (1,800 tons) :>, 7"J"J, 000 Number of tons of cleaned cane from .September 12 to close 1,001 Making a difference of 41 tons unaccounted for, some of which was thrown out by the fan and from the drag. The remainder can be at- tributed to lost records, which were inissing lor several days' work. Yield of s u (jar. Total number of pounds of sugar 100, ">00 (J a lions of molasses ^. 36,000 There was left on hand at close of season one tankful of semi sirup, equal to GOO gallons of molasses. This makes average yield of sugar j)er ton of field cane, estimated oil the cane actually worked for sugar, 39,2 pounds, and on cleaned cane 52.8 pounds. The quantity of molas- ses made per ton of cleaned cane was 14 gallons, or, estimating the sugar on total number of tons of cane cut during the season, we have 45.1 pounds per ton of cleaned cane. Two trial runs were made during the season. The first 4G.0 tons gave 3,980.5 pounds sugar and 0,580 gallons molasses, equal to So pounds sugar and 20 gallons molasses per ton. The second trial run gave 90 pounds sugar and 10 gallons of molasses per ton on a run of GO tons. During the season there were lost by carelessness 4,800 gallons of semi-sirup and 7,200 gallons of juice, corresponding to about 100 tons of cane. The battery soured twice and was drawn oil* twenty-eight times, causing a loss of 192 cells of chips of L,400 pounds each, equal to l.ll tons <>f cane. Deducting, then, 234 tons from the number of tons worked for sugar, we have 1,007 tons of cleaned cane, with an average of oi).2 pounds sugar per ion. From each ton it was estimated that 2 bushels of seed and 200 pounds ol* leaves were obtained. 'flic seed was carefully hand-picked and thrashed, so that this product will prove very valuable. The total number of days' actual work, counting each day at twenty- two hours, was thirty. By that we mean that the number of hour: (luring which the cutter actually worked would be equal to thirty da\; of twenty-two hours each. If a factory is substantially built, tin machinery strong and every bolt in its place, there is no reason w h\ there should not he a steady yearly run of ninety days, full time. Dur- ing the working season every hour's delay is so much money lost, and asngar factory should run as smoothly as a grist mill. It is a question of practical mechanics, Which a good machinist can handle. With a number of changes in the factory the Conway Springs mill can be made a success. The Cound at ions of the heavy machinery should !><• replaced; the battery put in straight line and elevated, so that the 83 chips could be removed by means of a car; two large cutters should be ready for use ill place of one; also two macerators. Three additional boilers are needed, another engine, two more claritiers, a large storage tank for the molasses, and more sugar wagons and storage room, and, above all. a good water supply, which may with care be secured in the neighborhood. With these improvements, with cane of the same quality as was worked this year, and careful management, a great success may be se- cured at Conway Springs during another season. Table I. — Mill juices from whole canes. Date. No. Total solids by I'.iix at Baume. navify. Sucrose. Glucose. /*. r r. nt. ' 1 S. ptember 4 . . 3 15.38 F. 50 1.6630 Sepfo oiber 4 . 4 18.50 10.10 1.0700 13. 95 September 4 . 5 16.06 8.96 9. 50 September 1 . September (i . 8 15.56 8. 66 1. 0634 8.47 •J 18 81 16. 56 1.0783 10.48 "4.7*2 mber 8 . . 21 18.21 10.10 1.6753 12.30 3.21 67. 43 September 8 22 16.31 9. 00 1.0GG9 10.30 3. 26 63. 1 5 September 1" 24 18. 91 16.56 1.6783 5.00 6.06 20.41 mber lo . 25 16.07 8. !»0 11.73 3. 35 72. 99 September 1" - 21.07 12.26 1.0918 11.43 7.88 September lo n 18. 62 10.30 1.0770 14.32 L28 September 10 28 17.21 9. 50 1.07(9 8.98 4.19 52. 1 7 September 1 1 . 33 17. 62 9.90 1.0735 11.90 2.31 00. 78 Septembi r 12 . 34 18.44 10. 20 1.0761 11.44 3. 12 September 1 i 48 16 50 9.10 1.01)78 11.54 2. 27 September 10 . 59 17.40 9. (JO 1.0717 12.07 2' 10 71.(3 ii)( r 17 . 61 10 -jo 1. 0761 10. 61 5. 51 September 1* (9 18.81 10.40 1.0771* 11 t0 • 1. 20 74. 90 September 20 . - 16.16 1.0753 16.80 3. 43 59.21 iber 23 114 18.51 16.26 1. 0760 1.39 September 27 . l:.:; 16.22 1. 0766 12.5o 1 58 October l ... 16*2 22. 16 12.30 16.67 2. 10 October 1 . . . 163 - U 10.40 1.0781 2.79 October \ ... 178 12. 10 1.0918 3.30 61.92 October LO.... 226 ]«.). 12 16.66 1.6792 2.00 71.65 October lo .. 227 17.82 9.90 1. 0735 13. lo 1. 12 73. 51 Octobi r 16 .. 201 11.20 13.9ft 69.07 28 1 26. in 11.36 1. 0850 13.63 1.91 60. M ■ : 31 -- 352 11.40 14.58 70.71 XoV.IiiImi '_' 19.29 16.70 • 1.43 iber 2. . . 367 15.22 l.o 21 7. 20 2 13 47. 70 Noyember3 .. 309 7.51 1 . 5 I Nov. tuber 3 . . 874 8. 26 November 5. . . 875 L7.63 9. 75 1.6726 1.65 Novembers .. 878 11.86 li 69 2. 14 72. 15 November "> . . 15. 16 1.0017 iber 5... - 11.26 15.28 1.15 Nuvembei '< 20. en 11. 16 11 9", .77 Novembei 5... 26.26 11.20 LI 341 1.21 iberO. .. 19 06 It 2'. 1.51 ber 7 . 16.67 8.25 1 1 . 89 1.67 November 7 .. 17 i 7 1 . 88 November 7 . 17 -7 l 00 71 71 Iiei 7 19 27 16 7o 15. 11 Nov. mil. i 10 1 0744 71. 15 November L2 Maxima . 18. 17 10. 1.1 1.075: 1.61 22.16 12.36 10 07 7 88 Means .. in in 12. 14 M iiiiua 7 16 77 84 D(8cripHon of samples of whole cane 3. Amber and unripe Sterling Orange m ix< d. 4. Early Amber from cane-shed. 5. Unripe Sterling Orange, solccted stocks. 6. Unripe Sterling Orange, Buckered upper joint. 9. Amber and Sterling Orange mixed, cut and lying in shed for two days. 21. Cane from shed, mixed lot. 22. Orange from field. 21. Mixed lot from shed, cut forty-eight hours; green. 25. Orange cane from field. 20. Early Amtx r from wagon. 27. Early Amber from field of MTr. Troeger. 28. •• Southern Red " from field. 33. Early Amber, average from ten loads. 34. Cane from shed. 48. Cane from shed. 59. Orange cane from shed, cut and lying forty- eight bonis. 01. Sterling Orange from wagon. 09. Early Amber from load brought in by Troe- gt ■ r. ?6. Orange earn- from shed. 1 14. Orange cane from field. 133. Links Hybrid from wagon. 162. Sterling Orange from wagon. 16!. Sterling Orange, average from three loads. 178. Oranjre from shed, lying forty-eight hours. 226. Orange from shed and wagons, average 1< t lying forty eight hours. 227. 26L 281. 352. 358. 307. 369. 374 375. 378. 379. 380. 382. 383. 381. 385. 386. 387. -- 391. 392. Links Hybrid from field. Lot of badly Buckered Orange cane from shed. Cane from shed, lying thirty-six hours. Orange cane avenge, late planting gave but little juice. Orange cane from shed after first frost. Links Hybrid trom shed: red pith. Links Hybrid from shed. Links Hybrid from Bhed; good load. Cane from Bhed, chiefly Orange, lying twenty-four hours. Orange cane from field, second growt . Orange cane from field, red pith. Orange cane from field of J. 11. Duncan; avei age lot left tun ut. Orange cane from field of J. S. Clark. Orange cane from field said to be the poorest field out. Orange cane from shed, put in silo November 0, covered \\ ith 2 to 3 feet ground Orange cane from shed from same lot as put in Bllo November 8 ; cane from top of pile Orange cane from shed from same lot B8 put in silo November 6 ; average sample. Orange cane from field of L. Berrj-. Orange cane from field of Hanna* Oraoge cane from same lot as put in silo, ly- ing in shed eight days exposed to heavy frost, snow and thaw. Orange c me Irora field of llanua, from same plat as >«'o. 388. 85 Table II. — Mill juices from fresh chips. T, Date. No. Baume, her C. September 7. September 7. September lo September 12 September 12 September 13 S< j»i >ii)>ier 14 September 15 September 17 September 18 s -ptomticr is September lit Septombci 20 September 21 September 2.' September 22 September 2\ September 24 s. pt ember 2C Septet] iiber 27 Septcmbci 28 Septei Septerabei 29 i iber 30 September ■,< October 2. Octuhei October 5 Octob i 5 ... Octolx : October a ... October 8 October 9 October 11 .. i 11... Octob October 13... October 15 .. : 17 .. ■ 18 . . . Octob i 19... r 19 .. Octobi October 20. . . Octol ■ Octolx ■ Octob October 24 . . Octob Octobi Octob • October 27 .. I October 29 .. I bcr 1 . ber 2 . .. T 2 . iber 3 . 'otal soli; 10. 78 17.62 1-. 91 17.21 17.64 18.98 ! - ! 19.35 19.24 19.12 19.4 1 19.25 19.08 18. 19 18.78 19.80 21.20 22.10 20.81 21.81 18.40 21.23 19.37 21.43 1.0783 1. 0700 1.0722 - 1.0726 1.0730 1.076J 1.0005 1.0 GOO 1.0735 "■ 1.0726 1 . ( 091 1.0720 "■ 1 . 0726 1. 0-01 1.0792 " 1.0815 1.0766 1.0-55 - — L0779 ■ 1.1914 1.0923 1.0914 1.0701 1.0726 1.070.; 1.0775 Sucrose. Per cent 0. 3G 8. 93 9.04 11.93 12.05 12.51 10.30 10.73 8.05 1 1 . 22 lo.90 9.08 11.14 9. 34 '"ii.49 9. 05 10.89 12.71 13.47 12.78 I :.:.l 12.79 14. 92 13. Gi 13.25 12. 8 1 12.47 30.97 13 97 12.50 11.97 13.28 12.45 lo.75 10.05 14.14 14.24 14.31 13.37 12.47 II 96 11.:" 12.96 12.19 1141 • 11 29 12.91 14.49 14.01 ■ Glucose Per cent 7.10 0.34 5. 07 2. 97 2.43 . - • '- 3. 4.' 4.36 2. lo 2. 37 4. 03 4.11 _ ■ 3. 62 3. 11 3. 02 2.34 2.51 2. 92 - - 2 30 1.18 1.80 L81 1.73 1.01 3.02 3. 00 2. 49 _ _ - M 2. 31 2. 94 2.86 2. 4 1 2. 77 3. 91 1. 2d 2.91 2.01 1.21 1.48 1.48 1.2! I 1.38 1.74 1.34 1.25 1.42 1.41 ^i'lT P-" • Per cent. , 0503 C183 ■ - 7313 - 12.42 2 61 47.07 55. 4 ! 0 1 98 70.00 4:. i--i 67. 53 51.20 61 24 - 01.73 07. 12 To 22 ■ ■ 70.31 01.70 07.22 65. 24 86 Table III. — Diffusion juices. Date. September 3 . . September t; . . September 7 . September iu . September 12 . September 12 September 13 . September 14 . September 15 . September 17 . September 18 . September 19 September 20 . September 21 . September 21 . September 22 . September 22 September 24 . September 24 . September 26 . September 27 . September 27. September 28 . September 29 . September 29 . September 30 September 30 . October 'J October 2 October 2 October S October 5 October*] October 6 October H.... October 8.... October 9... October 11 October 11 .... October 12.... October i:: .... October 15 October 17 .... October 18... October L8.... October lit .. October 20.... October 22 ... October 23 October 23 .... October 24.... Octobi i 24 . . October 26... October 26 .... October '-'7 . . . October 27 ... Octobei 29 , Octob Octolx i : 0 Octob i \o\ ember l , , November 2 November 2. . Novembi i 3 No. Baume. 100 10t 108 113 118 125 129 135 13!) 145 148 155 159 166 169 173 180 184 192 197 207 212 217 232 235 240 246 255 264 269 273 278 284 288 293 297 806 309 315 819 827 333 336 B42 850 301 864 371 Maxima Minima Total solids by Specific Brix at gravity. 15.5°. | Sucrose. Glucose. Alburui- uoitls. Purity. 39 6.80 45 7.80 52 6. 05 57 7.00 62 7.60 72 6.40 77 6.55 89 7.65 94 7. 30 6.30 8.15 6.70 7.30 7. 50 80 80 05 00 60 to 55 65 30 7. 30 6. 4 I (). 70 6 80 7.00 7. 05 7. 50 6.90 7.10 7. 65 8. 15 7.50 7.60 7. 50 7. 50 7. 60 7.60 7.70 8.20 7.40 7.60 7. 50 7.50 7.65 7. 90 7.05 8. 30 7. 65 7.60 7.tid 7.80 7.80 7. 60 7.00 0. 00 6. 30 6. 30 7. 06 6. 90 7. 20 7.05 6. 7ii (i. 20 7.40 7. 05 6. 20 6. M 11.30 14.08 12.08 13.11 13.52 12.22 14.14 10. 90 12.60 13.77 11.64 11.85 13.85 13. 13 13. 12 11.48 12.00 12. 24 12.60 12.70 13.58 12.42 12. 77 13.85 14.71 13.50 13. 67 13. 50 13.64 13. 67 13.65 13.94 1 1. 82 13.38 13.68 13.64 13.53 13.85 14.34 12.70 14. 90 13.79 13.(57 13. 67 14.07 14. 05 13.72 1 2. 65 L0.78 11.43 11. 11 12. 75 L2.28 12. 68 12.08 13.19 11.22 12.18 13.41 12.72 11.13 12. 17 7. 20 1.0135 1.0600 1. 0485 1. 0531 1. 0548 1. 0493 1.0574 1. 0439 1.0510 1.0610 1.0468 1. 0476 1.0561 1.0531 1.0531 1. 0464 1. 0485 1.0-93 1.0510 1.0514 1 . 05*3 1.0502 1.0514 1.0561 1.0K00 1.0548 1.0553 1.0548 1 . 0558 1. 0555 1.0655 1.0500 1. 0«04 L.0544 1.0557 1 . 0553 1 0r'50 1. 058 4688 5438 5313 . 5364 70. 35 87. 66 87 Table IV. — Clarified juices. September 6. 13 7.70 13.94 September 7 . 19 6.50 11.75 September 10 31 7.10 12.81 mber 12 37 7.40 13. 32 September 12 . 41 12.20 September 13 . 46 7.70 13. 9S September 14 53 6.70 12. 04 September 15 58 7. 20 13.00 S. ptember 17 G3 7.80 14.00 September 18 - 74 6.55 11.82 September 18 73 7.90 14.29 mber 19 . 82 12.25 September 20 . 90 8.15 14. 75 September 21 . 95 7.40 13.41 September 21 . 101 7.40 13.28 September 22 105 6.60 ] 1. 91 September 22 . 109 6.90 12.41 September 2} . 115 6.90 12.46 September 24 . 119 7.40 13.28 September 20 . 12«i 7.65 13. 85 S( ptember 27 . 132 13.64 September 27 . 136 7.40 13.27 September 28 . 140 7.40 13. 38 September 29 146 7.80 14.04 September 29 149 8.30 14.94 September 30 lr.c 7.90 14.24 Sep tern bei 30 . 160 7.80 14.14 October 2 .. . 167 7. 50 13. 62 Octobei 2 — .170 7.20 iao3 Octobei 2 174 7.90 14.18 Octobei 5 .... 181 7.90 14.15 (J< itober 5 185 8.30 15.00 ! 0 193 15.32 Octob • 199 7. ti". 13.85 Wctobei - 208 7.7U Octobei 8 .... 213 7.65 13.78 Octoh • 218 7.80 11.01 October 11 ... 233 8.30 14.91 : 11 ... 230 8.30 14.88 October 12 . . 241 6.50 11.74 October 13... - - 1 4. B2 October 15 14.41 ■ 17 .. 8.40 15. (t7 October 18 ... 7.4H 13. 34 October 18 .. •J74 - 14.41 ; 19 . ... - 15 14.72 OctoborSO .. 14.08 Octob 1 Octobei 24 ... 294 11.:;:; October 23 ... 11.72 Octobei -i 807 11.89 Octobei 310 13. is Octob i 31G 1 12 - October 27 .. Octob ; T 12.70 i 337 Octobei Octobei 831 7.10 Mbvembt i l . Novell. 12 89 Nbrembei 2 . 1 Nn\ amber '■> . 872 Maxima Minima Total «„„,.; solids bv Specific Banme. Brix at g^ty. 15.5=. 1. 056G 1. 0472 1.0519 1.0540 1. 0493 1.0500 L0485 1.0527 1. 0570 1.0476 1. 0583 1.0493 1.0600 1.0.544 1.0540 1.0481 1.0502 1.0502 1. 0540 1.0561 1.0553 1.0540 1.0544 1. 0570 1.0609 1.0578 1.0570 1.0578 1.0570 1.0013 1. 0621 1.0501 1.0561 1.0561 1.0570 1. 061 0 1. 0474 1.0604 1. 0613 1. 0000 1.0 ".74 1.0510 1.0155 1.0472 1 0481 1.0530 1.0502 1.0514 1.0510 L056I l.of.lo L0542 1.0455 Sucrose. Glucose. Albumi- noids. Purity. Per cent. 5. 02 5.29 6.17 7.70 7.44 8. 26 6.73 7. 07 8.30 6.74 - - 6. 70 7.54 7.39 7.41 6. oo 6. 14 7.88 8.40 7. 69 8.68 8.10 9.16 10 10 - 8.44 8.71 9. 35 8. 13 9.81 8. 92 8.24 8.24 9.08 9.38 9.64 - - 8.81 8.57 Percent Percent. 5. 74 4.20 4.55 15 . 3.13 ;;. 06 3.01 2.84 2. 21 2. 07 3.09 3.0 3. 02 2.51 2. 06 1.82 2. 14 2. 26 1.97 2,19 1 75 1. !<4 1.98 1.93 1.89 2. 35 3. 52 2.24 1.83 2. 03 1. 96 . 4938 .4813 ".'4688' .4813 .5313 "5625 .5125 5000 5813 2. 57 ■ 2. 05 2. 22 1.56 J.r4 1.62 1.93 2. 17 5813 lo 10 2 IS - 47.48 45.ol 48. 16 57. 80 69. 7 1 55. 89 59. 28 57. 10 61.7'J 54. 79 51.10 55. 10 55. 79 ■ 72 63.24 03. 33 65.41 60. 54 05. 24 63.76 ■ 57. 45 57. L'O 01.03 60.07 69. 36 61.49 60. b9 oh. 22 61.84 01.13 9 21 1.04 (15 41 1.17 . 1.28 7.40 1.22 . l :;i 1.21 1.16 - 1 10 l 25 1.22 . 1.24 7. 4o 1.08 . 7.43 174 1 27 57 91 I . 88 Table V. — Semi sirups. Date. Si pt. Sept, Stpt Sept Sept. Sept. S. pt, S. pt. 18 ... S, pt. 20 ... Sept. 21.... Sept. 21... Sept. '.'.") Sept 27.... Sept. 28 ... Sept. 2!) ... Sept. 30.... Oct 2 ... Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct. Dot Oct Oct, Oct. Oct. Nov. Nov. fl ... 7 ... 8 ... 10.... 12.... 13 ... 15... 1(5 ... 18 ... 23 24 .... 25 27 27 30 2 5 Maxima. Means . . Minima . Xo. 1 U •jo 32 42 47 55 63 83 91 102 120 127 137 142 152 104 177 188 200 210 224 238 243 252 257 207 291 300 312 321 330 339 357 370 IJautiu 21. 50 18.70 23. 20 22. 30 23.10 23. 00 14. 50 24. 20 26.40 28. 70 26.60 24.00 27. 40 26. oo 25. 8!) 25. 80 25. 60 24.80 23. 70 21.90 25. 45 25. 35 25. 80 20.20 20.10 25. 80 23. 50 26.40 25. 70 26. 10 23. in 20. 90 26. 70 23. 70 24. 73 Total solids, by Brix, at 15.5°. 28.70 24.55 14. 50 39.27 34.08 42. 44 40.72 42. 22 4'I 10 26.31 44.21 18.52 52. 94 48. 93 44.98 50. 4 1 47. 82 47.43 47.41 4(5. 87 45. 50 43.40 40. 00 4(5. 7(5 4(5. 55 47. 30 48. 10 48.00 47. 25 43. 01 48. 53 47. 13 47.99 42. 34 4!). 50 40.04 43. 25 44. 53 52.94 45. 00 20.31 && > 1.1789 I. 1 521 1.1901 1.1835 1. 1040 1. 1940 1.1130 1.205G 1.2291 1.2563 1. '.337 1.2093 1.2414 1.2256 1.2240 1.2231 1.2207 1.2077 I 201 - 1. 1820 1.2196 1.2185 1. 222!) 1 "->72 I. 22(57 1. 2221) 1. l!i-7 1.2245 1.2169 1.2212 1.1013 1.2361 1.2272 1. 1001 1.2072 Per cent. 19.20 14.47 IS. 33 18.15 2)5.61 13.52 2(5. 00 •.'.I 36 27. 14 28. 04 25. 39 37.41 29.41 28.51 30. 57 31.06 21.08 23. 78 28. 90 30.75 32. 13 33.98 31.08 25. 02 30 97 31.67 33. 27 28. .0 33. 37 30.39 27. 18 20.63 Glucose. ' L.2563 1.2002 1. 1130 37. 1 1 13.52 Purity. lie:. 15.75 12. 5". 8 7 1 6.39 9.05 9.31 12.00 0. If. 0.77 0. 33 6.46 5. 36 5. 80 ■).8l 6.01 o. 56 7.81 5. Hi :.. 1 1 5.12 5. 33 4. 80 4.70 0. 1 !) 4.12 5.16 4.55 16.75 7.21 4. 12 48 89 42,45 43.19 44.57 03.02 60.14 51.37 00. 10 00. 51 51.26 57. 30 :.ti. u 71 21 61.50 61.09 64.48 64. 5(5 02. 37 50.08 59 45 57. 99 62.08 05. 00 66 7:) 70. 88 72. 52 58, 17 63.81 (17. 19 69. 32 66. 74 67.41 61.07 62. >4 I - To 72. 52 60. 70 42. 45 Table VI. — Masse cuite. Date. Xuiubcr. Moisture. Ash. Glucose. Sucrose, direct. 1 50. 40 17. Ml 57. io 48 io 62.00 .VJ. 00 CI. 00 0 : . o c.:{. 40 61. 20 Sucrose, i ml i it ct 4 i.e.:. f.o. 2! 12. 13 52. 1 1 51.72 60.65 63. JO (it. 72 63. 52 CO. Jl Solids, not snjjar. Sept. 15... Sept. Ik ... Sept. 19 ... Sept. Jl ... Sept. Jl . .. Sept. 24 ... Sept 26 ... Oct. 0 ... 51 66 76 01 i 07 110 121 101 228 261 301 ::il 377 P< r cent 15.62 30. io L5 -o 16.28 ll 52 l i. 0 1 l. 52 14.65 Per cent. 0. 32 6. 50 6. 77 ti. 87 c. it; 7.08 5. 55 5. 10 1 '.il 5. 92 B 66 c. B0 7 ... Per tent. 21. 13 17.06 16.50 (9.39 •jo. DO 21.42 12. II lo.7.-. L0. 15 8.73 7.31 0. 35 X 81 0. 03 5.64 0.47 5. 09 7.58 B 10 6. 30 o M '"6.89 0. 18 5. 1 1 8.07 •»• i. 1! ... Oct. 1 1 ... Oct. Hi ... L5.74 11 24 I :.. 69 IS 59 Oct. L'l ... Oct. 30 ... Nov. 1 ... 30.40 7.29 21.42 65. 80 57. 4 1 1- \< 03. 72 55. 78 4 1 . 66 if. in 14.24 6. 15 i M I I ... 7.31 89 Table VII. — Raic sugar, Dates. No. Per cent. sugar by polariza- tion. Sept. 26.. Oct. 8.. Oct. 8.. Oct. 8.. Oct. 13.. 123 201 204 20.") 2-i2 77.40 89.40 86. 00 84. 00 75.80 82. 52 Table VIII. — First sugar, Per cent. Dates. No. sugar by polariza- tion. Oct 9.. 215 97.40 Oct. 9.. 381 97. 00 Oct. 8.. 202 97 80 Oct. 8.. 222 98. 'JO Oct. 9.. 223 05. c0 Oct. 16 . 200 96. 00 Oct. U.. 303 95. ( 0 Oct. 30 310 97. CO Oct. 30 347 97.00 Oct. 30 381 97. 00 Mr; 96. 80 T a I ; LE IX.— Mola sses . Date. Number. Moisture. Ash. Glucose. Sucrose, direct. Sucrose. indirect. Solids. not sugar. Sept 26 Oct. 6 Oct. 6 Oct. H Oct. 9 Oct. lo Oct 11 Oct n; Oct. 24 122 190 196 203 221 ■•::, 2 J!) 259 345 Per cent. 20.51 34. 00 31.00 32.25 •J9. CO I'i ;■ Cetlt. 7.t;:; 7. 33 7. 11 7.19 6. 09 7. -10 6. '.'7 P< /■ cent 28. i ! 17.:;:; 16. 78 ].'.. 70 17.33 11. 57 17.30 1 L 50 13.32 34 60 40. ii i ■11.10 1 I 4 41.20 40.20 44.00 I'r r cent 3 '.-19 4:;. 17 43. 40 41 00 4o 79 1 80 1. 61 1.64 1.40 3. 94 7 64 34 oo 20. 92 7. t; i 7. 11 ti. 09 28.41 17 20 46. 20 42, 11 11. 17 kffeana . . . Minima . 90 TABLE X. — Mill juices from exhausted chips. Date. Sept 4.... Sept. G Sept 7 ... Sept 12.... Sept 13.... Sept. H.... Sept. it. .. Sept. 18.... Sept. 18 ... Sept 19. Sept Sept .0 21 Sept. 21 Sept 22 Sept 2+ Sept 24 Sept 27 Sept. 28 Sept. 29 Sept 29 Sept. ISO Sept. :iu Oct 2 Oi i. 0 t. Oct Oct Oct Oct. Oct. Oct Oet Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct 23 Oct 23 Oct 24 Oct 24 25 20 27 29 , 29 30 1 Oct. Oct Oct Oct Oct Nov. Nov. 2. Nov. 2. Nov. 3. Maxima Minima . No. Buume Brix. Specific gravity. 12 17 40 44 51 <;4 71 81 M 93 99 10« 112 117 130 141 114 150 157 KU lf.8 172 182 186 194 198 209 214 219 231 237 247 254 206 271 275 280 280 290 295 29S 305 311 314 318 323 332 - 841 360 366 373 1.10 1 . 30 1.40 1.G0 1.G0 1. 50 1. 50 1. 10 . «.n) 1. 10 1.50 1.20 1.2D .80 1.40 1.30 2. 20 l.M) 1.90 1.50 1. GO 1.50 1.40 1.40 1.50 1.10 1.50 1.70 1.90 1.80 1.50 1.90 1.90 2.90 2. 90 2. SO 2. 70 2.60 1.90 2. 80 1.30 1.10 2 20 1.30 1.56 2.40 2. GO 1.90 1.70 1.90 2. 20 2 40 2. 90 2. 00 2. 20 2.00 2.44 2. 54 2.94 2. 67 2.71 2. 0 ( 1.63 1 . 99 2. OS 2. 13 2. 22 1.38 2.48 2. 35 4.04 3. 32 3. 47 2.74 2. 90 2. 70 2. 55 2.GL 2. G9 2. 00 2. G8 3.12 3.47 3.26 2. 74 3. 47 3.36 5.30 5.32 4.14 4.80 4. GO 3.40 5.00 2. 40 2. (M 3. 90 2. 40 2. HO 4. 20 1.62 :; 50 3. 03 3. 4G 3. 90 4.27 5. 17 3. 0 ! 4. 02 1.0075 1. 0089 1.0101 1.0113 1.0113 1.0105 1.0105 4.0:177 l.o 162 l.o i77 1.0105 1.0081 1.0081 l.oor.O 1. 0097 1.0089 1.0155 1.0125 1.0133 1.0105 1.0113 1.0105 1.0097 1.0101 1.0105 1.0077 1.0105 1.0117 1.0133 1. 0125 1.0105 1.0133 1.0133 1.0209 1.0299 1.0102 1.0189 1.0181 1.0133 1.0197 1.0095 1.0075 1.0151 5. 32 ::. 17 1.0094 1.0108 1.0105 1.0181 1.0137 1.0117 1.0129 1.0153 1.0169 1.0205 1.0141 1.0157 Sucrose. 1.0299 1.01221 .G9 .51 .81 1.30 .73 .51 1.23 .51 .77 .36 1.03 1.08 1.99 .77 2.13 1.28 1.28 1.83 1.18 1.36 1.44 .72 1.28 1.33 1.58 1.64 1.13 1.49 1 . 54 2.29 1.C9 2.45 1.74 1.44 2.81 1.18 1.03 1.33 1 . 28 2. 10 2. 10 1. 33 1.09 1 t^ 1 . 99 2. 91 1. 71 1.79 Glucose. 2.91 1. 10 . 36 Purity. 36.00 28. 28 20. 08 27. 55 44. 36 27. 22 33. 95 38.91 42. 33 25. 63 45.82 23. 94 34. (8 20. 09 41.13 45. 99 4 9.25 23. 19 01.: :s 40.71 14. 1 :; GG. 30 40.27 52. 17 53. 53 3G. 00 44. Of 42. 02 45.53 50. 30 4 1 . 24 42. 94 45.81 43.21 47. 9:: 40 ,-2 51. 01 37. 82 42. 35 50. 20 49. 10 51.50 57. f.7 55.41 45.72 49.34 51.94 38. 00 :;:. ot 40. 51 4 8 06 ■tl ' 43. 12 91 Table XT.— Albuminoids. Xuraber. Fresh chips. Number. D.ffusion .juice. Number. Defecated juices. 60 Per cent. .6503 .6183 . 8250 .7438 . 7563 .8003 . 8875 .7313 1. 0375 . 4875 .8306 . 80S7 . 9050 72 Per cent. . 4688 63 . Per cent. . 4938 .4813 .4688 . 5438 .481:: .5313 . 5025 K19S 70. 77 .4088 . 5438 .5313 . 4088 .5188 .5188 138 143 ►9 91 ><2 90... 95 163 104 118 135 183 211 234 253 119 ^'^9 139 5313 i^fi 145 166 L84 212 235 297 306 319 324 333 361 .5813 . 5025 .5813 5813 140 -r>"(in 301 317 322 359 Means 140 107 1 85 .5813 . .-50(1 .5125 . 5625 .57:0 .5813 . 501 0 . 5025 .5000 .5813 . 5938 . 5281 .5094 . 5000 .5187 213 230 256 320 325 302 . :>:,: .5JG4 . 5278 92 Table XII. Comparison of acidity in juices from fresh chips and diffusion juices with use of caustic lime. Date. Mill juices from fresh chips. Diffusion juices. 100 c.c. Glucose 100 c.c. Glucose No. N Su- Glu- to 100 No. N So- Glu- to 100 Kx trac- req. 1Q crose. cose. jits, su- req. 1Q cose. ptS. 8U- tion. NaOH. crose. NaOH c. c. Pre nt. /Y.o ut. c. <•. • Pi-cent 1'lCillt. Oct. 5 179 32 12. 47 3. 02 24.2 180 15 7. 75 2. 60 33.4 88.45 Oct 5 183 12 10.97 3.66 33.4 184 9 2. 63 32. 5 93. 10 Oct, 6 189 28 i:f.97 2.49 17.8 1!'2 12 9. 43 2. 19 22. 1 90. 80 Oct. 8 206 38 12. 56 2.85 22. 7 2«7 21 2.08 25. 1 h7.40 Oct 0 211 24 12. 0.1 2.31 19.2 212 14 8.59 1.89 22 P6.30 Oct 0 21(5 39. 5 11. 97 2.91 24.5 217 33 7. 65 2. 19 28 0 '.mi. 50 Oct 11 230 35.5 13. 28 2.87 21.6 232 18 8.14 2 56 31.8 88.70 Oct 11 234 30 12. 15 2.44 19.6 20 9.11 24.3 .s7. 70 Oct 13 244 35 10.05 3.91 38.9 246 28 9. 48 2. 36 24.9 77.2'' Oct 15 253 (*) 15. 58 1.31 8.4 255 <*) 9.37 L55 16. 5 8!. 70 Oct 19 277 52 14. 31 2. til 17.1 278 23.5 2.13 24.9 Oct 20 283 44.5 13.37 2. 19 16. 3 284 24 4 8.98 1.54 17.1 Oct, 22 287 42 12.47 1.21 9.7 288 14.5 7. 93 1.19 ]:. 0 90 50 Oct. 2:5 292 30 11.98 1.48 12. 3 293 15 6.93 1.27 18.3 91.40 Oct 23 29G 25 11.90 1.48 12.3 297 18 7. 35 1.25 17.0 81. 10 Oct 24 304 30 12.96 1.2!) 9.9 306 10 7.20 1.27 17.6 P9. 70 Oct. 24 25 12.19 1. 3!) 11.4 309 10 8.13 1.24 15.2 89.50 Oct 25 313 38 14.41 1.74 12.1 315 8 8.61 1.19 13.7 85.40 Oct 20 :\\i 14.98 1.00 6.7 319 1 8.58 1.15 13.4 84. 00 Oct 27 322 36 14.29 i.34 9.4 324 15 8. 90 1.28 14.3 90. 70 Oct 27 326 19.5 12.91 1.20 9.3 327 7 a »2 1.29 15. 3 Oct 29 331 26 14.49 1.18 8.1 333 12 7. 42 1.15 1:. 5 92 f.O Oct 29 335 33 14.01 1.14 8.1 336 13 8.20 1 ::; 16. 1 87. 90 Oct 30 340 2ti 13.99 1.42 10.1 342 6 7. 33 1.20 16.4 -J .2 Oct 30 349 18 13.59 2.(0 14.7 350 16 7.20 1.36 18.8 Nov. 1 353 20 14. 30 2. 23 10.6 354 0 8. 13 1.40 17.2 Kfl (i 1 Nov. 2 359 12 13. h7 L99 14 5 361 (t) 7.48 1.80 21.6 77. 2d Nov. 2 Mb ail- 363 29.2 12.91 1. 13 8.7 364 2 6 92 8.15 0.99 l.tiiT 14.3 20. 2 86. 50 13. 15 1.99 15.4 14.4 87. 33 Table Xlll.— Comparison of acidity of juice* without caustic lime Sept 21 92 31.00 9 34 4 12 41.1 94 39. 40 6. 92 3.12 45. 1 M.5Q Sept 22 107 IO. Ml 11.40 3. 11 27.1 108 6 65 34.6 Sept. 24 111 36.00 !> 65 3.02 31.3 113 89. 30 Sept. 24 116 40.00 10.89 2 24 2 1. 6 118 1.91 Sept2G 121 17.00 12.89 2. 51 19.4 125 26 1 0 2. 23 33.3 Sept 29 143 10.00 12.79 2. 15 19. 1 145 40.00 8. 85 1.96 22 1 Sept 29 117 :u 50 14.92 1.19 7.9 148 ::t .".0 10.02 1 . 68 10.7 88. 60 S.-].t. 30 151 19.00 13.82 1. -2 13.2 1 55 !'i 00 S. Ml 1.83 20 6 90.76 Sept 30 ] 58 12 50 13.66 13.4 159 40. 50 1 91 21.0 B8 Ml Oct. 2 155 45. 10 40. 59 12 69 2 60 21.2 106 29. 70 2 16 tt 1 9o To 12.21 2. 49 21.7 35.43 8. 12 2 13 27. 1 89. 49 Table XIV. — Acidity and inversion with calcium carbonate (whiting). S. ,,1.27 Sept 27 181 13H 1 1 1 It i:; ■) 2 11 21 0 185 129 1- Ou 7.92 2. 2 » 43.7 13. 15 2 12 18 4 16.75 & 18 " 27 4 Neutral, 1 Alkaline, [)3 Table XV. — Comparison of Brix spindles with solid* by drying. MILL .JUICES FROM FEESH CHIPS. Date. No. Brix at 15.5°. 50 . 28 x *Z ~ £ Total solids direct w uli iisbestus. U I c cc o o = ■z • : z. ^ u - . o I'r.cent. Pr.cent. Pr.cent. Pr.cent. I'r r. nt. Oct. 3 176 18.-1!) 17. 2 L 17.14 12. 82 1.61 69.33 73. 62 Oct 4 183 19.83 18. 57 18. 15 10.97 3. 66 55. 32 11.06 60.88 Oct. 5 IRQ 20.40 19.00 19.43 13. 97 2.49 14. 03 72.19 Oct. 11 230 21. GO 20.10 20.10 13.28 2. ^7 61.48 66. 49 Oct 13 244 21.20 19.81 19. 73 11.63 3.91 54.80 11.70 59. 30 Oct. ia 270 21.81 20.87 20.41 14.84 2.91 68.04 14.92 73. :o Oct. 23 292 17. 73 10.00 16.01 11.98 1.48 67. 57 12.07 75 40 Oct. 24 304 19.07 17.77 17.25 12. 90 1.29 67. Of, 13.06 7.V 69 Oct. 25 313 20. 34 18.82 18.75 14.41 1.74 70.84 14. 50 76. 82 Oct. 20 317 21.23 19.50 19.47 14.98 1.00 7o. 56 15. OS 75. 80 Oct. 27 322 20.50 18. 85 18.80 14.29 1.31 69. 50 14.40 76. 40 Oct. 29 331 20. 00 18. 85 18.74 14.49 1.18 73. 39 14.60 77.91 Oct 30 340 20.57 19.06 18.68 13. 99 1.42 68 01 '4. 12 75. 57 Nov. 2 358 20.61 18.71 18. 13 13.67 1.99 66. 23 13.81 70.02 Nov. 3 Means .. 370 .... 18.67 20.18 16. 99 18.72 ■ 17.01 18.52 12. 86 13.41 1.41 88. 88 12.95 76. 18 2.02 66.70 13. 50 72. 76 TABLE XVI.— DIFFUSION JUICES. Oct. 4 180 13.65 12.56 12.10 7.75 2 60 50 79 7.8) 64 U Oct 6 192 14. 82 13. 36 13. 23 9. 43 2.19 63. 63 9. 4!) 71.75 Oct 9 217 13.57 12.29 12.21 7. 65 2.19 56. 66 Oct. 11 232 13.85 13.02 12.98 K. 14 2. 59 5.*. 90 8. 16 62. 8 1 Oct 13 246 14.90 14.04 13.91 9.48 2.36 63. 62 9. 62 69. 30 Oct. 19 278 14.05 12.71 12.29 8. 53 2.13 60.61 69. 69 Oct 23 293 10.78 9. 24 9.28 6. 89 1.27 63.91 6. 93 74. 68 Oct 24 306 11.41 10.47 9.98 7. 20 1.27 63. 10 7. 24 72.37 Oct 25 315 12. 28 11.01 10.91 8.04 1.19 70. 35 8. 68 79. 60 Oct 20 319 12. 38 11.30 11.20 8.58 1. 15 77.00 Oct 30 342 11.22 7. 33 1.20 7.37 75. 19 Nov. 2 361 12.72 11.12 11.16 7. 48 1.80 58. 91 7. 53 67.44 Nov. 3 Means . . 371 12.47 ]o 82 10.85 8.33 1.30 00.80 8. 39 77.30 12. 93 11.68 11.53 8.11 1.7, 62.92 8.16 71.13 REPORT OF HUBERT EDSON, DOUGLASS. KANS. I herewith submit my report of the work done at Douglass, Ivans., during- season of 1888. I wish to call attention to tbe valuable aid given me by my associate, J. L. Fuelling. Without his assistance much that lias been accom- plished would not have been done. Also, I would mention the hearty co-operation of Mr. Fred Hinze in the sugar house. After one or two trial runs, to test the machinery of the house, the regular manufacturing season at Douglass commenced September 14, and continued, with what regularity was possible, up to October 25. There is no doubt but that the Early Amber was ready for work by the middle of August and possibly earlier. When I arrived in Doug- lass, August 2(>, I found several fields that had passed maturity. This cane, however, contrary to experience elsewhere, did not deteriorate in any marked degree till some time after reaching its maximum sucrose. When the house was closed we still had Amber coming in in large quantities, and containing sucrose enough to warrant working it. Besides the Amber the two other varieties chiefly grown were the Orange, and a cane identified by Mr. Denton, of Sterling, Kans.,as the Chinese. The Amber and Chinese contained highest sucrose and lowest glu COSe, with the advantage slightly in favor of the Chinese. The Orange did not do as well as was expected, but it was planted bo late in the season that it did not have time to mature. The exceedingly variable nature of tin' cane brought in was a source of constant annoyance, uor would the appearance of the stalks be any Criterion of the quality of the juice. One field of 30 acres which had been ordered hauled in before any test had been made of it was found on tin; arrival of the first load to contain but 4.50 per cent, sucrose, with almost as much glucose. This cane w as, judging by its appear ance, US good as any worked during the season, but repeated tests of Bam plea taken from different parts of the held failed to show in n single instance enough sucrose to warrant working for sugar. Numerous in- stances of this same thing weie found throughout the season, and the cane needed the closest watching. 95 One tiling' it would be well to impress upon the sorghum grower, and that is the Necessity of growing small or medium sized canes. From numerous trials of comparative samples the highest sucrose and lowest glucose were always found in the smaller canes. Fields also where the small and slender canes predominated were always of superior quality. The best cane analyzed at Douglass was a sample from a held sowed for fodder, iu which the seed had been scattered broadcast on the land, and as a consequence grew very small. Of course I do not mean to advo- cate the sowing of sorghum seed to grow a product for the sugar-house, as then too large an amount of sheath and leaves would be obtained, but it is necessary to avoid large rank stalks if the desire is to obtain a high content of sucrose. SUGAR-HOUSE. The house was designed to work 100 tons of held cane daily. The Hughes cutter and shredder were used. The trap-door just before the cutter, through which it was intended to pass the set-d heads, failed to work satisfactorily. This was due, in part at least, to the heavy feed which it was necessary to keep on the narrow carriers in order to supply the battery with chips. The shredder when properly adjusted did excellent work, tearing the chips into a pulp it required. The main feature of the house was the diffusion battery. This is known as the Hughes system of diffusion, and is described in Bulletin 1 7, chemical division, Department of Agriculture. The one at Douglass differed slightly, however, from the one described there. The main bat- tery contained ten cells, with the baskets for holding chips used in bis process, and in addition to these an outside cell was placed so that the arm from the large crane could reach the basket while immersed in it. An extra crane was necessary to raise and lower the baskets in this cell, as it had to be worked without connection with the main battery. The object of the cell was to give a dense diffusion juice and thus save evaporation. As the battery progressed the heaviest juice from two cells were drawn into the outside cell, and there received two baskets of hesh chips before being discharged. This, as far as 1 was able to see, did not attain the object claimed for it, as no fresh chips ever reached the main battery, and consequently the juices were more dilute and needed the addition of two baskets of fresh chips to bring them to a normal diffusion juice. It is certain at least that the extra steam power required to run the outside cell would a -real deal more than suffice to evaporate any less dense juice thai might be obtained. Before passing to the work done by the battery, as h whole it is but Just to say that there were mechanical defects in the construction which if they could have been remedied this SCaSOIl would ha\e materially assisted the quality of the work. The bottom of the baskets, iust< ad of being single and swinging to one side, were doable and billged to a 96 cross-bar extending from one side of the basket to the other. As a con- sequence of this arrangement the emptying of the exhausted chips was a very difficult matter. But, on tho other hand, a basket constructed strong enough to permit a single bottom would be altogether too heavy to use where so much of the work is done by hand. The average sucrose of the fresh chips for the season was 9.88 ; for the exhausted chips, 1.72. The extraction of sucrose, therefore, was 9.88-1. 72=8.1G-^9.8S=82.50 per cent. This extraction was accom- panied by a dilution of 52.45 per cent. 16.89 (Brix of fresh chips)— 8.03 (Brix of diffusion juice) ; S.SG-^IG. 89=52. 45 percent. With a dilution of this sort in a closed battery practically all the sugar would be ex- hausted instead of 1.72 per cent, left in by the Hughes process. It was noticed that a regular ratio existed between the exhaustion and the dilution. As the dilution was increased the extraction became better, and vice versa. Besides the amount of sugar left in the chips there was an unknown waste of immense quantities of juice from the drippings of the baskets in transferring them from the eleventh cell to the cells of the main battery. This loss it was impossible to gauge, but to any one who saw- it, it was evident that no inconsiderable amount was lost. Nothing which we could think of to make the battery a success was left undone. For part of the time I shifted all of the laboratory weak to my associate, Mr. Fuelling, and took charge of the battery. This I was prepared to do from a previous year's work with the inventor of the system, with whose plan of running the battery I was consequently familiar. Although the quality of the work was improved after the change I instituted, it was so far from being good diffusion, that nothing- was left to do but to condemn the apparatus. THE DIFFUSION JUICE. The juice as it came from the cells was full of finely di\ ided liber which had come through the perforations of the baskets, and was also of such a dirty black color that it was impossible to clarify it. Sulphites of lime were used for awhile, as were also superphosphates, but both were so lull of sulphuric acid and accomplished so little, that they were discontinued. The juice probably acquired some of this color from its acids attack- ing the iron vessels in which it was kept .so much of the time, but t he main cause was the passage of large quantities of seeds through to t he diffusion bailers along with t he lioh chips. As was incut ioned be- fore, the cutter was too narrow for the capacity of the house, and a \ cry heavy feed was kept on the carrier, preventing the seed-heads (hop- ping down through the trap-door designed for that purpose. To illustrate that these seeds were the cause of the discoloration, 'Sir. Fuelling diffused two beakers lull of chips, the one of them containing a few seed and the other none. 97 The one with the seed gave the black color characteristic of the dif- fusion juice from the bouse, while the other gave a perfectly clear limpid liquor. I endeavored to have the superintendent of the house make a run, cutting the tops oil' in the field, but he failed to do so. DISPOSITION OF EXHAUSTED CIIIPS. During the first part of the season a long carrier was used to convey the chips to the yard. It was intended to extend this as the yard filled ui>, but the chains broke so often, that this plan was given up and the chips taken off in carts. The centrifugals did very poor work throughout the season: but so little sugar was extracted by the battery that it was not considered necessary to get new ones. SUMMARY OF WORK. During the season 2,167 tons of cane were worked. Allowing 25 per cent, off for tops and leaves, this would amount to 1,623 tons of cleaned cane. Forty-five thousand pounds of sugar, 94.45 polarization, were obtained, or 26.2 pounds per ton of clean cane. Eliminating the loss in the centrifugals, which would have been rem- edied if enough sugar had been obtained to justify it, the great loss iu working the house was in the battery. RESULTS OF ANALYSES. Table No. XVII. — Sorghum cane. Tola! Date. No. HO 1 i (l.S liy Brix at 17.:, Specific gravity. S i Purity. Character of sample Perct Sept :> 16.34 1.6669 9. 17 I'.iou ii down Amber. Sept. •"' 16.43 l.(ili74 !». 82 56. 7:i Standing npi i^lit. Sept. ti 15; 84 1.0648 Lilt on carrier lor live data. Sept. 'i 17. 62 1.U7L-7 1>... Sept. f) 22. 14 1.0882 12.44 56. si Do. Sept. 7 i:, 20 1.0621 9.61 a mi. i iiom Holmes's farm. Sept * it;. ;.i L0675 ■ 37 12 ].< it on carrier for se> en da.\ ». Sept 8 18.21 13.47 Mi .limn si/.. incites Ion r. Sept. 11 11 17.22 1.0700 3. 73 21 60 i ;im- limn <;ii in r. Sopt. 12 19 I . ■ 353 ll 20 Cut for 1 no d.i\ -,. Sept 12 28 17. '.rj 1.0730 One sp 'it. Sept, ]• I7.'.»:$ 71.81 A inli. i . Sep'. 13 17. |U 1.0704 ll.:i7 < 'Inn Sept. 13 11.63 Wlnt. All i<- in s.pt. I ; 17. (.7 1.0720 11.86 • fan'' Irom ('..ii.lis. Sept 13 :;i St uiiiin- from M i Al Kept 13 ::.' 17. 17 1.0717 1 alien m>m Mi \Ci. is. Sept 13 Ainiiii from > -i i hi . S.pt. 13 ii. r. i Sept 13 i 1.0613 10 :l Do. Sept. 13 41 is 67 i. n~;<> 1 MO til 20 Amli.i S.pt. 13 1 10 70 1 0 Sept i.: " ' IHCiii— Hull. 20- 98 Table No. XVII. — Sorghum cane — Continued, Total Date. f - s o 1 i (1 s >0- b\ Brix at 1 Specific gravity. Su- crose. Purity. Sept. 14 49 15.27 1.0621 9.00 59. 55 Sept, 14 50 1.0327 3. 75 44.2:; Sept. 14 51 15.77 1.0643 10.20 64.64 Sept. 14 52 it;. 33 1.0609 | 11.99 79. 54 Sept. 14 51 16.00 1.0656 10. 29 64.31 Sept. 15 63 17. 03 1.0730 12.41 09. 21 Scpr. 17 77 17.54 1.07*2 11.48 Sept. 17 81 11.57 1.0464 5.13 42. 61 Kept. 17 hj 15.07 1.0652 9.81 61.42 - t. 17 - 15.74 1.0643 10.88 69. 12 Sept. 17 84 14.14 1.0574 8.59 Oti. 74 Sept. 17 - 18. 32 1.0757 12.28 67.03 Sept. 17 86 17.87 1.0735 12.03 67. 32 Sept. 17 87 10.27 i o :<;:> 0. 55 58. 69 Sept. 17 88 19.03 1.07,-8 12.87 67. 53 S, pt. 17 9 J 16.72 10.10 60.41 S pt. 17 9! 18.21 1.0753 9.65 52. 00 Sept. 18 05 15.70 1 0643 9. 48 60.04 Sept. 18 9G 12.40 1.0502 7. 15 57. 66 Sept. 18 105 i5.:;8 1.0626 8.97 Sept. 1!) 106 14.22 1.0578 8.48 59. 63 Sept. 10 107 16.10 1.0660 9.68 59. 79 Sept. 19 108 13. 60 1 . 0553 8.06 50.20 5( .t. 19 100 18.92 1.0783 12. 67 CO. 96 Sept, 10 110 10.77 1.0430 5. 40 50.14 Sept. 19 112 21.17 1.0009 15.08 71.23 pt. 19 113 1.0824 14.14 7 1 . : o Sept. 10 114 I6.S18 1.0U95 11.52 67. 84 Sept. '.'1 117 9.77 1.0388 4.71 47. 18 Sept. '-'1 10.57 1.0422 5. 30 50. 14 127 13. 83 1.0561 9.08 S. pt 23 141 17.72 1.0730 11.33 63. 93 Sept. 26 177 17.90 1.0739 12. 46 69.55 Sept, 26 178 17.75 1 0732 12. 18 - 187 15 06 1.0813 8.01 57. 17 Sept. 26 189 15.77 l.o(i43 8. 76 55. 55 s- pt. 26 19J 17.23 1.6701 11.51 06. 80 Sept. 28 10.92 1.0439 I 75 43.40 Sept. 28 204 20 24 1.0841 15 Oil 77. 07 Sept. L9 200 19.30 1.6801 14. 65 76. 00 Sept. 29 '2( i7 18. 40 1.0701 11.72 63. 32 Oct. 1 212 10.14 1.0866 13.36 75.02 Oct. 1 213 19. 19 1 0828 14.37 71.88 Oct, 2 •111 18. HI 1.0718 13.58 75. 02 Oct. 2 18 25 1.0753 6.30 34. 85 Oct. :; 245 1.6744 12.61 Oct, 8 246 13. 20 I 6. 53 40. 30 Oct. 4 2r>7 1.0634 9. 4> 01.0, Oet. 4 L4.70 1.6600 6.21 4 2 00 Oct. 5 17.73 1.07 o 1 Ki- 64. 74 Oct. 5 t ). 1 . 5 273 '-•71 17 06 ll. 08 15 03 70. 22 74.04 Oct. 5 '_'7."> 18.00 Oct. 5 278 lo.oo l 98 Oct, 5 •J77 in 60 |0 88 1 - - Oct, 0 71.50 Oft. h 13.35 - Oct. H o 301 16.67 15.20 12. OS 11.00 9.00 66. 10 .......... • 1 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Oct 18 848 1(71 12. 10 19.23 5 51 11.21 12 42 ....... Oct. 18 376 i- | Oct. 10 891 15. Hi 392 12.75 (), t. 20 898 14.27 Dot, 20 17.77 12,78 71 75 Oct. 20 4011 12. 18 Oct. -'" 101 • (i,i 2« 13.78 8. 02 bl.82 (I. 1 >.i 14.56 62 lo 1 | ■ 401 . , , • 11 -:. 400 Mean 1 10.0'< Character of sample Mixed I Orange. Do. Do. Amber from carrier. Chin Orauge. Mixed A tuber. Do. Do. Do. Do. Da Do. Do. Orat i _ A in tier. Jersey Ot i Sprout- from above. Kansas (nance. Mixed Amber. Late Orauge. Amber. Chiut > Orauge. Do. Do. Mixed amber. Spoi t cane. Mixed cane. Do. C»ne red al bcart. Orange. Amber. Orange. Small Orange, planted close. Mixed cano. Cane from carrier. Amber. ( Sbincse. Aiiili. r. Orauge. U • Do. Amber. lo. . Do, Do. Small cine. White African. Orauuo. Do. Do Do. Do. l>o. Do. Amber Unitize. White A Itiiao. A tidier. Orange. White A li it an. Orange. i.i-t frost Oiange. D«i Do. Do. i' Do Do 99 Table XVIII. — Fresh chips. Total Date. Xo. solids by Brix at" 17.5°. Sucrose. Purity. Glucose. Albumi- noids. Per cent. Per cent. itt. Sept. 14 56 16. 50 9.51 57. C4 3. 25 Sept. 14 60 1S.71 it. 75 52. 1 0 4.59 Sept. 15 G4 10. 25 8. K5 54.86 3. so Sept. 15 Sept. 16 (Jit 7:1 IS. 00 17.77 9. 20 10.67 51. 11 00. 04 :;. 70 3.03 Sept. 16 78 18. 8G 12.33 65 37 2. 93 Sept. 17 Sept. 17 Sept. 17 Sept. 21 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Sept. 23 90 97 101 no 123 130 134 10. ".1 21.34 19.25 i:;. 32 15.75 15. 20 15.17 9.73 15.02 12.90 5.40 9.10 9.GI 7. s0 70. 38 G7.01 40.54 57. 78 03. 22 51. si 3. 24 2. :;7 2. 10 2. 72 2.81 3. 21 Sept. 23 Sept. 23 138 143 17.13 17.11 11. 12 10.88 61.91 0; .v.i 1.46 2.81 Sept. 23 HO 17.79 10. 5G 59. 30 2. 58 Sept. '-'4 Sept. 24 s pt. 24 Sept. 25 S.'i.t. 25 150 154 :5S 1(15 169 1G.GI 1G. 10 10.82 1 '.. 2:; 17. 03 10.45 9.10 10. 55 7. 85 10.46 02. 91 50. 52 G2. 72 51.54 G1.41 2.58 3. 07 2. 00 3. 93 2. !»5 . ... Sept. 25 Sept. 2(1 Sept. 2(5 17.; 17!) is:; 17.49 17.10 11.25 10. G9 9. 75 07. 12 61.12 2.2; 2.91 3.12 ::::::: Sept. 27 Sept, 27 Sept. 27 Oct. 1 191 195 199 208 15.37 19.25 17.21 18.22 7.72 11. 9 9. 72 11 21 50 26 GO 21 56. 48 01.90 3.47 3. 85 3.48 2 37 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. -J 214 217 220 1G.G0 is. is 10.51; 8.87 11.74 8. 50 53.43 64. 57 51. (is ;; 55 3.80 . 5 1875 Oct 2 Oct. 2 1G. 10 14.43 10.47 8. 50 05. 03 59. 37 2. 14 Oct. 3 14.72 9. 37 0 ;. to 2.45 Oct. ;i 15. G9 9.51 00.01 Oct. 3 Oct. :; Oct. 4 242 247 252 16.45 16.60 17. 78 9. 03 9.19 1 0. 03 55. 30 50.51 3.15 ■;. -22 3. 23 '.'..'.'."." Oet. 1 Oct. 4 259 263 1-. 13 17 32 11.20 60.77 57.01 2.71 2.9-. '. . . . ... Oct. 5 Oet. G 2(57 17.48 16.07 S. 99 9.19 51.43 57.0IJ 4. -.'(I 3.03 Oct. o Oct. 7 296 16.81 1 7. 53 17.01 9. 12 11.81 10.88 51.25 07. ;;7 64.55 3. 13 2.21 Oct. 8 9. 70 Oct it Oet. 9 314 15.41 19 11 8. 29 It. 30 3. 35 ""i.'o: Oct lo 31 S 10. 79 :; ... On. In On. i! 327 332 16. 81 17. .0 9. 32 55. 74 ::. Hi Oct. 11 337 12.35 66. 17 o.t. 12 :;n 18 11 10.95 0 t. 46 2. 95 Oet. 1J 330 17.7.1 10. - 01.47 Oet. 15 355 15.31 50.00 2. 95 18.70 11.01 til. 71 Oct. 1:'. 363 Oct. 17 3(57 17.96 59. 1 7 ()t. 17 Oet. Ifl 872 377 Lfl 06 10. 1- 10 ):; juice. Diffusion of juico. N p. 1 N Per No Specific 10 ccllt No. Specific 10 cent. gravity. c. c. ot of gravity. c. cof of NailO. acid. NaHO. acid. Oct. 10 318 .17 319 l.o: 84 4 7 .12 Oct. 10 . ... 1.0078 9.3 . 23 - 5.7 .14 Oct. 11 332 1.0709 0 9 . 17 333 1.0401 .09 Oct. 11 337 1.0757 7.8 . 17 338 1.0327 3.7 . 0:1 Oct. 12 1.0757 8 '_> . 29 345 (*) 1 ) Oct 12 350 l.o„«.u 7 0 . 1!) 351 L. 02941 Oct. 13 3..". 1.0013 9.3 . 23 350 ■ 3.3 .08 Oct. 15 359 1.0700 7.7 . 19 300 Lot,:. 4.5 . 11 Oct 15 l.er,l7 7.3 . 18 1.035: 4.6 . 12 • id 17 1.0717 8.2 . 20 1.0260 . 14 Oct. 17 8. 1 .20 3,73 . 12 Oct. 1 377 1.0704 . 15 1.0347 2. 9 Oct 19 . Ill -- 1.0294 2.7 Oct 20 3.1 1 0322 2, s Oct. 20 4.0 .11 1.0322 •> -, . 00 <>, t. 21 111 .Oil 1 1 5 1.0322 . 00 on. 23 124 1 o7 0 5 o .12 123 .00 Oct 23 128 1 5. 8 . 11 1 Oct 2 Mc.m 129 1.0200 *_± 0.0 .o7 .17 3. 0 .09 104 T a b LF XXVII. — l'i( i h ch ip ju ice. [Comparison of spindle with total solids found by drying.] Total Total sol- Purity calculated fiom— Date. Xo. Sucrose Glucose. solid* by 111': 15. J ids found 1 d;i- by drying. Spindle. Total solids. urj big. • /'< reent /'. cent. Sept. 29 a - 11.72 J. R5 18.4!) 17.38 (53. 32 67. 45 Sept 23 •JUT 11. TJ IK 4!) 17.36 63. 32 07 51 Asbest - Ort. 2 .. 217 11.74 •J. 33 18. 18 16.60 <;4. 57 TO. TJ Oct. 2... I'lT 11.71 •J. 33 18 18 10 68 it 57 To. 38 Do. Oct. 8... 304 9.TG 2. 8:» 16. P8 15. 41) 63.01 Oct.fi B04 9. 7ii 16. 8-i 15.52 57.88 Do. Oct. 11.. 332 i). 3*2 ::.45 17. ci) 15.24 61.15 Oct 15.. 3:9 11.64 2. 65 18.70 IT. 05 61.71 G8 27 Oct 19.. 38T 9. 57 3.4:5 17.87 15.9S 54. IC 414 7.37 2. e 1 13. 5G 11. ill 61.88 J\Ii an .. 10.43 2. 84 17. 41' 15.92 .'9. 03 63. 31 Tablk XXVIII. — Diffusion juice. Oct 1 .. 209 5. 86 1.53 9 00 8.14 05. 1 1 Ti.no Oct I... 209 5. 80 1.53 9 00 8. 13 65. 1 1 72 0- a ttbestoa. Oct 3... 23G 4.28 1.38 0. 62 55. 8T G4. 05 Oct 3... 236 4.28 1.38 7. 6G G 03 61.5-1 Do. Oct 10.. 319 5. 87 1.44 9. 95 9. 01 05. 1 5 Oct 12 . 345 4.45 1.18 0. 7 4 54.8:; 66 Oj Oct. IT. 37:; . 5.31 1.59 9.34 T. 09 BH. 40 Oct 'J!.. 4 J.') 5. 4:; 1. 75 !). 22 8. 30 58. '.II 65. 42 Oct 24.. Mean . . 433 <.80 1.72 8.31 T. 34 5. 13 1.50 8. 01 T. GO 58. 89 GO. 80 WORK DONE AT THE STERLING EXPERIMENT STATION. REPORT OF A. A. DENTON AND C. A. CRAMPTON. The experimental work which has been done at the Sterling Sugar Experiment Station was wholly in the line of improving the sorghum plant with a view to increase the yield of sugar from sorghum cane's, to obviate certain physical or outward faults of the plant, and to obtain varieties which are less variable in their yield of sugar. It is probable that tin* extraction of juice from sorghum canes has nearly or quite reached its practical limit, and that diffusion apparatus needs only to be improved in details of construction which is more prop- erly the work of machinists. It is probable that the evaporating apparatus used in sugar manu- facture, the triple effect, the vacuum pan, etc., will not soon be very greatly improved, for they are the result of many years of experiment by scientists, aided by the most skilled engineers. There remains, however, a very important and promising field for ex- perimental work in the line of sugar manufacture, and that is the im- provement of the sorghum plant upon which the sorghnm -sugar industry depends for ultimate success. The importance and necessity of such work has been recognized by everyone who has been engaged in the development of the industry, but very little lias been actually done in that direction ; the greatest atten- tion has been devoted to the methods of extraction and manufacture, while the quality of the raw material has been neglected. If improved varieties of sorghum were developed, as improved va- rieties of the sugarcane or of the sugar-beet have been developed, a successful future for the sorghum-sugar industry in competition with the sugar-cane and the sugar heel industries could be confidently a8- Burcd. In illustration of this disability which hinders the sorghum-sugar in- dustry, it is proper to recall the fact that the new beet sugar factories erected this year in California imported beet sv^\ from Europe at heavj cost, because there the sugar-beet has been bred up and improved by many years of persistent effort by experts in that line, so that this Eu- ropean improved beet ^'v<\ produces at once in California beets which contain from 11 to 20 per cent, of sugar. New sorghum-sugar factories have been built this season in Ka!18as, but they can nowhere procure 106 similar improved sorghum seed, for the sorghum plant has yet to be de- veloped and improved. As an instance of the necessity for the exer- cise of care in the selection of seed, the experience of two of the new factories this season may be cited. One of us visited the factories at Douglass and Conway Springs at the beginning of the season, about September 7. At the latter place there was great complaint of the qual- ity of the early cane ; seed had been obtained, supposed to be pure Early Amber, but seed of later varieties, such as Orange, had been allowed to become mixed with it in considerable quantities, and the result was a field of cane of which the greater part was fully ripe and ready for working, while a portion was still green, with the seed not yet out of the dough. It required entirely too much labor to separate it in the field, and when the cane was cut and brought to the factory the green cajie lowered the average of the whole to such an extent that it was hardly lit to work for sugar. At Douglass about 100 acres had been planted for early cane, with seed supposed to be Early Amber. As the factory was greatly delayed in starting up, fears had been entertained that this cane was overripe and deteriorating. Examination showed this "early cane" to be not Early Amber at all, but the old-fashioned Chinese, a variety which, with us at least, did not attain its maximum of sugar content until quite late in the season. Had the factory got- ten into operation by the middle of August, as they expected, they would have found their "early cane" entirely too green to make sugar. THE ORIGIN OF THE EXPERIMENTAL WORK AT THE STERLING SUGAR EXPE B I M BNT STATION. In the spring of 1888 the Sterling Sirup Works planted all the varie- ties of sorghum which, with the time and means at their command, they could procure in this or in foreign countries, in an experimental field, under as similar conditions as possible, in order to enable them to com- pare the qualities of the canes of the numerous varieties, with a view to -electing the best varieties for fc tare cultivation. They had in mind a similar experimental plantation in Jamaica, where sixty to seventy varieties of the sugar-cane have tor many years been grown in order to select the Varieties which were best sniteil to the West Indies,* the re- SUlt Of which is shown by the fact that an improved variety ol'sngar cane, which is sometimes called "Jamaican," because it was grown at and in- troduced by the Jamaica experimental station, is now giving an ex- traordinary yield ol'sngar in many places. They were induced to undertake this experimental work by the ne- c< —dies of their business. In the past seven years they have produced, each year, from 500 to 700 acres of cane, and have manufactured the * Analyses of samples of these differenl varieties from a collection exhibited at the Orleans Exposition in 1885 were made by C. A. Crampton, at the Sugar LaVo- ratorj of the Department of Agriculture, in itsexhibit. The results of these analyses were published i».\ Prof. Morris in the Jamaica Official <•<(•< lie 107 crop. Each year they have planted the common varieties, and also varieties new to them which they could readily procure. The selection of better varieties and the improvement of the quality of the canes is a matter of importance to them, as it is to all others who are concerned En the sorghum industry. It appeared to the Sterling Sirup Works that the first step to be taken in improving the sorghum plant was to collect as many varieties as possible, from all localities where sorghum is grown, to acclimate them, and to practically test the numerous varieties in all the points which constitute a good variety of sorghum. It is now to be regretted that a much more extended search was not made, in this and in foreign countries, for other rare and unknown varieties, but they then regarded this year's work as only the beginning of a private research which would continue for some years. The object of the experimental work was to improve the sorghum plant. (1) Improved varieties of sorghum should be developed, producing banes of uniform saccharine quality, to lessen the unusual variableness which now characterizes the sorghum plant. (2) The physical or outward ciiaracterof the canes should be improved to obviate faults and also to increase the yield of cane in tons per acre. (3) The percentage of cane sugar in the juices of the cane should be increased. (4) The percentage of substances in the juice which lessen the yield of sugar should be diminished. THE NECESSITY FOR IMPROVING THE SORGHUM PLANT. The sorghum plant is adapted to large areas of the country which are not adapted to the production of sugar from the sugar cane or from the lugarbeet, It is especially adapted to the dry clim ate of the great West. Its cultivation is suited to the habits of the farming population. When the sorghum plant lias been successfully developed and improved as other sugar-producing plants have been improved, the sorghum-sugar industry will prosper and will employ capital and labor in producing the sugar which we now import. Tin: FAULTS OF THE SORGHUM PLANT. The sorghum plant is sometimes a good sugar-producing plant, some- times it is merely a sirup-producing plant. This variability in the chemical composition of its juices is what might be expected from a plant which has not yet been bred up to fixed types of excellence by long-continued selections of seed from the finest plants of tin' best varieties. In this connection it is interesting to note that in 17 17 the chemist MarggralV was able to extract 5 per cent, of sugar from the beet: fifty 108 years afterwards the chemist Achard was able to extract but 1 per cent, of sugar, and the eminent chemist Sir Humphrey Davy published positive assertions that beet sugar could not be made profitably, an I that it was not fit for use. Sixty-five years after Marggraff had ex- tracted 5 per cent, of sugar from the beet the beet-sugar factories realized only 2 per cent, of sugar from it. These facts seem to indicate that t lie sugar beet was variable until the plant had been developed. Besides the variability of the sorghum plant there are other faults which pertain in greater or less degree to the different varieties. Some varieties are long and slender reeds with heavy seed tops and the canes are liable to lodge and tangle in storms. This fault greatly increases tin1 difficulty of harvesting the canes, and the "down" or lodged canes arc also inferior in saccharine value.* Some varieties " tiller;" that is, one root produces several canes, just as one grain of wheat produces several stalks. It is injurious because the secondary canes ripen at different periods, and in harvesting large fields of cane it is impossible to avoid mixing overripe, ripe, and unripe canes. Some varieties have a habit of producing false or secondary seed-heads. As soon as the cane approaches maturity, and often before that period, it forms two or more new seed-heads, which rapidly de- velop. This delays the ripening of the cane and lessens the yield of sugar. Some varieties, as soon as fully mature, produce offshoots from each joint of the canes and also offshoots from the roots, and the sugar in such rapidly disappears. Some varieties rapidly deteriorate in the quality of the juice as soon as they are ripe, and allow little time to manufacture the canes. Some varieties mature very small seeds, and these produce plants which are weak and slow-growing in the first weeks of their existence and are kept clear from the more vigorous weeds with greater difficulty than the stronger plants, which are pro- duced by larger seeds. Some varieties have \ cry impure juice and some have strongly acid juice. Some varieties give light yield of cane, light yield of juice, and light yield of seed. Some varieties obstinately retain the glume or envelope of the seed grains, so that it can not well be separated by ordinary means. Analyses seem to show that the clean grain of sorghum seed is practically equal in value to corn as food for stock, but the adhering glume or envelope contains tannin, which is injurious; and some varieties contain much of this substance and some but little. Some varieties mature so late that tliey give but little time to manufacture the canes before fr08t« * Tins detei ioratiou of lodged cane has been often noted before, but '.he following aualysis, made al this station, may Berve to emphasize it: SolWlf /•./■. .. ' mple si muling rune "'■ ''■' Same oi ilown oaue \ selection of seed from the best mots, produced three varieties which contained from 11 to hi per cent, of sugar. Yilniorin, the celebrated horticulturist of France, created the "Improved Vii« Biorin," improved in form and in \ ield of SUgar, There are no apparent 110 reasons why the sorghum plant may not be- improved b\ diligent use of similar methods. THE METHODS OF IMPROVING THE PLANT. The principal methods of improving the plant may be stated as fol- lows : (1) By growing and testing all known varieties and selecting the most promising. (•J) By hybridizing or crossing these varieties. ('A) By preserving "'sports'' or variations. (4) By selecting seed from the finest individual canes of each variety. (o) By improved methods of cultivation. All of these methods have been practiced to a greater or less extent in the work at this station, and the results will be set forth in the order given above. It must be remembered, however, that the results ac- complished in this direction by one season's work can be at best but a mere beginning. To attain the end desired in the improvement of the plant the continuation of such work over a series of years is indispen- sable. If this season's work and the methods pursued will serve to point out the necessity and importance of this line of investigation, and, in general, the manner in which it may be best carried out, a great deal will have been accomplished. It is hardly necessary to call atten- tion" to tin; desirability of following up the system of development thus opened up; and it is to be hoped that opportunity may be afforded the Department in the future to carry on this work, which promises to be of the greatest value to the sorghum industry. 1. Experiments in Growing Different Varieties of Cane. It is probable that all varieties of sorghum are not equally well adapted to all localities where sorghum is grown. Some varieties have peculiarities which cause them to succeed best in certain places. The Early Amber, for instance, probably succeeds better and has more valuable qualities in Iowa than in Texas. There is an analogy in this with other plants. A Rhenish variety ot the grape succeeds best in dry soil. A Swiss variety succeeds best in wet climates. Spanish varieties of wheat do not succeed in Germany. English wheat does not thrive in India. To select the best varieties Of SOrghum for a given locality it is nec- essary to grow all known varieties there and to select those which pros- per best under its condil ions. It is not now easy to collect sv<'(\ of numerous varieties of sorghum. The common varieties only are for sale by seed dealers; other varieties can only be found among distant cane-growers in t his and in foreign countries. In collecting many varieties, duplicates of some varieties are obtained, because a single variety often "lias many names. This 18 nat- ural in foreign countries, where different languages are used; but in our own country the same variety often has many names, which are Ill usually derived from some peculiarity of tbe plant. This is also true of other plants. It is said that all the varieties of tbe sugar-beet may be classed in four groups; there seem to be twenty-three principal varie- ties, whieh have several hundred names. The varieties of sorghum oiten ean not be distinguished by the ap- pearance of the seed alone, or even by the seed-heads alone. They ean best be classed by observing the growing canes. Varieties which have long been grown under very different conditions often vary enough from the usual type to be classed as subvarieties. The Chinese cine from Australia differs in some respects from the Chinese from Central America, and that differs in some respects from the Chinese of this country. These facts add to the difficulty of classifying the numerous varieties of sorghum. Sorghum is also grown in opposite hemispheres, and the proper season to collect varieties in one country is not the proper sea- son in another country. ACCLIMATIZATION OF VARIETIES. In growing and comparing varieties of sorghum which have been obtained from different localities it is necessary to consider acclimati- zation. Plants, as well as men and animals, require time to adjust them- selves to new conditions. Linnaeus said seed from tobacco grown in Sweden ripened a month earlier than that from foreign seed. Seed corn taken from Virginia to New England ripens with difficulty the first season. Seed corn taken from New England to latitude 45° ripens with difficulty the first season. In botli cases they mature perfectly in their new homes after a few seasons- European plants produced in India, from seeds grown in India a few seasons, succeed better than from directly imported seeds. These facts indicate that it is necessary to acclimate1 varieties of sor- ghum procured from localities which have different conditions of soil and climate before correct comparisons of their qualities can be made In the experimental work at this station it was especially noticeable that varieties of SOrghUW received from localities Laving long and warm growing seasons produced larger canes, which matured later than the same varieties from Northern localities. It was also noticeable that varieties received from localities which have little rainfall succeeded better this season than the same varieties received from localities hav- ing excessive rain-tall. It is obvious that a plant may be removed man\ thousand miles with slight change of environment and that it maybe easily acclimated. It is also obvious that a plant may be removed a comparatively short distance with considerable change of conditions ami may be acclimated with difficulty. It seems to require three years t»> acclimate vai of sorghum which have been grown under very different conditions. These tacts require consirioratiou when making selections from unmer mis varieties grown t 1m !irst time in tins country. 112 VARIETIES GROWN AT THE STERLING EXPERIMENT STATION. There were about 250 different plots of sorghum grown at this station $ of these 150 were crosses, selected by Mr. Denton ; the remaining 100 plots were planted with varieties presumably distinct, though more than one plot was planted of a few standard varieties from seed obtained from different localities. Of those supposed to be distinct varieties, how- ever, though sent in under different names, many were found to be dupli- cates, showing minor variation perhaps, but not sufficient to entitle them to classification as distinct varieties. For instance, seeds of the well-known variety Kcrt Libenan were received bearing the names u African," " Sumac," " Clubhead," ul\io Bianco," etc.; samples of Honduras seed were named " Honey cane," "Broom cane," "Silver top;" samples of Chinese cane seed were re- ceived as "New sugarcane," and "Sorghum saccharatum." It will be seen in the following analyses that seeds of the same varieties received from different localities produced canes of quite different qualities. Thirty-six of the varieties proved to be non- saccharine, useful for forage purposes, but not containing enough saccharine matter to be of value as sugar- producing plants.* In addition to most of the varieties grown in the United States the list includes many obtained from Asia, Africa, and South America. The seeds of many foreign varieties were injured by dampness and by insects; of some of these not a single seed germinated. The experimental lots varied in size, some containing a tew acres of each variety and some containing 150 hills of cane, and of some varie- ties but a few canes were grown. In the experimental grounds of the Jamaica Botanical Gardens, where sixty to seventy varieties of sugar- cane are grown, each variety occupies from one half to one-third of an acre. This seems to be the proper size for experimental lots, as it allows selections of seed to be made from the best canes of each variety. Moreover, foreign seeds often germinate poorly, and when small plots are planted there is often not a single cane of sonic varieties produced, as was the case here. COMPARISON OF THE VARIETIES B3 ANALYSIS. It is not an easy matter, as mighl seem to be the ease at first Bight, to make a comparison of different varieties by the analysis of juices from selected samples. In the first place, to make a fair comparison between varieties they should be taken at their maximum of maturity, and this is a point which can not be determined by any outward sign, but only by actual analysis. Then the difficulties of sampling can only be properly appreciated by one who i^ familiar with them. Add to these t In- d 1 t'li en 1 ties of comparison, t he obstacles in the way of always getting uniform conditions in the growth of tiie plots themselves, attacks of "Of the 1 1- >n saccharine varieties, 20 were derived from Cbiua, B fronvAfi 10a, '■'> from [ndia, and r> from 1 Ins count ry ; 1 be seed from all t lies.' were carefully preserved, and will be distributed bj the Department Mm v will doubtless i»r<>\ »■ new and valuabjq acquis! ions a i lorn go plants. 113 Hiincli bugs in one plot and not in another, a sandy spot in one and not in another, imperfect germination of seed in one plot causing a thin stand, while in other plots the canes stand close together, and it will be seen that the task of differentiating between varieties by growing them in plots and submitting the canes produced to analysis is by no means an easy one. It is a very complex problem. One season's work should never be held conclusive ; a variety may have been placed at a disadvantage from some one of numerous possible causes. In the work here the varieties were analyzed as often as possible, to avoid the error of haviug analyses of either unripe or overripe canes to compare with the analyses of other varieties at their maximum; the high- est analysis in the series may be taken as the basis of comparison. The error of sampling was avoided as much as possible by taking good sized samples, and by having them all taken by one and the same person.* The errors arising from differences of growth were augmented, unfortu- nately, by irregularities in the time of planting; some lots of seed being- received very late in the spring. The time of planting is noted with each plot. EARLY VARIETIES. Several of these gave very satisfactory results, so far as early ripening was concerned. The late date at which the laboratory was established at the station did not admit of many analyses before they had passed their maximum of maturity. In the case of the Early Tennessee and Whiting's Early Variety this point had probably been passed before any analysis was made. Plot. I>;it.-. No. of analysis. DcL'V. i liiix. Sucrose. Co-efficient of purity. Rema 1 \ All-:. 24 Sept 1 S, p|. In 3 18.03 16.09 15. 99 /'. >■ t nt. 12.88 1 1 . -J4 10.53 ] . 92 'J. 04 1.54 71.44 1 Swain tide n planted Ma\ -. produced [ from seed w bioh was i> a Old ; tin- r ;i n c B I wore good ; unmixed. K.u Is Tennessee, planted M;i\ 8, matures .n Irani . ^ 134 10 J s, Aim. 24 Au-. 31 r. 50 15.51 13. OH 0. i l 1.90 - 19.24 ten days earlier than A in'" uies are sin. ill imi n i^ worth} of further trial on .«• Li of It-- 'Ml 1 1 Whiting's early var el > planted Maj 19. Thin ii< i\ mi N. « Sfork from i A'M tin- on] ripeui - ' ai 1 n J ill. iii Rarlj Amb >hnv ■ I Early A ra l> o i « In' i tbal i bta mrh ' n «•»■' tut ined i>\ 234 48 l. 18 • th.in Another plol • - Mr. Denton did all tbo sampling himself. 1 1056— Bull. LM) s 114 EARLY AMBEB. This is the most widely known of all the varieties of sorghum. It was included in almost every collection of seeds obtained in this or in foreign couutries. It was obtained from Australia, from Algeria, and from South Africa, which shows its wide distribution. It is an excellent variety for sirup and for sirup-making if the canes are cat when in their Lest condition. The juice is then comparatively pure and has a pleasant taste. It deteriorates rapidly in this climate soon after it matures. This is a serious fault iu sugar manufacture where very large fields of this variety are grown. It also yields less weight of cane and less seed than many other varieties. It will, however, re- tain a place in the list of varieties planted for sugar manufacture. It probably succeeds better in Minnesota and Iowa than in Louisiana and Texas. There are several sub varieties of Early Amber ; the Black Amber, the White Amber, the (iolden Sirup, the Cape May Hybrid, etc. The early varieties given above might be considered subvarieties of the Early Amber, as they were undoubtedly derived from it. In the experimental field Early Amber was planted at intervals from May 5 to duly 5, and one lot ripened alter another, prolonging the time for analyzing the canes. Seeds of Early Am her received from wideh dif- ferent localities were planted to compare the qualities and to observe differences. Amber was also often planted near lots of unknown varie- ties to assist in determining their time of maturity. It isevident that many circumstances affect and vary the time of maturing of a new variety. By comparing it with a well-known variety such as tin* Amber, planted under the same conditions, its time of maturing in any season can be accurately determined. The first analysis was made August 24, at which time the earliest plantings were spoiled and some of the later were deteriorating. I'lot. 90 02 D r Sept 7 Aug, 24 Sept. l Sept. in An-. 81 Bept. * ••■ I Sept it I B< Au-. 'J5 No. of analysis. 120 04 128 Brix. Sin P08( 18.03 ll -ii 13.8] 14.40 i". ;•, /'. /• cent /'. ;<•' at 3. li 12.90 12. i '.Mil P. :,-j K 11 ;.;. ik I • 1 1.78 1.7:' J.u? Coeffio«nt tl| purity. Remarks. 50 47 BlaoV Amber, planted Hay s, produced lino <■ in, s, u inch ripened a week earlier i bau Barly A Ml I M I . It w M <»\ 61 i M"' when samples irere taken tor iiii.ih sis. White Amber, planted Ma\ 8, produoed Una oanes, pure and an* mixed, with bui slight «i i Hi renoea fit>m Barly a mber. i:.nh Amber, planted May 22 j seed received front Bydney, Australia. Early Amber, from wed u bioh li. hI been growl i,\ the Sterling Sirup Workfl :il tlliri plnci' foi ... prod us; plumed asaj Inc. (I large < wioal 115 rio . Dat e. No. of analysis. Degree Brix. Sucrose. Glucose. Coefficient of purity. Remarks ! Per cat. . ( Early Amber,p1antod May i Aug 30 41 15.17 9. 39 2. 83 01.00 1 21, rt caivetl fioiu < ape 231 Sept 8 129 12. r0 2. s2 50. 83 i Town, South Africa, Sept. 20 340 12.00 0.11 2.09 50. 02 labeled " BjjlCUS S;ic- [ clniratus. 23... Aug. 24 4 18.10 13.70 1. 12 75. C9 Early Amber, from New York, planted M iy >-, produced large ana handsome canes. 'Jin .. Aug. 31 40 15.38 10.80 2. 10 70. 22 Folger's Early variety, planted May 21. It orig- inated in continuous se- lections, made in Iowa, from Early Amher; pro- duced good canes. r Sept. 8 125 16.02 10.91 1.51 68. in I Sept, 17 224 16. 16 1L43 1.(9 70. 73 Sept. 20 34! 16.10 11.48 1.G7 70. .-(I . 249. . Oct. Oct. 4 9 460 539 10.78 15.62 11.04 10.25 1.40 2. 28 71. 10 65. 02 ^Another ploi of the same. Oct. 15 590 14.68 0.9i 1.51 07. *5 Oct. 19 Ti.iO 15.81 1(1.09 1.31 00. 51 ( Oct. 22 15.41 10. 22 1.82 CO. 32 J The following lots of u Chinese "cane showed interesting differences in habit, owing probably to conditions in which tuev had been pre- vionsly grown : Plot. Date. X... of analysis. Degree Bnx. Sucrose. Glucose, Coefficient ol* purity. Remarks. .; /'. r <■, nt. r Aug. 29 28 13.04 6.02 4.(i7 43.10 1 oj ... ; 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 17 Sept. 26 Ocr. 0 123 214 3.-.5 488 ].\ 27 16.20 15.84 17. 18 8.44 9. 27 0.41 11.42 2. 90 2.71 2. 00 1.84 57*29 1 Chinese, received a* •"the rVi'JiT ' New Sugar-cane," from 66 47 | Central Ajnerica.planted Oct. 8 510 10. Ill) 2. 10 -"•') <• l Oct. 15 50 :; 17. 37 11.79 1.35 f Aug. 30 11 14.10 0.51 3.07 40. 17 1 Sept. 18 233 15 00 7. Mi 2. 45 52.67 Another l<>t of same, planted May 18. 210 \ Sept. 29 400 10.50 9.90 2. 28 Oct. 8 512 16.50 10. 19 2. HO 03. 58 I Oct. 13 592 15.34 8. 07 2.01 58. 47 J f 1 Chinese, received as "Sor- Aug. 30 42 14. Ki 7. 55 1.51 53. 55 qli a hi s nc <• li a r it t a in , 215 .... J Sept 17 210 16.29 9. 70 2. 25 5!). 01 i from New Soutlt Wales, Sept. 29 40.-, 16 06 9. i ; - planted May 19. But few seeds RTOW and c llles Oct. 8 1 -.. 1 1 2.10 were poor. Aug. 30 11 15. 10 7.13 4. 10 47.22 1 Chinese, re< oived .i 8; produces large and CD J i Sept. 19 255 9. 96 l . 66 handsome cam a, it i •>• Sept. 26 16. 16 10. 18 from offshoots; yields Oct. 5 10.53 1. 12 07. 94 .seed \\ ell The -red did OH. 0 5 i 17.07 18.07 not seem to gei minate \% • • 1 1 and the stand was . poor. 11G Plot. Date. f R< pt. 19 J Sept 28 5 B Oct. <:: I Oct Sept. 19 S. pt. 26 5 No. of Brix. Sucrose. Glucose. . 1 f 261 i& ra L0.09 10.05 13. 20 1.61 477 1& 10 12.74 1.47 rSM 10.70 11. Ul 1.59 16. 92 12 04 1.47 353 16.40 11. 14 1.44 474 11 90 1.26 ." 16.95 11.50 1.24 Cot llirit'llt of parity. Remarks. 85 f This lot was planted with - labeled " Bnya- ma." from Louisiana; I planted May B. The canes are very similartn, and probably identical I with, the White India. ( \V hite M a m in oth * plain, d M 13 B. There is apparently do diffi r between theae ! canes and the White In- ( dia or the Enyama. ■otanic.il description of the White Mammoth is (Ann. Rep. 1*. s. Dept of Agricull '* Head* very d. us.-, expanding Inward the flattened top: elnmes shining, black, prominent m d white, large hilum, inconspicuous." Thia applies well to the White India. Enyama, and White Ham- niiiih, aa grown in the above lots hut the secda may have been incorrectly named by those who sent thom. VARIETIES OF ORANGE. A large number of sub varieties of this standard variety exist, but the differences in character are probably less than with other varieties, con- sidering the opportunities that have been offered it for variation ; that is t<» say, the predominant race characteristics hold their own better i hronghont the crosses. Donbtless this is due to the fact that it has been grown a long time ami become well established. Some of the plots of Early Orange showed remarkable uniformity, not a Bingle important variation being found in them. This stable quality will make the variety very aseful in crossing where certain stable qualities are desired. Plot. Date. No. of analysis. Sucrose. Glucose. Coefl of parity. Remarks. rer cent. • ( Sept. a 1 Sept ', 12.55 | Early Oral !i7 13.78 7.51 from Department ol \ z- ; Sept it 1 Sept 21 ■■s: 3.61 )■ 1 Icultnre 1 planted May aid 11 03 'J. 'Ml liixsd .mil 111. gnlai I Sept. 2« 342 17. 1 'J 11.20 2. 7ii ass. 81 s. Pt. 27 371 17.;'),- 1.83 72 '.'J Orange, front Fort Scott, Kana. ; planted M... - ( Sept -' 101 16 OS 1". lit 2.80 1 | Sept in •Jfill 10.02 2.W - pt. 27 i Ocl 870 538 17.50 11.53 '_'. 7 1 62. 32 ( '.iioIiim. pl.inU d Ma\ B. 1 Oct. lit <;:;] 81. 17 ) 87 Sept 19 •J7u LI. 80 -111 A 1 kansaa planted ' I Sept. 12 1 S.pt. Ill 157 250 Pi. 77 11.37 10.53 '_'. 7n 1.08 j i;. . «i\ .d from Louiaiana ' S. pt. '_'". 1 0< 1 1 Oct 15 17.77 17.77 17.00 Pi 09 :!. OS 1 1:; 72 iiT produced Earl} Orange . ansa . planted \i 4'J.. Sept. 10 Sept -J7 ( An J 25 S. pt 11 145 ; >. pt 18 247 1 Sept. 26 1 0.1. :■ 528 c Bept 12 >. pt HI -71 Sept. 27 :;-,:, 15. m 2 11 1.77 11 85 8. 28 16,20 1 71 1- 04 12. 18 L62 16 81 1. 20 1. 16 It. 12 L6.25 6 :. 1 1 7 1 . 07 j Kansas Orange ; planted 8. Strong a d d v ;.\ « anes. ' Bane . planted staj 8. Ol ' _■ planted n|iin d l.\ .Inn. li b • Pl.ii . - planted May 21. s. . experiments in development pag< 123, (This plot was Lform, not a tingle rariation i» Log band Ln u > 11 Plot Dat.-. No. of analysis. Brix. Sucrose. Coeft: of parity. Remarks. .' 1 1 'ranfre. from New f Sept. 12 158 16. 12 9. 91 2. 41 61.66 - v: planted May in ... i S.-pt. 19 874 17.02 3.07 82. ] 6 1 8: produced Uu - » 1 Oct. 9 1 2. 73 2 32 7". 70 : _r canes, which ie- Oct. 15 1G.97 11.43 2. 30 1 ' mained 1'iDi' iu good 1 condition. r Aug 29 29 10.48 3. 1 .". 4. 32 1 i Sept. 11 151 lo. 31 - - 01. 3d 17.18 1L06 . " Early Sept. 27 13. 38 - 1 Goosenei k •." planted I i Oct. b 47:; 17.4- 12.48 71.4H May 8. I li <• cam a Oct. 9 537 - 12. 79 1.46 • were spparently idem i Oct. IS 10. 22 65.10 tical wiiii the Late 1 >r- Oct 19 12.63 1.03 71.70 _ Oct L2 11. ir, I o • 24 G83 16.10 9. 72 2. 72 • J f Medini be ■ < i - \ An;. 29 10.48 1.60 " Early Amber and Kan- Sept. 7 122 11.35 1. 07 J : • ( i ivi (I Si pt. 12 15.50 9.91 1.24 from Ulinoid ; ranea mncfa resemble t h e I Amber; planted M;i\ B. r - 47 11.81 . •- " 1 - 1 Sept 8 Sept. 17 127 21« It. 48 : . - .9 1.28 65. 12 planted Ma 22 341 11.84 1.1 4 : ) RED L1BEBIAN. This old variety, known under so many synonyms, made a very _ showing in this season's 1 rial. Jt is very distinctive in its character, gn es *1 yield per acre, and has a good contentof sugar. Its greatest fault is to be found in the small round seeds it produces. These produce plants which are very small and feeble at fust, and when the planting is done with a corn-plauter the seed is apt to be too close in the hill. I S. pt. j7 Oct 4 | Oct 5 I Sept 10 j Sept. 27 I S. pt. 17 -1 Oct 9 I ", ... . • No. of aualv sis 470 471 4-1 _ Brix. - 18.27 - - 19.91 19. 15 15. 70 . parity. Remarks. 12. 15 2.74 12.45 12.07 2. 94 14.26 14.70 L84 1.07 13.90 1.71 1.'. :;i L 11 ILW 11.71 2. :; i 1.94 11. 12 1.42 B M i Ifi from Mirtftoui i ;i> Lil 5uu planU il eld of _ I R v .1 from LYxas uuder t In- ii m i R» .i ; I plauted V Red • i« ived under th« n i in <• >> t 1- pi iuied I / S.iiiu- | Li 1. 1 ■-•! 18 I < roldea Roil i i planted Mi. - 1 be planted in Ibc p! >i ; did aol vermin ii in. iu . I ..t tin- Sun p ibablj 118 Plot. Date. No. of analysis. Degree lirix. Sucrose. Glucose. Coefficient of parity. Remarks. 1 Honey Dew. from Indi- ana; planted Ma^ 8; pro- duced line canes : j ielda /'< <■ <•( /it. /'■ < .•< nt white, clean abed in large !<9 .... [ 1 Aug. 31 Sept, 7 Sept. 11 Gl 118 153 14 52 14.77 1L98 - 8. :;t; 78 1.19 1.69 38. 30 41.65 quantities. Tbia plot did nut liave favorable con- 0 3.8G 43. 04 i 223 Aug. 28 29 13.15 6.10 3. 73 40. .'!!> ISamO; planted Mm 1& Sept. lc 229 16.50 10. 05 2. 28 60.91 $ 1 Link's Hybrid ; planted May 8. '1 his j.lut w ith the New Orange, and several others neai this, were injured by drought and Insects bo that 97 Aug. 31 58 12. CO 5. 70 48. 00 j analysis were not con- tinued on it. A lai ue Belies of analyses were made on another plot of the same variety, \\ hieh are given nnder the e\- i pei inn nts i n develop- 1 I ment page 122. ( Aug. 2:. 10 12.42 4.57 i 7l Price a Hybrid : said to be 101... i Sept 3 R4 16.84 ld.77 2.71 63. 9.") a eioss betw een Amhei [ and Honduras ; planted ] Ma - Sept. <; 111 1G. 10 9 20 2. 96 57. 14 1 The Planh r's Fi unci; re- ceived from Australia ; planted May 18. This vai iety was ti'sti d at the \ Sept. 18 231 17.10 10. SI 1.79 Lioverninenl fauns in 214... Sept. 20 418 20. f0 1.00 Ii7.4« 1 Madias, India, in 1882, Oct. 4 455 18 06 10.96 U ith twoother vai i( ties, ami was eonsiden d the IkmI in Bacchai ine qual- ities. It is a promising \ ariotj . Plol 100. lion. > Drip, from Texas; planted May 8. Larg< Analyses given under development experiments, pagi HONDURAS. This variety is widely known and distributed under its various names of Spraugletop, Broom cane, etc. It produces a larger yield per acre than any other well-known variety <>f Borglium. It lias been known at Sterling to yield as high as 33 lens of field caue per acre. In none < I* the plots planted with it did it ripen sufficiently to show innttirit\. The hope for this variety lies in its improvement by .^elections of early maturing canes. 119 Plat Date. No. of Decree Brix. Sucrose. Glucose. Coefficient Remains. analysis. of purity. Per cent. Per cent. f Honduras Iron) Louisiana, Gl .... £ ( 481 15.75 9.34 3. 35 59. 30 1 very large canes but ' < Oct. 15 595 15.51 9.54 3.24 01.39 ] more affected by drought I tlian No. 63. G3 Hay 8 C Hunduras. from Arizona. 1 No analysis was made. [ Honey cane, from Texas. 65 Iffay 8 j Slight differences from Honduras. i\o analysis ' 1 made. 1 " Silver Top or Broom Cme " from Texas : 06 .... 1 Sept. 10 Oct. 22 254 G54 14.92 15. 15 8. 35 9.84 4.19 2. 72 55. 90 61.95 planted May 8. The | handsomest lot of the Honduras canes ; large weight of cane did not 1 ripen. f Gooseneck from Smith | Carolina; planted Mav 70 .... I Oct. 22 (104 17.20 11.38 2. 59 00. 10 ', 8. Larue canes; the Oct. 24 681 18. 00 11.78 2. 60 05.44 ) most popular rai iety in some parts Of the Sout li ; [ did not ripen well. f An ^. 30 45 14.29 7. 65 3.03 53. 53 ( Wanbansee. This was formerly a popular va- riety in Kansas, but lias [ lost favor : large canes, j strongly rooted ; large seeds ami heavy f the Honduras t s no ; seed bright red. Was |U,| grown ar the station, and the analysis given Oct. 10 645 20.25 13.80 2.84 08.14 j was a Bingle cane in a lot j received from Arkansas. The nigh percentage of sugar in connection v. ith 1 the great size of the cane would seem to lend in- terest to its further iu- [ vestigation. f White African Analysis 229 ... May 19 ! given under cxpeli- ] ments ii development, { page 122. I NX A. MED VARIETIES. In many cases packages of sorghum-seed wore received and planted in the experimental Geld, which showed as they matured that they had been wrongly named. When the plot was seen to be identical be- yond doubt villi some other well-known variety, it would be classed with it, as has been done in several cases above. But this could not be decided definitely in all cases. Varieties were also received for idem i- fication which were unknown to us. Ten varieties were received from Algiers, the names of which could DOt be given by the persoil who sent them. Probably the most iutere8ting collection of sved received by the sta- tion was furnished by Dr. Peter Collier, director of the New York i\ perimeul station. It comprised a large number of varieties, including many from foreign countries, collected through consuls while 1 >r. ( 'oilier whs in the ('. S. Department of Agriculture. Un fortunately the names ami records of these varieties could not be obtained. 120 Some of these unnamed varieties could perhaps be pretty closely identified, but it is thought better to <;ive them at present just the numbers of the experimental plots where they grew until they eau be more certainly identified by another season's planting. Plot Date. No. of analysis. Degree n.ix. Sucrose. Glucose. 1 ient ot purity. Remarks. Percent. Percent. r • ; Sept. 10 Sept. 18 Oct. 15 138 234 610 14.13 1 5. 72 16.26 7.40 10. 58 11.48 2. 76 1.66 1. 29 52. 37 07. 30 70. 00 ] Plant (1 May 8. Canes ir } regulai : badly mixed. From this country. Oct. 19 041 14. 50 8.01 2.04 55. 24 f 11.. .. : Sopt. is Oct. 8 237 513 9. 69 12.29 3.00 o. 55 3.04 37.81 53. 69 Planted May 8. Rema'k' ably large, but short canes, verj heavy set d- beada : not a promising variety. From Sooth Oct. 15 011 10. 56 3. 80 3. 34 35. 98 I Oct. 19 640 10.50 4.05 38. 57 r Sept. 11 Sopt 18 Sept. 26 Oct. G 150 245 17. G7 16.54 10.46 9. 33 3.25 3.75 59.20 50.41 Africa. Planted May 8. Large, handsome ' canes, free from all offshoots until j over-ripo; a promising variety. From this [ country. 14 346 5 10 18.72 16.37 12.68 10.00 2.48 2. 92 07. 20 Gl.09 1 Oct 15 Oct. 1!) 6 6 646 17.50 18. (iO 11.31 13.84 . 77 .55 04. 63 74.41 1 Plants i -May 8. Every ,, .. ; Sept 15 239 17.27 11.30 .77 65. 95 1 cane formed Beveral Sept. 26 347 18.64 12. .-7 . 65 69. 05 ! loads-, light seed -beater; Oct 15 606 17.50 11.31 . 77 04.03 j notable in its low con- I tent of glucose. From Oct. 19 642 17. lo 11.24 .72 65. 73 { India. " ! Sept 1 Oct 19 73 G44 13.49 16.10 7. 57 10.70 1.94 1.31 66. 40 i Planted May 8. Same habit • ■ 15. From South ( Africa. ( Sept. l 72 14. St 8.60 2. 55 ( Planted May 8, Large J Sept. 18 235 14.80 <). 05 2.10 61, L5 stocky cane-, tr. e 1 1 . • tti " | Oct 6 496 14 it.' 10.40 1.74 69.71 ) offdhoots; l.eav\ >, i d I Oct. ID 643 17.0!) 11.54 1. 10 07. 52 I top. From this country. M 1 Sept. 18 Oct, 6 236 15.70 8.57 3,08 54. 59 ( Plan ted May 8. Large and | line canes, free from off- 497 ia42 12.72 69 06 Oct 15 Oct 23 609 673 17. 10 15.69 11.09 s. 53 2. 96 1.38 64.85 51.37 i shoots until overripe; 1 i ii li t seed-bearer. From 1 Africa. 26... J Sept. 18 Oct. 8 238 14.30 0.10 2 21 I Planted May 8. Shor', Mock y canes : h ea v y iops. From South \ ' i lea. 515 16.31 11.48 1.60 70. 39 i Oct 15 607 13 50 8.14 2.12 ( Planted May B. Not ;i 28 Oct. 15 608 10.20 11.38 1.41 ■ promising v a r i e t y . r From Africa r Aug. 29 24 5. 77 47. 70 I Sept. 1 Sept io 66 137 14.44 7. 30 7.01 2. 80 2. 80 52.' 91 | Planted Mav 8. Good 1 canes, free from off shoots until over-ripe, 1 torn ibis country. ss ■; Sept 18 241 16.07 10. B7 2 08 01.05 i Sept 26 Oct. 9 851 521 10. 07 10.88 11.85 LI. 59 1.41 12! I Oct 9 522 17.08 11.48 1.81 67.21 | Planted May 8. The - I Sept l 7."> 10.14 :;. 78 1 22 37. 08 largest cams in the ex- Oct 8 494 15.82 10.29 07.17 ; porimontal Beld; did O.I. 1!) 647 it 06 8, 97 .70 not fully mature. From 1 Africa. | Planted May 8. Good c inesj ti u oil-boots. i From \ii:.a. Remark- 1 able from its low oon. tenl of glucose and bigh purity. f Sept 1 76 13.22 1 M 60. 61 89 ! Sept 18 Sept 26 Hi. 17 10.01 13.82 1.00 .07 00.42 72.71 Oct 17.20 12.79 . 60 71. 36 1 12. 10 72. 00 f 13 It B5 Sept l 77 12.29 1.23 67. 42 Sept l 78 1 7. 26 11.07 l BO 61 ll Sept l 79 17.30 10.88 1.86 62. 38 Plant, d M.r. - Good 44.. Sept I HO 10.73 1 1 . 29 87. Lfl canes, tall ami slender; Sept 7 121 lo. 12 1. it Ct. TO 1 mixed * ai iii lea, Prom Sept 11 L49 12.51 l 25 tins oounti \ Sept. is 14.97 S, |il. 26 17.44 11.87 1 Oct 9 627 17.58 11.71 66 HI 1 17 Sep! 18 i III 64 16 Planted Max s Similai lo No 15 121 Plot. 48. 50.... Date. Xo. of analysis. Degree Brix. Sucrose. Sept. 1 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept 26 Aug. 29 j Sept l ! Sept. 1 Sept. l Sept 18 I Oct 6 ( Oct 9 f Sept 10 | Sept. 18 | Sept,*2G ■; Oct e I i Oct. 15 I Oct. 19 I Oct. 22 { Sept. 18 ; Oct 6 J Oct '.) ^ Oct. 15 I Oct 19 I Oct 20 Sept 18 Oct 6 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Sept 1!) Sept. -JO Oct 6 Oct. 15 Oct. 19 Oct. r, Oct. 15 Oct lit 82 144 350 28 69 70 71 252 495 524 141 250 352 493 " 632 6G5 253 492 520 597 033 652 251 490 598 035 260 349 48!) 596 034 487 594 030 10.71 14.50 18.45 19.21 10.08 13. XI 12.32 17. 3.4 17.02 17.84 18.00 14.41 17.07 17.44 17.77 16.87 17.78 10.0 1 iao7 15.47 10.70 17.37 17.50 16. 85 13.47 10. 85 14.37 12. 08 14.77 17.7H 18.20 18.30 18.00 18.78 Ik. 92 18.60 Per cent. 9. 42 7.34 13. 09 13.52 4.90 7.05 5.07 10.70 12. 15 12. 90 13.28 7.95 11.20 11.73 12. 80 11 54 12.65 11.19 11.66 10. 07 11.02 11.08 11.15 10.47 4.9(1 10.57 7.18 4.81 6. 15 9. 52 9. 58 9.97 9. 93 13.07 13. 13 Glucose. Coefficient of purity. Remarks. /'. r a at. 3.73 3.28 2,04 1.98 2. 65 2. 72 3^40 2. 90 1. 25 1.00 1.01 2. 'JO 3. 22 3.00 2. 27 2. 27 I.' 99 .91 .99 .01 .00 .97 1.02 4 (8 2. 96 4. ( 0 4 01 4. 72 4. 24 3. 05 3.87 3.50 2.20 2. 10 2. 32 5G. 37 50. 02 7". 95 7u. 38 45. 88 55. 35 41.15 62. 05 71.39 72.31 7.1. 78 5".. 17 G->. 06 67. 26 72, 03 Gs. 41 71.15 00. 94 04. 53 08.97 65. 99 63. 79 03. 71 02. 14 30 38 62. 73 49. 97 39.82 41.04 53. 79 52. 64 54. 30 55.17 09. GO 09. 40 70. 22 ! Planted May 8. Diff rs )• but slightly from Orange | canes. ^Planted May 8. ,' caues. Mixed Resembles Chinese, hut [shorter and mure stocky canes. From this coun- try. Similar to Xo. 15. Planted May 8. Planted May 8. Strong stocky canes: large seed- heads : good canes. Planted May 8. (; ood canes; li:_rlit seed-bearer, Bprangleu seed-top; no offshoots nnt 1 u v o r- ripe. From this country. Planted Mas 8. Large, handsome canes, t h o finest in the experimen- tal field, lias tho hoi allest seed-headsand prodncea leas seed than any othi rj no offshoots until ma- ture, when it shows a tendency to produce sec- ondary seed-heads; did not Fully mature before frost it will perhaps succeed better wheu fully acclimated, it in a \< ry promising v i rieiy. 122 DEVELOPMENT OF SOKGIII'M. Four plots of different varieties were selected for the run pose of making frequent analyses 1o trace the development of the canes. The analyses were begun the first week in September, and samples were taken every other day until after frost. The results are given in the following tables: 1>, velopmeni of White African, j<1ot 229. Date. No. of analysis. Hi IN. Sucr >sc. /V/' cent. Glucose. Coeffi- cient It '. I 17 7.: 15 71 31 00 To 71 10 ro 10 16 15 S, . ,1 ROfl 1).. Do. D... Do. Seed ::itiinir bard. i »>.. Do. Do. Se< <1 becoming bril tli Seed brittle. Do. Do. Do. Do, Do Do. D... I),. Di . Do. Do. Do. Do. 123 Development of Honeydrip, plot 100. Date. No. of analysis. Degree Brix. Sucrose. m Glucose. Coeffi- cient of purity. Remarks. i 1 Aug. 31 59 11.47 5. 14 3.06 44. SI So d soft Ang. 31 GO 14.52 0.06 2.04 41.74 Do. Sept. 4 92 13, 5() 6.08 3. 65 4:5.01 Do. Sept G 107 15.20 8.05 3. 39 52. 95 Do. Sept 8 131 14.99 8. 13 :s. 10 5).24 Do. Sept 11 142 14. S7 7.91 53. 19 Do. Sept 13 16? 15. 2$ 7.91 .'!.0i 52. 13 Do. Sept 15 196 15. 12 8 05 :s. 32 5:;. 21 Seed getting Lard. Sept 18 232 16.20 !). 57 2. 50 59.07 Seed mat are. Sept. 20 -77 10.02 10. 98 2. 04 60. 00 Seed brittle. Sept. •-'-' 303 17. ,-5 11.75 2.30 65. 83 Do. Sept. 25 326 15.06 8.48 2. 1 1 56.31 Do. Sept. 27 304 it;. 77 10.22 2. 30 Gi». 94 Do. Sept. 29 403 1 5. 82 9. (!) 2.01 57.46 D... Oct 2 432 16.89 10. 5-0 2. 05 63.91 Do. Oct 4 453 11.29 2.12 62.51 Do. Oct. 6 484 17.74 12.41 1.60 ( 9. 95 Do. Oct. 9 "»•.'(> 1 7. 38 11.37 1.94 65. 42 Do. Oct. 11 550 10. 18 9.71 1.87 60.01 Da Oct 13 58 1 1 S. 56 12. 16 l.-Ki 67.13 D... Oct 16 614 17. 15 10. 74 1. 58 62. 62 Do. Oct. 19 629 16.85 in 75 I.f8 G3. 80 Do. Oct. 22 COG 15.70 3 0. 62 1.02 37. 04 Do. Oct 28 C84 [6. 80 9.11 3.46 Do. Oct 30 690 14.60 5.31 5. 24 36. 37 Do. Oct. 30 697 16. 80 6.29 4.24 37.41 Do. Development of Early Orange, plot 228 Sept 7 119 16.36 10. 0.1 3.07 01.31 St ed soft. Sept. 10 136 15. 52 9.17 3. 30 59.09 Do. Sept. 12 155 10.67 10.5!) 2.71 Seed getting hat d. Sept H 1*1 17.70 11.90 2. IS 67.23 Do. Sept. 17 217 10.52 10.72 2. 63 01. 89 Seed mat ate Sept 19 17.97 12.47 2. 02 69. 39 Pa Sept. 21 2Mi 17.04 11.01 2. 07 04.0! Do. Sept 2t :; 1 5 18.12 12.21 2. 18 67.38 Seen* brittle. Sept 20 :;:;'.> 19.26 70. 87 Do Sept 28 3*9 18.52 13.05 2. 09 70. 46 Do. o,i 1 420 r.i. to 13. 07 2.10 60. If!) l'o oa :s 414 17.4") 12 57 2. o.t 72.03 Do. Oct. e 407 18.76 13.62 1. 2 72. 00 Do. Oct 8 5(i6 18.60 13.23 1 1 71.-4 Do. Oi i. 10 511 18 77 13.57 1.48 72. £0 Do Oct 12 570 18.82 13.01 1.48 72. 32 Do. Oct. 15 18.64 i::. 1 8 1.97 70 17 Da Oct 17 019 1.00 Do. Oct. Lfl 628 18. 29 13. 15 1 75 71.90 Do. Oct 2 J 002 10. 5o 11.11 2. 1 7 07. 3 : 1',, Oct 23 072 17 36 11. 56 1.81 1> Oct, 21 079 17. 0o 10.60 2.91 60.23 Do. Oct 16 60 ■ 4. B0 Oct 30 16 : f purity; but where this rule did not hold good, the analysis which showed superiority in two essentials was inserted as the maxi- mum analysis attained by the variety during the season. lib Maximum analysis of each variety. Variety, Swain's Early Golden Early Tennessee Whiting's Early variety Black Amber White Amber Early A nilter from New York Karly Amber from Kansas Filler's Early variety Chinese from Central America Chinese from New South Wales Chinese from Africa Chinese from United States White India White India from Louisiana Karly Orange from Kansas. Early Orange from South Carolina Early Orange from Arkansas Early Orange from Louisiana Kansas Orange New Orange.. Late Orange from New Jersey Medium Orange '. Led Liberian from Missouri lied Liberian from Texas Golden Rod Honey Dew Dutcher's Hybrid Link's Hybrid Price's Hybrid Planter's Friend Honduras from Louisiana Honduras from Texas < rooseneck Wanbansee . White African Texas Led Unnamed varieties. Plot Plot Pint Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Pint Plot Plol Plot Plot Plot Plot Plot Pint Plot Nu. 9, No. 11, No. II. No. 15, No. lti, No. 22, No. 24, No. 26, NO.:;:: No. 36, No. II No.f.0 Na51 No.:.:! Nu. 57, No. 61 United States. South Africa. . United States India South Africa. . Unit, d States. Africa Africa Africa United - Africa A frica United States. United States. No. of 1 lot. 93 102 234 90 92 23 1 249 02 215 232 37 69 07 si 228 87 68 ■4!) 8S 89 235 72 73 95 •J.V.i 98 0 101 214 64 CO 70 230 22:) Date. Aug. 24 Au-. 24 Aug. 30 Sept. 7 Aug. 24 Aug. 21 An- 2.". Oct. 4 Oct. 15 Sept. 17 Oct. 8 Oct. 8 Oct. 9 Oct. 5 Sept. 27 Oct. 5 Sept. l!» Sept. 15 Sept. !i Sept. 27 Oct. 9 Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Sept. 27 Sept. 5 Oct. 22 Sept. 3 Oct. 5 Sept 3 Sept. 30 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 22 Oct. 5 Sept. 22 Oct. 10 A\ . race No. of analy- Lr.x. Oct Oct Oct Sep Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct Sep Oct Oct Sept 26 Oct. 9 Oct G Oct 0 Oct. 19 Oct 1!' 3 0 40 120 4 8 400 50:; 210 50s 511 531 474 371 407 27(1 001 523 375 540 341 402 307 9'.) 000 - 466 84 4 1 a (Ml 004 305 545 G10 513 64G 347 014 643 497 515 2.51 494 480 524 190 C.3 4 030 is 03 15.54 15.1)3 18.03 IS. 10 17.54 If-. 78 17.37 Hi. 29 17.98 19. 00 17.(17 16.33 17.58 Is. 70 16.53 17.90 16.91 Hi. 25 17. 00 1'-. 70 18. 80 19.92 14.35 18. in Hi 2! 18. 15 10.8 4 2o.5o 15.54 15.15 17.20 10.32 17.20 20. 25 16.26 18. (id 1- 64 10. :n 17.".' 18.42 10 31 Hi id Hi '.'7 15.32 17.20 17 4 4 17.77 10 H'. Su- i rose. Gln- Uoeni- ielltdt purity, I' r. cent 12.88 8. 45 10. 30 (i. 50 12. M) 13.70 13. 18 11.91 11.7!) 9. 70 12. 4 (i 13.23 13. (U 11. 'JO 12. s2 13.62 11.39 12.90 12.17 9. 33 12.73 11.84 13.35 14.70 0. 90 11.02 10.50 13.97 10.77 13. 8 1 9 .".4 9. .-4 - 11.71 11.10 13.80 IV !- 6. 55 13, 84 12 87 11.51 12.72 11.48 1 1 . : 8 11.85 10.29 12. 79 11.87 12. so in. 57 0 0 : 13.66 Pr.eent 1 . 92 1.48 3. 14 1.81 1. 12 J. 07 1.40 1.35 2. 25 1.41 1 1 I 1.02 1 . 20 1.33 1.72 2. 26 1. 13 1 . 20 3.07 2. 32 I.114 2. 7 4 1.81 4. -48 2. 62 2. 14 . 82 2. 71 LOO 3.24 2.72 2. 50 .01 1. 67 2.84 1.20 2. 65 - . .>■> . 65 1.31 1. 10 1.00 1.41 1.41 .63 .66 l.e.5 1.01 2. 27 2. 32 11.0.1 71.44 54.38 05. e B. Plot No. 50 13.28 1. IMotNo.;'0 '.i. Chinese ...... . 13.23 ft White India ... 10. White India .. . 13.07 9. 10. Medium < Iranco Pint No.44,United States.' Glucose. Per cent. .60 . G5 .91 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.05 Variety. I. Links Hybrid.. .'. Kai lv A mix i' .. i. Plot 'No. 14 1. Plot No. 19 .... Ul.-nan .. J White India.... :. Plot No. 50 *. Early Orange .. I. Plol No. 51 i. Kan as < Grange Cot tin icnt of purity . 74. n 74. 10 73. [Mi 7:i. in 72. 9J 7:'. 53 71. 97 These lists comprehend altogether eighteen varieties, of which four appear in all three of the lists, four on two, and ten on only one, as follows : Variety. No. Variety. No. Variety. ■. ;t Plot No. :.7 K ii -as ( trance . . Planter's Friend - . Texas lied No. Plot No. 14 Link's 11 ybrid plol 50... 3 3 3 3 •> 2 Red I.iliei ian Early Oran»e PlotNo.36 Plot No. 15 Waubanseo Medium Orange.. . • > l 1 1 1 White India- Plat No. 39 Early Amber 1 1 1 From this it will be seen that four varieties combine ill a high degree the three good qualities of a large percentage of sucrose, low content of glucose, and high purity of juice. Link's Hybrid and the unnamed va- riety No. ll divide honors for the first place, both standing very near the top of the list in all three essentials. The former has always proved a good SUgar producer where it h;is had time to mature before frost. The Early Amber is not iceable for its high purity, five of the plats of its subvarietics giving a purity of over 70. From this quality doubtless arises its superiority as a sirup-making variety. The low content of glucose in several of the unnamed varieties from tropical countries is remarkable, as most of them were not entirely mature before frost. Ii must not be lost sight of in comparing the varieth s on the basis of the analyses that the outward faults < fa variety may entirely overbalance its value as show n by analysis. The Link's Hybrid, tor instance, which gives SUCh good results on analysis, has a fault of form that almost de- stroys its practical value. This point will be considered further on. 127 II. Experiments in Hybridizing or Grossing Varieties.— 111. Experiments in Preserving Sports or Variations. These two methods of improvement may as well be considered to- gether, for iu the present condition of the sorghum plant it is hard to draw the line between them. The different varieties which have be- come established cross so readily with one another that where variations occur, in a field of cane for instance, it is often difficult to say positively whether it is a true sport, whether it is from oue seed of a distinct va- riety accidentally introduced, or whether it is from a seed that had been cross-fertilized from a different variety. Doubtless both causes of variation obtain to a large extent, for the one is a natural consequence of the other; that is, on account of the readiness with which two in- dividuals cross, a large number of varieties have been produced, and as many of these are not well established or fixed they exhibit a constant tendency to revert to original types, thus showing variations. Whether the wide variations shown in the different kinds of sorghum are due more to crossing or more to type variation, is a question it is unneces- sary to discuss here. It is sufficient to show that such capability for variation does exist. In the work done at this station no distinction could be made between variations produced by crossing and those which were true sports. As this season's work was only the beginning it was impossible to obtain true artificially-produced crosses; that is, varia- tions produced by the careful cross-fertilization of two distinct and definite types. The plots called " crosses ;' were planted from seed- heads obtained by Mr. Denton from various fields of sorghum, and were simply variations from the general type of the cane growing about them. In the great majority of cases the canes produced from this seed showed such well-marked reversions to two well-defined types that it was a pretty fair presumption that they actually did result from the cross-fertilization of those types. But of course such work should, iu the future, be carried out upon known types artificially cross fertil- ized. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON GROSSES. Kolreuter says, "He who would produce new varieties should cross varieties.'9 Darwin Bays: "In regard to the beneficial effect of crosses between varieties there is plenty of evidence." "The crossing of two forms which have long been cultivated implies that new characters actually arise, some of which may be valuable and permanent." "It would be superfluous to quote more, for Gartner, Herbert, Sageret, Lecoq, Nan- din, and many other eminent experimenters speak of the wonderful vigor, size, tenacity <»t lie, precocity, ami hardiness of hybrid produc- tions." It is stated in the Sugar Beet * that '• if a superior variety of beets be placed near another variety, the result will be most advantageous, and • Tin Sugar Beet, by Lew i- E. Ware. 128 it maybe concluded from these experiments, which we can indorse. that the resulting race will, for the time being, be richer in seed, and that the roots grown therefrom will contain a sugar content, more regu- lar, etc., than had existed in either." In regard to the effect of crossing varieties, it can be said that it seems to increase the vigor of the plants sometimes in a wonderful degree. The crossed canes are often much larger and taller and often have much heavier seed-heads than either parent form. A crossed cane is sometimes earlier, often later, in maturing than either parent. Some crosses breed true to the new type from the start, and show- no tendenc}' to reversion, but usually the first season the crossed seeds are planted some of the plants revert, some to one parent form, some to the other; some are intermediate forms. If, now, seed of the type preferred is selected and planted again, the new plants show less tendency to revert; by continuing the selection and throwing out varying forms the new type is fixed and becomes a new variety. There is greater tendency to reversion in "violent" crosses between dissimilar forms than in crosses of allied forms. A cross may be slight or complete; in fact there may be several crosses between two varieties. For instance, a fixed cross between the Early Amber and the Orange may resemble the Early Amber more. Another cross between the same varieties may resemble the Orange more. Three canes taken from a plot of this last cross showed by analysis a higher percentage of sugar than any other in the season's work, with one exception. ADVANTAGES OF SOKGHUM OVER SUGAR-CANE ON ACCOUNT OF THE EASE WITH WHICH VARIATIONS ARE PRODUCED IN THE FORMER. Dr. Morris, formerly director of the Jamaica Botanical Gardens, where an experimental plantation of sixty to seventy varieties of the BUgar cane is maintained, in an address before the London Chamber of Commerce said : ■• It is well kuOWD that the BUgar Cano docs not produce seed, and hence it is im- possible to improve it by any processes of hybridizing and crossing found so benefi- cial toother plants. New varieties amongst sugar canes mis,' generally in the form of bud variation. Thos< occur very seldom, and possibly amougst thousands of acres nut one cane will bodctected which exhibits any well-marked characteristics. Plant- ers, however, should lie keen to notice any canes that show a departure from the types, and should cultivate the m separately. If the sugar cane were capable of be- ing improved purel) by cultivation and experimental processes like those which have improved the beet, this would be on • of the mosl effective means of benefiting t he iudusl IV." GENERAL OBSERVATIONS <»N SPORTS OH SPONTANEOUS VARIATIONS. It is well known that new varieties sometimes suddenly and spon- taneously appear in plants. They arc created by bud variation. A peach tree suddenly produces :i branch which yields nectarines j a plum tree which had yielded yellow plums for forty years produced a sin; le luid which produced ;i ne ,v and valuable permanent variety, (he Bed Magnum Bouum plum, 129 The variations in the tropical sugar cane are entirely produced in that way, as has already been shown by the statements of Professor Morris just quoted. In Mauritius a sugar cane of the ribbon variety produced two new canes, a green cane and a red cane. This was considered an astonish- iug variation there. The causes of such variations are unknown. It is only known that they do occur, and that valuable new varieties some- times suddenly appear in that way. The history of some of the varieties of sorghum would seem to indi- cate, so far as it is possible to obtain accurate information of such mat- ters, that they originated in this way. In Indiana, in a field of Chinese cane, a single cane ripened two weeks earlier than the other canes. This variation was preserved and named the Early Amber. It is the most widely known of all the varieties of sorghum. In the experimental field of this station there were growing Early Amber canes received from New South Wales, from Cape Town, and from many places, showing its wide distribution. In New York, in a field of Early Amber, only one cane ripened before frost. This variation was preserved and named by as Whiting's Early Variety. It matures ten days earlier than the Early Amber. It seems to be a sport from a sport. In Tennessee, in a field of Honduras, a single cane ripened two weeks earlier than the other canes. This variation was preserved and was named Link's Hybrid. It is one of the best varieties of sorghum for sugar manufacture. It is probable that other cane-growers have seen as valuable vari- ations in their cane fields, and have not recognized their importance. It is worthy of remark that each of these variations was noticed and was preserved merely because it chanced to ripen earlier than the other canes in the same field, and not because its other qualities were recog- nized at the time. In the effort to improve the sorghum plant all such variations from type should be analyzed to determine their value in sugar manufacture. WORK AT THE STERLING STATION (>N CROSSES OB VARIATIONS. It may be Said of the work done here in this direction that in tbc first place it established positively, in the judgment of those in charge, the fact of the very strong tendency of this plant toward variability. This fact has, of course, been frequently noticed ami commented upon here- tofore, but as it seems essential that it should be thoroughly and geil« orally understood, we think it advisable to enter into an exposition of the evidence that was obtained to justify us in coming to the very de- cided conclusion we adopted upon this point The plots which were planted as » crosses n at this station were in even case from single -red- heads, selected by Mr. Denton, which were very carefully thrashed and cleaned, special precautions being taken to prevent any accidental ad- J 1050— Dull. 20 9 130 mixture of seed from other sources. These plots were then in every ease the product of a single head; they showed, in the majority of cases, the greatest variation among the individual canes. This variability is well shown by a series of photographs taken by us, which were intended to be reproduced as illustrations of this re- port. Unfortunately the fund provided for such illustrations was ex- hausted at the time this bulletin was sent to the press, so that they had to be omitted. They represent a number of seed-he;uls, all taken from the same plot, which showed striking variations from either parent type, as well as gradations running back to each. In a plot planted from a single seed-head which was evidently a cross between the Orange and India, for instance, heads were selected which gave the greatest variations and gradations between the India type, with its white seeds and rather loose head, to the Orange, with its reddish-colored seeds and compact head. Another represents the range of variations between the Honduras and Red Liberian, two widely different varieties, with the small round seed of the Liberian type set closely on the sprangle top head of the Honduras. These photographs of the widely different types produced from a single seed-head would convince any one, we think, of the great ease with which variations can be produced in sorghum. LIST OF CROSSES. The following list gives the number of the experimental plot with the probable parents of some of the crosses grown this season. Many plots are not included, as the characters shown by the canes did not distinctly indicate the origin of the variation. No. of Plot. Probable cross. No. of Plot. Probable cross. no New Orange and Earl; Orao - 163 India ami Orange. 111 Chinese and Liberian. 1 (•».-) India and Amber. 112 Kansas Orange and Amber. IG'i Do. 114 Golden Rod— cross. 107 India- i 116 Orange and A. mber. l>n. 117 Kansas Orange and Amber. 171 Kansas Orange and India. UK Liberian and Golden Rod. 172 New ( Mai; [ 1 120 A mber and Kansas < Grange. 17.1 India oroSS. 121 (ii. in-.' and White India 171 India and Amber. 122 Orange and Chim IT.". NYw Orange and Earlj Orange. 124 India- ■ 17fi Orange— cross. 127 India and Ouldrn Rod. 17K India ami Orange. 128 I'M. 17i» India -cross. 129 ItU. 180 Orange and India. 131 Orange ami I odia. 181 Do. 182 India and Golden Rod. India and Amber. 183 inge and I ml in. 1*:: India — oroSS. i:;t Orange and Golden lio>\. 184 Orange and India. Earl] Orange ami A mini. Oran < Grange and India. 188 and I ndia. 137 India and Amber. 187 Do. lhK Do. 189 and India. Do. Orange— ore lio I'.'l Do. ii ■ I till i . l i l!». Orange and India. in < (range and Amber. 198 Kansas < (range and India. m; Kansas < (range ami Golden Rod. 197 India— cross. 117 Kansas Orange and New Orange. 200 i (range— ci ■ 151 i and Imiia. 201 Da i ■ ■ I Eai Ij A mber. 202 '< cross. ri Amber ami New < (range. India ami Orange. 166 Orange oroea. 206 Orangt A ml>i i en India- ' India and Orange. 211 Orange and India. 161 Kansa - Orange and India. 212 India and Orange. — » 131 ANALYSES OP THE CROSSES. The following table gives the analyses made of average samples taken from tbe different plots: Analyses of Hybrids and Crosses. No of plot, i Date. Xo of analysis. Degree lirix. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-effi- cient of purity. Percent. Per cent. r Aug. 29 31 14. 65 9.45 2.19 64.50 Aug. 31 55 15.16 9.24 2.69 60. 95 no <; Sept. 6 110 16. 42 10. 65 2.46 64.86 Sept. 20 28'J 18. 32 13. 08 1.28 71.39 i Sept. 27 374 17.56 12.39 1.48 70.41 Oct. 9 541 18. 04 12. 54 1.96 69.51 112 Aug. 29 32 13.82 9.04 1.36 65. 41 113 J Sept. 12 162 17.42 11.40 2.36 65. 44 Sept. 27 376 ia 78 13.49 1.77 71.83 115 J Sept. 12 163 13.70 6. 08 3.76 44.37 Sept. 12 164 16.36 10.08 2.57 61.61 ( Sept. 24 324 1 4. 22 7.25 3.57 50.98 117 Sept. 27 377 14.26 7.78 3.00 54.56 ivnj Aug. 31 57 11.50 4.44 3.40 38.60 120 \ Sept 12 166 13.51 7.63 3.08 56.47 122 Aug. 30 35 8.14 2.42 2. 53 29.73 132 Oct. 11 562 15.67 10.90 1.47 69.56 133 Oct. 11 561 16.15 10. 39 2.83 64.33 134 | Sept. 13 169 13. 9J 6.96 3.47 63. 03 Oct. 11 560 15.67 9. 82 2.18 62. 66 135 Oct. 11 559 16.65 11.05 1.96 66.36 136 Oct. 11 558 M. 15 12.24 1.82 67. 43 137 Oct 11 557 19.35 14.49 .90 74. h8 144 Sept 27 379 16.06 10.02 2. 29 62. 39 140 Aug. 30 34 10. 72 3.89 3.65 36. 29 147 J Sept 12 165 14.70 7. 85 3.15 53. 40 Sept. 27 378 16.82 10.97 2.48 65. 22 148 Sept. 6 112 13. 09 6.34 2.30 48. 43 < Aug. 31 52 12 62 6.30 2.38 49. 92 152 < Sept. 6 109 13.34 6.93 1.96 51.95 I Sept. 13 172 15. 97 10. 38 1.35 64. 99 153 Sept 13 179 15. 63 9.58 2.12 61.29 ( Aug. 30 36 14.25 7.49 3.35 52.56 154 l Sept, 6 108 14.63 8. 65 2.95 59. 12 I Sept. 13 171 9. 65 2. 23 61.07 20.J Sept. 15 ^\ Sept 29 201 10. 33 9.77 3.41 59. 8:5 407 16.94 10.77 2.34 63. 58 20G Sept. 15 200 12. 73 6.20 3.12 4,^.70 207 Sept. 15 203 11.52 4.: >4 3.01 42. 01 2085 Sept. 28 ^ Sept. 15 18 12.60 6.06 2.59 48. lo 205 17.23 11.35 1.53 65. 87 209 Sept 15 206 13.92 8.24 2.37 59. 20 210 Sept 15 210 15.30 8. 35 1.90 54.57 on S Sept 15 ^u ) Sept 20 14.40 7.74 2. 80 53. 75 2S1 14.82 8.75 2. 39 59. 04 212 Sept 15 211 14.53 1.99 59. 67 158 Bept 14 180 15.62 2. 6U 161 5 ■ 178 13. 06 6. 74 51.61 Sept. 14 15.72 1.88 162 Sept. 14 L86 15.90 9. 94 L.84 62.51 163 Sept. 14 185 15 90 10. 18 2. 18 64. 02 ( Aug. 30 10.75 47.35 1C5 ^ Sept. 13 170 6 :. 78 ( Sept. 20 404 10.70 10.92 166 J Aug. 80 10.32 3. 90 2. 65 Sept. 13 174 12. 04 8.27 1.98 Aug. 28 12.(17 6.91 3. 00 Sept 13 Ir:, 14.92 1.04 c Aug. 80 37 11.88 170 { Sept. 13 176 13.47 L68 I Sept. 15 1.74 m< Sept 13 171 \ Sept 14 177 15. (i7 3. L'U 7. 29 3.13 51.34 m\ Sept 18 "-< Septl4 178 H.I i 53. 13 182 li 32 - 178 Aug. 81 1 1 . 82 4.24 8 84 ( A.ug.81 51 12. 7--. 4. 42 185 < Sept 14 187 14. 10 ( Sept. 20 279 15 70 2.21 57. 70 191 Bept it 189 7.49 3. o2 52.01 Sept 14 190 132 Analyses of Hybrids and C rosscs — Continued. No. of plot. Date. No. of analysis. lUix. Sucrose. Glucose. Co-effi- cient of purity. I 1 194 Sept.. H 191 12.93 6.54 1.83 50. 58 ]!■(! Sept. 15 " 198 Iti. 82 11.12 6ii. 1 1 197 Sept. 15 197 14.62 7.53 3.64 51.50 1!)!) St-pt. 15 199 16. 12 2. 7 J 60. «.i8 200 Sept 15 202 13.08 <;. 05 3. 15 40.54 Au -r. 28 21 13. 04 6. 82 52. 30 Sept. 15 207 15.54 9.42 2. 65 00. 01 203 $ Aug. 30 40 12.61 t:. 35 2. 63 50. 23 Sept. 15 208 13. 42 7. 57 1.71 56.41 After a number of these analyses of large samples had been made, it was concluded to discontinue them, for the individual canes varied so much that it was impossible to obtain samples which would represent the plot, except in the few cases where the character of the plot was uniform. In some cases the plot could be thrown out, where the aver- age samples showed a very poor analysis. The work was thenceforth confined to analyses of individual canes, selected with a view to per- manence of type. A very large number of samples were taken in this way, the seed heads removed, marked with a number corresponding to the analysis and preserved. The juice was polarized, and from each plot one or more samples which gave the best results, and Which were to be reserved for future planting, were subjected to complete analysis, so as to have a complete pedigree of the cane. The following table gives the results of some of the individual canes from the crosses; only the besl samples in each plot are given, and these analyses are only a frac- tion of the whole number made and recorded at the station: Ana hjses of Crosses. No. of plot. 10!) 113 120 : 123 124 128 129 < l.:o 131 Date. Sept. vi Oct. io (Id. 10 on. 10 Sop! 28 Sept. 28 Sept. 24 Sept. 28 S< |.t. 28 Sept. 28 Sept. 28 Sept. 28 Oet. 1" o.i. hi on. io Sept. 28 on. jo Oct. Io on. io Oct. l' Si |.i 28 Sept. 28 Oct. io Oct. io on. io on. io No. of analysis I Brix. 463 1009 1070 1071! Kill 53] 542 .MO 549 1040 in ,i 1052 1010 urn 1042 Io.", | 1' ... 1059 1 o. 5 1 18,50 18 CO 17. 12 15. 12 17.00 18, 12 17. 20 18.78 n; II L7.30 I - i0 13.81 16 .i . 17. oo is. :it i!». :;: 19.00 Ml. i,o 20.00 Sucrose. 10.31 i:;. n 13.24 ia io LI. 80 11.37 12.61 11.:::! 18.48 11.33 12.96 1 2. or, 13. 37 II II 18.96 I.", 2d 1 l. 20 li 88 I 1 L.48 Glucose. 2.81 l io T 12 1 1 2o l ... 2. 03 Co . fo- ri, nl of purity. 02. :;;i 73. 60 71. 14 CO. I'll 72. 58 69.04 74. 86 72 80 40. 75 io 84 71 I, 72. 78 71.7! 74. 33 7 1 21 73. 77 71 Ml 71.09 72 io 133 Analyses of Crosses — Coutinued. No. of plot. 132 j 133 j ( ! i3.v; i f I r 137 J I 138 j 139 142. 143 in lis: 140 • 14- 151 . 03 72.07 73. 56 72. 4 A 75. 65 00. 59 04. 83 72.64 74. 78 71. 16 72. 24 74. 49 72.71 72. 05 7.;. 14 67.90 70. 00 75.0 4 72. 15 70.40 69. 18 7:;. 10 07.; -9 71.15 7 J G6 69. 15 68.67 71.89 71.03 60. 13 59 60 7m. 78 74.40 - 71.nl 72.18 71. 14 7 :. 77 7,1 0 I 7o 24 71. If. 81. 11 76.04 134 Analyses of Crosses — Continued. No. of plot. 167. 168< 171 IT:; 174 175 176 ^8 179 j 180 1 181 j 182 ! 184 : 1,-7 208 j 209 j 212 238 Date. Oct 1 on. 1 Oct 1 Oct. 1 Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct '> Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 10 Oct. 12 Oct 12 Oct. 12 Oct 12 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Oct. 2 0< t. 2 Oct. .2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct o Oct, 2 Oct, 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 13 Oct. 2 Oct o Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. o Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Or,. 12 Oct. 12 Oct. 12 Oct 12 Oct. 12 Ol. 13 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oot 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 <», 1. 2 Oot 13 Oct. 9 O, I. '.i O. 1. 5 Oct. :. Oct 6 Oct. 5 Oct 5 Oct Oct. 5 Oot 8 Oct Oct. H Oct. Oct 8 Oct. Oct H Oct 8 0 i - o, t. 8 O, |. 8 Oot L6 No. of analysis. 730 731 735 737 7-18 719 750 751 7.".:! 7.'»4 758 1067 1 120 1430 1431 1433 762 7015 1412 14)7 709 771 770 777 778 7,-1 788 789 793 795 1580 802 804 811 812 818 K2o 1357 1339 1340 1342 1344 1315 1348 1578 M0 810 821 8i':i 827 828 829 830 831 1516 1028 1030 081 082 984 ',01 1002 IK.", 1008 1010 lull 1012 1014 lo I.", 10 JO 1021 I I'.rix. Sucrose. 17.98 17.96 16.08 18.20 18. 60 18.011 18.82 16.93 17.:!:: 20.30 10.00 19.83 21.20 23. oo 22.00 22. 50 21.70 18.43 18.03 21.60 20. 78 18.20 17. 50 19.93 L8.35 18.95 19.00 10.00 19.50 lx. 70 17.20 21. 00 17.20 17. 20 20. 00 18.50 17.00 IT.oo 20.28 20. 45 22. 26 20. Oli 21.78 21.48 21.00 •jo. on 10.00 19.00 L8.20 20. 03 18.27 17.43 18.23 l'.i. oil 10.63 18.(0 20. 82 17 18 17.82 19.03 1 8. 'JO is. 70 18.70 18.20 19.00 10. 10 Ifl 30 20. 1 1 L9. 17 1- in 10 17 19.20 Per a nt. 12.55 11.77 12. 08 13.51 14.98 12.57 i::. 06 12. l:! 12.00 14.44 13. 51 13.89 14. 28 14.77 15.73 16. 28 16.29 13.26 12. 35 14.86 14.32 1 2. 1 1 11.61 14.81 12. 97 14. 14 13. 91 13.33 14. 32 13.54 12.41 1 :, 8 1 11.97 12.31 11. 11 13.26 11.78 10.47 l:;. 06 14.97 15.70 14.90 1G. 40 15.38 15.27 1 3. 56 12. 16 12.00 II. i:; 1.:. 15 13.28 12.40 13.08 14 10 II. M 13. 14 15.71 i:i. 14 L2.63 13.28 18.84 [2.04 1 L65 18.44 12.88 14 00 15.24 1 I. 13.65 14. 18 13.28 1.1.5 1 18.71 Olueose. /'- /■ a nt. .75 1.53 1.90 1.10 2.02 2.05 1.76 1.29 1.05 1.53 1.01 1.28 !. 17 1.38 2.07 1 55 Coeffi- cient of purity. 69.80 G5. 53 72. 42 74. 23 80.51 69.83 74.18 71.65 GO. 24 71.13 71.11 G7.3G 71.50 72. 36 75. 07 71.89 68. 50 68.80 68. 91 66. 54 66. 34 74. 31 70.68 74. 62 73.21 7(1. 16 : . U 72.41 72.15 75. 29 69. 59 71.57 70.70 71.68 69. 29 61.59 73. 20 70. 53 71.00 71.60 72. 71 67. 80 71.87 71.00 7:t. 62 74.33 71. 14 71.75 74.33 75. 60 7::. 00 78 10 75. 17 66. 00 71. 10 75. 18 71.87 70.77 7o. 89 70. 0 1 70.01 75. 56 70. 78 G8. 55 135 Plots ]STo. 153 and 184 gave some of the best results, the latter espe- cially giving a great many individuals with a high sugar content ; there was a great deal of variation in type, however. ANALYSES OF VARIATIONS IN STANDARD VARIETIES. The following table gives the results of analyses of individuals canes which were taken from the plots of some standard varities, and which showed some desirable variation from the type of the variety. The va- riations chosen were in the line of the improvement of the variety. For example, the variations of Honduras were individuals which ripened earlier than the rest of the plot; those of the Link's Hybrid were canes that showed more or less freedom from the faults of the variety, etc. As with the crosses, the analyses given are the chosen ones of a large number of analyses, for none of the canes which showed simply an improvement in external characters were saved unless they showed at the same time a good content of sugar and a high coefficient of purity. The samples in which glucose was determined are the individuals chosen for future planting. Analyses of variations in standard varieties. HONDURAS. No. of Date Xo. of Degr< «• plot. analysis. Brix. 225-G Sept. 3 263 14.43 Sept. I! 26G 13.53 Sept. :; 2ti7 13.47 Sept it 306 17. J-t Sept 17 313 1^.7- Sept. 17 318 IS. 33 Sept. 20 330 15.35 Sept 20 • 18.2S Sept 20 330 14.78 Del. 'JO 21K) 19.10 Oct. '_'() 2117 2O.0O Oct 20 2118 20.00 1 9.07 8.40 S. 10 12.14 12.59 12.28 11.19 12.70 9.94 13. 37 14.05 14.90 Glucose. I'er cent. 1\ r c< nt. 1.83 2. 37 .7:1 1. 18 2.71 1.02 Coeffi- cient of purity. 60.58 07. IT. 00. 91) 72. 90 0D.4 7 07. 25 70. 00 7o. 25 74 50 w.wn.w- 230 Sept 21 Sept. 21 Sept 21 Sept 21 Sept. 21 Si pt. 21 31o 341 312 311 317 393 1 B. 32 17. r.J 15.31 14.85 15.85 l :..:;-» l ::. oi .99 12.07 !'. 71 lo. lit 1. 13 71 IS 62. 47 01.29 02.41 WHITING'S EARLY Sept 2:. Sept 2.". Sept 23 Sept 25 Sept 2:. Sept 2.". Sept 25 Sept 25 Sept 20 471 472 171 176 477 480 18.75 16. 18 17.30 10.02 IS. IS 1> 1 : n; 65 i ; 2.'. 11.63 11.72 70. 07 7o. t . . 07. 10 77.00 72. :;7 11.71 1". 21 12.63 1 3.96 .'.'1 12. o-, 11.71 13G Analyses of variations in standard varieties — Continued. LATE ORANGE. No.of r»„«„ No. of plot. ! Uate- :uia]y>is. »sr s««« . Glucose. Coeffi cieiit of parity. 89 Sept. 25 S< pt 25 Sept 25 492 498 500 /'• /• cent. 16. 68 10. 73 18. 18 12.07 18.78 13.64 Per cent. 2.94 64.33 66. 39 72. S3 EARLY ORANGE. 68 Sept 28 Sept, 28 Sept 28 Sept 28 520 521 522 529 17.91 12.89 17.21 14.42 16.31 14.43 15.83 10.21 71.97 83.79 88.47 64.50 .76 WHITE MAMMOTH. 67 . Oct. 3 3 3 3 3 867 871 893 882 19.45 19.00 18.62 19.20 19. 00 13.29 13.81 14.12 14.04 13.86 68. 33 72. 68 75. 83 73. 13 72. 95 Oct. Oct Oct Oct. 1.37 CHINESE. 232 Oct. Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct 0 i. Oct Oct Oct. 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 ii 3 3 901 907 9o0 910 911 912 954 955 962 973 18.58 18.70 18. 70 19.85 19. 08 17.35 18.24 1 9. 84 19. 19 19. 17 13.36 14.44 13.39 14 35 14.79 1 2. 55 12.95 14.50 13.70 14. 10 71.91 77. 22 71.60 72. 29 77. 52 72. 33 71.00 71.70 73. 55 1.06 LINK'S 1 1 N l , 1 : 1 1 >. Oct Oct Oct 0« I Oct Oct Oct Oct 92 1 B 19.20 637 21.38 938 20. is 941 18.51 942 944 21.20 946 L5.50 ll 15 15.60 15 24 13.87 ll 13 15 Bl 16.93 73. 70 72 '.'7 73. 31 71 II 75 89 137 The unnamed plots also contained a great many interesting varia- tions, selections from which are given in the following table : \nahjses of variations in the unnamed plots. Xo of plot. 12 33 37 44 45 ■•■{ -i Date. \ ...] Be ( Be i -I < 46 ..< 18 50. Sept. 24 Sept, 24 Sept 22 Sept, 22 Sept 22 Sept. 25 Sept 25 Sept. 25 Sei t. 25 Sept. 25 pt. 22 pt 22 pt. 22 Sept, 21 Sept. 21 Sept. 21 Sept. 21 Sept 21 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 St-pt. 22 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Sept. 21 S.-pt. 21 Sept. 21 Sept. 21 Sept 21 Sept. 21 Sept. 21 Sept 21 S. pt. 21 Sept. 21 Sept. 25 Sept 4 S. pt. 4 S. ].t. 4 Sept 4 Sept 21 Sept 21 Sept. 24 Sept •-'! Bept '-'4 Sept 24 Bept :t Sept 21 Bept. 24 S< pt. 24 Sept. 24 Xo of analysis. 421 428 410 417 418 505 50(3 : - 509 511 390 398 4<»1 380 385 385 387 3.^9 40- 400 407 408 409 410 411 413 357 ::t;i 364 365 Degree Brix. id 57 I 371 372 373 374 377 514 290 292 291 295 351 350 430 432 4:,8 410 444 4i-; 417 419 Sucrose. 15.12 1*. 07 10. 58 15.28 16.08 18.70 18.48 16.28 19. 48 19. 22 19. 0 i 18. L'O 18.10 17.75 18.42 17. 15 18. 39 10.22 17.70 19.00 17.24 17.04 17.74 20. 74 16.74 16. -8 16. 90 20.00 19.02 20.19 20. 75 18.28 19. 15 19.92 19.35 20.78 18.31 18.44 17.44 17.74 17. 52 17.00 10.40 17. 72 1G. 08 17. 0- 16.48 18.28 L8. 18 17.48 17.01 Per cent. 9.18 13.84 10. 59 10.00 11.00 12.48 12.02 9.48 13. 17 12.50 14.20 12.94 12. 09 11.09 12. 52 10. 00 13.01 13. 13 12. 38 13.92 12.07 12.29 12 14 14. 8fl 11.85 11.48 13.00 14. 8 5 13.47 14.79 15. 14 12.03 13.74 I4.fi7 13. 08 14. 27 12.30 13.25 11.99 12.71 12. 04 11. 53 12. 22 12. "JO 11.71 12. 78 11.77 13.24 13.57 11.86 12.04 13.50 Glucose. Coefficient of parity. Per cent. BO 2.01 .70 1.54 .70 .77 "'59 .04 1.07 2. 09 2.30 1.01 60.71 74.13 63. 87 65. 45 68.41 60. 74 05. 04 58.23 67. 61 05. 35 72. 70 71.10 70.11 02. 48 07. 97 58. 31 70.74 80.95 09. 94 71. 02 70.01 09. 67 68. 43 71.05 70. 79 70 52 70. 92 71 99 73. 25 72. 90 09.09 71.75 73. 04 70.70 67.50 7 1 . 85 68.75 71.65 05. 51 74.51 7o.20 71.42 73.43 71.77 IV. Experiments in the Selection <>f Seed from Individual Canes Showing a High Contend of Sugar. VARIABILITY OF SORGHUM CANES IN THEIR CONTENT OF SUGAR, As might be expected of n plant which varies so much in the out ward character of its individuals, sorghum canes vary greatly in tin1 chemical composition of their contained juices. Even in canes of the samt' varieties, Bhowing uniform outward characters and of uniform appearance and development, great differences will be found in the composition of the juice from individual caues. In tact the variation 138 in this respect seems much greater and more persistent than in the out- ward appearances of the plant. When the variety itself is not uniform, and the variations due to mixed races are added to the variations of individuals, the most remarkable extremes are produced. This can bo seen by examining the analyses of individual canes of crosses given in tbe section on experiments with crosses, from which the following table is selected, to illustrate the possible differences between different canes growing in the same plot. The canes were selected from a plot of Honduras, which showed fairly uniform character, in the endeavor to obtain early ripened seed of that variety, and probably some were not so well matured as others, though the seed from all was perfectly hard. Polarization of selected canes from Honduras. Xo. Degree Brix. Sucrose. No. Degree Brix. 1 0.93 14.43 13.53 13.47 10.47 14.40 11.85 10.04 11.65 Percent . 20 9.07 8.46 8.16 4.31 7.40 5.78 1.51 5.24 .10 11 14.18 15. 88 15.34 /'- /■ ct nt 11.41 10.1)2 9. 33 2 12 3 13 4 5 14 15 15.34 7.51 15.54 6.50 16.67 11.53 6 16 7 17 g Highest Lo\\t-t 9 11.53 10 .10 The following table shows the variation of individuals in a well- established and uniform variety. They were selected with this end in view from a remarkably uniform plot of Early Amber, and a particular effort was made to have the canes as nearly of the same size and gen- eral appearance, the same maturity, and the same conditions of growth — all taken from the same row. Polorization of average canes from Early Amber. \n. Degree 1 > 1 1 V . Slides. ■. No. Brix. 17. 11 14.94 17.74 1 7. 53 17.32 L7.82 Saorose. 1 15.50 15.70 14.50 18.00 16.74 It 71 15.44 I.- il 17 .2 1 /'. /■ r. ii f. 10.80 12.02 7.54 L2.78 10.80 11. ill 10 /'. r '•- ut. 11.99 12.71 12 hi 10.58 10.88 ') n l ■_' 3 . 4 13 U 1 . , 5 0 7 Hiulnst 8 13. 25 y While tbe difference is not so grc.it as in the previoas table, it will be seen thai then- is a difference Of nearly o' per cent, of sucrose between the richest and poorest canes in fifteen samples. Even in the highly improved and well established varieties of sugar- beets this variation in the composition of individuals occurs, as will be 139 seen in the following table taken from Stammer,* which shows analysis of individual beets taken from the same row. rolarization of German sugar-beets. No. Weight of beet iu grains. Degree Brix. Sucrose. Apparent purity. 1 ... 2 3 . 4 350 7G0 640 635 18.1 15.7 16 0 15. 3 Per rent. 14.9 82.3 12.9 82.4 12.8 ' 71). 7 T'.h 8:s. 7 5 15.3 V>. 4 81.1 G 650 16. 4 ; 13.9 78.8 690 15, 8 13. 8 • 87.2 29') 16.5 , 13. 1 1 79.5 532 19.0 17. 1 9'). 0 660 16.2 13.5 , 83.0 8 9 10 Hi«h «< 17.1 12.4 From this it appears that the.se individual beets showed nearly as great variations as the Amber canes, though from the differences in the weights of the beets it is evident that they were selected at ran- dom, with no special effort to obtain average samples, as was the case with the canes. DIFFICULTIES IN THE SELECTION OF SEED ACCORDING TO CONTENT OF SUGAR IN THE CANE. It is much more difficult to seleet the best individuals of a sugar-pro- luciug plant than of plants raised for other purposes, in which the relative merit of the individuals can be seen by outward appearances. There are no known reliable outward signs which indicate that a cer- tain cane contains more sugar than the others. In a garden one can select the finest vegetables, in the orchard the finest fruits, in the grain fields the finest ears of corn or of wheat, by the eye or by weight, or by very simple tests. Bu1 sugar is inside the canes, mingled with other substances. The weight of the canes or their appearance is not a reli- able measure of the sugar which they contain. Handsome canes may contain but little sugar; canes inferior in appearance may yield sugar well. The sense of taste is not a reliable test, tor the sugar in the juice is masked by other substances. A sugarcane which shows by analysis 12 percent, of sugar tastes much sweeter than a sorghum cane which shows 1.") per ct-iit. The sor-huin plant will be. improved but slowly if selections of seed are made only by the size or weight or appearance of the canes, or by simple selections of the finest appearing seeds. In 2,000 analyses and polari/.at ions of cane juice made at this station there were no reliable and constant outward marks observed by which the canes which contained most sugar could be selected. The degree "Lehrbuch dei Zacker-fabrikation, von Dr, K. Stammer Braunaohweig, 1887, p. 150. 140 of maturity was the only sign, and selections of the richest caues can not be made by that. When tlie sugar- beet growers attempted to improve the sugar beet they met with the same difficulty. They were well aware that the heredi- tary principles which are known to apply to animals also apply to plants. They knew that the individual beets which actually contained more sugar than the others should be saved for planting. But the char- acteristic points of beets which are rich in sugar vary, so that they are not reliable guides in selecting beets for seed. Kuauer invented a ma- chine which separated beets in piles according to their weight, in order to select the heaviest, not the largest, beets for seed. And beets were placed in a solution of salt-water of a certain density; the beets which sank were saved for seed. These methods were only adapted to rough selections. To Vilmorin is due the credit of introducing the methods by which the sugar-beet has been so wonderfully improved. He ob- served that a cylindrical piece could be taken from each beet without injury to the plant. These sample pieces were separately tested to de- termine their value in sugar manufacture, and only the beets which were proved to contain more sugar than the others were saved for seed. To show the zeal with which the work of improving the sugar-beet was done, it is only necessary to say that at the Faris Exposition of 1878 there were twenty exhibitors who claimed to have produced im- proved varieties of the beet. Deprez et Fils of Frauce had an agri- cultural laboratory with facilities for making 2,000 analyses of beets daily. With the assistance of Professor Viollette they produced three important new varieties of the sugar-beet, which are known as '• 1 in- proved Deprez," 1, 2, and 3. It is evident that the sorghum industry should profit by this experi- ence of the beet industry, and that sorghum seed should be saved only from individual canes which yield well in sugar. ADVANTAGES POSSESSED BY SORGHUM OVER ol'HER SUGAR PRO- DUCING PLANTS IN TIM: SELECTION OF BBBD. Sorghum has advantages over both the sugarcane and the sugar- beet in selecting sr<'<\ from the best individuals, and it can reasonably be expected that its improvement could be made much more rapidly than has been the case with the former. In the first place thesu-ar- beet is a biennial plant, requiring two years to produce its seed; sor- ghum is an annual, requiring but one \ear to mature its seed, so that its progress should be twice as rapid; then t he sor- hum is unique among BUgar-producing plants in that its seed may be separated entirely from the cane and the latter analyzed, giving exactly the worth of the indi- vidual which produced the seed, without injury to the seed itself. This is a vast improvement over the tedious method that must be pursued witli the beet, of cutting out a portion of the root for the purpose of analysis. Such a cylinder can noi represent the quality of the whole root with entire accuracy, and there is ground for supposing that it 141 somewhat impairs it for the production of seed the next year, although the originators and those practicing the method claim it does not. Cer- tainly the analysis of the entire portion of the plant which is used for sugar-making purposes, as is possible in sorghum, is greatly superior. The sugarcane is at a tremendous disadvantage in this respect, and this is undoubtedly one reason why it has fallen behind the beet in the struggle for supremacy as a sugar-producing plant. Being propagated by eyes, or suckers, there is no way of obtaining an analysis of the cane without injuring it for seed purposes.* The result has been that the plant has deteriorated rather than improved, while the sugar-beet has steadily advanced in quality. Surely it would be criminal folly on our part if we failed to avail our- selves in the sorghum industry of the advantages naturally possessed by the plant, and of the lessons taught us by the experience of others with the beet and the cane. METHOD OF AVORK EMPLOYED AT THE STERLING EXPERIMENT STATION. Owing to the pressure of work at this station the past campaign, and the attention given the crosses, the selection of seed from the best in- dividual canes of the established varieties was not instituted until late in the season, and could not be carried out on the earlier varieties. The selection should properly be made, of course, at the maximum of ma- turity of the cane. The plan of work was as follows: A large number of canes were selected from the plot, care being taken that those selected should show no outward faults of form, and should be average canes in size, of good healthy appearance. A large number of such canes were brought in to the station barn and laid out in serial order, the heads cut off, a label with number attached to each, and a corresponding num- ber placed on a receptacle to contain the juice. Two men were kept busy turning the hand-mill, while a third kept the juices in proper order. As soon as the juices were obtained they were poured into hy- drometer jars, and when they had stood long enough to permit of the escape of the air bubbles, their density was taken roughly with a spindle. If the reading did not come up to a certain standard the juices and corresponding seed-heads were rejected. The standard used de- pended upon the richness of the variety of cane from which the selec- tions were made, being placed ;it 20° or even 21° Brix for very rich * Professor Stubbs has proposed bo spU1 the cane, usiug one-half for analysis, and the other for planting, < >f conrse there would be considerable difficulty in preserving the .split cane, runi there is do record of its ever having been attempted. It would seem more feasible to cut a .short .section, containing one eye, from a stalk tor plant- ing, and make the analysis on the remaining portion of the stalk. The success of Professor Harrison in tin- Barbadoes in producing sugar-canes from seed (Royal Gardens, Kew, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, l — . No. 24, p. 294), would seem to give hopes for the improvement of the plant in the waj of new Varieties, and the present method of propagating the plant from any kind of individ- uals that may he mOSJ convenient should receive equal attention: it is >im]>!\ l>ar- barous, 142 varieties like the Links Hybrid. The few juices which passed the test were seut to the laboratory for complete analysis, and the correspond- ing seed-heads carefully preserved. From the complete analyses, still further selections were made, so that ultimately a few seed-heads were saved of canes showing great richness and purity of juice. From 500 to 1,000 canes could be tested in this way in a day. Some of the canes obtained by this method of selection were very rich in sugar. The fol- lowing instances serve to show this. A plot of Links Hybrid, of which the highest analysis from average samples had been 14.09 per cent, sucrose, gave on selection from about 500 canes four which went over 15 per cent. Another plot of the same variety, showing by analysis of an average sample 12. 21 per cent, sucrose, gave by selection from 500 canes three which had over 1G per cent, sucrose in the juice. An average sample of a plot of Liberian cane gave 11 per cent; 500 canes were taken from different parts of the plot and one cane gave 17.59 per cent, sucrose in the juice ; three gave over 1G.5 per cent., and twelve over 15.5 per cent. An average sample of the Planters' Friend, a new variety from Aus- tralia, gave 11.63 percent, sucrose; selections from 1,000 canes gave three which contained over 15 per cent, sucrose in the juice. Such instances might be multiplied, but- sufficient evidence has been given to show the possibilities in this method of improvement. The selections have all been preserved, and can be planted and observed another year, if means are afforded the Department for carrying out the work. Analyses of selected single cants from standard varieties. LIBERIAN. No. of plot. 222 Date. o. t. :: Oct :{ Oct. 3 Oct.17 Oct. 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct. 17 on. 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 (i, I 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct. 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 on. 17 Oct 17 Oct. i»; Oct. 17 Oct 17 Oct 17 Xo. Of analysis. Brix. 812 18 in hi:. 19.32 19.30 CD t 21.18 i:. ir. 20. 7:: 1948 20. 83 1960 •_-_'. «.il 1 95 1 21.71 p.' •:- '21. 28 1956 20.80 L98Q 21.32 1961 21.62 L962 21.71 1967 21.91 v.. !i 21.81 1983 1980 1993 21 92 2000 2002 1900 1907 Sucrose. Glucose. Per •■• at 12.96 13.47 13.80 14.22 15. .1 15. -in in. 12 16. 20 17.69 16. 12 15.00 16 19 15.70 16.75 1 i 62 11.7.-. I.-, 66 14.18 L8.99 .' i.:u i 9 ; 1.84 Co-effl- cien of purity. 7(1 21 72. :;'.i 71. 27 71. 86 18 74. 86 71. 87 n. 29 SI. l> 7;s. 56 :».. 1 :t7 7:t 77. 62 M 71 M i,- H 71 :t4 71 91 7" 28 71 09 143 Analyses of selected single canes from standard varieties — Continue! . LIXKS HYBRID. No. of plot. Date. Xo. of analysis. SEN"— Gluco.se. Coeffi- cient of purity. Oct 18 Oct. 18 Oct. 18 Oct. 18 Oct. 18 Oct. 18 Oct. is Oct. ]8 Oct 18 Oct. 18 2007 2uu9 2010 /'. rcent. 20.77 15.30 21.58 15. 34 •'1.(8 15.57 Per cent. 73. 00 71.08 73.86 71. 94 74. 95 74. 05 74.87 75.38 73.(0 72.19 70.61 2015 21.10 15.18 21.28 15.95 2021 21.58 10.11 2022 21.17 15.85 2029 21.12 15.92 2i '30 21.70 15.84 2038 21..'0 15.52 2018 21.55 .69 .92 1.09 EARLY ORANGE. [Selections taken from large cane-field.] Oct. 18 Oct 18 Oct. 20 2040 2041 22.18 21. 40 17.05 1 5. 20 .07 76.87 71.11 08. 03 2102 EARLY ORANGE. 74 Oct. 17 Oct. 17 1910 1911 20.70 15.01 20.50 13.58 72 51 00.21 PLANTERS' FRIEND. 214 Oct ie Oct 16 Oct 16 Oct. 16 Oct. 10 Oct. 10 Oct.16 Oct 16 Oct 16 oct.it; Oct 16 1.-20 21.70 14.71 1831 22.00 15.55 14. 10 1812 20.10 14.94 07. 79 70. 68 67. 33 74.81 71.55 71 26 70.76 1844 20.00 14.00 14.53 20. 20 14. 18 1857 20.60 15.41 28 14 51 "l.'eo 1877 20.00 14.08 1880 21.00 14.86 cm:. 215 Oct. 18 19. Ok 14.71 1.23 74.75 The following table gives the highest analysis obtained in each of five varieties by selection : Highest analysis of sing \ from standard varieties. Yai icty. analysis. Oct. 17 Oct 18 Oct 13 21.71 22. 18 21.70 Early < iran^e I. inks Hybi i'l Plant era' Fi l< od. . Sim 1 use 17.08 15.92 11 7: 1 Glucose cicnt of - 1.1)7 144 Y. Experiments in Improvement by Methods of Cultivation. It is a rule in agricultural science that to obtain the best results the individual plants must be given the most favorable conditions possible for full development. In the effort to improve the sorghum plant methods of cultivation will play an important part. Very little attention has beeu paid here- tofore to this subject, the cheapest and easiest methods being followed ; and the sorghum crop has had about the same cultivation as is given to the corn crop. In the work at this station no very extensive experi- ments could be made on different methods of cultivation, but a number of practical points were evolved, which may be stated as our views on the best methods to be followed, without going into details as to the evidence upon which the conclusions were based. It is desirable in growing cane for sugar manufacture, that as nearly as possible all of the plants in one field should ripen at one time. If in one row there are some canes fully ripe and other canes immature, it will not be easy to harvest the canes at the time when each contains its maximum of sugar. It is a point of advantage to have all come up at the same time. This can best be accomplished by planting the cane on freshly plowed land the same day the land is plowed, and by being careful to cover the cane seed at a uniform depth with earth. This in- sures as uniform a start as possible for the canes, and while it may seem a trifling matter it often materially affects the results. After the young plants have come up a serious problem arises, and that is, how to cultivate the plants, to pulverize and loosen the soil, and to destroy the weeds without injuring the roots on which the de- velopment of the plants depends. Great injury is done to the roots of canes when the cultivator works deep and close to the plants alter they have attained considerable size. This injury is perhaps greater than most persons suppose. It appears to be proved by a very simple experiment. If the roots of a hill of Cane are (lit all around the hill with a spade at a distance of (> inches from the canes to a depth of o' inches tVoni the surface, when the plants are 4 inches high, and if this process is repeated once a week until the canes are 1 feet high, the canes thus treated will be found to ripen later and to be inferior in all respects. In wet seasons the injury is not so great as in dry, but injuries are caused to growing plants by the culti- vator as with the spade. To avoid destroying and mutilating the roots of the growing canes, it seems better to give deep and close cultivation while the plants and their loots are small, and when the first cultivation is given to use long and narrow shovels, which work near the canes, and with a slow and steady team give close and deep and thorough cultivation before the rootlets are expanded sufficiently to be injured by such cultivation. In (he succeeding cultivations "shallow shovels, w that' is, shovels having such form that the\ do their work at or Dear the surface of the 145 soil, should work near the plants, while deeper cultivation may be had at a distance from the plant which the roots have not reached. The form of shovel preferred in the experiments at this station is known as the " Eagle's Claw." It consists of eight small shovels, which are attached to the beams of a two-horse cultivator, four shovels work- ing on each side of the row of cane. The form of these shovels is such that they do not enter the soil deeply ; they thoroughly pulverize all the surface soil and destroy weeds, and work close to the growing plants with little injury to the roots. We have alluded to these points because we believe the yield of sugar is often materially lessened by injuring the roots of the canes. Mutila- tion of the cane plants above the surface of the soil is known to pro- duce a lessened yield of sugar, and injuries to the cane plants below the surface doubtless decrease it also. Many cane-growers, as they " lay by" their cane crop, or finish the cultivation and see its deeply and closely cultivated canes free from weeds, do not realize that while de- stroying weeds they nearly destroyed their cane plants, and while working for their caues they were working against them and against the yield of sugar. DISTANCE APART AT WHICH CANES SHOULD STAND IN THE ROW. This is a subject which has attracted considerable interest among sorghum-growers lately. Mr. Hughes obtained last year the highest yield of sugar per acre ever reported for sorghum. According to his statement, "this was occasioned by carefully planting the hills closer and giving it good attention, together with favorable rains. "* As a contribution to the solution of this important question, the following analyses may be recorded. Two experiments were made with different plots of cane, both of which had been planted with drill. The planting had been rather uneven, and some rows were much thicker than others. A thick and a thin row in each plot were chosen, the canes counted and cut for a con- siderable distance, which was measured, and the whole run through the mill. The number of cam's divided into the length of row cut gave the average distance apart Of the canes in the row, and from the weight of the whole sample the yield per acre was calculated. The following table gives the results of the analyses: Field, lost 17. >•_' Soorose. Glaoose. 1 til - oieint purity. Experiment No. 1. Early Ajnber i i ir u i mlt 1 Inches aparl in the ro* Growing 7$ inches aparl in tun row.. 12.50 2.91 14.01 11.78 l:i. I.; Ezperimeni No. 21, Earljt Oraujiecane: Grow in : ... f Inouea apai i iu i Grovi lng a 8 Inches aparl in the row 7. 1 ■ Bull. X... 17. (Mm. ii. Dii . i 8, D< pt. Agriculture, | W056— Bull, 20 10 146 These analyses show very decided differences between the two samples. The conditions were in all respects similar, except as to the distance apart of the canes in the row, and the large samples taken diminished the possible error of sampling, so that considerable reliance may be plaeed upon the results. Jt will be seen that in both experiments the canes which were thin in the row were much better in quality than those which stood closely together; the content of sucrose is higher, of glu- cose lower, and the purity is greater. It is evident that close planting, while it increases the tonnage, diminishes the yield of sugar per ton. Of course there is a proper mean between too close planting on the one Land and too thin planting on the other, and this subject is worthy of more attention and discussion than has previously been given it. It is probable that the distances at which canes should be planted vary to some extent with the varieties. For instance, it would seem that the small canes of the Early Amber do not require so much space as the much larger canes of the Honduras, and it also seems that soils and climate may require the distances between the canes to vary. Tor instance, it is well known that corn is planted much closer in the Xorth than in the South. VI. .Miscellaneous Experiments and Kksults of Observations. EFFECTS OF FROST. The effect of a light frost upon sorghum cane has always been a mooted question, some holding that it is not injured by a frost which only kills the leaves, but rather has the effect of ripening the cane. It seems reasonable to suppose that it does a fleet it unfavorably, how- ever, as it kills the leaf and stops further growth and vitality in the plant. The question is an important one. lor it is quite common to have a slight frost quite early in the season. A few observations were made on this point at this station the past season. The first frost occurred on the night ol September 27. On October 5, about a week afterwards, when the effects of the frost were plainly perceptible, the different plots were examined to see if any observations of impor- tance could be made. The more immature variel les seemed to have resisted the action of the fros! better than those which were more ma- tured; the Honduras, for instance, holding the bright green of its leaves, almost without exception. Some varieties appeared to have resisted the action of the cold much better than others, giving some ground for the hypothesis that this might prove a constant characteristic, other plots, again, showed some spots that were almost entirely untouched by the frOSt, while in other spots the leaves were quite dead, the differ- ences being doubtless due to different conditions of evaporation from the soil. These plots Seemed to offer an opportunity for comparative analyses of frosted and nnfrosted canes. Large samples were taken of both kinds, taking all the care possible i«» have them comparable in all 147 respects, except as to the frosted and un frosted condition. The results are given in the following table: Analyses of frosted and uvfrosted canes of the same plot. Not frosted. Frosted. Variety. No. i t analj sis. Brix. Sucrose. Glucose. No. of analysis. Degree l.rix. Sucrose. Glucose. 4fi8 498 471 481 471 477 ......... 16. 32 15.87 18.80 19. JO 16.33 18. 10 Per et nt. Per cent. 11.71 .91 11.10 .1.2 13.52 1.67 13.50 1.42 11.90 1:20 12.74 1.47 469 499 479 482 ■1 75 478 10.72 15.i»7 18. 20 16.15 15.01 15. 70 Per rent. 10. 75 Per cent. 1.50 Wanbansee (an- oIIkm plot) Red Liborian Bed l.iberian (an other plot) Plot No. (37 9. 96 1. 50 12.75 1.38 f0.26 2.93 10.30 1.39 10.96 1.71 Average Coefficient of inn it \ 17.41 12.42 1.27 71.2 16.14 10.83 1-73 67.1 1 It will be seen that in every case the juice from the frosted canes was quite inferior. The average of the six different plots shows the juice from the frosted cane was lower in solids, lower in sucrose, higher in glucose, and of less purity than the juice from the canes which had been but little touched by the frost, as shown by the leaves being fresh. While not sufficient in number to establish the point, these analyses seem to show that sorghum cane deteriorates after the leaves are killed by frost. ANALYSES OF SAMPLES FROM AB KANSAS. The capabilities of Arkansas as a sorghum growing State have never been very extensively investigated. The Sterling Sirup Works received this fall a bundle of cane from one of the "prairie counties " of Arkan- sas, and the different samples were analyzed at the station, with the following results: Analyses of canes from Arkansas. V;u ietj . Honduras t liintsi- . . No.of analysis. Degree Brix. Sucrose. ( ilacosi . Coeffi- cient • purity. / 68 I 540 20. 23 L8 M7 11.H5 5 2) 61 19.25 14.24 2. 23 71 As a general rule samples of sorghum sent from one point to auother by express are so much inverted when they arrive at their destination that the analyses are worthless; and then when samples of a few canes are selected by persons not familiar with the plant, the Largest and finest-looking canes arc chosen, which generally give a lower per cent, of sugar than average- sized canes. Iii view of these facts, the above analyses make a remarkably line showing for the locality which pro- duced t he c;mes. The samples all consisted of quite large fine canes* 148 but still gave a good analysis. The sample of Texas Red was a tremen- dously large caue. Thesamples of Honduras and Chinese had evidently inverted slightly, the others very little. Another lot of samples received by the Sirup AVorks from Thomas Les- lie, Stuttgart, Ark., consisted of the following varieties: Goose-neck, Houduras, and Orange. As the analysis showed all to be badly in- verted, it is not worth while to give the results. ANALYSES OF SUGAR BEETS. A few samples of sugar beets were brought into the station for anah - sis by farmers living near town. They were grown from imported seed which had been distributed in western Kansas by Air. (Mans Spreckels, in the spring of 1888. The following table gives the results : Analyses of sugar bats. I'loni— No. of analysis. Pomeo Diix. Sucrose Qlncose. Coeffi- Ash. cienl oi purity. M i . Ritnniera Do 459 164 463 4C:. 13 is 14. :>i2 14.22 14.41 0.61 ,75 .2!) .30 1. 80 63. 4 67. o Mr Stubba Mi. Scblichter 2. 19 2.04 62. 7 07. C These analyses seem to furnish evidence to the effect that this part of Kansas is better suited to the growth of sorghum than the sugar beet. None of the samples above show a sufficiently high percentage of sugar to make them available for profitable sugar manufacture, and the high percentage of ash shown is remarkable ; it is doubtless due to the highly saline character of the subsoils in this locality. analysis OF FROZEN cam:. On the night ol October 19, most of the cane still standing in the field was frozen. In continuation of the work on development a sample was taken early in the morning from the plot of Link's Hybrid, and when the canes were run through the mill they were found to be partially fro/en. The j nice was analyzed, however, and the analysis Is given hi re, togi ther with the analysis of the juice from another sample from the same plot taken later in the day, alter it had " thawed out." Analysis of frozen ram-. ption. Juice from naiuplo taken while frozen Juice from sample lak< n :iit. r thawing oul N.. of :ni;il\ sis 1 »,.,_. |, o Brix. 27. 10 Sin rose. Glucose. i hill Of purity. Pi r ■■■ at l 81 71.7 7::. 7 This analysis is inserted more as a matter of cariosity than anything else, It shows Simply that part el* the water in the .juice was frozen, so 149 that the juice expressed was more dense than ordinarily. It might also be used to illustrate the imperfection of the present method of deter- mining the composition of a cane by the analysis of the juice expressed from it by a mill. Such analyses are always subject to the variations of the degree of extraction by the mill, the dryness of the cane, etc. Of course the removal of part of the water from the juice on account of the cane being frozen would not often occur, but a loss of water by diving would also have the effect of increasing the density of the juice ex- tracted. It is to be hoped that methods will be perfected that will ad- mit of the proper sampling of the cane itself, and the direct determina- tion of the sugar. SIZE OF SORGIIOI SEED. The size and weight of sorghum seed varies greatly in different varie- ties, and in different individuals of the same variety. Professor Henry found 27,080 seeds to the pound of Wisconsin Amber. Dr. Collier found 19,000 in Virginia Amber. In a sample of the Early Amber seed grown at this station there were 20,200 seeds to the pound. In a sample of the New Orange variety there were 21,700 seeds to the pound. In a sample of Doura (non-saccharine) there were 10,480 ^qq(\^ to the pound. This variety has the largest seed of any grown here. In an average sample of the Red Liberian variety there were<51,400 seeds to the pound. This has the smallest seed of any variety grown here. In a pound of seed of the same variety, selected for large size, there were 21,800 seeds, one-third less than the average sample. The vigor of the young sorghum plants in the first weeks of their ex- o'steiice corresponds closely to the weights of the seeds which produced them. It seems evident that more vigorous plants can be procured by select- ing seeds which are above the average size. The Liberian, for instance, produces very small seeds, and these produce very small and slow-grow- ing plants while they areyoung, although they eventually produce large and handsome canes. It will be noticed that the sample of larger seeds selected from the Liberian had the same weight as average seeds of other varieties. It is to be supposed that these larger seeds would produce more orous plants than the average seeds of that variety. Major llallett found that by Selecting the finest grains of wheat he improved the plants and also improved the variety. .Mr. Wilson separated the largest and the smalles of the Swed- ish turnip; he found that the plants from the Iarge8l seeds look ihe lead and maintained their superiority to the last. Director liriein made similar experiments upon sugar heels, as fol- lows:* " It is b well-known fact that seeds of different size and weight of any plant will cor- respondingly develop plants <>i* different Bize and weight if conditions of life are * Wiener LandwirtechaftlicheZeituug, l~-: Science II, 141. 150 otherwise equal. To determine the amount of these variations in the sugar beet the author made the following experiment : Six hunches of Beed from one mother hoot were selected, cultivated separately, and the developed plants transplanted sifter thirty-seven days in such a manner that each plant had the same space of soil. The crop of beets gave the following results: ; bunches. Plants produced. 1 2 3 4 5 C X<>. 1 contained six seeds No. 2 contained six seeds No. .'; contained five seeds — No. 4 contained five seeds No. 5 contained four seeds. . . No. G contained four seeds... Grams. 1,160 735 (J:;:. 370 Grams. 820 oat) 6 ', 625 525 3:0 72(1 415 •120 500 350 310 Oram*. 2 10 J o 310 115 3.i."> 240 2.-.:» 35 Grams. 110 2tr. 55 From these numbers will be seen the great difference in the weight of the beets although produced from the same hunch. This illustrates the great variability of the sugar beet in inheriting properties, and suggests the greatest care in selecting seed for culture." Iii the work in the selection of the individual canes which contained the highest percentage of sugar it was noticed that almost without ex- ception the seed-heads of these canes were far below the average in size and weight. This will be seen by an inspection of a photograph which was taken, showing the seed-heads which gave the highest analy- sis in the work this season. It may also be remarked that the non- saccharine varieties are invariably large seed-bearers, and have mag- nificent seed-heads. Perhaps the simultaneous production of a large amount of seed and of a high percentage of sugar are incompatible) When any select ion of sorghum seed is practiced at all it is the uni- versal custom to select the largest and finest seed heads, but perhaps this method of selection is better calculated to improve tlieyield of sved than the yield of sugar. This is a most interesting and important ques- tion, and we commend it to future investigators. CONTINUATION OF THE WORE IX Mil'- IMPROVEMENT Ob Till', SOR- G-HUM PLANT. The necessity for the continuance of this work has already been suf- ficiently pointed out. Even after highly sacchariferous varieties have been produced careful selection of ^w<\ will still be necessary in order to maintain a high Standard of excellence. Who is to can \ on this es- sential brunch of the indust ry I In Europe the beet industry is suffi- ciently extensive to. justify large Beed concerns in undertaking such work, and s e of the largest factories save their own sv^\. In some Of the beet growing countries the agricultural experiment stations ren- der efficieul aid in this direction. In this country the Industry is still bo young that it can not be expected thai private capital will undertake 151 the task of improving the plant The new factories have so much to contend with that they can not possibly devote the necessary time and expense to it. The agricultural experiment stations, in whose province it would seem to fall, have been but recently established in the sorghum- growing States, and are not fully equipped for such work, besides hav- ing their attention taken up by other agricultural products. Yet sev- eral of them have already done something in the line of sorghum im- provement, and others have announced their intention of doing so. It would seem to be essentially fitting and proper if the Department of Agriculture were provided with authority and means for its continuance. Whoever it may be that undertakes the work, it is important that they should have the benefit of whatever the experience of the past season at this station has taught ; we think it advisable, therefore, even at the risk of some repetition, to outline in a general way the principles and methods to be pursued in the future conduct of such work. It must be remembered, of course, that we have only the experience of one short season to draw upon, and while many of our ideas are based upon that, and upon analogies in beet culture, some have only the foundation of our own judgment to rest upon. In selecting sorghum seed the following may be outlined as the gen- eral course of procedure: 1. Seed should be selected from the varieties which have proved to be the best adapted to the locality. Those which are defective in any respect should either be thrown out or their faults removed by such crossing or selection as will have that tendency. 2. The seed of these varieties should be selected from the individuals which show the fewest faults of form, the highest content of sugar, and the least content of other substances. 3. The seed from the best individuals should receive such cultivation and fertilization as may be shown by experiment to give the best results in yield of sugar, in proportion to the area of soil covered. It limy seem impossible to carry on these several lines of selection at once; to select >('cd iVom the individual canes which yield most sugar, and at the Bame time to select seed with reference to the physical char- acters of the canes. But more than one point is always necessarily con- sidered in all plant selections. The faults of form in the beet have been bred out, merely to obtain a form to admit of ready cleansing. The faulty forms of the sorghum cane have already been pointed out. Seed should never be saved from "tillers," or secondary canes, or sup- plementary heads, as they woidd tend to reproduce canes which would produce a second crop of seed. Photographs of some of the canes selected for future propagation at this station will show how faulty forms inherent to certain varieties m;i\ be eliminated. The canes are from a plot of Link's Hybrid. This variety has nearly always proved to be a good sugar-producing va: and its greatest ftiultisone a. The top joint is apt to 1 long, 152 slender, and tapering; and as the seed bead is pretty heavy it sways back- wards and forwards in the wind, and in storms is very apt to "lodge." Selections made from a rather limited number of canes in which this tendency was partially eliminated gave individuals which wore great improvements upon the typical cane of the variety. This shows how a fault may be gradually eradicated by selection of desirable variations. Again, from a cross of the Links Hybrid with the Early Orange, in- dividuals were obtained which retained most of the desirable qualities of the former, with its typical seed head, and engrafted upon the stout, stocky canes of the latter. This shows the breeding out of an undesir- able quality by crossing. The photographs which show the canes ob- tained by these two different methods contrasted with typical canes of the variety, illustrate very graphically the possible progress that can be made in two generations in the improvement of a variety in form. Faults in form are so readily seen, that it is much more easy to eradi- cate them by selection than faults of composition, which can only be ascertained by chemical analysis. Only such canes, then, should be taken for analysis as show not only freedom from general faults, but also a tendency towards elimination of faults of the variety to which it belongs. It may be as well to insert here a caution as to the use of crossing. It has been shown that sorghum is extremely variable, and tins tact is a sort of guaranty that by continued selection improved varieties can be created, fcr variation makes selection possible, and selection makes im- provement possible, but care should be exercised in making use of this tendency. There is a well founded prejudice against " mixed n varieties of sorghum. The most worthless men, animals, and plants arc those which belong to heterogeneous and indiscriminately mixed races. Bad qualities are transmitted as well as good. The most of the crosses grown at this station were worthless. Darwin says, '• A variety may be variable, but a distinct and improved race will not he formed without selection.*' After the desired degree of variation in the variety has been obtained selection should be based upon uniformity rather than variability, in order that the qualities may become fixed and stable. The most careful and rigid precautions should be taken against acci- dental crossing, none being permitted that is not artificially controlled by methods well known to horticulturists. It would probably be well to prevent cross fertilization even in plots of the same variety, inten- sive cultivation has yet to he died on the 90rghnm plant, and perhaps where there is already so .meat a range of variability, there is greater pn»pcct of improvement by selection and self fertilization than by crossing. It would certainly he best in Crosses, and probably best in varieties, to plant single plots from hut one seed head. In selecting the xw<\ from the best individuals by analysis of the juice, not, only the percentage of sugar, but also the purity and the percentage of glucose must be considered. This problem is rendered 153 easier of solution by the fact, which was pretty generally noticeable in the work at this station, that purity of juice and a low content of glu- cose generally accompany a high percentage of sucrose. Moreover, it is generally the case, though this is not so constant, that a high density of juice indicates high content of sucrose, low of glucose, and high purity. The following analysis, taken from some of the individual canes which gave the best polarizations illustrates this point. Analyses of canes showing high percentage of sugar. No. Docree Biis. Sucrose. Glucose. Coeffi- cient of purity. re 7- crnt. Percent. 422 22.50 17. IS 70.4 627 22. lti 17.05 . 66 76. 9 4.11 22. 28 10. 93 . ." ■"> 7';. o 50.'} 22. 'ID IG.'JIi .70 77.0 564 22. 50 16.85 .91 75.0 565 21 2.". 10. :;3 77.0 ?:;* 18.61 14.98 . i-t 80. 5 4150 19. 47 14. 52 .03 74.2 Rough selections therefore can be made by the hydrometer spindle, throwing out all which do not come up to a certain standard. The selections made in this way may then be polarized, and further selec- tions made by this test, while tin1 final selection should be based upon a complete analysis. Considerable weight should be attached to the purity as a basis for selection, for this is the weak point of sorghum as a sugar- producing plant. It will be seen from the above analyses that these canes were fully equal to tropical canes so far asa high content of sucrose and a low content of glucose are concerned, but the purity is low in proportion. The selection and comparison of canes for seed should be made when the plot has reached its maximum of purity, as nearly as it is possible to ascertain that point. Then the relation of high sucrose content, high density, and purity, etc., is most likely to be normal and constant. It will be Been that a course of selection, as outlined above, necessi- tates the making of a great manyanalyses. Facilities for making a large number of analyses, the more the bitter, would constitute an essen- tial part of theequipment ofa station for the improvement of the plant But undoubtedly a great deal could be accomplished in selection of seed by the use of the hydrometer alone, where facilities for complete analy- sis do not exist, until the time comes when seed improvement can he carried out properly by separate stations or establishments. We believe that every large caue grower should test his canes in this way, and should make selections of Beed bj the hydrometer test, unless he can use still better methods. Even this simple method of selecting seed would he vast 1\ bet ter t han the usual way of merely selecting seed that is ripe and sound. If constantly practiced it would do much to iv- 154 move the blame of variableness from the sorghum plant, because it would throw out from the seed selections the seed-heads from canes which have weak juice which contains little sugar. English horti- culturists call destroying inferior plants "rogueing," and the sorghum plant now needs constant rogueing. This can best be done by throwing out the seed of canes which have weak juice. We can as yet lay down no rules in regard to the selection of either varieties or individuals with reference to the size or yield of seed. This can only be done when it has been settled beyond a doubt that high saccharine content and purity of juice can coexist with a large yield of fine seed. Time and experience only can settle this question, for we have no analogies to guide us. The seed is a most important by- product in sorghum; it stands alone among sacchariferous plants in its ability to furnish at the same time both a product of sugar and a crop of valuable cereal grain. Both the quality and quantity of the seed produced vary greatly in different varieties; some of them, such as the Honey-dew, White African, White India, etc., furnish a beautiful white seed ; the seed-producing qualities could doubtless be easily improved by selection, and the opportunity thus offered is very tempting; but for the present it seems more rational not to expect nature to honor duplicate drafts upon her treasury; to produce a big crop of seed and a large yield of sugar from the same piece of ground that ordinarily docs only the former. While it will never do to attempt to place a limit on the possibilities in the case, much must be done before we can expect to produce a sorghum cane with the sugar content of Links Hybrid or Liberian. combined with the seed-head of Donra or Kaffir corn. Nothing has been said as yet of a very important element which must be considered in all improvements of a race of animals or plants : that is, the power of the selected individual to transmit its qualities to its descendants. An individual may be ever SO rich in good qualities itself, but if it does not possess also the power of impressing its own character upon its posterity it is not the best one to choose for breeding purposes. This point is well set forth in the letter which we append, from the celebrated seed linn of Paris, who have done so much for the improve- ment of the sugar beet, ami whose historical connection with the intro- duction of ihe sorghum plant into this country will lend especial interest to what they have to say with reference to its improvement. i i.i mi: i i:n.M \ ii.moKIX, AM)Kii:r\ a CO., OH IMPROVEMENT OF SORGHUM. Pari 3, November c», l B88. Di \i: Sirj Replying to yoar inquiry as to the best method of improving the sor- ghum plant, we .should think that nobody being more acutely aware than you prob- ably are of what qualities are still lacking in this plant, yon must, of necessity, be better than any one else in a position bo make the flrsl Btep towards success : which is, to have a clear ami precise perception of I he aim to he arrived :il, ;'. $,, of the most im- portani features to be added to those already existing in the plant. 155 Besides, if we draw a correct conclusion from what we gather from your letter, not only has this step been already made, hut you expect even to have now ready on baud the necessary materials forgoing a step further, viz, proceed to the selection of those plants as possess to the desirable degree the \ery qualities looked for. Here we must remark, as regards the said selection, that, as far as our experience goes, it does not seem to he always the safest way to systematically discard all the merely satisfactory plants and to give the preference only to those showing some qualities to the highest degree. On the contrary, it has often heen the case that specimens of only average value, hut otherwise well fitted plauts, have proved to af- ford the surest means of rapidly obtaining a final result. This applies especially to the most important qnality to he secured in the selected plants, which is the capability of folly transmitting their good qualities to their de- scendants, and as this quality can not well he ascertained at the outset, ir is neces- sary not to he over severe in the first selection, and subsequently to retain only those plants as show this quality to a satisfactory degree and then to make a careful selec- tion amongst these. During the whole time, of these experiments it will he necessary to take the re- quired measures to prevent intercrossing, so that the successive progeny of each individual plant he kept severely by itself, andevery hybridization he made impossible, as otherwise, even one accident might he conducive to impart to the plant s a tendency to variation, which may make it the more difficult to obtain that lasting constancy or fixity so necessary in the plants that are intended to create a new and large genera- tion liable to improve rather than degenerate. As a consequence, it will also he necesary to provide, from the outset, for a most cartful and correct record of the signs, the degree, and progress of each of the qualities recognized in each individual plant selected for future propagation. For it is very important that when selecting stock plants amongst the new generation an accurate and easy comparison of each of these plants may he made with every one of his ancestors, so that the increase gained in constancy or permanency of each character wanted may he surely ascer- tained, and a headway moveim nt secured with certainty.. Of course the number of -erics to lie studied separately may vary according to cir- cumstances, each being conducted on a somewhat different basis as regards the most prominent qualities noticed in the plants used. I*.\ BUCh means and by never altering, without good reasons, the program once laid down at l he beginning, you may expect to bring the desired result more or less rapidly into the domain of established facts. Of course, much depends on the skill shown in the successive selections to he made, on the nature of the plants treated, as also on circumstances. In reply to your query about publishing this letter, we have only to say that if you are of opinion that others may derive some benefit from reading it, we shall not have the least object ion to your publishing it. We remain, dear sir. yours faithfully, VlLMOKIN, ANDRTEl \ A I '. ». Mr. W. P. (i.i \n \ i. 8terling Sirup WorJc8t Sterling, Kant. INDEX. A. Paue. Albumenoids, determination of, at Conway Springs, Kane 91 Amber, early. 114, 115 Analyses at Rio Grande, N. J., table of 45 Appropriation bill, date of 5 Arkansas, analyses of samples from 147 13. Brix spindles, comparison of, by drying, at Conway Springs (J3 C. Cane, amber, deterioration of, at Rio Grande 7 character of, at Kio Grande 29 best time for planting 34 Chinese 115, 1 lo analyses of 14;S cost of 1(J early orange, analyses of 143 experiments in growing di tie rent varieties of 1 HI fallen, deterioration of 1 * * — L frozen, analyses of 1 IS Honduras L18.119 Liberian, analyses of 142 Link's hybrid, analyses of 143 orange, varieties of 116,117 Planters' friend, analyses of 143 quantity of, worked at Conway Spriugs -I raising, Mr. Dealing's direct inns for 7:'», ? 1 Red Liberian 117,118 richness of, at Conway Springs varieties of, grown at the Sterling Experiment Station 112 varieties of, grown at Douglass 94 yield of, ;it Conway Spring* 67 Canes, distance of, in t he row 1 1:> early amber, analyses of i:;s highest analyses of I i : selected Honduras, analyses of 138 small sucrose ill '.>."> Chemical control, arrangements for t> Importance of 2] Chips, exhausted, analyses of, at Douglass 103 burning of 19 perinients with, at Wanopringo 158 Chips, exhausted, disposition of, at Douglass W \\ aste, disposition of 18 weight of, in each cell 78 Clarifying, at Kio Grande 40 Climate, importance of 17 Collier, Dr. Peter, varieties from 119 Coliiian, Hon. Norman J., aid from 49 Conway Springs, eleval ion of 7."» experiments at 63 experiments at 19 financial results of 18 object of 6 Sugar Company, incorporation of 03 Crampton, ( '. A. and A. A. Denton, report of L05 Crop, cane, at Dooglass, character of 14 Crosses, list of 130 analyses of 31, 32,33,34 Cultivation, experiments in methods of 144 Cutter and pulper at Kcnner 49 D. Deming, E. W., apparatus of 83 Denton, A. A. and C. A. Crampton, report of 105 superintendent of station at Sterling 16 Diffusion, battery at Douglass 96 failure of 14 at Kenner 4fj at Rio Grande 39 experiments in : notes on 51 with sugai cane, progress of 9fl| Dilution at Douglass 96 Douglass, Cans., experiments at 13 objecl of 6 mi in ma iv of work at 97 E. Edson, Hubert, report of 91 Experiments at Kenner, conclusions from 11 made by the Department . oik object of -1 Extracl Ion at Douglass 96 El a] 101 a tor, kind used at Jlio Grande 3? F. Factory at Conway Springs, equipment of 61 i of -- 80 points to be considered in building of 17 Fields, cane, proximity of 19 Filters, sand 30 • lust 35 Financial statement, Conway Springs W i i i year, disadvantages of beginning July ) , — I* I onwaj Springs ~i 1 16, 1 17 159 Page. Frosts, early, effects of 17 dates of 17 Fuel, crude oil as 37 supply of VJ G. Glucose, ratio of, to sucrose 7'.) Gypsum, amount of, in water at Conway Springs 12 in water at Conway Springs 07 II. Honduras cane, analyses of. 61 Houses, auxiliary 40, 41, 42 Hughes, H. A., report of 29 Hybrid varieties, description of CO I. Inversion at Rio Grande 40 J. Jennings, O. B., patent of 23 Juice, cause of poor extraction of 78 d illusion, amount drawn at each charge 78 at Douglass 9(5 dilution of 7d Juices, acidity in, at Conway Springs 92 Douglass 103 cane, analyses of, at Douglass 1)7 clarified, analyses of, at Conway Springs -7 Douglass 101 comparison of acidity in, at Conway Springs 92 total solids in, at Douglass 104 d illusion, analyses of, at Douglass LOO ( on way Springs from exhausted chips, analyses of, at Conway Springs 90 mill, analyses of, at Conway Springs - 34 from fresh ohips, analyses of, at Conway Springs ^5 K. Kansas orange cane, experiments with 30 Kenner, conclusions from work at 62 experiments at 10 la 1 (oratory work at 49 L. Letter of submittal \ lame, air-slaked, experiments with go carbonate, experiments with go caustic, experiments with 77 of, in t he di Has ion battery 23 in .lava and Australia diffusion battery by Prof. W. C. Stubbs 2:. • • N. < lunninghani 1G0 M. Page. Machinery at Conway Springs, description of 63, 04,65, 00 faults of 13 at Douglass, character of M at Rio Grande, character of 8 defects of y report of Hubert Edson on 1» Manufacture, method of, at Rio Grande 8, 3.~> Masse cnites, anal} ses of, at Conway Springs Douglass 108 Moisture in the cane, percentage of 70 Mo] a -ses, amount made at Conway Springs B8 anal j ses of, ai Conway Springs 89 Douglass 102 at Com way Springs, character of 70 price of 70 N. Neale, Dr. A. T.. report of 43 New Jersey Experiment Stat ion, Bulletin 51 10 Nitrogen, effect of, on cane 34 O. Oil, crude, advantages of ase of 38 price of 38 P. Polarization, single and double f>0 Potash, effect of, on cane 34 Product at Conway Springs, character of 07 Public property, ase of, by priv;i c corporations 'J I R. Reporl to Conway Spring- Sugar Company, abstract of 71,72,73 It io Grande, N. J., experiments at 7 kson of 1880 31 L881 31 1—2 32 1884 32 l--:. 32 1886 33 L887 33 L888 34 summary of results at, for nine j ears 30 s. Saccharometers designed for sorghum juices 29 difficulties of selection of improvement by select ion of i"> impure, results of planting of 76 : ion of, from canes sho a ing a bigh content ol* sugar I.'.T sorghum, size of 148 yield of, at Conway Springs Shredding, double --• 36 Simps, analyses of, at Conway Springs 101 161 Page. Soil and climate, importance of 17 at Douglass, character of , 14 Sorghum, advantages of, in selection of seed 140 development of 128, 123 cane, faults of 107,108 improvement of 15, 109 methods of 110 necessity for improving the 107 varieties of, at Baton Rouge Station 47 varieties of, at Kenner 46 varieties of, at North Louisiana Experiment Station 47 comparison of, with the sugar beet 109 industry, facts concerning 27 in Louisiana, character of 10 late planting of 60 analyses of 60 plant, improvement in cultivation of 150, 151, K»2, 153, 154 reasons for growing, in Louisiana 47 sugar industry, limits of 17 ^ needs of 13 analyses of varieties of 51 Spencer, G. L., letter from 22 Sports, or spontaneous variations 128, 129 Starch in sorghum 50 Sterling, Kans., experiments at 14 object of experimental work at 6, 107 Experiment Station, method of work employed at 141 sirup works, experiments of 106 Stubbs, Prof W.C., experiments of 6 with sugar cane '22 report of 46 Sucrose, average per cent, of 76 at Douglass 96 Sugar beets, analyses of 139, 148 Sugar, amount made at Conway Springs 82 at Conway Springs, character of 70 price of 70 at Douglass, yield of, per ton 14 high content of, at Conway Springs 12 causes of 12 house at Douglass, description of <»;> industry, success of l .*. waking, on a small scale, failure of poor yield of, at Conway Spi iogfl 18 < of IS yield of. pel ton of, at Conway Springs of, pel ton from sorghum 27 of, at Douglass :»? Sugars, analyses of, at Douglass 102 first ana 3 gs polarization of -i raw. analyse! mway Springs Bwenson, Psof. Bfagnns, paten! of L4056— Bull. 20 11 162 T. Page. Tartaric acid, occurrence of, in sorghum cane 50 Technical and chemical control, importance of 21 Total solids, comparison of, by drying 25 determination of, in hydrogen 26 by saccharometers 26 in flat dishes 2G V. Variations, ease with which they are produced 128 in standard varieties, analyses of 135, 136 in unnamed varieties, analyses of 137 work on 129,130 Varieties, acclimatization of Ill comparison of, by analysis 119 different, summary of analyses of 124, 125 early 113 experiments in hybridizing or crossiug 127 ten, giving best results 126 unnamed 119 analyses of 120, 121 Vilmorin,1 Andrieux & Co., letter from 154 Von Schweinitz, E. A., report of 74 W. Water, at Conway Springs, effect of, on boilers 80 supply, at Conway Springs 67 disadvantages of insufficient 18 importance of 18 Wiley, Dr. H.W., letter of 24 results of experiments of 70 Work, assignment of 5 o UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 09216 6395