SB 228 .B4 :opy 1 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 529 542 4 Hollinger Corp. pH8.5 ^ * ^■^/'^f'*^ ii^-^ty^ y'^i^LC^ C^^^^C't^^-^l-'f*^^}^^ REPORT OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED O.N Evan Hall, Belle Alliance, % Souvenir, New Hope, Belle Terre, ^^^Palo Alto Plantations. BY Prof. LEZIN A. BECNEL. CHEMIST. NEW ORLEANS': L.GRAHAM & SON, Printers, 99, 101. 103 Oravier Street. 1889. ERRATA. Page 20, ist column, in table headed CANE," read Palo Alto . 24 45 instead of Palo Alto 14.4S Page 20, 2d column, top, in table headed "juice EXTRACTED," tile sub-heads should read " Ga/loHs'''' ^^Potiiids'''' instead of ^^ Barrels'''' '' Poands:'' Page 21, ist column, in table headed '' results PER ton axu per acre," the sub-headings should read '•'■Ton'''' '■'■ Acre"" instead of »' Tons'"' '■'■Acres." Same table, in heading, read MASSE cuiTE " instead of masse c'tes." Same table, in cohimn headed "commercial MASSE c'tes" Palo Alto should be credited with 5,oSo instead of 5,08. " PLANT Next succeeding table read " COMMERCIAL " COMMERCIAL Belle Terre 23 no Palo Alto 21.00 instead of Belle Terre 23 Palo Alto 21 Next succeeding table read Belle Alliance i;6o 1 instead of j Belle Alliance 15.6 . Page 21, 1st column, bottom. in table of losses in manufacture, read On Evan Hall 16.40 On Palo Alto SSO instead of On Evan Hall ir,.4 On Palo Alto SS j ir ^ REPORT OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED ON EVAN HALL, BELLE ALLIANCE, SOUVENIR, NEW HOPE, BELLE TERRE, AND PALO ALTO PLANTATIONS. By prof. LEZIN BECNEL, Ciif.mist. Evan IIaix Plantation, \ McCall p. O., La., June 16, 1S90. i To the McCall Bros. Plautiuff and ATntiii- factiiruig Co., Limited, Messrs. E. <£■ ^. Koch, I^on Godchanx, Gen. W. P. Miles, Messrs. B. LemaiiH & Bra., ottd Lemann d- Lum: Gen- tlemen — It affords me great pleasure to haiui you herewith my final report on the crop of 1889. Said report includes both field and factory results, and has been made as complete as the data at my disposal ha\e permitted. I also desire to sincerely thank you for the facil- ities which you have given me to carry out this work. To my assistants, Messrs. Chas. R. Gaines, C. A. Hartwell, Richard Short, C S. McFar- land, Walter B. Wiley, and, last but not least, Mr. Clinton Townsend, I desire to exjiress my thanks for the manner in which they have ac- quitted themselves of the tasks allotted to them. Yoin^s'very respectfully, Lezin a. Becnel, Cheinist. Crop of iS8g, Evan flail Plantation . PART I. field results. It will be remembered that the cultivating season of 18S9 was an unusually dry one, and that very grave apprehensions were accordingly entertained as to the general result. Contrary to general expectations the result in tonnage per acre exceeded the most sanguine estimates made just before grinding. The data relating to the yield of each cut separately show very interesting differences in the results obtained on the lands worked on the " gang system " for account of the plantation proper and those obtained by the different " tenants " on other parts of the field. It is very unfortunate that our statistical sys- tem has not as yet reached that degree of ex- • cellence which would permit of the classifica- tion of the different soils according to their natural fertility and chemical properties. Proper analyses of soils and fertilizers would, in lime, be the best guide as to what special tertilizers should be used and in what manner they should be applied to the different cuts of sandy, mixed, and stiff land. While fully appreciating the disturbing ele- ments of different climatic conditions, relative excellence of stand, condition of seed at the time of planting, etc., we nevertheless believe that in time not only the saccharine content of the cane could be improved, but a greater uni- formity of results be established between the different cuts, which, to all appearances, are of the same general character of soil. Both our data and experience, are, however, too meagre to admit of even an approach to this. Believing that even a little information is better than none, we will try to show where the difierences occur, and which fertilizers appear to have given the best results during the past season. To do this, the soils will be divided into two main classes, viz. : "Old lands," or those in cultivation before the war and for a longer period than ten years; and "new lands," those in cultivation since the commencement of tile present decade. In turn, these will be sub- divided into sandy, mixed, and stiff lands. The terms " sandy," and " stiff," require no explana- tion, for the characteristics of these soils are well known to every agriculturist. When applied to soils the term " mixed " may require some explanation. Besides the lands usually called chocolate loams the term " mixed " will also include those cuts which are sandy on one end and gradually slope to a stiff bottom at the other end. In the individual comparison of the results of the plantation and those of each tenan*, the kind of fertilizer and the rate per acre at which it was used will be taken into consideration. After the individual comparisons the results will be compared from the standpoint of soil and fer- tilizer used irrespective of the cultivator. By this means it is hoped to at least get an indica- tion of the relative values and results of each fertilizer used. Before going on to the discussion of the above results it is well to note the composition and character of the fertilizers used on the past crop. These were four in number, viz.: First, a mix- ture of 50 per cent dissolved bone or acid~ phos- phate, 40 per cent cotton seed meal, and 10 per cent land plaster; second. Stern's high grade sugar fertilizer; third, soluble Pacific guano; and fourth. Armour's hog tankage. Having explained the plan of comparison which is to be pursued, and stated which fer- tilizers were used, we will commence with the INDIVIDUAL RESULTS. In the following table will be found the re- sults attained with plant cane on old sandy lands : Ciillivator. Ffriilizer used, and rote per acre. Tonnage per acre. A H C Hog Tank.ige, 6c» lbs. per acre Ho}? Tankage, 600 lbs. lbs acre High Grade, 600 lbs. per acre High Grade, 600 lbs. per acre 18.36 i6.i>S 22.40 D S2.CO A comparison of A's and B's results shows that under the same apparent conditions, A gets an excess of 1.38 tons per acre, meaning that his result is 8.13 per cent better than B's. In C's and D's case the difference is only .4 tons, but, although small, it should not be passed unnoticed, .since it represents an excess of 1.8 per cent in C's favor. Next in order, are the results with first year's rattoons on old sandy lands, which are as follows: Cultivator Fertilizer used, and rate per acre. Tonnage per acre. Plantation High Grade, 900 lbs. per acre . ... 17.77 19.60 23.16 24.61 22.50 C D B A High Grade, 600 lbs. per acre Hog Tankage, 600 lbs. per acre Hog Tankage, 600 lbs, per acre Hog Tankage, 600 lbs. per acre The plantation results as compared with those of a tenant are worthy of observation. It will be seen that the plantation used 50 per cent more fertilizer than did C, with whose results it is to be compared. All things being equal and notwithstanding a probable lack of soil fertility, one would sup- pose that with such a large excess of high grade the plantation should at least have gotten as much cane from one acre of land as did the tenant, C. The contrary is however the case. C produced 2.17 tons more, or an excess of 12.12 per cent. With tankage as fertilizer B's, D's, and A's results can be compared. By referring to the above table it will be seen that A'sy results are the poorest. Compared with these, DJis shown to have produced an ex- cess of .66 tons, which give him a 2.93 per cent superiority of result. In the same way B is shown to have produced an excess of 2.11 tons, or a 9.38 per cent superiority of result over A, and 1.45 tons, or a 6.26 per cent rate of excess, over D. Want of sufficient data compels the closing of these comparisons of individual results with the yields of first year's stubble on old mixed lands. These are as follows: Cultivator. Fertilizer used, and rate per acre. Tonnage per acre. Plantation E High Grade, 900 lbs. per acre High Grade, 600 lbs. per acre 19.10 25.10 This is another instance in which a tenant obtains a better result than the plantation. E with one-third less fertilizer makes 6 tons more cane per acre, giving him a 31.34 per cent superiority of result. Before dismissing the subject of the compari- son of results obtained on soils of same appar- ent general character, it is well to bear in mind that these same differences have a definite finan- cial meaning. The smallest difference which has been noticed was one of 0.40 tons per acre. Although apparently insignificant, it neverthe- less represents an additional $1.40 per acre to the cultivator, when his cane is worth $3.50 per ton delivered. On the other hand, the largest dif- ference noted was 6 tons per acre, representing a net profit of $21 more for the cultivator. These differences are as important from the manufacturing standpoint as they are from the agricultural. According to the average result per ton during the past season, 6 tons of cane represent 870 pounds of additional sugar per acre, which along with the proportional molas- ses would swell both the final output of the factory and the commercial value of a crop. RESULTS OF FERTILIZATION. As above, the results obtained on like soils will be compared, but without regard to the special cultivator having charge of same. The average tonnage per acre, of either plant or stubble, for a given quality of soil and fertilizer, will be compared with that produced by the use of some other fertilizer, without, however, neglecting to take into consideration the rate in pounds at which they were used. On sandy land plant»cane, the results were as follows: Six hundred pounds mixture per acre pro- duced 21.84 tons. Six hundred pounds soluble Pacific guano per acre produced 21.87 tons. Six hundred pounds tankage per acre pro- duced 17.67 tons. Six hundred pounds high grade per acre pro- duced 22,20 tons. Six hundred pounds high grade and mixture per acre produced 20,25 tons. Remembering that definite conclusions can by no means be derived from the limited data at our disposal, the following remarks are to be interpreted simply as an approximation of the true results: With tankage as a basis of comparison, the above table shows the apparent superiority of the other fertilizers to have been as follows; High grade and mixture, 2. 58 tons, excess equal to 14.66 per cent. Mixture alone, 4.17 tons, excess equal fo 23.60 per cei.t. Soluble Pacific guano, 4.20 tons, excess equal to 23.77 P^'" cent. High grade alone, 4.53 tons, excess equal to 24.51 per cent. On the basis of the results obtained with the double mixture of high grade and " Standard mixture," the excesses of results are as per the following statement, viz.: Mixture alone, 1.59 tons, equal to 7.85 per cent. Soluble Pacific guano, 1.62 tons, equal to 8 per cent. High grade alone, 1.95 tons, equal to 9.63 per cent. It will be noticed that the results with mix- ture alone and with soluble Pacific guano were practically the same, and- that high grade alone only exceeds these by 1.51 per cent on the basis of soluble Pacific guano and 1.65 on that of mixture. On sandy land rattoons the results were : With 750 pounds high grade per acre, 18.68 tons. With 600 pounds tankage per acre, 23,43 tons. With 900 pounds meal and Pacific guano per acre, 21.95 tons. Showing that the best results were obtained with tankage. With these as a standard it will be seen that notwithstanding a 50 per cent increase of fertilizer the results with meal and soluble Pacific guano show a 6.31 per cent inferiority. It compared with high grade, an excess result of 25.43 per cent is shown for 25 per cent less fertilizer, indicating that tankage produced 50.43 per cent more cane under the same apparent conditions. In the case of meal and Pacific guano, as compared to high grade, increased quantities produced increased ton- nage. Excess of tonnage, hosvever, is not found to l)c in proportion to increased quantity ot fertilizer used, jo per cent more meal and Pacific guano protiuced but 17.51 per cent more tonnage than liigli grade. Next in order come the results on mixed land plant cane. Tiiese were : With 600 pounds soluble Pacific guano, 21.70 tons per acre. With 600 pounds tankage, J0.91 tons per acre. With 600 pounds mixture, 20.34 tons per acre. Showing that for equal quantities of fertilizer, tankage is 2. So per cent better than mixture, wliilst soluble Pacific guano shows a superiority of 3. 78 per cent over tankage and 6.72 per cent over mixture. On mixed land, first year's stubble, we have: With 750 pouniis high grade, 22.11 tons per acre. With 600 pounds tankage, 21.16 tons per acre. Here again will be noticed that an excess of fertilizer did not produce a correspondingly large increase ot result. In this instance, 25 per cent more high grade only produced a ■\..\ij per cent increased result over tankage. Other things being equal and an increased quantity of fertilizer producing a correspondingly increased result, the above is to be interpreted as showing that tlie results with high grade are about 21.51 per cent inferior t® thiose with tankage. On stiff land plant cane the results were; With 600 pounds mixture and soluble Pacific guano, 16.41 tons per acre. With 600 pounds high grade, 21.25 tons P^"" acre. .Showing that for equal quantities of fertilizer higli grade produced 29.43 per cent more cane than did tlie double mixture of soluble Pacific guano and mixture. In tlie foregoing pages we have pointed out manv surprising differences which are inexpli- cable by our present crude statistical systems. On these more light could probably be thrown by a more accurate soil classification than sim- ply the sandy, the mixed, and the stiff. Past experience having taught us that certain cuts produce tonnage more readily than others, the fertilization is carried on with some little attempt at system. Bearing in mind these dif- ferences of fertility, either the more liighly nitrogenized or larger cjuantities of manure are put on those lands which appear to produce tonnage only w-ith dilViculty, and either the more highly phosphatized or smaller quantities of manure are put on those lands which have a natural tendency to produce tonnage. Whilst excellent so far as it goes, this method could no doubt be greatly improved by the addi- tion of proper soil analyses. Any system tending to produce a greater uni- formity of result is most iiighly desiiable, as will be shown by the following facts and figures: Of the 5S4 acres of plant cane ground during the present season, 66. 79 per cent or 390 acres produced less than 23 tons and only gave an average of 20 tons per acre. The remaining 194 acres producing 23 and more tons per acre gave a general average of 24,50 tons, which is only j^y- of a ton below the usual average for plant cane on this place. If it be assumed that this average of 24.50 tons is practically up to the standard, the remaining 300 acres show a short- age of 1,755 tons, or an average of 4.50 tons per acre. To the cultivator this represents $6,142.50 when cane is wortii $3,50 per ton delivered. According to actual sugar-house results this cane would have yielded some 254, 5fX) pounds of sugar and 217 barrels of molasses With regard to the stubble crop, all that can be said is that its results are almost without precedent. For tlie past 13 years the average per acre was only 20 tons, against 22. Sofor 1889. This large tonnage was entirely due to the unu- sually good stand of cane on the land. Compared with the results of 18SS, the gen- eral field result is as follows: According to the general average tonnage per acre the plant cane crop is found to be 19.42 per cent short. The stubble on the other hand is found to show a 16.62 per cent excess. Hence the conclusion that the general result for 1SS9 ^^^*^ --^'^ P^'"" cent short. From the foregoing it follow-i that too much stress can not be put on the advisa- bility ot an early start in the matter of the improvement of the present agricultural sta- tistics. Aided by the chemical analysis of mill juices and other sugar-house products, the adoption of improved statistical systems has undoubtedly reduced the losses of manufacture. Although possibly more dilhcult of attain- ment, there is no doubt that improved methods can be made to have the same beneficial effects on the agricultural results which they are known to have had on those of manufacture. PART II. SUGAR-lIOUSE RESULTS. IIa\ing succeeded in giving to our weekly data almost the same degree of accuracy which we claim for that relating to the entire season's work, we, in the following pages, will call at- tention to all points of superiority, (as well as to those of inferiority,) which our data point out, making thereon all remarks which may suggest themselves. Of the different subjects which make up the general sugar-house results the first one requiring attention is the KINNIXG TIMK. By counting each watch of six hours as one- quarter of a day, and only counting those watches during which the mills ran, whi.ther it be during a part only or during the entire watch, the running time for each week or iiin is as per the following table: Week ending October 20, or first run, 4.50 days. Week ending October 27, or second run, 6.50 days. Week ending November 3, or third run, 4.25 days. Week ending November 10, or fourth run, 5.75 days. Week ending November 17, or fifth run, 6.25 days. Week ending November 24, or sixth run, 6 days. Week ending December i, or seventh run, 6 da vs. Week ending December 8, or eighth run, 6 days. Week ending December 15, or ninth run 3.75 days. Toial for the crop, 49 days. Without accidents to the machinery, it is our belief that a stoppage of twelve hours every Sun- day is all the time necessary to do the usual cleaning up of bagasse burner, boilers, etc. As was the case on the second run, it follows that the mill should run during twenty-six en- tire watches each week. The shortness of the first run was due first, to not starting the mill until Tuesday morning, October 15, and sec- ondly, to the breaking of a crown wheel, which caused a delay of three entire watches. We understand that at Belle Alliance and on other plantations the mills are started with the very first loads of cane delivered under the shed. This is an excellent plan, and one whicli, in the case under discussion would have made the running time of the first run 5.50 days, instead of 4.50, and this, after making all necessary al- lowances for the replacement of the broken crown wheel. On the third run, nine watches were lost, ow- ing to the necessity of certain repairs to leaky vacuum pan coils. After making all necessary allowance for the above justifiable losses of time.it was found that on the second run only the mill ran during its full quota of time. As will be remembered, all other losses of time were the result of groundless fears of a block in the boiling end of the sugar house. In the following table is given the lost time for each week in terms of the number of watches and per cent of the full allotment of time during which the mill should have run after making necessary allowances for repairs of machinery: First run, four watches, equal to 16 per cent. Second run, no watches, equal to no per cent. Third run, no watches, equal to no per cent. Fourth run, three watches, equal to 11.54 per cent. Fifth run, one watch, equal to 3.85 per cent. Sixth run, two watches, equal to 7.7 per cent. Seventh run, two watches, equal to 7.7 per cent. Eighth run, two watches, equal to 7.7 per cent. There not having been enough cane to last through the week, no shortage is given for the ninth or last run. For the six runs, on which unnecessary losses of time occurred, the stand- ard running time is represented bv 152 watches, or thirty-eight full days. Of these, 6. 58 pei cent, or two and a half days, were lost by a dis- inclination to run the risk of having to stop the mill in the middle of a week in case a block did occur; and 2.63 per cent, or an entire day, by not starting the mill soon enough at the begin- ning of grinding. Next in importance is the average number of hours during which the mill ran each day. Thirty to thirty-five minutes each day are, ac- cording to observations, all the time that is necessary to clean up and wash around the mill, juice strainer, sulphur machine, etc. Disregarding all stops of less than five min- utes duration, the running time of the mill was as follows: On first run, 94"^ hours, equal to 22^^ hours per day. On second run, i49{ro- hours, equal to 22|^ hours per day. On third run, 96!^ hours, equal to 22^-tt hours per day. On fourth run, 129!^ hours, equal to 22|-^ hours per day. On fifth*run, 146^^} hours, equal to 2355 hours per da}. On sixth run, 138(1X1 hours, equal to 22,-^^ hours per day. On seventh run, 1396-f hours, equal to 23^^ hours per day. On eighth run, i4o|[y hours, equal to 23-5^ hours per day. On ninth run, 85^^ hours, equal to 22;|-[| hours per day. Total crop, i,iiS{J{j hours, equal to 22(51 hours per day. On the eighth run it will be seen the thirty- five minute limit was fully carried out. By taking the average hours of mill running of this week as a standard of comparison, the lost time for the other runs is: On first run, i|f hours per day, equal to 5.55 per cent. On second run, ij;{| hours per day, equal to 4. 98 per cent. On third run, ;Jg hours per day, equal to 3.06 per cent. On fourth run, f i; hours per day, equal to 3.70 per cent. On fifth run, ^| hours per day, equal to .36 per cent. On sixth run, f| hours per day, equal to 1.67 per cent. On seventh day, ^ hours per day, equal to .85 per cent. On ninth run, ^| hours per day, equal to 3.20 per cent. General crop average, ^ hours per day. equal to 2.56 per cent. Part of this loss was caused by the breaking of the intermediate carrier slats, but 75 per cent of it is believed to have been due to avoid- able causes. Of these the main one was run- ning out of cane on the last night watch. Tnis, in turn, was the result of overcrowding and consequent choking of the mill on the two night watches. Whatever be the number of tons of cane that are to be ground in the twenty-four hours, it is of the greatest import- ance that the feed be so regulated as to grind one-fourth the quantity on each watch. Dur- ing the past season, and judging from the thickness of the feed, only from two-fifths to one-third of the cane was ground during the two day watches, the remaining three-fifths to two-thirds being crowded on the two night watches. This crowding of cane has many disadvantages, and offers no compensating ad- vantages.' Attention has already been called to some of these disadvantages, but nothing has as yet been said of the effect that irregular feeds have on the percentage of juice extracted from the cane. Another and not to be over- looked disadvantage of irregular feeds is the danger of breakage in either the mills or the gearing when these are subjected to the sudden strains caused by over thicknesses of feed. According to the foregoing tables it has been seen that during the past season the mill ran during 1,118 hours. Of these 1.92 per cent, or nearly 21^ hours, were lost by avoidable causes. With a very full allowance for con- tingencies these 21^ hours represent three- fourths of a day of running time. If to this, the 3^ lost days, already spoken of, be added, it will be seen that in running time alone 4^ days were unnecessarily lost during the season, In the future a yreat deal of attention fihouki be ijiveii to this question of ruiiiiiiig time. Al- thouy;li uniinj^ortant for one ilay, or even on a week's run, it nevertheless counts up; and, at tlie enil of llic season, it is found tliat besides the want of coinpensatin<^ results, the expenses ot inanufacture have been swelled by the pro- jiortion due to the number of days lost. MILLING. In the follovvinjj table will be found the main data I elating to the crushing of cane: ^ . ^ V 'J^ !M C5 ^3 $ j^ s* ^35. SS-S. SS5. sss ■> B •^S.5- i-^r ^^r a a 5 ■< : to ■ ri : El : » • ^ 1930 ■ 5s- l•^•^t 23000 3S0000 327000 28031)50 Siioncl .ws 41000 562500 521500 .('--■57- > Tlunl 1941 02500 394500 3^20(X) 29170311 I'Durtli ■25tS 125000 586500 461500 4i.«)5Ju I'iftli 293s 160000 671000 51 1000 451S3JJ Sixth 2710 128500 596500 468000 410SJ,,,, Seventh 2918 121500 62650D 505000 4(S<,i5o Jiiyht 3061 138500 ()Siooo 542500 4817400 Nintli '75" 22873 64000 37'500 30750 > 274722S Totals S64000 4840000 3976000 3S3>3S87 The foregoing figures are given more for pm- poses of reference than tor comparison. VVith- out going into the details of proportions which will be derived therefrom, they show that with a little care tlie mills can be easily made to grind 3,000 tons per week. In support of this assertion attention is called to tlie tact that on the seventh and eighth runs, respectively', the mills only ran six days or tvventy-foiu- watches each week, and ground a total of 5,978 tons. This is an average of 49S tons per day, and demon- strates that even on six instead of six and a half day runs the mills can be made to average 125 tons on a watch. That this can be done without detriment to the usual percentage of extraction is evidenced by the fact that the percentage of ex- traction for these runs is 78.76 and 79.05 per cent respectively. In order to more closely study the milling results, subjoined will be found a series of tables of proportionate results derived from the preceding table. From the point of view of the time required to grind a given quantity of cane, the iictiial results for each run are as follows: On first run, 20.532 tons per hour ot mill running. On second run, 20.56S tons per hour ot mill running. On third run, 20.114 tons per hour ot mill running. On fourth run, 19.652 tons per hour ot mill running. On fifth run, 20.103 tons per hour of mill running. On sixth run, 19.602 tons per hour of mill running. On seventh run, 20.970 tons per hour of mill running. On eighth run, 21.06S tons per hour of mill running. On ninth run, 20.659 '^ons per hour of mill running. Crop average, 20.460 tons per hour of mill running. According to these figiircs tiie best rcfiults were oblnined on the eighth run. Taking these as a basis of comparison the shortages for each of tlie other runs are : First run, shortage of .536 tons per hour e(iuals 2.55 per cent. Second run, !*horlage of .500 tons jjer hour eijuals 2.37 per cent. Third run, shortage of .954 tons per hour equals 4.53 per cent. Fourth rim, shortage of i. 416 tons per hour equals 6.72 per cent. Fifth run, shortage ot .(^65 tons pvr hour equals 4. 58 per cent. Sixth run, shortage of 1.466 tons ])er hour equals 6.96 per cent. Seventh run, shortage of .09S tons per hour equals .47 per cent. Ninth run, shortage of .409 tons per hour equals 1.94 per cent. Crop average, shortage ot .U>S tons per hour equals 2.89 per cent. The average of the cane grouiui per hour of mill running during the seventh and eighth runs is 21 tons. On this basis the 22,873 'ons of cane for 1SS9 should have been groum) in 1,089 hours, instead of i>i'8. This is a differ- ence of 39 hours, which, according to the 23i|^ hours per day standard, represent a turihei and unnecessary loss of 1.67 days, (jr tor greater simjilicity, i^ days. If to this the 4^^ days lost on the running time be added it follows that the crop of 1S89 should have been taken off in 43X.days. After what has been said it follows that with- out detriment to either the safety of the ma- chinery or the extraction the mill can be made to grind nearlv 530 tons of cane per 24 hours. It is of the greatest imjiortance that proper remedies be applied to these losses of time. Besides the extra expense which they entail, it must be remembered that they protract the grinding season into the season of further loss by the deterioration of cane in windrow, ;ind that attenchmt upon wet weather, muddy ro;ids, etc. To conclude these remarks on the general subject of "milling" it is well to study the effects of saturation, hardness, and quantity of cane ground on the extraction of juice. For this purpose and from the general table given aljovi; the following proportional results are deduced : l:i>i yy>n Suioml run Tliird run Foui'th run I'ilth run Sixih run . 0.00227 0.00228 0.002 J2 0.00217 0.00222 0.00217 Sevenlli run | 0.00232 Kiijhth run 1 0.00233 Ninth run ! 0.0022S Crop averages 1 0.00226 Owing to a lack of knowledge of the abso- lute quaniitv of woody fiber contained in the lane ground, the conclusions which will be derived troin the following comparisons will not be as definite as we would like to see them. e It is to be presumed that the lower the tonnage the harder, and consequently the gre-.ter the percentage of woody fiber contained in the cane. According to this theory, under the same milling conditions the extraction is in direct proportion to the degree of softness of the cane. According to the above table, if the rate of saturation be taken into consideration, this theory seems to be justified. For the same milling conditions it is found that the 2nd and 9th runs, the 3rd and 5th, and the 4th and 6th can be compared with each other. In the first case by grinding at the rate of .0022S tons per square foot of roller surface per hour, the extraction of the 9th run is found to be superior to that of the 2nd. This increase is in all probability due to the greater rate of satura- tion, for it will be noticed that the tonnage per acre of the 9th run is somewhat lower than that of the 2nd. In the comparison of the 3rd and 5th runs the same general conditions produce the same general result. Contrary to expectation, compared with the 4th run, the 6th shows a decreased extraction with apparently softer cane. For this, two rea- sons can be given. First, the lower rate of satu- ration might account for part of the shortage, but the main cause is believed to be due to run- ning the mill without saturation during several days. It was during this 6th run that owing to the sugar makers' belief that saturation produced impure juices, the mill was run with- out it. Although a greater rate of saturation was resorted to during the latter part of the week, it appears to have been inadequate to even compensate tor the loss in extraction by want of saturation at the beginning of the run. In the cases of the ist and 2nd, and 7th and 8th runs, although the milling conditions were not absolutely the same, they were, however, sufficiently alike to justify a comparison of results. Compared with each other it will be noticed that on the 2nd run both an increased rate of saturation and a higher tonnage seem to have produced a better mill extract'on. As has already been noticed in other instances, it will be seen that with a lower tonnage the extraction of the Sth run exceeds that of the 7th — the only apparent different condition being the increased rate of saturation. During the manufacture of the crops of 18S6 to 1888, inclusive, it will be remembered that little or no saturation was resorted to. The average tonnage per acre for these years was 23.88 tons. The average tons of cane ground per square foot of roller surface per hour was .00217, ^n<^ the corresponding mill extraction was 75.56. All other things being equal, it is believed that a better extraction can be obtained by a thin feed than by a heavy one, and in con- sequence the extraction should be in inverse proportion to the feed carried. For want of a better standard of comparison, assuming the woody fiber to be in inverse proportion to the tonnage of cane, it follows that the extraction should be in direct proportion to the tonnage per acre. Reasoning from the above, it appears that without saturation, the milling results of 1889 would have been as follows: Since per square foot of roller surface per hour, the feed carried in 1889 was 4.15 per cent heavier, the aver- age extraction would have been 4.15 per cent less than it was during 1886, 1887, and iSSS. This means that even with equally soft cane the. extraction would probably have been 72.42 percent, instead of 75-56 as already stated. If cane of 8 per cent less tonnage per acre is 8 per cent harder, this further reduces the probable extraction to 66.68 per cent. This would show a 15.22 per cent increased extraction due to saturation. To produce the actual 77.19 per cent extraction, 15.23 per cent of water was used on the 22,873 tons of cane ground. This would make it appear as if the water of satura- tion extracted 64.53 per cent of its weight in normal juice from the cane. According to the actual sugar-house results this proportion of juice would represent eigh- teen pounds of commercial sugar to the ton of cane ground. Our experience with the milling results of this place, however, leads us to suppose that even without saturation such cane as was ground during the past season would not have given less than a 70 per cent extraction. If, on the basis of the foregoing estimate, it is assumed that cane which is 8 per cent lower in tonnage per acre is only 2 per cent harder, the probable extraction, without saturation, is 70.97 per cent, against 77.19 per cent with sat- uration. According to these last figures the proportion of normal juice due to saturation is represented by 8. 76 per cent of the weight of normal juice without saturation and 6.22 per cent on the weight of the cane. In dry sugar this juice represents eleven pounds per ton of cane ac- cording to the actual yields of the sugar-house. With a view of trying to ascertain if satura- tion tended to impair the purity of the juice, a number of tests of the first mill juices and of the corresponding mixture of the first and sec- ond mill juices were made both with and with- out saturation. The average results of these are as follows: COMPOSITION OF JUICE. Specific gravity Degree Baume Per cent of total solids Per cent cf sucroge Per cent of glucose Per cent of solids not sugar Ratio of glucose to sucrose.. Ratio of solids not sugar to total solids Purity coefficient WITHOUT SATURATION. 1.066 9.00 16.16 12.80 I.S6 1.80 12.18 II. 14 79.21 10.65 S.80 15-91 12-3S 1.46 2.10 11.82 n.20 77.62 WITH SATUKAT'N. 1.067 9.00 16.25 I2.S2 1.46 1-97 II.3!i 12.12 7S.S9 1.051 7.00 12.63 9.80 1. 17 1.66 11.94 13.14 77-S9 By comparing the above purity coefficients and ratios of glucose to sucrose and solids not sugar to total solids of the mixed juices with their corresponding first mill juices in the case without saturation is found: A 2 per cent de- crease of purity coefficient, a 2.96 per cent decrease of ratio of glucose to sucrose, a 17.59 per cent increase of ratio of solids not sugar to total solids. With saturation the differences are: a 1.64 per cent decrease in purity coeffici- ent, a 4.92 increase of ratio of glucose to sucrose and an 8.41 per cent increase of ratio of solids not sugar to total soliiis. These ditterences tend to show that saturation is protiuctivc of purer juices tPian douhlo millinj^ alone, from the fact that fewer impurities are extracted from the cane. This is e\ idcnced by the very much less increased ratio of solids not sugar to total solids, and is probably the result of the coagu- lation of certain of the albuminoids by the hot water used, and which remain imprisoned in the woody fiber of the cane when going through the second mill. Without saturation the ratio existing between the glucose and the total solids is 9.65 per cent for tlie first mill and 9.18 per cent in the mixed juices. This is a decrease of 4.S7 per cent. With saturation we have an 8.98 per cent ratio for the first mill and 9.26 per cent for the mixed juices, or an increase of 3.12 per cent. When coupled with the increased glucose to sucrose ratio the last fi^jure given shows that the use of hot water during saturation has caused an inversion of sucrose, which can be approximately estimated as follows: Without any inversion it is fair to assume that the ratio of glucose to total solids should be reduced in the same proportion that it was in the case of double tnilling without saturation. Accord- ingly, this ratio should have been S.54 per cent, instead of 9.26 per cent. This would have made the percentage of glucose in the mixed juice of saturation i.oS per cent, instead of 1.17 per cent, and accordingly shows an approx- imate inversion of a proportion of .0S6 parts of sucrose, or nearly, .g per cent of the sucrose which is accounted for by the analysis of said mixed juice of saturation. According to the average mill extraction of the season, and the percentage of sucrose therein, 192.36 pounds 'of sucrose can be ac- counted for from each ton of cane ground. The sucrose inverted dining the saturation is, according to the above figures, 1.73 pounds, showing that 194.C9 pounds of sucrose were actually extracted from each ton of cane ground. Whatever may Itave been the exact cause of this inversion — heat alone, or combined with other causes, does not, for the time being, make inuch difference, for it is not of a sufiiciently large proportion to condemn hot water satura- tion from a practical standpoint. In terms of the commercial sugars the above 1.73 pounds of sucrose inverted represents less than two pounds per ton. It has been seen that notwithstanding this loss occasioned by inver- sion, saturation carried the extraction of eleven pounds more sugar per ton of cane than would have been extracted without it. Having no data on the subject of cold water saturation, nothing can be said as to the relative value of cold and hot water saturation, except that ac- cording to well-known physical principles, the writer doubts that in a given time cold water will mix as readily with the juices contained in the first mill bagasse as will hot water. How- ever,circumstances so permitting, it is proposed to further investigate this question during the coming season. In conclusion, we would strongly urge the continuance of saturation, (especially on hard cane,) and to the utmost limit of the evaporating capacity of the exhaust steam furnished by the different engines of the sugar house. It is also desired to call special attention to the large percentage of trash brought to the sugar house. Dry leaves, it is true, do not materially affect the weight of a load of cane, but after having been passed through the mills they come out as wet as the accompanying bagasse. Since they contain no juice before crushing, the fact of their coming out wet is evidence that their moisture was produced at the expense of a certain (luantity of juice which would otherwise go to swell the percentage of extraction, and ultimately the final output of the sugar house. CLAKIKICATION. There are two distinct operations in the pro- cess of clarification, viz.: sulphuring and lim- ing. In order to test the relative excellence of each of these operations the different juices were carefully tested. In the following table will be found the averages derived from these daily tests. That of the raw or mill juice is given in terms of the normal juice extracted from the cane, and those for sulphured and clarified juices in terms of the diluted juices: Specific gravity Degree Baume Per cent total solids Per cent water _ Per cent sucrose Per cent sflucose Per cent solids not sugar Purity coefficient llatio of glucose to sucrose Ratio of glucose to total solids Ratio of solids notsug. to tot. solids COMPOSITON OK — 1 2 ■* ^ a if ^" • :? • 2. : ft. i'S^S '■053 '•057 8.S 7-S 7-9 1S.S9 13.24 14.0S 84.. I 86.76 85.. 12.46 10.25 10.91 1.70 1.41 '•S> 7s:S i.SS 77.42 1.66 77-49 13.84 M.13 '3.75 11.07 10.6S 10.72 10.51 "•93 11.79 Owing to the reduction of the glucose to su- crose ratio a comparison with the correspond- ing normal juice shows that this juice has been improved by the process of sulphuring. The improvement has not, however, been as great as would have been supposed, for the purity co- efficient does not show an increase. According to the different ratios of the sul- phured juice, too parts of the normal juice would, after sulphuring, be represented by: Par/.t. Total solids 16.09 Sucrose 12.46 Glucose 1 1.71 Solids not sugar 1.92 Showing that by sulphuring .05 parts of glucose or other substances, reducing the cop- per solution, were either removed or rendered inert,and that the solids not sugar were increased by .25 parts. If all these had remained in solution the total cpianlity of solids on hand would be 16.19 parts. The above table, however, shows that only 16.09 parts remained in solution in the sulphured juice. This shows that .10 parts, or 5.99 per cent of the original solids not sugar, have been removed either by sulphurous acid alone or by its combined action with the lime used at the strainer just before sulphuring. Although fairly good, these results can not be considered up to the standard of best work. Besides reducing the glucose to sucrose ratio, the purity coefficient should have been raised by the process of sulphuring. By referring to the " crop report " of iS8S it will be seen, (altliough it may have been accidental,) that on Belle Alliance, by sulphuring, the ratio of glu- cose to sucrose was diminished by 2.SS per cent, and the purity coefficient increased by 2.66 per cent. Applying these figures to the sulphuring re- sults of Evan Hall for iSSg, it is found that after sulphuring, lOo parts of the normal juice should have been as follows: Parts. Total solids 15.46 Sucrose 12.46 Glucose 1.71 Solids not sugar 1.29 Per cetit. Ratio of glucose to sucrose 13.7^ Purity coefficient S0.57 These figures show that a sufficient quantity' of substances, reducing Fehling's solution, had been removed, but that to be up to the standard the solids not sugar should have been reduced by 22.75 P^^ cent of themselves, instead of 5.99 per cent as above. It accordingl}' follows that the sulphuring results of Evan Hall are 73.67 per cent inferior to what they should have been. Compared with either the normal juice or the sulphured, it will be seen that after clarification the Evan Hall juices are positively less pure than they were before any attempt was made to remove the impurities which they contained. Unless the sugar inverted during clarification is equal to 95 per cent of the albuminoids and other substances removed by lime, the purity coefficient of a juice should be invariably in- creased. As implied by the term itself the practical gauge of the excellence of clarification is the rate of increase of the purity coefficient and the rate of decrease of the ratio of glucose to sucrose. If, after treatment with lime and sulphur, the purity coefficient, is either to re- main stationary or be decreased, it is better and more economical not to have recourse to these agents. Without their use heat alone w<:)uld produce the desired result by the coagulation of the albuminoids, and the original quantity of sucrose in the juice remaining the same, the purity coefficient would thereby be correspond- ingly increased. Returning to the table of the composition of the different juices, it will be seen that compared with the sulphured juice the glucose to sucrose ratio of the clarified juice has been increased. It will also be seen that the purity coefficient has been but slightly increased. According to these actual ratios, in terms of the original 100 parts of normgl juice, the Evan Hall sul- phured juice, after liming and making due allowance for the noted inversion, would be represented by the following: ^ J & Parts. Total solids 16.02 Svicrose 12.4S Glucose 1.72 Solids not sugar 1.S5 These figures show an Inversion of .09 per cent ot the original sucrose which is an increase of .59 per cent of the glucose, contained in the original normal juice after sulphuring. On the same basis of comparison it will be seen that both the total solids and the sugar have been reduced by .07 parts, showing that the addition of lime had caused the removal of 3.65 per cent of the solids, not sugar, remaining in the sul- phured juice. This is by no means to be interpreted as evidence of good work, as will be shown pres- ently. Returning to the results obtained on Belle Alliance during iSSS, it is seen that compared with the corresponding sulphured juice, the clarified juice shows a 2.30 per cent decrease in the glucose to sucrose ratio and an .87 per cent increase of purity coefficient. By applying these figures to the corrected statement of what the Evan Hall sulphured juice should have been, it is found that after liming, 100 parts of the normal juice should have been represented by: Parts. Total solids i5.33 Sucrose 12.46 Glucose 1.67 Solids not sugar ^ 1.20 Per cent. Ratio ot glucose to sucrose 13.40 Purity coefficient Si. 27 This demonstrates that in point of view of the reduction of the glucose or other substances reducing the copper liquor, the entire process of clarification of Evan Hall for the past season was 44.44 per cent inferior to what it should have been. From the point of view of the re- moval of solids not sugar it follows that these should have been reduced by 28. 14 per cent. According to the actual composition of the clarified juice (as given above) the original 100 parts of norinal juice are found to contain .65 more parts of solids not sugar than they should after liming, and shows that in this respect the clarification is 5^1.17 per cent inferior to what it should have been. On the basis of the total solids minus tlie su- crose contained in the normal juice, the last table given shows that the clarified juice should have contained but 2. 87 parts ot total impuri- ties, instead of 3.57. This demonstrates that the entire process of clarification was 24.39 P^"" cent inferior to the standard of good work. EVAPORATION TO SYRUP. In the following table is given the average cotnposition of the season's syrups as per the different tests inade. The sainples for analysis were taken after settling, and just before taking the syrup into the vacuum pan for evaporation into masse cuite : Specific gravity 1.241 Degrees Baume 28 Per cent. Total solids - 51.46 Water 48-54 Sucrose 40.12 Glucose • 5.53 Solids not sugar. 5.S1 Katio of glucose to sucrose 13.78 Purity coefficient 77-96 Compared with the actual analysis of the clarified juice it will be seen that during evapo- ration the purity coefficient has been slightly increased, and that the glucose to sucrose ratio has been slightly decreased. Owing to this de- creased glucose to sucrose ratio it appears that tiO inversion took place during evaporation, and it consequently follows that the syrup in terms of the original 100 parts of normal juice con- tains the 12.45 P'^irts of sucrose found to remain after clarification. The purity coefficient of the syrup being 77.96 per cent, it also follows that on the same basis of comparison the total solids are represented by 15.97 parts. From the above glucose to sucrose ratio, the glucose remaining in the oi;iginal juice after evaporation into syrup would oe represented by t.yiS^J parts, which are practically 1.72 parts, or the quantity' found to be [iresent in the juice after clarilicatiou. This shows that no inversion can be traced in the work of the double effect. Deducting the sum of the glucose and sucrose from the above 15.97 parts of total solids, the solids not sugar are found to be ccjual to i .So parts. This shows that during cvaiioration .05 parts or 2.7S per cent of the solids not sugar remaining in the clarified juice were removed or precipitated. Had the clarilication been as efllcient as it was on Belle Alliance in iSSS, it follows from the above that under the same evaporating con- ditions and for the same degree of density, the average composition of the Evan Hall syrups would have been : Per cent. Total solids 51 46 Sucrose 4'.94 Glucose S.6j Solids not sugar 3.90 Ratio of glucose to sucrose '3.4° Purity coefficient Si. 50 Had the syrups been as pure as this the result in dry sugar would undoubtedly' have been bet- ter than it actually was. FIRST MASSE CUITKS. The average composition of these is as fol- lows : Specific gravity '.470 Pel" cent solids S^T-W Per cent sucrose : 71.61 Per cent water 12.07 Per cent glucose 9.S7 Per centsolids not sugar 6.4S Ratioot glucose to sucrose '3'7S Purity coefficient 81.43 Compared with the average composition of the syrup the above shows that no inversion can be detected during the process of evapora- tion to first masse cuite. It is also to be noticed that owing to a sepa- ration of solids not sugar, during the evapora- tion, the purity coelTicient has been very much increased. In terms of the original 100 parts of normal juice the above masse cuite would be represented by the following proportional parts: Total solids iS-^9 Sucrose 12-45 Glucose 1.72 Solids not sugar 1.12 When compared wilh the corresponding svrup in the same terms these figures show that during evaporation .68 parts or 37. 78 per cent of the solids not sugar held in solution in the svrup were precipitated during evaporation to masse cuite. COMMEKCI.M. MOLASSES. The average composition of this product is as follows: Specific gravity ••4'9 Degree Baunie 43-3" Per cent total solids 80 57 Per cent water '9'43 Per cent sucrose , 26.6S Per cent glucose 22.75 Per cent solids not sugar 3'-' 4 Ratio of glucoce to sucrose SS'-^' Purity coeffieient 33-' ' In order to detect any inversion during the handling of the lower products before reaching the final molSfess, it is necessary to know how much glucose was removed by the impure com- mercial sugar. As this sugar was not tested tor glucose this can not be estiinated with any ile- gree of accinacy, as is shown by the following: Hy actual weight, it is found that the commer- cial masse cuite of the croo of 1889 amounted to 4,990,022 pounds, which, according to the analysis of the sugar and molasses, containcti 7 J. 92 per cent, or 3, ('138,682 pounds of sucrcjse. It no losses of any kind had taken place during the latter processes, the commercial masse cuite should contain the same quanlit\ of sucrose which was found in the first niasse cuite. One himdred pounds of first masse cuite were found, according to analysis, to contain 71.61 poimds of sucrose. Since the sucrose of the commercial masse cuite is 72.92 per cent of the whole, it follows that the commercial mas>,e cuite is represented by 98. 20 per cent f)f the first. The dry sugar in this commercial masse cuite is represented by 66.49 per cent, of wiiich 96.23 per cent is sucrose. It therefore follows that 87.73 P*^'" *^ent of the sucrose in the first masse cuite was removed by granulation. Applying this figure to the first masse cuite in terms of the original 100 parts of normal juice, it is found that the sucrose accounted for in the dry sugar is equal to 10.92 parts, leaving 1.52, or 12.27 per cent, to be accounted for in the mo- lasses. The proportion of glucose in the first masse cuite in terms of the original juice is 1.72 parts, hence it follows that theoretically the commer- cial molasses should have a 113.16 per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose. According to the actual analysis, the molasses is found to have only an 85. 27 per cent ratio, and since the pro- portion of glucose removed with the a\y sugar is unknown, this difference can not be properly apportioned. When less care was had in the handling of the different products, this inver- sion could be approxiinated, for even without making any allowance for the glucose removed by granulation the excess of the actual glucose to sucrose ratio of the molasses over the theoretical was sufiicient to allow for an ap- proximation of the sucrose inverted. Although these conclusions are by no means final, and the results on which they are based probai)ly due more to accident than design, they nevertheless tend to show that the more careful manipula- tion of the different products resulted in a de- creased inversion when compared with that noted in previous reports. .MECHANICAL LOSSES. Estimating the woody fiber cojitained in the 22,873 tons of cane ground on the 10 per cent basis, the total number of pounds of sucrose delivered at the sugar house were 5,028,000 pounds. •^ The 77.19 per cent of normal juice extracted from the cane contained, according to its analv- sis, 4,400,(J90 pounds of sucrose, showing that 627,910 pounds or 12.4S per cent of the total su- crose accounted for in the cane remained in the bagasse. According to analysis 72.56 per cent of the sucrose accounted for in the uiill juice is found in the commercial sugar, and 10.14 P*^"" cent in the commercial molasses. This shows a total loss of manufacture of 17.30. If from this quantity, .90 per cent, the only proportion of loss by inversion that can be detected, be subtracted, the mechanical losses 10 are found to be 16.40 per cent of the sucrose accounted for in the mill juice. This loss is nearly two and a half times as large as the total losses of 18S8, and is all the more surprising because all outlets and wash- out valves were under lock and ke}'. A certain quantity of soft filter cake was made, but not enough to justify the assumption that this was the outlet. As all the sucrose found in the syrup can be accounted for in the commercial sugar and molasses, leaving a rea- sonable difference to account for the losses during the latter processes, it toUows that in point of view of the commercial masse cuite the work of the house was sufficiently econom- ical. Since, as stated, the great loss detected can not be traced either to the waste during the handling of the final products or in the filter cake, which, on the whole, v/as a greal deal better than that of previous years, it follows that the main loss must have been due to the boiling over of the double effect. PART III. Belle Alliance. FIELD AND SUGAR-HOUSE RESULTS. The field results for the crop of 1S89 are as follows. Average tonnagfe per acre plant cane I9.IS Average tonnage per acre stubble 18.25 Average tonnage per acre iilant and stulsble 18.S0 Compared with 1SS8, the plant cane results are found to be 4.65 per cent inferior and the stubble 61.19 per cent better. Combining the above for equal areas of plant and stubble the general field results of the crop of 1889 are found tJ exceed those of 1888 by 19.26 per cent. By taking the average result of the different kinds of cane for the past fourteen years, for 1SS9, the results in plant cane are found to be 19.26 per cent below the average, and those of the stubble 22 73 better. For equal areas the combined result of plant and stubble is found to be 3. 1 1 per cent inferior to an average crop. RUNNING TIME. The only loss of time that can be detected is a 2.14 per cent, or 25^ hours, for the whole season. Twelve hours of this time was caused by the breaking and replacing of a turn plate, and the greater part of the remaining 13^:2 was mainly due to blocking the boiling end of the house. This is a remarkably good record, and is in point of fact the best that has ever come under the notice of the writer. MILLING. Notwithstanding the lower percentage of ex- traction, the milling results of Belle Alliance are considered superior to any that have yet been seen. In this case the lower extraction can be accounted for by thickness of the feed carried. If instead of grinding at the rate of .00253 tons per square toot of roller surface per hour, only .00226 tons had been ground, it is more than probalile that the average percentage of juice extracted would have been as good as that of Evan Hall. In addition to the above the greater hardness of the cane ground is also believed to have had its effect, notwithstanding the slightly in- creased rate of saturation over that which was carried ofi at Evan Hall, viz. : 15. 94 per cent of the weight of the cane at Belle Alliance against 15.73 per cent at Evan Hall. In conclusion, Belle Alliance can only be com- plimented for its want of lost time and the general excellence of its mill work. CLARIFICATION. The average composition of the different juices is as follows: Specific gravity Degree Baume Per cent total solids Par cent water Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose Per cent solids not sugar... Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose Purity coefficient Normal. 1.066 8.91 16.17 83.63 12.94 i.g6 1.27 IS-H So. 02 Sulph'd. I -OSS 7.50 13-65 S6.35 10.96 1.70 •99 S0.29 Clarified. 1.060 8.10 14.62 85.83 ir.79 15-61 S0.64 In terms of 100 parts of normal juice, the sulphured and clarified juices, are represented by the following proportional parts: Total solids Sucrose Glucose Solids not sugar.. Sulfh'd. 16.05 12.89 2. to 1. 19 Clarified. '5-97 12.88 The above shows that by sulphuring .38 per cent of the sucrose in the normal juice was in- verted. The detection of this inversion is a dis- appointment, for it would have been supposed that Mr. Riley's excellent sulphur-fume washer and cooler would have prevented any undue ab- sorption of sulphuric acid. Although the testi- mony appears to be to the contrary, the writer nevertheless believes that Mr. Riley's cooler and washer is as effective a machine as can be gotten up for the purpose. It has already been noticed that with inferior cooling arrangements no inversion could be detected at Evan Hall during the process of sulphuring. Since up to this point the only difference which existed between the work of the two places was the non-use of milk of lime before sulphur at B. A. it appears that to this cause alone is the above inversion to be attributed. With regard to the removal of solids not sugar, it is found that by sulphuring, these substances were reduced by 6.30 per cent of theiriselves. The above table also shows that during the process of liming and removal of scums a fur- ther inversion of .08 per cent of the original sucrose occurred. It is also seen that the solids not sugar were further reduced by 8.66 per cent of what they were in the original juice. Compared with the results of clarification for 18S8, and calculating as was done in the case of Evan Hall, the results of clarification for the past season are found to be 13.80 per cent in- ferior to what they should have been. EVAPORATION TO SYRUP. The average syrup compositWh for the season is- as follows: 11 Specific (iravity i.J.j'') Di^jrcc Uaiimc 2S.411 I'lT cent tiilal soliils • S'-il I'l-r cent water 47-53 I'cr cent sucrose 41.11 Percent glucose 6.16 I'er cent solids not sujjar 5.20 IVr cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 14.9S I'uriiy cocflicient 7*»-35 Compared willi the correspotuliiiij clarified juice it is found that ilurin^ evaporation and settling 4 per cent ot tlie suhslances rcilucing the copper liquor were removed. It also appears as it these suhstances were prohahlv not en- tirely removed in tiie precipitate at the bottom of the tanks, that some of tlicm were not even precipitated, but simply clianged in composition, so that thev no longer affected the copper litjuor. By forming these combitiations and retiiaining in solution these suhstances would natiually increase the quantity of solids not sugar. The consequence of this would be the non-increase, or as in the present instance, the reduction of the purity coetlicient to a point below that of the original normal juice. For the present the causes which produced the above pecidiar phenomenon are not appar- ent. It is, however, very important to carefully watch for the same thing in the future, in order to discover, if possible, what are the deleterious influences at work in cases of this kind. With all the general conditions of work the same as at Evan Hall, the syrups were found to be of greater purity than the corresponding clarified juice. By applying the same ratio of increase in the purity coeflicient Belle Alliance syrups for the past season should have had an Si. 12 per cent purity coefficient, instead of 78. 35 as it actually was. If this had been the case there is no doubt that the yield of dry sugar from this syrup would have been even greater than it actually was. FIRST MASSE CUITE. The average composition of this product is as per the following table: Specific gravity 1.466 Percent total "solids S7.34 Per cent water 12.66 Per cent sucrose 72.Q9 Per cent glucose "-77 Per cent solids not sugar 2. 58 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 16.12 Purity coefficient S3. 57 In terms of 100 parts of the normal juice the above masse cuite is repiesemed by the follow- ing proportional parts: Total solids 15.27 Sucrose 12.76 Glucose 2.16 Solids not sugar 0.45 Showing that during the process of evapora- tion from syriii-) to first masse cuite .93 per cent of the original sucrose in the mill juice was inverted. In reporting on the crop of iSSS special atten- tion was called to a .95 per cent inversion at the same stage of the process. At that time some doubt was entertained as to the accuracy of the statement, and the fact of finding so nearly the same loss for another year tends to prove the accuracy of the former statement. As was then suggested the ca'use of this inver- sion is believed to be a want of proper circula- tion in the vacuum pan. During the past season the Evan Hall crop was boiled in a low pressure pan, and the fact of not having been able to delect any inversion at this stage of the process justifies the hypothesis that Belle Alliance's inversion was the result oi imiJcrlect circulation in the boiling mass. COM.MKRCIAI. M 01. ASSES. The average composition of this product is as follows: Specific gravity .. 1.417 Degree Mauinc 42.30 Per cent total solids ... 80.29 Per cent water '9-7' Per cent sucrose 24.25 Per cent glucose 3"-'^7 Per cent solids not sugar . 25 37 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 126.47 Purilv coelficient 30.20 In the commercial sugar 80.96 percent of the SI crose in the first masse cuite (in terms of the normal juice) was extracted. Accordingly the theoretical glucose to sucrose ratio of the molasses is S4.77 per cent. Compared wilh the above actual ratio the inversion during the latter part of the jirocess is found to be approximately .27 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice. In the cise of Evan Hall no inversion could be traced at this stage of the process; hence it follows that the want of proper circulation in the vacuum pan at Belle Alliance has caused a total inversion of 1.20 per cent of the sucrose originally contained in the mill juice. SUCROSE ACCOUNTED FOR. In the commercial sugar 79.83 per cent of the sucrose in the normal juice at the time of ex- traction is accounted for. In the commercial molasses made an addi- tional 7.06 per cent is found; hence in the com- mercial masse cuite 86. 89 per cent of the sucrose extracted by the mill is accounted for* MECHANICAL LOSSES. Assuming that the cane contained 10 per cent of woody fiber, and according to the percentage of juice extracted, the loss of sucrose in the bagasse is found to have been 15.60 per cent of that which was originally contained in the cane. Compared with the result of extraction for 188S, this loss is found to have been reduced by iS per cent ot itself. This reduction is entirely due to the high de- gree of saturation carried on during the past season. It has alreadv been seen that in the commer- cial masse cuite S6.89 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice has been accounted for. The total losses of manufacture, therefore, amount to 13. 1 1 per cent of the same quantity. If, from this, the 1.66 per cent total loss by inversion be subtracted, the loss by wastage, etc., is found to have been 11.45 P^*" <-'ent. This is an enormous loss, being nearly two and three-cpiarter times as great as it was in 1S88. As at Evan Hall this loss results mainly from the boiling over of the double effect. A close study of the conditions of work between syrup and final products shows the loss to have been but very little more than the sucrose inverted between these stages of the process. On the other hand, however, by calculating the number of pounds of siicrose in the mill juice and 12 syrup, a very large loss is found and can not be attributed to the loss in filter cake. During the past season tnis by-product was unusually good, and contained but very little sugar. As all the outlets were carefully watched and so closed that practically nothing could be washed out of the sugar house, it follows that the above ex traordinary loss must have resulted from the boiling over of the double effects. FUEL CONSUMED. The fuel consumed is as follows: Barrels. Actual coal at sugar house and bayou pump I3)i2i Six and seven-tenths cords wood reduced to coal . 27 Four thousand seven hundred and eighty three tons of bagasse reduced to coal 131829 Total 26,977 The above fuel, when divided by the total number of tons of cane ground, gives a propor- tion of 1.35 barrels per ton. According to the data for 1SS8, 100 poiuids of cane are found to have yielded 5S.03 pounds of water. Including the water of saturation, ico pounds of cane in 1S89 yielded So. 66 pounds of water. Assuming the wash waters to have been pro- portionately the same for both years, under the same conditions of work in 1SS9, it woidd have reqtiired 38. S3 per cent more fuel to manufac- ture one ton of cane into sugar and molasses than it did in 1S88. According to the above, without multiple effect evaporation to manufacture one ton of cane would have required 2.36 barrels of coal. It has been seen that the actual consumption was 1.35 barrels. It therefore follows the dou- ble effect saved about 42. So per cent of fuel PART IV. Sou ve}i 1 r PI a 7i ta tion . FIELD RESULTS. The average tonnage per acre for the crop of 1889 is as follows: Plant cane , i.VS^ Stubble ... 17.C5 Average for 1*. and S. (for equal areas) 15.29 General average 16 21 Compared with the results obtained in 1888, plant cane crop is found to be 44.91 per cent short and the stubble 9.74 per cent short. The average plant and stubbie crop for equal areas is 29.60 per cent short. RUNNIXG TIME. Allowing a twenty-four hours stop for each Sunday, the time elapsed from the day on which the mill was started to the dav on which it was stopped, there are thirty working days. 13y throwing out of count all watches on which the mill did not run, the running time of the mill is twenty-seven days, showing that owing to an insufficiency of cane to run all night, etc., three whole days were lost. The aver.ige running time per day is 21^^ hours. When compared with the standard of good work with due allowance for sufficient stops for washing out, etc., viz., 23^^ hours per day, it is found that Souvenir has sustained a further loss of 7.93 per cent of the running time. Compared with Evan Hall on the cane ground per square foot of roller surface per hour, 27 per cent loss of time is found. At .00226 tons per square foot per hour, the 6,483 tons of cane ground would have required only eighteen and one-quarter days, after making all necessary allowance for stops, etc. It, therefore, follows that on a crop of thirty days duration, eleven and three-quarter days, or 39.17 per cent of the time, was unnecessarily lost. This is an important item and should in the future be closely watched. MILLING. The percentage of juice extracted is con- sidered very good, viz., 76.32 per cent. This, howevei, is considered to be more the result of carrying a thin feed than of extra good milling conditions. Compared with 1888 the extraction is found to be nearly it per cent better. On the other hand, the feed carried was 10 per cent thinner; hence the conclusion that the increased rate of extraction is more the result of thin feeds than extra milling conditions. CLARIFICATION. The average composition of the different juices is as per the following table: Specific gravity Degree Baume Per cent total solids Per cent water Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose Per cent solids not sugar Per cent ratio of glu. to sucrose Purity coefficient ^ ^ ^' 'S' R >t ?^ 1.063 1.063 ?.5o 8.50 iS-43 15-54 84-57 84.46 12.6S 12.89 1.S8 ■•57 1. 19 1.07 12.S3 12. iS 81.93 S2.87 1.066 8.S0 16 84 13-23 1.61 1. 14 12.17 82.68 In terms of ico parts of normal juice the sul- phured and clarified juices are represented by the following proportional parts: Sulphured. Clarified. 15-30 12.68 1-54 1.08 '5-33 12.6S • 54 1. 11 Sucrose Glucose Solids not sugar These figures show that owing to the use of inilk of lime the sulphure;^ juice contains 2.53 per cent less glucose than before. It will also be noticed that no inversion occuired during clarification proper. The above figures also show that after liming the juice contained more solids not sugar than it did after sulphuring. This is evidence that the clarification was not as effective as it should have been, tor the solids not sugar should have been reduced instead of increased. Compared with the clarification results of Belle Alliance for 1S8S, these figures show that there was a sufficient reduction in the glucose, but that the clarification is 2.50 per cent inte- rior to what it should have been with regard of the removal of the solids not sugar. l;i EVAPORATION To SYKUP. The average coinposilioii of the season's synip is as follows: Specific ffruvity '•-5'> Dc^jrcc liiiiiinc 29.10 Per cent total solids 53-^ Per cent water 46.12 Per ceiitsucrose .-. 42.S2 Per cent glucose 6.72 Per cent solids ij^tsu^ar.. .! 4.67 Per cent ratio or glucose to sucrose ^ 'i-^' Purity coeflicient 78.92 In terms of 100 parts of normal juice the above is represented by: Total soliils '5-59 Sucrose 12.30 Glucose _ i.y,j. Solids not sugar 1.35 showing that 3 per cent of the original sucrose contained in the mill juice was inverted during the process of evaporation and settling. By the above it is also seen that during evapora- tion the juices were not sufficiently brushed, for part ot the impurities held in suspension in the clarified juice must have rei'ntered into solution, since the s^rup actually contained more solids not sugar than did the clarified juice. To both these causes is to be attributed the very much decreased purity coeOlcient. The constantly decreasing purity coelTicient, unless accounted for by inversion, can only be attrib- uted to imperfect clarification, and especially to the want of sufficient care on the part of those to whose care this 'delicate operation is en- trusted. FIRST MASSE CUITES. By anal^'sis these were found to have the fol- lowing composition: Specific gravity '■4'^7 Per cent total solids 90-37 Per cent water 9.O3 Per cent sucrose 73'6i Per cent glucose 11.26 Per cent solids not sugar 5.5S Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 'S-30 Purity coefficient 81.58 Compared with the corresponding syrup and in terms of the nonrial mill juice, the above bhows a further inversion of .59 per cent of the sucrose originally contained therein. SL'CROSE ACCOUNTED TOK . In the commercial sugar S0.2S per cent of the sucrose originally in the mill juice is accounted for, and g.6j per cent of the same quantity in the commercial molasses. According to what precedes the theoretical ratio of glucose to sucrose of the cominercial molasses should be 86. 70. The actual composition ot said molasses is: Specific gravity 1.404 Degree Baume 42.20 Per cent total solids ^ 78.27 Per cent water y 21.73 Per cent sucrose 30.03 Per cent glucose 3'.6? Per cent solids not sugar '6.59 Per cent atio of glucose to sucrose 105.30 Purity coefficient 3S.37 As the quantity of glucose removed by the commercial sugar is unknown, it is impossible to accurately estimate the inversion which took place in boiling the lower jiroducls. From the above glucose to sucrose ratios it can, however, be approximated. This annroxi- mation is represented by 1 .^f> per cent of the sucrose originally in the mill juice. It thus appears that the total sucrose inverted in the .S<)u\cnir sugar house during the manu- facturing season ot 1S.S9 is 5.05 per cent of the total sucrose extracted by the mill. During the latter part of the season it wasdiscovcreil that after boiling out with acid tl)e evaporators were never washed with water, and that verv often clarifieil juice was run into the evaporators be- fore they had had time to becoine emptied of their contents. It is mainly to this introduction of acid, (the result of gross ignorance or carelessness,) that the large percentage ot inversion noted is to be attributed. Another and not to be over- looked cause of inversion is the putting of the hot syrup in tanks and allowing them to cool. Multiple effect evaporation is a thing that com- mends itself, both from the point of view of economy in fuel and preventative against in- version. If multiple effect evaporation is not to be re- sorted to, then proper and suitable arrange- ments ought to be inade to cool the syrups down to 130 or 140 ileg. Fahr. before they are put in bulk to settle their impurities. It cooled they will necessarily require longer settling for a given density. The inconvenience of longer settling can, however, be remedied by a lighter degree of density in the syrup. Referring to the crop data tor iSSS, when the general conditions were more favorable to in- version, owing to the use of a high pressure vacuum pan and the non-use of milk of lime at the mills, the total inversion is found to have been 2.08 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice. If, notwithstanding the improved condi- tions, it be assumed that the inversion for 18S9 is equal to that tor 18S8, the careless way in which acids were used in cleansing the coils of the evaporating apparatus is found to have caused the inversion of at least 2.97 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice. MECHANICAL LOSSES. On the 10 per cent basis for woody fiber the loss of sucrose in the bagasse is found to have been 15.16 per cent of the sucrose stored up in the cane. Compared with 18S8, it is found that owing to the increased extraction the above loss has been decreased by 35.35 per cent of itself. It has been seen that in the commercial masse cuite 89.90 per cent ot the sucrose in the tnill juice is accounted tor. The total 1 -sses are, therefore, 10.10 per cent of the same standard. If from this quantity the total 5.05 per cent inversion be subtracted the losses by washing out tanks, waste, and in filter press cake are of only 5.05 per cent, against 11.89 P^"" ^'^"' '" 18S8. This shows that by the introduction of filter presses the mechanical losses were reduced by 57.53 per cent of themselves. I'UEL CONSL'.MED. Barrel. Actual coal 9,3'7 Fifteen cords wood (estimated as coal) sugar, the results of sulphuring were 31.80 per cent, and those of the entire process of clari- fication 25. 91 per cent inferior 10 what they should have been. This should not be, for the arrantjements at New Hope are such that well clarified juices should always result from the ordinary hamiling of the juices, providing that both sulpiuiiing and clarilication be carried to the proper point. EVAPORATION TO SYRl P. The average composition of the syrup is as follows: Specific gravity 1.21S Degree Huume 25.S0 Per cent total solids _ 47-39 Percent water S^.oi Per cent sucrose 37-77 Per cent glucose 5.49 Per cent solids not sugar 4.14 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose _ •4-53 Purity coefficient 79-70 The above analysis indicates a .60 per cent inversion of the sucrose originally in the mill juice. Both at Evan Hall and Belle Alliance it has been seen that no inversion could be detected in the work of the double effects. With its triple etfect of the same construction it is be- lieved that the same should have been the case at New Hope. That the above rate of .60 per cent of inver- sion is not even greater is believed to be entirely due to the fact that during part of the season all the syrups were ^lot reheated before being sent to the settling tanks. In order to determine the quantity of sucrose which is destroyed by the reprehensible practice of reheating the syrup after it leaves the triple effect, a number of special tests were made of the syrup just before healing and just before being taken up into the vacuum pan. The average of these is as follows: Specific gravity Degree l-taume Per cent total solids Per cent water Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose Per cent solids not sugar Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose. Purity coefficient Before. After. 1. 214 1.223 25.40 26.20 46.6. 4S.2: 53-39 S>-79 36.93 37-44 5-32 6.16 4-37 4.61 14.40 16.1S 79.21 77.66 To increase the glucose to sucrose ratio from 14.40 to 16. iS per cent necessitates the inversion of 1.6S per cent of the sucrose in the syrup as it comes out of the triple effect. On the other hand, as has alieady been' stated in a previous section, the reheating of syrups has a teridency to increase the purity coefficient. If suitable arrangements were made to imme- diately cool the reheated syrup to temperature not exceeding that at which it comes out of the 3rd effect (130 to 140 deg. F.) the practice of re- heating is one that can be recommended as being conducive to good results. On the other hand, however, if the syrup is not to be cooleu as prescribed, it can not be too strongly urged that all open pans used for that purpose be relegated to the scrap pile. EVAPORATION TO FIRST MASSE CUITE. In the folUowing table is given the average composition of the first masse cuites, viz: Specific gravity 1.492 Per cent total sulnl 'y'.44 Per cent water ^.50 Per cent sucrose 71.80 Per cent glucose ij.oj Per cent solids not .sugar . .7.60 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 16.78 Purity coefficient . ,78^1 Compared with the corresponding syrup the above shows that during the process of boiing to first masse cuite j.42 per cent of the sucrose in the original normal juice was inverted. The causes of this inversion are believed to have been due to the presence of certain quan- tities of free sulphuric acid which resulted from improper sulphuring, and principally to the great length of time which was required to boit the different strikes. It is of the greatest importance that less time should be taken up in the boiling process. That this can be accomplished without changes to the vacuum pan is the belief and conviction of the writer. The New Hope vacuum pan is of the same cubical capacity as that at Evan Hall and con- tains over 33 per cent more heating surface than did the Evan Hall pan before it was changed to low pressure. In those days a strike could be very comfortably made in from 6 to 7 hours. During the past season the average time of the New Hope strikes not infrequently reached 12 to 13 hours and sometimes longer. In conclusion, it is to be strongly urged that the boiling be done in a inore expeditious man- ner, for nothing is more favorable to inversion than the submitting of saccharine liquors to long-continued heat, even if this heat be of compaiatively low degree. COMMERCIAL MOLASSES. In the commercial sugar 82.96 per cent of the sucrose in the first masse cuite is accoimted for. Accordingly, if no inversion had taken place during the handling of the lo,ver pioducts, the glucose to sucrose ratio of the molasses should have been 96.82 per cent. The actual composition of the commercial molasses, as per analysis, is as follows: Specific gravity '.4^7 Degree Baunie 42.70 Per cent total solids 81.75 Per cent water 1S.27 Per cent sucrose ., 25.20 Percent glucose ^9-4^ Per cent solids not sugar 27.07 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 116.50 Purity coefficient 30.S2 Compared with the above theoretical glucose to sucrose ratio the above figures show that during the manufacture of second sugar and the reboiling of the molasses a finther inversion of 1. 5 1 per cent of sucrose in the original mill juice has taken place. MECHANICAL LOSSES. On the basis of 10 per cent wood} fiber in the cane the loss in the bagasse is found to have been 20.57 P^"" cent of the sucrose stored up in the cane. In the commercial sugar 79.44 per cent of the sucrose accounted tor in the mill juice is found, and in the commercial molasses a further pro- portion of 9.95? per cent is accounted for. This shows that in the commercial masse cuite 89. 40 per cent of the original sucrose in the mill juice is accounted for. The total losses of manufacture are conse- 16 quently to. 58 per cent of the same quantity. If from this the total inversion detected, viz., 5.41 per cent, be subtracted, the mechanical losses are found to have been 5.17 per cent. In this respect the work is thought to have been quite economical, but it is nevertheless believed that with greater care this percentage of loss by waste, washing out of tanks, etc., can be very much reduced. With regard to the inversion, a great deal of care should be had as to the manner in which sulphur is used in the future, for a considerable part of the inversion noted was no doubt due to this cause alone. When, coupled with this, you add the reheating of the syrup, it becomes almost impossible to estimate to what extent the inversion might not reach. In the case under notice the sucrose inverted amounts to ten pounds of commercial sugar per ton of cane ground. PART VI. Results of Belle Terre, Peytaviji, Rodriguez, and Crescent Plantations. FIELD RESULTS. Along with the contributions of a few tenants and outsiders all the cane of the above places was ground in the Belle Terre sugar house. The average tonnage per acre of each of the above is as follows : Belle Terre, plant and stubble ^ '7-7o Peytavin and Dugas, plant and stubble 15 30 Rodriguez, plant and stubble 1440 Crescent, tenants and outsiders, plant and stubble.. 15.92 Compared with those of Belle Terre the re- sults of the other places show the following rates of inferiority : Per cent. Crescent, tenants and outsiders 10.06 Peytavin and Dugas. 13-62 Rodriguez 1S.64 RUNNING TIME. Exclusive of 24-hour stops on each Sunday the mill is found to have run more or less dur- ing 50 days. Counting by watches, on which cane was run through the mill, tiie running time is found to have been 44/^ days, showing that ^yi working days were unnecessarily lost. The main cause of this loss was running out of cane period. Attention has already been called to the fact that in a well-ordered sugar house the average daily stops should not ex- ceed thirty-five minutes. Accordingly, a further 13. II per cent loss of time is noted. Sum- marizing, it follows that the 19,102 tons of cane hould have been ground in 38II days, instead o i^o. This shows a total loss of time amount- ing to 11^ days, which is 23 per cent of the total time required to take off the crop. In the future this point should be very closely watched, for continuous and steady running is the most effective way of reducing the cost of manufacture. MILLING. Per square foot of roller surface per hour the cane ground is found to have amounted to 00235 tons. This is considered to be a good rate of speed, and one which, under ordinarily good milling conditions, would produce an average percent- age of extraction varying between 76 and 78 per cent. On the other hand, the actual percentage of juice ejjtracted from the cane is found to have been 73.59 per cent. This is a shortage of about 6 percent, which is believed to have been due to the breaking of one of the back rollers. As a matter of course, it is impossible to do good mill work with a crippled back mill. CLARIFICATION. The average composition of the different juices is as follows: Specific gravity D egree B aume Per cent total solids Per cent water Per cent sucrose Percent glucose Per cent solids not sugar Per cent ratio of glucose to su crose Purity coefficient «^ Co 5; "$ fe- 5; ~< r^ I 073 1.069 99S 9-So 17.6S 16.89 S2.32 83.11 14.27 14.12 1.72 1.71 1.69 1.06 12.05 12. II S0.69 83.60 9.40 16.76 83.24 14.05 1.68 1.03 11. 97 83-83 In terms of 100 parts of the normal juice the sulphured and clarified juices are represented by the following proportional parts: Co .5, a" I;- a. Total solids 17.04 14-25 1-73 1.06 17.00 1^.25 1.71 1.04 Solids not sugar These figures show that notwithstanding a small quantity of milk of lime used before sulphuring in the sulphur juice .14 per cent of the sucrose contained in the normal mill juice is found to have been inverted. In addition to the probable insufficiency of milk of lime the above inversion is believed to have been due to the following causes: First, insufficient wash- ing of the sulphured fumes before saturating (he juices with them, and secondly, allowing the juice to stand in bulk before being sent to the clarifiers after sulphuring. Save for the in- version just noted the clarification is considered to have been quite effective, and even better than that of the other places of which we have al- ready spoken. According to the standard by which the clari- fication of the other places has been compared the sulphured and clarified juices ot Belle Terre should, in terms of 100 parts of normal juice, have had the following composition: Per cent total solids Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose Per cent solids not sugar Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose. Purity coefficient Sulph\i. Clarified. 17 22 87-07 14.27 14.27 1.67 1.63 1.28 1. 17 11.70 11-43 82.84 83-59 This demonstrates that in point of view of the glucose content the sulphured juice is 4.37 per 17 cent ami the clarified 4.31 pc-i cent interior to what they shoiiki have been. In point of \iew of the removal of solids no'. sugar, the actual results are found to have been superior even to the standard by which we have compared. In conclusion, all that can be saiil is that \* is to be hoped that in the future the solids not suijar will be removed in ;is effective a manner. If to this by greater care and a more judi- cious use of hulphur tiie coefficient of inversion be reduced to zero, the clarification ai Belle Terre will leave but little room for improvement until experience will have taught us that even these results can be improved upon. EVAPORATION TO SVRUP The average composition of the syrup is as follows : Specific >;r:ivity •••24S Degree Biiuine 28.90 Percent total solids .". 52. .27 Per cent water 47-73 Per cent sucrose 43-9^ Percent glucose ' 5.33 Per cent solids not sugar ; 2.96 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 12.12 Purity coefficient 84.14 Compared with the corresponding clarified juice, the above shows that during evaporation .14 per cent of the sucrose originally in the nor- mal juice was inveited. It has been shown that with double-effect evaporation no inversion could be detected" at this stage of the process either at Evan Hall or at Belle Alliance. It is accordingly believed that the above .14 per cent is an after result of sulphuric acid which was probably introduced in the juices at the time of sulphuring. Another cause which may have induced a part of this inversion vvas the general tendency to keep too much liquor in the double-effect pans. By this practice, not only is the evaporat- ing capacity of the pans somewhat cut down, but there is a greater danger of having a given quantity of saccharine liquor subjected to the heat during too long a time. EVAPORATION TO FIRST MASSE CUITKS. Complete analyses of this product were not made, but both the glucose and sucrose were determined therein. The averages for the season are as follows : Per cent ol sucrose 77''7 Percent of glucose ...' 9.41 Percent ratio of glucose to sucrose 12.19 Compared with the corresponding syrup, the above shows a further inversion of .07 per cent of the sucrose in the normal juice. This inversion is thought to have been due to several causes, viz.: Those already mentioned in the paragraph relating to the syrups and to boiling at highpre>sure in the vacuum pan, in- stead of low pressure. Had not the vacuum pan boiled as rapidly ;is it did, (sometimes boiling a strike in from 2'/i to 3 hours,) the above coefiicient of inversion would, no doubt, have been greater than .07 per cent. INVERSION BETWEEN FIRST AND CO.M.MERCIAL MASSE CUITE. After allowing for the sucrose removed by granulation, the theoretical glucose to sucrose ratio ot the commercial molasses is tound to '"^ 4957 Pt:'' cent. The actual composition of the commercial molasses is as follows: Snecilic gravity 1.^13 Degree Mainnc 4.1.90 Per cent total solid.s y^jjy IVr cent water 20.41 IVr cciii sucro.se V.^it IVr cent glucose ' i^.jS IVr cent .solids not sugar 22.03 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose Si. 17 Purity coefficient V)-^)' When compared with the theoretical glucose to sucrose ratio the above shows that during the manufacture of second sugars and the reboil- ing of the commercial molasses 4.14 percent of the sucrose in the normal juice was inverted. COM.MEKCIAL MASSE CLITES. In the commercial sugar, 75.20 percent ot the sucrose extractied in the mill is accounted for. In the commercial molasses, 10.S7 per cent of the same quantity is also accounted for. This shows tiiat S6.07 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice is found in the commercial masse cuite. •MECHANICAL LOSSES, On the 10 per cent basis for woody fiber, and according to the percentage of juice extracted from the cane, the sucrose lost in the bagasse is found to have been 18.23 per cent of that stored up in the cane. This loss is enormous, and should be reduced by a more thorough system of saturation be- tween the two mills. It has already been seen that in the commer- cial masse cuite SC.07 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice vvas recovered. It theretore fol- lows that the total losses ot manufacture amounted to 13.93 P^"" cent of the same quan- tity. If from this the 4.49 per cent loss b^' inversion be subtracted the loss by washing out of tanks in the filter cake, etc., is found to have been 9.44 per cent. As at Evan Hall and Belle Alliance this loss was mainly due to the boiling over of the double effects. Although this evil might not be readily remedied, it would no doubt be advan- tageous not to carry so much liquor in the pans. The proportion of the above loss due to filter cake can also be remedied by the following methoii : All syrup tank bottoms should be se"l back to the clarifiers, and wherever the filter cake shows a tendency to be soft and mushy, lime should be added to the skimmings before being seni to the filter presses. PART VII. : Palo Alto Plantation. ■. FIELD RESULTS. The average tonnage per acre is as follows: Plant cane ,, ,. Stubble cane .."''.i^^^^^.^..'.'.' 220? (Jeneral average plant and stubble cane . ....... "'.!.^. '23130 For a year Ijke 1889 these are excellent results. RUNNING TIME. Exclusive ot 24-hour stops on Sundays the time required to take off the crop was 50 days. 18 Counting by watches on which the mill ran the running time is found to have been 44^^ da^vs. The average running time per day was 20^ hours. According to the standard 235^ hours per day, the time lost amounts to 2 hours and 40 minutes per day ot actual running time. Whilst the mill could be made to grind more cane, it is believed that it would do so at the expense of extraction. By overcrowding it there would also be danger of expensive break- downs. Accordingly, a feed of .00215 tons per square foot of roller surface per hour is thought to be all that the mill can do with any relative degree of safety. By grinding at the same rate, viz: .00215 tons per square foot of roller surface per hour, if the mill had been run 23^^ hours instead of 20^1 hours per day, the 12,903 tons of cane could have been ground" in 39^ working days. This shows that in a season of 50 days, 21 per cent or iol4 davs were lost. Considering the size and strength of the mills and gearing this operation was very successfully carried out. The percentage of juice extracted is a great deal better than might have been ex- pected. and is attributable to the softness of the cane and to saturation. CLARIFICATION. The average composition of the different juices is as follows: Specific gravity Degree Baume Per cent total solids Per cent water Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose Percent solids not sugar Per cent ratio of glucose to sugar Purity coefficient 1.065 8.S0 15.88 84.12 12.S5 1. 85 1. 10 14.39 80.92 In terms of 100 parts of normal juice the above sulphured and clarified juices are repre- sented by the following proportional parts. IS-47 12.36 1.81 1.30 i Total solids 15-27 12.36 1.78 1-13 Sucrose . Glucose Solids not sugar These figures show that during the process of sulphuring .08 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice was inverted. This inversion is thought to be attributable to the non-use of milk of lime at the mill, and probably also to allowing some of the sulphured juices to stand in bulklaefore subjecting them to clarification. Compared with the mill juice the clarified juice is found to contain 8.13 per cent less solids not sugar than before treatment with sulphur and lime. According to the standard of clarification used in all previous comparisons the composi- tion of the above juices should be: Per cent total solids Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose Per cent solids not sugar Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose .. Purity coefficient Co C) ^ ■^ lc .^ 15.00 14-87 1237 12.37 1.74 1.70 .89 .80 14.10 12.78 82.48 S3.20 These figures show that the sulphured juice contained 4.02 per cent more glucose and 50.62 per cent more solids not sugar than it should have contained. With regard to the clarified juice a 4.71 per cent excess of glucose and a 41 .25 per cen^ excess of solids not sugar are found. In point of view of the purity coefficient the sulphured juice is found to be 3.15 per cent and the clarified juice 1.54 per cent inferior to what they should have been. In order to remedy this the only thing that can be recommended is that the men who have charge of the delicate operation of clarification be impressed with the absolute necessity of being as careful as they can possibly be with the work entrusted to their care. EVAPORATION TO SYRUP. The average composition of this product is as follows : Specific gravity 1.0267 DegreeBaume 30-30 Percent total solids 56.08 Per cent water 4392 Percent sucrose 44 S" Percent glucose 6.91 Per cent solids not sugar . 4.59 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose .. 15.58 Purity coefficient 79-4^ In terms of 100 parts of normal juice the above syrup is represented by the following proportional parts: Total solids 15.42 Sucrose . 13.24 Glucose 1.91 Solids not sugar . 1.27 These figures show that during the process of evaporation and settling of the syrup .97 per of the sucrose contained in the mill juice was inverted. In order to determine how much sugar was inverted during the process of evaporation proper a number of special experiments were made. For these, as soon as an evaporator had been charged with clarified juice, a sample of the contents was analyzed. As soon as the density had been reduced to the desired point the contents were again analyzed. The average of eleven of these experiments is given in the following table : I'.t SlK-L-itic s;r;ivitv 1.071 Deifioe ISauinc O.50 > I'er cent ti>t:il soliils '7.'4 I'cr iLMit WMtci- j S2.S0 Per eent sucrose '3-8o Her cent ^jlucose 1.66 Per cent solids not suu^ar 1.6S Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose | 12.03 Purity coefficient 80.51 29.60 S4-7.S 45.28 4-(.oo S-So 5.22 12.50 80.41 These figure.s show that during evaporation .65 per cent of the sucrose contained in the clarified juice was inverted. B\ apjilying tliese figures to the crop average composition of the clarified juice in ternit; of 100 parts of the normal juice, it is found that .64 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice was inverted in the evaporators. It has already been seen that between the points of clarified juice and syrup just before being taken up in the vacuum pan .97 per cent of the original sucrose was inverted. The above .64 per cent is nearly two-thirds of this quantity; it therefore follows that the inversion which took place in the settling tanks must have amouilted to .33 per cent of the originial sucrose in the mill juice In the future it is strongly to be desired that the syrups be not so much reduced in density as they were during the past season. It is claimed by the best authorities on this subject that up to a density of 20 or 22 deg. Baum^ (bot) little or no inversion takes place in the open evapora- tors. Past tliis point, however, the inversion is very rapid, and in a general way it can be said that the greater the density the more sugar has been inverted. As has already been suggested with regard to other places rapid cooling of syrups is strongly to be advised. EVAPORATION TO FIRST MASSE CUITE. According to analysis this product is found to have had the following average composition : Specific gravity 1.504 Per cent total solids 92.72 Per cent water 7.2S Per cent sucrose 73-33 Per cent glucose "•79 Per cent solids not sugar 7.60 Per cent ratio of glucose to sucrose 16.09 Purity coetTicient 79.0n Compared with the corresponding sjrup the above shows that during the time that the syrup reinained in the vacuum pan .48 per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice was inverted. This inversion is mainly due to the work of boiling having been performed in a high- pressure instead of a low-pressure pan. CO.MMKRCIAI. MOLASSES. In the following table is given the average composition of this product : Specific travilN Degree Raunie Per cent total solids Per cent water Per cent sucrose Per cent glucose I'er cent s< 2074 3''<^» 23.2«y In the ccjinniercial bugar 79.72 p«r cent of the sucrose in the first masse cuite is accounted for. In this instance the percentage of glucose was determined in the sugars, viz. : 4. S3 percent of the weight of the second and third sugars. When calculated out this glucose is found to be 7. 115 per cent of tiie total glucose found in the first masse cuite. It is accordingly found that, if no inversion had taken place tiuring the boil- ing of the lowei grades of sugar, etc., the com- mercial molasses would have had a 72.07 per cent glucose to sucrose ratio. Compared with the actual glucose to sucrose ratio it is found that 3.55 per cent of the sucrose contained in theoriginal mill juice was inverted during the time that the lower products re- mained in the vacuum pan and hot room. Summarizing what has been said on the subject f)f inversion, it is found that from various causes 5.0S per cent of the sucrose in the origi- nal mill juice was inverted dining the process of manufacturing same into commercial sugars and molasses. MECHANICAL LOSSES. On the 10 per cent basis for woodv fiber the loss of sucrose in bagasse is found to have been 19.67 per cent of the quantity present in the cane at the time of crushing same. Of the sucrose extracted by the mill 78.50 pei- tent is found in the commercial sugar and 10.92 per cent in the molasses, showing that the total losses of manufacture are 10.58 per cent of the same quantity. If, frotn the above, the 5.08 per cent loss by- inversion be subtracted, the loss by waste, im- perfect filter cake, washing out of tanks, etc., is found to have been 5.50 per cent. By greater care and attention in the manner of handling the different products this loss could be very much reduced. It is very desirable that lime water be used to wash all wooden troughs and other places where juice and syrup cotne in contact with wood. Unless wooden troughs are kept thor- oughly clean, and even a little alkaline, the juices which are absorbed into the pores of the wood in a short time become acid and induce inversion, as is demonstrated by the following data. After having cleaned and limed a wooden trough which conducted the filtered juices from the filter presses hack to the clarifiers, for six successive days the same juice, or as nearly the same as was possible to get at, was tested both before and after passing through the trough. The results of these comparative tests show that the rate of increase of the glucose to su- crose ratio became greater and greater as time went on. 20 Purity coefficietU t-rnKQ w O' c^oo '^ c?- »o q^ N CO Ratio of glucose to sucrose C> re « lO M Th re O^O to to O qv fe N N -N t^ t>* r>.oo io on to ■^ -*• j>. t^ LOCO trj to T?- 4- ■4- fe •^\0 Ore-OONi-. toco '-NNtSMreN-NTj-M'^ Per cent glucose. . ■^ o re fe Tj- re f^ toxo -^rere t^.O'NNq OreNco totou-^o . -»i- to 1^ re re re o^ <>* o VO N CO N ^. *7 ■f '^ ^1 ^ On 0^ ^M„-H^H..^«M-.^« OOQOOOOOOOOO Degree Batime CO CNN O^^ OVO - 1« CO N OC Bejore or after contact zvith fore. . ter . . . fore. . ter . . . fore . . ter . . . fore. . ter . . . fore. . ter... fore., ter . . . B3vO vO t^ t- > > > > > >>>>>> oooooooooooo PART VIII. General statement of the results obtained on the diff'erent Plantations. FIELD RESULTS. For the plantations on which the weight of the plant and stubble were kept separate, the results per acre are as follows : PLANT CANE. Tons. Kvan Hall 21.32 Belle Alliance 19.15 Souvenir 13-52 Palo Alto '. 14.45 STUBBLE CANE. Tons. Evan Hall 22. So Belle Alliance 1S.25 Souvenir I7-0S Palo Alto 23.05 General average plant and stubble irrespective of comparative area of each crop: Tons. Evan Hall 21.97 Belle Alliance iS.So Souvenir 16.21 New Hope i9«99 Ascension '7-79 Cane ground in New Hope sugar house 1S.87 Belle Terre '7-70 Peytavin and Dugas '5-30 Crescent...., 15-92 Rodriguez 14.40 Cane ground in Belle Terre sugar house 15-92 Palo Alto 23.30 SUGAR-HOUSE RESULTS CANE GROUND. Acres. Tons. Evan Hall 1,041 22,873 Belle Alliance i,0S9 19,913 Souvenir 396 6,483 New Hope 880 i6,6oS Belle Terre j,20o 19,102 Palo Alto 554 12,903 JUJCE EXTRACTED, • Barrels. Pounds. Evan Hall 3,976,000 35,313,887 Belle Alliance 3,407 ,f)3i 30,257,166 Souvenir 1,116,530 9,889,797 N ew Hope 2,674,908 23,763,732 Belle Terre 3,145,815 28,120,144 Palo Alto 2,105,215 18,641,533 SYRUP MADE. GalcoJis. Pounds. Evan Hall 896,401 9,270,391 Belle Alliance 802,812 .8,341,731 Souvenir 257,764 2,699,372 New Hope 753,998 7,650,013 Belle Terre 796,451 8,262,594 Palo Alto 47S.987 5,053,286 FIRST MASSE CUITE MADE. Cub. feet. Pounds. Evan 1 1 all 52,101 4,778,148 Belle Alliance 49,734 4,607,244 Socivenir >5,934 1,482,811 New Hope 42,758 3,956,954 Belle Terre 46,527 4.327,011 PalojAlto 32,202 3,018,448 DRY SUGAR MADE. Pounds. Evan Hall first granulated 32,234 Evan Hall soft white 32,854 Evan Hall first yellow clarified 2,578,503 Evan Hall seconds 616,939 Evan Hall thirds 57,224 Evan Hall total sugars 3,317,754 Belle Alliance first soft white 19,488 Belle Alliance first yellow clarified 2,522^34 Belle Alliance seconds 682,864 Belle Alliance thirds 21,000 Belle Alliance total sugar 3,245,786 Souvenir first soft white 20,854 Souvenir first yellow clarified 765,625 Souvenir seconds '210,070 Souvenir thirds 7,Soo Souvenir total sugar i ,004,049 New Hope first soft white 469,770 New Hojie first yellow clarified 1,474,849 New Hope seconds 624,281 New Hope total sugar 2,568,900 Belle Terre first soft white 1,013,672 Belle Terre first yellow clarified 1,259,721 Belle Terre seconds 654,659 Belle Terre thirds 212,671 Belle Terre total sugar 3,140,723 Palo Alto first soft white 1,348,637 Palo Alto seconds 467,242 Palo Alto thirds S8,4I2 Palo Alto total sugar 1,874,291 COMMERCIAL MOLASSES. Gallons, Pounds. Evan Hall 141,436 1,672,268 Belle Alliance 131,250 1,496,250 Souvenir 44,654 526,489 New Hope 104,750 1,244,850 BelleTerre 116,871 i,37S.S85 Palo Alto 80,200 939,355 COMMERCIAL MASSE CUITE. Pounds. Evan Hall 4,990,022 Belle Alliance 4,742,036 Souvenir i.S30»53S New Hope 3>8i3,7So Belle Terre 4,5i6,3oS Palo Alto 2,813,646 GENERAL PROPORTIONAL RESULTS. MILL EXTRACTION. Per cent. Evan Hall 77-i9 Belle Alliance 75-9"' Souvenir 76.32 New Hope 7i«S4 BelleTerre 73-59 Palo Alto 72.24 21 Sl'CKOSE IN TIIK Mil. I. Jl'lCK. Ptr cut. Kvan M:ill "•! 46 Helle Alliance 12.94 Souvenir 1 2 6^ New Mope "3 23 l?elle len e 1427 Palo Alto 12.37 SrCROSE IN THE DIFFERENT SUGARS. In the mo- laMi*$. Evan Hall Belle Alliance. Souvenir .\'ew Hope Belle Terre.... Palo Alto 99.70 99.ao;97.24 97.^0 199.00 97.80 97.S1 98.^0 97.80 97 S2 98.S4 95.41 9S..S1 97.S2 97.27 97.42 99-24J 199-24 92.C1 S6.90 90.S6 87. 00 93.10 $9 IS 95-31 I 92.53 90.41 89 90 92 30 9623 96.28 0.76 97.16 95 93 9664 RESULTS PER TON AND PER ACRE. SUGAR. MOLASSES. COMMERCIAL MASSE C'TES, .Si Jo ■ft Pi ^ 5 Evan Hall Belle Alliance... Souvenir New Hope Belle Terre Palo Alto '4S-0S ■ 63 154-87 IS4-6S 164.42 145-26, 3.IS7 3>o6; 2.535 2,918 2,617 3,384 73" 75- H Si. 21 79-95 72.07 72.S 1,606 i>4>3 '.329 J.4'5 i>"47 1,696 21S.16 238.14 236.0S 229.63 236.19 21806 4.793 4.47^ 3.864 4.333 3.764 5.08 Per cent of the time actualK required to take off the crops, which was unnecessarily lost, amounted to: Per cent. On Evan Hall 11.73 On Belle Alliance On Souvenir 39-17 On New Hope 2S. 13 On Belle Terre 23 On Palo Alto 21 Per cent of the sucrose contained in the cane, sucrose lost in bagasse amounted to per cent of that in the cane: Per cent. On Evan Hall 12. 4S On Belle Alliance 15.6 On Souvenir 15.16 On New Hope 20.57 On Belle Terre ii.2? On Palo Alto 19.67 Losses by inversion per cent of tlie sucrose contained in the mill juice: Per cent. On Evan Hall 90 On BelleAlIiance 1.66 On Souvenir S-05 On New Hope 5-4' On Belle Terre 4-49 On Palo Alto 5 oS The losses of manufacture, other than by in- version, and per cent of the sucrose in the mill juice are : Per cent. On Evan Hall 16.4 On Belle .-Mliance 11.4S On Souvenir 5.05 On New Hope 5-17 On Helle Terre 9-44 On Palo Alto 5-5 After deducting all losses of manufacture and inversion from the sucrose in the mill juice, the sucrose recorded in the firsts, seconds, and thirds, and the molasses of commerce representing lOO parts, the following proportional division can be made : On Evan Hall On Belie Alli.ince... On Souvenir On .New Hope On Belle Terre On I'alo Alto With the exception of Palo Alto, where there was too much water used in washitu^ the first sugars, the above tigiiies show that the best re- sults in first sugar boiling were obtained at Belle Alliance. This is believed to have been entirely the re- sult of stiff boiling. This shows that, as compared with Belle Alliance, on the other places the operation of making first sugar had the following degrees of inferiority : Per cent. Evan Hall 11. Oo Souvenir 5.57 New Hope 6.i6 Belle Terre 11.83 Palo Alto 12. 2S The total sucrose accounted for in all the different grades of sugar is as follows: Per cent. Evan Hall sS.Ss BelleAlIiance f^-.H Souvenir 85.97 New Hope 8S.05 Belle Terre 86.39 Palo Alto 87.79 The shortages in the sucrose accounted for in the total sugars accordingly are — Per cent. For Evan Hall 0.55 For Souvenir 3.7S For New Hope 1.44 For Belle Terre 3.32 For Palo Alto i 74 On Evan Hall and New Hope the shortage is believed to have been entiiely due to want of stiffness in boiling, for owing to the large capacity of the hot rooms the errors in the boiling ot the first products were in a measure rectified in the boiling of the second sugars. Had not a certain quantity of third sugars been made at Evan Hall its shortage would un- doubtedly have been greater. On Souvenir, Belle Terre, and Palo Alto the shortage in total sugars is principally due to the want of suffi- cient capacity in the hot rooms. If the per- centage of juice extracted on each place had been the same as that on Evan Hall, the various coefiicieiUs of loss the same as the lowest noted in the foregoing pages, and the sucrose re- covered in the sugars in every instance the same as at Belle Alliance, the yields per ton of cane for each of the places would have been as tol- lows: Pounds. For Evan Hall 109.S0 For Belle Alliance 177.80 For .Souvenir 173. So For New H ope 1 80.3S For Bel -''5-52 For Palo Alto it<9.36 This proves that with such sugars as were made, the different plantations show the follow- ing sixjrtages in their results: Per cent. Evan Hall 1 1.58 BelleAlIiance >.i2 Souvenir 10.69 New Hope >4-2S Belle Terre 23.71 Palo Alto 14-24 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 529 542 4 021 529 5 Hollinger Cc pH8.5 ^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS iiiimiiiiiiiiiii 021 529 542 4 Hollinger Corp. pH8.5