REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 325 



COMPOSITION OF PRESS CAKE. 



The defecation and filtration of the juice from 83.25 tons of cane 

 gave 197 press cakes. 



The mean weight of these cakes was 24 pounds each, and the total 

 weight 4,72S pounds. A sample of the cake taken directly from the 

 press and dried contained of moisture 45.37 per cent. The total 

 weight of dry matter obtained in the press cakes was, therefore, 

 2,582.9 j)ounds. 



Analysis of the dried cake gave the following results : 



Per cent 



Albuminoids 9.585 



Sucrose Trace. 



Glucose Trace. 



Other organic matter 17.45 



QUANTITY OP LIME USED. 



As is seen under sorghum experiments, it required 1.5 per cent, 

 lime to produce a good filtration. 



I felt sure that the juice from the sugar cane would not require as 

 great a quantity. At the preliminary trial 1 per cent, of lime was 

 used, and the cakes formed were perfect, firm, and hard. 



In the second run only , 75 per cent, of lime was used, and the cakes 

 were equally as good. There is little occasion for using less lime than 

 this, for with this quantity the carbonatations were easily finished in 

 fifteen to twenty minutes. 



COEFFICrENT OF PURITY IN SECOND TRIAL. 



Per cent 



Of the mill juices the coefficient was 78.8 



Of the diffusion juices the coefficient was 72. 6 



Of the carbonatated juices the coefficient was 72. 3 



Of the sulphured juices the coefficient was 70. 9 



Of the first semi-sirup the coefficient was 74. 6 



Of the second semi-sirup the coefficient was 73. 5 



In both trials it was seen that the coefficient of purity was increased 

 during the process of evaporation. This was doubtless caused by the 

 precipitation of some of the lime salts held in solution by the juices. 



DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED. 



A nuruber of unfavorable conditions was encountered during the 

 prosecution of the experiments. The water supply was from a stag- 

 nant pond. _ The water had been greatly improved by the applica- 

 cation of lime a few days before the experiment was made, but it 

 was still black and putrid, emitting a nauseating stench. 



WATER FROM LAKE PARKINSON, FORT SCOTT, KANS. 



The following table gives the results of the analysis of the sample 

 of the pond water from the Parkinson Sugar Works, Fort Scott, 

 Kans., taken October 13, 188C, and of a sample of Potomac water 

 taken from the laboratory faucets November 19, 1886, for compari- 

 son. 



