REPORT OF THE CHEMIsT. 329 



SO badly damaged. There was a killing freeze November 17. Tbis 

 is the earliest freeze, with one exception, noted in the plantation rec- 

 ords, extending over a long period of years. December was cold ; ice 

 formed several times. 



It may be seen from the above statements that these three seasons 

 differed very materially from one another. That of 1884 might be 

 considered very favorable. The tonnage was fair and the cane rich. 

 In 1885 the conditions were also favorable, with the exception of the 

 wet weather in September and the damage by the wind-storm. The 

 tonnage was large, but the j)roportion of sucrose low and the glucose 

 high. 



In January, 188G, there was a severe freeze, perhaps the most severe 

 on record in Louisiana. At the time of this freeze it was feared that 

 the stubble had been damaged by the frost, but such did not prove 

 to be the case. It is the custom at Magnolia to burn the trash in the 

 fields soon after the cane is all harvested. There is a general impres- 

 sion among planters that this exposes the stubble to danger from 

 frost. The experience of the past season demonstrates that such is 

 not the case. 



The tonnage this season has been unusually small, but the cane has 

 been a little richer in available sucrose than at any time since this 

 station was established. 



In comparing the work of the sugar-house it is probably better to 

 compare this season's work with that of 1884r-'85. The same grades 

 of sugars were made these seasons. 



The yield per acre in 1885-1886 was 2,988 pounds of first, second, 

 and third sugars. In 1886 the yield of first and second sugars was 

 1,963 pounds. In 1886 a decrease of 6.66 tons of cane per acre resulted 

 in a decrease of 1,024 pounds of sugar per acre. 



The 3'ield of sugar per ton of cane the past season has been exceed- 

 ingly satisfactory, but nevertheless it is anticipated that a few changes 

 in working of the house will materially increase the output of sugar. 



This season only first and second sugars were made. The firsts 

 graded as "choice ofi: white," The yield of first sugar would have 

 been larger had it been possible to boil the masse-cuite stiff er, but 

 the strike-valve of the pan would not admit of this. 



As large a proportion of sugar as possible should be obtained in the 

 firsts, not only on account of the higher price of first sugars, but be- 

 cause less sugar is left to be reboiled for lower grades, and conse- 

 quently the loss from inversion is diminished. 



IMPROVEMENTS IX THE SUGAR-HOUSE AND PLANTATION. 



Very few changes were made in the house, and those only for im- 

 proving the work of machinery already in place. The tanks for skim- 

 ming were proA'ided with a better arrangement for decanting the clear 

 juice. The lowest outlets from these tanks are about 2 inches above 

 the bottoms. They should be provided with outlets so located that 

 the tanks could be drained, effecting quite a saving in sugar at an in- 

 appreciable expense. 



I*erhaps the most important improvement was in the work of the 

 double effect. The substitution of a larger sweet- water pump enabled 

 it to concentrate all the juice and obviated the necessity of employing 

 an open pan. 



Among other improvements in progress at Magnolia, the most im- 

 portant is a better system of drainage. The entire estate is being tile- 



