REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 99 
how emptied into the evaporating-pan, and there was added to it, with 
stirring, a solution of sulphurous acid in water, until the lime present 
was neutralized, as was shown by the reddening of litmus paper when 
it was dipped in the juice. The evaporation was now hastened as much 
as possible, and the juice concentrated to a sirup at a boiling point of 
108° Centigrade, equal to 226° Fahrenheit, or thereabout. 
Tt was the intention to concentrate the sirup still more (to a boiling 
point of 112° Centigrade, equal to 235° Fahrenheit), but it was found 
impracticable to do so in the evaporator, as the danger of scorching it 
was great, over a naked flame which could not well be controlled. 
When the sirup reached the density above indicated, it was drawn off 
into wooden tubs, the fire having previously been drawn from beneath 
the evaporator. 
Owing to the fact that each successive lot of stalks was a new experi- 
ment, I was unable to wait for the process of fiitration of the sediment 
from the defecator to be completed, and therefore in every case lost a 
portion of the juice, which of course could have been saved in a contin- 
uous process such as would be practically carried out. This will explain 
what is meant by the juice utilized, as compared with that obtained. 
It was intended to have still further concentrated the sirups in a 
smaller pan of galvanized iron, so arranged that by a slide the heat 
could be instantaneously removed to prevent the scorching of the sirup; 
but before this pan was completed it was found that the several tubs of 
' girup were crystallizing, and they were therefore allowed to stand; and 
the sugar was obtained by pressing out the molasses by means of an 
ordinary screw-press, the mass of molasses and sugar from the tubs 
being inclosed in ap ordinary grain-bag. The sugar thus obtained was 
very greatly improved in appearance by the addition of 5 or 10 per cent. 
of water, and stirring it into 2 mush, and again subjecting the mass to 
pressure, by which operation the adhering molasses was almost entirely 
removed, and the sugar obtained was, in the case of sorghum, nearly 
white, while in the case of corn it was of arich golden yellow. I may 
add that.in no case, either with corn or sorghum, did I fail to obtain 
satisfactory results in the way of crystallization, although, of course, the 
molasses still contains a very large percentage of erysiallizable sugar, 
which will, at least in great part, be obtained by further concentration. 
I omit mention of seven experiments with comparatively small quan- 
tities of corn-stalks and sorghum, only saying that the results obtained 
were such as to fully warrant the more extended experiments here re- 
corded; and it is unfortunate that the value of these experiments is 
vitiated somewhat by the imperfect apparatus employed, as also by the 
inferior material, which, however, was all that was obtainable in this 
vicinity. Itis greatly to be desired that another season may find the 
department amply equipped with all necessary means to carry these 
important questions to a complete solution. 
The point which these experiments have fully settled is, that there 
exists no difficulty in making from either corn or sorghum a first-rate 
quality of sugar, which will compare favorably with the best product 
from sugar-cane grown in the most favorable localities. 
The experiments here given clearly indicate the probability that sugar 
may be thus made at a profit, and it is desirable that nothing be spared 
in continuing an investigation giving such fair promise of success. 
