236 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
_ be drawn off into iron sugar wagons and set in the hot room above men- 
tioned, in which case still more of the sugar which remains in the un- 
crystallized state generally joins the crystals, somewhat increasing - 
the yield of ‘‘ first sugar.” Atthe proper time these sugar wagons are 
emptied into a mixing machine, where the mass is brought to a uni- 
form consistency. If the sugar wagons are not used, the strike-pan is 
emptied directly into the mixer. 
THE CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES. 
From the mixer the melada is drawn into the centrifugal machines. 
These consist, first, of an iron case resemblmg in form the husk of 
mill-stones. A spout at the bottom of the husk connects with a mo- 
lasses tank. Within this husk is placed a metallic vessel with per- 
forated sides. This vessel is either mounted or hung on a vertical 
axis, and is lined with wire cloth. Having taken a proper portion of 
the melada into the centrifugal, the operator starts it to revolving, 
and by means of a friction clutch makes such connection with the en- 
ine as gives it about 1,500 revolutionsaminute. Thecentrifugal force 
developed drives the liquid molasses through the meshes of the wire 
cloth, and out against the husk, from. which it flows off intoa tank. 
The sugar, being solid, is retained by the wire cloth. If there is in 
the melada the ‘‘ false grain” already mentioned, it passes into the 
meshes of the wire cloth, and prevents the passage of the molasses. 
After the molasses has been nearly all thrown out, asmall quantity of 
water is sprayed over the sugar while the centrifugal is in motion. 
This is forced through the sugar, and carries with it much of the mo- 
lasses which would otherwise adhere to the sugar, and discolorit. If 
the sugar is to be refined, this washing with water is omitted. When 
the sugar has been sufficiently dried, the machine is stopped, the sugar 
taken out, and put into barrels for market. 
Simple as the operation of the centrifugals is, the direction of the 
sugar-boiler as to the special treatment of each strike is necessary, 
since he, better than any one else, knows what difficulties are to be 
expected on account of the condition in which the melada left the 
strike-pan. 
CAPACITY OF THE SUGAR FACTORY. 
It has already been shown that the operation of the diffusion bat- 
tery should be continuous. The experience so far had in diffusing 
sorghum indicates eight minutesas the proper time for filling acell ; 
or one cell should be filled and another emptied every eight minutes. 
This, with a battery of 12 cells, 9 of which are under pressure, gives 
seventy-two minutes as the time during which the chips are subject 
to the action of the water. If the chips are cut sufficiently fine, the 
time may be reduced to seven or even to six minutes to the cell with- 
out probable loss from poor extraction. The time may be extended 
to ten minutes per cell without danger of damage when working sound 
canes. 
Taking eight minutes asthe mean, we shall have 180 as the number 
of cells diffused in a day. To secure the best results, all other parts 
of the factory must be adjusted to work as rapidly as the diffusion 
battery, so thatthe capacity of the battery will determine the capacity 
of the factory. 
A plant having a battery like that at Fort Scott, in which the 
cells are each capable of containing a ton of cane chips, should then 
have a capacity of 180 tons of cleaned cane, or 200 tons of cane with 
