52 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



is from the results of analysis of thirteen specimens of sugrar-beets grown 

 upon the aji^ricultural college farm, Amherst, Mass., and analyzed by 

 Professor Goessmanu {vide Mass. Agric. Eept., 1870-71). 



An average of all the examinations made of these four sorghums during 

 these periods when they were suitable for cuttiug gi^es the following 

 results : 



Early Amber, from August 13 to October 29 inclusive, 15 analyses, 

 extending over 78 days, 14.G per cent, sucrose. 



Liberian, from August 13 to October 29 inclusive, 13 analyses, extend- 

 ing over 78 days, 13.8 per cent, sucrose. 



Chinese, from September 13 to October 29 inclusive, 7 analyses, extend- 

 ing over 46 days, 13.8 per cent, sucrose. 



'Honduras, from October 14 to October 29 inclusive, 3 analyses, extend- 

 ing over IG days, 14.6 per cent, sucrose. 



Besides the investigations above mentioned, there have been made 35 

 experiments in making sugar from corn-stalks, sorghums, pearl millet, 

 &c., in all of which there have been used over 23 tons of stalks. The 

 result of these experiments has been to fully confirm all the experiments 

 not only of the previous year, but also to help towards the solution of 

 certain questions of the highest practical importance. In every case it 

 has been found that the quality of the sirup obtained has been precisely 

 such as the previous analysis in the laboratory of the juice used made 

 probable. An average of the nine best sirups obttiined showed a per- 

 centage of cane-sugar present equal to 92.7 of the amount originally 

 present in the juice, while an average of the nine poorest (i. e., contain- 

 ing the lowest percentage of cane-sugar) showed a percentage of cane- 

 sugar present equal to 90.1 of the amount present in the juice. 



This must not be understood to mean that there has been no loss of 



• sugar in the process of manufacture, as such conclusion would be quite 



erroneous, as will be seen by consulting tables further on in this report. 



Below are given the detailed results of 33 experiments in the making 

 of sirups from sorghum, pearl millet, and coni-stalks, and analyses of the 

 juices from which these sirups were made. These stalks were obtained 

 from neighboring farmers, and, as will be seen, were never in the con- 

 dition best suited for working, but the results obtained from them are, 

 however, of great practical value, and are given in detail. 



The last column represents the relative loss of sucrose in making sirup, 

 as compared with the glucose present, but gives no indication as to the 

 absolute loss which may have been incurred, and since the economical 

 Xiroduction of sugar largely depends upon the amount of this loss, this 

 matter is discussed more fully in another place. 



