REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. • 55 



mens were taken from the several lots of stalks in experiments Nos. 1, 

 2, 3, 4, and it was found tliat tlie average weight of the stalks in these 

 lots was four ounces each. 



In most of the experiments above recorded the juice was raised to the 

 temperature of 82^ C. (180° F.), and then neutralized with milk of lime, 

 but several experiments were made to learn the effect produced by 

 neutralization with lime at different temperatures. 



In experiment No. 4 the juice was divided into two portions, and the 

 lime was added to the one portion at 40o C. (104° F.), to the otlier por- 

 tion at 250 0. (77° F.) J and the portions were separately evaporated to 

 sirup. 



In experiment l^o. 13 the lime was added directly after the juice was 

 Obtained from the miU, the temperature being 1G° 0. (01° F.). 



In experiment No. 18, the lime was added at 80° 0. (170° F.). 



In the above-mentioned experiments the results were entirely satis- 

 factory, and seem to indicate that the neutralization by means of Ume 

 may be effected at any stage below 82° C. No experiments were made 

 in neutralizing at higher temperature than 82° 0. 



An experiment was also made to determine whether splitting the 

 canes before they were passed through the miU would increase the 

 percentage of juice obtained from the stalks. One hundred pounds of 

 butt ends of Honduras sorghum were split lengthwise and then passed 

 through the mill. Another parcel of one hundred pounds of butts of 

 the same variety of sorghum, equal in all respects to the previous lot, 

 was passed through the mill without splitting them. The results ob- 

 tained were as follow s : Percentage of juice obtained from split stalks, 

 54 per cent. ; percentage of juice obtained from unsplit stalks, 57 per 

 ceiit. ; from which it would appear that in this case at least, the previous 

 splitting of the stalks occasioned an appreciable loss in juice. 



In plate 27 the apparatus used in these experiments is figured, show- 

 ing the relative position of mill, pans, &c. 



Two pans only are represented as being in u«e, viz., the defecating pan 

 upon the left hand in the wood-cut and the evaporator upon the right 

 hand. The stop-cocks by wliich the contents of the defecating pan are 

 removed is not shown in the plate, being concealed by the small evapo- 

 rator in Iront. A space of about two feet separates the brick work un- 

 derneath the several pans, permitting one to pass easily about them. 



The apparatus represented in the rear is used for making sulphurous- 

 acid solution, and consists of a small-sized hot- water tank for kitchen- 

 range, about 40 inches long and 10 inches diameter. Into this powdered 

 charcoal and oil of vitriol are put, and the sulphurous gas is passed 

 through iron pipes into a wash-bottle containing oil of vitriol, and from 

 thence into a barrel nearly filled with water. A safety tube is connected 

 ■with the wash-bottle to prevent any possible rushing back of the water 

 into the generator in case of the withdrawal of the heat. By this ap- 

 paratus a barrel or two of the solution may be made in a short time and 

 at an expense not over 75 cents per barrel. For two barrels there 

 would be required 75 pounds of oil of vitriol and 7 pounds of powdered 

 charcoal. 



A few of the experiments made give a reasonable basis for estimating 

 the probable yield of sirup and sugar to the acrej and, therefore, an 

 approximate estimate of tlie cost of producing sugar. 



Below is a tabulated result of a few of the experiments from stalks 

 grown upon the grounds of the department. These stalks were grown 

 in rows 3 feet apart and in drills, and although a good crop, there is no 



