272 



SORGHUM. 



Plate XXX. 



To those engaged iu the examination of canes, whether of sorghum, 

 maize, or sugar-cane, it is of the greatest importance to have at hand 

 a small mill, by which the juice of a single stalk may be obtained for 

 examination. 



To the planter Avho desires to learn the condition of his crop, 



such a mill is almost indispensable. The above plates represent mills 



of this discriptiou made by George L. Squier, Buffalo, N. Y. The 



weight of the mills is from 170 to 270 pounds, and the rolls are from 



4 inches long and 4 inches in diameter, to 5 inches long and 5 inches 



in diameter, and are said to give a yield of juice fully equal to the 



large mills. 



Importance of a good MiU. 



It is most desirable, in order to secure the best results possible, that 

 great care be exercised in the selection of a mill, since there is, even 

 with the best mill, a very considerable amount of sugar left in the ba- 

 gasse. According to the testimony of an experienced sugar chemist 

 and engineer, it is probably true that nearly, if not one-half, of the 

 sugar present in the cane of Louisiana is left iu the bagasse, for he 

 says : 



To a great many it may appear startling, that about 50 per cent of the sugar 



