CENTRAL FACTORUS. 425 



of a skilled person, and, besides, the large quantities made each day 

 are of uniform quality. On the other hand, even the greatest care 

 will hardlv prevent the small manufacturer from now and then «»ettin<»- 

 3 portion of bis syrup far below, or much above, his average product. 

 It would be well if the syrups were, after cooling, put into large storase 

 tanks, which, when the tanks were filled, could be barreled for mar- 

 ket, thus securing at least many barrels of like character; and if two 

 or three such tanks should be kept of different grades, the inferior 

 product might be kept apart from the better. 



To those dtsirous of securing for their products the highest market 

 price, it will be found worth while to attend carefully to the jxickages 

 in which the syrup is sent to market. Stout, clean casks give greater 

 security in handling, and will generally more than pay any extra cost in 

 the readiness with v.hich a purchaser will be found. 



Those w ho are satisfied as to the character of their syrups, should by 

 means of a stencil plate attach their name to their packages, so that 

 they may thus advertise their products, and secure permanent custom. 



CENTRAJL FACTORIES. 



It will be found by far the most economical, if the central factory 

 system should be generally adopted in place of many independent, 

 and small factories. The advantages of such a system are obvious, 

 since improved and necessary apparatus too expensive for the individ- 

 ual could be secured. Steam could be employed with the greatest 

 economy, and the services of an experienced sugar maker could be 

 secured. The economical production of sugar in the small faciorv is 

 practically impossible : or, even if not in certain cases, its production 

 by a well conducted central factory would be found far more profitable. 

 The small farmer misht then content himself either in growinor the 

 cane and delivering it to the factory ; or, if at a dbtance, he might pro- 

 duce syrups of a high grade, i. e. containing a large amount of crvs- 

 tallizahle sugar, and depend upon a local market for their disposal, or 

 furnish them to the central factory to be worked for sugar and mo- 

 lasses, where a larger and better product could be secured than would 

 be possible for him to obtain on his own farm. By this means a sup- 

 ply of syrup might be produced by the neighboring farmers sufficient 

 to continue the work of the central factory during the winter, and un- 

 til another crop — thus, not only keeping the necessary force fur conduct- 

 ing it constantly employed, and the machinery always in runninsr 

 order, but having the expensive plant at no time of the year Ivino- 

 idle. Already such systems have been introiluced in many of the in- 

 dustries of the farm, and, if wisely conducted, always with increased 



