504 SORGHUM. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



(a.) Methods of manufacture of different sorghum sugar, and syrup makers. 



(&.) Experiments in sorghum sugar manufacture, on a large scale, at the 

 Department of Agriculture, at Washington. 



(c.) Causes of failure in the manufacture of sugar at the Department of Ag- 

 riculture, at Washington. 



METHODS OF MANUFACTURE. 



For the purpose of showing the present methods of manufacture of 

 sugar and syrup, and the variations possible, without endangering 

 success, the following briefly detailed methods are given of a few of 

 those manufacturers who have, thus far, been most successful. It is to 

 be said, that, while the methods differ greatly, they generally agree in 

 the importance of promptness, and in carrying forward the several op- 

 erations in cleanliness, and especially in the greatest care in defecation 

 of the juices. 



It is interesting to see that all of these reports are from the more 

 northerly states, averaging 41° north latitude, and varying from 39° 

 to 44°; also, that the longitude varies from 2° E. to 14° 5' W., cov- 

 ering an area of 350 by 1,200 miles; thus showing the possible area 

 for the successful cultivation of sorghum for sugar, while the im- 

 mensely larger area, extending from 39° north latitude to the gulf, and 

 from the Atlantic to the mountain regions of the west, is doubtless 

 better adapted to the growth of this plant than most of the more 

 northern states. Thus far this new industry has been largely limited 

 to the north and west, possibly through greater enterprise in northern 

 farmers and capitalists, and greater readiness to enter upon new indus- 

 tries which give promise of success. 



Several of those whose methods are given were among the success- 

 ful competitors for prizes given by the Department of Agriculture for 

 those who should report the best results in sorghum sugar making in 



1882. 



Plan for a Cheap, Economical Home Factory. 



The following plate. No. XLIX, published by J. A. Field & Co., St. 

 Louis, Mo., presents a plan for a small sugar or syrup works, such as 

 is in very general use among our fai'mers, and which, at very moderate 

 expense, will enable the farmer to manufacture his small acreage of 

 sorghum into excellent syrup, either for home consumption or for some 

 central factory. 



