ANALYSES OF SUGAR CANES. 



27 



NOTES ON THE AISTALYSES. 



The most striking characteristic of the analyses is found in the 

 high average percentage of sucrose contained in these canes. 

 Although the growing season in niotst places where tliese canes were 

 produced is shorter than in Louisiana and the autumnal frosts come 

 at an earlier date, yet it is seen in almost every instance tliat the per- 

 centage of pure sugar or sucrose in the juice of the canes is higher 

 than the average percentage of the same substance in tlie canes of 

 Louisiana. This difference must be due largel}^ to the character of 

 the soil. The rich alluvial soils of Louisiana produce a more vigorous 

 growth, as a rule, with a tendency to slower maturity. At the time 

 of harvest, therefoi'e, the canes in Louisiana are greener and less 

 mature than in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. 



The quantity of reducing sugar, or glucose, as it is commonly 

 called — that is, sugars which do not crystallize readily and go to make 

 up the bulk of the molasses in sugar factories — is quite low in most 

 cases. Tlie purities are also comparatively high. 



It is evident that cane juices of the composition given would insure 

 a fine yield of crystallized sugar if they wei'e manufactured for sugar 

 instead of sirup. Of coui'se, the great objection to the establishment 

 of a sugar industry in the region mentioned is the comparatively short 

 manufacturing season. The canes are not mature until early in 

 November, while killing frosts, except in Florida, are quite certain to 

 occui- before the end of November. These frosts may be at times of 

 excei)tional severity, as was the case in 1901, when the frost before the 

 middle of November throughout the cane regions of (Tcorgia was suf- 

 ficient not only to kill the canes, but also in manj' cases to freeze 

 them through and through. If in this region a season of three 

 months for sugar making could be assured, it is evident that, in so 

 far as the composition of the canes is concerned, there could ]»e no 

 doubt of the successful establishment of the sugar industry. In the 

 climatic conditions, however, wliich obtain it Avould be evidently 

 unwise to advise the estaldishment of such an industry, at least dur- 

 ing the i)resent low prices of sugar. 



South Carolina, by reason of the small number of samples sent — 

 viz, only one — should be excluded from the comparison of the data 

 by States. 



Of the other States, Georgia has sent hy far the largest number 

 of samples, and hence the average data from Georgia are more to be 

 relied upon to show the general characteristics of the cane g7-own in 

 that region than are the data from the other States. 



In the 12 samples from Alabama it is seen that the average per- 

 centage of sucrose or pui-e sugar in the juice is 13.2, that of the 

 reducing sugar L30, and the j)urity coetiicient 78. 8. This is some- 

 what lower than is desirable, the aim being to have a purity above 80. 



