77 



IN ASH. 



Insol. matter. 

 Potash. 

 Soda. 

 Lime. 



When it is remembered that the soils contain large quantities of 

 lime, the percentage of lime in the cane ash is low, being in no greater 

 proportion than in canes grown on soils with only fair amounts of 

 lime. 



A number of analyses were made of the tops and middles of ma- 

 ture canes, and of young canes, with special reference to the percentage 

 of chlorine in the ash. The observations were that the upper portions 

 of the tops of the canes contained much more ash than the middles, 

 and that the percentage of chlorine in the ash of the tops was very 

 much greater than in the ash of the middles. 



The analyses of the stems of six months old cane showed the ash 

 to be much higher than in nature cane, as was also the chlorine in 

 the ash. The ash and chlorine in ash appeared to vary with the degree 

 of maturity of the cane, the young cane, or young portions of mature 

 cane, containing chlorine in considerable quantities, while the mature 

 portions of the cane contained but small amounts. 



A series of analyses of juices was made for ash, chlorine in ash, 

 gums and reducing sugars. There seemed to be a close relation exist- 

 ing between ash, chlorine in ash, gums, and often, reducing sugars 

 the higher the gums, the higher the ash and chlorine in the ash. 



From these and other analyses, and from general observations, it 

 would seem that under the conditions in Peru, the degree of matu- 

 rity is the most potent factor in determining the character of the cane, 

 and that it is largely responsible for the variation in the amount of 

 organic and mineral substances, such as gums and ash, that are said 

 to influence the manufacturing qualities of the juice. 



