226 PLANT AND ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 



of two liquids of different nature, density, or temperature, in- 

 dependent of chemical action upon one another." 1 More 

 exactly it is a molecular force. 2 



Practically, diffusion is the means by which all solid con- 

 tents are extracted from the cells. The water used for the dif- 

 fusion enters the cells of the cane and leaves it charged with 

 soluble solids. The end of the operation obtains when the 

 fluid within these cells is of the same density as the sur- 

 rounding medium. 



The advantages of diffusion over the older methods of mill- 

 ing, to extract the juice of sugar-producing plants, will be seen 

 from the statement that 95 per cent, of the sugar present can 

 be secured by the new method, 3 whilst the old processes gave 

 only 50. 



The method of diffusion is used in the beet-sugar factories 

 of Europe with marked success. The late experiments at Fort 

 Scott, applying this process to sorghum cane, resulted in a 

 marked success for extracting the juice. From the diffusion 

 experiments with sugar-cane, it was found that the yield of 

 sugar was the highest ever obtained from sugar-cane. 4 By this 

 same process a larger percentage of sugar was yielded than 

 that from the richer tropical cane with the old methods. 



The marked cellular character of the sorghum adapts it 

 to the process of diffusion more readily than is the case with 

 the sugar beet. 



It may be of interest briefly to describe the process of 

 diffusion, and the subsequent methods of defecation and 

 carbonatation employed in these experiments. 5 



The cane is cut and transported from the field to the fac- 

 tory, where, by means of carriers, it is conveyed to the cut- 

 ters. 



In the case of sorghum, it should be cleaned of its blades 



1 Manuel Pratique de Diffusion, par Fleury et Lemaine. 



2 Dubrunfault. 



8 Bui. No. 8, Chem. Div. Dept. of Agr., p. 15. From Bui. No. 2, Chem. 

 Soc. of Washington, p. 29, by H. W. Wiley. 



4 Bui. No. 14, p. 51. 



6 The machinery used in the manufacture of sugar from the beet-root and 

 sorghum was shown by lantern projections. 



