QUESTIONS 319 



molasses, but the latter is a by-product in the making of sugar, 

 being that part in which the sugar does not readily crystallize. 

 Very inferior grades of molasses are sold for stock feed under the 

 name of ' 'blackstrap. " 



The leaves and tops, if cared for when freshly harvested, are 

 very good as forage for livestock. 



FIELD AND LABORATORY EXERCISES 



1. Study sugar cane plants and find where the new shoots are formed 

 when stalks are planted in the ground for propagation. Also study the internal 

 structure of the stem, and determine the location of the sweet sap. Is it chiefly 

 in the ducts or in the pith cells? 



2. Sugar from Cane. If possible, visit a cane mill in operation and by 

 taking weights of stalks before and after grinding and pressing, determine the 

 percentage of sap which the plants contain. From data obtained at the mill 

 also learn the percentage of sugar in the sap, and from these facts calculate 

 the percentage of sugar in the stalks themselves. 



3. Purifying the Sap. Study methods of removing impurities from the 

 boiling sap, and determine the uses made of the various by-products. 



4. Two Kinds of Sugar in Cane. If a polariscope is available for use 

 either in the laboratory, or at a nearby college, or at the sugar refinery, it 

 will be interesting to study the differences in the sap used for making molasses 

 and that used in making refined sugar. (Levulose and dextrose.) 



QUESTIONS 



1. What regions are suited to the growing of sugar cane? 



2. Describe the methods of propagating cane. 



3. How is the crop cultivated? 



4. Tell what you can of the harvesting of the crop. 



5. How is the sugar 'obtained from the cane? 



6. What is the chief by-product? 



