No. lOS.J 69 



hours,) pull the plug out of the bottom of the mold, and insert a sharp 

 point, nearly as large as the hole, some six inchesj withdraw the 

 point, and stand the mold on a point to drip. 



7th. If the sugar is intended to be brown, leaving it standing on 

 the pot for a sufficient length of time, in a temperature of 80°, will 

 run off its molasses, and leave it in a merchantable shape; it will pro- 

 bably require twenty days. It can then be thrown out of the moulds, 

 and will be fit for use. When moulds cannot be obtained, conical ves- 

 sels of wood or metal, with a hole at the apex, will answer equally 

 well. 



The above description will be sufficient for any operator, if strictly 

 followed: but should any of your friends wish to make the experi- 

 ment on a large scale, or to produce white instead of brown sugar at 

 a single operation, they had better see me personally, before com- 

 mencing, as the kind of kettle, f^nd many other minor particulars, 

 will be important. The above description, however, is fully suffi- 

 cient for the use of the farmer. If the juice of cornstalks be manu- 

 factured with the rapidity named in the former part of this letter, no 

 clarification will be necessary, and scum which may rise during the 

 boiling can be taken off with a skimmer; but in the large loay, both 

 clarification and filtration would be requisite, as in large operations 

 every part of the kettle cannot be got at to skim. Since 1 last saw 

 you, I have made some experiments on the cornstalk; and if your 

 statements are correct as to the quantity of juice which can be obtained 

 from the acre, then there can be no doubt of its entire superiority 

 over the sugar cane. I fear, however, that the enthusiasm of those 

 who made the experiments you spoke of has led them into errois. It 

 is true that the juice of the cornstalk, grown with a view to suoar 

 making, will yield a juice at 10° Beaurae. I have made arrange- 

 ments to try the experiments fully in the coming summer, and when 

 done Avill communicate the results. 



I remain, sir, yours respectfully, 



J. J. MAPES. 



