MANUAL FOR SUGAR GROWERS. 95 



The remainder is generally run into the lees pond, 

 where it undergoes fermentation, giving rise to 

 most offensive smells and losing a considerable part 

 of its manurial value. 



The filter-press cake, on the other hand, can be 

 dried, without difficulty, without fermenting, and, 

 once thoroughly dried, it can be ground and will 

 then keep for any length of time. It thus forms an 

 excellent food for stock. When the practice of 

 using scum-cake meal, as this may be termed, is in- 

 troduced for the first time, it is well to mix it with 

 other food, gradually increasing the quantity of 

 the scum-cake from day to day. It may be given 

 mixed with chaff and molasses, or mixed with mo- 

 lasses and given in the same manner as oil-meal. 

 Cattle fed upon this, together with their ordinary 

 diet of cane-tops or grass, fatten and keep in ex- 

 cellent condition and work well. No ill effects will 

 follow from its use if care be taken to reject in the 

 drying process any that is not perfectly sweet and 

 good. By following this plan the quantity of oil- 

 meal purchased on a sugar estate may be reduced, 

 and in this way the filter-press effects another im- 

 portant saving. 



In order to dry the cake, the author advises that, 

 every time the press is opened, the softer portions 

 of the cake, which will be found in the pipes, etc., 

 of the press, be fed to the stock as soon as possible, 

 thus getting rid of this, which it would be difficult 

 to dry, and providing a considerable portion of the 

 daily food. The firm cake should then be exposed 

 to the sun, if the weather be dry, and the cakes 



