68 



condition of growth, the plant in its efforts to reproduce itself develop- 

 ing a higher content of sugar. 



Dark, heavy soils produce a. stalk of abnormal size, continuing its 

 growth until checked by frosts, containing invariably a large per cent, 

 of reducing sugars. 



Light, thin soils produce an undersized stalk perhaps 4 feet long, 

 maturing but a handful of seed, generally showing a high per cent, of 

 sugar and often a very low per cent, of reducing sugars. If these con- 

 clusions are correct, the elevated table-lands of southwestern Kansas, 

 situated directly south and west of the Arkansas River Valley, will offer 

 inducements for the prosecution of this work not found in localities north 

 and east of that valley. 



A remarkable feature of this season's crop was its high average con- 

 tent of sugar, low per cent, of reducing sugars, and the disposition to 

 increase the former at tlic expense of the latter for nearly two mouths 

 after the cane had matured its seed. The last analysis of stalk cane 

 made November 12, from field cane twice frozen, was 13.85 per cent, 

 sucrose, 1.01 per cent, glucose. 



I believe this crop of cane the richc>t by far of any ever grown and 

 worked for sugar. 



But one trial run was made, worked by itself: 43 tons of cleaned cane, 

 from which were obtained 3,850 pounds of sugar of 98 per cent, purity 

 and 1,000 gallons of molasses, being 90 pounds of sugar and 23.2 gallons 

 of molasses from each ton. The laboratory work under the direction 

 of Dr. H. W. Wiley, in charge of Prof. E. A. Von Schweinitz, assisted 

 by Mr. Oma Carr, has been most satisfactory. The information gained 

 through their labors will prove very interesting and valuable to all 

 friends of this industry. 



I am well satisfied no well-regulated sugar works can be successfully 

 operated and the best results obtained unless a complete chemical con- 

 trol of the every-day work prevails. 



Their services are invaluable as a check upon the work of diffusion 

 and clarification. A change from hard to softer cane or a slight altera- 

 tion in the adjustment of the shredder may result in great loss of sugar 

 in the former ; a change in the treatment of the juice results in loss by 

 inversion in the latter. The cause and extent in each case are dis- 

 closed only by the chemist's art. 



An expenditure upon this plant of $2,000 or $3,000 for an additional 

 boiler and cutters would give it a working capacity of fully 150 tons per 

 day with a full equipment of new and modern machinery. This plant 

 could now be duplicated for much less money. 



To the unfriendly critic the statements herein made will be a source 

 of comfort, for, alas, nothing succeeds like success; results, not causes, 

 are wanted, and no mitigating circumstances or unfavorable conditions 

 are considered. Nevertheless those best informed see much that is very 

 encouraging. 



