69 



A new and desirable system of storing and preparing cane for diffu- 

 sion was tested, its advantages proven, and its weak points disclosed; 

 this, with the high per cent, of sugar found in this cane, is a fair offset 

 for losses sustained by weak cutters and the use of gypsum water. 



The) following facts may not be out of place: This enterprise was no 

 exception to those preceding in respect to starting late in the season, 

 after the crop was planted, as it were. Less than three mouths inter- 

 vened between the placing of orders for the machinery and the date of 

 ripening of the first planted cane. The factory was two weeks late in 

 starting and the other end of the season shortened by burning of the 

 boilers November 4, leaving 75 acres of most excellent cane that was 

 rich in sugar. 



The gypsum had a most disastrous effect upon the boilers ; frequent 

 stoppages of work were required to clean them. By reason of excessive 

 scaling of boiler shell and tubes the efficiency of the boilers was greatly 

 reduced. 



The following figures relative to this plant were taken from the books 

 of the company and are reliable : 



Cost of sugar-works plant $44,547.72 $44,547.72 



Less coat of water-works plant 6,000.00 



38, 547. 72 



Donation city water-works bonds 12,800.00 



Received from U. S. Department of Agriculture 10,000.00 



Farmers* stock, for cane, paid in 4, 500. 00 



27, 300. 00 



Cost to present owners 17,247.72 



Cost of labor 5,896.02 



Less labor on water-works 1,500. 00 



4, 396. 02 

 Cost of fuel ......................................................... .. 3,096.33 



Cost of cane .............................................. .". .......... 5,980.00 



Cost of incidentals, barrels, etc ........................................ 1, 364. 37 



14, 836. 72 

 100,000 pounds of sugar at 6| cents ........................ $6, 500. 00 



100,000 pounds sugar, 2 cents State bounty .. .............. 2,000.00 



36, 000 gallons of molasses at 12 cents ...................... 4,320.00 



6,000 bushels seed, 50 cents (estimated) . . 3, 000. 00 



------ 15,820.00 



Gain 



Five thousand dollars were paid to railroads for freight transportation. 

 The cost for coal and labor to handle 1 ton of cane is 2.50 cents; much 

 coal was used for testing machinery, water-works, etc. Profit per ton 

 over cost of production, 33 cents. Taking the season as a whole the 

 plant was operated at less than half its capacity with no demv.so, 

 in cost of labor. Fully 150 tons could have been worked with the same 



