REPORT OF HUBERT EDSON, DOUGLASS, KANS. 



I herewith submit my report of the work done at Douglass, Kans., 

 during season of 1888. 



I wish to call attention to the valuable aid given me by my associate, 

 J. L. Fuelling. Without his assistance much that has been accom- 

 plished would not have been done. 



Also, I would mention the hearty co-operation of Mr. Fred Hinze in 

 the sugar house. . 



After one or two trial runs, to test the machinery of the house, 

 the regular manufacturing season at Douglass commenced September 

 14, and continued, with what regularity was possible, up to October 25. 



There is no doubt but that the Early Amber was ready for work by 

 the middle of August and possibly earlier. When I arrived in Dong- 

 lass, August 26, I found several fields that had passed maturity. This 

 cane, however, contrary to experience elsewhere, did not deteriorate in 

 any marked degree till some time after reaching its maximum sucrose. 

 When the house was closed we still had Amber coming in in large 

 quantities, and containing sucrose enough to warrant working it. 



Besides the Amber the two other varieties chiefly grown were the 

 Orange, and a cane identified by Mr. Dcnton, of Sterling, Kans., as the 

 Chinese. 



The Amber and Chinese contained highest sucrose and lowest glu- 

 cose, with the advantage slightly in favor of the Chinese. The Orange 

 did not do as well as was expected, but it was planted so late in the 

 season that it did not have time to mature. 



The exceedingly variable nature of the cane brought in was a source 

 of constant annoyance, nor w r ould the appearance of the stalks be any 

 criterion of the quality of the juice. One field of 30 acres which had 

 been ordered hauled in before any test had been made of it was found 

 on the arrival of the first load to contain but 4.50 per cent, sucrose, 

 with almost as much glucose. This cane was, judging by its appear- 

 ance, as good as any worked during the season, but repeated tests of 

 samples taken from different parts of the field failed to show in a single 

 instance enough sucrose to warrant working for sugar. Numerous in- 

 stances of this same thing were found throughout the season, and the 

 cane needed the closest watching. 

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