358 



DATE SUGAR INDUSTRY IN BENGAL. 



sugar were determined in each sample. The table sets out the total 

 sugar per cent, in the tree at various points. No. 1 sample was 

 from the base of the tree and No. 7 was from the top portion 1 



No. of sample. 



1 

 2 

 3 

 4 

 5 

 6 

 7 



Total sugar. 

 Per cent. 



ro3 



T48 

 3-00 

 4-40 

 4-70 

 4'flO 

 4-10 



It is interesting to note that there was only the slightest indi- 

 cation of bleeding from the stump of the tree. At no portion of 

 the tree was the cut surface notably damp, but the sawn surfaces 

 became gradually damper as one proceeded upwards. 



The total volume of the tree was 17*65 cub. feet. At 45lbs. 

 per cubic foot the tree would, therefore, weigh 794*5lbs. The ac- 

 companying table sets out the weight of the various logs with the 

 weight of sugar in each. 



The tree therefore contains only about 25fos. of sugar altogether. 

 Further there is no special accumulation of sugar at the top of the 

 tree. It has been shewn that an average tree yields about 22lfos. 

 of gur per season. This tree had only been tapped a few times 

 during the current season. Therefore it is reasonable to assume 

 that the sugar is being formed from some other substance, probably 

 starch, during the bleeding process. 



