17 



■cation may also be carried out as described under sugar making, 

 a quantity of sulphurous acid being added to the defecated juice 

 until it becomes slightly acid. If properly conducted, this pro- 

 ■cess will always make a good syrup. It is probably to be pre- 

 ferred to any other, as it is very easily performed. Not much, 

 care is requisite, as any small excess of sulphurous acid which has 

 been added, will escape with the steam during the boiling down 

 of the juice.. Sulphate oi aluminum may be used instead of sul- 

 phurous acid, with equally good results, but more care is neces- 

 sary, since any excess that is added will remain in the syrup 

 The flavor of the syrup will depend to a very great extent on the 

 quantity of lime used for defecation, and the quantity to be 

 added must be ascertained by practice. If the maker finds that 

 the syrup still retains some of the " sorghum taste," it is a proof 

 that too little lime has been used, and a stronger defecation should 

 be made. If, on the other hand, the syrup is very dark, too much 

 lime has been added. 



COXSUMPTIOX AND PRODUCTION. 



According to the late commissioner of agriculture a total of 

 '2,000,000,000 pounds of sugar was consumed in the United 

 States during the year 1879. " Of this amount 1,743,560,000, or 

 more than 80 per cent., besides 38,395,575 gallons of molasses, 

 were imported. The whole valued at $114,516,745." He says 

 further: "To bring the vast amount of sugar imported into this 

 country within more easy comprehension, we have only to im- 

 agine five vessels of nearly 500 tons each and loaded with sugar, 

 arriving at our ports each day in the year." The question, there- 

 fore, can cane sugar be profitably manufactured from northern 

 sugar cane, is one of immense importance to this country. That 

 there is much prejudice to be overcome, is evident. There are 

 men to whom the bare idea seems ridiculous. In the face of 

 thefe difficulties, however, we venture to state that if skillfully 

 conducted, the manufacture of sugar from this cane will certainly 

 pay. Assuming the sugar to be worth 8 cents per pound, and the 

 molasses 80 cents per gallon, we have the value of the produce 

 per acre as follows : 

 b 



