REPORT. 



To His Excellency, J. M. Kusk, Qovernor: 



In conformity to chapter 211 of the general laws of 1881, I 

 herewith present a report of the experiments in amber cane and 

 ensilage of fodders, conducted upon the university experimental 

 farm during the past season. 



Most fortunately, Mr. Magnus Swenson was secured as chemist 

 in these experiments, and too much credit cannot be given him 

 for his untiring zeal in the difficult task to which he was assigned. 

 Such an experiment as securing sugar from amber cane in any- 

 thing like a practical way is a most difficult undertaking. Every 

 step in the process is along an unknown road, and the many fail- 

 ures in past years show that scores of persons who thought they 

 were certain of success, only attained defeat. 



Fortunately Mr. Swenson understands machinery as well as 

 chemistry, and was enabled to design and superintend the con- 

 struction of the machinery used. By this means a great saving 

 was effected in the cost of machinery needed. Had it been other- 

 wise, the funds would not have been sufficient for the work. 



I present Mr. Swenson's report as handed to me, believing that 

 in it, those interested in amber cane will find information that 

 cannot but prove of great value to them. The fact that good 

 marketable sugar can be obtained from amber cane at the rate of 

 1,000 pounds to the acre, by methods even more practicable when 

 used on a large scale than in the present case, is a cause for grati- 

 fication, I think. 



It is proposed to distribute samples of syrup and sugar obtained 

 iu the experiments, in such a way that they can be seen at all the 

 agricultural gatheriflgs held this winter, throughout the state. 



