232 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



to tlie taste. From the* one-fourth of an acre I obtained seven 

 barrels of the sap, which was taken as ground, to pans, where 

 it was boiled to thin sirup, adding as in my first experiment, 

 about a table-spoonful of lime, to a barrel of sap ; also skimming, 

 as the green matter rose to the surface. This was strained 

 througli a cotton strainer, while liot. After cooling, it was 

 carefully drawn off as before, and boiled to thick sirup ; eggs 

 and milk were used to clarify. From this experiment I obtained 

 30 gallons of thick sirup. The quality of the last, was not as 

 good as the first experiment, probably owing to the fact the 

 quantity was larger. From my experiments, I think the sap 

 will yield about seven and one-half per cent, thick sirup. The 

 cane was in blossom or just before the milk when cut. 



The specific gravity of my sirup is about 1.40. I have cut 

 the cane for the past two years with the view of testing its value 

 for soiling, but could not tliink it as good for tliat purpose as 

 the Egyptian millet, or much better than corn, as I have not 

 been able to get but one growth in a season, whicli is not the 

 case with tlie Egyptian millet. I took some of the sirup and 

 boiled it sufficient to grain, but instead of grained sugar, I got 

 what I should tliink would make good molasses candy. 



Expenses : — 

 Use and taxes on land, . 

 Ploughing and planting, . 

 Manure, five loads, 

 Hoeing three times and thinning, . 

 Stripping leaves from cane three days, 

 Running cane through mill twice, and boiling- 

 seven barrels sap to sirup, nine days' work, . 

 Horse and mill, four days' work. 

 Wood used to boil sap, three-fourths of a cord. 

 Drawing cane two miles to mill. 



Whole expense, .... 



Sirup, 30 gallons, at 75 cents. 



Leaves stripped from cane, .... 



Balance against crop, ... $3 75 



