39 



proceeds. This condition is by all means to be avoided, since it entails 

 serious difficulties on the process of separating the sugar from the 

 molasses. In case tbis second crop of crystals, called u false grain" or 

 "mush sugar," has appeared, the sugar boiler must act upon his 

 judgment, guided by his experience, as to what is to be done. lie may 

 take enough thin sirup into the pan to dissolve all of the crystals, and 

 begin again, or, if very skillful, he may so force the growth of the false 

 grain as to bring it up to a size that can be worked. 



No attempt will be made here to describe the methods of " boiling 

 for yield," nor to point out the methods by which many special diffi- 

 culties are to be overcome. Not only does the limited experience of the 

 writer make him hesitate to enter upon these intricate subjects, but 

 their discussion would unduly extend this report. It may be remarked 

 that the handling of the cane, the treatment of the juice, and the prep- 

 aration of the sirup, have much to do with the difficulties and success 

 of this the most intricate of all. 



THE FIXAL SEPARATION OF THE SUGAR FROM THE MOLASSES. 



The completion of the work in the strike pan leaves the sugar mixed 

 with molasses. The mixture is called melada or masse culto. It may be 

 drawn off into iron sugar wagons and set in the hot room above men- 

 tioned, in which case still more of the sugar which remains in the un- 

 crystallized state generally joins the crystals, somewhat increasing the 

 yield of " first sugar." At the proper time these sugar wagons are 

 emptied into a mixing machine, where the mass is brought to a uni- 

 form consistency. If the sugar wagons are not used, the strike-pan is 

 emptied directly into the mixer. 



THE CENTRIFUGAL MACHINES. 



From the mixer the melada is drawn into the centrifugal machines. 

 These consist, first, of an iron case resembling in form the husk of mill- 

 stones. A spout at the bottom of the husk connects with a molasses 

 tank. Witbin this husk is placed a metallic vessel with perforated 

 sides. This vessel is cither mounted or hung on a vertical axis, and is 

 lined with wire cloth. Having taken a proper portion of the mchida 

 into the centrifugal, the operator starts it to revolving, and by means 

 of a friction clutch makes such connection with the engine as gives it 

 about 1,500 revolutions per minute. The centrifugal force developed 

 drives the liquid molasses through the meshes of the wire cloth, and 

 out against the husk, from which it flows off into>a tank. The sugar, 

 being solid, is retained by the wire cloth. If there is in the melada 

 the u false grain" already mentioned, it passes into the meshes of the 

 wire cloth, and prevents the passage of the molasses. After the mo- 

 lasses has been nearly all thrown out, a small quantity of water is 

 sprayed over the sugar while the centrifugal is m motion. This is 

 forced through the sugar, and curries with it much of the molasses 



