90 



point of view the loss is insignificant. Farther, it may be said that 

 there appeared to be in the diffusion juice treated in the ordinary way 

 a slightly increased amount of gummy matter. This was noticed only 

 in filtering the sirup through bone-black. In the strike-pan and the 

 centrifugal the products of diffusion worked fully as well as those from 

 the mill. 



DISPOSITION OF CHIPS. 



An attempt was made to pass the chips through the five-roll mill, but 

 it was found impracticable. The first rolls would not take them easily, 

 and the second set of rolls had to be opened somewhat to secure the 

 proper feed. The bagasse issuing from the mill contained still 65 per 

 cent, water and made a poor fuel. 



It would probably not be a difficult problem to so adjust the mill as 

 to secure a proper drying of the chips. To return the chips to the soil, 

 however, appears to be the most rational method of disposing of them. 



It is true that if spread too thickly on the soil the chips may prove 

 highly injurious, but if distributed in a thin layer, covering almost if 

 not quite the original acreage of the cane furnishing them, they would 

 certainly prove advantageous. The chips would not only furnish or 

 ganic matter to the soil and thus increase its porosity, but they also 

 contain still a considerable part of nitrogenous matter, which would 

 afford a valuable plant food. Even the richest land should be treated 

 fairly, and the cane-field should receive as nearly as possible as much 

 as it gives. The additional cost of replacing the chips on the field is a 

 matter which should receive attention here, but the benefit will appar- 

 ently be greater than the expense. During the manufacturing season 

 the chips can be deposited in large beds, which subsequently can be 

 transferred to the field. If time for the partial decay of the chips 

 should be desired, the accumulation of one season need not be moved 

 until the following year. 



DISPOSITION OF SCUMS AND SEDIMENTS. 



The scums and sediments were successfully treated by the process of 

 carbonatation. The expense of a lime-kiln is not necessary for this 

 work. It was satisfactorily done by drawing the carbonic dioxide gas 

 directly from the stack of the boilers. As high as 11 per cent of CO 2 

 was found in the gases from this source. 



The scums, etc., treated with 2 to 3 per cent, of lime, are subjected to 

 the action of the gas until the lime is precipitated. They then can be 

 easily and rapidly filtered. 



By means of a cheap and convenient monte jus the scums and sedi- 

 ments were also returned to the battery. The method of operating was 

 as follows : 



The scums and sediments from the clarifiers were collected in a tank 

 furnished with a steam coil to keep them at the boiling temperature. 



