42 



(4) The process of carbonatation, as employed, secured a maximum 

 yield of sugar, but failed to make a molasses which was marketable. 

 This trouble arose from the small quantity of lime remaining in the fil- 

 tered juices, causing a blackening of the sirup on concentration, and 

 the failure of the cleaning apparatus to properly prepare the chips for 

 diffusion. 



A modification of the process which will prevent this trouble has al- 

 ready been explained; but, although an earnest attempt was made to 

 introduce this method, it was found impossible to accomplish it before 

 the end of the season. 



I doubt whether any other industry has ever been the object of so 

 much misrepresentation as this* one. 



In the preceding report I have endeavored to lay before you all the 

 facts noted in the recent experiments. If I have not interpreted them 

 correctly, I have, at least, given the data for a correct interpretation. 



I should, indeed, be glad to leave this industry in a more promising 

 condition. All admit that the process of diffusion has been success- 

 fully worked out, and to this opinion I subscribe, with the reservation 

 that a proper mechanical method for distributing over the chips a sub- 

 stance to prevent inversion of the sucrose has not yet been discovered. 



Honest differences of opinion still exist in respect of the best method 

 of treating the diffusion juices, but it has been shown at Eio Grande 

 that the diffusion juice from clean cane can be worked without any pu- 

 rification whatever. 



Whether this purification is to be accomplished by carbonatation, fil- 

 tering with brown coal, or in some other way, can easily be decided 

 without menacing the future of the sorghum industry. 



The problem of successfully cutting and cleaning the canes does not 

 appear to me to be incapable of solution. It should have been solved 

 the first thing, without leaving it for the last. 



Last of all, the chief thing to be accomplished is the production of a 

 surghum plant containing a reasonably constant percentage of crystal- 

 lizable sugar. 



I cannot emphasize this point better than by quoting from some of 

 my previous reports. In Bulletin No. 3, pp. 107-108, the following words 

 are found : 



IMPROVEMENT BY StfED SELECTION. 



I am fully convinced that the Government should undertake the experiments which 

 have in view the increase of the ratio of sucrose to the other substances in the juice. 

 These experiments, to be valuable, must continue under proper scientific direction for 

 a number of years. The cost will be so great that a private citizen will hardly be 

 willing to undertake the expense. 



The history of the improvement in the sugar-beet should be sufficient to encourage 

 all similar eiforts with sorghum. 



The original forage beet, from which the sugar-beet has been developed, contained 

 only f> or 6 per cent, of sucrose. The sugar-beet will now average 10 per ceut. of sue- 



