25 

 This process yields twice as much press cake as the ordinary. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE KLEEMANN PROCESS. 



The increased coefficient of purity is not the only advantage of this 

 process. There is an increase in the yield of sugar due to rapidity <>i 

 working both juice and sirup. The quantity of sugar lost in tin- sunns 

 is reduced to a minimum, and the expense for labor is less. 



In addition the press-cake is in an excellent mechanical condition fur 

 use as a fertilizer. 



This process certainly merits a more thorough test both by the De- 

 partment and the planters. Lignite of good quality, I am informed, is 

 abundant near the sugar area of Louisiana, and can b obtained at a 

 small cost. 



CUBAN SUGAR-HOUSES. 



Although the average Cuban sugar-house does no better work than 

 the average in Louisiana, there are many estates where the results ob- 

 tained are as good, if not better, than those of this country. 



The enormous size and the great strength of the milling machinery 

 is very noticeable. The carts are backed up to the carriers upon which 

 the cane is thrown without attempting to place each stalk lengthwise 

 of the carrier, as is usual in Louisiana. The mills are fed very heavily. 

 The average percentage of extraction of the juice is low. This is largely 

 due to the woodiness of the cane. The proportion of marc or fiber is 

 considerably higher than in Louisiana. 



On leaving the mill the juice passes through a calorisator, which util- 

 izes the waste heat from the double or tripple effect and condenses a 

 large proportion of the vapors. This is a double economy. It reduees 

 the quantity of water required for the house and effects A notable s i\ 

 ing in consumption of fuel. Very few Cuban sugar-houses have a suffi- 

 cient supply of water. 



After leaving the calorisator the juice is conducted into double- hot 

 torn pans of 750 gallons capacity, termed defecators. Here it is limed 

 and heated to the boiling point, then settled. The clear juice is drawn 

 off and the scum and settlings are run into " blow-ups." The contents 

 of the " blow-ups," after heating to the boiling point, are filtn --pi-exs. -.1 

 as at Magnolia. The clear juice, including that coming from the liltu 

 presses, is immediately concentrated. 



Many of the houses still employ high-pressure vacuum-pans. Tin- 

 best practice for obtaining a maximum yield of first sugar is to make i 

 medium grain, boiling at as low a temperature as possible and diseh., 

 the masse cuite as stiff as the strike-valve of the pan will permit. The 

 masse cuite is dropped into wagons and left several hours to berome 

 cold. 



Through the courtesy of Mr. E. F. Atkins, of Soledad, 1 am enabled 

 to present a table showing the work of his Imn^e last season. This house 



