the stubble bad been damaged by the frost, but such did not prove to 

 be the case. 



It is customary at Magnolia to burn the trash in the fields soon after 

 the cane is all harvested. There is a general impression among plant- 

 ers that this exposes the stubble to danger from frost. The experience 

 of the past season at Magnolia demonstrates that such is not the case. 



The tonnage this season has been unusually small, but the cane has 

 been a little richer in available sucrose than any time since the station 

 was established. 



In comparing the work of the sugar-house it is probably better to 

 compare this season's work with that of 18S4-'85. The same grades of 

 sugar were made these seasons. 



The yield per acre in 1S85-'S6 was 2,988 pounds of first, second, and 

 third sugars. In 1886 the yield, first and second sugars, was 1,964 

 pounds. A decrease of 6.66 tons of cane per acre resulted in a decrease 

 of 1,024 pounds of sugar. 



The yield of sugar per ton of cane the past season has been exceed- 

 ingly satisfactory, but nevertheless it is expected that a few changes in 

 the house will materially increase the output of sugar. 



This season only two sugars were made. The first graded " Choice 

 off white." The yield of first sugar would have been larger had it 

 been possible to boil the masse cuite stiffer, but the strike valve of the 

 pan would not admit of doing so. As large a proportion of the sugar 

 as possible should be obtained in the firsts, not only on account of the 

 higher price of this grade of sugar, but because less sugar is left to be 

 reboiled for lower grades and consequently the loss "from inversion is 

 diminished. 



Since most of the sugars arid molasses in Louisiana are made to enter 

 directly into consumption, the planter is compelled to lime the juice 

 lower and boil hotter than he would otherwise. Were it practicable by 

 present methods to work alkaline the loss from inversion even at high 

 temperatures would be greatly diminished. 



I have examined beet molasses from sugars boiled with a vacuum of 

 less than 24 inches that contained but little more than a trace of invert 

 sugar. The clarified juices and sirups were always worked alkaline. 



IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUGAR-HOUSE AND THE PLANTATION. 



Very few changes were made in the house preparatory to this sea- 

 son's work, and those only for the improvement of the work of machin- 

 ery already in place. 



The tanks for skimmings were provided with a better arrangement 

 for decanting the clear juice. The lowest outlets from these tanks 

 are about 2 inches above the bottoms. Outlets should be provided so 

 located that the tanks could be drained, effecting a large saving in 

 sugar. 



