63 



4,042, and the varieties analyzed being about forty, these results having been obtained 

 from as many distinct varieties by so large a number of separate analyses made in 

 successive years, the general conclusion reached appears established beyond question. 



It \vill bo seen that during the early stages of development of these plants, up to 

 and imcluding the sixth stage, the available sugar is given as a minus quantity, i. e. t 

 the amount of sucrose in the juice is less than the sum of the glucose and other solids. 

 It will also be seen that in the seventh stage the available sugar is practically none, 

 being only .13 percent., and this stage represents the period when the seed is in the 

 milky stage. It is then obviously absurd to expect to obtain any sugar by working 

 up the crop until it has advanced beyond this condition toward maturity. 



It will also be observed in the table that daring these early stages the amount of 

 this minus available sugar remains nearly the same, the average for the first five stages 

 being 3.22 per cent., and also that the available sugar after it first appears rapidly in- 

 creases in quantity, and remains practically constant through the several subsequent 

 stages; and in this it agrees, as will be seen, with the development of thosucrose, which 

 at a certain period is very rapid, and afterward nearly constant through the season, 

 while, as has been remarked, the sum of the glucose and solids is nearly the same 

 throughout. 



EFFECT OF SUCKERS ON COMPOSITION OF JUICE. 



The injurious effect of suckers on the juice is shown by the following 

 av r erage analyses of thirty-four varieties. 1 



ANALYSES OF JUICES FROM SMALL MILLS. 3 



These analyses were made from September 12 to October 22, 1881. 

 The canes were taken from the experimental plots in the Department 

 grounds and from some other localities in the vicinity of Washington. 



The mean results arc as follows : 



Per cent. 



Sucrose 9.89 



Glucose 3.85 



Available sugar 3. 09 



ANALYSES OF JUICES FROM LARGE MILL. 3 



The analyses were made from September 27 to October 27, 1881. 

 The total quantity of cane ground was 229 tons 444 pounds. 



The mean composition of the juice for this entire season was as fol- 

 lows : 



Per cent 



Sucrose 6.94 



Glucose 6.38 



Not sugars 1.90 



1 Op. ci/., p. 465. 



3 Department of Agriculture, Report 1881 and 1 .'. pp. 178 et seq. 

 3 Department of Agriculture hYpm-i. 1 1 ami 1--J. pp. 500, 507. 



