BY-PRODUCTS OF SUGAR MANUFACTURE. 33 



In any case there will be some molasses produced, and this 

 constitutes a valuable sugar-house by-product, if properly cared 

 for. It may be disposed of in one of several forms, namely, 

 as a human food, a stock feed, a source of alcohol, factory fuel, 

 and a fertilizer. 



Cane molasses as a human food. For many years low-grade 

 cane molasses has been used as a human food in the United 

 States. It was originally sold under the name of New Orleans 

 molasses, but in recent years a number of companies have em- 

 ployed clarifying and bleaching agents and thus turned out a 

 very fancy article, under various trade names, for baking pur- 

 poses. With the boiling at low temperatures practiced to-day, 

 there is little or no caramel formed during this work, and con- 

 sequently it is only necessary to clarify and bleach the organic 

 nonsugars, in order to make a salable molasses. The bleaching 

 is usually accomplished by the use of a hydrosulphite, either in 

 the form of sodium or calcium, but sometimes only the sulphur- 

 ous acid gas is used. 



The bleaching effect of none of these reagents is permanent, 

 especially when the product is exposed to the air and light. Such 

 chemicals must therefore be used with great caution, and as late 

 in the process as possible. Care must be exercised too that an 

 excessive amount is not employed, since an undesirable tint is 

 liable to result as well as an excessive amount of the sulphites 

 to be admitted, which is not permitted by the Pure-Food Law. It 

 is astonishing how much of this low-grade molasses is thus 

 manufactured and used in the United States for cooking pur- 

 poses, and what a high price this product commands. 



Cane molasses as a stock feed. Perhaps more of the ex- 

 hausted molasses is used for this purpose in these Islands than 

 for any other. 



Ordinary molasses contains from 30 to 35 per cent of sucrose 

 and almost as much glucose. These being purely carbohydrates, 

 it is necessary to combine them with some protein-bearing feed 

 in order to make a perfect ration. Many leguminous plants, 

 such as alfalfa, cowpeas, peanut vines, etc., may be cut fine and 

 used as an absorbent for molasses. This makes a most excellent 

 feed as it contains a sufficient amount of roughage, and at the 

 same time offers a balanced ration if properly composed. In 

 this country there is a great amount of exhausted cake from the 

 coconut-oil factories, which is exported to Europe each year. 

 There is no good reason why this should not be used as an ab- 

 sorbent fo'r the molasses in making a concentrated feed, which 



