BY-PRODUCTS OF SUGAR MANUFACTURE. 37 



amount of heat a substance will give off upon oxidation. Tests 

 may be made on molasses in order to determine its value as a 

 fuel, and thus a comparison may be obtained of a pound of this 

 material and one of coal having a standard value. 



The ash from the molasses contains a great deal of potassium 

 and some magnesium, consequently care must be exercised in 

 the burning of the molasses so that this material does not come 

 in direct contact with the tubes of the boiler, since a heavy 

 coating will be formed that will greatly lower the coefficient 

 of heat transmission. 



On account of the high potash content, these ashes make a 

 valuable fertilizer, which should be mixed with the bagasse 

 ashes and mud cake, and applied to the cane lands. 



Molasses as a fertilizer. While molasses is not used to any 

 great extent as a fertilizer, there is no good reason why exhaus- 

 tive experiments should not be carried out with this by-product 

 on Philippine soils, when it is now being thrown into drains 

 or wasted, until a better use is provided for the molasses. 



Experiments have been made in Hawaii, Mauritius, and other 

 places with this form of fertilizer, and very encouraging results 

 were reported. The plant-food elements themselves contained 

 in molasses are small in amount, since they are contained in the 

 low percentage of ash after burning, except, of course, nitrogen, 

 which will be entirely saved. Its main value, however, lies in 

 the power to induce bacterial growth, which is so necessary in 

 worn-out soils. 



Among the organisms induced by these organic matters may be 

 included certain azotobacter species, which contrary to other 

 forms of plant life, have the power of using nitrogen from the 

 air. Carbohydrates form especially good mediums for their 

 development, and it has been found that the activities of these 

 organisms are increased by an increased amount of this substance. 



While excellent results have been attained by the use of low- 

 grade molasses for fertilizer in other countries yet it remains 

 for the planters here to determine results under Philippine 

 conditions, and the best method of handling their material. 

 In some places where irrigation water is applied, the molasses 

 is mixed with the water and applied in the usual manner. 



The plant-food material contained in molasses will vary some- 

 what with the methods of its production, clarifying agents 

 previously used, etc. 



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