534 TjiAXSACTioys of the American Ixstitute. 



than usual has been phanted in Kentucky ; less in Tennessee, on 

 account of the enhanced price of cotton. Sorgo syrup, made in the 

 rude way formerly in use, with no defecation, and boiled in iron ket- 

 tles, will command thirty -five to forty cents in the Cincinnati market. 

 The general use of Cook's evaporator, by which the superfluous mois- 

 ture is expelled as rapidly as possible, exposing the juice for a short 

 time only to the action of heat, is a great improvement ; and syrup 

 made on this evaporator sells to-day for fifty-five cents in Cincinnati. 

 The raw corn stalk or pumpkin taste of sorgo, which keeps it so far 

 below sugar-house drainings for table use, can be removed partially 

 by lime. But there is danger of producing another and more offen- 

 sive flavor. Mr. William Clough, of Cincinnati, has invented a method 

 by which all offensive flavor and foreign matters held in partial solu- 

 tion appear to be effectually removed. When the raw juice from the 

 mill has boiled fifteen or twenty minutes, he adds, for seventy gallons, 

 about a quart of silicate of soda and nearly the same quantity of lime 

 and baryta. The silicate permeates the juice, and, in connection with 

 the lime, makes a complete coagulum of all impurities. The only 

 effect of the baryta is to give gravity to the coagulum and throw it to 

 the bottom of the settling tank into which it is drawn. From the 

 settling tank it is dipped or drawn off" upon the evaporator and rap- 

 idly converted into syrup. When these chemicals are applied as Mr. 

 Clough directs, a superior article is in all cases the result. With the 

 best variety of cans, and on warm, dry soils, a sorgo is made which 

 readily sells for $1.25 per gallon, while, as I said, the best crude sorgo 

 commands but fifty-five cents. I have brought from different sugar- 

 houses a variety of specimens which I would be glad to have a com- 

 mittee take in hand, to report to the Club upon their flavor, color 

 and proximate market value. 



The Chairman. — I will appoint Messrs. Whitney, Crandell and 

 Preterre a committee to test these syrups and report upon the Clough 

 process, as Mr. Lyman has seen it in operation. 



Planting Orcuakps. 

 Mr. O. Snowberger, Quincy, Penn. — Circumstances permitting, I 

 would plant in the fall of the year. There is this important advan- 

 tage: There will be time for the ground to settle down, and adapt 

 itself to the roots before any hot or dry weather comes. Plant thirty 

 feet each way ; less may do in barren regions. In places where trees 

 grow large, thirty -five feet would be all the better. I would buy 



