78 



MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR. 



by Messrs. M/Onie & Mirrlees. The largest machines 

 which I have seen are those made for Cuba by Messrs. 

 M'Onie & Mirrlees. These gentlemen have now in course 

 of construction a steam mill whose rollers are 32 inches in 

 diameter, and nearly 7 feet in length, with an expansive 

 high pressure engine of fully 60 horse power, the connecting 

 gearing being arranged to regulate the motion at 2\ revo- 

 lutions per minute. Some idea of the strength of this mill 

 may be formed from the fact, that the wrought iron 

 gudgeon of its upper roller weighs about %\ tons. During 

 the early part of this year two mills of the same kind and 

 construction, but somewhat smaller, having rollers 6 feet in 

 length by 30 inches in diameter, with corresponding steam 

 power and appurtenances, w T ere sent to Cuba by this house, 

 and last year they sent out one exactly similar. From 

 these mills a return of 72 per cent, of juice is obtained, 

 and one of the last mentioned size is capable of taking off 

 a crop of 2000 tons sugar. The cost of such an engine 

 and mill, with appurtenances, is about <£2300. On Mount 

 Bentinck estate, in the island of St. Vincent, a mill made 

 by the same parties, having rollers 4 feet in length by 24 

 inches in diameter, makes 2 revolutions per minute, and 

 yields 72 per cent, of juice. This mill has now taken off 

 two crops. I saw at the same establishment various mills 

 with their steam engines, from 22 horse power downwards, 

 and all geared to run the rollers with a similar slow motion. 

 One, intended for Montrose estate, Demerara, and which 

 I understand has since been erected there, is a 22 horse 



