REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



45 



In Louisiana caned the difference is even more striking, btit it does 

 not seem to appear in Rorgtitnn canes. From I he Agricultural Keport 

 for l&il ami page I quote a table and paragraph illustrative 

 of the above. 



Tabic showing relative value of different parts of sugar-cane stalls. 



Constituents. 



Butt. 



Mi.ldle. 



Top. 





15. 30 

 .75 

 .24 



14. :i7 

 1. 0C3 



12. 95 

 1.42 

 .68 



10. 85 

 l.OCl 



3.21 



3. 63 

 2. 23 

 —2.70 

 1. 038 





From the above results thero would seera to be in the immature sngnr-cane top a 

 close resemblance to the Immature stalks of sorghum, and yet the analogy ceases as 

 soon as the sorghums have attained a full maturity, for, as the results of very many 

 analyses show, there is practically no difference in the juice from the upper or lower 

 half of the sorghum stalks. 



From his experiments Mr. Minchin is led to believe that — 



A capacity of from 25 to 30 hectoliters appears to us as the most favorable for the 

 cells; their emptying and cleaning are thus rendered easy, the cane yielding its juice 

 ■with case. The temperature is to bo maintained at. 90°-95 c C. We aru assured by 

 analysis That no inversion takes place in these conditions of temperature. 



In the two experiments below, performed with great care, the temperature of tho 

 entering juice, measured at the calorisator, was 90° C. (mean). 



• 



Number of cells. 



Duration of process. 



Density <>f the outflow- 

 ing juice at 28° C. 



A. 



B. 



A. 



B. 





n. m. 



25 

 15 

 10 

 15 

 10 

 10 



11. Jf. 



15 

 15 

 ]0 

 10 

 20 

 10 



1. 020 



1. 037 

 1. 060 

 1. 055 

 1. 056 

 1. 066 



1.020 

 . 1.032 

 1.047 

 1.055 

 1.063 

 1. 068 



2 



3 ». 



* 



5 



6 





1 25 



1 20 



It is seen that at the sixth cell the maximum density corresponds to that of normal 

 juice. All stoppage of the work of the battery, the aeration of the juices, their cool- 

 ing, are to be avoided. Juices which are not obtained by lime defecation, whatever 

 be their origin, are changed at the temperature of the air; the lime with which they 

 are commonly alkalised is an illusory preservative. If the battery is operated in the 

 condition of temperature indicated, the juice will flow out with a light amber tiwb 

 and with a remarkable limpidity. Any lack of transparency indicates a lowncss ot 

 the temperature of extraction. 



Such has been the history, as far as it has been possible to trace it, ot 

 the application of diffusion to tropical cane. The process has not spread 

 with the rapidity which characterized its introduction into the sugar- 

 beet industry and which its merits warrant. But what has been done 

 is of the utmost value for comparison with the experiments I have made 

 in its application to sorghum, and which will now be given in detail. 



DIFFUSION APFLIED TO SORGHUM. 



The following were the problems proposed in the experiments: 



1. To devise suitable apparatus. 



2. To determine percentage of saccharine matter extracted. 



