516 



Analysis of Sugar Cane. 



As to the species of ferment remarked in the cane juice, may it not 

 be the same as that obtained from the tubercules of the Helianthus 

 by M. Braconnot ?" 



Extract f rom Ures Dictionary of Arts- — Article Sugar. 



Out of lbs. 120 millions of raw sugar which used to be annually 

 shipped by the St. Domingo planters, only 96 millions pounds were 

 landed in France, according to the authority of Dutrone, constituting 

 a loss by damage in the ships of 20 per cent. 



The average transport waste at present in the sugars of the Bri- 

 tish colonies cannot be estimated at less than 12 per cent., or alto- 

 gether 27,000 tons ! What a tremendous sacrifice of property ! 



Within these few years, a very considerable quantity of sugar 

 has been imported into Great Britain in the state of concentrated 

 cane-juice, containing nearly half its weight of granular sugar, along 

 with more or less molasses, according to the care taken in the boil- 

 ing operations. I was at first apprehensive that the syrup might under- 

 go some change on the voyage ; but among more than a hundred sam- 

 ples which I have analized at the custom-house, I have not perceived 

 any traces of fermentation, since sugar softens in its grain at each 

 successive solution. Whatever portion of the crop may be destined 

 for the refiner should upon no account be granulated in the colonies ; 

 but should be transported in the state of a rich cane-syrup to 

 Europe, transferred at once into the blowing-up cistern, subjected 

 there to the reaction of bone black, and passed through bag filters, 

 or through layers of the coarsely ground black, previously to its 

 final concentration in the examine pan. Were this means generally 

 adopted, I am convinced that thirty per cent, would be taken from 

 the amount of molasses. The saccharine matter now lost by drain- 

 age from the hogsheads on the ships, amounting to from ten to 

 fifteen feet, would also be saved. The produce of the cane would 

 on this plan require less labor in the colonies, and might be export- 

 ed five or six weeks earlier than at present, because the period of 

 drainage in the curing house would be spared. 



From the foregoing Extracts, one most important practi- 

 cal lesson may be drawn. 



