(2 BULLETIN 1870, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
calories per gram for invert sugar and 3.955 large calories per gram | 
for cane sugar, the energy value of 1 pound of cane sirup of the aver- } 
age composition for all samples indicated in Table 20 would be | 
1,188.6 large calories. One gallon of such sirup of 39° Baumé (71.8° | 
Brix) measured at 63.5° F., weighing 11.35 pounds per gallon, has a © 
food value of 13,491 large caiories. | | 
MARKETING CANE SIRUP | 
By H. S. Parnr and C. F. Watton, Jr., Bureau of Chemisiry, U. S. Department 
of Agriculture 
SELLING IN BARRELS OR IN CANS 
Producers who sell sirup in both cans and barrels may desire to 
calculate the net return per gallon of sirup. The extensively used 
No. 10, or “gallon,” can does not contain a full gallon, but 15 to 20 per 
cent less of sirup by weight than a full gallon as measured in barrels. 
Knowing this, sirup makers sometimes assume that i they seli a 
“oallon” can of sirup for $0.50, as compared with sirup in barrels 
at $0.50 a gallon, the difference in quantity of sirup sold at the same 
price represents clear profit. The relative costs of the containers 
per gallon of sirup are not always sufficiently considered. For ex- 
ample, a barrel containing 52 fuil gallons of sirup, at $0.50 a gallon, 
would bring $26. Subtracting the cost of the barrel, $2.25, the 
amount received for the sirup would be $23.75. The same quantity 
of sirup (52 full gallons) will fill about 63 so-called gallon cans (9.25 
pounds of sirup per can). This sirup, at $0.50 a can, would bring 
$31.50. Subtracting the cost of the cans ($0.10 each), which is $6.30, 
the amount received for the sirup would be $25.20. 
Sirup packers, however, often buy sirup in barrels on a gross-weight 
basis, dividing the gross weight by 12 to determine the number of 
galions. Thus, if the gross weight is 624 pounds, the packer would 
keep the barrel and pay for 52 gallons of sirup. At $0.50 per gallon, 
the price received for this sirup would be $26; subtracting the cost 
of the barrel ($2.25), the net return is $23.75. The barrel, however, 
contains less than 52 full gallons of sirup. Subtracting the weight 
of the barrel (58 pounds), the weight of sirup is 566 pounds (or 50 
full gallons of sirup at 11.3 pounds per gallon), which would fll 61 
gallons cans (9.25 pounds of sirup per can). This sirup at $0.50 a 
gallon would bring $30.50. Subtracting the cost of the cans at $0.10 
each ($6.10), the net return is $24.40, or only slightly more than that 
received when selling the sirup in barrels. 
Although cans cost more than barrels, there is somewhat more 
profit in selling sirup in cans than in barrels, assuming that the price 
obtained per “gallon” can is approximately the same as or greater 
than the price received per gallon in barrels. The small producer 
who sells his sirup in cans, however, should make a reasonable 
charge against the canned sirup for the value of his time, both in 
canning the sirup properly and in delivering it to his customers. 
Labels and cases also constitute important items of expense. As © 
the re:ative return from selling in cans and in barrels may vary from 
year to year, small producers may need to change from one method 
to the other, according to market conditions, or to sel! part of the 
output in cans and the rest in barrels. 
