The Diffusion Process as applied to the Sugar 
Cane. 
By C. A. Matthey. 
jHE question of the application of what is known 
as the diffusion process to the extraction of 
sugar from the cane is by no means new : as 
far back as 1843 fairly successful attempts were made 
by Major BONSCAREN in Guadeloupe, to establish the 
process ; and though the trial was discontinued, the 
possibility of extracting almost the whole of the sugar 
of the cane was demonstrated. Again and again have 
these experiments been repeated, in Guadeloupe, Trini- 
dad, India, and the United States ; always with success 
at first, always, with the exception of Messrs. MiNCHlN 
Bros, of the Aska Works, and possibly also of some 
estates in Guadeloupe, to end in failure and disappoint- 
ment ; until there would seem to be good reason for 
supposing that there is something intrinsic in the pro- 
cess which unfits it for the treatment of the cane, in 
spite of the success which has attended its application 
to the beet-root. At the present crisis in the history 
of our colony, let us consider carefully whether this i s 
really the case, or whether we cannot benefit by the 
experience of those who have gone before us, and start- 
ing where they have left off, and profiting by their very 
failures, establish a rational and economical system of 
sugar production which will rescue the cane-growing 
countries from the fate which appears to threaten 
them. 
