Note on the Dilution of the Juice in the Sugar 
Cane. 
By Maurice I. Coster, M.E. 
T is assumed in what is to follow that the net 
cost of one pound of sugar is 3 cents ; that one 
pound of coal landed on the estate costs C35 
cents ; that one pound of coal can evaporate six pounds 
of water ; that one pound of sugar can evaporate 2*5 
pounds of water ; also that the megass is burnt in its 
green state, and that the sugar present therein is utilised 
as fuel. 
10,000 lbs. of canes contain on the average 
1,265 ^ s - °f ^re 
1,470 ,, of sugar 
7,265 ,, of water 
After 60 0/0 of juice has been extracted there remains 
4,000 lbs. of megass containing 
1,265 lbs. of fibre 
462 ,, of sugar 
2,273 „ of water 
If, by means of a second mill, the crushing is brought 
up to 77 0/0 of the weight of the canes, there will be left 
2,300 lbs. megass containing 
1,265 ^ s * °f fi° re 
174 ,, of sugar I . . . , 
' . ° >= 1,035 Tb s - of luice of a 
861 „ of water J ' J0 ' 
specific gravity of 1,068 or a density of slightly over 
9 Beaume. Neglecting the water of crystallization, we 
find that the megass contains an amount of moisture 
y = 2,735 lbs. of juice. 
