362 WISCONSIN STATE-AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
is not overcome, but is actually increased by the use of crude 
alkalies in the manufacture. However, this source of loss is 
now happily greatly diminished, by carefully neutralizing the 
lime, when that is the alkali used, with sulphurous acid before 
using it in clarifying the cane juice, as I shall hereafter more 
fully explain ; and it is further almost completely overcome by 
the use of the vacuum pan for boiling the juice. 
The changes of fibrine into starch, starch into cane sugar, 
cane sugar into gum, and gum into grape sugar, or fermenting 
sugar, take place in all instances where the substances are dis¬ 
solved in water, in contact with the air. The period of time 
necessary for complete action will vary with the temperature of 
the solution, as well as in the new substance which will be 
formed. But in all cases where the decomposing fibrine, cas- 
seine or albumen are present, the change will be more or less 
active, and the sugar will undergo a change in that proportion. 
To clarify the cane juice of these fermenting qualities, and 
preserve the sugar intact, will be the object to which I shall 
next direct my efforts ; and if I can render the farmers of 
Wisconsin any service in that line, I shall consider myself 
compensated for the time I shall spend on this subject. In the 
meantime I know they will overlook and kindly review the 
language of the laboratory, which I am compelled to use, 
when as many of them are explained as can be, and when my 
object and aim are taken into the account. 
OP THE CLARIFICATION OF THE JUICE. 
In giving the analysis of the juice it was mentioned that it 
produced a slightly acid reaction cn litmus paper. This acid 
action arises either from the carbonic, or some other acid, form¬ 
ed by the vegetable action of the living plant, or from acetic 
acid formed by fermentation. But whatever the acid may be, 
it is deemed necessary to remove it from the juice or the cane 
sugar will be destroyed. For this purpose the sugar manufac¬ 
turers have used some of the common alkalies—potash, soda 
and lime. All the compounds of soda and potash with vegeta- 
