Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-24

"The next operation is taking off the
ears. Many stalks will not produce any,
but wherever they appear, they must be
removed. 1t is not best to undertake this
work too early; as when the ears first APP
pear, they are tender, and cannot be taken
off without breaking, which increases the
trouble. Any time before the formation
of grain upon them, will be soon enough.
Nothing farther is necessary 10 be
done until the crop is ready 10 cut for
grinding In our latitude the cutting may
commence. with the earlier varieties, about
the middle of August. The later kinds
will be ripe in September. and continue in
season until cut off by frost. The stalks
should be topped and bladed while stand
ing in the field. They are then cut, tied
in bundles and taken to the mill. The
tops and blades, when properly cured,
make excellent fodder. rather better it is
believed, than any hitherto used; and the
resdum, after passing the rollers, may
easily be dried and used in the same way,
another lvan.age over the cane, which,
after the juice is pessed is usually burned.
"The mills should be made on the same
general principle employ8d in constructing
those intended .or grinding cane. An i'm
portant difference, howevees will be found
both in the original cost, and i'll the ex-
pense of working them. Judging from
the comparative hardness Of cane and
corn stalk, it is believed that one-fourth
part Of the strength necessary in the con-
struction Of corn mill, will be amply suf-
fcient for corn; and less than one-iourth
part Of the power will move it with the
same velocity. 1t may be made with three
upright wooden rollers, from twenty to
TO forty inches in lenght, turned so as to
run true, and fitted Into a strong frame
work, consisting of two horizontal pieces
sustained by uprights These pieces are
mortised to admit wedges on each side the
pivots Of the two outside rollers, by which
their distances from the middle one may
be regulated. The power is applied 10 the
middle roller, and the others are moved
from it by means Of cogs. In grinding,
the stalks pass through on the right side
Of the middle cylinder, and come in con-
tact with piece Of frame work called the
drum retainer, which directs them back
wards so that they pass through the rollers
again on the opposite side of the middle
one The modern improved machine is
made entirely Of iron; three horizontal
rollers arranged in triangular form, one
above and two below, the cane or stalk
passes directly through, receiving two
prcssures before it escapes. The lower
! cylinders are contained in a small cistern
which receives the juice. The latter ma
chine is the most complete, the former the
least expensive. These mills may be
moved by cattle, but for large operations,
steam or water power is preferable. When
! the vertical cylinders are turned by cattle,
! the axis Of the middle one has long levers
fixed across II, extending from ten to fif-
teen feet from the centre. To render
the arms firm, the axis Of this roller
is carried up TO considerable height,
and oblique braces Of wood by which the
oxen or horses draw, are extended from
the top Of the vertical axis, to the extrem-
tiles Of each Of the arms. When horizon
tai cylinders are propelled by animal
power, the upper roller is turned by cogs
at one end, which are caught by cogs on
vertical shaft. 1t is said that in the
West Indies, the purest cane juice will
| ferment in twenty minutes after it enters
the receiver Corn juice has been kept
one hour before boiling, without any APP
parenily injury resulting; but so much de-
lay is not desirable, as it may be attended
with bad effects.
..The process which has been employed
| in the manufacture Of Maize sugar, is as
| follows: The Juice, after coming from the
mill, stood for a short time to deposit some
of its coarser impurities; il was then poured
off, and passed through a flannel straner,
in order to ge. rid of such matters as could
be separated in this way in this way. Lime
water, called milk Of lime, was then added
liz the proportion OF one ortwo tablespoons
full to the gallon. 1t is said by sugar ma
nuracturers, that knowledge on this point
can only be acquired by experience; but |
have never failed in making sugar from
employing too much or too little of the
lime. A certain portion of this substance,
however, is undoubtedly necessary, and
more or less than this will be injurious;
but no precise directions can be given about
it. The Juice was then placed over the
fire, and brought nearly 10 the boiling point
when it was carefully skinned, taking
care to complete this operation before eb-
ulition commenced. 1t was then boiled
down rapidly, removing the scum as it
rose. The juice was examined from time
to time, and if there was an appearance Of
feculent particles which would not rise 10
the surface, it was again passed through
flannel strainer. In Judging when the sy-
rup was sufficiently boiled, portion was
taken between the thumb and finger, and
il when moderately cool, thread half an
inch long could be drawn, it was consi-
dered to be done, and was poured into
broad shallow vessels 10 crystalline. In
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