Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1850-11-09

fANOs <Os
canes or roots operated on, the juice at first
colorless from the action Of the lime, is seen
to become slightly tinged by concentration,
and colorless again when ''boiled to the
point' (arrive la cuite). The effect pro-
duced by the bi-sulphite oflime, as an agent
to prevent the colonization Of the pups is on
the contrary so complete and so durable that
one is never tired of contemplating its opera
ton. / have preserved for six months in
vessels loosely closed pulps of beets, which
have remained constantly colorIess from the
effect Of the bi-sulphite of lime, while it is
well known that they are deeply Drowned in
very few minutes by the action of the air
in their ordinary condition. have no hesi-
tation in affirming that there are many cases
where the bi-sulphite Of lime may be employ
ed in the most efectual manner TO prevent
the formation of coloring matters, which it
costs so much trouble to destroy or extract:
such for example are those which stain the
flaments of hemp and flax after rotting,
indigo after its precipitation, the liquor of
barks used in tanning, the extracts Of GER
tain dye-woods, SC. But all the points will
be examined hereafter. For the moment,
con6ne myselfto stating that the colorng
matters which are produced spontaneously
in cold pulps by exposure to the air, never
appear in the presence of bi-sulphite of lime.
| add, that by cold evaporation, lst. Of
saccharine liquid formed by dissolving cane
sugar in water: 2nd juice of sugar cane: Sd.
juice Of beets: in presence of bi-sulphite of
lime no coloration ever takes place. l add
farther, that on evaporation by heat, in the
same circumstances, of the same substances,
coloration is barely preceptible, and with the
red beets the decoloration is complete, and
the sugar obtained is perfectly white. Ihave
never known any coloration worth remark
ing except in cases purely exceptionable, and
even in such cases as those. there is pro-
duced mere traces of coloring matter whose
presence would be Of little consequence in
the working of sugar estate. Thus the
!. bi-sulphite Of lime may be used to advantage
in operations which have for their object
the extraction of cane sugar or beet sugar:
! lst. As an antiseptic substance "par
excellence" preventing the production and
action Of all fermentation.
2nd. As substance greedy Of oxygen, ca
pable of preventing the changes which its
; presence produces in the juices.
4 3d. As defeating substance which at a
temperature of 100 degrees clarifies the
) juices and purifes them of all albumirous or
: ceagulable matters.%
4th AS a discoloring substance for the col
ors preexisting.
4 5,h. As an anti-coloring body capable IN
the highest degree Of preventing the forma-
tion Of coloring matters.
9th As substance capable Of neutral
ising all injurious acids which may exist, or
5 be generated in the juices, and substituting
. for them an acid almost inert; the sulphur
r Gus acid.
1t remains to be ascertained in what guam
: titles and in what form the bi-sulphite oflime
E should be applied to the cane or the beet;
: what new conditions would result from its
: use OIL large scale, what difficulties might
j counterbaance the advantages II seems to
: promise This is what am now going to
E investigate, relying on my experiments with
: out exaggeration, but at the same time con-
} fdently, endeavoring to take into considera-
I tion the present and the future. Why should
not avow it? One OF the thoughts which
s has most powerfully sustained and stimulated
me in the course of my researches, has been
c the hope that, in the equatorial regions at
least, the extraction of the sugar might be
: obtained by the employment of the heat of
b the sun alone. Once rendered inalterable
: indeed, what is there to prevent the juice Of
: the sugar cane from being abandoned to the
: slow crystallizaton like salt in the salt panss
= Nothing, am bold to say, and | call as wit
e nesses on all those who have followed my
e experiments: they have always been of my
s opinion. This opinion, this desire, will ex-
= plain why the experiments OF which L am
: about 10 speak, have received the direction
d which have given them. II is known that
n there exist in Marcia, establishments which
e make sugar from the cane. They have re-
s sisted all vicissitudes which have taken place
= in the sugar trade for the last sixty years:
i they are still in full activity. 1t isirom there,
e through the kindness Of friend, who has
: never ceased to protect my scientific career,
: that 7 procured several hundred pounds OF
e fresh sugar canes for my experiments. They
y arrived at Paris in good condition, and were
: taken to the laboratory of the Sorbonne,
n where | experimental on them. Submitted
to the inspection of persons who having re-
y sided in the colonies, could give an exact
opinion, they pronounced them not perfectly
e ripe. Many Of them were soured Their
5, working did not promise satisfactory re-
suit. However the first trial made, filled
y with astonishment those persons accustomed
J. TO the operations of making sugar from the
g cane, and experienced judges of lis products.
The Juice was extracted from coarse rasP-
h ines, with an addition Of bi-sulphite Of lime.
e 1t was defeated by boiling, and then simply
Q strained through cloth. The syrup concen-
. trated, filtered second time was lett to slow
:, crystalization. This %as accomplished al
l. most to periec, dryness. An analysis made
in with alcohol, could not have succeeded better,
, both as TO the nature Of the sugar and its
J. quality. That which / obtained was less col
- ored. In these circumstances the whole OF
% the sugar contained in the juice takes solid
J. and crystallized form. The crystals are
,e large and strong. They are no darker than
: common sugar candy. which they resemble
e They contain only traces Of altered sugar
- which are not preceptible Taking into ac-