Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1853-07-30
CHE polpnesia1l.
From the N. o. Delta.
Sugar Manufacture.-Herd's Patent Centri-
fugal Machine.

1ugal M0Chlnes
The citizens of New Orleans never reyeled
in the sunshiny joys OF more glorious morn
ing than that which blessed us few days
ago. The air was as balIny and sweet as
the soft sighs Of the maid one loves, and
tempered as delightfully."- as though winter
had just breathed parting blessing upon gay
and frolicsome spring. Such was the morn
ing upon which we jumped into carriage,
on an excursion to the plantation Of Andrew
Knox, Esq, situated about fifteen miles down
the western shores of the Mississippi. There
is capital road all the way.
We arrived at the plantation about eleven
O'Clock, and were received by Mr.. Knox with
all that frank and open-hearted hospitality Sc
characteristic of the Southern gentleman
After resting awhile, and partaking of some
light refreshment, we were escorted to the
sugar mill, the inspection Of that, and the
new Centrifugal Machine employed there,
being the especial objects of our visit. AL
though manufactory of any kind seems out
of place amidst green fields and blooming
gardens, the odd and irregular shape of this
mill gave it picturesqueness not incompati-
BILE with the lovely scenery around it.
The grinding season has been over some
time, but with the rollers and machinery be-
fore US, it required no great quickness of ap-
prehension to understand how the operation
of expressing the rich. juicy treasures of the
cane was effected.
We understand that the expression of the
juice from the cane, by the present means
employed, is not as complete and perfect as
it is desirable, in consequence of the quick
| n hSn nf of sha hoc
the pithy portion Of the cane, on its escape
from the rollers, through which it has just
passed. We have no data at hand to say
what per cent. of loss is sustained in this
way, but imagine it must be considerable
In paper SO widely circulated as the Del
ia, it is a matter Of course that our columns
are read where the subject Of sugar manu-
facture will be novel and interesting; and our
nearer friends, and those familiar with the
subject, must excuse US if we go more in de-
tail than is necessary for their better informed
minds in relation TO the matter.
Whatever relates to the improvement OF
the cultivation and manufacture of sugar, is
of the highest moment to the interests oI
Louisiana. When we remember that the
sugar-cane is not Indigenous to the soil, but
of forced growth, and that we have, at no
great distance removed from us, rivals in
this produce, having the advantage of soil
and climate eminently adapted to the growth
of sugar, the Importance of every advance
step We make in the growth and manufacture
Of the article will appear of intrinsic value.
The resources Of agricultural chemistry, and
the inventive genius Of the mechanician, are
all required to put US on an equal footing with
other sugar-growing States having natural
advantages over US in climate, SC.
give some idea of the vas,ness and i'm
portance Of the sugar interests of Louisiana
we give the following extract from Mr.. P. A
Champomier's statement of the sugar crop in
the years 1928.
In consequence Of favorable season and
the advanced maturity of the cane, sugar
making was commenced earlier last fall than
in any previous year, and as the juice was
exceedingly rich, weighing from nine to ten
and half degrees, the yield was large per
acre, and the sugar of excellent quality
Mr.. Champomier states that the total product
of the State to be:
Brown sugar. made by the old process. 27567l hhds
Refined, clarified &e including cistern s.a6s ''
Total 32l 934 hhds
Which, at an approximate estimate oi
|, ,l25 pounds net per hogshead, gives 36S,
I29, 900 pounds. OF this quantity, 32,4S0
hogsheads, being the product of fifty-one
plantations, were made by the various new
processes and vacuum principle, the balance
of the crop being worked by the usual pro-
cess Of open kettles.
The yield of molasses has been somewhat
less than that of last year, on many planta-
tions; though, on the other hand, others have
produced large quantities Of the article, SO
that on general average, it may be estima-
ted at seventy gallons per thousand pounds
of sugar, or 25, 700 600 gallons as the entire
crop.
The number Of sugar houses in the State
is l ,4SI, Of which 9i3 are steam, and 53s
horse power.
The sugar plant was first introduced from
ST. Domingo by the Jesuits, and it was cult
vated on their plantation, where now stands
the fourishing suburb Of ST. Mary, as early
as l725-6. The malabar, or Creole cane,
was the first species imported. The next
was the Otaheite, some time about the close
Of the last century The next was the Rib
bon cane in lSlS-it was first introduced by
Mr.. Coiron from Georgia, it came originally
from the East Indies, and presents great
manv varieties. II is now the favorlte plant
says writer upon this subject, owing TO it:
early maturity and better being able to resis
an early winter. t--.s
During the cession Of Louisiana to Spain
the cultivation Of sugar was stopped, and WI
hear nothing of it until the year 1871. Th'
progress was at first very slow. The crop o
1913 had attained yield Of 25. 900 hogs
heads, s,-cattle being the only power used a
that period. Steam power was not introduces
until 1922. The following statistics, care
fully prepared. will be of interest in showing
/ The gradual Increase of the cultivation of su