The Kanzas news., 1857-09-26

OF MASSACHUSETTS SlllI 1L Is yet -Dut an ex- /
pertinent. The ensuing autumn win possi- |
bly,, and We hope establish Its success
just now the most interesting inquiry of
those who have grown but little is to know
what to do with it-oy, rather, how to get
the moiasses and sugar out of the cane
The sugar question, from the best inlorma
ton at hand. we are inclined to think had
better be left for the present to the suitable
apparatus of the business for decisive test.
That the syrup granulates is asserted by
several experimentalists and it is also sta
ted that rhombohedFic crystals have been
detected by low microscopic power. From
some quarters we have the confident expect
alton declared that under proper treatment
an excellent sugar viii certainly be obtained.
We have before US experiments and results
by small growers during the last season,
from which we select a few passages BY way
| of suggestion to those who have the article
afeld
/. Mr. John L. Marsh, of Washington, H.,
writes as follows
81 planted early in May one square rod
of ground; the cane grew about ten feet
high. cut it in October, before any frosts;
about two-thirds of the seed was ripe when
cut. l ground it Immediately after cutting
In an old cylinder cider mill, and ground
only part of the cane had, in consequence
of breaking the mill. Did not measure the
| juice got; boiled it in common kettle
the syrup foamed In boiling, like maple syr-
up. / clarified it with little lime. Know
ing nothing about cane sugar, | managed it
just as | would maple sugar, and tried to
make it granulate by stirring it, as | used to
do with maple, but l could not make it
granulate by that process, and set it away.
In about six or eight days looked at it, and
found it very handsome article of well
granulated sugar The syrup was pro-
nounced by all who tasted it to be good
equal to any we get from the South"
| a sample of molasses from the Chinese
sugar cane was presented at the American
| Institute Farmers Club, of Conn.,, from Mr..
Haley, of Groton Center, Conn, who made
it. He accompanies it with the following
sEAbout the 18th of September, when the
seeds are not entirely ripe, l fearing frost)
cut two-thirds of the lot, removed the seeds
and crushed in an old cider mill with its
upright corrugated wooden rollers and from
) this imperfect process 1 have obtained five
gallons of juice, which evaporated TO one
gallon, in an iron pot. The molasses I found
equal to the first quality of New Orleans,
well charged with sugar granules. 1t is of
fine flavor and cooks white.
ssThe remainder of the cane stood about
twenty days longer, during which time it
had experienced severe frost, but with no
visible injury. The seed had become fully
ripe. I cut and proceeded as before, OBJ
tanned about the same proportional quantity
of molasses, but of better quality, which
may have been owing to more careful mani
Ipulation.
''The trial gives result of about three
hundred gallons per acre of first quality mo-
lasses. saved seed to plant fully an acre
: this year. Half of my seed has been dis
: tributed among my friends, and now, hav-
ing faith in the experiment, I shall take
: more care. planted too thick. 1 shall try
some seeds in the forcing bed and transplant.
: shall plant in ridges not less than three
, feet apart, thinning out if necessary, and
| transplanting such as I take up. l find the
first seeds saved sprout as well as the last.
I may add that l manured slightly my hills,
from the barn yard
: The editor of the Ohio Farmer received
bottle of syrup from the cane, accompa-
MED by note from Mr.. VIM. Steele, of
Kingsville, Ashtabula county, in that State.
He says:
: ''About the Goth of October cut 1t close
to the ground, stripped off the outside leaves,
and for the want of a more perfect machine
ry pounded the stalks; after which [ cut
them up two or three inches long, and boiled
t them in water about an hour; then strained
and boiled down the liquor, frequently skim
e ming it, from which obtained two gallons
t of the article which I send you.
s'By this process, imperfect as it was, I
think saved only about half the virtue of
4 the stalks. send you this as the result of
my experiment with an article which is new
: and as many have raised it, and left it to rot,
u or have fed ii out, make the statement with
: the hope of inducing more thorough expert
ments by some of your many readers, as il
: may be raised on good low ground, and
4 think to good profit
It The article sent was tested by the editor,
: who found it to possess a very sweet and
: agreeable favor, far superior 70 that of the
n sugar cane generally sold here, and quite a
g pleasant relish with buckwheat cakes.
It Mr.. III. G. Bulkley, of Kalamazoo, Mich,
Il furnishes the Prairie Farmer with his ex-
S perience. He planted, but neglected, the
/ little crop, vet it throse well. After an ear
l. " frost the seed was destroyed. The stalks
C were left standing till October, then cut and
thrown into piles to get them out of the
e way. Some time afterwards he saw state
! ment in some paper that molasses could be
!, derived from it. Then he says:
n 81 took some of the canes and cut them
e Into pieces about three inches long, wheI
e they were readily ground through one o
= Hicoek's portable cider mills, with cast iron
: grinders. and then pressed with the power
II full pressers attached to the mill. The guam
u tity ground was about half bushel of piec
/ Is, and the juice expressed was about sever
quarts.