The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-01-23
From the Bloomington Paragraph.
Convention of Sugar Cane Growers.

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nicott, F. w. Reilly and j. W. Kitchell,
Secretaries. The following Committees
were appointed:
Ayricultural-I. A. Hedges Of Cincinnati
Ohio, Chairman; Joseph Morton of Jack.
sonvile; Isaac c. Pugh Of Decatur; j. G.
Allen of Mt. Pulaski; H. d. Emery of Chi
cago.
Observation-Disclosures Henderson Of Jack
sonville; B. R. Hawley of Christian county
j. L. Gage of st. Louis; N. L. Shaw of
Tazcwell county; H. D. Emery Of Chicago.
Thirty-five members were reported pre-
sent at the convention, all but three of them
being from Illinois Those three were
Messrs. Gage of st. Louis. Hedges of Gin
cinnati, Gookins of Terre Haute.
Letters were read from Messrs j. Smith
Of Louisville, and J. S. Lowering of Phila-
delphia. Mr.. Smith says "there is about
ten per cent. of crystalizable sugar in the
cane grown iu his neighborhood," that sit
can be crystalized only in part" and that he
doubts very much if the plant will be as
good as the beet for making sugar" His
investigations were executed on small
scale, but sugar Of all degrees of purity was
obtained"
Mr.. Coverings letter states that the actual
yield he has produced per acre, is, of brown
sugar, twelve hundred and eighty-one lbs.
and eighty-fve hundredths, and of molassos
seventy four gallons and thirty-ni hun
dredths. "And have no doubt, says Mr..
l.. "but that, with proper apparatus and
good cultivation, from 900 to ] 800 lbs. of
such brown sugar, and from 50 to 10 gals.
of such molasses per acre can be obtained
without difficulty" Mr.. L. also says: 81
can, however, assure you that there is no
difficulty whatever in producing such sugar
as the sample sent herewith, which hope
to demonstrate in my report" The report
referred to is a report of mis- process and ex-
periments. which he is about publishing.
See Agricultural committees report for the
committees opinion of Mr.. LIS specimens.
At the afternoon session of the convention
Gov. Reynolds in the chair) the following
note was read from Judge Cation:
SUPREME CorRr RooN, SPRISGrrELD,)
January Z, 1855. !
S. FRANCIS, Eso.-Sec. 6c.-DEAR SIR -
I send you a small sample Of granulated
sorghum, which is all l have left Of the re-
suit of the single experiment which l made.
Like all other samples which ! have seen
the grain is too fine for the glucose to sepa-
rate readily from it, which have never at
tempted to wash out, though l have no
doubt il may be readily done, though pro-
baby at too great an expense to make the
production of dry sugar profitable. re-
gret that have not yet had leisure to pur
sue regular system Of experiments, which
l had designed. Before our experiments
may be considered complete success, we
must obtain coarser grain. To this indis-
pensable point our chief aim must now be
directed. II | can spare the time will step
info your room this morning, but it was un-
certain. While | am Of the opinion that
the experiment promises the brightest hopes,
vet think there is danger of the public eX
pectatiop becoming too highly stimulated, a
partial disappointment Of which may pro-
duce a reaction more injurious to the cause
in the end, than more moderate expectations
and slower progress.
Yours truly, j. d. CATION.
y committee on permanent organization,
which had been appointed in the morning, /
consisting Of j. c. Medill, S. Francis, and
A. Rock kwell, reported that it was inexpe- /
dent TO form an association separate from |
the State Agricultural Society, and recon-
mended that the presiding officers Of this 1
continue to hold their places un- /
ill others should be appointed to succeed |
them, and that they be empowered to call /
the convention together again whenever
they deem it necessary. The Office OF Cor
Secretary was added to the list
of officers and Charles Kennicott of Chica-
20 appointed to fill said Office; and the re-
port was then adopted.
The Mechanical Committee reported as
follows:
1.-THE committee to whom was referred so
much Of the business of tho Convention as
pertains to the mechanical department, re-
port-that they do not feel qualified to re-
commend for adoption any particular mode
Of expressing the juice Of the cane. They
would, however, state it az their opinion
that mn approved machine should ba made
Of three smooth cast iron rollers, which
may be placed horizontally, or vertically,
and moved with slow motion, not to ex-
ceed / 6 feet a minute, but whether it is pre-
ferable 10 use steam or horse power, or
what particular mill should be used, this
does not feel prepared to decide"
The Agricultural Committee appointed to
examine specimens made the following re-
port:
Your committee would report as follows
Mr.. ID. 7. Nichols of Logan county shows
sugar from Chinese Cane, mixed with mo-
asses, having very gummy appearance;
fne grained; syrup boiled on the 9th Octo-
Der. Some portion boiled more thoroughly
produced sugar as above stated. after stand
ng three or I0ur days
j. II. Smith Of Adams county shows
specimen of syrup boiled thick and crystal
zed almost in mass; crystals are destitute
IF rhombic form under microscope. A de-
'cription of the process was sent with the
specimen, but having been mislaid, has been
rewritten, and will be furnished hereafter.
Specimens exhibited by Mr.. Pearson of
Springfield sample Of syrup very fair color
md flavor; ripe cane made in a copper ket-
lie clarified with milk and eggs; no a kali
lssd; does not believe it necessary. Second
specimen, boiled thick showed fair crystals
after standing six hours. Small specimen
clarified with blood, considered rather pre-
'erable
Specimens by A. Henderson, of jackson.
7ille, Ill. the specimen beautifully clear,
syrup of fine color, but unpleasant under
aste.
Specimen by Josiah Sawyer, fremont,
razewell county; fine clear sample of syrup, ,
ather too dark, and possessing some un-
pleasant flavor.
Specimen by Stephen Peterson Of Sanga-
non county; dark color, tolerably clear,
md quite unpleasant flavor.
Specimdn by Lucius L. Francis of Sanga-
non county; is a specimen of rather dark
syrup, not unpleasant taste, but dark from
improper treatment of cane.
Three apecimens of different consistency,
rom r. Kimball of Tazewell county; dark
.olor, unpleasant flavor, but well cleansed.
Sample by d. G. Waller of Franklin, Nor
,an county; is clear, but too dark, not un-
pleasant; fair specimen.
Specimen by B. r Hawley of Christian ,
county; made in November, very dirk, ex-
.eeding bitter and unpleasant.
Specimen of several gallons by G. G. Tay-
or, Rock Island county; color dark, shows
.vidence of too much lime; much unplea-
ant bitter taste.