The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-09-29
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From the Western Democrat
THE CHINESE SUGAR CANE. i

Mr.. YATEs-Haying read with eagerness
myself all that have seen in the papers in
regard to the Chinese Sugar Cane, presume
that others will be glad to obtain all the in
formation they can in regard to this, to the
planter, important acquisition.
Like many others, had none Of the cane
planted last year; consequently had no
way of observing or experimenting with it.
have some planted this year, and so far
have paid good deal Of attention to ii, and
/ am now satisfied it is no humbug. but one
Of the greatest acquisitions of the day. Ii
will take about five gallons ofjuice, as it runs
from the MILL to make one Of sirup; but l
would say if you wish to barrel itup, il should
not be boiled quite so thick, as it thickens
by age, and would not run in winter; hence
you could not draw il when needed. Out Of
twenty gallons Of juice made four gallons
Of the best sirup ever saw. Some seem to
think that only common quality of molasses
can be made from this cane, which will do
for our negroes; but this is mistake, for
consider that which | made (and oti.ers who
have seen it hold the same opinion superior
in taste and flavor to the best sugar-house
molasses in the world. am satisfied that
sirup. made as il may be, from the Chinese
cane. cannot fail to please the taste Of the
most refined and fastidious.
Ii you want the sirup fair, or almost trans
parent. il must be boiled in house, as boil
ing it in the open air darkens it. The best
plan is TO boil il down little in large yes-
sells. and then take it out and finish boiling
in large fiat ovens. BY boiling a few pots
full you can easily learn how to temper it,
any person who has made molasses candy can
tell when to stop the process, as it looks.
when Sufficiently concentrated, like molasses
in the operation of candy making.
When the juice i first put to boil, to ev-
ry ten gallons throw in piece Of carbonate
OF soda about the size Of a partridge egg ;
this causes the gluten and albumen to rise TO
the top. 1t is Of the utmost importance you
should keep your boilers well skinned dur
ing the whole operation, and after it is done
be careful TO skim of all the foam and froth
before putting your sirup away, as this will
form hard Jumps in your vessels. The cane
must be well ripe TO make good turl out Of
sirup to the juice when the seeds are near
ly black and the stalk yellow, you may cut
away, all is resdy.
That sugar can be made from the Chinese
Cane. have no dnubt; but even if we can
not make sugar. il the molasses is properly
made II will answer all the purposes Of sugar
as a condiment, and for culinary purposes,
For the benefit OF any that wish to try the
experiment Of making sugar from the Chinese
Cane, and are not acquainted with the usual
process, will give them all the information
have ON the subject.
The Juice as il runs from the mill is lmme.
diately mixed with lime, in the proportion o.
one part lime TO eight hundred OF juice, and
heated to 40 degrees Fahrenheit; this caus.
es all the impurities TO rise to the top and
form thick scum; all below this scum Y
usually drawn OF BY cock into a coppel
boiler, Can ordinary pot will answer as we'll,
and the scum that rises on the top CAREFUL.
skinned Oh Then concentrate the juice b,
ebulIition, and skim OF the froth as 1t forms
When concentrated sufficiently, transfer ,'
shallow vessels and let il partially cool theI
put ii into wooden vessels, Qarge woodet
bowls wonld probably answer.) aud let !
stand twenty -four hours; then stir pretty ra
pidly with wooden stirrers in order 70 mak'
The sugar grannlatc sit will take from tou
to six hours 70 complete the operation. Ha,'
holes in the bottom Of your woOien vessels
and have them temporarily plugged; aite
the operation Of granuIating i completed
pull out the plugs aud let the molasses draiI
out, and your sugar viii be left in the wood
en- vessels; il then has 10 be dried ~ tn
sun, &c. The purifying Of sugar y an en-
tirely different branch Of business.
lfany thing in this communication will b
Of benefit TO any one they are welcome an'
| would be glad 10 hear the experience 9
others through The same channel
n. NJ. JENNINGS.
Pleasant Valley, MeApine's Creek.
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