The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-09-07
chr 4BestRrn gRmotrat.
CHARLOTTE, n. c.
For the Western Democrat.
CHINESE SUGAR CANE.

Mr. YATES: Having read with eagerness my
self all that have in the papers III regard 10
the Chinese Sugar Cane, presume that others VIII
be glad to obtain all the information they can III
regard to this to the planter, important acquisition
Like MANY Others had none of the Cane plant
cd last year; consequently had no way of observ-
ing or Experimenting with it, l have some plant
ed this year. and so far l have paid good deal Of
attention to it, and / am satisfied 1t Is no hum
bug but one of the greatest acquisitions OF the
day. It will take about five gallons OF the juice
as it runs from the MILL to make one OF slrup; but
| would say if you wish to barrel 1t up, 1t should
not be boiled quite so thick, it thickens by age
and would not in winter hence you could not
draw it when needed. Out of twenty gallons OF
Juice [ made four gallons of the best sirup ever
saw. Some seem to think that Ony very COM
mon quality Of mOlasses be made from this
c1ne which Will do for our negroes, at least; but
this is a mistake for consider that which made,
(and others who have seen it, hold the opin-
ion superior in taste and favor to the best sugar
house mOlasses in the world. L ain satisfied that
sirup made as it may be, from the Chinese Cane,
cannot fail to please the taste OF the most refined
and faztidiOus
IF you want the strip fair, or almost transparent
it must be boiled in a house, as boiling it IN the
open air darkeDs it. The best plan is to boil it
down little in large vessels, and then take 1t out
and finish boiling in large fat ovens BY boiling
q few pots full you easily learn how to temper
it-any person who has made molasses candy can
tell when to stop the process as 1t looks, when
sufficiently concentrated, like mOasscs IN the opcr
alton of candy making
When the Juice is first put to BOIL to every ten
gallons throw IN piece of carbonate of soda about
the size Of partridge egg this causes the gluten
and albumcn to rise to the top. 1t is of the ut
most Importance you should keep your boilers well
SKINNED during the whole operation, and after 1t
is done be careful to skim off all the foam and
froth before putting your sirup away, as this will
form hard Jumps i'll your vessels. The cane must
be well ripe to make good turn out of sirup TO
the juice-when the seed. nearly black and
the stalk yellow, you may cut away, all is ready.
That sugar can be made from the Chinese Cane,
| have no doubt but even if We cannot make sugar,
If the molisscs is properly made it Will answer all
the purposes Of sugar Il continent, and for cul-
mary purposes. For the benefit of amy that wish
to try the experiment Of making sugar from the
Chinese Cane, and are not acquainted with the
usual process, will give them ali the information
| have on the subject.
The juice as it runs from the mill is Immediate
ly mixed with lime, in the proportion of one part
lime to eight hundred of juice, and heated to 40
degrees Fahrenheit; this causes all the impurities
to rise to the top and form a thick scum; all below
this scum is usually drawn off by cock into a
copper boiler Gan ordinary pot will answer as well,
and the scum that rises to the top carefully skim
med off. Then concentrate the juice by ebtltion
and skim off the lroth as it forms When conccn-
trated sufficiently, transfer to shallow vessels and
let it partially COOL then put it into wooden YES
sells, (large wooden bowls would probably answcr.)
and let it stand twenty four hours; then stir pretty
rapidly with wooden stirrcrs in order to make the
sugar granulate;-it will take from four to six
hours to complete the operation. Have holes in
the bottom of your wooden vessels, and have them
temporarily plugged; after the operation of granu-
ating is completed, pull out the plugs and let the
molases drain out, and your sugar will be left in
the wooden vessels; it then has to be dried i'll the
sun, &c. The purifying Of sugar is an entirely
different branch of business.
If anything in this communication will be of
benefit to any one they are welcome; and would
be glad to hear the experience of others through
the same channel. H. NJ. JENNINGS,
Pleasant Valley, McAlpine's Greek.