The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-06-21
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CHARLOTTE. NC.

THE CHINESE SUGAR CANE.-We don't wish
the interest in the culture of the Chinese Sugar
Cane to subside-there is no humbuggery about 1T,
for it is a fact beyond question that any farmer,
with but very little trouble and expense, can make
enough of sWestening (of good quality, too,) to
supply his wants for a year-therefore we copy the
following article on the subject from the N. Y.
journal of Commerce:
sSorqhan, Sugar.-Speculation and theories as
to the practicability of producing sugar from the
sorghum, or imphee, are fast giving place to un-
questionable facts. We have received from
Hedges, Free & Co., of Cincinnati, small pub
LEGATION giving the results of recent experiments,
and an elaborate treatise sugar making together
with descriptive catalogue of apparatus employed
which must be of special service to the cultivators
of the sweet reed. 1t also embraces large cor
respondence with skillfull agricuturists in differ
ent States particularly of the Northwest, from
which the reader may be enabled to form very in
telligent conclusions According to this author
ity, notwithstanding a very adverse season, by
which the development of the cane was retarded
from four to six weeks in comparison with what
might have been reasonably expected, thereby
causing a redundance of vegetable fibre at the ex
pense of saccharne juices, "the results of the last
year are fattering in the highest degree" Syrup
of beauty, favor and consistency, equal to the
finest sugar-hou molasses (says the same account)
has been made to a considerable extent In nearly
every Northern State, and in quantities sufficient
to yield a good profit at the lowest price command
ed by molasses from Southern cane. And what
is more satisfactory sugar of various grades, rang
ing from common to the finest loaf, has been pro-
duced in such quantities and under such variety
of circumstances to "prove cOnclusively that
the manufacture of sugar in this latitude is not
only possible, but of easy accomplishment"
This is long step in advance of our previous in
formation upon this topic for the crystalizability
of sorghum syrup has been learnedly discussed up
to a recent period with large amount of conflict
ing evidence. Much embarrassment has arisen
from attempts to obtain cane crystal from i'm
mature stalks but now in the light of better
Judgment the unfavorable conclusions often formed
seem to have been too hasty. The chemical
changes which the plant undergoes during the
later period of its growth absolutely essential
to success. Taken at its maturity, the sorg hum,
like the Creole or Indian cane, is believed to con-
tain no sugar which cannot be reduced to crystals.
Mr.. Lowering, a sugar re6ner, of Philadelphia.
is considered having set the question at rest.
The actual yield per acre, according to his process
was ,221 .S5 pounds of brown sugar and 7439
gallons of molasses; and he has doubt, with
more suitable apparatus than he employed, and
good cultivation, from 1000 to 800 pounds of
sugar of this quality, and from 95 to 100 gallons
OF mOlaSSeS, may De ODtalneQ WltnOut QlEnculCy.
Mr. E. S. Riker, of Clermont county, Ohio, is
other gentleman whose efforts have contributed
much to show the feasibility of manufacturing
sugar from sorghum. The entire cost of convert
ing his crop into sugar, including eleven cents
gallon for refining in Cincinnati, amounted to but
thirty-two cents per gallon, for very superior
article, and which was readily disposed of at sixty
cents between twenty and thirty barrels being sold
at this p-;ee. According to the authority from
which we quote, this molasses, when refined, was
superior to the choicest golden syrup made from
Louisiana or Cuba molasses." The authors of the
treatise before us express the belief that within
less than ten years, sugar will be produced in
quantity sufficient for home consumption, if not
for export, in most of the Middle and perhaps
some of the Northern States. This seems like
very sanguine anticipation but the testimony cor
roborative of the statements here referred to- of
a character well fitted to command public conf
dence.
Sugar-cane may be cultivated on almost any of
our light, clay soils, where corn ordinarily grows,
if care is taken in preparing the ground.