Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-10-30
The New Sugar Refinery.

Our recent visit 10 Charles L. Morris, Esq. S,
new Sugar Refinery at Rockets was highly
interesting; and as this large and important
cstablislnment-so valuable and necessary an
auxiliary to the growing trade and manniac'
turing interests of Richmond-is now nearly
ready to commence operations, we think Il de-
s~cription may be interesting to our readers.
This establishment is located conveniently
to the wharves and shipping at the lower end
of Rockets. Cargoes Of sugar can be dis
charged from the vessels, or put OH board Of
the same, direct from the refinery, without
hauling or rehuuling, which saves q large item
OF expense. It is also convenient for tho de-
livery of coal, Of which large quantities arc
required, and is well supplied with clear, pure
water, ESQ necessary for the production of good
sugar. which is taken from a spring some hall
a mile off, and carried by pipes to the top OF
the building. .n
The establishment is five stories high, l3O
feet long and 70 feet wide, including the boiler
house. 1t is substantially built with brick,
and well supported throughout the interior
with heavy beams, girdcrs and pillars.
The establishment is supplied with four
steam engines, for elevating water and raw
material, pumping syrup and vapor, and to 10
all the heavy work to which machinery is APP
plicable. In this respect, Mr.. Morris estao'
iishment is we'll provided, and nothing is lett
for manual labor, except those delicate opera
tons which require care and watchfulness.-
The most improved and extensive sugar re-
fneries in the large cities ofthe North or Europe,
are not better provided for the production Of
good and cheap sugar than our refinery at
Rockets. Indeed many ofthc old establishments
are behind, as far as modern Improvements are
concerned. The old mode Of crystalizins Sill
gar required from ten 10 fourteen days to clar-
ify, which could only be effected by a loss OIL
much sacharine matter; and which, consequent
", deterioratcs from the value Of the refined SUI
gar. But by the introduction Of the c%entriiu'
cal driving machines, this process can be effect
ed in twcnty.four hours, with n great saving 10
the manufacturer, and . concentration Of most
Of the sacharinc matter in the crystals. The
sugar manufactured in this manner, is sweeter
than by the old mode aud consequently less is
required.
But as there are some who still prefer using
the light and porus sugar crystalized ny the
old mode, Mr.. Morris has provided a large mum
Der Of the old conical moulds for its manuiac,
ture. He can thus supply all kinds Of refined
sugars.
Mr.. James Peterson, the intelligent and gen
t~lclnanly superintendent Of this refinery, has
had q large experience in the best retinerIes Of
this country and Europe. He seems to be 4
reliable and prudent man, and one who tho
roughly appreciates the value of economy, in
it's most unlimited application, in such large
establishments, where waste or carelessneSs
must be watched with an ever vigilant eye.
This refinery is capable Of turning out l5G
barrels. or SO, 900 pounds Of refined sugar pei
day. But large as that amount may seeln, II
is not the tenth part Of the refined sugars that
is now used in the markets within the reach OIL
Richmond productions; and, if our Southern
friends will properly patronize this new and
deserving establishment, Mr.. Morris Will Soor
be forced to extend his operations.
The trade OF Richmond with the South, ano
the sugar-producing regions, is now extensive
and fast on the increase. Freights Of sugar,
coffee and guano are not only lrcightablc return
cargoes, but absolutely necessary articles OF
Importation, since we cannot produce them
and in those articles Richmond merchants now
deal largely. With the transporting facilities
now in progress towards the West, this trade
must increase ~prodigiously, since the port o
Richmond is naturally most advantageous
located to command the Western and South
western trade.
In this connection, We may call attention tc
one remarkable fact, which initiates greatly
against our manufacturing interests. We NEAR
the e%xtravagant price Of coal in this market
Thouph Richmond is located nearer and more
conveniently to immense deposits Of excellent
coal than any other manufacturing city on thu
Atlantic coast, she derives no benefit from the
favorable circumstances, since the limited pro
>ductions of our mines, and the extravagant
prices, drive our coal consumers to the distan'
Northern mines for much Of their supplies
Large profits have been realized by mining
companies here, and it is strange that capital
lists are so slow to take advantage of these cir
cumstances.