The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-01-25
4 ari1nlt nral.
Manufacture of sugar in Illinois.

Large attention was elected by the fact,
brought prominently before the public
at the late meeting of the State Agricul-
tural Society, that farmer IN Adams
county had, during the last seas0p. made
over a ton of sugar from Illinois cane.
Great curiosity was manifested to know
how he did it. upon which Mr. Smith laid
before the Society paper explaining the
process His mode OF operation, it must
be admitted was crude and simple enough.
Here is what he says:
The little experience which | have had
for the last few years in the culture and
manufacture of syrup and sugar from the
Chinese and African cane, has been fraueht
with much encouragement. The farming
community III our district have generally
expressed full satisfaction on the munit-
cent returns for their labor. No less than
5000 barrels Of good syrup has been manu-
featured in adams county this season
While our implements were of the rudest
material, and unfit TO make good experi-
ments, yet our success has been beyond
our expectations.
We have used the Cincinnati Crusher
and Cooks evaporation, pan No 3, and
long pan in connection with this, OF s.
feet wide and 70 feet long, the bottom
being Of copper or galvanized iron; and
these have produced the best results,
making go and 80 gallons per day, with
one cord of wood. We use the Evapora-
tor till the juice is thoroughly clarified,
and the white, gluey scum disappears,
which is at about % to go Bereaume, then
it passes gradually in the long pan reach
ing in, boiling down to about So to So B.
The gate is then opened into large, fiat
cooler, that Will hold The labor of the day,
and from the African Cane you will find 4
complete granulat;on on the next morning,
and tie specimens Of &yrsl2 ad sugar noaC pre-
ssssted for y0,r examination haze teen made 6y
Mspr0cesS mentioned, and ,ctth0n tie aid Of
any chemicals, and cnly Jy tie aid Of SKINNER
ard fire.
Sulphurate OF lime VIII extract ell the
acid from the sugar-if a solution of it is
mixed with the Juice while in the process
of boiling. The specimen Of syrup is from
the Chinese Cane, and as already men
toned, made without the use of any thing
except the skinner and fire.
Our climate has proved fully adapted to
the Chinese and African Canes, and our
soil the very element for its cutuse. it
is mistake that the richer the soil the
larger the production Of this article, (Which
eventually must become of the greatest
benefit 10 this State,) for the cane grows
as well IN poorer soil, and the best on dry,
sandy fields. On the rich ground the
cane-grows rank but is spongy and foil of
woody hbres, and the yield Is by far less
than on the weaker lands. The Chinese
Cane IS much more desirable for syrup
when raised on sandy soil, and is much
more desirable for syrup than any OF the
Imphee kinds.
On the different kinds OF African cane,
We found the following best adapted to
our soil
NeeaZa ma, Boomwaa-ua, and Dom Sc a.
M. These three kinds will ripen il ninety
days, and our yield from them has been
twelve hundred pounds Of sugar, and one
hundred 10 one hundred and twenty-five
gallons Of syrup TO the acre Had ! been
permitted TO present rs a specimen some
of the sugar, after having gone through a
refining process-such . one used by
Belcher in St Louis-I have the full con
yIcti9n, that from the specimen presented,
sugar like BlIchers best crushed sugar
would haze been TIE result.
Dry Seasons are great advantage to
its growth, and it can be grown even on
flat meadow, and it improves the land
1T should be planted is early As possible,
the seed being soaked for about twelve
hourse in a solution Of chloride Of lime,
(about one OF. to a pint Of seed) | should
not be covered very deep, as it is then
liable TO rot.
When ready to manufacture, strip your
leaf, cut yonr cane; and press your cane
all on the same day if possible, as it pre-
vents the sSlring or fermenting Of the
juice, and which latter destroys the flavor
of The syrup. The plant has a natural
acid which is easily removed, and has
been by most people when tasted in the
syrup,.called scorched but the fermented
plants, or Or the juice expressed from the
latter, cannot be freed Eroin the acid, or at
least our experiments have failed
Beyond doubt our sugar has as good
body and as firm a c:ystaliZation as any
o. the sugars from ogr southern countries,
and orr sugar when refued will compare
with the best now in market.
The sugar | have presented for your ex
animation has been strained through com
mon cloth, and was rather Z forced process,
and | have no doubt with improve machi
merry + shall be able TO present at the next
Fair all that can be desired of this plant
AL Of which | respectfully submit.
J. II SMITH
QCIScY, Ill, Jan. 2l, 1852.