New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-27

with but the capital Of his own labor can
plant sugar from the rattoon and await its
maturity at the mill. Why, then, should
not their interests, so mutually dependent
and so congenial in their misfortunes,
come together and cooperate: We trust
comes a mechanical Improvement in the
culture of sugar which may aid very
greatly the planter in his ability to pay
| wages. We allude to the substitution of the
French and German mode of extracting
the saccharine substance from the beet for
that heretofore employed by the planters
of Louisiana. The most purely political
reader must know enough about sugar to
know that the Juice is now extracted by
strong pressure applied by steam power.
1t is represented that this pressure forces
into and Incorporates with the substance
and residuum Of the crushed cane portion,
estimated at from thirty to fifty per cent, of
the whole saccharine matter contained in
the cane. To incur the exceptional expenses
to which we have referred. and then to
find that from cne-third to one-half the
object escapes the planter. certainly goes
a long way toward solving the question
whether Louisiana can continue the cul-
ture of sugar.
The importance Of this question has led
us to examine the operation OF certain
machinery devised by Mr.. Bringier for
communion of cane and the diffusion or
dilution of its saccharine contents. The
machinery for this purpose was manufac-
tured by Daniel Edwards. Esq. one of
our largest brass. copper and iron foun-
ders and manufacturers of sugar trains
and machinery. The machinery. which
was made and worked well. contains
little that is new. The cane is fed to
wheel armed with cutting blades.
performing the work of an ordinary corn
stalk. straw Or hay cutter. The cane is
then cut and broken into bits less than the
size of grain Of Indian corn. tits carried.
by an ordinary conveyor. into a series of
sheet-iron chambers, filled with steam
heated water: it is moved by the :nechan.
ical action of iron plates. which revolve
and macerate this solution, until. having
passed through these successive cham
bers. it is pressed through tight cylinders.
and discharged dry and entirely tasteless.
The experiment has not been suffi-
GENTLY extended to determine what is the
percentage Of saccharine matter extracted
by the process, which was lost under the
practice of pressure: nor has it been as
certained what saving Of investment. in
the cost Of power applied, or of tue! and
attendance required. yet. enough has
been shown to prove that q most impov-
tant idea has been suggested. and that in
the changed mode Of securing the results
of whole years labor. may rest the solu.
ton of sugar culture. the strife Of strikes.
and the harmony in Louisiana between
capital and labor.
I. is by such measures Of economy in
the culture Of our grea: staple that the
labor question can be settled here. It
will involve an inquiry into the difference
between small farms and large planta-
tons, the consideration Of grain and
cattle raising with the growth and manu-
facture of cane. and the adaptation Of all
the mechanical appliances which will save
labor and promote economy. To those
subjects we ask the attention of those who
value the productive crops OF Louisiana
Oh the one hand. and the content and
compensation OF the laborer on the other.
Let these questions be taken from the
hands Of the professional! and partisan
politicians and referred to . competent
commission Of inquiry Tor report.
THE MANAGEMENT OF TIE INSANE
ASYLUM.
tve have received copy Of the bill re-
Gently introduced III the House by Mr..
Gair, and have heard from the honorable
gentleman himself some Of the reasons
which. in his opinion and ours. sustain
the propriety OF amending the law to es-
tablish the Insane Asylum. The asylum
is q State institution. intended for the