Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-11-03
Corn and Sorghum Sugar in Vermont.

Corn and Sorghum sugar Ill Neruoht'
We have taken great interest, as our
readers know. in the question of making
sugar from corn stalks and sorghum in
Vermont, believing that it held great
nromise of increase to the material pros
perity of our state.
Prof. Golfers reports of his expert
ments ware received by many with an In
credulous surprise-a result which might
he reached in the chemists laboratory, but
which could not be obtained by the prac-
teal working of actual manufacture. we
have been more hopeful of its possibilities
and among others who have held the same
sAuouine ideas is Prof. Charles Dole o.
the Norwich university at Mortified, who
has tried the experiment this season; and
knowing the fact we wrote him the other
day, asking him to give us report OF his
work, and have received reply, which
we take the liberty of printing for the
benefit of the readers of the FREEMAN.
As will be seen, Prof. Dole's machinery
was of the simplest character, and which
could not give as good results as more
perfect and costly apparatus, which could
be afforded where it would be carried on
AS business. Like Prof. Dole, we are
satisfied the enterprise can be made IA
business success:
NrRTHFIEDD, Vt, October, 1880.
My DEAR SIR:-Yonr card came to
hand in due season, but | have not had
t lme to answer it before.
have not done enough in the way of
sugar making to write with that certainty
that could wish NV other business has
been so pres sing that | have not been able
to do as much as intended to do, but |
have done enough to satisfy myself as to
the success Of the enterprise.
| have made several gallons of both
corn and sorghum syrup of very fine quail
ity.
| began experimenting with the corn
before it was fairly cared, and continued
this till the corn was ripe. was able to
make a fair syrup at each time, but the
best was made from that with ears large
enough to boil, and from then till the corn
was ripe.
Judge from my experiments in corn
taking the Sanford which | experimental
with most-that fifty gallons of good syrup
can be made per acre after picking off the
ears. The stalks NAV be used to good ad
vantage us fodder after the juice is eX
pressed being worth nearly as much as
before. The cost of making would not be
great, and every farmer could make or
easily have made his own machinery.
did not grow any of the amber sugar
cane-sorghum-bu Mr.. House of Waits
field brought me some which worked up.
I,think the quality of the syrup from this
better than from corn, and much more
can be made per acre, but the stalks are
worthless for fodder so far as have tried.
Another year | hope to give this fair
trial.
My method for both corn and sorghum
was the same. The stalks We're run
between rolers-I used wooden ones the
juice running into tubs placed under them.
After sufficient quantity of the juice was
obtained lime was added in sufficient
quantity to neutralize the acid present,
which was known by dipping in piece OF
litmus paper. After letting it stand for
short time it was poured into the kettle or
pan IN WHICH IL WIS W DG DOlIcui CdIt
being taken not to pour in the sediment
which the lime caused to settle to the
bottom.
When the juice teginS to boil a thick
green scum will rise which must be care
fully taken off. 1t should now be boiled
down as rapidly as possible to the desired
consistency. | have not attempted to
make any sugar, but the syrup has been
thoroughly tested for cooking purposes.
and found to be superior TO any to be found
in the market.
| am not quite through with my expert
ments, and will write you again nv and
by. Truly yours,
CHARLES DOLE.
o. M, Tinkham, Esq,
The superintendent Of agricultural af-
fairs has received from Prof. Collier u
condensed report of his sugar making
experiments for 1880, which fully confirm
those of 1879, and Prof. Collier is enthu-
siastic over the prospects and future posi-.
blities of the sugar product in the United
States.
What profitable job it would be if we
could raise our own sugar, to say nothing
of exporting it.