, 1880-05-05

not only is the resnlting uice much purer
than when obtained from the fresh beet by
grating and pressure, bat 1t can be obtain
ed in SO concentrated q form as to diminish
materially the cost OF evaporation, and the
Dimensions and cost OF the appliances re-
CURED while an increased net outcome
Of cane sugar from a given weight OF fresh
bets can hardly fail TO be secured. o
1t thus appears THAI exceptional climatic
conditions. combined with an exceptional
ly high average quality of the beetroot,
concurrently tend here to plaza this indus
try more nearly on a level with that of the
production of sugar from the naturally
richer aud purer Juice of the sugar-cane;
while as regards sorghum, the only materi-
al Advantage remaining would be the
direct availability of the syrups for the
market, beet mo'asSes being unmerchant-
able save in the form of alcohol. In the
tests made of the sorghums (amber caReG
grown on the experimental grounds OF the
State University, the total sugar percentage
in the Juice was found to be Is, or about
the same as that Of the better class Of
sugar beets grown near the lsleton Suga-
rie, according to the tests previously made
at the university. But OF these II per
cent. of sugar, only 10 was found to be
cane sugar, and of this amount not over SIX
could practically be extracted in presence
of so large an amount OF syrup, or, to give
figures, the 'purity- coeIficlent" or relatire
percentage OF cane-Sugar IN the sorghum
Juice was only IS, while that OF beet juice
of similar sugar percentage was over 80.
1t Is true that in other localities the cane
sugar percentage OF the amber cane NAV
be found higher but as the matter now
stands, it seems very questionable whether
for large-scale manufacture, the sor-
ghum could hold its own against the
exceptionally f@avoured sugar beet Of Cali
fornia.
For smaII-scale production for homo
consumption, Of course the sorghum is by
far preferable to the beet since its utlll-
cation requires no complex apparatus or
difficult technical operations. A very
primitive homemade roller press or
crushing mill, such as were constructed
by the negroes ut tho South during the
war, and the commOn farm kettle WILL
enable the small farmer to make his own
supply OF syrup and even OF coarse brown
sugar. According to the results of a late
investigation at the university, the use OF
the amber cant for this purpose would be
more advantageous than that of the water
melon, as it produces a brighter and more
presqntabIe syrup. The more perfect
arrangement of an " evaporator," such as
can now be bought at small cost, would
readily enable a farmer to supply his
neighbourhood with the best of syrup at
a small cost, and with considerable pro-
fit to himself. o
While the amber cane will doubtless sue
coed on the whole coast, from San Die
go to Gregg, the sugaf-cane proper Is Pro-
badly not available for largeacale culture,
much north of Fresno. Even there, how
ever, it would appear to DE q formidable
competitor of the beef; just in the region
where, as before remarked, the beet-sugar
industry would enjoy It's greatest advan-
tages. Experiments to be made during
the coming season will enable US better to
Judge Of the probable success of the sugar
cane culture north of the Sierra San Fer
nado; while south Of it, It's successful
growth and good quality has passed
beyond the province of conjecture. The
question is there reduced simply to one OF
commercial circumstances.
The advantages of the sugareane over