, 1882-05-17
10000

4WOhOS
It will be seen from this analysis that
besides nitrogen, equal to 2.55 per cent of
ammonia, which is derived from the cOag.
ulated albuminous compounds contained
in expressed cane liquor, this sample OF
mud contains a large percentage OF precl-
plated phosphate of lime (1946 per cent?
and this valuable matter is entirely rec0v-
cred from the juice by the chemical action
of the cauStic, or what is generally termed
in the West Indies temper lime"
When a liquid having phosphate in So
luton. like raw cane juice, is rendered
neutral, or alkaline, as shown by the lit
mus test paper, the phosphoric acid pre-
vi0usly contained in solution, combines
with the lime present, and forms \ bulky
focculent precIpitate of tribaSic phOS-
phale of lime, admirably suited to clarity
any liquor in which it is produced, and
to carry along with it the ~cOagulated al
luminous compounds, together with amy
other extraneOus matters in suspension.
With reference to the use of presses, the
proper Strainiug of this mnd would con
c~pntrate the feTtiliZing elements by Separ-
atinr them from the water and saccharlne
matter. The mud, however, must not be
allowed to become acid by standing about,
IOI DIGCIIJIldICA DlON hhb Va AAAAO
div soluble in acetic acid, and would un-
der such circumstances drain away. The
use of the paper, and the addition OF more
or less lime to the mud, is, however, the
practical remedy againSC such acldity.
This reclamation of valuable fertillzing
matter is certainly an important saving
in the economy of cane culture, anu Whe-
tber the mud is thrown upon the pens or
piyen to stock, finds it's way directly or
Indirectly back to the soil from VIII ch it
had been aSsimilated. Planters are well
aware of The superior quality OF the crop
time MANURE. which should be evenly dis.
tribntpd again over the estate. On plan
tatiOns where it is the practice to ermen
the saccharine matter left i'll the mud and
distil if. the returns, or dunbar, will contain
these matters and should not be wasted.
When phosphate of lime is produced IN
the IL previously described, 1t Is
termed precipitated phosphate, which is IN
an exceedingly fine state OF DIVISION, mere
fore readily assimilable by future crops,
and in fact, little short OF soluble phoS-
pilates in value.
On a carefully managed sugar estate
there should not be a large loss OF phos-
pilates, seeing that what are contained IN
the iuice are reclaimed together with
those of the fibre in the megasS ashes.
The amount of p4osphates, however, that
are contained in these ashes varies consl-
derably, and there is not, as a rule, so
much value in megass ash AS is generally
supposed, being chiefly silica and carbon
ate of lime, especially if the u are
thoroughly crushed.
From my remarks it would appear that
the sugar cane is not exhaustive as regards
phosp6ates, but it is in point of nitrogen
and potash.
There is considerable loss of nitrogen
III the combustion of the megass, and the
expressed juice CONTAINS most Of, the po-
fash of the cane, which, as it is not preei,
pitated by lime, remains in the clarified
liquor, leaving the estate chiefly In the
m0lasses. On some future occasion shall
hope to treat more fully ON these twoiat-.
ter points, and publish analyses OF some
samples of m~egass.-Planter's Gazette.