Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-03-02
The Sugar Question.

At the recent annual meeting of the New
York State Sugar Association, held at Geneva,
General VIM. G. lie Due ex- Commissioner of
Agriculture, was heartily recognized by pub
lie resolution as the father of the country's
very promising sorghum industry; and of
Prof. Peter Collier it was well said, in the
same express and formal way, that to him
more than to any other scientific man of
the world are We indebted for discoveries and
for the settlement of practical questions in
the manufacture of syrup and sugar" Di.
rector Sturtevant, of the Experiment Station,
related how some years ago he went to
Washington an avowed opponent of this in
terest, but in the chemists room was readily
convinced of his error He referred to prof
table culture of Northern cane as now a
Settled fact; mentioned the great number
of its varieties-probably $50 or more--as
important in view of the prospect offered of
obtaining, by selection of seed, kinds with
larger percentage of sweet, as has been done
with sugar beet and spoke of the probability
of best results from culture where the plants
can have most sunlight during their period Of
growth.
Prof. Collier referred to his ignorance and
faith at starting; summarized leading con.
illusions from his thousands of analyses with
in the past four years of 100 varieties all of
which contain about the same amount of
available sugar, and that but very little less
than the sugar cane of Louisiana; comment
ed on the encouraging results in field and
factory during 1882, notably at Rio Grande,
N. j., where the seed is said to have paid for
raising the crop, and the cost of manufacture
was only Sl.75 per hundred weight of sugar
expressed the opinion that it is practicable to
paa1 an1 he ,,lo
the same season, and spoke of the immense
use made of the seed as food by the human
family more persons living on it than on
corn and wheat put together, among them
10000, 600 people of Bengal also immense
numbers in Asia and in South Africa, from
which latter country he received forty varie.
ties used there and unknown to us. He
doubts the theory of liberalization among
all the kinds raised on Washington grounds
there was no instance of mixture.
For practical suggestions as to growth and
manufacture Prof. Golfers address was also
noteworthy. Suckers are not harmful TO
syrup, but exceedingly so in sugar making,
therefore preference should be given to sorts
of which such superhuous growth is not char
acteristic. II cane is thoroughly ripe, the
effect OF frost upon it is almost nothing; if
not ripe, it Is unfavorable. The best way is
TO work the cane Immediately after cutting
pressing without stripping off the leaves
gives more syrup but less sugar, and makes
Z trouble in defeating; the lower ten inches
Of the stalk have much sRceharine value, con-
trAry 10 prevalent opinion.
Detailed experiences OF numerous growers
Who took part in the animated discussions of
the two days session were varied, if not CON
fadictory. Some preference was given to
western seed instances were given of ad-
taniageous sporting II not Of liberalization
81 The plants. One speaker observed best
crop results from sandy or light gravelly
oan Mandatory expressions showed no
eN varied opinion and practice, all of which
nala blof Collier good occasion 10 urge con
Slant personal tests Of the many questions
IIf settled. He doubts il we are vet
1efa pear the best methods" There
NA aely confederation Of the best
Maya laps for getting the syrup and
4oaaI uNta TIC market, One suggestion to
b md Yves he formation Of boards Of trade
y ' r4Mlai and the need Of striving
FOX 4o Is goods was foFcibly present.
40 occasion in regarded as
~ eeonmging in The progress