Wichita eagle., 1889-11-22
SORGHUM SUGAR MAKING A Sue


CESS.
To the Editor Of the Eagle.
In the fact before us that Kansas has
an unprecedented yield of crops this
year, it would seem unnecessary to adj
vocate the cultivation of sorghum cane
as sugar producing plant, it being yet
in its infancy: yet it is considered good
policy to obtain all the products that can
be pro6tobly cultivated. 1t Is but three
years since the attempt was made TO ex-
tract the sugar from sorghum cane by
the diffusion process. Like all new en-
terprises it has had its failures as well as
its successes. Its failures can be attrib-
uted to the absence Of knowledge in the
proper treatment of the cane-in plant
ing, cultivating and its treatment after
it had been delivered to the mill. Plant
ers had the impression that if they OBJ
tanned the tonnage of stalks that was all
that was necessary to produce sugar;
they having planted cane for forage for
several years, obtaining sufficient results
simply by getting the seed planted in a
haphazard manner. Experience has
taught the planter if he wants the cane
tor sugar he must plant and cultivate
in such a manner that there will be
sugar developed when delivered to the
mill.
The season of 1889 is now closed as far
as the production of sugar is concerned,
and the results are now before us,
Although in some localities, on account
of the absence of rain, there was no cane
raised that contained sugar, in those
sections of country where a good growth
of cane was produced, the output of
sugar has realized the utmost expecta-
tons of those who had erected works
for sugar making.
The sugar works at Conway Springs,
Attica, Medicine Lodge and Fort Scott
nave this year demonstrated that sugar
could be extracted from cane in sufficient
quantities to pay handsome profit on
the investment; it is now past the eX-
perimental stage, and is placed in the
catalogue of desirable investments, not
only to the manufacturing establish
ments, but to the planter as well, thereby
benefitting the capitalist, planter and
the entire community, producing an
article which will retain money in the
country that would otherwise be sent to
other countries for our supply of sweets.
With the latest improved appliances
which the Kelly Manufacturing COM
pany of Cleveland, Ohio, have placed in
two sugar houses, one at Ness City and
the other at Medicine Lodge, results
have been obtained as follows: An aver
age consumption of 200 tons Of field cane
per day, producing 100 pounds of sugar
and 10 gallons molasses per ton, valued
at cents for the sugar and 10 cents
per gallon for molasses, each day
producing values of $1,000 for
sugar and 5000 for molasses. On the
other hand the expense for cane
is So per ton, $4OO; labor of fifty-six
hands, $112; coal, $S5; incidentals. SIC:
making total of 1896 expense. Income,
$1,000; balance to mill. sos. This
showing will be bettered in the seasons
that may follow, and the methods of
cultivating and manufacturing are bet
ter understood.
Every season there is better
quality of cane produced, as shown in
the government station at Sterling,
some varieties producing 81 per cent
sugar, the highest percentage of sugar
ever shown in either sorghum cane or
tropical cane. Tropical cane rarely ever
exceeds II per cent sugar; but the facil-
ity with which the tropical cane granu-
lates gives greater yield per ton. With
the years of experience that l have OBJ
tanned in both tropical and sorghum cane
] do not hesitate to say that the future
of sorghum is assured as a sugar pro-
ducing plant, and in the near future,
sugar will be produced from sorghum
cane in Kansas at less cost than on the
rich bottom lands of tropical cane in
louisiana S. G. SHIRLAND.