Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-06-05
SUGAR IN KANSAS.
Correspondence New Orleans Item.1
ATTICA. KANSAS. Nav % 1899.

Correspondence New Orleans Item.l
ATTICA, KANSAS, May 20, 1889.
EDITOR OF THE ITEM: In reply to
your query respecting the outlook for
sorghum work in Kansas the coming
season, would say that there are now
in course of erection for this seasons
crop six new plants. But four were
operated last season, three of which Will
be operated this season. One lat Doug
lass, Kansas) was closed by litigation
at the end of last seasons work, and is
still under the protection of sheriff.
Fort Scott and Topeka factories are
being slightly rearranged as necessity
requires and they have full acreage
for this seasons work. l am advised
that Prof. Swenson operates the former
plant and w. l.. Parkinson the latter
Conway Springs plant fully doubles
its capacity of last season-erecting and
operating secoud battery, both small
adding a double effect of $4,000 gal
Ions capacity, more boilers, tanks, bull
dings, etc. 1t has an acreage of 1900
acres, and if worked to its full capacity
will be the largest plant in operation
this season. 1t has, however, but sew
Ell foot strike pan, Prof. E. b. Cow
gill, as representative of the Kilbey
Manufacturing Co., of Cleveland, Ohio,
furnishes for a lump sum the machinery
for this plant, guaranteeing its capacity
and work.
Mr.. Cowgirl is also erecting a plant at
Medicine Lodge, providing everything
but buildings, shipping and erecting
the machinery, and guaranteeing every
thing except the development of sugar
in the stalk. This plant has a capacity
of 200 tons field cane per day, 100 cubic
feet capacity cells, s foot strike pan and
Yaryan multiple effects. The building
foundations are completed, and the first
cars Of lumber were received this week
They have an acreage of $500 acres.
Mr.. Cowgirl is erecting third plant
upon the no cure no pay plan at Ness
City, Ness county. This is to be very
large plant, 800 tons per day. 1t was
contracted for quite late, and I under
stand is to be completed by September
l. My information is that Mr.. Cowgirl
operates none of these plants, but turns
them over when completed, recommen-
ding suitable operator. The Kansas
State Sugar Company, headql ia: . ers OF
Topeka, of which 1 haye the honor to
be manager, Is erecting the plant at this
place in capacity similar to the Medicine
Lodge plant and larger than the Fort
Scott works. We have 1900 acres con-
tracted, most of which is up and thrifty.
Buildings are nearly completed. Their
construction required two hundred
thousand feet of lumber. One half the
machinery is now on hand.
The arrangement of the buildings of
this plant differs from all others in res
pect that cane shed. cutters, cleaners,
diffusers, CHARTERS, etc., are In separate
but connected buildings, upon two sides
of the main building, the clarified Juice
only entering the main building, which
is 4Sx98 feet, and five stories in height,
and contains an Office, laboratory, doub-
lie effects with upright tubes, s feet
strike pan, 5 centrifugals and mixers
Hepworth and 2 Weston-a granulator,
filter presses, and different forms of
strike and continuous CHARTERS. An
improved lime distributor will dust
finely powdered lime on the pulped cane
en- route to the battery.
Cane is taken from fields with heads
attached. Two large section cutters of
twenty tons per hour capacity each, two
large shredders and two double sets of
| cleaners are among the many provisions
made for a to be hoped successful cam.
paigl.
Through the courtesy of Secretary of
Agriculture Rusk we have secured the
five roller mill from Fort Scott, and will
endeavor to burn diffusion chips. Our
only boiler is Hazelton I Tripod ;G9;3. IF near
ly 500 horse power; the outside measure
is is feet diameter and 45 feet high.
This will be provided with the Roney
mechanical stockers, similar IN con-
struction to the ones reported to be so
successfully burning diffusion chips in
Java. Under the direction of DR.. FL.
w. Wiley, we are growing an expert
mental ten acres of cane. Thirty vari-
cites thus far planted, all have grown
one or more seasons in this country.
! Our early cane was above ground
April is. This should ripen by July Is
or August l, and the working season
should continue until December /. with
no serious frosts until November Is.
BY hard work day and night and Sun
days, we hope to be ready for operations
by July l, about which time the chem
lists work viii commence.
Mr.. w. l.. Parkinson is erecting three
small plants, $50 tons capacity each, in
Meade county, two upon the no cure no
pay principle; the third one he will ope-
rate. F. w Dr1TrNr<,