Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-08
SORGHUM SuGAR,
How the Diffusion Process Is Progressing
In Kansas.


In Kansas.
TOPEKA Kan, Aug. 2-The interest
manifested in the sorghum sugar making
grows entirely out of the acknowledged fit
ness of climate and soil for sorghum cane
growing. No State in the Union produces
cane with so large percentage of sugar
in the juice nor with so much of the latter
to the ton of cane. The question has been,
can this juice be utilized so as TO make il
a commerce al SUGGEST So far this cues.
tion has not been satisfactorily answered
The Fort Scott, Conway Springs and To-
peka works have operated successfully so
far as sugar making is concerned, but they
have not been financially successful At
Topeka the works ran but about half the
season last year, and part Of that time
with defective m machinery, although there
was an abundant supply of cane. ne
operating expenses were more than let
by the receipts, although money was loSt
after the interest on borrowed money was
paid. This statement was made by one Of
the principal stockholders.
The Conway Springs works was SUP
piled with poor water for sugar making,
coming out of a gypsum deposit. Late
In the season pure water was obtained
and the results were better. According
to Mr.. Deming's report to the Govern
ment, while the last season showed the
practicability of sugar making from sor-
ghum, it did not prove commercially
profitable. TIE stockholders, however,
with added experience, are giving a more
thorough test this year under more favor
able conditions.
A. Fort Scott good sugar was made aud
- 49, h. -,
the Government has ordered its machinery
removed from that place to Attica it is ev-
ident that | was not satisfactory there.
In facs. Mr.. Rice, who has made the pro-
duction of sorghum sugar a study, pro-
nounceS this industry an exper ment
which would lead one 10 believe that the
success attending the third year was not
satisfactory.
At Attica may now be found the largest
sugar works in the State, in which have
been placed the Government machinery
from Fort Scott, and machinery from
Illinois, in addition to new and improved
mach merry manufactured expressly for
this company. From Mr.. Clark, secretary
Of the company, it is learned that these
works will be under the personal super
vision of Mr.. Deming, who built and
operated the Conway Springs works, ana
who is considered an expert, having had
eight years experience in sorghum sugar
making. The cost of this plant is $102, 700,
the assets of the company being Sl22, 900.
The cane growing and owned by
the company, the farmers about that
place and by the General Govern
ment at its experimental station.
will more than keep these works running
the full sugar making season. The results
of ell experiments have been seized, and
it is believed there will be a large profit
arising from the heavy investment made.
But in order that this might be placed
among the solid business enterprises of
the State, the company has investigated
thoroughly the salt works of New York,
and find that they can use this same ma
chinery the remaining portion of the year,
producing 1000 barrels of salt a dav at an
expense of only seven cents q barrel.
Mr.. Clark condemns the haSty voting of
township bonds in aid of incomplete plants
and wildcat schemes by sorghum sugar
spectators While believing absolutely
in the profitableness of complete works. he
would nos have township or municipal in
debtedness incurred in aid of the little
plants that are necessarily incomplete,
and which must stand idle the greater
portion of the year. He does not consider
sorghum sugar making any longer an ex-
pertinent, and says when his works start
up. August 10. this will be cearly'
demonstrated. Being one of a COM
pany of careful. prudent men, he
feels satisfied that the profits Of the
Atiica works will cause this industry to
become the leading industry of Kansas.
There have been cases of mismanagement
in the past incomplete knowledge, and,
sometimes. unseemly haste. These draw
backs have been avoided at the Attica
works, where chemically pure water is
obtained, and the services of Mr.. Deming
secured, as well as the time and knowl-
edge of two Government chemists. He
places the profits of the Attica works at
SSS 600 for the year 1899