The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-10
SUGAR FROM SORGHUM.
CHEMIST WILEY OF THE AGRIoUL.
TURAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
The Indian Territory Destined To Pc
the Center OF This Industry, While the
Prospects Are Favorable In Tonnes
see and Arkansas.

WAsmSoroS, April Oh. w. Wiley
chemist Of the Agricultural Department,
has completed his record of experiments in
| the manufacture OF sugar from sorghum,
conducted last year at Rio Grande, N. j.;
Kinner, La, and Conway Springs, Douglass
and Sterling, Kas., and the bulletin will be
issued by the department in few days. The
| work at Sterling differed from that at the
other places. Il was an examination OF all
obtainabe varieties OF the sorghum plant,
begun by the Sterling Sugar Company and
completed by the department The work at
Rio Grandc, n. j., was carried on by Mr.. III.
A, Hughes, which purpose was TO determine
whether or not sorghum sugar could be
successfully manufactured on a small scale.
Prof Wiley says he does not see any favor
able result coming from the two years
trial at Rio Grande All the conditions
combine TO render the manufacture of sugar
on q small scale commercially unsuccessful.
The practical experiments carried on at
Douglass, the bulletin says, consisted in u
thorough trial Of the open system OF dlIu-
sion (tho Hughes SYSTEM TO test It's fitness
for working on large scale. They were not
success, owing 10 the failure Of the battery
10 work properly; the agricultural results,
however. were Of the most encouraging
nature, showing that In that locality crop
OF sorghum cane can be grown which, with
proper treatment, may Ice expected 10 yield
eighty or ninety pounds of sugar 10 u ton OF
pure cane.
Prof Wiley dcvoics considerable space 10
| a presentation of points to be considered in
building factory. southern and Western
/ Kansas possesses the best soil and climate for
sorghum raising, 20 far ~ Is now known
| Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas Tennessee and
| North Carolina probably present equally
favorable conditions. but this yet awaits
demonstration. The Indian Territory il
destined 10 be the center OF the industry.
The expectation Of establishing successful
sorghum industry IN the great maize fields
Of the country must now be definitely abnn-
doncd. A season Of manufacture, rcasona-
bly, certain for sixty days, i an essential
condition Ia success in the manu-
featuring Of sorghum sugar. The water
supply must be abundant aud easily
accessible. Factories NUT be located in
close proximity 10 the fields. ~ that the cost
| OF transportation Ol the cane may be reduced
10 a minimum. A cheap and abundant sup
ply 81 fuel is not less Important ;hnn the
raw material itself Recent experiments
show strong probability that the refuse
| chips IT the cane may be uscl for fuel. The
cost Of a complete factory capable Of work
ing 2pD tons Of cane q day may be estimated
at from sOo,OOO Ia 100000. Aud, finally, in
order 10 succeed investors must secure some
one To take charge u the factory who under
stands thc needs OF the business aud has had
some experience Ia the conduct thereof
Ia detail the bulletin II very complete IL
contains the report Of the assistants Ia charge
Of the experiments at the several stations,
with daily records Of the results In tabulate1
form. analysis of sugar bccts grown IN Kan
sns from seed furnished by Mr. Claus sprcck-
les and the effect Of the diffusion process
upon the extraction Of sugar from the sugar
cane The latest report ON this subject
showed that on average Of iOi pounds Of
sugar g. made from ton Of cane.