The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-09-06

Process Through which They Put the Cane
I'm Order to Extract Its Sweetness.

passed in March last was To me a novel
and would be to anyone an interesting
experience.
This plantation is located on the Viii
lannesa railroad nearly leo miles from
Havana. and Is known rs Las Canes
lin English THE Canes"). Ii is stu-
ated in "A fine, level country as nice in
appearance as any western prairie,
with rich, red oxide-of-iron soil.
Astounding in cane-felds far and wide
as extensive as Illinois corn-ields
and much resembling them in appear
ance.
Las Canes is an old plantation. where
thousand slaves used TO be owned and
worked. The plantation consists of
several thousand acres. and now be.
longs TO heirs of the late Don Juan
Poey. who died some years ago. Its
administrators (manager) is Gabriel
Menocal. a brother of the well-known
civil engineer. Mcnocal. who is now
directing the construction of the Mic
aragua ship canal Ia Central America.
Both of these gentlemen are native Gu
bans. The engineer, however has long
resided in Washington.
Administrator Mcnocal. | was in
formed. was considered very able az
riculturist and skillful manager OF sug-
ar plantations. He was induced TO
leave plantation of his own, in south
ern Mexico. few years ago, TO take
charge OF this one. At present nearly
1000 hands are employed during the
grinding season aud about two-thirds
as many during the balance of the
hnl - g
groes. Chinese, and Cubans and con.
stitutes quite Il hamlet. The great
main factory covers several acres with
its principal and auxiliary buildings.
Then the proprictors have a fine large
house and the administrator another.
There are also general store. and
doctors office, besides many lesser
buildings for subordinates and help.
In connection with the proprietor's
and administrator houses Is Il botani-
cal aud vegetable garden. in which
great variety of choice and rare tropi-
cal trees and fruits are found many Of
them kinds unknown in the states las
they term our country for the reason
that they will not bear transportation.
Many Of the varieties are richer and
finer than any fruits we ever see in
our own markets. Bananas. cocoa
nuts. and oranges abound, among the
rest, and the latter were thinner-skin-
ned aud sweeter by far than we lind in
our markets.
The cane fields are reached by steam
cars. the plantation having many miles
of iron rails, stationary and portable.
and two locomotives. The loaded ears
run up along the side of long travel
ing apron that leads TO the rollers of
the crusher or mill. which is n ponder
Gus piece of machinery; the rollers.
three in number being eight feet long
and over three feet in diameter. and
propelled by steam engine of several
hundred horse power. They take the
cane in deep layers and crush il Hat.
causing stream of juice TO flow from
the mill like small river. The crush.
cd cane then travels upon aprons, with
out any stop. TO another set OF rollers,
where il is again crushed aud leaves
the mill almost dry. Ii is then dumped
into carts aud taken 10 field near by
and spread upon the ground in thin
LAYERS to dry for day or SO. when it is
recarted TO the furnaces. where il makes
great works, proving amply sufficient
for the purpose.
Such is the history Of the cane in it,
journey from the field TO the furnace.
The sweet juice has an equal but differ.
ent Journey From the crusher it is
conducted through pipes TO the defecat-
ing pans in a long array upon the floor
above, where, az different degrees OF
heat below the boiling point il is treat
ed with quicklime and other chemicals.
This causes all of the impurities TO rise
in scum; this is carefully removed. af-
ter which the sirup goes 10 the eyapor.
ating pans. the final ones being known
a vacuum pans where the strip can
he boiled at lower temperature than
In the open air, because the air pres
sure Is removed. These vacuum pans
were large enough TO contain some
$1,000 worth Of sugar and they were
turning out three such patches In each
twenty hours, the concern being
run night and day, including Sundays,
after the grinding season commences.
This continues from the last of Janu-
airy till the middle OF April, the help
working six hours and laying of six
hours. Great Is the hurry and hard
the work during the grinding season
The help are negroes. Cinnamon, and
some Cubans. aud all appear TO give
close attention 20 their work. but with
out apparent driving or buster.
The hot strip OF the vacuum pans
when found TO be az just the right point
by n skilled sugar tester Is drawn into
iron receivers. where IL cools and crys-
tallizes into dark-colored mass OF
coarse sugar aud molasses. After par.
italy cooling in these receptaclcs II is