The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-21
SORGHUM 'LASSES MAKERS.
TALKING ABOUT THEIR INDUSTRY.


About fifty persons interested in the
cultivation and introduction of that sac
charine substance known as sorghum as
sembled in the horticultural rooms Tues
day. Ii was the ninth annual meeting
OF the cane growers association, but the
discussions of the afternoon were princi-
pally upon the syrup extracted from the
cane. The wonderful growth OF this in
dustry since its commencement in 1857
was alluded to, and the better methods
now in vogue, and the better results as
evidenced by the excellent quality of
syrup now secured were adduced as proofs
that the old kettle-boiling system of the
industry in its infancy had given way to
scientific method and thought.
The meeting was called to order by the
president, w. +. LeitZman of Clayton, and
in the unavoidable absence of the regular
secretary, A. S. Chapman of Madison, y.
b. Dewey of Cicero was selected as secre-
tsry of the meeting.
An excellent paper on Dedication" was
read by A. p. Cleland of Macy. The
reader defined DELEGATION" as the process
of removing the impurities from the raw
cane juice in order to obtain molasses
light in color and nectarine in taste. He
had tried various methods TO attain this
result, but found the best plan was TO add
bi-sulphate OF lime to the juice while yet
cold and then to boil the product in the
palace continual defecator and evaporation.
By this method impurities were easily
separated from the syrup, light colored,
sweet tasting mOlasses was secured, worth
fully 10 cents more on the gallon than or
binary sorghum, and the foam so oh
jectionable was almost done away witt
In making 5000 gallons he had not made
more than half barrel of foam, while by
the old way he would have had at least
six barrels OF foam in that amount. He
could produce 100 gallons OF strip by the
use of half cord of wood.
In the discussion OF the paper, Mr.. Pope
of Marion said that he had found that the
addition of one lemon TO barrel of strip
would prevent the formation of sugar.
George Symonds OF Sheridan believed
that cane grown on sandy soil produced
the best molasses. He always added lime
water to the Juice before boiling.
Mr.. c. w. Fields of Hancock county
ridiculed the idea that the use OF chemic-
ais would secure better quality OF syrup.
While there was certainly difference in
the product due to different soils, varieties
Ol GAut anu klOhlL, SUN UCiCNNh NAlO
best results could only be obtained by
judlcious Swimming.
As complaints had been made the past
wear that the molasses seemed TO become
of a jelly-like consistency in boiling, Mr..
Nicholas of Danville said that he had pre-
vented that result by the use of butter or
lard
The next paper was read by DR.. Pierce
of Mooresville, on the subject OF Hydro
carbons as Food" The reader stated that
the condition of civilization depended
upon the heredity, environments, aud cor
respondence of the people, and
that the kind and quality of food
used was principal determining
condition. Sugar, molasses and starch
belong to the class OF substances
rs carbohydrates, while fats and oils are
hydrocarbons. The latter were produced
from the former, and the reader argued
that since the result was the same il
would be preferable to use syrup instead
of fat pork He believed that the use of
pork made men sluggish, while the use OF
sugar became greater as the advance OF
civilization. The failure OF corn and hogs
in the past few years and the normally
good crops of cane in the same time, he
hoped, would cause farmers TO produce
more cane, and the result would be most
beneficial.
The Hon. J. b. Conner OF the Indiana
Farmer delivered an address on the subject
of The Adulteration of Food" lie urged
upon the association the need OF stringent
laws on the subject and said that such
laws had been passed by more than twenty
states. The original package decision,
however, had rendered general legislation
necessary, and he believed the measure
known as the Paddock bill would, If
passed, secure good results. The Copger
bill was disliked because il aimed only TO
prevent lard adulteration. while more
general measure was needed. The subject
was important TO sorghum manufacturers
for the reason that retail dealers some
times made four barrels of so-called sor-
ghum out of one barrel of the genuine
article by the addition OF glucose and other
deleterious substances The present leg
islature ought TO be petitioned TO pass
measure 10 prevent such wholesale adul-
teration.
Mr. Conner's remarks were well-taken
by the association, and Messrs. Anderson
OF Ladoga, Conner ofIndisnapolis and DIR.
Pence OF Mooresville were made i commit
tee to frame and present to the Legislature
measure which would prevent the adul-
teration OF sorghum.
After a short recess President Leitzman
read his annual address. He sand the
past season had been fairly prosperous
one for the industry. Although local
droughts had greatly decreased the out
put, the price OF the strip had not in
creased owing 10 ruinous competitor. lie
believed that the removal of the tariff on
molasses would after while affect the
price. though it had accomplished nothing
yet. The competition between pure mo-
lssses and various glucose products with
high-sounding titles was more injurious at
present. Sorghum asked no favors or
bounties, but he believed that it should
be protected by having all these spurious
sweets properly labeled. lie believed
that for the cane growers to go into
the manufacture of sugar from sorghum
.ro,,ld a x,roaont ho sn;oidal The,, ouchf