Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-02-10


the filter presses, all traces of sulphur
and other impurities are removed. The
'boiling down" is then completed in
vacuum pans. The next operation il
performed by the centrifugals. In these
rapidly revolving cylinders the molasses
is thrown of from the particles Of sugar
The principle is the same as in the com
mon milk separator, where the cream il
very damp after being separated from
| the molasses, and is dried by being
passed through long, slowly revolving
cylinder. This cylinder is raised at one
end and the sugar is slowly moved along,
passing over heated steam pipes until
finally ii comes out of the other end of
the cylinder as crystallized sugar.
The most troublesome product to
handle is the molasses. which is sepa-
rated from the sugar by the centritugals
Ii is stored in large tanks in a room
heated toa temperature of about ll5
degrees f. After remaining there for
three weeks, IL becomes partially crystal
lized and is then taken out and run
through the mill again, and portion of
the sugar is extracted. 1t is believed
that American inventive genius will de-
wise machinery by which this molasses
can all be treated at once without the
necessity of storing and the sugar will be
all removed Indeed, it is said that the
factory at Bay City Mich is so equipped
that all the sugar is extracted within
twentyfour hours
Not all the sugar contained III the
beets can be extracted. From a ton of
beets analyzing 10 per cent. sugar, about
250 pounds of sugar can be secured.
The Importance of high grade beets is
very great, and the difference between
beets containing l2 per cent. sugar and
beets containing 10 per cent. sugar may
mean the difference between profit and
loss. To illustrate this point, the Bing.
hamton factory has a capacity of 800
tons of beets per day, and the working
season consists of about 100 days If
the 80, 900 tons of beets used, contain 10
per cent. sugar, the output will be about
1000, 900 pounds of sugar. If the beets
contain only II per cent. sugar, the
product will be only some 5,4OO, 900
pounds. This difference Of 2,lO0, 600
pounds of sugar is all important consid.
GRAFTON and accounts for the desire of
factories to secure high grade beets.
The new industry promises much for
those states which are favored with
proper climatic conditions. IL makes a
new cash crop for the farmers, who are
able to net from $50 TO $50 per acre. 1t
opens a new channel for capital and the
investment under proper management is
a safe one. The important problem how
is 10 secure men trained In the business
who are capable of managing American
labor. Ii is found that foreigners, while
they may have been successful in their
home country, are not entirely adapted
TO the conditions which prevail here.
To American youths who will prepare
themselves for the work OF managers of
factories there is promise of lucrative
Several Of our large uni
versities are considering the organization
of sugar" courses. Cornell University
will, no doubt, have such a course in
operation in the near future. The
chemical work at a sugar factory also
requires expert management, and the
success of the factory depends TO a
large degree upon the fidelity of the
chemist in charge Of what is called the
control" work. The limestone is ana.
lyzed for Impurities which would posi-.
bly, be injurious TO the capitalization Of
the sugar; the fuel is analyzed to deter.
mine the per cent. Of carbon; the juices
are analyzed and tested at various stages
to ascertain if the proper degree Of !
acidity or alkalinity is present, for the |
slightest deviation means loss Of sugar. |
The waste pulp is analy zed, and, indeed,
the watchful eye Of the chemist must be |
upon every operation.
There has been no industy introduced
IN recent years which has offered greater
for yonng men. or for the
American farmer, or for the investment
Of capital, than the beet sugar industry.