Sugar-producing plants. Record of analyses ... 1887-'88. Sorghum: Fort Scott, Kansas; Rio Grande, New Jersey. Sugar cane: Lawrence, Louisiana, together with a study of the data collected on sorghum and sugar cane online

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LIBRARY,

' I VL.RSTTY




TJ.S. DEPARTMENT


A$ Ll /3m*Li


.TURE.



DIVISION OF CHEMISTEY.



BULLETIN



No. 18.



SUCAR-PROMTING PLANTS,



EECOED OF ANALYSES

MADF-: BY AUTHORITY OF

THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

UNDKlt DIUKCTIOX ()F

THE CHEMIST,

1887-88.

SO UGH TIM:

FORT SCOTT, KANSAS; RIO GRANDE, NEW JERSEY.

SUGAR C AXE:
LAWRi:XCE, LOUISIANA.

TOGETHER WITH A STUDY OF Till: DATA COLLECTED
ON SORGHUM AND SUGAR CANE.



WASHINGTON:

GOVERN. Mi; NT PRI1 O I' KICK.

1 s s ( s .



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

DIVISION OF CHEMISTRY.
BULLETIN No. 18.



SUGAR-PRODUCING PLANTS,



EECORD OF ANALYSES

MADE BY AUTHORITY OF

THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE,

UNDER DIRECTION OF

THE CHEMIST,

1887-'88.

SOBGHUM:

FORT SCOTT, KANSAS; EIO GRANDE, NEW JERSEY.

SUClAll CANE:
LAWRENCE, LOUISIANA

TOGETHER WITH A STUDY OF THE DATA COLLECTED
ON SORGHUM AND SUGAR CANE.



WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1888.

23570 Bull. 18 1



INTRODUCTORY LETTER.



SIR : I submit herewith, for your inspection and approval, Bulletin
No. 18 of the Chemical Division.

In Bulletin No. 17 it is stated that much of the analytical work per-
taining to the recent experiments in the manufacture of sugar was not
ready for incorporation in that report. This work is now finished and
tabulated and will be found in the following pages.

In view of the fact that the experiments which have been conducted
for so long a time by the Department in the manufacture of sugar have
come to a successful end, I have thought it would be useful here to
collect together, in a condensed form, all the important recorded analyses
of sorghum which Ihave been able to find. Where series of such analyses
have been made, there are given only the means of the analyses, since
to reproduce them singly would extend the size of the bulletin to undue
proportions. For those, however, who may desire to study the analyses
more minutely, references are given to original publications contain-
ing them. I have also added to this part of the work an abstract of
recorded tonnage per acre for sorghum, yield of sugar per ton, and
other data which may help to assist any one interested in the matter
to an intelligent conclusion concerning the merits of sorghum as a
sugar-producing plant.

In like manner I have epitomized the results of the analytical in-
vestigations which the Department has carried on for several years at
Magnolia Plantation, Lawrence, La. Intending investors in establish-
ments for manufacturing sugar should have access to a careful and
unbiassed statement of the data on which the industry rests, and in
the following pages an effort has been made to furnish this kind of in-
formation.

Reports written under the influence of prospective personal profit,
or for pushing the claims of a patent, or to gratify personal pique or
ambition, are likely to become the argument of the advocate rather than
the charge of the non-partisan judge.

The persistent and often malicious misrepresentation of the work
which has been done by the Department has not boon without its
baneful influence, although it has entirely failed of its chief purpose.
The large number of persons interested in the culture of sugar beets,
sorghum, and sugar cane recognize the value of the work which the

3



Department has done, a value which misrepresentation can not dispar-
age nor selfish greed pervert.

In the work which has been done under my supervision I am not con-
scious of having withheld credit from others to whom it was due, nor
of having claimed, for the Department, undeserved honor.

Exploring an unknown country, the real path of progress has often
been lost to view, and for myself I am content if my labors have pointed
out to others the road to success.

The cordial encouragement and support which 1 have received from
you, even in the darkest hour of the work, have been most unqualified,
and your faith in the ultimate success of the industry has never fal-
tered.

The process of diffusion, by the efforts of your Department, has been
fully established as the best and most economical method of extracting
the sugar from the cane, and the way has been opened for private capi-
tal to extend and develope the sugar-producing power of our country
until it shall be placed on a sure foundation of prosperity.
Kespectfully,

H. W. WILEY,

Chemist.

Hon. NORMAN J. COLMAN,

Commissioner of Agriculture.



ANALYTICAL WORK AT FORT SCOTT, SEASON OF 1887.



lu the agreement made by the Commissioner of Agriculture with the
Parkinson Sugar Company for conducting the experiments in the manu-
facture of sugar from sorghum during the season of 1887, provision
was made for a complete chemical control of the work by the Chemical
Division of this Department. Having been directed by the Commis-
sioner of Agriculture to take charge of all the chemical work to be done
at the three sugar stations, Dr. C. A. Crampton and Mr. N. J. Fake
were directed to perform the analytical work at Fort Scott.

The following general directions were sent for conducting the work:

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CHEMICAL DIVISION,

Washington, D. C., August 29, 1887.

DEAR SIR : In conducting the analytical work at Fort Scott during the present
season, you will be guided by the following general directions :

(1) Samples of cane from the wagon or cane-carrier are to be taken from time to
time as last year, representing as nearly as possible the best, poorest, and medium
canes which are brought to the factory.

(2) When the diffusion battery is in operation, a given weight of chips is to be
taken from each of the cells until one complete round of the battery is represented.

These samples are to be preserved in a closed vessel until all are taken and then
passed through a small mill and the expressed juice examined in the usual way.

(3) A measured sample of the juice discharged from each cell of the diffusion
battery should be taken until one complete round has been made. These mixed
samples of juice to be examined in the usual way.

(4) Samples of the juice above examined should be taken after the process of
clarification, representing as nearly as possible the same body of juice as above, and
examined in the usual way.

(5) After concentration to sirup, a sample should be taken, representing as nearly
as possible the juice of the above two numbers and subjected to analysis.

(6) Samples of the masse cuile, sugar and molasses are to be taken, carefully labeled*
and forwarded to the division hero for examination.

(7) When the large mill is running, samples of the mixed juices should bo taken
as often as convenient and subjected to examination.

(8) The bagasse from the largo mill should bo examined from time to time, either
by exhaustion with successive portions of water in an open vessel, or by exhaustion
in a closed flask, a little freshly precipitated carbonate of lime being added to the
water of maceration.

(9) Take from each cell of discharged chips a certain quantity representing as
nearly as possible the moan character of the chips discharged from that cell after one
complete circuit of the battery has been ma'le, pass the samples so obtained through
the small mill, and subject the expressed juices to examination.

Concerning the details of the analytical work, little need be said. Double polari-
zation is not necessary except in cases where the canes may be badly injured, and you

5



6

will use your own discretion in this matter. You will pleaso report by mail to this

office at least once a week the general character of the analytical results obtained.

Any special chemical investigations desired by Mr. Parkinson or Mr. Swensou you

will make, in so far as these may not interfere with the general work indicated above.

Respectfully,

H. W. WILEY,

Chemist.
Dr. C. A. CHAMPION,

Fort Scott, Kans.

Later iii tlie season additional instructions were sent to carefully
compare the Brix spindles used in determining the total solids in the
juice with the direct determination of solids by drying a weighed por-
tion of the juice (2 grammes circa] and determining the per cent, water
it contained. This was thought necessary because it was found that
by determining the water directly in the masse cuites they were shown
to have a higher co-efficient of purity than the juices from which they
were derived.

The large mill which, it was expected, would be in operation, was
not erected, and the directions to examine the juices therefrom were
therefore superfluous.

The work at Fort Scott was begun on the 2cl of September and ended
October 19.

The sucrose in the juices was determined by polarization in a Laurent
large model instrument, with white light attachment. During the later
part of the season a Schmidt and Haensch double compensating shadow
instrument was employed to check the results of the instrument first
named.

The glucose was determined by Fehling's (Violette's) solution.

The total solids were determined by Brix spindles and by direct
weighing.

Following are the results of the analytical work :

ANALYSES OF JUICES OF SELECTED CANES.

For sampling different lots of cane, comparing saccharine richness,
etc., the juice of single canes, or small collections thereof, was exam-
ined at different periods. In these cases it would be expected that
much greater difference would be found than in the average samples of
chips in the second table. The results show how rich single canes of
sorghum may be in available sugar, and also how poor.

The maximum content of sugar is found in sample No. 9, viz, 14.20.
The minimum is seen in sample No. 8, where the sucrose drops to 2.54
per cent.

DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLES.

No. 1. Orange cane sample from Bullock.

2. Orange cane sample from Bowman.

3. Orange cane sample from Zoak.

4. Late planted early amber from Brown.



No. 8. Honduras cano shipped by freight from Osage, Mich., to Fort Scott.

20. Orange cano from wagons, average sample cut to dry.

21. Amber cano from wagons, average sample cut to dry.
28. Steward's hybrid cane.

21). Honduras cane.

31. Link's hybrid, from land of company west of railroad track.

35. Link's hybrid, same field, east end.

30. Link's hybrid, green from slough.

37. Link's hybrid, brow of hill.

38. Link's hybrid, brow of next hill.

39. Mixture of orange and amber ripe cano.

40. Amber cane from company's land.

41. Link's hybrid, same field, green.

42. Link's hybrid, same field, green.

43. Link's hybrid, same field, green.

148. Sample of cane cut and allowed to lie sometime to-show effect of inversion.

253. Orange cane badly damaged by chinch bugs.

254. Same, another sample.

250. Orange cane from company's land.
257. Orange cane from company's land.

TABLE No. 1. Various analyses of mill juices from ivhole canes.



Date.


No.


Brix

(corrected).


Sucrose.


Glucose.


Sept. 2 .


1


16 63


Per cent
11 30


Per cent.


Sept. 2


2


19. 13


13 20




Sept. 2


3


19.65


13.11




Sept. 2


4


19 13


12 17




Sept. 5


8


18.43


2 54




Sept 9 . . .


20


15 87


7 83


5 43


Sept. 9


21


19.87


14 20


2 50


Sept 10


28


17 87


11 03


3 43


Sept. 10


29


16 15


9 27


4 23


Sept. 10


31


18.37


12 44


2 23


Sept 12


35


13 68


8 20


2 81


Sept. 12


36


14 68


9 03


2 46


Sept 12


37


15 80


9 88


2 8


Sept 12


38


17 30


I 9 21


1 75


Sept. 12 ...


41


15 18


10 19


2 19


Sept. 12


42


12.43


5.95


2 78


Sept. 12


43


15 18


10 22


2 71


Sept. 12


39


16.28


10 85


4 91


Sept 12


40


16 78


11 81


2 19


Sept. 24


148


19 31


3 32


9 36


Oct. 10


253


17.43


12 98


1 78


Oct. 10


254


17.93


13.67




Oct. 10


256


12 99


7 75




Oct. 10


257


15.31


9.80




Means




]<> 72


10 12


3 35


Maxima




19.65


14.20


9 30


Minima




1 43


2 5t


1 75













8



TABLE No. 2. Mill juices from fresh chips.



Date.


So.


Brix

(corrected).


Sucrose.


Glucose.


Sepl 3


5


15 63


Per cent.
8 06


Per cent.


Sept 5


9


17 43


10 78




Sept 6


11


16 73


10 45


3.50


Sept 8


16


16 68


10 34




Sept 9


23


15 87


6 20


6 49


Sept. 10


30


16.87


9 48


3.87


Sept 10


33


In 70


8 56


4 10


Sept. 12


47


17 88


11 39


3.48


Sept. 13


51


17.06


9.56


3.84


Sept. 13
Sept. 15


54
69


16.46
17. 00


9.21
10.08


4.07
3.62


Sept. 15


73


16.20


10.21


2.82


Sept. 16


81


15 93


10 15


2.96


Sept. 16


85


14.05


9.36


2.72


Sept. 17


88


17 47


9 99


4.09


Sept. 17


92


16 86


9. 99


3.54


Sept. 19.


96


16.07


10.40


2.67


Sept. 19 ..


99


16 78


11 19


1.39


Sept. 20


I0i5


16. 80


10.21


3.05


Sept. 20


110


15 70


8 91


3.15


Sept. 21


123


17.68


9.48


4.20


Sept. 22


131


17 17


7 70


5 60


Sept. 22


134


17.73


7.07


5.34


Sept. 23


142


17.21


9.84


3.82


Sept. 23


146


16 76


10 24




Sept. 24


149


39.00


9.86


3.31


Sept. 24


153


17 17


11 28


2 50


Sept. 2G


161


16.51


8.89


3.93


Sept. 27


166


14 94


9 04


2 68


Oct. 1


174


16. 79


10 39


3 10


Oct. 1


182


16.06


10.30




Oct. 3


187


15 79


10 38


3 08


Oct. 3


193


15.69


10 38


2 68


Oct. 4


198


16 63


10 18


3 48


Oct. 4


203


15.83


9 88


2 88


Oct. 5


216


16.70


10.00


3.08


Oct. 5


222


16 58


10 26


3 67


Oct. 6


230


18. 65


11.51


3 78


Oct. 7


238


16 10


9 60


3 53


Oct. 8
Oct. 11


246
258


15. 76
15 21


7.46
9 59


4.23
3 15


Oct. 11


262


14. 44


9 18


2 96


Oct. 12


205


14 73


9 13


3 44


Oct. 12


272


15 11


10 45


2 40


Oct. 13


278


14.97


9.22


3 17


Oct. 13


282


15 33


9 62


2 75


Oct. 14


287


15.69


9.54


3 53


Oct. 15


M?


13.68


8.30


2 77


Oct. 15


295


14.24


9 02


2 69


Oct. 16


300


15.11


9.13


3. 10


Oct. 17 '


304


15 31


8 85


3 39


Oct. 17


307


13.09


7.99


2 47


Oct. 18


311


15.81


9.47


3.03


Oct. 19


315


14.21


8.18


3 23


Oct. 19


318


14.93


8.46


3 60












Averages. . ..





16.14


9.54


3.40



A study of Table No. 2 reveals the same characteristics of sorghum
juices which have l>eeu noticed iu the work of previous years. The
variations of the juice, however, from the mean have not been so pro-
nounced as they were during the season of 1886, owing, doubtless, to
the fact that the cane was, after harvesting, more promptly delivered
to the factory and worked with less delay than during the previous
season.

The maximum per cent, of sucrose was foun d in the juice obtained on
October 6, viz, 11.51. Other notably good juices were secured on Sep
tember 12, 19, and 21; the sucrose in these cases rising above 11 per
cent. The minimum per centage of sucrose was found September 9,



viz, 6.20. Other notably poor juices are shown by the analyses of Sep-
tember UU and October 17.



TABLE No. 3. Diffusion juicea.



Date.


No.


Brix
(corrected).


Sucrose.


Glucose.


Sept. 8


17


12.28


Per cent.
7.03


Per cent.


Sept 9


2


12 82


7 00


3 07


Sept. 10 ...


34


12 32


6.51


2.90


Sept. 12


48


12.08


7.23


2.52


Sept 13


52


12 28


7 19


2.78


Sept. 13


55


12 42


7 47




Sept 15


70


12 08


7 57


2 54


Sept 15


74


12 62


8 30


2 30


Sept. 16


82


12 38


7 88


2.52


Sept 16


8ii


13 10


8 79


2 33


Sept. 17


89


12 28


7 44


2 92


Sept. 17


93


12 28


7.82


2.63


Sept. 19


97


11 32


7 35


2 02


Sept. 19


100


12 28


8 00


1 'J4


Sept. 20


107


12.32


6 96


2. 12


Sept 20


111


12 32


7 51


2 30


Sept. 21


124


11 61


6 64


2 47


Sept. 22


132


10 85


5 80


2.94


Sept, 22
Sept. 23


135
143


11.61
11 47


6.46
6 71


2.73
2 76


Sept. 23


147


11 57


6 80




Sept. 24


150


12 14


6 57


2 9 8


Sept. 24


154


10 95


6 92


1 93


Sept. 26


162


10 81


6 32


2.40


Sept. 27


167


10 17


6 37


2 02


Oct. 1


175


10 54


6 20


2 20


Oct. 1


183


10 12


6 25




Oct. 3 ....


188


10 24


6 15


2 08


Oct. 3


194


10 54


6 64


2 00


Oct. 4


109


10 51


6 9 7


2 01


Oct. 4


204


1') 15


6 44




Oct. 5


217


11 05


6 29


2 25


Oct. 5


223


11 68


7 15


2 41


Oct. 6


231


13 10


8 04


2 61


Oct. 7


239


10 98


6 54


2 09


Oct. 8


247


Jl 51


* 90


3 06


Oct. 11 .. .


259


10 39


6 58


2 09


Oct. 11


263


10 49


6 51


1 04


Oct. 12


266


9 97


6 17


2 03


Oct. 12


273


10 82


7 32


1 85


Oct. 13


279


9 71


5 97


1 89


Oct. 13


283


10 9 7


6 59


1 80


Oct. 14


288


10 17


6 02


1 80


Oct. 15


293


9 34


5 66


1 75


Oct. 15


296


10 24


6 56


1 98


Oct. 16


301


9 45


6 04


1 83


Oct 17


305


8 74


5 05


2 06


Oct. 17


308


9 51


5 gg


1 84


Oct. 18


312


9 67


5 66


2 02


Oct 1


316


8 64


5 05


1 82


Oct. 19


319


8 77


5 05


2 05












Menus




11 08


6 68


2 26


Maxima




13 10


8 79


3 07


"Minima




8 74


5 05


1 80













The lowest sucrose in the diffusion juices was found on October 17
and 19, viz, 5.05 per cent., and October 17 and 18, viz, 5.88 and 5.00 per
cent. This was at the close of the season. On only four preceding
days did the percentage of sucrose fall below 0, viz, September 22, Oc-
tober 8, 13, and 15. The maximum percent, of sucrose in the diffusion
juice was found in sample No. 80, September 10, viz, 8.79.

The sample of mill juice corresponding to this number is found in
Table No. 2, sample No. 85. The sucrose in this juice was 9.30 per
cent.



10



Thus, while the content of sucrose in the chip juices for that day was
18 per cent, below the average for the season, the sucrose in the diffusion
juice was 211 per cent, above it. These numbers show the difficulty of
obtaining comparative samples in sorghum examinations. Single anal-
yses are apt to be deceptive, and reliance should be placed rather on
the work for the entire season.

TABLE 1S T O. 4. Mill juices from exhausted chips.



Date.


No.


Total sugars.


Date.


Xo.


Total sugars.






Per cent.






Per cent.


Sept. 9...


24


.99


Oct. 1. .


176


.57


Sept. 10.


32


1.19


Oct. 3. .


189


.90


Sept. 12.


49


.56


Oct. 4. .


200


l.OL


Sept. 13.


56


.63


Oct. 5. .


218


.88


Sept. 15.


71


.88


Oct. 6. .


232


.84


Sept. 16.


84


1.09


Oct. 7. .


240


.89


Sept. 17.


90


1.83


Oct. 8


248


1.35


Sept. 19


98a


.88


Oct. 11. .


260


1.38


Sept. 19.


102


1.19


Oct. 12. .


267


.91


Sept. 20.


108


1.14


Oct. 13. -


280


1.43


Sept. 20.


112


.84


Oct. 14. .


289


.76


Sept. 21.


125


1.22


Oct. 15. .


294


1.02


Sept. 22.


133


1.27


Oct. 18 . .


313


1.42


Sept. 23.


145


.49









Sept. 24.


151


.77


Average





1.03


Sept. 26.


1G3


.69









The sucrose in the juice expressed from exhausted chips was inverted
and estimated with the reducing sugar present, and the whole expressed
as total sugars.

The ratio of the sucrose in the chips to the reducing sugar shows that
the former is more readily diffused than the latter. This ratio was not
determined for the whole season. From October 8 to 18, however,
seven such analyses were made, with the following results :

TABLE No. 5. Sucrose and glucose in juice from exhausted chips and corresponding diffu-
sion juices.





Exhausted chips.


Diffusion juices.




No.


Glucose.


Sucrose.


No.


Glucose.


Sucrose.






Per cent.


Per cent.




Per cent.


Per cent.


Oct. 8. .


248


.57


.78


247


3.06


5.90


Oct. 11. .


260


.51


.87


259


2.09


6.58


Oct. 12. .


267


.29


.63


260


2.03


6.17


Oct. 13. .


280


.48


.95


279


1.89


5.97


Oct. 14. .


289


.24


.52


280


1.80


6.02


Oct. 15. .


294


.27


.75


293


1.75 '


5. 66


Oct. 18 .


313


.43


.99


312


2.02


5.66


Averages




.40


.78





2.09


5.99





Ratio of glucose to sucrose from exhausted chips 1 : 1.95

Ratio of glucose to sucrose in diffusion j nice 1 : 2. 86

Ratio of glucose to sucrose corresponding mill juice from fresh chips 1 : 2. 69

The variations in the quantities of sugar left in the chips were due
to differences in the quantity of diffusion juice drawn off at each charge,
and to changes in rapidity of working. Rapid working with small
quantities of juice drawn off leave more sugar in the chips than slower
working and larger charges of diffusion juice.



11



Up to the 22d of September the quantity of juice drawn at each charge
was li/JOO pounds. From this time to October 4, 2,640 pounds were
drawn off each time. Thence to the close of the season 2,420 pounds.
Assuming that each cell held 2,000 pounds of chips and the cane con-
tained 90 per cent, juice, we have the following data :

Weight of chips in each cell pounds.. 2,000

Normal juice in each cell do 1, 800

Mean extraction (circa) per cent. . IKi

Normal juice extracted from each cell pounds.. 1,674

Charge withdrawn up to September 22 do 2,200

Weight added water do 526

Percentage of dilution 32.02

Charge withdrawn September 22 to October 4 poiruds.. 2,640

Weight added water do.... 966

Percentage of dilution 57. 70

Charge withdrawn October 4 to close pounds.. 2, 420

Weight added water do 746

Percentage of dilution 44. 56

With the modern appliances for evaporating sugar juices in multiple
effect vacuum pans, the objections which have been urged against dif-
fusion on account of the necessary dilution of the juice are of little
force. A dilution of GO per cent, is not at all incompatible with the
complete economic success of the process.

TABLE No. 6. Defecated juices.



Date.


No.


Brix

(corrected).


Sucrose.


Glucose.








Per cent.


Per cent.


Sept. 12.


53


13.35


8.25


2.66


Sept. 15.


72


13.02


8.23


2.55


Sept. 16.


87


13.28


8.87


2.23


Sept. 17.


91


12.48


7.90


2.53


Sept. 19.


98


10.90


6.99


1.88


Sept. 19.


101


12.58


8.09


1.97


Sept. 20.


109


12.34


7.93


2.11


Sept. 21.


126


12.05


7.39




Sept. 22."


136


11.44


6.32




Sept. 23.


144


11.24


6.50


2.35


Sept. 24.


152


10.58


6.43


2.08


Sept. 26.


164


10.81


6.11


2.38


Oct. 1.


184


10 14


6 28




Oct. 3!


195


10.58


6.24


2.22


Oct. 4.


201


10.75


6.83


1.75


Oct. 5.


221


10.98


6.74


2.23


Oct. 6.


233


13.20


6.99


2.85


Oct. 7.


241


10.81


6.58


1.80


Oct. 8.


249


11.29


6.00


2.80


Oct. 11.


264


10.01


6.09


2.03


Oct. 12.


274


11.00


7.18


2.02


Oct. IS.


284


10.91


7.10


1.69


Oct. 15


2!)7


10.51


6.74


2.04


Od. 17.


309


9.75


5.94


1.87


Oct. 19


320


8.94


5.11


2.10


Averages





11.31


6.91


2.19



Dr. C. A. Crampton has furnished the following additional notes on
the foregoing analytical work :

The fust analysis of fresh chips was mad*- on September 3, but the chemical con-
trol of the factory was not fully instituted until the 8th. This control consisted of



12



daily analyses of the fresh chips as supplied to the battery, of the diffusion juice, the
defecated juice, and of the exhausted chips, together with analyses of the semi-sirup
masse cuite and sugar from nearly every strike that was made. Great care was taken
to have the analyses of the different products comparable with each other ; the samples
were always taken after at least one complete circuit of the battery had been made,
as starting up the battery fresh did not allow of a proper extraction of the first cells