The practical sugar planter. A complete account of the cultivation and manufacture of the sugar-cane, according to the latest and most improved processes. Describing and comparing the different systems pursued in the East and West Indies and the Straits of Malacca, and the relative expenses and advantages attendant upon each: being the result of sixteen years' experience as a sugar planter in those countries / By Leonard Wray.

  • Wray, Leonard.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The practical sugar planter. A complete account of the cultivation and manufacture of the sugar-cane, according to the latest and most improved processes. Describing and comparing the different systems pursued in the East and West Indies and the Straits of Malacca, and the relative expenses and advantages attendant upon each: being the result of sixteen years' experience as a sugar planter in those countries / By Leonard Wray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Woody fibre, or lignin, are terms used to designate tlie solid structure of the cane-stalk, particles of which become inter¬ mixed with the cane-juice, from the breaking down and crush¬ ing which the stalk undergoes whilst passing through the mill. Some of these particles are so large and coarse, as to be easily retained by the wire-gauze strainers, through which the juice runs on its passage from the mill to the clarifiers; whereas others, again, are so finely comminuted, that they pass through the strainers into the clarifier. Many authors draw a marked distinction between woody fibre and the cellular tissue of plants: which latter they name cellulose ; but it does not appear that there are any just grounds for so separating them ; for they are as identical in composition with one another, as the woody fibre or cellular tissue of one plant is identical with similar substances of other plants. There is, however, a decided difference between the composition of wood, and that of woody fibre (properly so called); as in the former from three to five per cent, of foreign substances are comprised, which of course have no existence in the composition of the latter. Besides which, in analyzing woody fibre and cellular tissue, and comparing results, the nature and properties of the substances which had been con¬ tained in the cells of the latter, are but too frequently lost sight of; although, on reflection, it is evident that the results of the analysis must be influenced by these substances. For instance, in the cane-plant there are cells in which the sac¬ charine fluid is elaborated, and even sugar deposited ; there are also various other cells, in which various other organiza¬ tions are carried on : it therefore occurs, that according to the peculiar nature of the different substances organized in these cells, so is this cellular tissue more or less encrusted, and im¬ pregnated by them ; consequently affording different results under analysis. Hence the relative proportions of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, are found to differ; and erroneous deductions are drawn therefrom, to the mystification and confusion of the general reader.