to revolving, and by means of a friction clutch makes such connection with the engine as gives it about 1,500 revolutions per minute.  The centrifugal force developed drives the liquid molasses through the meshes of the wire cloth, and out against the husk, from which it flows off into a tank.  The sugar, being solid, is retained by the wire cloth.  If there is in the melada the “false grain” already mentioned, it passes into the meshes of the wire cloth, and prevents the passage of the molasses.  After the molasses has been nearly all thrown out, a small quantity of water is sprayed over the sugar while the centrifugal is in motion.  This is forced through the sugar, and carries with it much of the molasses which would otherwise adhere to the sugar, and discolor it.  If the sugar is to be refined, this washing with water is omitted.  When the sugar has been sufficiently dried, the machine is stopped, the sugar taken out, and put into barrels for market.

Simple as the operation of the centrifugals is, the direction of the sugar boiler as to the special treatment of each strike is necessary, since he, better than any one else, knows what difficulties are to be expected on account of the condition in which the melada left the strike pan.

CAPACITY OF THE SUGAR FACTORY.

A plant having a battery like that at Fort Scott, in which the cells are each capable of containing a ton of cane chips, should have a capacity of 180 tons of cleaned cane, or 200 tons of cane with leaves, or 240 tons of cane as it grows in the field, per day of twenty-four hours.  Those who have given most attention to the subject think that a battery composed of one and a half ton cells may be operated quite as successfully as a battery of one ton cells.  Such a battery would have a capacity of 360 tons of field cane per day.

THE CUTTING AND CLEANING APPARATUS.

This consists of modifications of appliances which have long been used.  Simple as it is, and presenting only mechanical problems, the cutting, cleaning, and evaporating apparatus is likely to be the source of more delays and perplexities in the operation of the sugar factory than any other part.

The diffusion battery in good hands works perfectly; the clarification of the juice causes no delays; the concentration to the condition of semi-sirup may be readily, rapidly, and surely effected in apparatus which has been brought to great perfection by long experience, and in many forms; the work at the strike pan requires only to be placed in the hands of an expert; the mixer never fails to do its duty; there are various forms of centrifugal machines on the market, some of which are nearly perfect.  If, then, the mechanical work of delivering, cutting, cleaning, and elevating the cane can be accomplished with regularity and rapidity, the operation of a well adjusted sugar factory should proceed without interruption or delay from Monday morning to Saturday night.