101.5 : 26.048 = 15.0 : x.
Whence x = 3.85 = percentage of sugar in the sap.
The process outlined above is not applicable when a clarifying reagent such as lead subacetate or alumina cream must be used. But even in these cases it will not be found necessary to weigh the sap. A sugar flask graduated at 100 and 110 cubic centimeters is used and filled to the first mark with the sap, the specific gravity of which is known. The clarifying reagent is added, the volume completed to the second mark with water, and the contents of the flask well shaken and thrown on a dry filter. The observation tube, which should be 220 millimeters in length, is then filled with the clear filtrate and the rest of the process is as described above. A 200 millimeter tube may also be used in this case and the observed reading increased by one-tenth.
Fig. 62.
Laboratory Cane Mill.
Fig. 63.
Weighing
Pipette.
206. Estimation of Sugar in the Sap of Sugar Cane and Sorghum.—In bodies like sugar cane and sorghum the sap containing the sugar will not flow as in the cases of the maple and sugar palm. The simplest way of securing the sap of the bodies named is to subject them to pressure between rolls. A convenient method of obtaining the sap or juice is by passing the cane through a small three-roll mill indicated in the [figure]. Small mills of this kind have been used in this division for many years and with entire satisfaction. Small canes, such as sorghum, may be milled one at a time, or even two or three when they are very small. In the case of large canes, it is necessary that they be split and only half of them used at once. The mill should not be crowded by the feed in such a way as to endanger it or make it too difficult for the laborer to turn. From fifty to sixty per cent of the weight of a cane in juice may be obtained by passing it through one of these small mills. Experience has shown that there is a little difference between the juice as first expressed and the residual sap remaining in the bagasse, but the juice first expressed may be used for analysis for control purposes as a fair representative of all that the cane contains.
To determine the percentage of juice expressed, the canes may be weighed before passing through the mill and the juice collected. Its weight divided by the weight of the original cane will give the per cent of the juice expressed, calculated on the whole cane. Instead of weighing the juice the bagasse may also be collected and weighed; but on account of the rapidity with which it dries the operation should be accomplished without delay. The expressed juice is clarified with lead subacetate, filtered and polarized in the manner described in former paragraphs. Instead of weighing the juice, its specific gravity may be taken by an accurate spindle and the volume of it, equivalent to a given weight, measured from a sucrose pipette.[172]
A sucrose pipette for cane juice has a graduation on the upper part of the stem which enables the operator to deliver double the normal weight for the polariscope used, after having determined the density of the juice by means of a spindle. A graduation of from 5° to 25° of the brix spindle will be sufficient for all variations in the density of the juice, or one covering a range of from 10° to 20° will suffice for most instances. The greater the density of the juice the less volume of it will be required for the weight mentioned. For general use, the sucrose pipette is graduated on the stem to deliver from forty-eight to 50.5 cubic centimeters, the graduations being in terms of the brix spindle. The graduation of the stem of this instrument is shown in the accompanying [figure]. In the use of the pipette it is only necessary to fill it to the degree on the stem corresponding to the degree brix found in the preliminary trial.