248 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



weight of the salt to one ton of the wheat under treatment, and after 

 cooling down, the solution is poured on the precipitated starch, and the 

 vat being filled up with water, the entire contents are thoroughly 

 mingled and incorporated by stirring. The mass is then allowed to 

 stand for twenty-four or thirty hours perfectly quiescent. In the sub- 

 sequent process, technically known as the " fine shift," when the water 

 and slimes are removed, the operator employs another solution of the 

 same salt, but in smaller proportion about three pounds weight being 

 applied to the produce of one ton of wheat. At this stage is also used, 

 in combination with the sulphate of soda, a portion of sulphuric acid, 

 in the proportion of about one quart of the acid to the produce of four 

 tons of wheat. The acid, in a diluted state, is poured gradually into 

 the vat, and the latter is nearly filled up with fresh water, the whole 

 contents being thoroughly mixed by agitation. When the starch has 

 been precipitated, it is finished and prepared for sale and use in the 

 usual way. 



Although Mr. Tucker prefers to use the materials and the propor- 

 tions which we have described, he states that he has found sulphate of 

 magnesia, muriate of soda, and other salts and acids, available for a 

 similar purpose. This general process renders all pure water suitable 

 for manufacturing starch, however soft and unsuitable it maybe origin- 

 ally. The pure starch is also better separated from the glutinous con- 

 stituent of the grain, whilst the manufactured starch is superior in 

 purity, sweetness, strength, fineness of texture, and whiteness, as com- 

 pared with all starch made in the usual way, and the yield is greatly 

 increased. Practical Mechanics' Journal, July. 



"WATER-PROOF COMPOSITION FOR FRICTION MATCHES. 



M. Krntzer, of Vienna, gives the following new composition for pre- 

 paring water-proof friction matches : Six grains of colophonium are 

 boiled in four grains of spirits of turpentine, and allowed to cool. In 

 a retort are separately heated to about 122 F., eight ounces of water, 

 twelve grains of red-lead, zinc-white, or some other like color, and one 

 grain of phosphorus ; the whole is well stirred, and when removed 

 from the fire the stirring is continued until it is cool ; the water is then 

 separated, and the residuum is mixed with the resinous mass. This 

 mixture is sufficient for 500 matches. 



NEW MIXTURE USED IX WASHING CLOTHES. 



In Berlin, Prussia, the washerwomen use a mixture of 2 oz. of tur- 

 pentine and | oz. of spirits of sal-ammoniac, well mixed together. This 

 mixture is put into a bucket of warm water, in which Ib. of soap has 

 been dissolved. Into this mixture the clothes are immersed during the 

 night, and the next day washed. The most dirty cloth is perfectly 

 freed from all dirt, and after two rinsings in fresh water the cloth has 

 not the least smell of turpentine. The cloth does not require so much 

 rubbing, and fine linen is much longer preserved by it. 



