46 



Clearing juice in this way adds practically nothing to the cost 

 of manufacture if the works are suitably arranged. In my works 

 the juice is pumped from the mill into vats placed high up in the 

 boiling house, thence it pours into the still and from that into the 

 subsiding vats. These are fitted with taps 8 inches above the 

 bottom for drawing off the clear juice, and a plug hole in the 

 bottom for removal of the sludge. After subsidence, the clear 

 juice is run into the tayche and the sludge thrown up into filter 

 tanks, from which the filtered juice finds its way also to the 

 tayches. 



During the first season my entire crop was treated in this way ; 

 and that the results were satisfactory may be judged from the 

 remarks of Messrs. Ogston and Moore, analytical chemists of 

 London, who, reporting on sample drawn from a large shipment 

 of juice, said : ' we do not think concentrated lime juice can be 

 better made.' 



As to the resulting increase in the market value of the product, 

 I am not yet in a position to speak from personal knowledge, as 

 all my juice has been supplied to contract at a fixed price. Messrs. 

 Scrutton, Sons & Co., however, replying to a query on the subject, 

 wrote : ' There can be no doubt that it pays to be careful with 

 your concentration. Of this fact we have had proof during the 

 past season, as we have been able to obtain 30s. per hhd. more 

 for juice which was thin and clear, and which contained less than 

 115 oz. of citric acid per gallon.' 



Dr. Watts has repeatedly drawn the attention of planters to 

 the great loss of acid resulting from excessive concentration, and 

 the above quotation further emphasizes the advantage of boiling 

 to only a moderate density. 



I may remark that an increase in price of 30s. is equal to a net 

 gain of over 28s. after deducting discount and charges, based on 

 the value of the product. 



HISTORICAL NOTES ON ECONOMIC PLANTS 



IN JAMAICA.-VII. 



TOBACCO.* 



By the Editor. 



The history of economic plants in Jamaica is part of the history 

 of the efforts made by the British Government to aid the colonies. 

 The wide knowledge, wise counsels, and great wealth of Sir 

 Joseph Banks were always at the service of the Government for 

 the purpose. In later years, when the Royal Gardens at Kew 

 were presented to the nation, and the establishment there gradually 

 grew in value and influence under the fostering care of the Hookers, 

 father and son, and later still of Thiselton-Dyer, the efforts of 

 the Government became systematic and continuous, and conse- 



*A paper prepared for the West Indian Agricultural Conference, 1907. Reprinted 

 for the West Indian Bulletin, Vol. VIII., 1907, page 20Q. 



