lo June, 1909.] 



Cider Making. 



355 



Machinery for Cider Making. 



Perhaps the most useful aud couvenient mill is the one illustrated 

 here. (Illustration Xo. 3.) It is some four or five years ago since the 

 Department introduced this mill, together with all the latest appliances 

 for producing good cider. As will be seen, it is mounted for travelling, 

 and this makes it extremelv convenient as it can be shifted about from 

 orchard to orchard. The grinding portion of this machine is capable of 

 treating 8 to 10 tons per day, but the press is limited in its capacity and 

 •cannot treat more than 2 tons per day. Since it was introduced, local 

 makers are making a similar mill which is quite equal to it. The carriage 

 portion is not necessary where the mill is required for one's own use. 



The cost of the plant, mill, press, and carriage, in England is about 

 ^35. whilst the locallv made mill, without carriage or press, runs to ^15 

 or ;£i6. The stone rollers which grind the pulp are slightly larger than 

 those of the imported one, and appear to give satisfaction. So far as the 

 press is concerned, anv kind is suitable. Many of the wine presses which 

 were so plentiful in this State, are being purchased for this purpose. 



SMALL CIDER MILL. 



5. SMALL CIDER MILL SIIOW-ING 

 PRESS WITH RACKS AND CLOTH. 



There are smaller mills of different type and makes, as shown in the 

 accompanying illustration (Xo. 4). The Department has one of these also, 

 and for small quantities it works fairlv well. Thev are obtainable in the 

 State. 



Pressing. 



In working the press, it is necessary to make some provision to con- 

 fine the pul]), and also for the escape of the juice from the centre of it 

 when under pressure. 



The old method was to build up alternative layers of straw and pulp, 

 thus keeping the mass compact, and at the same time allowing the juice 

 to pass out from the centre, but this has given place to a much more con- 

 venient and better method (see Xo. 5). A rack covered with strong cloth 

 is now used. The rack is made of strips of wood, half-inch or three- 

 -quarters square, with cross pieces as shown in illustrations X^os. 5 and 6. 



