122 Journal of the Mitchell Society [Deceniber 



of resin carried over mechanically during distillation. After 

 most of the volatile oil has passed off, the still cap is removed, 

 excess water in the kettle boiled off, and the molten rosin drawn 

 off through a tap in the bottom of the kettle onto a coarse wire 

 filter, then through a second filter of fine mesh wire overlaid 

 with cotton batting. The molten rosin is then dipped into 

 wooden barrels luted with clay and solidifies on cooling. In 

 this condition it is shipped to market. 



The usual method of controlling the distillation is by the 

 sound heard at the mouth of the condenser worm. Within the 

 past three years a number of American operators have substi- 

 tuted for this method that of thermometer control with very 

 excellent results. 



In France, much more progress has been made in the art of 

 distillation. Among the French distilleries there are three dis- 

 tinct types: first, a system closely resembling the American; 

 second, distillation solely by steam in steam jacketed vessels; 

 and third, a mixed system in which there is direct contact of 

 fire with the kettle during the first stage of the distillation, then 

 replacement of this by mixed injection of steam and hot water. 

 By this means, a constant temperature is maintained, enabling 

 the complete removal of all spirits of turpentine without danger 

 of scorching the rosin. 



It can be readily understood that in France, under proper 

 methods of forestry, with conservative tapping of the trees and 

 provision for systematic reforestration, a distillery can look 

 forward to a permanent supply of raw material. Hence there is 

 justification for the more costly plants and more efficient meth- 

 ods of distillation ; but in America, where under past methods 

 the industry shifts so rapidly, so great an outlay of capital for 

 this purpose would not be justified. There is no doubt that with 

 an excellent " stiller " very good results can be obtained under 

 the American system, but the personal element of the stiller 

 enters into the question and this could be easily avoided without 

 any great outlay of capital by adopting the French system of 

 mixed injection. 



Quite recently M. Castets has erected near Dax, France, a 



