NES 
Distillation of Ardent Spirit. 269 
enter at large upon them here. The great object is 
to regulate the heat according to the density of the 
liquor, before the yest is added; to keep the fer- 
menting mass in a proper temperature; and pay 
strict attention to the construction of the vessels, all 
of which may be deduced from the former experi- 
ments. The close vessels, to which tubes are adjust- 
ed and immersed in water, have some additional ad- 
vantages besides those already enumerated. They 
prevent, in some degree, the temperature of the sur- 
rounding atmosphere from affecting the fermenta- 
tion; and most effectually prevent any acidity from 
taking place however long the operation is con- 
tinued. 
It is of considerable importance to have the li- 
quor clear and freed from all heterogeneous matter ; 
and, if this has not been done by previous manage- 
ment, the usual method of refining ale or porter 
ought to be adopted before the liquor is commit- 
ted to distillation. A quantity of isinglass dis- 
solved in water, to which a little sour beer must be 
added, has the best and quickest effect. 
There is another necessary precaution to be ob- 
served. Care should be taken that the sediment be 
not disturbed in removing the liquor, from the ves- 
sel in which it has been fermented, to the still. 
This may be done either by a tap at a small distance 
from the bottom of the vessel, or by the introduc- 
tion of a syphon, 
