PROCESS OF DEFECATION. 101 
dimensions that, with a partition one and a half inches 
thick, dividing it in the center in the direction of its 
least diameter, each half will contain just 100 gallons, 
between the level of a mark made on its side six inches 
from the top, and the level of the exit cock near its bot- 
tom. This is a convenient measure of juice, and can be 
finished to the “striking” point on one of the larger evap- 
orators in one hour. 
Begin by filling one compartment of the tank up to the 
mark, and then turn the flow of juice into the other. Have 
ready a tin dipper or measure which will hold about half a 
gill, mix in a bucket this measure of milk of lime with two 
or three quarts of juice from the division of the tank already 
filled, return the mixture to the tank and stir it thoroughly. 
The lime should be added in sufficient quantity at this time 
not only to neutralize the small quantity of free acid found 
in ripe sorghum juice of the best quality, but also to im- 
part to it the very feeble alkalinity which, for a reason to 
be hereafter mentioned, it should possess at this stage of 
the evaporation. Juice of a nearly neutral character is 
seldom obtained in large quantity, and lime will always be 
needed. To ascertain whether any more lime should be 
added, dip into the juice already mixed with the milk of 
lime a small slip of red- litmus-paper, or yellow turmeric- 
paper. No more tempering will be required if the color 
of the litmus is changed toa tint in which the blue slightly 
predominates over the red, or the turmeric yellow deepens 
to a faint shade of brown. But if no such change of 
color is indicated, more milk of lime must be added grad- 
ually until the test paper takes the required tint. Then 
add to each 100 gallons of the juice one pint of the clarify- 
ing solution, and stir thoroughly. The juice is then ready 
to be admitted into the evaporator. This should be done 
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