M. BOURDAIS’ STATEMENT. 263 
hour afterwards this “foot” is in full fermentation. I then filled my 
vat with 500 hectolitres, at a temperature of 30°. An hour after these 
quantities pass themselves into fermentation. Let us remark that this is 
the result of our own experience; that this fermentation progresses 
regularly, has no need of being watched, is never violent, and falls 
always to zero of the areometer, in 20 hours at least, and 24 hours at 
most. It is very true that the juice of the sorgho contains naturally 
its own ferment. M. Hardy has considered it sufficient to produce 
the alcoholic fermentation without the addition of any stimulant ; and 
in this latter case this fermentation progresses very gently, much 
too gently even, since it requires less than 6 to 8 days to fill; and 
finally it cften happens that it ceases before the- sugar is entirely 
transformed. Then the wines weigh still 1, and sometimes 13, by the 
areometer. 
DISTILLATION, 
I distil my wines by steam, and by means of a column still, after 
the system of M. Dubrunfaut. 
RECTIFICATION OF BRANDY. 
The rectifying column of which I have made use is that of M. 
Dubrunfaut, comprising two analyzers, whose purpose it is to spread 
the liquid of the condensation and the vapors, which are obtained 
simultaueously. The 3|6 obtained are of a strength of 94°, and fine 
in flavor. It now only remains to present a summary view of the 
figures which have appeared in the foregoing remarks, and to draw 
the attention of the reader to the following conclusions: they speak 
for themselves, and have no need of comments. We have seen that 
about 23 acres can produce 58,240 lbs. of stripped stalks ; and that a 
hundred kilogrammes (225 Ibs.) of these same stalks may give about 14 
gallons of alcohol at 940. The hectare (23 acres) yields then about 700 
gallons 3|6 at 94°, worth in the Constantiae market about $1 50 per 
gallon, say . 7 : : ; 4 : . $1,081 60 
We know that the litre of 3|6 costs, all expenses included, 
0.74.1, say for 200 gals. ‘ : : : : 400 73 
There remains, per hectare, a net profitof .  .  . $680 87 
