a few triiflsiil ^Slntftb. ja. -.yah reasonable certainty the quantity of linio 

 required. A eujiaiutu-uuie excess of lijtiie will increase the expense of manufacture 

 in ,uo subsequent stages without corresponding advantage. 



The addition of clay is recommend ed to facilitate the settling of the impurities. 

 Coarse-grained clays are not suitable for this purpose since they subside rapidly 

 without carrying down the impurities. With very line clays, however, the particles 

 subside slowly. The sediment is easily disturbed in drawing off the clear liquid and 

 turbid juices result. To be suitable for sirup manufacture the clay should contain 

 no water-soluble matter. In general it has been observed that fire clays are usually 

 too coarse grained, the pure white cla ys too fine, blue clays, gumbo, or waxy clays are 

 not suitable, and that yellow or brown clays are best. The clay is added to the 

 juir' 1 in the form of a smooth, thin batter. Experiments on a small scale, using small 

 round bottles to permit observations of the progress of the precipitation, will soon 

 give one the necessary experience. For the sake of economy as little lime and clay 

 should be used as is consistent with good work. 



The clear juice should be carefully drawn off from the lime and clay precipitate, 

 when the latter has thoroughly settled. Heat the clear juice nearly to the boiling 

 point, then sufficient superphosphate of lime* should "be added to render it distinctly 

 acid. This point is determined by the use of blue litmus paper, which turns red in 

 an acid solution. 



A distinct change in the paper from blue should be considered an indication of 

 k <uffieient superphosphate. About one gallon of superphosphate of lime (concen- 

 trated) is sufficient for from 400 to 500 gallons of juice, the amount depending 

 largely on the excess of lime employed. Use the superphosphate with care, since 

 too great an excess will result in a sirup of disagreeable taste. After permitting 

 the precipitate formed in the above process to settle, draw off the clear juice and 

 rapidly concentrate it in a suitable evaporator. 



The sediment from the treatment with lime and clay and that formed by the addi- 

 tion of the superphosphate should be mixed, a quantity of water ,-dded, and the 

 whole thoroughly agitated. Settle and decant as before. The clear liquid should be 

 added to the fi^sh juices coming from the mill and the sediment rejected. 



it should always be noted in the manufacture of sirup, as well as in the produc- 

 tion of sugar, that bright, brilliant, claritied juices are essential to success. 



After the sirun has been evaporated to a suitable density it should be rapidly 

 ro< )l.-d. It should not be barreled until it reaches the ordinary temperature of the 

 air. Before beginning the season's work a sufficient quantity of clay should be dried 

 and ground in a mill. 



The following procedure is recommended for manufacture without the use of clay: 



As soon as the juice is expressed it should be treated with cream of iime. It is a 

 good plan to slake the lime, then thin it With a considerable excess of water. This 

 additional water permits the resulting milk of lime to be thoroughly strained for the 

 removal of lumps and unslaked portions. A sieve with i-inch mesh is recommended. 

 After straining, the milk of lime should remain at rest a few hours and part of the 

 water which collects on the surface should then be removed. 



In treating the juice care must be taken to avoid excess of lime. The juice should be 

 limed to neutrality that is, untiLneither the blue nor red litmus test paper changes 

 color when immersed in it. Many prefer to leave it slightly acid. For making a 

 light-colored sirup this is the preferable method; or the juice may be limed till 

 slightly alkaline, and after clarification superphosphate of lime may be added as 

 described in connection with the process employing clay. 



* Superphosphate of lime for use in sugar making is a regular article of commerce. 

 It is an entirely different article from the superphosphate used as a fertilizer. For 

 dealers' names, consult the advertising columns of the Louisiana Planter or the 

 Sugar Bowl and Farm Journal, both New Orleans, La., publications. 



