758 JAMAICA. 



the point of a knife, in a dry piece of the trumpet-tree ; then fix 

 it between their feet, and, fliarpening the harder wood to fit the 

 hole, twirl it rapidly with the palms of both hands till the fire is 

 kindled. 



The trunk and branches yield a great quantity of fixed fait, much 

 heavier than any other wood-afhes, and making a far flronger 

 lixivium : for this property, it has formerly been adminiftered with 

 luccefs in dropfical habits. But the French planters have applied 

 it to a much better ufe: they mix a quantity of it in their coppers, 

 to dclpumate and granulate their fugars, when the juices are io 

 vifcid, that the alkaline falts of the lime will not procure this 

 efiecl. 



The cane-liquor, either by the foulncfs of the ground, or tl.c 

 plants being too old, bruiled, or rat-eaten, will often acquire an 

 uncommon degree of fharpnefs, not inferior to the acid of lemons, 

 which renders it black and lyrupy. In this cafe, as well as when 

 th-e liquor is obtained from canes growing in rank, frefli foils, the 

 trumpet-tree afhcs promife to bring on the granulation beyond any 

 other ingredient that can be ufed. Its operation may be aflifted by 

 additions of lime-water, where a fournefs prevails ; or of clear 

 water, where the liquor is too vifcid. The acid principle, by thefe 

 infufions, maybe gradually abforbed, and neutralized; and, in 

 order to depurate it from thofe particles which by intermixture often 

 darken its complexion, about four ounces of finely-powdered allum 

 to every one hundred gallons of liquor, may be thrown into the 

 fecond tache; which will precipitate fuch feculencies. Before the 

 liquor is caft from the firft tache, it (hould be fufiered to fland uu- 

 difturbed by the ladle for a fliort time, and tlien pafled through a 

 good drainer ; and, if the lad ladle-full or two appear dirty, they 

 may be given to the flill-houfe. 



The great ranknefs of the North-fide canes, ov/ing to the frefli and 

 rich quality of the foil, occafions their liquor to be very commonly 

 in the ftate before-defcribed. In thefe places, the trumpet-trees are 

 always found in greateft abundance; nature having furnifhcd the 

 planter with this remedy ever at hand, if he is difpoied to make ufe 

 of it. 



6<). Indian 



