86 VINEGAR, CIDER, AND FRUIT- WINES. 



leading to the separate generators. At the place on the conduit 

 where the alcoholic liquid is to be introduced into the generator 

 is a discharge-pipe also provided with a spigot. 



When the factory is to be put in operation the reservoir is first 

 filled with alcoholic liquid, the spigots on the several generators 

 being entirely open, but the principal spigot closed. Now, by 

 suddenly opening the latter, the air in the conduit is expelled 

 by the alcoholic liquid flowing in, and the latter rushes in a full 

 stream from the spigots connecting the conduit with the genera- 

 tors. These spigots are then closed so far that only the quantity 

 of alcoholic liquid required for the regular process of the forma- 

 tion of vinegar can enter the generators. To prevent the force 

 of pressure from varying too much in the conduit by the lower- 

 ing of the level of the fluid in the reservoir, it is recommended 

 to give the latter only a slight height but a large bottom surface. 



From the lower portion of the uppermost series of generators 

 the alcoholic fluid then gradually reaches through a pipe the false 

 bottoms of the next series, and from this the lowest series from 

 which it runs oif as finished vinegar into the collecting vessel. 



It will readily be seen that some time for experimenting is 

 required before a factory arranged according to this system can 

 be brought into regular working order, it being necessary to test 

 the fluids running off from the different groups of generators as 

 to their contents of acetic acid in order to find out whether too 

 much or too little or just enough alcoholic liquid reaches the 

 generator so that the liquid running off from the lowest series 

 contains no alcohol and may be considered as finished vinegar. 

 Any fault in the working of the generators can in this case be 

 overcome by a corresponding adjustment of the spigots so as to 

 regulate the influx of alcoholic liquid. 



Theoretically no more simple or convenient process for the 

 fabrication of vinegar than the terrace system could be devised. 

 Provided the spigots supplying the separate generators be once 

 correctly adjusted and the temperature of the different stories 

 suitably regulated, it is only necessary constantly to supply the 

 reservoir with alcoholic liquid and the heating apparatus with 

 fuel in order to carry on the work for any length of time desired. 



