SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF "EXPRESSED JUICE.' 



331 



percentage of saccharine matter in the "beet," which is 

 used largely for the manufacture of sugar. By determin- 

 ing the specific gravity of the juice of the roots, and then 

 carefully propagating those of the highest value, M. Vil- 

 morin has, in the course of a few years, been able to 

 produce a variety containing a greatly increased propor- 

 tion of sugar, and consequently of increased agricultural 

 and commercial value. The mode of testing the specific 

 gravity of the juice is very simple, and readily performed. 

 The woodcut describes the only apparatus needed. 1 



The turnip should be placed on a table, and the cylin- 

 drical borer plunged right through its centre ; the portion 

 carried out in the cylinder is then expelled by the piston, 

 and rasped on to 

 the fine cloth, the 

 expressed juice 

 being collected 

 in the capsule, 

 poured into the 

 long testing - 

 glass, and its 

 specific gravity 

 ascertained by 

 means of the 

 instruments for 

 that purpose. 

 Care is neces- 

 sary to cut clear 



out from the bulb the portion required for testing ; in such 

 case the perforated root is not injured for seed purposes, 

 especially if the excised surfaces be dusted over with lime, 



1 The apparatus, arranged and used by M. Vilmorin, is sold by Deleuil, 

 6, Rue du Pont de Lodi, Paris, at 18 francs. For determining the specific 

 gravity of the root, a simple apparatus has been arranged by Mr. Stevenson, 

 Lothian Street, Edinburgh, of whom it can be obtained. 



A. Metal borer with wooden piston. B. Rasp or grater' 

 C. Capsule. D. Test-glass for taking density of juice, e. Ther- 

 mometer. / and g. Densimeters. H. Roll of linen for press- 

 ing the pulp. 



