108 



defecation by subsequent treatment with 30 per cent, of the lignite. 

 Below are the averages: 



[Concentrated in double effect.] 



Although when freshly ground, and yet containing from 30 to 35 per 

 cent, of hyroscopic moisture, it can be readily brought to mix intimately 

 by mechanical means with the juices, this is scarcely to- be accomplished 

 in the large and regular quantities required if, having been long pre- 

 pared, desiccation to 15 or 20 per cent, has not somehow been prevented ;; 

 in which state, if sufficiently comminuted, it excels not only the kneading; 

 requirements of patent flour fourfold but becomes even dangerous from 

 liability to spontaneous combustion. This infers the necessity for a 

 grinder on the premises, with engine, foundations, sifters, elevators, mix- 

 ers, shafting, belting, and their like ad libitum, in a structure apart from 

 the factory building proper, which last would needs be protected from the 

 attendant dust, as another serious sugar-making complication and care. 

 Such a plant has been estimated, by a probably competent European 

 engineer, to cost, for a 60,000-pound diurnal output, erected upon thia 

 property, exclusive of the presses and their immediate appurtenances, 

 but inclusive of building, not less than $10,000. Wood coal can, on the 

 other hand, safely be prepared during the leisure of idle months, at 

 home or elsewhere, and be mixed in the greatly reduced amounts called 

 for, as wanted, with the most simple and inexpensive devices or be 

 stored without injury or danger from season to season. Even wood 

 char, however, for satisfactory nitration, should also contain a con- 

 siderable percentage of moisture when ground. Otherwise the first 

 run of liquor is likely to come charged with the char, requiring refiltra- 

 tion. It appears that this, unlike lignite, may be rendered in part toa 

 pulverulent, which last the enforced presence of sufficient moisture at 

 the time of its reduction is believed to prevent. 



Brown coal, again, is not known to exert even a favorable mechan- 

 ical action on the soil's productiveness ; that wood char exercises valu- 

 able functions, in this regard is well understood among agronomists. 

 If in the ordinary filter-pressing of scums and sediments well-nigh the 

 en tire fertilizing content of the juice itself is already secured, leaving no- 

 credit for such properly to be conceded to either, for this mechanical ad- 

 vantage of charcoal something may well be deducted from its estimated 

 first cost to manufacture. It presumably absorbs from the juice, also, 

 fertilizing material in excess of the brown coal, equivalent to the addi- 

 tional rise it secures in the exponent of this. The aggregate bulk of 

 brown coal required would be such as might well preclude economic 

 distribution over the fields. 



Considering the quality of the native brown coals as yet examined,, 

 the cost of transportation, and, if imported, the duty upon such enor- 

 mous quantities of these as are demanded, the price of vegetable char r 

 it appears, should compare most favorably with them throughout the 



