VI THE LIME 157 



be obtained from every barrel of limes ; but, sometimes, on Quantity of 

 account of defective machinery, no more than five and a-half ba'n-d^of 

 or six gallons are got. '^'""• 



When the juice is exported in its raw state, it is necessary Necessity of 

 to take particular care to exclude all dirt, fruit pulp, and 

 seeds. If the limes be gathered in rainy weather the mud 

 must be washed off them before they are passed through the 

 mill, and it is well to strain the juice through several copper Straining the 

 sieves with meshes of decreasing size. Another good plan is ^"'^^' 

 to allow the juice to remain in puncheons or casks with a 

 tap put in about 10 inches from the bottom. The juice will 

 then " settle, ' the seeds and the heavier part of the pulp fall- 

 ing to the bottom, and the oil and other impurities rising 

 to the top. The juice can be drawn off in three or four 

 days, and it is allowed to run as long as it is clear. The 

 casks in which the juice is exported must be completely Packing the 

 filled, so as to exclude the air, and they should be bunged up ^"'*^^' 

 as soon as possible. If this system be adopted the juice will 

 remain in good condition for many months. When it is Prevention 



, . r . . ^ ^r r ^• of fermenta- 



necessary to keep it for a long time, half an ounce of sail- tion. 

 cylic acid can be added to every fifty gallons of juice, the acid 

 preventing the fermentation and consequent destruction of 

 the product. The salicylic acid will not interfere in any way 

 with the wholesomeness of the juice. 



Concentration of the Juice. — Concentrated lime juice How the 



, -11 • • juice is con- 



is prepared very simply by evaporation in open copper pans centrated. 

 until the required density is obtained. In Dominica, the 

 juice is usually boiled down until it reaches one tenth or one 

 twelfth of its original volume — the resulting product, which 

 will contain over 100 ounces of citric acid to the gallon, be- 

 ing a very acid stuff about the colour and consistency of 

 molasses. The concentration of the juice requires a great Fuel, 

 deal of fuel, about two cords being required to produce a 

 hogshead at a density of 10 to I. It is necessary for the 

 planter therefore, to look to the available sources of supply 



