454 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



a small hag of charcoal filter, and when cool, submit it to the test of the 

 above described re-agents. The process of conversion or saccharification 

 lasts from two to four hours, according to quality and purity of the starch 

 or fecula. When the whole of the starch and gum is found to be thoroughly 

 saccharified or converted into sugar, then draw the mixture into another 

 open wood vessel, which is called a neutralizing vat, provided with stirring 

 apparatus and let-out cock, and proceed to the neutralization of the sul- 

 phuric acid by gradually pouring into the said neutralizing vat the 168 

 lbs. of purified carbonate of lime diluted in 50 gallons of watei', stirring 

 the liquid to hasten the neutralization and the escape of carbonic acid pro- 

 duced during the operation. The neutralized saccharified liquid is then 

 permitted to settle for from two to four hours, during which period almost 

 all the sulphate of lime is deposited at the bottom of the neutralizing vat. 

 The saccharified liquid, is then drawn off and received into an open iron 

 copper, called a precipitating pan, to proceed to the precipitation of the 

 sulphate of lime, which remains in solution, and combined with the sac- 

 charified liquid. For that purpose introduce carbonic acid gas or oxalate 

 of ammonia into the said liquid, and the sulphate of lime is pi'ecipitated 

 and separated as carbonate or oxalate. Then pass the saccharified liquid 

 through bag filters and receive it into an evaporating pan in which it is 

 evaporated until it gets the consistency of syrup, viz., a density of 20 deg. 

 of Baume's saccharometer; then draw the said syimp into a clarifying 

 pan, called a blow-up pan, to be purified. For that purpose pour in and 

 mix with the syrup a more or less quantity of calcined blood and charcoal 

 powder, according to the impurity of the syrup, when by heating it up to 

 about 180 deg. Fahrenheit, foreign matters will coagulate and deposit at 

 the bottom. Then convey the said clarified syrup through bag filters, then 

 through charcoal, and receive into a baking pan, in which it is evaporated 

 and concentrated until it gets a density of 38 deg. Baume's saccharometer 

 for producing glucose sugar in a state of syrup, and until it gets a density 

 of 38 deg. Baume, for producing glucose sugar in a state of solidity or 

 hardness. Then cool the glucose sugar and put it into any kind of cask, 

 or otherwise for the use of the trade. Glucose sugar produced by the 

 above improved process, is quite pure, free from gum, acid, sulphate of 

 lime, and from bitter and empyreumatic tastes. Its properties and chemi- 

 cal composition are identical to those of grape and malt sugars. It will, 

 therefore, be found economical and advantageous in producing beer, ale, 

 porter, alcohol, brar.dy, gin, cider, vinegar, wine, ginger beer, liquors, &c. 

 After selecting as the subjects for the next discussion " The Manufacture 

 of Bisulphide of Carbon, Ether and Chloroform," the Association adjourned. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, ) 



Dec. 29, 1864. ) 

 Prof. S. D. Tillman, Chairman; B. Garvey, Secretary. 



Railroad Screw Spike. 



Prof. C. Mason exhibited a model of a railroad screw spike which elicited 

 some debate, after which the Chairman read the following memoranda of 

 science and art; 



