196 TlMEHRl. 



either to provide for the standardizing of the instrument or to issue 

 such instructions as would enable the polarizers to do it themselves. I 

 fear, however, that the latter would be beyond the capacity of those 

 likely to engage in the work. The most difficult of the operations 

 would be standardizing the polariscope. The only reliable way of doing 

 this is by means of pure sugar. This cannot be bought ; it must be 

 specially prepared by a tedious process, and be subsequently analysed 

 to determine that it is pure. 



For the results of the licensed polarizers to be of equal value, the 

 polarizations would have to be conducted in a uniform manner. The 

 particular kind of balance, polariscope, filtering apparatus, and general 

 treatment of the samples would have to be defined and strictly 

 adhered to. The polarization of ordinary refining crystals might then 

 no doubt be carried out satisfactorily. But it unfortunately happens 

 every now and then that samples, particularly of molasses, and molasses 

 sugar, are received, for which the usual treatment does not suffice, and 

 which often tax to the utmost the skill and experience of the Analyst. 

 Over such samples the mere mechanical Polarizer would assuredly 

 come to grief. To support my statements, I forward Landolt's hand- 

 book to the Polariscope— the standard work on the subject— directing 

 attention to page 155 and the following ones, which treat of optical 

 saccharimetry. 



E. E. H. FRANCIS. 



27th March, 1889. 



Reply of Commercial Committee . 



In reply the Committee desire me to point out to His Excellency 

 and the Honourable members of the Court of Policy: — 



1st. The Polarization of Sugar is not a professional chemical 

 process, but simply a mechanical one, requiring in the first instance 

 a correct instrument and appliances ; in the second, a careful manipula- 

 tion of the exact quantities of Sugar and Water necessary, and correct 

 eyesight. 



2nd. Sugar has been correctly polarized by other than Analytical 

 Chemists, and is daily so done. The only reason why, heretofore, the 

 Government Chemist has been employed, is because in the absence of 

 Sworn Polarizers, his position has been acceptable to both buyer and 

 seller but the high rate charged by him makes it desirable that men 

 who are acceptable to both parties, and who are willing to Polarize at 



