THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY. PART L 



181 



A sample from tree number 5 was collected in this way, and the analysis 

 showed the following composition: 



Analysis of sap collected in alcohol. 



Density 



Solids.. 



Ash 



Polarization: 

 Direct 



Invert 



Sucrose 



Reducing sugars . 



Acidity 



Alcohol 



Purity 



Undetermined 



Alcoholic 

 sample. 



1. 0305 

 12.86 

 0.33 



-11.6 

 - 3.0 

 11.3 

 0.32 

 0.036 

 16.1 



Calculated 



to original 



sap. 



14.3 

 0.35 



12.6 

 0.35 

 0.04 

 0.00 



88.1 

 0.96 



Alcohol slowly precipitates a white, floeculent, nitrogenous compound leaving 

 a clear supematent liquid. When containing fron 10 to 16 per cent alcohol by 

 volume the sap forms an agreeable beverage, too sweet perhaps for some palates. 



Alcohol was also found to be very serviceable in the filtration of the solutions 

 for polarization after the addition of the clarifying agent. Many of the samples 

 were so viscous that they could not satisfactorily be filtered without this aid. 

 When a volume of alcohol equal to that of the clarifying reagent employed (lead 

 subacetate) is added, the precipitate settles quickly and the solution passes 

 rapidly through the filter. 



Slaked lime is the most practical preservative for the sap when it is 

 to be used in sugar making. The inversion of the sucrose and other 

 changes are inhibited by its use. For other purposes it does not appear 

 to have any value. The use' of slaked lime is more fully treated in the 

 section on sugar making. 



INVESTIGATIONS CAKEIED ON WITH TREE NUMBER FIVE. 

 With W. B. GONDER. 



Description of the tree. — A group of about twenty buri palms ranging 

 in age from twelve to thirty-five years is located two miles east of Bokawe, 

 Bulacan, in the Barrio of Turo. One of these was selected for the follow- 

 ing investigations : 



The palm was, by native report, more than forty-five years old, but this is 

 scarcely credible. An estimated age of thirty or thirty-five years is more in 

 keeping with the best estimates of the age limits. The circumference at the base 

 was 2.115 meters, and the height was 11.11 meters. The leaves were many, of 

 good size and color, and everything indicated that the subject selected for experi- 

 mentation was an average specimen approaching maturity. 



Tapping for sap. — ^The services of an experienced native were employed for this 

 work. A bamboo ladder was first constructed and placed at the palm. Ascend- 



