100 



NORTHERN SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



of Lafayette Sugar Works. I am indebted to him for many courtesies 

 received during the x)reparation of this report. 



APPARATUS FOR MAKING SULPHUROUS ACID OR LIME BISULPHITE 



FOR SMALL PLANTS. 



In working sorghum for sirup the use of sulphurous acid or lime bi- 

 sulphite produces an article of superior merchantable properties. I 

 will therefore give an account of an apparatus for the home manufac- 

 ture of these articles. I append a description and cut of the apparatus. 



Fig. 1L 



I am indebted to Mr. W. L. Anderson for the following account of 

 the apparatus and its history : 



(A) (Fig. 11). — Tank holdiug double tlie quantity of barrel (B). In this is placed 

 a bushel of unslaked lime. The tank is then filled with water and the lime well stirred 

 up and allowed to settle, when clear the water is ready to be drawn off. Fresh lime 

 should occasionally be added to that in the tank so that the hydrate may be of a uni- 

 form strength. It is best to add a little each time the tank is filled with Avater. 



(B) .— Barrel for forming the bisulphite. This is filled from the tank by opening 

 the globe- valve on pipe (C), which enters the tank above the settled lime. After the 

 barrel is almost filled add about 2 gallons of weak milk of lime. This barrel, as well 

 as all others used for bisulphite, should be of hard wood. 



(D). — Furnace so made as to fit snugly around kettle (E.) It has a sheet-iron door, 

 and a chimney. The kettle is hung by rods run through the ears and laid obliquely 

 across the corners of the furnace. 



