98 



The distillate commenced to run about four hours after the fire was 

 started and at this time a delay of an hour took place through an 

 .accident to the still ; as soon as th.s was repaired, the distillate 

 commenced to run and continued doing so for about two hours. 



The distillate contained a fair quantity of pure essential oil and in the 

 end quarts were obtained. I estimate that about a quart of essential 

 oil was lost through being compelled to "blow off" just as the distillate 

 commenced to run, whereby a large volume of vapour which contained 

 a quantity of essential oil. was wasted. 



I am unable to state the value of distilled essential oil at the present 

 time, some months ago it was very low and worth only about 1/9 per 

 lb. or 2/7-J per quart. The value of the essential oil obtained by this 

 experiment would be therefore about 17/. 



It must be borne in mind that the lime juice with which the still was 

 charged, was concentrated to a certain extent during the operation, only 

 550 gallons being contained in the still when it was run off. There 

 would therefore be a considerable saving of expense in concentrating 

 this remainder to the extent required for shipment 



It must also be remembered that had the still contained the full 

 charge of 800 gallons of pure lime juice, the amount of oil obtained 

 would have been at least 9 quarts which at late low prices would be 

 worth nearly 24/. 



The cost of running the still for fuel and labour was 10/6. 



It has been demonstrated from this experiment : — 



(1) That it is feasible to distil essential oil from lime juice and to 

 concentrate to a certain extent at the same time. 



(2) The juice being already reduced by about J the further con- 

 centration is thereby rendered easier and cheaper. 



(3) The essential oil can be obtained equally well from small stills 

 of the capacity of about 10 gallons and upwards, thereby bring- 

 ing the process within rfach of small proprietors who can only 

 grow a limited quantity of limes and cannot afford the outlay on 

 a large still. The further process of " concentrating" can be 

 carried out equally well on a small scale. 



Limes grow easily and rapidly. Machinery to produce oil and 

 concentrated juice on a small scale should not cost above £20 to £25. 



It appears to me therefore that an industry of some practical value to> 

 .small holders might be started in connection with the above. 



I have, etc., 



H. Blag rove, 



Major 13th Hussars. 



UTILISATION OF BANANAS FOR MEAL, &c— III. 



In the Bulletins for last July and January, the subject of machinery 

 for utilising waste bananas was discussed. The following letter has 

 been received from Mr. Asser, and the matter will now be left for 

 planters themselves to deal with. Mr. Asser's samples are in the 

 Museum of the Jamaica Institute :— 



