Edible Products. 



170 



peas. The mixture is coarsely ground, and water added until a consistency of 

 putty is reached. It is then pressed firmly into wooden moulds in size and shape 

 like brick-moulds. The ' bricks ' are then piled 4 to 5 feet high, in a room just as 

 are bricks in a kiln, with interstices for the free passage of air. The room is kept 

 at an equable temperature, and draughts are rigorously excluded. Fungoid growth 

 soon appears, and the correct temperature being maintained, gradually permeates 

 the whole brick. About forty days are necessary to complete the culture. When 

 propei'ly dried and stored, these ferment-bricks retain their active properties tor 

 four to five years. 



The above methods are those employed in North China and Manchuria, and 

 I would refer those in search of further detail to " Manchuria ; Its People, Resources, 

 and Recent History," by Alex. Hosie, published by Methuen & Co. 



In Western China, especially Szechuan, considerable quantities of Samshu 

 are manufactured, but here, unkusked barley, maize, and sorghum in equal 

 proportions and all mixed together are used. Rice-husks are added in the propor- 

 tion of one part to twenty of the mixture. This mixture is first well steamed for 

 an hour ; then piled in heaps on a clean concrete floor, and boiling water added 

 liberally. It is allowed to remain in these heaps until fairly dry, when it is 

 spread over the floor, and pulverised ferment is thoroughly mixed with it. The 

 whole mixture is next put into a concrete pit and covered over with clay. 

 In this pit it remains for a month (being occasionally examined by aid of an iron 

 bar) and is then ready for distillation. 



The process of distillation is similar to that detailed above. Four distil- 

 lations are made, at intervals of a month, a small quantity of fresh grain and rice- 

 husks being added for the second and third stillings. The quantity of spirit yielded 

 by this mixture is much less than is obtained from the pure Sorghum in Manchuria, 

 but of a stronger nature. The ferment used in the West of China is prepared from 

 wheaten flour.— Hardeners' Chronicle. 



EXTRACTS FROM TRADE REPORT, LONDON, JUNE, 1906. 

 Camphor.— Firmer for Japanese refined tablets, sales at from 3.s. Id. to Ss. 9d. 

 Chillies. — Lower at auction : 200 bales of ordinary dark mixed Mombasa were 



offered without reserve, of which only 20 bales sold at 16s. 6c?. 

 Cloves. — At auction 55 bales Zanzibar were offered and bought in at l^d- per. lb for 



fair ; 5 boxes Ceylon offered and sold at 10£d. for good picked and Q{d. 



for dark. 



Pepper.— Fair white Singapore at auction was bought in at l\d, and a few bags 

 good Ceylon realised dfad. to Id.— Chemist and Druggist, June, 1906. 



