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of the syrup is taken between the thumb and finger, and if it forms 

 threads, and breaks on being drawn about an inch, it is supposed to 

 be boiled sufficiently *. It is then gently laded into earthen pots of the 

 form of a sugar-loaf, about two feet deep and ten inches in diame- 

 ter at the open end, Avhere, on cooling, it becomes concrete. In 

 the lower end of each pot is a small hole, which at first is nearly 

 closed ; but after the sugar begins to cool, it is unstopped, and a 

 piece of cane is put in to admit the molasses to drain. Soon after 

 the moulds are filled, they are removed into an airy room, where 

 they are placed so that the molasses drain into a large cistern, from 

 whence they are convej'cd into the fermenting vats, which are re- 

 ceptacles for all the refuse of every description in the sugar-house. 

 In the process of fermentation much depends on the quality of the 

 wood of which the vats are made ; some of them bring the liquor 

 into a proper state for distillation two or three days sooner than 

 others. 



The greatest part of the sugars made here are clayed, by a very 

 simple operation, which consists merely in covering the sugar with 

 very moist clay, the water from which percolates the mass, and car- 

 ries with it the remaining molasses. When the earthy matter be- 

 comes dry, more is applied until the sugar is perfectly freed, and 

 nearly white. After remaining in the drying-house about six weeks, 

 the moulds are placed with the large end downwards, and the sugar- 

 loaves leave them ; they are then beaten down to powder in large 

 strong cases, constructed of four entire planks, and the two ends, ge- 

 nerall}' about eight feet long, and about twenty-six inches square -f-, 

 holding from fifteen to sixteen hundred-weight. The cases, when 

 filled, are nailed down, and are ready for shipping. 



* In skimming, lading, and managing the syrup during the operation, the negroes display 

 great dexterity. 



f Large trees are cut into planks of these dimensions for making the cases, which are pre- 

 ferred to hogsheads. 



