365 
three-quarters of a pound, the stems strong and woody, with 
not half so much water in their system as usual. 
APPLICATION OF PEAT CHARCOAL AS A DECOLOURISING 
AGENT. 
It has heen proved that peat charcoal is a most effective 
agent in removing colour from various solutions. Port wine, 
infusions of cochineal and logwood, solution of sulphate of 
indigo, &c, are all deprived of their colour by means of 
peat charcoal. Experience has also shewn that peat charcoal 
may be used to advantage in decolourising solutions of 
Muscovado sugar, and furnishing colourless crystals of re- 
fined sugar. Whilst trying some experiments on this subject, 
a friend called on me and asked my advice relative to some 
80 gallons of coloured gin in his possession, and which by 
being coloured had become unfit for sale. I advised him to 
try peat charcoal, he did so, and not only removed all traces 
of colour therefrom, but the process of filtration, removing 
probably some fusil oil remaining in the gin, imparted such 
a mellowness to the spirit, that it speedily became so highly 
esteemed by my friend's customers, that he soon disposed of 
the whole of his filtered stock, and has learned the way of 
improving his future purchases. 
Peat charcoal, to be effective for decolourising purposes, 
must be recently made and employed in a granulated state ; 
otherwise, as I have found, much disappointment will arise 
from its employment. I have applied it with success in 
decolourising various saline solutions, in the manufacture of 
which I have been engaged. Although the cost of animal 
charcoal is treble that of peat charcoal, the necessity of em- 
ploying a much larger quantity of the latter much diminishes 
the economy of its use. In all cases in which flavour is 
concerned, I believe peat charcoal to be preferable. 
