Part I.] Puran Singh: Turpentine Oil and Indian Rosin. 29 
steam distillation, taking care that the still is “ cut” 
at the right moment. 
(3) That the above results could be obtained by using 
methylated spirit in the existing water distillation 
plant, provided that the distillation is carried on slowly 
and with care. 
(4) That the distillation of turpentine with 70 per cent, of 
spirit always gives better results than water distillation. 
(5) That to reduce the strong and unpleasant resinous smell of 
the oil, it should be washed w T ith either lime water or 2 
per cent, soda carbonate solution. Besides rendering 
the smell less acute, the washing removes traces of rosin 
that the oil might contain. 
CHAPTER VI. 
Commercial Opinions on the Spirit-distilled Oil. 
The oil labelled A was sent to the Chief Store-keeper, North- 
Western Railway, and the Chief Store-keeper, Bengal-Nagpur Rail¬ 
way, and the reports received from them were indifferent classify¬ 
ing it as second class fit only for rough work. But it was 
afterwards found out that the oil of quality A would be suitable for 
all kinds of railway works (vide Appendix B). 
The sample A was also sent to Messrs. Butto Kristo Paul & Co., 
of Calcutta, by the writer, who replied as follows: — 
“ In further continuation of our previous letter in reply to 
yours, No. 656/99, we beg to inform you that the 
samples of turpentine and rosin sent by you are 
approved by the experts of our firm. We are sorry 
not to have any information about the total output of 
the same articles, as solicited in our last letter. How¬ 
ever, we believe we shall be able to sell all the output 
of your factory.” 
From a subsequent communication from the same firm the writer 
understands that they can dispose of the spirit distilled oil at about 
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